Category: Provision

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He Did It Again!

It amazes me how my Father, my God, delights in ending my day! Last night He gave me this great display as I was getting off work!

Spectacular!!

I went to sleep last night with an old song running through my mind. I’ve shared it with you before but it was so appropriate.

“Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, With wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.”

Oh, and He is certainly that! Amazing and awesome!!

Then this morning as I gazed at this picture from last night’s sunset another song came to mind. I really can’t think of a better way to start any morning than in song of praise to the Father.

“Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, My God that is who You are“

Isn’t it mind boggling that God wants us to know Him in such a dramatic way. Each one of those characteristics of God are spelled out for us in Scripture.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV

“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 CEV

“Our Lord, no other gods compare with you— Majestic and holy!  Fearsome and glorious!
Miracle worker!” Exodus 15:11 CEV

Do you need to know the right way to go or to depend on Someone who will never lie? Do you feel you are groping around in the darkness? Maybe you just need a miracle. If any of those apply, come to Almighty God, our gracious heavenly Father, in Him you will find all you need.

He did all this for those in the Bible as an example for us and He will do it again!

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It Never Gets Old

Sometimes we take things for granted. They become mundane or expected. Things lose their ability to inspire and/or be appreciated.

Several years ago I damaged my back and lived in constant pain for over two years. Since that time I have never taken a pain-free day for granted. It is something I am always grateful for.

I had a friend who was once homeless. Devastating circumstances had them on the streets with no place to call home. She was young and felt completely alone. She told me that sleeping in her car night after night brought on a depression she thought she would never be able to break. Then a kind and loving person took her in and gave her a place to stay. She says she remembers that first long, hot shower – it was life affirming. She has never taken living in a home, with clean sheets and warm water for granted again.

Maybe you’ve had experiences like these or something similar. These memories are triggers of joy – not for the circumstance but for the deliverance from them.

“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.” James 1:17 ERV

Our Father is the giver of every good gift!

We should be living life expectantly; never taking these gifts for granted. Look for the joy in each day, the opportunity to give and to share what the Lord has blessed us with.

Each time I see a sunset like I did last night or watch the sunrise over the pines, my heart is filled with wonder and awe that the God who paints the sky is my Father and He fills my life with blessings.

That truth, dear friend, never gets old!

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What A Wonderful World

If you’ve been reading my blogs for any length of time you know that I am fascinated by clouds. Yesterday did not disappoint.  This is the image I captured about 7 a.m.

What a wonderful world our Father has created!

Each time I see a sky like this my heart says, “Oh Father, you do great work”. When I was younger I sang a song by John W. Peterson, “It Took A Miracle”.

“My Father is omnipotent, and that you can´t deny;

A God of might and miracles, ´tis written in the sky. 

CHORUS: It took a miracle to put the stars in place;

It took a miracle to hang the world in space.

But when He saved my soul,

Cleansed and made me whole,

It took a miracle of love and grace.”

That’s how I feel. Each day the Lord shows me something special – another expression of His goodness and love. He never disappoints! But the greatest miracle is the one He has done in my life.

“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” Psalm 107:31 NLT

I realize that some may think I am a bit unrealistic but for years I have prayed that the Lord would show me the good around me and keep me from becoming cynical and unkind. He has answered that prayer!

We live in a world where God’s wonder abounds.

Our job is to be an ambassador of His love. There is so much that is ugly and cruel. There is pain and disappointment, I won’t deny it but God’s goodness and love is so much greater than any of that.

“We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God.  21 For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!” II Corinthians 5:20-21 TLB

When I see a sky as beautiful as it was yesterday I am reminded that my Father, who made that sky, has told me to come to Him boldly whenever I find myself in need and He will be there to help. That is His message to all of us.

“So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.” Hebrews 4:16 TLB

There’s an old Louis Armstrong song that’s lyrics bring a smile to my face and I hope it will make you smile too.

“I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and for you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world”

Declare the goodness of the Lord. We live in a wonderful world!

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I Can’t

The last few days I have been reading about all the intricate details that were involved in building the Tent of Meeting which the Israelites used as their place of worship while traveling through the wilderness.

God had given Moses a specific blueprint for the project and his people were to follow every detailed instruction. Now these were men who had spent half a lifetime making bricks for Egypt’s Pharoah. They weren’t skilled in spinning fine linen, dying animals skins with purple, scarlet and blues.

