Changing Seasons

It seems silly to be talking about changing seasons when we live in the desert but here I am doing it anyway.

Our mornings and evenings are turning cooler and the daytime temperatures aren’t quite as high. Yesterday morning I heard the local news anchor claim that it was almost time to break out the parkas because the weather person predicted that all this week temps would be below 100.

Yep, that’s the way it is in the Great Southwest.

But across the country some areas have already had their first dustings of snow. Leaves are turning, harvest is underway, animals are preparing for winter – Fall is in the air.

For everything there is a season. Sounds like a song that Pete Seeger wrote for The Byrds. Turn, Turn, Turn. However, King Solomon wrote it long before Pete Seeger was ever born.

There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to have sorrow, and a time to dance. There is a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to kiss, and a time to turn from kissing. There is a time to try to find, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away. There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. There is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 NLV

Many times we try to fight change, we don’t want things to be different. Instead we should be welcoming what God wants to do in our lives; He wants to move us from season to season as we grow in Him.

I was reading in Colossians this morning and these verses jumped off the page.

As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLV

Let the Lord lead us in every step.  Through every season the Lord is wanting to direct our lives so that we can continue to grow in Him; gaining strength and developing grateful hearts.

During Autumn and Winter most trees drop their leaves and stop growing upward. There is growth that we do not see; the roots are going deeper into the earth, seeking out water, providing a stable foundation that will sustain it through the cold.

Welcome the change of seasons. As we prepare for the cooler temperatures that are coming,  let’s also take time to prepare our hearts. We should never quit growing. Let our roots go deep and continue to strengthen us with the amazing love of God.

Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

To everything there is a season…

Scenic Byways

Dave and I love to take the back roads when we travel. The view from the interstate leaves us lacking while the roads less travel share a beauty many don’t ever see.

Months ago I reminded you that ALL Scripture is given by the inspiration of God.

Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:16-17 CEV

 

We have the word of God, not to confine and restrain us but to free and expand our potential by making us aware of who we are in Christ. I’m going to challenge you to step off the beaten path of your Bible reading. Remember the verse above says ALL Scripture is given. We each have our favorite books of the Bible – mine is Colossians and then of course, the 4Gospels. I love reading and seeing Jesus in action.

But what about the obscure books like Amos and Obadiah, or Nehemiah and Haggai. Then in the New Testament there are books like Philemon, Titus and Jude – little books that seem to be overlooked for the others. God has a lesson for us in each and every one of these books.

I see the Bible as a highway for life. On that highway there are places to rest, great places to eat, and places to refuel.

There are also the scenic by-ways. Less traveled roads can provide beautiful scenery and introduce us to interesting people and new adventures. There are also many historical markers on the byways. As we read the lesser known books of the prophets in the Old Testament we see how God continued to deliver and restore the nation of Israel time and time again.

Israel would turn from God; be taken into captivity; repent and cry out to God for deliverance and deliverance would come. God’s blessing would flow once again.

How many times do we follow the same path to serve self and not God? We place ourselves under the captivity of worry and fear; selfishness and greed; and then we call out to God and He restores. Nehemiah, the prophet, prayed this

“LORD, God of heaven, you are the great and powerful God. You are the God who keeps his agreement of love with people who love you and obey your commands.” Nehemiah 1:5

Today I encourage you to take a side trip – visit one of the books that you don’t know very well . Let the Holy Spirit be your guide and bring you new revelation from God’s word.

The Lord gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer,
and he helps me stand on the mountains.” Habakkuk 3:19 CEV

Happy Trails!

Common Sense & Truth

Remember yesterday when I said we should  read our Bibles until we read something that will stay with us the entire day?

Well, I have three short verses to share this morning. These verses are filled with a life time of common sense.

I tell you that everyone will have to answer for all the careless things they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment. 37 Your words will be used to judge you. What you have said will show whether you are right or whether you are guilty.” Matthew 12:26-27 ERV

Jesus said those words above.

He knew the power and importance of words. After all, the world and all that is in it was created when God spoke. When Jesus spoke blind eyes opened, the lame began to walk and sinners were forgiven.

Jesus wants us to be aware of our words and to use them carefully. That’s just good common sense.

Now we have all spoken things we wished we hadn’t and most of us have probably talked just to hear our own voice. If we take time to confess those idle and careless words they will be forgiven and we won’t be judged for them.

