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Get the Right Fit

A few days ago, Dave took me shopping. I needed some new clothes; some things just don’t fit right anymore.

I thought I could avoid the stores by shopping on-line so I ordered a dress, it looked cute but when it got here it just didn’t fit right. I knew I needed to bite the bullet and go shopping, in a real store. Did I tell you that I don’t like to shop – it’s one of my least favorite things to do.

When we got to the store Dave said he was going to the men’s section. That was good – I knew it would take me a while to find what I was looking for and I didn’t want him to become impatient.

By the time he came back I had already been to the dressing room once and had found a few things that I liked and that fit. Other items I had put on the “go back” rack. No, no, no they didn’t fit right at all. Some things I had selected were way too big and others were painfully small, even though the size on the tag was the same. Yes, everything had to be tried on to make sure it was the right fit.

That shopping adventure was what I thought of this morning when I read these verses:

“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:8-14 NLT

In the spiritual sense some things just don’t look good on us – things like anger, rage, resentment, gossip, lying, bitterness, etc.

We have been given a better wardrobe; it fits perfectly because it was tailor-made for us by Christ. Our new wardrobe includes mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, joy, forgiveness and the one article that makes every outfit complete, love.

“ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT

Now, it’s time to go through the “spiritual” closet and pull out those things that don’t fit anymore. Getting dressed for the day is much easier when we have the right fit!

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Carry the Load

I know there are so many hurting people in the world and those who are friends and family need us to help them with our prayers and encouragement. But as hard as we try, we can never really know the pain they are going through.

We can empathize and sympathize with them, but we are limited in truly understanding their grief, sorrow and personal battles.

However, there is One who knows the depth of the pain and has come to carry it.

“He was hated and men would have nothing to do with Him, a man of sorrows and suffering, knowing sadness well. We hid, as it were, our faces from Him. He was hated, and we did not think well of Him.

4 For sure He took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows. Yet we thought of Him as being punished and hurt by God, and made to suffer. 5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 NLV

In one version of these verses it says, “He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”.

Christ came to carry the load. We are limited in our resources and understanding to help in life’s most trying times but not Jesus. He knows the depth of the hurt and He doesn’t want us trying to handle it on our own. He wants us to let Him carry the load.

“ Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

We can become weary, exhausted and emotionally drained from “trying” to do it all on our own. 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.” Matthew 11:28 CEV

Jesus grieved the death of His friend Lazarus. He wept. His heart was broken over the calloused ways of humankind. He wept. He was moved with compassion over those suffering with sickness and disease and also those who were ridiculed and considered social outcast.

He came to bring comfort and healing. He promises to be our help.

“ We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him…16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

When we come to Him, He promises to carry the load.

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Success In Life

Yesterday I shared with you about our great inheritance. I hope you are able to understand how amazing this is.

With most inheritances the person making the bequest has to die to put the will into effect. Our heavenly Father has always been and forever will be, He will not die, so how does the inheritance come in to being.

Through Jesus.

Yes, Jesus came to earth, lived as a man and then died an earthly death so that we would be heirs and joint-heirs with Him to all the Father has promised. In fact, just hours before His death Jesus took the Passover supper with His disciples and he said to them:

“Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He gave it to his disciples, and they all drank some. 24  Then he said, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many people, and with it God makes his agreement. ” Mark 14:23-24 CEV

It was Christ’s blood, His death, that enacted the last will and testament and made us heirs. This is why it’s so important that we don’t treat the communion service as ritual or religious tradition.

God’s word is the testament that sets forth all the specifics of our inheritance. To fully understand and appreciate what we’ve been given we need to read it and apply it.

” Christ says ‘Yes’ to all of God’s promises. That’s why we have Christ to say ‘Amen’ for us to the glory of God. 21 And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us 22 and put his Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to him.” II Corinthians 1:20-22 ERV

I have learned from applying God’s word in the small areas of my life that He is more than capable of handling those larger issues that seem to be completely out of control. When Christ was here on earth He proved that all of God’s promises are true; He lived in the faithfulness of His father. And because He lived by the Word of God in victory so can we.

  “Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’” Matthew 4:4 CEV

God didn’t make empty promises, nor did He make them unattainable. He desires for us to be victorious and so He has given us His promises because He loves us and wants our lives to be abundantly blessed.

Enjoy the promises that God has for you today. They are yes and amen to those who love God.