What did they know about goldmithing? Hammering gold thin enough to be used for thread or sculpting it into intricate shapes of pomegrantes and bells, cheribum, candleholders and rings. Overlaying acacia wood with gold. They also needed to be experts in silversmithing and the casting of bronze.

When you’re given a task this emense, do you throw up your hands and say I can’t?

“The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.”

2 So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work. 3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.” Exodus 36:1-3 NLT

These men knew they had been gifted by God. They simply followed His instructions and when they were finished the Bible says “The Israelites did all this work exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 Moses looked closely at all the work and saw that it was done exactly as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.” Exodus 39:42-43 ERV

What has the Lord called you to do? Do you face a task that you feel is just to big for you? Should someone else who is more qualified being doing it?

I can’t.

No one can be the kind of parent to your children that you can! God has lovingly placed them in your care. No one else will be able to touch the lives of your co-workers like you will. No one else can be the friend that you are. Will there be challenges? Surely. Will there be mistakes? Almost certainly. Then why go on?

Why not say “I can’t”?

God has a purpose and plan for your life. He has a design for you to fulfill. There was only one David who faced Goliath, only one Daniel who faced the lion’s den, only one Peter who stood up and preached on the day of Pentecost and there’s only one you!

However, you’ve never been asked to fulfill your destiny alone.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

With Christ we can do all things. I encourage you to expand upon our original statement. With Christ, I can’t fail!

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Free Advice

That expression, free advice, has always been a bit puzzling to me.

Advice comes from life’s experiences so, no advice is really free. It costs someone something. The person giving the advice has lived through an experience and learned a valuable lesson; the person receiving the advice is, most generally, facing similar circumstances and is in need of valuable insight.

Free advice.

The writings of Solomon in the book of Proverbs have much to say about gaining knowledge and wisdom. King Solomon gained wisdom from listening to his father, King David. King David is the one who wrote Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, but most importantly is the chapter that extols the value of following God’s word. He said that the word of God is lamp to light our paths and that God’s word brings life.

When Solomon became king he asked the Lord for one thing, wisdom. He wanted to rule the nation of Israel wisely. He didn’t ask for power or might, riches or honor; he sought wisdom. Read these words that he is giving us.

“Listen as Wisdom calls out!
    Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road,
    she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,
    on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 “I call to you, to all of you!
    I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment.
    You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
    Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth
    and detest every kind of deception.
8 My advice is wholesome.
    There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
    clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,
    and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
    Nothing you desire can compare with it.” Proverbs 8:1-11 NLT

Nothing we can desire compares to wisdom. Wisdom is God’s way of doing things. Solomon knew from experience that this was the best way. Business journals, self-help books, in-depth study will fall short without relying on the Lord and the wisdom that He gives.

When we come to the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe, our God and heavenly Father, He will share with us knowledge and wisdom. His word is free to all and it will never steer us wrong. The words of His book have survived the ages, the truth of His word is timeless.

“Bend my heart toward your instructions and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; with your ways, give me life.” Psalm 119:36-37 CJB

Open the pages of your Bible and find the priceless, unfailing, eternal wisdom that comes from Almighty God.

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Encouraged to Be Strong

Encouragement: the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. (Oxford Dictionary) I like to define it as “to fill with courage”.

Encouraging people with the promises of God’s word is one of my favorite things to do. I know what it’s like to be discouraged, hoping for someone, anyone, to give you a kind word, a smile, a hug or a prayer.

When we’re tired, we become easily discouraged and discouragement leaves us weak, angry, susceptible, emotional and devastated. None of these are what God has planned for our daily lives. He is the Master of Encouragement.

The Lord told Moses several times to encourage Joshua. Joshua would be his replacement. No one knew better than Moses that the Lord had been faithful to keep all His promises and he needed to impress that on Joshua.

“You must give instructions to Joshua. Encourage him. Make him strong, because Joshua must lead the people across the Jordan River. You can see the land, but Joshua will lead them into that land. He will help them take the land and live in it.’” Deuteronomy 3:28 ERV

Joshua had been at Moses’ right hand for the past 40 years and the mantle of leadership was about to land solely on his shoulders. Those three words “make him strong” are what encouragement does.

The Lord just didn’t leave it up to Moses to encourage Joshua. The Lord spoke to Joshua directly.

