Category: Provision

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Parched in the Desert

Many years ago Dave and I farmed alfalfa in the desert outside of Phoenix. We were responsible for over 900 acres of alfalfa. The Bible says that the Apostle Paul went to the backside of the desert to learn about the Lord; well we went to Arlington.

It was there I learned about thirsting for God and His word.

Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really, really thirsty where your lips were dry and your throat was parched.

When Dave and I first started farming we had an equipment malfunction. The baler I was using kept breaking one of the wires. This was summer and it was really hot! Dave had been picking up the good bales with the roadsider and it was my job to walk from field to field, cut the wires, spread the hay for re-baling until all of it was done.

At some point Dave had finished his job, came to check on me and then had gone off to do something else. As I saw him drive away I realized he was leaving with the water! I was so hot and thirsty. I sat on a bale and cried. I felt so alone and forgotten.

I was parched!

Every time I read a verse about “thirsting” for God’s Word I remember that experience. When our soul cries out for strength and help, it’s like that day I cried for water in a hot, dry land.

I am so glad the Father is faithful to see that I am well watered!

“God, you are my God.
    I am searching so hard to find you.
Body and soul, I thirst for you
    in this dry and weary land without water.
2 Yes, I have seen you in your Temple.
    I have seen your strength and glory.
3 Your faithful love is better than life,
    so my lips praise you.
4 By my life, I will praise you.
    In your name, I lift my hands in prayer.
5 When I sit down to satisfy my hunger,
    my joyful lips hunger to praise you!
6 I remember you while lying on my bed.
    I think about you in the middle of the night.
7 That is because you are the one who helps me.
    It makes me happy to be under your protection!
8 I stay close to you, and you hold me with your powerful arm.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV

Are you thirsty? The Lord’s promise is that when we hunger and thirst for right standing with Him we will be filled!

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Begging for Attention

The last few days the chipmunks have been clamoring for attention. The nights and early mornings are getting colder, and their internal clocks must be telling them winter is coming soon.

They are busy collecting seeds and other sources of food. Up the tree them go, depositing their cache and back down again. Running here and there, collecting as much as they can, filling their cheek pouches, depositing it and returning again.

They are busy about life!

How many times have we gotten busy with life? We get so caught up in all the activities, things and people demanding part of our time. Too much pressure and not enough time.

Do you think God doesn’t know this? He does!

Do you think He is caught by surprise when events are clamoring for your attention? He isn’t! Problems have surfaced like the waves of a tsunami and you feel like you are about to be washed away. He is the one who speaks to the winds and waves and says peace be still!

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?…So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33 NLT

Look at the birds, or in my case, look at the chipmunks.

“Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord.
7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:6-8 NLT

The Lord not only provides for our essential needs of food and clothing but for our emotional needs of joy, peace and rest. We have His assurance that He is in control.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. 8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.” Psalm 37:7-8 NLT

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!…Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:1-3,10 NLT

Be still! Have strength and refuge. Be Still! So much around us is fighting for our attention. Let’s give it to the One who has the answers and can bring us peace!

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Looking for Eagles

All summer long I have been waiting to hike a knoll near the campground. One morning early in the season, we drove to the parking area below the hill, enthusiastic about our climb, only to be turned back.

There was a posted sign, “Eagle Nesting Area”, and it went on to say that no one should be in that area from February 1 to August 31. It was a protected area. We turned back, disappointed, and found another knoll for that day’s hike.

Now, here it is mid-September and we are making it back to do some exploring. We were looking for the eagle’s nest.

I refrain from calling it a mountain hike only because we are on a mountain, surrounded by taller mountains, like Mt. Baldy. But to call it a hill or knoll diminishes the challenging terrain. We had to watch every step – there were downed trees, stinging nettle, and big logs to climb over.

We were always looking up, scanning the treetops, searching for the eagle’s nest. Much to my chagrin we never located it. What we did find were vultures! Yes, vultures. The standing dead trees provided them with the perfect setting to roost. They would leave the branch and with two or three flaps of their massive wings they would soar above the landscape looking for food far below. Then back to their resting place.

I’m sure you’re wondering what great Biblical truth came to mind during our exploration. The only one I have is an absolute awareness of the greatness of God. Here we were in a thicket of trees. Vultures were soaring, scanning the earth below to look for food and found none.

God’s vision is much more acute than that of a vulture or an eagle. There in that mesh of living and dead trees, we were not lost to the sight of our loving Father. He knew right where we were. And He was there.

“The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong. ” II Chronicles 16:9 ERV

Even in the most obscure places we are never alone. God is there to protect and provide.

“You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. 6 I am amazed at what you know; it is too much for me to understand. 7 Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence.” Psalm 139:5-7 ERV

The view from the top was beautiful, even though we didn’t find the eagle’s nest. What we did find was much greater – we found another day of adventure with the Father.

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Taming Lions

Some situations get out of control quickly. It can be a grumpy neighbor, a jealous co-worker, someone with an axe to grind or even a distraught loved one. Each of them could be wearing their emotions on their sleeve and it creates a volatile outburst.