Wise people always think before they speak, so what they say is worth listening to. 24 Kind words are like honey; they are easy to accept and good for your health.” Proverbs 16:23-24 ERV

We need to stop and think before we speak. If we do, we won’t be  saying something unkind, rude, or embarrassing. Our words will be sweet as honey.

“My children, if you show good sense, I will be happy, 16 and if you are truthful, I will really be glad. 17 Don’t be jealous of sinners, but always honor the Lord.” Proverbs 23:15-17 CEV

I can hear the Lord’s instruction in this. Use good sense, be truthful and don’t envy those who do evil. ALWAYS honor the Lord!

Good advice – ’nuff said.

Making Time – Taking Time

A while back Dave asked me a question. “Do you have time for me?”

He was being silly and teasing me because he knew I was busy making him breakfast. I think it surprised him when I answered “Sure babe, I always have time for you.”

Time is the only commodity that we are limited in receiving. Every one of us has the same 24 hours, the same 7 days, the same 12 months. It amazes me how some seem to get so much done while others waste what can’t be replaced. Some are more productive at night while others rise early and seem to get their best inspiration during the early morning.

Taking time – making time for the things that are important sometimes makes me feel like a juggler with one too many balls in the air.

When the kids were little it was important to “take time” to help them grow. When they became teenagers it seemed even more important; now that they are grown and have homes of their own I fondly remember those days,  they are cherished memories. It delights me now to take time – undistracted time, to visit with them and be invited to share their time.

Everyone of us write appointments in our day planners, put them in our phone scheduler or write them on the calendar; the important things, things we don’t want to forget. Is our daily time with the Lord written there? Is it written on the schedule we keep in your heart?

One reoccurring question I have been asked over the years is “how long should my quiet time be”. My answer, “as long as you need”. It’s not important that we read multiple chapters in the Bible if we don’t remember what we’ve read when we’re done.  It’s better to take one verse and apply it to our lives that day.

 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’ ” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

The same holds true with our prayer time. Praying is simply talking to the Father heart to heart. It shouldn’t be a religious exercise. No, instead we need to make it a conversation with our dearest friend. Prayer isn’t us doing all the talking; we need to be still and listen to that voice in our hearts, giving us instruction. That’s the Father talking back to us.

Start with a few undistracted minutes. I guarantee it will increase naturally. Spending time with the Father creates a desire and a hunger for more.

“Even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said. 148 I lie awake at night, thinking of your promises.” Psalm 119:147-148

Early or late, it’s one of those appointments we don’t want to miss! I was surprised to see how many times the Scripture records “early in the morning they went out to worship the Lord”. Early morning is my time but for you it may be the watches of the night, whenever it is, we can be certain that the Father will be there to meet us!

“God, hear my cry for help. Listen to my prayer. 2 From a faraway land I call to you for help. I feel so weak and helpless! Carry me to a high rock where no one can reach me. 3 You are my place of safety, a strong tower that protects me from my enemies.” Psalm 61:1-3 ERV

I will answer them before they call for help. I will help them before they finish asking.” Isaiah 65.24 ERV

Take time to make time with the Lord. It is the best part of the day.

Contentment

We live in an agricultural community so seeing herds of cattle and bands of sheep is common place.

So much so that I can see them and not really pay any attention to their presence. But when I stop and take a look with my heart and not with my eyes, it’s amazing what the Lord reveals.

Some mornings I wake up knowing what the day has in store or at least I think I do. And then there are mornings like this morning that I start praying over my day and have no idea how it will go or what I will be doing. That’s when the “sheep” came to mind.

Last night the sheep settled in the pasture. They laid down to rest and felt safe. They will begin stirring in about 30 minutes or so as the new day starts to dawn. They have no agenda and feel no anxiousness over what they will do or where they will go. Unless the shepherd comes to lead them to a new field, they will be content to eat well in this pasture where they are. But the minute they are aware of the shepherd’s presence, they become attentive – their senses heighten, their tails flick and their heads come up. They are ready to follow!

I need to learn that. To be content in this pasture where I am until I hear the shepherd and then be ready to follow is a lesson that is repeated over and over in my life. Today, I will be content and wait for the shepherd. Following Him brings me to a place of provision and protection.

“Jesus said, “It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. 2 But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. 3 The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4 He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 But sheep will never follow someone they don’t know. They will run away from him, because they don’t know his voice.”

