Category: Provision

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Learning from a New Source

I am thankful for God’s love and strength today. Each morning when I get up, hear the birds singing and see the dawn I am grateful. Yesterday another one of God’s creatures reminded me of the Father’s faithfulness. He was just swimming in the harbor. He wasn’t distressed or anxious over the events of the day. He just swam by to say hello. All of creation has its own way of seeing God provide.

In my reading I was confronted with the strength we have been given to live the Christian life. We can’t do it on our own, but we are able to live this life victoriously through Christ because He has promised to be our provider of all that we need to be victorious.

“He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. As we come to know Him better, we learn that He called us to share His own shining-greatness and perfect life. 4 Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God’s own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh.” II Peter 1:3-4 NLV

“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

Hold your temper, be humble, show mercy and forgive quickly. Not easy things to do but since Christ lives in us we can draw on His strength and find it more than enough for each day.

He has given us this new life and has equipped us with all we need.

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Don’t Rush – Rest!

How often have we all driven down the highway and seen those signs, “Rest Stop Ahead”? Most of us just keep driving. But it’s important to rest!

So many things vie for our attention. Demands come from career, from family, from current events and also from our own desires. Things happen so quickly it seems and we are caught up in another crisis and if not a crisis, just caught up in life. When life gets hectic like this, we react to circumstances instead of planning a course of action.

There’s no peace in that!

And if there’s no peace then we also know that we haven’t given the Lord permission to direct our steps. We need to be led by His Spirit so that we make wise and deliberate decisions; decisions that bring peace and joy.

I encourage you to stay focused today. Focused on God’s word and His promises.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

The Apostle Paul was giving final instruction to the christians in Rome and this was his instruction.

“I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:13 ERV

Check your heart in every situation. Are you at peace or is there turmoil? If there’s peace, then proceed and trust the Lord’s leading. If not, then wait – pray and don’t be in rush!

“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.” Psalm 16:5-9 CEV

“Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 27:14 ERV

Enjoy your day and let the peace of God which bypasses our understanding guard your heart!

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More Promises

A reminder from the Father this morning. We are to not only read His Word but believe it! When we do, it will change our lives completely. The Word, which is another name for Jesus, is alive and powerful and transforming.

And here I am with another song filling my heart!

 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King!
Through eternal ages let His praises ring.
“Glory in the highest!” I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail!
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

This song, “Standing on the Promises of God” was written in 1886. But it is relevant for every generation. We are surrounded by a society of half-truths, innuendoes, distortion and bald-faced lies that we become skeptical to what we read and hear. However, there is one source we should never doubt and that is the word of God.

“I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now. 14 We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:13-15 ERV

“God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. 19 Abraham’s faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly a hundred years old. He knew that he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20 But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. 21 Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised. 22 So God accepted him, 23 just as we read in the Scriptures. But these words were not written only for Abraham. 24 They were written for us, since we will also be accepted because of our faith in God, who raised our Lord Jesus to life. 25 God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.” Romans 4:18-25 CEV

I’ve often said that I think God’s word can be summed up in two verses:

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then “he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

“ The yes to all of God’s promises is in Christ. And that is why we say “Amen” through Christ to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20 ERV

Believe God’s Word – Don’t Doubt – Don’t Give Up! God’s word WILL come to pass, He CAN’T lie. God’s word has more promises than we can count!

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Small Miracles

Friday at noon Dave and I left Queen Valley to start on our 10 day camping trip.

It was only about an hour later when we experienced our first small miracle. As we were driving from the valley to Payson, our radiator temperature light came on. Just ahead was an exit from the interstate and we were able to pull off and pull into a bar/convenience market. (Small miracle #1)

I went in to buy a gallon of water and Dave raised the hood. When I came back out he was with a gal who had come over to see what the problem was.

She told Dave “I’m a MOPAR certified technician. (Small miracle #2) She assessed the situation and ruled out several big problems and said it was just a cracked radiator. She could take Dave to Payson to get one and come back and put it in. (Small miracle #3) O’Reilly’s had one.

In a little over 3 hours we were on the road again. Hot and sweaty, we decided to get a hotel so we could shower and get a good night’s sleep before going on to the campground. (small miracle #5). Got the room, a very nice room, for under $100 and then found out today our credit card gave us a travel credit of $100. (Small miracle #6)

Now for the past 2 days we have been sitting under the pines and enjoying God’s grandeur!

