Category: Provision

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His Eye Is on The Sparrow

Are you ever in awe of the finite limitations of your own thinking? I am!

I am pretty savvy in some areas; common sense provides good direction but there are areas way beyond my expertise and I get baffled. What to do and how to gain more insight? I shake my head. I am so glad that I don’t have to depend on my knowledge alone.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 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 more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

If we ask, the Lord will direct our steps to the right people and the right places. We need to be honest and ask for advice; seek understanding from those who know more. The Father is so faithful to provide the answers that we need if we are willing to ask.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. 9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

Our Father loves it when we ask for His assistance. He never expected us to live life on our own. I love how the verses above describe us as “bad parents”. That could be offensive but I believe what Jesus was trying to get us to see is that as good as we think we are as parents, providing for our children – protecting them and nurturing them – when we compare our goodness to the goodness of God, we are severely lacking. God’s goodness far outshines ours.

“Lord God All-Powerful, my King and my God, sparrows find a home near your altars; swallows build nests there to raise their young. 4 You bless everyone who lives in your house, and they sing your praises. 5 You bless all who depend on you for their strength
and all who deeply desire to visit your temple..11 Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun
and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:3-5,11-12 CEV

You, Lord God, are my God and my King!

The Bible uses the tiny sparrow as an example of God’s goodness. They are small and insignificant and yet the Lord provides for them daily. Jesus said if He provides for the sparrows just think of how much more He provides for us.

“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1, 26 CEV

Maybe you’re in the same spot I am right now – feeling a bit “bird-brained”, in need of wise counsellors and godly advice. Ask the Lord for the right counsel and then trust Him to provide.

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Completely Filled

and running over. That’s how my heart feels this morning!

Last weekend we had our oldest daughter and son-in-love here along with our oldest granddaughter. This weekend we have had our youngest daughter, our other son-in-love and three youngest grandchildren with us. Our son has called and sent a number of texts because it’s not possible for him to be with us.

Yes, completely filled and running over!

It’s important to me that our children and grandchildren always know they are welcome in our home, no matter where it is. This morning I was thinking of all the wonderful things that have happened in the years we have lived in this home. The birth of three grandchildren, one great granddaughter, the love and laughter of friends, along with some tears of sadness because of those we have lost. So many memories!

My heart is completely filled! Anything more is overflow!

Isn’t it amazing how the Father desires to fill our lives in the same way? He wants to enjoy the many benefits that He has designed for us – He wants our lives completely filled with His love, joy, strength, peace, hope. He yearns for us to live fulfilled and content in His presence.

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” Colossians 3:16 CEV

He came to bring us fullness.

“ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

“ You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

“Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!  For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude
20 Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 NLT

Completely filled and overflowing with the expressions and outpouring of God’s love!

“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 23:5-6 CEV

I pray that each day we recognize the ways the Father pours out His love!

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Shout of Victory

Today there will be lots of shouts for the winner at the racetrack.

…a little late with this morning’s blog. Kim and Austin came to spend most of the weekend with us and we set up there air bed in the living room area, i.e., my writing room while we are in the 5th wheel. Didn’t want to wake them at 4 am so waited until breakfast was over to put this out.

There shouldn’t just be shouts of victory from the racetrack, you and I should start our day with victory chants – praise because we made it through the events of yesterday and cheers because we are going to be blessed with many more victories, large and small, today.

Every day is an opportunity for the Father to show His love and kindness on our behalf. It’s also an opportunity to share His love with those around us.

“All of you nations, clap your hands and shout joyful praises to God. 2 The Lord Most High is fearsome, the ruler of all the earth. 3 God has put every nation under our power, 4 and he chose for us the land  that was the pride of Jacob, his favorite. 5 God goes up to his throne,
as people shout and trumpets blast.” Psalm 47:1-5 CEV

“SHOUT joyful praise” because “God goes up to his throne, as people shout and trumpets blast”. When we shout with a voice of triumph the unseen world recognizes that our Father, our God, is our source of victory!

Find a reason to shout – for today is your day of victory!

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Oil of Joy!