6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.
11 “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

12 The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.

14-15 “I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep. 16 I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17 The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can get it back again. 18 No one takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me.” John 10:1-18 ERV

Our good shepherd cares greatly for our well-being. He gave His life to save ours. He is the one that leads us to the right pasture to eat and brings us to waters that will quench our thirst.

Our shepherd brings us life, life that is full and good! We can lie down in green pastures and have our strength restored!

Trust Him!

When Does the Hurting Stop

Have you ever stubbed your toe or hit your funny bone? Hurts, doesn’t it?

Or maybe you’ve had the flu and your stomach has been upset or a chest cold and it’s been hard to breathe? Even more serious, maybe you have battled cancer or some other disease.

If so, you have learned how amazing the body is in working to heal itself. Blood cells start rushing to provide the infected part what it needs to heal. Swelling occurs to protect the injured part and keep it safe. Everything works together for the good of the whole body.

I remember when I broke my right wrist I had to compensate for the loss of my primary hand. I had to learn to do the simple things with my left hand; things like brushing my teeth, combing my hair, tying my shoes, keyboarding and writing.  Oh my goodness, I was so thankful to have a second hand and wrist that would move correctly, even if they were untrained.

This is the picture Paul is painting in I Corinthians 12. We are all members of one body, joined together, we each have our part to play in keeping the body of Christ healthy and whole.

When we allow prejudice and doctrine to separate us we are bringing cancer into the body. When we are jealous of what some other Christian has or is doing and wonder why we weren’t able to be in the lime light and do this or that we cause damage to the body.

And you know, that is exactly what our enemy wants to happen. Just as he works to destroy our physical bodies, he works to cause dis-ease in the body of Christ. He knows better than we do that if he can cause division of the members, get us out of joint, the pain will keep us from being effective for Christ.

“A person has only one body, but it has many parts. Yes, there are many parts, but all those parts are still just one body. Christ is like that too…

14 And a person’s body has more than one part. It has many parts. 15 The foot might say, “I am not a hand, so I don’t belong to the body.” But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body. 16 The ear might say, “I am not an eye, so I don’t belong to the body.” But saying this would not make the ear stop being a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, it would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, it would not be able to smell anything. 18-19 If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But as it is, God put the parts in the body as he wanted them. He made a place for each one. 20 So there are many parts, but only one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the foot, “I don’t need you!” 22 No, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are actually very important. 23 And the parts that we think are not worth very much are the parts we give the most care to. And we give special care to the parts of the body that we don’t want to show. 24 The more beautiful parts don’t need this special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that need it. 25 God did this so that our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other. 26 If one part of the body suffers, then all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part is honored, then all the other parts share its honor.

27 All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body.” I Corinthians 12:12-27 ERV

Each morning I pray and thank God for health and/or I pray for healing in my body and that of my family. But as I was writing this this morning I was convicted that I need to pray daily for health and healing in the body of Christ.

Will you join me? We have some hurting parts and they need our love and compassion to help them as they heal!

On the Road Again

This morning Dave and I will be on the road once again.

When the kids were little and we traveled from Junior Rodeo to High School Rodeo and ranches we would get in the Jeep and began each journey singing “On the Road Again”.  We were thankful the Lord had opened doors for ministry and off we’d go.

Looking back now I should have kept track of the miles we have traveled, not just when the kids were little but all through our marriage. There have been thousands upon thousands of miles. On each and every trip the Lord has kept us safe. What a miracle!

For He will tell His angels to care for you and keep you in all your ways. 12 They will hold you up in their hands. So your foot will not hit against a stone. 13 You will walk upon the lion and the snake. You will crush under your feet the young lion and the snake.

14 Because he has loved Me, I will bring him out of trouble. I will set him in a safe place on high, because he has known My name. 15 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will take him out of trouble and honor him. 16 I will please him with a long life. And I will show him My saving power.” Psalm 91:11-16 NLV

As long as I can remember, we have started every trip with prayer. Asking for safety in our travels and for those in the vehicles traveling around us.

God has been faithful!

We don’t pray because it’s a habit, ritual, tradition or good luck charm. We pray because we believe God and know He is faithful to His word.