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Receiving Our Inheritance

Some days just don’t go as you have planned. That was today…

We’re home, under the air conditioning, I have my feet up and I’m listening to the Holy Spirit share with me, heart-to-heart.

Time today planning family get togethers, a memorial service and then I received good news on a family member’s health. All in all, it has been a day of blessing!

Although my morning was not my usual routine, and I apologize to all of you for not putting out the blog, I really had a great day with the Lord. Let me share…

“For the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells our spirit that we are children of God. 17 If we are children of God, we will receive everything He has promised us. We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him. But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining-greatness.

18 I am sure that our suffering now cannot be compared to the shining-greatness that He is going to give us. Romans 8:16-18 NLV

“We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him.”

I spent a large portion of my morning reflecting on the life of Jesus here on earth. He walked from town to town preaching. He slept in the homes of friends and ate at their tables. He was ridiculed by His family, they didn’t understand His calling.

He went to wedding and funerals. He had compassion on the hurting and sick. He was criticized by the religious elite for eating and “drinking” with people who had a poor reputation.

Any of this sound familiar? If it does congratulations, you are acting like your older brother, Jesus.

His closest friends were often questioning his actions and his teachings. The man he trusted with the contributions and financial support stole from him. Other of his disciples were creating a power play to see who would be Jesus’ right-hand man.

So many distractions, so many issues. How did Jesus stay focused.

“After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. ” Matathew 14:23 NLV

“ In the morning before the sun was up, Jesus went to a place where He could be alone. He prayed there. 36 Simon and the others looked for Jesus.” Mark 1:35 NLV

If we’re going to “share with Christ all the things God has for him” we’re going to need to act more like Him. He spent time listening to His Father. He spent time being silent.

I saw something on Facebook today I don’t ever want to forget. The same letters in the word listen are also in the word silent. If we are going to be good listeners, we need to learn to be silent.

We all need to learn the lesson that a young boy named Samuel learned from the old priest Eli.

“Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as He did the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do a thing in Israel which will make both ears of everyone who hears it feel strange.” I Samuel 3:9-11 NLV

Listen – I’ve been doing that all day. The Father has spoken quietly but He told me I’m living below my station. His inheritance for me is so much greater than what I have been expecting.

His inheritance to each of us who call him Father starts here on earth but will continue to all eternity!

“Father, I’m listening with great anticipation!”

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History Is Important

Yesterday was a celebration of our history. I saw some beautiful images of firework displays around the country. An explosive end to the birth day of our great nation.

Remembering who we are and where we came from is important. Remembering the names of the men and women who fought and died as a part of history is crucial. The battles fought, the victories won, the defeats they overcame all have significance.

History is important to the Lord also.

All through the Old Testament the nation of Israel was told to remind their children of how the Lord delivered them from Egypt and brought them to the promised land. They were also taught to remember the patriarchs of the faith – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – who were the ones that saw the Lord prosper them with lands and livestock, riches and prominence.

Israel was taught to remember the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The Lord didn’t want this people to forget that He had made promises to them. History is important and especially the history that God puts forth in Scripture.

As a society, we seem to think we have evolved; we’re wiser, more sophisticated, more educated than the early founding fathers of our nation. “We hold these truths to be self-evident” aren’t just ancient words on a page, they are the foundation of our society and need to be revered.

There are also some who think the simple truths of God’s word aren’t applicable anymore but that is also incorrect. That’s the same line of thinking that caused Adam and Eve to disobey God. “You don’t need to obey what God said because He knows if you eat of the tree you will be just as smart as He is”, you know how to make decisions for yourself.

God’s word is God’s word, whether it’s the begats or the chronology, the Laws given to children of Israel, the warnings of the prophets or the letters in red spoken by Jesus. It’s God’s word!

It’s truth and should be the basis and foundation of our daily living. We shouldn’t let traditions from the past, the ideas of current society or even the teachings of religion distract and divert us from standing strong on the Word of God.

Paul gave this instruction to Timothy.

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 Phillips

ALL Scripture – not just some, we don’t get to pick and choose but all Scripture will make us fully equipped for life!

History is a teacher, guiding us, instructing us, protecting us from making costly mistakes. We have a history from the beginning of time of God’s faithfulness, mercy, love and protection. Let’s never forget all He has done!

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God Blessed America

What a wonderful day we have to celebrate – Happy Birthday America!