Deuteronomy 28: 1-6 NIV. “

you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country…6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”

We definitely felt blessed and protected. Our MOPAR guardian angel definitely had some flowery speech but all the same she was truly sent by our loving Heavenly Father.

I asked her if anyone had ever told her she was a blessing and with a smirk she said nope. Well you are I said and she laughed.

So let me leave you with the verse the Lord impressed on me last Friday.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Our Father has designed more blessings than we can conceive and some of them can be found in our biggest trials.

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Clouds, Fire & AI

For the last several months I have noticed a change in my morning computer searches. It used to be when I would search on a topic or key word all sorts of irrelevant information would appear. But now, the top searches generally include Scripture verses and Biblical references.

I chuckled and said to myself, “I finally got my computer saved”.

Let me share with you what I found in my search this morning when I typed in “pillar of cloud”. And I quote, ‘The pillar of cloud by day was a visible manifestation of God’s presence that guided, protected, and assured the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.‘

The reason I did that search is because I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you from 4th of July. We woke up to a refreshing cloud cover. Each of the neighbors we spoke with said the same thing – it was so nice to have the clouds, it just seemed cooler and the sun wasn’t as menacing. That made me think of the Israelites and their journey out of Egypt.

There was no Google Maps or Garmin, no GPS of any kind to lead them to the Promised Land and there was no A/C or heating for their tents.

But there was God!

“The Lord led the way. During the day, he used a tall cloud to lead the people. And during the night, he used a tall column of fire to lead the way. This fire gave them light so that they could also travel at night. 22 The cloud was always with them during the day, and the column of fire was always with them at night.” Exodus 13:21-22 ERV

The cloud and fire were directional devises for sure but they were also used for climate control. The cloud protected them from the harsh rays of the sun and the pillar of fire would keep them warm in those cold desert nights.

“Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to him for help. 5 Remember the amazing things he has done. Remember his miracles and his fair decisions…The Lord spread out his cloud like a blanket. He used his column of fire to give his people light at night. 40 They asked for food, and he sent them quail. He also gave them plenty of bread from heaven. 41 He split the rock, and water came bubbling out.  A river began flowing in the desert!” Psalm 105:4-5,39-41 ERV

Our heavenly Father is practical. He is supernatural, omniscient, and omnipotent in all His ways but He is also concerned about our day to day lives. We can depend on Him for our strength.

He is our Savior, our Shepherd, our Shield. He is our pillar of cloud protecting us from the harshness of the days and our pillar of fire to bring us warmth, comfort and light when the nights are cold and dark.

And if you need a reminder of some of His great miracles go to His word; it’s better than AI.

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Always Triumph

Yesterday morning several of us in our community gathered near the flagpole. We sang, we said the Pledge of Allegiance and we prayed for our country. Those of us in our group have seen many things change in our country, some have served in defense of her, and we are all extremely grateful to live in this country called America.

She has faced many obstacles; some from without and others from within but she has triumphed.

It reminded me of the impact one verse made on my life about triumph.

“ But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air.” II Corinthians 2:14 GW

Always! Always triumph! Quite an absolute to wrap your mind around right?

Years ago my granddaughter and I heard a message on II Corinthians 2:14. The youth pastor was teaching in a large auditorium filled with teens. He was sharing with them about the importance of putting their trust in Christ.

” But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. 15 Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. ” II Corinthians 2:14-15 ERV

When we trust God and follow His lead we will ALWAYS triumph! That’s not to say there won’t be battles. Bible is filled with those who faced battles and circumstances that could have defeated them.

Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, faced prison time but became prime minister. Noah had to face a flood but he floated in the ark. David stood up to a giant and became king.

Peter was frightened by the storm, but he walked on water. Paul was in a shipwreck, but he made it safely to shore. Jesus had to face the cross but rose in triumphant resurrection!

Yes, when we trust in God he ALWAYS leads us to victory in Christ!

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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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Look to the Hills

This morning I’ve been praying for you!

I was out watering my plants, feeding the birds and taking in my view of the mountains. Enjoying all that the Lord has made.

As I sit here this morning praying for family and friends I am so glad that God knows where you are and what you are facing. I pray for those who are traveling around the country and across the world. Some are driving and others flying so I pray for your safety and the vehicles that will be transporting them.

Others of you are living in distant places and I don’t really know what is transpiring in your life on a daily basis and if there are any monumental obstacles you may be facing but He does!

We’ll be celebrating Father’s Day tomorrow and we have the most wonderful, caring, loving Father to honor! James, the apostle, writes that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father.