We all have lions that we must face and taming them can be tricky business, just ask Daniel.

He had co-workers who hated him and would go to any lengths to sabotage his credibility. They were jealous and wanted him dead.

They had the king enact a law that anyone who prayed to any god other than whom the king said would be thrown into the lion’s den. They knew full well that Daniel spent hours each day praying to His God. Once the trap was set, they brought Daniel before the king; judgment was made, and Daniel was taken off to certain death.

In the morning, the king came to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel. Daniel answered and the king had him brought out of the enclosure. Daniel gave glory to God for His faithfulness.

“Darius thought it would be a good idea to choose 120 satraps to rule throughout his kingdom… 3 Daniel proved himself to be a better supervisor than any of the others. He did this by his good character and great ability. The king was so impressed with Daniel that he planned to make him ruler over the whole kingdom. 4 But when the other supervisors and the satraps heard about this they were very jealous…

“19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.”

21 Daniel answered, “King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”

23 King Darius was very happy…The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God…

26 I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel.

Daniel’s God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His rule will never end. 27 God helps and saves people. He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions. 28 So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.” Daniel Chapter 6 ERV

Are you facing a lions’ den today?

Daniel didn’t change his commitment to the Lord just because the circumstances changed. Daniel was a faithful man, he continued to serve God in spite of the circumstances. And God remained faithful to His word and to the man who served Him.

Be faithful today and you will find that God is faithful too.

Faith in God will tame the lions we face. He is still the living God who saves and helps His people.

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In the Fields

Do you possess a mental calendar? When you travel certain places do you have familiar memories that you can share with your family and friends? Is there a richness for times spent and lessons learned?

I do!

And so do some of the Bible’s leading characters. I’ll share just one.

“So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, ‘Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.’” Joshua 4:4-7 NLT

The Lord’s promise had been fulfilled. The Israelites were now in the Promised Land. This was a land that had been promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier. God was faithful to His word and Joshua wanted them to have an everlasting memorial of God’s faithfulness, a visible memorial that would last forever.

I have only stacked stones once but my memory serves as a constant reminder of the promises of God.

For instance, I remember the first time the verses of Deuteronomy 28 became a reality in my life. Dave and I were farming alfalfa for an absentee farmer in the Arizona desert. We had been listening to some teaching tapes on Victorious Christian Living, a new concept to us. It was there that these words came to life:

“If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours:3 ‘He will bless you in the city and in the field. 4 He will bless you and give you many children.
He will bless your land and give you good crops.'” Deuteronomy 28:2-4 ERV

Blessed in the city and in the fields…we spent a lot of time in those 900 acres of alfalfa. The Lord protected us, the crop and our children. We saw the land give amazing yields per acre. We were protected from storms and rattle snakes. We had good health and strong bodies.

When we drive through miles of open prairie now, I remember – “we are blessed in the fields”. When we drive the freeways I remember – “we are blessed in the city”. When I planted gardens in the backyard I remembered – “He blessed my land and gave me good crops”.

My favorite time is being in the fields. It’s there I remember I am blessed and not alone. My Father has given me a promise, one that I will never forget.

Take a little time today to stack some mental stones – stones which have spiritual meaning. Remember the promises of God!

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More About Contentment

Do you remember being little and “wishing” for everything? Another word for wishing is wanting. If those desires are not guided properly they can lead to disillusionment and discontentment, not only in children but in adults as well.

So, this morning we’re going to learn one more lesson from our wooly, four-legged friends.

There was a time when my conversation was filled with the things I wanted – a new house, a new job, to lose weight, more friends, more money, less bills. But that’s not the mindset of a sheep. They are content to follow the shepherd, they are content in the pasture.

Sheep are known for lacking in intelligence, some would call them dumb. Not to be insulting but isn’t that the way it is with us. We think we know what’s best for us but left by ourselves we will get in trouble. We will be lost and in need of rescuing.

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

And when we are lost, our Good Shepherd will come searching for us, bringing us to a place of safety and provision.

When we are with the Shepherd, we can be safe and content.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 KJV

“You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Psalm 23:1 CEV

The Apostle Paul put it this way in his writing to the Christians in Philippi.

“… for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

How could Paul be content in every situation? The answer is clear. Contentment comes from Christ.

The Lord doesn’t want us worried or wanting. He knows what we need, He wants us living in a place of trust.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:21-33 NLT

Lord forgive me today for my wanting. I thank you that you bless me beyond measure because of Your great love. You supply all I need and more. You’re the Good Shepherd and I will follow you!

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God’s Got This

I had the strongest impression this morning that some of you have recently received bad news. It’s been unnerving, unsettling and even frightening.

When that happens it’s time to run to the Father.

“Light shines in the darkness for the godly…6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” Psalm 112:4-8 NLT

Do not fear bad news but instead, confidently trust the Lord to care for you!

