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Wrapped in Peace

Last night Dave grabbed my phone and captured this beautiful end to a raining afternoon. I didn’t see the shots he took until this morning. They brought a smile to my face and a sense of peace to my heart.

The image made me wonder how many skies like this Peter saw on the Sea of Galilee and many times Jesus looked up at the end of a long day and saw the rays of the sun shining through the clouds?

Peter would see the clouds and think like a fisherman. He would be focused on the natural while Jesus was about His Father’s business and the lives that needed to be changed.

I don’t know Peter’s thoughts or concerns, but I do know that Jesus was always intent on doing what the Father had sent him to do, to serve mankind and tell them (us) of the Father’s love.

He would draw away from his disciples in the evening and then again in the early morning hours to pray. He was always aware of the Father’s presence, and He was wrapped in the peace that only comes from above.

One particular night Jesus had sent his disciples off in a boat and He stayed by himself to pray.

“At once, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. 23 Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later in the evening, he was still there.

24 By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. 25 A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. 26 When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

27 At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:22-27 CEV

The disciples had seen miracles that day but out in the boat the miracles and power of God had been forgotten. They were focused on their desperate situation and fear had set in. Jesus spoke words of protection and peace.

Don’t be afraid!

Peter was emboldened by Jesus’ presence and said, “Lord if it’s you let me walk on the water too”. Jesus said, “Come on”. Peter stepped out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus but then he looked at the waves and felt the wind. He was no longer trusting in the one who said “Come” and he began to sink.

Jesus took him by the hand and they joined the other disciples in the boat. Peace was restored.

How many times do we start out on a course that God has designed for us and become frightened by the circumstances around us?

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Take your worries and concerns to the Father in prayer. Our Father who fills the sky with His beauty will wrap you in His peace!

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The Way, The Truth, The Life

I just finished looking for an image to go with this morning’s blog. I was taken back when I saw the image I’m using this morning!

This is NOT an anonymous quote! These are the words of Jesus, but the image is a reinforcement of what I was wanting to share.

In today’s world we have better living conditions, better advancements in health care, better education than the generations before us. But we also have more stress, more acts of violence, more fear and less family stability.

In the “old days” people prayed for rain and the success of the crops, families worked and played together, communities gathered together to help a neighbor in need and children were educated by teachers who prayed and used the Bible as the core curriculum.

Truth was the foundation for society, government and the family.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.’ ” John 14:6 ERV

Truth isn’t subjective, it’s an absolute.

You are either telling the truth or it’s a lie. If you leave facts out to skew the story or sway the outcome, it isn’t truth. Remember the days when people in court had to place their hands on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? People swore or affirmed their statement by the Bible because it was and is the only standard of truth that has never changed since it was written.

“The way”. Our life is a journey and we can choose the path but when we follow paths of our own making we become distracted, confused and even lost.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways…The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

I love that verse. When we choose “the way” and “the truth” we gain life. And when we don’t, we face an enemy who is out to destroy us.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

When our youngest daughter was a toddler, she woke up crying in the night. I went to her room, picked her up and carried her to the living room to comfort her and rock her back to sleep. She wasn’t content there, so I took her from room to room until finally we came back to the living room where she snuggled in and fell to sleep.

I remember whispering to her, “This is where we started. I knew this was the best place for you. Why couldn’t you trust me and see that?” And then I heard God speak in my heart and ask me the same question.

Why don’t you trust Me to know what’s best for you and to have you in the right place?

WOW!

I wish I could say that I never had to learn that lesson again but that wouldn’t be the truth. However, the longer I walk with Him the easier it is for me to see when I am on a path of my own making and not where He wants me.

Make your foundation “The Way”, committed to “The Truth” and finding “The Life” that is abundant and everlasting. This isn’t an anonymous statement – it’s a promise from the King of Kings.

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All In

Years ago, when Dave and I were going from place to place holding cowboy camp meetings we had someone tell us, “You don’t have to go overboard with this Christianity and faith stuff”.