“…After Moses died, the Lord spoke to Joshua and said, 2 “My servant Moses is dead. Now you and all these people must go across the Jordan River. You must go into the land I am giving to the Israelites. 3 I promised Moses that I would give you this land, so I will give you all the land wherever you go… 5 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you.

6 “Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land. 7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9 ERV

Take a minute to go back and read that again. Unpack what the Lord is saying – I will give you the land, no one will be able to stop you, I won’t abandon you, I’ll never leave you!

Be strong, be brave, follow My teachings and you’ll be successful in all you do. Be obedient, you’ll be successful – be strong, be brave, don’t be afraid. Now, that’s encouragement!

If your tired and weary today; devastated or discouraged look to the Lord. Draw en-couragement from Him and you’ll become victorious. He will encourage you – Be strong, be brave!

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Right or Left?

Have you ever been at a crossroads and wonder which path to take? 

It could be a physical spot on a roadway – right, left, or straight head but more than likely that crossroad involves a decision about career path, relationships, monetary commitments and even health choices.

How do we know which choice is right?

It’s important to get good advice but ultimately, at least for me, it comes down to following that inner voice, sense of right/wrong, the peace that I feel in my heart.

Jesus used an analogy with his disciples that they all understood. He talked to them of the way sheep follow a shepherd. They were familiar with seeing bands of sheep out on the hillsides with their shepherd. Jesus said I am the good Shepherd, and my sheep hear my voice and follow me.

“I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep…I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep…My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:11,14,15,27 ERV

If we are listening, we will hear our Shepherd’s voice and follow the path He takes us on.  Sometimes we start out following the Shepherd and then we get off the path and head out on our own. The attitude of “I can take it from here, thanks for getting me started” can be disastrous. 

When that happens, it is encouraging to know that the Shepherd will come looking for lost sheep. He knows the dangers that can present themselves. He is faithful to rescue us.

“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 15:4-6 ERV

In Jesus’ own words He said he is the “good” shepherd. Some shepherds had been known to leave the sheep in times of peril. Some didn’t properly care for those who had been attacked or injured.

But not the Good Shepherd. He is willing to lay down His life for his sheep. He takes His sheep to green pastures beside still water where they can be fed, watered, and well rested.

When He sees danger coming, He protects the sheep and keeps their enemies for attacking. He leads them through the valley of the shadow of death with no fear. He is their comfort.

Which path to take? Follow the Shepherd, He will never lead us astray.

Have a decision to make? At the crossroads?

Pray about it. Don’t be in a hurry. Listen for the Shepherd’s voice and then follow Him!

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Flash Mob Style

Every once in a while Dave and I will sit and watch flash mob videos on YouTube. They make us smile!

It’s a large group of people breaking out in “spontaneous” song and dance in what seems to be a completely random moment. (However, they really have been practicing behind the scenes for weeks.)

Yesterday morning I found a flash mob moment in the Bible. I know, I’m as surprised as you are.

“Then Moses and the Israelites began singing this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord!  He has done great things. He threw horse and rider into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength.
 He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him. He is the God of my ancestors, and I honor him. 3 The Lord is a great soldier. The Lord is his name.
4 He threw Pharaoh’s chariots and soldiers into the sea. Pharaoh’s very best soldiers
drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep water covered them, and they sank to the bottom like rocks.” Exodus 15:1-5 ERV

Their song continues for twenty-one verses and ends with the women playing tamborines and dancing.

“Then Aaron’s sister, the woman prophet Miriam, took a tambourine. She and the women began singing and dancing. 21 Miriam repeated the words, “Sing to the Lord! He has done great things. He threw horse and rider into the sea ….” Exodus 15:20-21 ERV

All of this occurs immediately after they cross through the Red Sea. They have just seen the Egyptian army drown as the waters covered them over. They had been worried and complaining just hours before but they did what the Lord said. They stood still, and saw the Lord win this battle for them.

Now comes the singing and the dancing. Praising the Lord for His mighty deliverance!

The Bible is filled with stories of people just like us. People who worry and complain when the circumstances aren’t right – people who think they have a solution to their circumstances and don’t seek God’s help. People who are more willing to live in a bad situation then to trust God, who is leading them, and go into unknown territory.

I’ve been so guilty of all of this. I stayed in the wrong job for years because in my mind it was better there than in the unknown of where will I go. And then there are the times that I basically said “I’ve got this God. I know how to handle this” and so I went forward without praying and having the Lord’s leading and things fell apart.