Be faithful in obeying the Lord your God. Be careful to keep all His Laws which I tell you today. And the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these good things will come upon you if you will obey the Lord your God. Good will come to you in the city, and good will come to you in the country. Good will come to your children, and the fruit of your ground, and the young of your animals. Your cattle and flock will have many young ones. Good will come to your basket and your bread pan. Good will come to you when you come in, and when you go out.” Deuteronomy 14:1-5 NLV

We trust God that we are blessed in our comings and goings, when we’re in the city and in the country. We know His hand of blessing is upon us wherever we go!

The road you travel each day may be a dusty path from the farm to the field or it may be paved with asphalt and take you down the Interstate. Wherever it is, God is there.

His promises are true. He is faithful to HIs word!

 My son, do not allow them (God’s Word) to leave your eyes. Keep perfect wisdom and careful thinking. 22 And they will be life to your soul and a chain of beauty to your neck. 23 Then you will be safe as you walk on your way, and your foot will not trip. 24 You will not be afraid when you lie down. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 4:21-24 NLV

Make these promises your own.

Now it’s time for us to get “on the road again”. Blessings to you this day.

Owned Twice

This morning I would like to tell you a story of a little boy named Timmy.

Timmy had saved his allowance money to buy a model boat kit. It wasn’t just any toy boat, it was a sailboat. The day came and his father took him to the toy store, he found the box sitting on the shelf and took it to the register. There he gave his hard earned money to the clerk and he and his father walked out the door.

Timmy worked very hard for the next few weeks on his toy boat. He would come home from school, do his chores and homework and then out to the shop he would run to work on the boat. Finally the day came…the last coat of paint was dry, the sail was in place and the boat was finished.

After school the next day Timmy could hardly wait for his dad to come home. They were going to take the boat on its maiden voyage. They walked to the park together, Timmy was talking non-stop with excitement. They got to the bank of the creek, set the little boat in the water and watched it sail on the current. It was thrilling!

Timmy’s dad gave him permission to take the boat to the creek as long as his chores and homework were done. Each day was a new adventure. How Timmy loved sailing his little boat. One day, he placed his little boat in the creek and as it sailed down stream something terrible happened.

The tether that Timmy had tied to the boat came loose. The boat sailed farther and farther down stream. Timmy had no way to retrieve it and now it was lost. Timmy was heart-broken. He loved that little boat, he had worked hard to make it and now it was gone.

As he walked home his head was hanging low and tears filled his eyes. It was gone!

Timmy’s dad said they could get another kit and build another boat but that just wouldn’t be the same.

One day Timmy was with his Mom in town. They were running errands. As he walked down the street with her, he glanced up and there in the window of the hardware store was his boat. It had a For Sale sign on it. Timmy was thrilled.

His mom took him in the store. The clerk retrieved the boat from the window. The price tag said $12.95. The clerk told them that someone had found the boat outside of town stuck in the creek bank. They didn’t want to boat and sold it to the store owner. That’s how it came to be in the window.

Timmy could have the boat back if he would just pay the store owner what the owner had paid for it. Timmy dug deep into his pockets and pulled out his allowance money. He had just enough. This little boat, Timmy’s boat, had now been owned twice.

It had been redeemed!

This story is one that I heard long, long ago in Sunday School but it can apply to our relationship with the Father. 

We have also been redeemed. Christ redeemed us from a life of sin. When Adam sinned in the Garden all  mankind was lost to sin. Prior to that Adam and God had been in a perfect relationship. They walked together each day. But when Adam sinned that was gone, it was lost.

Everyone was going to be punished because Adam sinned. But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. 19 Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.” Romans 5:18-19 CEV

God wasn’t willing to lose man. He established a plan that would reconcile or redeem His relationship with mankind. The word redeem means to regain possession in exchange for payment. Reconcile means to make compatible or friendly again. Christ did both for us.

You were rescued (redeemed)  from the useless way of life that you learned from your ancestors. But you know that you were not rescued by such things as silver or gold that don’t last forever. 19 You were rescued (redeemed) by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb. 20 Christ was chosen even before the world was created, but because of you, he did not come until these last days. 21 And when he did come, it was to lead you to have faith in God, who raised him from death and honored him in a glorious way. That’s why you have put your faith and hope in God.” I Peter 1:18-21 CEV

But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us (reconciled), because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life. 11 And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us.” Romans 5:9-11 CEV

Just like Timmy’s little boat, we were originally made to have relationship with God in a perfect way but man became lost. It took the sacrifice of Jesus to redeem us for our original owner.

