Category: Peace

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Need Help?

Yesterday I wrote on en-couragement meaning to instill courage or put courage in.

I remember on of my lowest moments in life. It was several weeks after my first miscarriage. I went out one night, sat on the kids swings, looked up to heaven and cried at the top of my lungs “I don’t understand, I hurt, I can’t go on”.

But God…met me there and filled me with peace. The pain and the grieving were still there but now that were wrapped in God’s peace, peace that told me I wasn’t alone and I would get through this.

Have you been there? Maybe, I’m describing what you are going through now. In our self-sufficient, self-reliant world it’s considered a sign of weakness and even failure to cry out for help. We can’t admit that we aren’t able to “handle it”, whatever it is.

“ ‘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 Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.” Psalm 34:18 CEV

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the LORD, who created the heavens and the earth. 3 The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.” Psalm 121 CEV

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” Psalm 124:8 KJV

While doing a search on the word help, I found that it is listed 166 times in the King James version of the Bible. It’s something God is committed too.

It’s easy to get caught up in relying on our intellect, money, position, our government and even our family to be our basis for support and help. However, it’s important that we realize where our help truly comes from.

“ … God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” 6 So we can feel sure and say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.’” Hebrews 13:5-6 CEV

“ So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Whenever – come bravely – we’ll find the help we need!

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A Real Frog Strangler

Last night was one for the record books – it was a real frog strangler!

Not sure you are familiar with this expression, but it means a heavy, sudden rain. And that it was.

About 10:30, we had already gone to bed; we saw the lightning flashes, heard the thunder and then the deluge of rain. Oh my! We live on a wash and within 20 minutes it was running two-thirds full and sounded like a rushing river. By 11:15, the water had started to recede. Praise God! and the rain was almost over.

With all the rain we’ve had lately the weeds are going crazy. Dave is out there spraying all the time. They grow so quickly in the desert.

Life can be like that too. Weeds seem to grow faster than the good seeds we plant. The rain helps them both.

The desert is so green.

We had neighbors who recently came down from the Dakotas and they traveled through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. They said everywhere was brown from lack of rain until they came across the Arizona border where the landscape was green and lush.

I want my life to grow good things; kindness, joy, peace, love, understanding and forgiveness. The weeds of selfishness, greed, bitterness and discontentment need to be rooted out.

Lord, remind me to only sow good seeds in the soil of my heart. Your word is the good seed and it will make me healthy and victorious because Your word is health unto all my flesh and life unto all who find it. Thank you for the word.

“And what about the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people who hear the teaching but let worries about this life and love for money stop it from growing. So it does not produce a crop in their lives.

23 “But what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear the teaching and understand it. They grow and produce a good crop, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.” Matthew 13:22-24 ERV

Weeds will strangle the seed. But, after a rain like we had last night more seeds will sprout, grasses with grow and provide food for the wildlife. Flowers will come and the earth will be refreshed.

“ But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.” James 3:17-18 CEV

Oh yes, a harvest of peace! Isn’t that what we all want to grow in our lives and our families?

As for the frogs, they weren’t strangled at all. When I went out to check the level of the water in the wash, I saw that it had almost completely receded and throughout the neighborhood I heard the sound of croaking frogs everywhere. They were enjoying the refreshing of last night’s rain.

May we enjoy the rains of refreshing. May it bring a harvest of peace!

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More Like Jesus

and less like me…a song by Zach Williams that ran through my thoughts in the wee hours of the morning.

“Oh, I have days I lose the fight
Try my best but just don’t get it right
Where I talk a talk that I don’t walk
And miss the moments right before my eyes

Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped
Somebody with a hand that I could have held
When I just can’t see past myself
Lord, help me be

A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me

Yeah, there’s no denying I have changed
‘Cause I’ve been saved from who I used to be
But even at my best, I must confess
I still need help to see the way You see”

And then I began praying for myself and for all of you. What would our sphere of life look like if we made it our goal, each day, to look a little more like Jesus?

“ But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. 9 Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10 Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:8-14 ERV

Jesus changed the world by sharing God’s love. I want to be more like Jesus and less like me!

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Bright Hope

Every night the stars and the moon come out and every morning the sun comes up. To some that may seem like a monotonious repetition but to me that’s hope!

Hope that God is faithful to bring the end to one day and to bring new life to start the next. Without God’s presence we can be without direction and purpose or worse yet we try to become our own god and that means that we are responsible for making everything happen, making everything work out right and it’s simply not in our power to do so.

The sunrise and the sunset are God’s examples of His faithfulness.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

When we give up living for ourselves and find our life in Christ we can have rest from this vicious cycle of dependence on self. In Christ, we are promised a new and abundant life; life filled with joy, peace, love, forgiveness and grace.

