Category: Provision

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My Brother

      …There is a very graphic story in the Old Testament which reveals the provisions of joint inheritance.

Joseph was an example of Christ in so many areas of his life and it is in his story that we find an example of Jesus’ making provision for us.

 Very briefly let me recap Joseph’s life. In Genesis 37-46 Joseph is betrayed by his brothers, Jesus was also betrayed by his Jewish brethren. Joseph became a servant and Jesus came from heaven to serve. Even in a hostile land Joseph rose to a place of leadership just as Jesus did.

 In Genesis 45 Joseph confronts his brothers and tells them God has sent him ahead of them into Egypt so that he could provide for them in their time of need.

      “I will take care of you during the next five years of hunger. So you and your family will not lose everything you own.” Genesis 45:11 ERV

Jesus came into a hostile land and gained great power which enabled Him to provide for all our needs. In the land where Joseph’s brothers were considered strangers, they were given the best in the land. They shared in what Joseph had been given by the pharaoh.

      “Tell them to bring your father and their families back here to me. I will give you the best land in Egypt to live on. And your family can eat the best food we have here.” Genesis 45:18 ERV

Joseph’s brothers did not do anything to earn or deserve the best land in Egypt. The pharaoh gave it to them because of who Joseph was. Our heavenly Father has promised to provide for us because of who our brother, Jesus, is.

      “Christ has made us a holy nation of religious leaders who can go to His God and Father. He is the One to receive honor and power forever! Let it be so.” Revelation 1:6 NLV

If everything has been provided for us in Christ, then why aren’t we experiencing the life he has made available to us? The answer is clear. Jesus gave this command to the disciples when he left this earth.

      “So he came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:18-20 ERV

Jesus was telling his disciples “you go in the power and authority that I have; I’m giving it to you, and I will always be with you”. The early Christians had no problem in following these instructions. They saw people healed, the dead raised, demons cast out and their needs met. They realized there was power in the words that Jesus spoke.

….Down through the ages we have forgotten the power of Jesus’ words and many live as if they never moved out of a land rittled by famine. We need to recognize the inheritance the Father has given us to share with our brother, Jesus. He promised “I will be with you always” and that includes the year of 2021!

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Reading of the Will

Over the last week I have shared with you the first chapter of Like A Diamond, Sons of God. When we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and receive forgiveness for our sins we are adopted by our heavenly Father. With our adoption we receive an inheritance that we share with our older brother Jesus…

When we enter sonship, we also come into another relationship; we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Jesus becomes our older brother and we share in the inheritance that our heavenly Father has given him.

Several years ago, my husband received an inheritance from his parents’ trust. It got us to thinking. What were we leaving to our children? We asked them if there was anything they really wanted of our possessions. We were pleasantly surprised by their answers; they each mentioned things of sentimental value but not those of financial substance. They all expressed a desire to spend more time with us; making memories and continuing traditions that they could hold on to when we are gone. That is what they felt would be a rich inheritance.

Our heavenly Father has set up a wonderful inheritance for us.

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” Romans 8:15-17 MSG

Our relationship with the Father is adventurous and wonderfully exciting!  We go from living in an orphanage to playing ball in the palace.

Why does the author of Romans point out that we have been freed from fear? Our old family relationship was fear based. Jesus knows that the father of this world, the devil, is the father of lies. His purpose is to deceive, steal from and destroy us in any way he can. As our big brother, Jesus, protects us and delivers us from his schemes. Jesus never wants us looking back, scared that we may be taken away from the Father.

 “A thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I came to give life – life that is full and good.”  John 10:10 ERV

Praise God for our older brother!

He has our best interest at heart. As our joint heir He shows us that we are entitled to the same privileges He has been given by the Father.

At one time we were spiritual street urchins but now our lives have been cleansed. We are precious jewels to the Father, “Like A Diamond”. Let’s sparkle brilliantly for Him.

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Direction for 2021

At the end of the day we’ll all be heading into a New Year. Many will be glad to leave 2020 behind.

We have a cowboy preacher friend who used to say “If God says go north He will provide, if you go south you’ll think you died”. Now that’s not in the Bible but it’s still good preaching.