I’d like to tell you a story this morning. It’s the story of a widowed woman and her sons. Her husband had died and she was in debt. She had no way of taking care of her family and her sons were to be taken away to pay for the family’s debts.

She went to the man of God, Elisha, to appeal to him for help. He asked her but one question, “What do you have in your house?”. “Only a little oil”, was her reply. He then instructed her to find all the empty oil jars she could. She was to go into her house, shut the door and start filling the empty jars from her little cruse of oil.

“So the woman left Elisha, went into her house, and shut the door. Only she and her sons were in the house. Her sons brought the bowls to her and she poured oil. 6 She filled many bowls. Finally, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another bowl.’ But all the bowls were full. One of the sons said to her, ‘There aren’t any more bowls.’ Then the oil in the jar was finished! 7 When she told the man of God what had happened, Elisha said to her, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt. You and your sons can live on the money that is left.'” II Kings 4:5-7 ERV

Oil was a valuable commodity in the Middle East, it still is. Oil was used to keep their skin supple in the hot desert sun; it was used to light their lamps; it was used in the baking of their foods. It was a substance of life.

The prophet Isaiah told the Jewish people that when the Messiah came to earth He would provide for them.

“I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’” Isaiah 61:3 ERV

It was the custom to wear sackcloth and put ashes on their head in time of mourning and disaster. But see what Isaiah tells them – when Jesus comes he replaces the ashes with a crown, sadness with the oil of joy and the sackcloth with clothes of celebration.

We have this same promise from Jesus. He promises us comfort, joy and peace! The Holy Spirit brings all these things to us.

“16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. 17 The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him… 18 “I will not leave you all alone like orphans…

25 “I have told you all these things while I am with you. 26 But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name. 27 “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:15-27 ERV

May I ask you, do you need joy, hope and peace? Let the Holy Spirit fill your vessel with the oil of joy!

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Sit Down – Give Thanks

I had to remind myself this morning to “sit down and give thanks”.

Dave and I began to talk about the last minute things we still need to do today and then that led us into a conversation of the first things we need to do when we get home. Boy, when we opened that gate, the horses (chores) ran wild.

So now, I’m taking a deep breath and giving thanks for the wonderful memories we have of this summer season.

“And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” John 6:10-12

Look at an example of Jesus giving thanks.

Let me set the scene – 5000 hungry men, not to mention their wives and children, are on a hillside listening to Jesus teach. All Jesus has for food is 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish, a lunch meant to meet the needs of a boy.

And now we see Jesus giving thanks.

He is giving thanks for what he knows God is about to do. He is giving thanks for God’s word being true. He is giving thanks for God being faithful and revealing his love to the disciples and this group.

Jesus has been teaching – ask and it shall be given unto to you; take no thought for what you will eat or drink or what you will put on because you’re heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things; whatsoever things you desire when you pray believe you receive them and you shall have them.

This is God’s word and it is true so – GIVE THANKS!

Jesus gave thanks before the miracle occurred and not after He saw it – He had faith. What is your “feeding the 5000” moment? Are you begging God and telling Him how bad things are or a you giving thanks in advance for what you know He has promised to do.

Sit and Give thanks!

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Getting Ready to Leave

We only have a couple days left on the mountain, the place that has been our home for the last four and a half months. It’s been hard to say good-bye to friends and there are still good-byes to be said.

Yesterday, we spent time in the campground, going from campsite to campsite, making notes of things that need to be improved upon before the next camping season. We visited with the two families of campers that are still here. Only the hardy, with good generators, are here now. We had snow on Tuesday and the night time temperature dropped to 18*.

After that, there was the check-in station to finish packing up; all the bookwork and supplies have to be moved to the administration building. Bulletin boards, signs and windows have to be covered and there was one final load of laundry that needed to be done.

Almost all of the preparations have been made.

We have also taken time to pack away our own things – the bar-b-q, the outdoor canopy, and chairs. The closets have been rearranged, the cupboards straighten, awnings are pulled in, things are stowed away and secured. A little more cleaning and another load of laundry and we’ll be ready to pull out.