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” Psalm 91:2-5 NLT

A pastor we know used to say, “the first report is not the final report”. When a father heard “your daughter is dead”, the first report, Jesus said, “fear not, she’s only sleeping” and the young girl was restored to life. When Joseph was sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, the Father had the final say and Joseph was promoted to 2nd in command of all of Egypt.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Come boldly, bravely, to the Father’s throne. Tell Him your heart and receive the help you need.

“ It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 NLV

Take hold of every thought.

All through the Bible we read the phrase “fear not”. Fear has never been a godly trait. It goes counter to all God is. He wants us to trust in His goodness, not fear the unknown. He provides and protects, we are never abandon or deserted.

“Hear my cry, O God. Listen to my prayer. 2 I call to You from the end of the earth when my heart is weak. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a safe place for me, a tower of strength where I am safe from those who fight against me. 4 Let me live in Your tent forever. Let me be safe under the covering of Your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4 NLV

Let me close with this prayer. “Father, I pray for all those who have received a bad report, those whose hearts have been shaken. You are the Father who brings peace, peace that passes all understanding. I say, according to Your word, peace be still. Help comes from You in Jesus name, amen.”

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Green Pastures

This morning I slept until 5 – some days that’s really nice. As I sat and prayed, the only thing that kept coming to my heart was rest.

“But Lord, I really want to share something.” “Rest, Kristi, rest.” “Ok, Father, I’ll rest.”

Dave and I stream our Sunday morning service and it was such a good message. I was able to stay focused on what pastor was sharing and not concerned about the blog. But once the service was over and I had gotten dressed, it came to me – Green Pastures.

There is no better place for sheep or cattle to rest than in green pastures. Resting for cattle or sheep is a sign of being full and content.

This morning I am content in who the Father is and all He has done in my life. I hope you are too.

Take time to read this very familiar Scripture. I am giving you several different translations but in each, the message is the same.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3  and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
 you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.” Psalm 23 MSG

“The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. 2 He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; 3 he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff— they protect me. 5 You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! 6 Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.” Psalm 23 CEB

This is where I’ll be sitting today, resting. I encourage you to find some “green pastures” today and just rest in the Lord!

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Read All About It!

This morning Facebook gave me a reminder of where I was and what I was doing nine years ago today.

I was in Waterloo, Iowa with appointments at several doctors’ for follow-up visits after my release from the hospital. I had never been so sick and there were moments that led up to my hospitalization that had me uttering words that I hope I never need to repeat again.

“The Lord’s arm is raised in victory. The Lord has shown his great power again. 17 I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:16-17 ERV

I praise God for His healing power and His protection over me, not only in moments of crisis but in the everyday times of life. He is my constant source of strength, joy, health and peace.

“Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” I Samuel 12:24 KJV

My relationship with the Father isn’t one that is casual or that I take for granted and ignore. It is foundational, the core of my being. I am dependent upon Him and His word.

There is a chorus that is running through my mind this morning, one we can all sing:

“How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God. How great, how great it our God!”

He is great in the good times and in the struggles. He is great in large crowds and in solitude. He is great!

I love the story of the man Jesus restored to his right mind. This man was demon possessed and he lived in the countryside where he ran naked and was surrounded by a herd of pigs. His life was spent in total chaos until He had an encounter with Jesus.

“People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man sitting there at the feet of Jesus. The man had clothes on and was in his right mind again; the demons were gone. This made the people afraid.” Luke 8:35 ERV

Jesus changes lives! He did then and He does today. He is always the same – yesterday, today and forever.

“The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Go back home and tell people what God did for you.’ So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

You may not have been healed from a life-threatening illness or been restored to a right mental state but every one of us has a story to tell. It is our personal story of God’s goodness and His love.

Go “publish” the news of God’s greatness! Extra, Extra Read All About It!

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Too Much

Yesterday evening some campers were returning from a walk to the lake and they stopped to tell us what they had seen. When they were standing at the lake’s edge, they had five or six osprey fly directly overhead.

They had told us, just the night before, they had hoped to see some and then tonight there they were. Their comment was “it was almost too much to take in”.

Too much!

Our Father is the God of too much.

“From far away, the Lord will appear to his people. The Lord says, “I love you people with a love that continues forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 ERV

“So remember that the Lord your God is the only God, and you can trust him! He keeps his agreement. He shows his love and kindness to all people who love him and obey his commands. He continues to show his love and kindness through a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy 7:9 ERV

“This faith and knowledge make us sure that we have eternal life. God promised that life to us before time began—and God does not lie.” Titus 1:2 ERV

Too much! Too much love – it continues forever. Too much – His kindness extends to a thousand generations. Too much – He gives eternal life and He is always truthful, He cannot lie.

“Lord my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us—too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.” Psalm 40:6 ERV

“There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I think the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.” John 21:25 ERV

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Too many great plans, too many miracles and good things; unending kindness, always trustworthy, daily mercy. He is ALL we need.

Too much – like the mountain skyline. Each day I stare, sometimes breathless, it seems impossible to take it all in.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need…You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

We will never exhaust the mercy, the kindness, the provision or the love of our heavenly Father or of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

They have no end. They are simply too much!

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