I loved Dave’s quick reply. He smiled and said “If we don’t go overboard, we’ll never walk on water”. We were all in, our commitment to God’s word was the final say in what we did and how we ministered.

Yesterday’s blog was on the absolute of “in everything”. That leaves nothing out – everything means everything.

Today I want us to look at some of the “all” absolutes in Scripture.

ALL – is an absolute – not some, not part – not by special selection but ALL.

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:22-24

The righteousness of God is for ALL and to ALL who will believe because there is no one who has his own righteousness because we have ALL sinned. Our salvation is not predicated on how good we are, our social standing, our financial statement, our academic degrees, political party or our natural citizenship. It is ONLY based on what Jesus did to bring salvation to ALL. Our part is to receive the gift.

More ALL verses to contemplate today.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:8-10

All God’s fullness of power and deity are in Christ and when we are in Christ, we are complete in Him. He invests His fullness in our lives as well.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

When we understand the love of God by experience, His true unconditional love, we will be filled with ALL God’s fulness! Amazing!!

Amazing grace freely gives us this gift. The Apostle Paul prayed that we would know this fullness.

He also gave us a few other absolute “ALL” verses.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:19

If you haven’t accepted God’s free gift of grace that brings salvation, all you have to do is accept it with a sincere heart because it’s available to ALL.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9

Be all in. Be all God created us to be!

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Thankfulness

Set the right tone for your day, be thankful.

Thankful for what? The coffee’s hot, the house is cool. There’s a beautiful sunrise outside, the birds are singing, the kids are still sleeping. The electric bill is paid and there’s food in the fridge. A call from a friend, a kindness shown.

Be thankful.

There are some absolutes in the Word of God, they use the phrase “in everything” or “always” and that’s pretty much an absolute in my book.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Notice this verse doesn’t say “for everything” give thanks but “in everything” give thanks. It is always God’s will that we give thanks because there is power in praise and thanksgiving. I know you’ve all heard it before but giving thanks in a bad situation is focusing on God’s deliverance and not on the circumstances. Giving thanks is our way of saying “Father, I know you have a solution when all I can see it the problem”.

Giving thanks is telling our problem how big our God is instead of telling God how big our problem is. Daniel gave thanks that he was worthy of being persecuted for his stand for God. Paul and Silas gave thanks by singing at midnight after they had been beaten and thrown in the prison – praising God for who He is and that they had the privilege to proclaim the gospel.

Paul wrote these words: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

To be careful means to be “full of care” or worry or anxious. And Jesus told the disciples that the “cares of this world” would choke out the Word of God.

Today I encourage you to apply an “in everything” attitude to your life. Thankful for the good, the blessings that the Lord gives and thankful that He has made us victorious over evil.

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

ALWAYS BE THANKFUL!

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Make The Most of It

The last few days we have been doing quite a bit of “camper assistance”. Things get forgotten at home, repairs need to be made, and we are always willing to lend a helping hand.

When our kids were younger, we did quite a bit of camping. It was relaxing, fun and inexpensive. We tent camped. It was a nice tent and as comfortable as a tent could be but still it was a tent.

I had my camping boxes that went on every trip. Each box had all the necessities prepacked. The only thing we really needed to think about was filling the ice chest with the refrigerated food and drinks. We could be ready to go in less than an hour’s time.

We had some fun times; oh, we had the soggy ones too. First time out in the new tent we had forgotten to seal the seams, we had as much rain in the tent as out. Then the adventures of wild animals, canoe trips, floating the river and the one time we brought everything but the tent. I know…but it happened.

No matter how much fun we had and how beautiful the camp site was it always nice to come home. A comfortable bed, dry clothes, and a warm shower. Awwww.

Did you know tent camping is in the Bible? The Apostle Paul wrote about it.