But then the Lord would come to my rescue and it was a flash mob of one but I was singing and dancing and praising God for the way He rescued me! Does anyone relate to this?

Maybe you’re in a place where the Egyptians are behind you and the Red Sea is in front of you and you’re worried. Trust God!

Or maybe you’ve just been delivered and are in your Flash Mob moment. Trust God!

Remember always, He is our strong tower, our defense, our deliverer and our Savior!

“The Lord is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him.” Exodus 15:2 ERV

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Beating the Odds

Stand Still!

These are not the words you’re wanting to hear when in a situation like the Israelites were. They had just left Egypt during the middle of the night. They had the clothes on their backs, some provisions, their flocks and herds and the gold,silver and clothing the Egyptians had given them as they were leaving.

Moses and Aaron told them to be ready to go at a moments notice and that moment was now. The Bible tells us about 600,000 men with their families left Egypt. It was as if an entire city packed up and moved over night.

No GPS to set their route. Something better – the Lord led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Follow the pillar and you won’t go wrong. They had only been gone a little while and someone noticed that the entire Egyptian army was following them. Pharoah wasn’t giving up, he was in hot pursuit.

That’s when they began to cry and complain and that’s when Moses said “Stand Still”.

“The Egyptian army had many horse soldiers and chariots. They chased the Israelites and caught up with them while they were camped near the Red Sea at Pi Hahiroth, east of Baal Zephon. 10 When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and his army coming toward them, they were very frightened and cried to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did you bring us out here in the desert to die?… 13 But Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. 14 You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.” Exodus 14:9-14 ERV

An army behind them and the Red Sea ahead of them – it appeared they were doomed. But when the Lord does the fighting you can beat the odds.

The Lord had promised to take them to a new land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He didn’t say He would take them out into the desert to die. God is bigger than an attacking army and He’s greater than a sea. He’s also mightier than any enemy or devastating circumstance that we may face.

He is the Lord who provides; He is the promise keeper!

The Lord placed the cloud between the Egyptian army and the Israelites, the army could proceed no further. Then the Lord gave Moses the command to hold his staff in the direction of the sea. When he did the wind blew and the waters parted leaving a path for them to follow to the other side.

“Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today.“

I have no idea what circumstances you may be facing; physical, emotional, financial, relational, however, I do know the God who delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. He is still the same powerful Lord that He was then.

“All day long I will tell the wonderful things you do to save your people. But you have done much more than I could possibly know. 16 I will praise you, Lord God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save.” Psalm 71:15-16 CEV

Our God is trustworthy. He is mighty to save!

We can beat the odds when we place our trust in Him!

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Just Around the Corner

I think all of us have had a time when we have wanted to know “what’s just around the corner”.

Is it that great job I’ve been waiting or hoping for? Will I meet my future mate? Am I going to be kept from harm? Will I make it through the COVID threat unharmed? How will life turn out?

It’s all Just Around the Corner.

Those are not uncommon questions. People have been asking them for milleninia. We would all like to have “pro vision”.

When we place our trust in the Father, He sees ahead and will direct our steps. He knows the beginning from the end and all the road in between. He has big plans for us, plans for our good.

Abraham had a promise from God that he would have a son. Twenty-five years past before that promise became a reality but Abraham never lost hope. Remember, God is THE promise keeper.

When that son, Isaac, was probably in his teens his father took him on a three-day journey. They went with a couple of servants, a donkey, some wood and the two of them. A father/son outing. They got to a certain place and Abraham told the servants to wait there. He and Isaac went on ahead.

Abraham put the wood on Isaac’s shoulders and off they went. They were on their way to worship the Lord.

“Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” “My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” The two of them walked on” Genesis 22:7-8 CEV

It looks like this is the end for Isaac but just around the corner…

“Don’t hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son. 14 Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” And even now people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:12-14 CEV

The Lord will provide! He is faithful to keep His promises and fulfill the plans He has for us!

Maybe you are at a place where you are saying “when, Lord, when – how, Lord, how”. Be encouraged. God will provide

“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 CEV

For Abraham God provided a son and then a ram. God provided a Savior for the world through a young Jewish virgin. He sent an angel to orchestrate a prison break for Peter. And He won’t come up short and providing for us.

That thing you’ve been praying about, wondering when and how, trust God. It’s just around the corner and you may end up saying – Wow, I didn’t see that coming!

The Lord will provide!

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