Let me tell you about a man named Jonah. The Lord wanted Jonah to go to a town called Ninevah and preach a message of repentance. Jonah decided he didn’t want to go and so he hopped the first ship leaving town and went the other way. A storm came up and the ship he was on almost sunk. Jonah admitted to the sailors on board that he was running from God and told them if they threw him into the sea the storm would cease and they would be saved.

So that’s what they did and they survived the storm. Jonah on the other hand became lunch for a great fish. I refer to this fish as the first manned submarine. Three days later the fish arrived at the shores of Ninevah and spit Jonah out on the shore. Jonah preached to the people there, they repented and were saved.

It was Jonah’s choice not to follow God’s leading and it was his choice that nearly brought destruction to everyone aboard the ship. But when Jonah repented for running from God he had a personalized escort to where he needed to go.

The Lord told Abraham to leave his home country and go to a new land. That new area was the place where Abraham prospered in lands, sheep, cattle and he became a father. His decendants eventually became known as the Israelites, who were God’s chosen people.

I could give you story after story of people who did and didn’t follow God. Suffice it to say, it’s better to let the Lord do the leading. He has infinitely better foresight than we do.

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea…
18 But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland…Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.” Isaiah 43:16-20 NLT

There’s a new year before us. Let’s forget the disappointments and discouragement of the past and move forward into 2021 looking for the path and the plans the Lord has for us.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLV

When we follow His leading we will always be going in the right direction. Now that’s the way to have a prosperous new year!

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Follow the Star

According to what I’ve read and heard recently we are supposed to be able to see the Christmas Star this evening. I’m looking forward to it.

I think it’s so interesting that its called the Christmas Star.

The star that the wisemen followed from the East was in the sky more than just a few nights. Their travels took many months and the star was there to guide them all along the way. One of God’s early navigational tools.

We watched a movie a couple months back where a yacht was lost at sea. All the electronics and navigational devices had been damaged and rendered useless. This movie was based on true events and it showed how the woman on the boat used a sextant to chart her course by the placement of the stars.

God has given us so many evidences in nature to remind us of His faithfulness. Tonight we get to see another one. Amazing!

Following that star was an act of faith for those on this divine expedition. What would they have done if three months into their search the star disappeared? Would they have gone home? Would they have camped where they were waiting for it to reappeared? They even assumed that the star was leading them to Jerusalem because that was the capital city and surely the new king would be born there.

“They asked people, ‘Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him’…8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem. He said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, come tell me. Then I can go worship him too.”

9 After the wise men heard the king, they left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east, and they followed it. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10 They were very happy and excited to see the star.

11 The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country a different way.” Matthew 2:2-12 ERV

How many times have those around us tried to convince us not to follow our hearts, not to go and do what we felt that God was leading us to do? Or perhaps you have had someone try to misdirect and alter what you knew to be right? Have you ever questioned God’s leading? Have you ever gotten started and then stopped, wondering if you had really been following God’s direction? I have had all these questions and hesitations.

We have been given a wonderful example in this account of the wisemen. Stay the course, don’t be detoured by others’ opinions.

Follow the star – it will lead us to the King!

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Going Through The Gate

The other morning we took a walk. When we left the campground area we had to go through a gate at the start of the trail. There’s a country or ranch tradition that our family is very familiar with – if you go through a gate, close it.

Plain and simple. Gates have a purpose. It’s either to keep someone or something in or to keep someone or something out. Gates are important.

We enjoyed our nature walk. We saw some of the tallest Ponderosa pines I have ever seen. It was a beautiful area; unspoiled nature. I didn’t see anything that needed to be kept behind a gate but the gate was there all the same.

Isn’t that the way it is with life? We don’t always see or know the purpose for something but its there for our protection.

Jesus was telling his disciples a story about some sheep who were being kept in a pen behind a gate. They were safe from outside harm. The disciples didn’t understand the meaning of the story so this was Jesus’ explanation:

“So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:7-10 ERV

In the natural, sheep don’t have any common sense. They need a shepherd to protect them and to lead them to good pasture. Jesus had said He was the good shepherd. He was the one to protect and to provide “Everything they need”.