I began thinking of all the people in the Bible who had to leave some place they were accustomed too; Abraham and Sarah had to leave, Rebekah left her home to join her husband, Jacob’s whole family left their home to join Joseph in Egypt. Samuel left his mother and father to go to the Temple, Ruth left her home to follow her mother-in-law, Esther left her uncle to go to the King’s palace, Peter left his fishing business to follow Jesus, Paul left his place as an important member of Jewish society to become an itinerate preacher and Jesus left heaven to come to earth.

All of their leavings had a purpose. Esther was placed in the palace as queen by divine providence. She was used to save her people from genocide.

“And who knows, maybe you have been chosen to be the queen for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14b ERV

I believe that God has a purpose and a plan for every life, including yours and mine!

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you. This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

Maybe your circumstances are changing too. You are making preparation for a new home, a new job, a new life. There can be insecurity and apprehension in this but when we trust the Lord, He will give us peace and direction.

None of us know exactly how the Lord will use us from day to day but we can be certain that His plan for us is good. Each one of us should always “be prepared for leaving” the old and embracing the new as we follow the Lord’s leading.

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Spelling Lesson

School is back in session for most of the kids and they have spelling lessons. Today, I’m going to teach you a new way to spell two words, defeat and quit.

How do you spell defeat? It’s spelled q-u-i-t. How do you spell quit? It’s spelled n-e-v-e-r!

Things come up in life and it looks like we’ll be defeated. Some times the hard things make us want to quit! It could be a relationship, an illness, financial problems, a continued process of setbacks but we must not quit!!!

Fight the battle – victory will come.

“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.” II Corinthians 2:14 ERV

ALWAYS!

Do you remember the story of the Israelites after they had been delivered from Pharaoh and Egypt ? They had seen God do mighty things and now they were standing on the edge of the Promised Land. The Lord told them they would go in and possess the land so they sent in spies to see what the land was like.

Twelve spies went in; they brought back clusters of grapes so big that two men had to carry them on a pole. It truly was a land flowing with milk and honey as God had said it was (He doesn’t lie you know). The land was lush and beautiful. A land to be desired but…the spies reported there were giants in the land.

God knew the giants were there when He said He would give them the land. Were the giants really any bigger an obstacle than the Pharaoh’s army or the Red Sea? If God had provided victory for them in the past, why would they doubt His ability now?

The spies took their eyes off of their God and looked at their own ability. They had given up. They were defeated! Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, tried to get their eyes back on the bigness of God and the people were ready to stone them.

“ It is a land filled with many good things. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land. And he will give that land to us. 9 So don’t turn against the LORD! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land. We can defeat them. They have no protection, nothing to keep them safe. But we have the LORD with us, so don’t be afraid!” 10 All the people began talking about killing Joshua and Caleb with stones.” Numbers 14:8-10 ERV

Trusting God isn’t “a way” to get things done, it’s “the way”. Jesus didn’t say I am “a way”, “a truth” and “a life” – NO! He said I am THE way, THE truth and THE life.

We must stay focused on the greatness of our God or we’ll be like the Israelites and quit before we get started.

I don’t know your situation or what battles you have been fighting but don’t quit! You’re not in this alone – God is there to fight the battle with and for you!

Don’t quit – don’t give up – don’t accept defeat and you will ALWAYS TRIUMPH!

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Built Strong, Built to Last

Over the last two months we have had a lot of rain in the mountains. We are so thankful!

To us the rain is a blessing but to some others, who weren’t prepared for it, it has been a discouragement and even a destructive element of nature. Recently, we had two different sets of campers leave the campground at the end of their reservation. One was upset by all the rain. Their tent had collapsed because the roof wasn’t protected from by a rain cover and the water was too heavy, causing it to cave in.

The other couple also had some damage to their cover. When we asked them if they enjoyed their camping experience, they had the complete opposite opinion from the first. They were excited. They told us it was their first camping trip and they loved it – “oh yes, we had some damage from the rain but we know what to do next time; we’ll be back – it was beautiful”.

It was surprising to hear such a difference of viewpoint. 

It reminded me of a little song we sang in Sunday School when I was a child.