There is no country on earth like this country we live in. It was founded on the hopes and dreams of a few. They had a desire to break free from tyranny and they were willing to give up their lives, if necessary, to see that dream of a new nation of freedom come true.

A blending of national origins, sects and ideals came together to see that this nation was birthed. Blood was shed and prayers were offered.

Today, we don’t celebrate her perfection but we celebrate her determination and resilience.

“Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord. Happy are the people He has chosen for His own.” Psalm 33:12 NLV

Some would like to argue that this country wasn’t founded on godly principles but they are woven all throughout her documents, fiery speeches and correspondence. Even her songs give glory to God.

Did you know the “Star-Spangled Banner” has four verses? Let me share with you the fourth:

“Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

That line “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation” says it all. Many feared America would be able to maintain her independence and survive as a nation when the British attacked our shores again in 1812. The fighting was fierce!

“The anthem’s history began the morning of September 14, 1814, when an attorney and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key watched U.S. soldiers—who were under bombardment from British naval forces during the War of 1812—raise a large American flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland…On September 13, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry withstood some 25 hours of British bombardment. Early the next morning, they hoisted a gigantic U.S. flag over the fort, marking a crucial victory and a turning point in what would be considered a second war of American independence.” excerpts taken from History.com.

Inspired by that tattered flag Francis Scott Key penned the words to what would later be accepted as our National Anthem.

“When justice rules a nation, everyone is glad; when injustice rules, everyone groans.” Proverbs 29:2 CEV

May we all take time to pray for our nation today. We are fractured and need the Lord’s healing. May we be a nation where justice rules!

“Father God, we pray for our nation and its leaders. May Your grace impact the hearts all our citizens. May our cause be just and our trust be in You in Jesus name, Amen.”

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Streams in the Desert

Today is a day of remembering. It’s my birthday, a day filled with so many memories of special times with friends and family but on this day, I’ve also had memorable, less-than-stellar experiences that will be a part of me for the rest of my life.

One year, I was 8, my dad asked if I would like to go with him to LA. He had promised my uncle that he would take the bus over and drive a car back to Yuma. My uncle was a used car salesman and he had bought this great car. My dad agreed and asked me to go.

It was my first ride on a Greyhound. We left Yuma in the wee hours of the morning and for the next 100 miles or so we made a myriad of stops at all the little towns picking up passengers.

We finally made it to LA. It was late morning, we found a little cafe and got breakfast and then made our way to pick up the car. It was the car my uncle said, but it wasn’t a great car. In fact, it wasn’t really even a good car, but I didn’t mind, I was with my dad, and he was doing his best to make it a good birthday.

On the drive back we had a flat tire and there was no spare. We were in the middle of the desert, for those of you who know where the Salton Sea is, we were there. Dad knew we couldn’t just wait for someone to come along and help us, so we started walking, with the tire, to the gas station that he knew was up the road.

We hadn’t been walking long when a man stopped and drove us the rest of the way to the station. They fixed the flat and someone from the station took us back to the car, waited with us until the tire was on and we were headed down the road.

Now is the time I should mention that this car had no air conditioning, and we were in the hot desert on July 3rd. Not much farther down the road we came to the small town of Niland. Dad stopped at the little store, went in and bought us some cold drinks, a small trash can and a 10 pound block of ice.

He placed the ice in the trash can and set it on the floorboard of the front seat on the passenger side right next to the air vent. As the air circulated through the car and over the ice it cooled us down some. I thought my dad was a genius!

Only an hour and a half to go and we would be home.

I didn’t realize until years later how differently that trip could have turned out. I just knew that I was with Dad and he always took care of me.

You probably won’t be driving through the desert in a car with no a/c and have a flat tire today, but you may be going through a rough time that has you feeling parched and stranded.

“I am the Lord, and I made you. I am the one who created you. I have helped you since you were in your mother’s womb…3 “I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family.” Isaiah 44:2-3 ERV

Your Father hasn’t abandoned you. He is there, providing you with cool water and with His help you’ll make it through the desert in good shape!

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Joy, Joy, Joy

When I was a little girl we sang a song in Sunday School. “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart…down in my heart to stay”.

And when I was a teenager we sang, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog. Was a good friend of mine…Joy to the world, all the boys and girls”.

At Christmas time we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come”.

Each day I wake with a joyful heart, not because life is perfect but because the Lord promises to never leave or abandon me. His grace is sufficient to carry me through my storms and disappointments. He heals my broken heart , restores my soul and gives me joy!