“But we know that no one is made right with God by following the law. It is trusting in Jesus Christ that makes a person right with God. So we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, because we wanted to be made right with God. And we are right with him because we trusted in Christ—not because we followed the law. I can say this because no one can be made right with God by following the law…I died to the law so that I could live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. 20 So I am not the one living now—it is Christ living in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God. He is the one who loved me and gave himself to save me.” Galatians 2:16-20 ERV

Each day is a new opportunity to receive God’s mercy and strength, to be wrapped in His love. Each evening we are given an invitation to rest securely.

“I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV

Great is the faithfulness of God; He is faithful to a thousand generations.

“Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.”

In Christ we have new life and in Him we have the power to live a life of purpose and a bright hope for tomorrow.

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What to Wear

Have you ever gotten up in the morning and stood in front of your closet wondering what to wear? It’s a dilemma I face from time to time.

In fact, I was thinking about that when I sat down with my coffee and began my Bible reading this morning.

Oh, God’s word is so good!

“Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.

16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:10-17 ERV

My closet is never empty when I realize that I am to wear what Christ has provided.

I am to put on my new life which consists of peace, forgiveness, love, kindness, gentleness and patience. It’s the perfect wardrobe for everyday wear or evening wear; summer, autumn, winter and spring.

Becoming more like Christ. He has designed the perfect attire for each day. No need to wonder anymore what you should wear – let Christ clothe you in His righteousness!

Have a great day!

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Making Right Choices

Everyday we have the opportunity to make many choices; the hard part is making the correct one.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. 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. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the LORD, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

This was Moses’ instruction to the Israelites when they were about to leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land. You have two choices and in case you aren’t sure which one to choose, Choose LIFE!

Jesus said something similar to Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary.

She was busy in the kitchen, running her household and preparing a meal for her brother, his friends and Jesus, the Messiah. While Martha was in the kitchen making sure everything was just perfect Jesus was in the living room doing what He did best. He was talking about His Father and the peace that comes from following His Father’s instructions.

Martha had enough!

Her sister was sitting front and center absorbing every word that Jesus was saying. Martha needed help and Mary was obliviously absent.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’

41 But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

Many choices! Make the right one – choose life, choose the bread of life, choose God above all else, He is the right choice!

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Trust Isn’t a One Time Thing

Verses of trust are running through my heart this morning. So, I will share a few with you. Also, the words to the old hymn: “trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey”.

In my morning quiet time, I took time to reflect and repent. We had a lovely time. Our campsite was beautiful and we hardly had any other campers around us. A real place of solitude.

However, unknowingly, cares and concerns began to creep in. Circumstances beyond our control and to be quite honest, I started to become overwhelmed and lost some of the peace that the Lord has promised to those who keep their minds “stayed or established” in Him.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

Trust is not a one time thing!

It is a daily, sometimes, minute-by-minute or hour-by-hour, commitment to God and His word.

“Praise the Lord! He has heard my prayer for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trusted him with all my heart. He helped me, so I am happy. I sing songs of praise to him. 8 The Lord protects his chosen one. He saves him and gives him strength.” Psalm 28:6-8 ERV

“The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. 3 He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place, my place of safety, high in the hills. He is my savior, the one who rescues me from the cruel enemy. 4 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies. He is worthy of my praise!” II Samuel 22:2-4 ERV

Did you know not all enemies are physical? Worry is a terrible adversary; it is a thief that steals our joy and our peace.

” Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, Lord God. 8 Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong and stand firm.” Psalm 20:6-8 CEV

“Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.” Isaiah 41:10 ERV

” God is the one who saves me. I trust him, and I am not afraid. The Lord Yah is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise about him.[a]” 3 You people will get your water from the spring of salvation. Then you will be happy.” Isaiah 12:2-3 ERV

Footnote for Isaiah 12:2 Literally means, “Yah, Yahweh is my strength and praise. And he becomes my salvation.”

I encourage you to do what I did just a few hours ago. I took my basket of worry and laid it down at Jesus’ feet, again. He can handle it, He wants to handle it but we have to give Him permission to take it.

Trust is not a one-time thing. It is a daily, conscious commitment. “I trust Him”!

God our Father is trustworthy! Have a trust filled day!

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Wisdom Speaks

I have a question for you. How many times in the last week have you found yourself saying, “I just don’t know what I should do – or what choice I need to make – or what path I should follow”?

Yes, I’ve been there and done that more times than I would care to admit. So, you can imagine how excited I was this morning when I opened my Bible to Proverbs 8 and there was the header at the top of the page which said, “Wisdom Speaks”.

“I am Wisdom—Common Sense is my closest friend; I possess knowledge and sound judgment. 13 If you respect the Lord, you will hate evil. I hate pride and conceit and deceitful lies. 14 I am strong, and I offer sensible advice and sound judgment. 15 By my power kings govern, and rulers make laws that are fair. 16 Every honest leader rules with help from me.