He hasn’t changed! His promises to protect and provide are still valid. Jesus repeated this mission that He had been given by God, the Father, using a variety of examples. He said I AM the gate, the shepherd, the living water, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the life! Not once did He say I am the destroyer, the condemner, the abuser, the neglecter. Never! That’s not who He is.

He has given us so many examples of who He is, if we look for them they will become clearer and clearer.

Today I am glad that He is the gate – He opens and closes to protect me in all I do.

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Thankful for Strength

This morning as I was preparing to share on thankfulness my heart asked me this question. What about the people who feel they have nothing to be thankful for? Maybe they’ve lost their jobs, their businesses, their health and even their friends. What do they have to be thankful for?

Good question.

Let me tell you the story of King David. He and his men had gone out to help figth a war. When they returned home they found their homes had been burned and the wives and children had been carried off by the enemy.

The Bible tells us that these strong, brave, fighting men wept until they had no more tears.

“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.” I Samuel 30:4 KJV

Everything they loved and held dear was gone! To make matters worse, they blamed David. Men who had been loyal members of his army were now ready to kill him. Not only had David lost his family, his home and his city but now he had lost his position and his ability to lead.

“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 NLT

At a time like this, how could he possibly find strength? Another translation of this verse tells us that “David encouraged himself in the Lord”. In my times of greatest struggle and darkness moments I have pulled close to God. Tears streaming down my cheeks, heart aching with pain I have cried out. “God, I can’t do this! I don’t know what to do. There’s no one to help. I’m done! I need You – only You! I need Your strength and Your guidance. I need Your peace.”

“May honor and thanks be given to the Lord, because He has heard my prayer. 7 The Lord is my strength and my safe cover. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. So my heart is full of joy. I will thank Him with my song. 8 The Lord is the strength of His people. He is a safe place for His chosen one.” Psalm 28:6-8 NLV

There is no other place to find true help and strength. God is the only one who can bring peace in the midst of our storms. He is the only one who has the answers.

King David poured out his heart to God in prayer. He got instruction from the Lord on what he should do. He went to his men and told them what the Lord had said and they all went out to recover what had been stolen.

“David took back all that the Amalekites had taken, and saved his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, small or large, sons or daughters, food or anything that had been taken. David returned with all of it. ” I Samuel 30:18-19 NLV

A perfect time to be thankful and praise God is when hope is all but gone. It takes our focus off our circumstances, places it on God and His ability to alter the outcome.

“Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my help and my God.” Psalm 42:11 NLV

Being thankful gives us strength!

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Enjoy the Feast

Yesterday morning I showed you how God’s word is referred to as milk and when we are new babies in Christ the Word of God provides us with the nourishment we need. But the Bible also has many references to our being fed by God’s word. It is our life-giving sustance. So this morning I would like to share a few of my favorite verses with you – enjoy the feast!

I praise God for those who have been called to the work of translating the Bible, not just in foreign languages, but into versions that make it easier for us to use and understand.These verses have really helped me and I hope that there are one or two that provide what you need!

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR LET ME DOWN! “Let yourcharacter or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

WHEN CHRIST RULES, PEACE REIGNS “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMP

HE CARES FOR ME “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” I Peter 5:7 AMP

I HAVE AN OVERFLOWING LIFE “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

MOSES AND I HAVE THE SAME GOD, THE GREAT I AM! “And when that time comes, you will ask nothing of Me [you will need to ask Me no questions]. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am].24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:23-24 AMP

MY FATHER’S WORD GIVES ME CONFIDENCE “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” I John 5:14-15 AMP

Feasting on God’s Word is one of the best meals ever!

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Growing Strong

I love babies!! ❤❤

We have two grown grandchildren, three young grandchildren and one great grandchild. I’ve been working on photo boards and attending birthday celebrations during the last couple of months. First birthday, third birthday and fifth birthday…lots of pictures to look at while I reminisce.