The rains came down as the floods came up

The rains came down as the floods came up

The rains came down as the floods came up

And the house on the rock stood firm!

If we are built on a firm foundation, we can withstand the storms and the rain. 

Our world seems to be in a storm – spiritually, physically, politically, economically.  Some are being shaken to the very foundation and some collapse like the tent of the one camper. But God has given us a promise for the storms.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

When we make God’s word our foundation, letting it give us the stability and underpinning we need, we will withstand the storms. When Jesus came to earth, He was called the living Word, He is our foundation.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

I don’t know what type of storm you may be experiencing. You may have already seen your tent collapse, if you have, pick up the pieces and rebuild, build on the foundation of God’s unchangeable Word.

He will be your source of strength. He will be your protection and your provider. Trust Him!

Build Strong, Be Built to Last!

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Where There’s A Will

Some of you received yesterday’s message that my daughter posted for me. I am having technical difficulties; my laptop is failing to hold a charge. She told you it may be several days before I could post.

After being plugged in for almost 18 hours, I was found that this morning the battery had gained from 5% power to 20%. Hallelujah!

I hate the idea of not being able to share with you each morning. It’s what I do; it’s my calling.

“God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:10 CEV

This morning, Dave and I are headed into our small northern Arizona town to see the “computer guy”. I believe the problem is with the power cord or how the cord isn’t making proper connection with the computer. I’m praying he has another cord or can ascertain the problem and fix it.

Through the night, I kept praying “Lord let me have enough battery life to share the blog in the morning”.

Isn’t that the way it is in life? We face obstacles and problems and our power seems to drain. We try everything but nothing seems to work for more than a few hours or a few days.

“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.” Hebrews 12:1 CEV

We must be determined to keep going; where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Throw off the things that slow us down and tackle every obstacle head on with the help the Father provides. It’s not silly to pray about a faulty computer, a car that won’t start, a checkbook that is almost empty, groceries for the table, a good teacher for your child…none of that is silly to pray about. What’s silly is not to pray!

Our Father is concerned about all our issues of life – big and small, live threatening or minute.

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

Where there is a will, trust God to make a way!

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Healing A Broken Heart

Right now, I have three people I love dearly who are dealing with broken hearts! In the natural, we can bring comfort and love but we can’t heal the hurt. Only God can do that!

As I was praying for each of them this morning, I felt a bit helpless. “Lord, I want to do more but don’t know what more I can do”. The answer came clear – keep praying, keep loving and let Me love them through you.

Bringing God into the situation is never futile; it’s never a waste of time. God’s love is the great healer.

This morning, my words are few because the best thing I can do for you if you are broken hearted is bring you God’s word.

“I will always praise the Lord.
2 With all my heart,
    I will praise the Lord.
    Let all who are helpless,
    listen and be glad.
3 Honor the Lord with me!
    Celebrate his great name.

4 I asked the Lord for help,
    and he saved me
    from all my fears.
5 Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun
    and never blush with shame.
6 I was a nobody, but I prayed,
    and the Lord saved me
    from all my troubles.

7 If you honor the Lord,
    his angel will protect you.
8 Discover for yourself
    that the Lord is kind.
    Come to him for protection,
    and you will be glad.

9 Honor the Lord!
    You are his special people.
    No one who honors the Lord
    will ever be in need.
10 Young lions[a] may go hungry
    or even starve,
but if you trust the Lord,
    you will never miss out
    on anything good.

11 Come, my children, listen
    as I teach you
    to respect the Lord.
12 Do you want to live
    and enjoy a long life?
13 Then don’t say cruel things
    and don’t tell lies.
14     Do good instead of evil
    and try to live at peace.

15 If you obey the Lord,
he will watch over you
    and answer your prayers.
16 But God despises evil people,
    and he will wipe them all
from the earth,
    till they are forgotten.
17 When his people pray for help,
    he listens and rescues them
    from their troubles.
18 The Lord is there to rescue
all who are discouraged
    and have given up hope.” Psalm 34:1-18 CEV

If you are discouraged, hopeless and broken hearted the Lord is here to help! Give Him your heart, He’ll heal it!

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