“We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever. 2 But now we are tired of this body. We want God to give us our heavenly home. 3 It will clothe us and we will not be naked. 4 While we live in this tent, we have burdens and so we complain. I don’t mean that we want to remove this tent, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be covered with life. 5 This is what God himself made us for. And he has given us the Spirit as the first payment to guarantee the life to come.

6 So we always have confidence. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see. 8 So I say that we have confidence. And we really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord. 9 Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.” II Corinthians 5:1-9 ERV

Life on this earth is like camping in a tent. It’s an adventure but not as comfortable as Home.

Going home is something to look forward too with great anticipation. But while we’re in this tent we need to enjoy our surroundings, not complain and make the most of it. Afterall, we have God’s promise of an abundant life.

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I Was Lost…

and now I’m found!

What a day. It was a normal day until we heard the message come across our walkie-talkies. Little boy in one of our campsites was missing!

Our hearts sank as we requested more information – name, age, what was he wearing. Any pertinent medical issues. As we were waiting for the answers we had already begun to walk toward the forest behind his campsite and above the lake.

It seemed as if the entire campground had moved into action. We were scrambling over boulders and through the trees, calling his name. Hoping to hear a reply. Praying for his safety and a quick discovery as to his where abouts.

And after what seemed an eternity of searching, the call came, “He’s been found!” And he’s ok.

Thank you Lord!!

When the search began, my friend and I had talked to his mom. She asked, “are you looking for my little boy”. She was so anxious. When he had been found we talked to his grandmother. She brought her grandson around to show us all he was ok and to thank us for our search. She said, “I knew the Lord was watching over him”.

The emotion, the concerted effort of the campers and the successful end of the search reminded me of the way our heavenly Father is always searching for His lost children.

“Then Jesus told them this story: 4 “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. 5 And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it 6 home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, heaven is a happy place when one sinner decides to change.” Luke 15:3-7 ERV

The Father is full of compassion; He makes a way so that no one needs to be lost. He sends those who search for the lost – they may be your neighbors, a family member, friends or perhaps strangers in a campground.

“Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10  The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” Luke 19:9-10 CEV

Zacchaeus went to a parade and ended up with Jesus coming to his home for lunch and this changed his entire life.

There is no moment so dark that the light of God’s love cannot penetrate it; there is no forest so dense that presence of the Father can’t provide a way out. There is no mind so entangled in depression and anxiety that the peace of God cannot restore it.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost! Let the words of the old hymn encourage you today. Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I was once lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.

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Support Needed

A few years back it seemed that we were being asked to support a myriad of causes and it would only cost us $19 a month.

There are social issues, political issues, humanitarian causes, educational, religious, medical, environmental, recreational, cultural and even artistic areas that are asking for our time and support. And each of us have an area that appeals to us more than others but these things cannot be our focus.

Jesus was faced with all the same issues when he walked the earth and he gave this admonition to his disciples.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 NKJV

To achieve greatness for self or mankind is futile if it causes us to loose sight of the most important calling we have, relationship with Jesus Christ!

There is no Nobel prize, humanitarian award, national acclaim or public recognition that can compare with knowing God and having Him speak your name.

“Then Jesus said to his followers, “If any of you want to be my follower, you must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. 25 Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will find true life. 26 It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are lost. You could never pay enough to buy back your life. 27 The Son of Man will come again with his Father’s glory and with his angels. And he will reward everyone for what they have done.” Matthew 16:24-27 ERV

We can become weary and exhausted from “trying” to fix all the worlds woes. Our own efforts will fall short every time. But there is a place of rest and that is found in Jesus.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 CEV

Give up trying to gain the world and find rest in Him today!

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Each Day Has Promise

I know some are waking up this morning filled with a sense of regret. Don’t let past failures, current obstacles or the devil’s lies rob you of this day’s promises.

“God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him.” Psalm 18:30 ERV

Embrace God’s promise for today. Let His word be your focus and sense of strength. Don’t let 3% of difficulties overwhelm the 97% of God’s goodness. In fact, the 97% of difficulty is never greater than just 3% of what God’s faithfulness can do.