17 I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search. 18 I can make you rich and famous, important and successful. 19 What you receive from me is more valuable than even the finest gold or the purest silver. 20 I always do what is right, 21 and I give great riches to everyone who loves me.” Proverbs 8:12-22 CEV

Wisdom and common sense, sensible advice and sound judgement, more valuable than silver or gold. These are the gifts of wisdom. When I read verse 17, it immediately triggered what James, the Apostle, said when he wrote his letter on godly living:

“ 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

God the Father, who is the giver of wisdom, enjoys giving to everyone who asks. The key in that is not doubting the wisdom God provides.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

When we take our prayers to the Lord, He doesn’t want us to worry about anything – ANYTHING. We ask for everything we need – WISDOM. God’s peace will direct our decisions and guard our hearts. This is practical wisdom.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do. 12 “So you will go out from there with joy.
 You will be led out in peace…” Isaiah 55:10-12 ERV

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 ERV

I have long lived with trusting the peace of God. I’ve learned that if I’m not at peace about something, I shouldn’t proceed. God has been faithful to lead me by His peace.

Let’s close this with Wisdom’s words at the end of Proverbs 8.

“By finding me, you find life, and the Lord will be pleased with you.” Proverbs 8:35 CEV

Wisdom Speaks life into our situations!

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Let Everyone Praise

Been going through some pretty tough stuff lately? Me too, in fact yesterday I forgot to stay under the shadow of His wings. I got caught up in my own emotions. But Dave and two dear friends reminded me that I can always trust the Lord and that He is always available to hear my prayers. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Dave, Danna and Heather.

Did you see last night’s sunset? What about this morning’s sunrise; the smile on a child’s face or the tiny, delicate fingers of your sleeping baby’s hands?

Maybe it was the blue, gentle ripples on the lake’s surface; the green of the forest trees; a hawk soaring on the breeze or a prairie flower in all its beauty?

Perhaps you saw love in the eyes of your spouse; did you hear joy in the words “you can go home tomorrow” or “it’s benign, nothing to worry about”?

Whatever it was or whatever it is, do you hear and see the love that the Lord has placed all around you? He did this just for you!

He wanted you to be aware that He cares about you and His love is measureless, unconditional and free to all. He doesn’t want you wrapped up in worry and fear that you can’t control.

We are to praise Him for His greatness. Sometimes we praise with hearts flooded with joy and sometimes with tear-stained cheeks but still we praise!

“Shout praises to the Lord! Shout the Lord’s praises in the highest heavens. 2 All of you angels, and all who serve him above, come and offer praise.

3 Sun and moon, and all of you bright stars, come and offer praise. 4 Highest heavens, and the water above the highest heavens, come and offer praise. 5 Let all things praise the name of the Lord, because they were created at his command. 6 He made them to last forever, and nothing can change what he has done.

7 All creatures on earth, you obey his commands, so come praise the Lord! 8 Sea monsters and the deep sea, fire and hail, snow and frost, and every stormy wind, come praise the Lord! 9 All mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, 10 every wild and tame animal,
all reptiles and birds, come praise the Lord!

11 Every king and every ruler, all nations on earth, 12 every man and every woman, young people and old, come praise the Lord! 13 All creation, come praise the name of the Lord.  Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth. 14 Like a bull with mighty horns, the Lord protects his faithful nation Israel, because they belong to him. Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 148 CEV

Everything in heaven, on the earth and under the earth are called to praise. Why? Because the things God has created and provided tell of His goodness.

Enjoy what the Lord has done for you today and tell him thank you. I’m going back to rest under the shadow of His wings and will praise Him that His mercies are new every morning.

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Rest Again and Again

I want to speak to you this morning on rest, re-charging, re-energizing, Again!

This is a message I repeat frequently because I need it frequently. This morning I just sat in the quiet letting the Father bring rest to my soul and strength to my body. I hate getting up tired.

We all get busy and tend to burn the candle at both ends but what do we do to rest? Do we veg out and watch TV or maybe relax with a yoga class or have a glass of wine? Maybe we think that resting is going to bed earlier and getting more sleep – whatever you think will bring rest, does it really?

Weariness can come from being overactive, but it can also come from worry or anxious thoughts.

“The Lord protects defenseless people. When I was weak, he saved me. 7 Be at peace again, my soul, because the Lord has been good to you. 8 You saved me from death.
You saved my eyes from tears ⌞and⌟ my feet from stumbling.” Psalm 116:6-8 GW

Look at what God’s word has to say.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV “

Waiting on the Lord – waiting on God will renew our strength. It will give us rest.

Jesus was a prime example of this. He would minister all day and night and then he would send the disciples away and He would go to a place to pray – He would wait on the Father. After leaving these places of waiting, Jesus would go about ministering to folks, rested and renewed.

“Jesus healed many of those who had different kinds of sicknesses. He also forced many demons out of people. But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. 35 The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36 Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 They found him and said, “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus answered, “We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here, and I can tell God’s message to those people too. That is why I came.” Mark 1:34-38 ERV

It’s time to rest, again. If you are feeling tired today – worn out, exhausted take time to WAIT on the Lord. He will renew your strength!!

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