Today my joy is just a little more exuberant! Had a wonderful time yesterday with Dave, Kim, Austin, Kaci, Stephen and Kaci’s littles. We missed Koy and Kym. (I hate that they live so far away.)

It was a day of giggles and hugs, love and laughter. Kisses and tickles. It was a day of family.

When I put the word joy into the search engine of my Bible app this morning it came up with 444 references on joy. Oh my, yes, our heavenly Father wants our life here on earth to be joy-filled.

“ But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.” Galatians 5:22-23 ERV

Just like fruit grows in an orchard or vegetables sprout in a garden, the Lord plants seeds that will produce fruit in our lives and the Holy Spirit is the gardener Who is always there to see that they grow.

In the hard times, and there will be hard times, the Lord is there to sustain us.

“Lord, hear my prayer, and be kind to me. Lord, help me!” 11 You have changed my sorrow into dancing. You have taken away my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. 12 You wanted me to praise you and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” Psalm 30:10-12 ERV

Jesus knows what it’s like to face life’s worst circumstances. The night of His arrest He spent time with His apostles talking to them about the anxiety they would feel. Speaking peace into their hearts and telling them to ask the Father for what they needed and then they would be filled with joy.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive. Then your joy will be full.” John 16:24 NLV

Joy is an emotion but it’s also a decision. It’s the act of letting God’s goodness always reign in our hearts. When we are weak His joy gives us strength.

“You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained.” I Peter 1:8 ERV

“…Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

I hear the birds outside and each morning they wake singing praise to the Lord. Their joy is contagious. Yes, this morning I will sing, “I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.

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A Strong Heart

So many advertisements and commercials encourage us to be “heart smart”. I agree we should, but it won’t come from eating a certain cereal, taking a low grain aspirin every day, or any other thing that man can advertise.

To truly have a strong heart we must take a good dose of Scripture every day.

“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” I Kings 8:61

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We should be trusting the Lord always and letting him direct our paths. He will keep us from accidentally running off course and colliding with discouragement, depression, anger and bitterness.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

The Lord will strengthen our hearts when we feel emotionally drained and unable to go on. He came to heal the broken-hearted.

“ The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 NLV

What we believe can either cause our hearts to fail or to be encouraged.

“If you openly say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. 10 Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved. 11 Yes, the Scriptures say, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.'” Romans 10:9-11 ERV

Never disappointed – now that’s an amazing promise! I can honestly say I have not attained that, yet. I deal with disappointments some are just temporary, but others remain for a while and really increase my dependency on Jesus.

“ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

Our Father desires to fill us with hope, joy and peace. He will as we trust Him, keep your heart strong.

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A Morning Prayer

So often as I read through Scripture, I find prayers that seem to be offered in the morning. For me, that’s the best way to start the day – in prayer!

Today, I found one that I don’t remember reading before.

“But Lord, be merciful to us,
    for we have waited for you.
Be our strong arm each day (morning)*
    and our salvation in times of trouble.
3 The enemy runs at the sound of your voice.
    When you stand up, the nations flee!
4 Just as caterpillars and locusts strip the fields and vines,
    so the fallen army of Assyria will be stripped!

5 Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven,
    he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness.
6 In that day he will be your sure foundation,
    providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
    The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.” Isaiah 33:2-6 NLT

*(day is translated morning in many other versions)

“Make us strong each morning, and come to save us when we are in trouble.” Is. 33:2 CEV

How many mornings do I wake up knowing I need strength for the day? More than I care to count.

Some days it’s physical strength and others it’s mental or emotional strength that I know I need.

This prayer paints an interesting word picture for us.

When the Lord speaks on our behalf our enemies run at the sound of His voice. Like caterpillars and locust strip a field the Lord strips the power and authority of those who try to cause us harm.

Amazing!

Have you ever seen the blight that locust cause to a field or the destruction that a hungry caterpillar makes in a garden? Locust strip every leaf from the stalk and caterpillars eat so many holes in the plant that they are unproductive.

Now imagine our Father, the Lord of hosts, sending out that kind of destruction against our enemy, the devil, with His words.

“In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

In what day? In that day, the day the Lord lifts his voice against those things that are harassing and intimidating us, we will be on a sure foundation that provides us with salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Our commitment to the Lord will be our treasure.

It’s faith in God’s word that brings us victory, the victory that overcomes the world.

I think this would be a good prayer to start each morning, how about you?

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