“Lord, listen to me and understand what I am trying to say. 2 My God and King, listen to my prayer. 3 Every morning, Lord, I lay my gifts before you and look to you for help. And every morning you hear my prayers.

4 God, you don’t want evil people near you. They cannot stay in your presence. 5 Fools come near you. You hate those who do evil. 6 You destroy those who tell lies. Lord, you hate those who make secret plans to hurt others.

7 But by your great mercy, I can enter your house. I can worship in your holy Temple with fear and respect for you. 8 Lord, show me your right way of living, and make it easy for me to follow. People are looking for my weaknesses, so show me how you want me to live.

9 My enemies never tell the truth. They only want to destroy people. Their words come from mouths that are like open graves. They use their lying tongues to deceive others. 10 Punish them, God! Let them be caught in their own traps. They have turned against you, so punish them for their many crimes.

11 But let those who trust in you be happy forever. Protect and strengthen those who love your name. 12 Lord, when you bless good people, you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.” Psalm 5 ERV

We are surrounded by His love!

The Father’s love protects and gives us strength!

This is our promise for today, it’s as real as the rainbow in the sky. Never doubt the Father’s love!

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Common Sense

Wisdom – a commodity to be treasured. Some call it common sense but it’s far from common.

People seek for knowledge but don’t know what to do with it – not sure how to apply it. The application of that knowledge is wisdom.

Here’s the Bible records about Solomon:

“God made Solomon very wise. Solomon could understand more than you can imagine. 30 He was wiser than anyone in the Eastor in Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone on earth, even Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. King Solomon became famous in all the surrounding countries. 32 By the end of his life, he had written 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs.

33 Solomon also knew very much about nature. He taught about many different kinds of plants—everything from the great cedar trees of Lebanon to the little vines that grow out of the walls. He also taught about animals, birds, and snakes. 34 People from every nation came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. Kings all over the world sent their people to listen to him.” I Kings 4:30-34 ERV

When the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted Solomon didn’t ask for money or strength or power, he asked for wisdom so that he could rule well. God blessed him in that way and added the other blessings also.

What is it that you find yourself asking the Lord for? Do you ask Him for wisdom – direction to finish a project, the ability to lead well, understanding of the unknown? The Lord desires to aide us in our day to day life and He will give us the wisdom we ask for – it comes from Him.

“Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind. ” James 1:5-6 ERV

I found it “coincidental” that as I was reading about Solormon’s great wisdom that I also started reading Proverbs again. Look at the first few verses there.

” These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. 2 They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. 3 They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. 4 These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. 5 Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. 6 These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings. 7 Knowledge begins with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse to learn.” Proverbs 1:1-7 ERV

Let me encourage you to spend time each day reading in Proverbs. Learn from the wisdom that God gave Solomon. If we ask, the Lord will give us wisdom also.

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Separated

The last several days we have experienced a real disconnect from cell and internet service. I know you recognize this as a common problem because I mention it when I am delayed with postings, sometimes by days and others by just hours.

But for some reason this time was particularly disheartening. I felt isolated, you see it was my birthday a couple of days ago and I was receiving notifications that I had messages and comments waiting but I had no way of reading them. It made me sad.

I was telling the Father about this yesterday morning and as the sun was coming up I looked out the window and saw this little glimpse of heaven’s beauty shining in. This glow of sunrise let me know that the Father was there and although I was separated from all of you, I wasn’t from Him.

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:35-39 MSG

“I’m absolutely convinced that nothing…absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love”!

Nothing absolutely nothing.

The only thing that separated us at one time was our sin but the blood of Christ took care of that.

“God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.” Psalm 103:7-14 MSG

Our Father has separated us from our sins!

He made the way for us always to be connected to Him; we are always in right standing because of His grace.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, can or will separate us from the Father’s love!

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