God’s love reached out to us and brought us back. We have peace with God!

Hearing Adjustment

As we get older our hearing seems to decrease. We turn up the TV, ask others to repeat themselves and the worst part is misunderstanding what was really said.

My father worked around heavy equipment all his life and I really don’t think he ever wore ear protection. It was evident that he had a hearing problem long before he was fitted for hearing aids.

I know when we spent our summers in Iowa for several years working around airplanes I had earplugs hanging around my neck and used them every time I went outside. The roar of the airplane engines was deafening, seriously.

When it comes to hearing what the Lord is saying we often need to have a check-up.  His voice doesn’t come booming through a microphone or blasted from an arena sound system. Most often, it comes as the still small voice that we hear speaking from within our hearts.

 Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go, stand in front of me on the mountain. I, the Lord, will pass by you.”[a] Then a very strong wind blew. The wind caused the mountains to break apart. It broke large rocks in front of the Lord. But that wind was not the Lord. After that wind, there was an earthquake. But that earthquake was not the Lord. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But that fire was not the Lord. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle voice.” I Kings 19:11-12 CEV

Elijah had received instruction from the Lord on many occasions. In fact, these verses start out telling us that the Lord was speaking to Him. How did he know that is was God?  I think the answer is a simple one. He and the Lord were friends, Elijah knew what God sounded like and when God got quiet and spoke softly Elijah knew He has something important to say.

There are so many examples in the Bible of people who heard God speak to them. Some were obedient to what they were told, others were not.

Jesus said that He is our shepherd and as His sheep we hear His voice. The Pharisees were demanding that Jesus give proof of who He was and by what authority He was able to minister to the people.

Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.” John 10:25-28 ERV

We can hear God’s voice through someone’s preaching. They will say something that resonates so strongly  we feel it was spoken directly to us. At other times it seems God is speaking an important message to us by an inner instinct.

Have you ever said, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that, I knew it wasn’t going to work right”?  Or maybe you have used the phrase “that just dawned on me”.  While others may account these thoughts to be intuition or premonitions we can know that the Lord is leading us through these inner words.

But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.

27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:26-27 ERV

God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us and to teach us what we need to know. But not every thought that comes into our minds is from God. No. There will be condemning thoughts, thoughts of fear and deception. These don’t come from God.

The Apostle Paul tells us how to know that God is speaking to us.

Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NLV

I think it’s so interesting that peace is an underlaying element in both these verses. When the Holy Spirit speaks he will speak words that bring us peace and when we keep our minds focused on things that good and pure we will also have peace.

Like the cartoon above we are to filter our hearing so that we only receive those things that the Lord is speaking to us. Will the Lord ever correct us or give us instruction that might be hard to swallow? Sure He will, He loves us.  His words will never be condemning. His words will be filled with love and He expects ours to be too.

Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness. Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 GW

Spend time listening to the Lord today. Let His words bring you peace!

Heart Filled With Love

No it’s not Valentine’s Day.

I woke up this morning and like every morning I asked the Lord what He wanted me to share. The Lord was quiet and so was I. Then I knew He wanted me to be still and  share my morning quiet time with Him alone.

The words of gratitude and love began to pour out of my heart as easily as the coffee from the pot filled my cup. I started telling Him how thankful I am that He found me, saved me and made me His own.

I’m still not finished with what I want to say to the Lord and I know He still has more to say to me so I will share these verses from Psalm 16 with you and encourage you to take time with Jesus this morning.

He wants you to know of His vast love. He wants you to know that His thoughts are of you. He has your picture on His mantle and in His wallet. He has your drawings on His refrigerator and He’s brought His cup to share your morning coffee time.

“You, Lord, are all I want!
You are my choice,
and you keep me safe.

6 You make my life pleasant,
and my future is bright.

7 I praise you, Lord,
for being my guide.
Even in the darkest night,
your teachings fill my mind.

8 I will always look to you,
as you stand beside me
and protect me from fear.

9 With all my heart,
I will celebrate,
and I can safely rest.

10 I am your chosen one.
You won’t leave me in the grave
or let my body decay.

11 You have shown me
the path to life,
and you make me glad
by being near to me.
Sitting at your right side,
I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:5-11 CEV

Share your heart filled with love with Jesus! It’s the best way to wake up.