I remember holding all six of these precious ones in my arms, speaking softly, swaying gently as they slept in my arms. What a blessing to hold a sleeping babe! As much joy as that brings no one wants them to remain babes forever. We desire to see them grow strong and healthy.

It’s a routine with babies – eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. It’s required for growth.

They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to eat and they let us know about it. We quickly learn which cries mean I’m hungry, tired, mad or wet. As they get a little older we learn signs long before they can articulate their request.

We need to follow their example.

“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” I Peter 2:1-3 CEV

We need to be like babies – sincere, innocent with an overwhelming desire to grow – to eat spiritual milk (the Word) and learn of the Lord’s goodness.

Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong. Babies also get thirsty and sometimes just need a drink of water and not a feeding of milk. It keeps them hydrated and all their organs working well. We also need water, but the living water, that only Christ can give.

“Jesus answered, “You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.”11 The woman said, “Sir, where will you get that living water?…13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”15 The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.” John 4:10-15 ERV

When little babies are hungry they cry and their parents get them a bottle and provide them with nourishment. Scripture tells us that our Father runs to our cry.

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy” , because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

When was the last time we cried to let the Father know we are hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? When we do, we will be filled.

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Making A Way

I recently had a conversation with a friend who said “I know God is going to work things out, I just don’t see how”. I have been there so many times…more times than I am comfortable with but each one of those situations has bolstered my faith when the next circumstance comes.

Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when we can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort. He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with us or those we love!

“Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV

Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.

Noah had no idea how long he would be in the ark. David collected five stones for his sling; he didn’t know the first one would kill the giant. Joseph served thirteen years as a slave in Egypt before he was promoted. Paul was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned, but he said those were light afflictions and that God’s grace was sufficient in every situation.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:13 NLT

In Sunday’s worship service we sang the song “Way Maker”. The lyrics in that song that mean the most to me are these: “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working, Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working, You never stop, You never stop working, You never stop, You never stop working”.

God never stops working – He makes a way for us. God will lead us into victory. Thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ…” II Corinthians 2:14

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Battle Fatigue

Some of the first images that come to mind when I think about battle fatigue are of wildland fire fighters on the front lines of a blaze, medical personnel battling COVID, law enforcement officers in perilous conditions and individuals who are fighting each day for physical and mental strength in the continuing battle for their health.

Battle Fatigue.

It’s also something that ordinary people like you and I face. There are those days of weariness and we wonder where we are going to find the strength to go on. There’s a story in II Chronicles 20 that reminds me where my true strength comes from. The Lord brings me back to it when the battles I’m facing seem almost insurmountable.

King Jehoshaphat was being invaded by three large armies and he was afraid. He stopped everything and sought God. He had his people seek God as well. He reminded the Lord how He had come to the aid of those in the past and then the King waited for a word from the Lord. The word came – the king followed it – the people praised – the enemy was ambushed – the people took the spoils – other enemies withdrew because of fear of the Lord and the Israelites lived in peace for a long time. A worthy example for each of us to follow.

The battle belongs to the Lord!

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: …13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s…20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper…22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.…none escaped…28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.” II Chronicles 20:1-29 KJV

The army of the Israelites was outnumbered. Their defeat was certain. They were weak in their own strength and number BUT the battle belongs to the Lord!

We face daily battles, some just seem to be small skirmishes and others can be overwhelming. As Christians we don’t have to fight in our own strength. The Apostle Paul tells us to daily put on God’s armor and then to stand. Stand, stand strong. Each piece of our armor is fashioned from God’s Word. We have God’s promise that “no weapon formed against us will prosper”. Does this sound to good to be true? I used to think so.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT

But as I read through the Bible I found that the Lord promised victory to those who trust in Him. Over and over again I read of those who were more than conquerors and overcomers. I read the stories of those who faced battles and emerged victoriously because they knew what Jehoshaphat knew – the battle belongs to the Lord.

If you are feeling weary, experiencing battle fatigue, go to God in prayer and I know you will hear Him say “This is My battle, let Me fight for you”. The battle belongs to the Lord!

(I devote an entire chapter to being overcomers and conquerors in my book, Like A Diamond.)

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