The things He gives are meant to bless and prosper us – spirit, soul and body. What He gives doesn’t break, become outdated or need repair. He gives strength to the weak, healing to the broken hearted, peace to those who fear, rest to the weary, comfort to the lonely, joy to those who mourn, salvation to the lost and love to the abandoned!

“I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? 2 My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep. 4 Israel’s Protector does not get tired. He never sleeps. 5 The Lord is your Protector. The Lord stands by your side, shading and protecting you. 6 The sun cannot harm you during the day, and the moon cannot harm you at night.7 The Lord will protect you from every danger. He will protect your soul. 8 The Lord will protect you as you come and go, both now and forever!” Psalm 121 ERV

Look to the Hills…why?

“Every animal in the forest belongs to me, and so do the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds in the mountains, and every wild creature is in my care.” Psalm 50:10-11 CEV

If our Father cares for the cattle on a thousand hills and all the birds in the mountains then I am confident that He cares for and protects each one of you.

“ Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:26 CEV

Thank you Father for covering my loved ones with your love, peace, and grace!

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It’s Flag Day

I love our flag and respect all it stands for. In fact, while we were on our get-away I bought another flag, but this one is crafted in wood. It’s beautiful.

Since today is flag day, I look in the Bible to find a correlation. Sure enough, it was there. In the book of Exodus and also in Psalms.

The people of Israel were being attacked by the Amalekites. They were a fierce army. Moses told Joshua to choose some fighting men and go out to battle. Moses observed the battle from a hill top. He told Joshua he would take the walking stick that the Lord had given him, which he had used to perform many miraculous things.

As long as Moses held the stick in the air the Israelites were winning. As the day wore on, Moses became tired and his arms started to droop. That’s when Aaron and Hur stood on each side of Moses and held his arms in the air. This is what Moses said when the battle was over.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write about this battle. Write these things in a book so that people will remember what happened here. And be sure to tell Joshua that I will completely destroy the Amalekites from the earth.’

15 Then Moses built an altar and named it, “The Lord is My Flag.” 16 Moses said, “I lifted my hands toward the Lord’s throne. So the Lord fought against the Amalekites, as he always has.” Exodus 17:14-16 ERV

I have heard it said that the Lord is the light at the end of the tunnel. I tend to disagree with that statement. The Lord IS the light in the tunnel and He has promised to lead us to the end.

“May God do what you want most and let all go well for you. 5 Then you will win victories,  and we will celebrate, while raising our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers!” Psalm 20:4-6

The term Jehovah Nissi, which Moses used in Exodus, literally means “the Lord is my banner”.

When soldiers go out to fight, they carry the banner of the country they represent. When we go out against our enemies – physical, spiritual or emotional – we should always carry the banner of who we represent.

A young shepherd boy knew that when he faced a giant named Goliath.

“Everybody here will see that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save his people. The Lord always wins his battles, and he will help us defeat you. 48 When Goliath started forward, David ran toward him.” I Samuel 17:47-48 CEV

It’s Flag Day – raise your banner high!

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No Brag – Just Fact

I am reading in Ephesians again. I find myself there quite frequently.

The letters that Paul wrote to the different Christian churches were for their instruction and correction. I find those letters do the same in my life. While I was reading this morning a phrase jumped out at me, “there is nothing you can brag about”.

Last weekend while we were in Williams there was a whole lot of bragging going on. We didn’t know it when we booked our trip, but the annual car show was also last weekend. We went into town on Thursday evening for dinner and had a hard time finding a place to park.

We quickly learned that 600 cars were entered and many others were on a waiting list. Oh my, there were some real beauties! Top quality paint jobs, gleaming wheels, tuck-n-roll upholstery and a few rust buckets. Each and every one was hoping to be named “the best”.

No brag, just fact.

People are a lot like that too. Wanting to be judged by their accomplishments, education, size of their home, the car they drive, the accolades they have received, their good looks and great personalities. They want to lay claim to their bragging rights.

I think the Apostle Paul might have been dealing with this very situation.

“In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. 3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God’s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.” Ephesians 2:1-9 CEV

We run into trouble when we begin to compare ourselves to others and brag on our “goodness”. Everything we have in this life that is good has been given to us by God.

“Don’t be fooled, my dear friends. 17 Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. 18 He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.” James 1:16-18 CEV

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ” Philippians 3:7-8 CEV

Paul had been in the inner circle of Jewish society but as he wrote Ephesians and Philippians he was in prison. He knew what was truly important – knowing Christ as Savior.

A lesson for all of us – No brag, just fact!

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