Category: Provision

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Stand Strong

Today I’m going to ask that you make this blog interactive. At the end of this writing I’m going to ask you to stand up – physically, stand up! Keep that thought in mind and read on.

The Bible is very specific in asking us to stand. We’re going to look at a few of those verses. Knowing where to stand is just as important as standing.

“To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks...13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:10-13 ERV

Life has its battles for sure. But God has given us His promises of strength and power to succeed in the battles and the storms. Jesus compares our lives to a house built on a firm foundation, a house that stands strong in 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 was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

The book of Mark tells us about a physical storm that Jesus and the disciples were in. Look at what Jesus did.

“A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.” Mark 4:37-39 CEV

Here we see physical winds and waves, like the ones that were beating against the house on the rock. Jesus STOOD UP and took control. The wind ceased and the waves subsided.

Now, I have one more set of verses to share with you before we take our stand.

“I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers 17 and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love.” Ephesians 3:16-17 CEV

We are never asked to stand in our own strength. We are to stand on God’s word, in the armor He provides and to stand firm in His love!

Our Father will never leave us to stand alone. Physical storms or spiritual attacks we can be victorious. Now, join me and Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!

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Refreshed – The Good Part

You all know how much I love to sit in the morning quiet and spend time with the Father. This morning is no different than the others. But I am finding such a refreshing for my soul.

We had a wonderful 4th weekend. It was filled with friends. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we had some business to take care of, and we just enjoyed the contact with family.

As I came to my morning quiet time today, I am finding the Father here to restore my soul. I’m feeling refreshed, encouraged and energized!

“Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing. 2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, 3 he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name.” Psalm 23:1-3 CJB Complete Jewish Bible.

I feel so blessed to know that the Father knows what I need when I need it!

He loved spending time with His friends and ministering to the needs of those who followed Him. Jesus also knew the importance of pulling away and spending time with the Father. It was in those times that He was refreshed.

I think that’s why He told Martha that she was “cumbered about with much serving”. Jesus made himself a servant to all so He knew the responsibility of meeting the needs of others. And like Mary, He knew when it was time to “Choose the good part” and listen to the Father.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

It seems all too often we get caught up doing too many things and we get upset and anxious, we lose our joy. BUT GOD, wants us to focus on the “one thing” that will restore our soul and bring us peace. He wants us to follow Him to green pastures and feed on His word.

Thank you Father for restoring and refreshing. Thank you for friends and family who fill my home with so much love. Thank you for reminding me to choose the good part!

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A Burning Candle

Good Morning. It’s Monday. Are you ready to start a new week?

We’ve all heard the expression “burning the candle at both ends”. This is not a healthy situation. Working all day, rushing home to complete unfinished projects, grabbing a bite to eat, out the door for another activity in your appointment book. This is not how God intended for us to live.

I want to speak to you this morning on rest, re-charging, re-energizing. We all get busy and tend to burn the candle at both ends but what do we do to rest?

Do we veg out and watch TV or maybe relax with a yoga class or have a glass of wine? Maybe we think that resting is going to bed earlier and getting more sleep – whatever you think will bring rest, does it really?

Let me add to you what God’s word has to say.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV “

Waiting on the Lord – waiting on God will renew our strength. It will give us rest. Jesus was a prime example of this. He would minister all day and night and then he would send the disciples away and He would go to a place to pray – He would wait on the Father. After leaving these places of waiting, Jesus would go about ministering to folks, rested and renewed.

“Jesus healed many of those who had different kinds of sicknesses. He also forced many demons out of people. But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.

35 The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36 Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 They found him and said, “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus answered, “We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here, and I can tell God’s message to those people too. That is why I came.” Mark 1:34-38 ERV

Resting is not something to be ashamed of. Afterall, God rested on the seventh day. If there was anyone who didn’t require rest, it was God. He rested to be an example to us. He knew we would have a tendency to overdo.

“Rest in the Lord and be willing to wait for Him. Do not trouble yourself when all goes well with the one who carries out his sinful plans. 8 Stop being angry. Turn away from fighting. Do not trouble yourself. It leads only to wrong-doing.” Psalm 37:7-8 NLV

We are instructed to be light to the world. We’re no earthly good if we burn out!

If you are feeling tired today – worn out, exhausted, take time to WAIT on the Lord. He will renew your strength!!

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Stand Strong

Stand strong this morning – yesterday may have been filled with frustration, unexpected delays, disappointments or even physical/financial set back-ups but today is a new day!

The Lord promises that His mercies are new every morning. Draw strength from God’s unfailing love and His infinite mercy.

Just like a solider who goes out to battle, you have been equipped with armour to sustain you and bring you through victoriously.

“To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. 13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up.” Ephesians 6:10-18 ERV

Get up, face the world and know that the Lord has chosen your armor and as you follow Him you will finish the fight standing victoriously!

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Confidence

“We are certain God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. 15 And if we know God listens when we pray, we are sure our prayers have already been answered.” I John 5:14-15 CEV

Today is May 31st. The fifth month of the year is over; only seven more months and the year of 2025 will come to an end.

I told the Lord this morning that my mission, my goal, my quest, my desire, my ambition is to honor Him and bring Him glory with my words, my actions, my thoughts and my prayers. And then I began to pray – pray confidently.

Go back and read the verse I opened with, please. There is certainty and confidence in the words of John, the beloved apostle of Jesus. When we ask for what pleases God he listens to us and He answers our prayers.

Now some would say that we can’t possibly know what pleases God so we can never be completely certain that He will answer our prayers. However, Scripture tells us in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians…

“ We who have the Spirit are able to make judgments about all these things. But anyone without the Spirit is not able to make proper judgments about us. 16 As the Scriptures say, ‘Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give him advice?’ But we have been given Christ’s way of thinking.” I Corinthians 2:15-16 ERV

And Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came He would lead us into all truth.

“But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words. He will speak only what he hears and will tell you what will happen in the future.” John 16:13 ERV

God has given us His word so that we know what pleases Him. He wants us to know His will so He had it recorded for all to read. Confidence in prayer comes from knowing God’s word. He will not lie or break His promises.

“The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning.” II Peter 3:9 ERV

“Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:30-33 CEV

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” James 1:5 CEV

If this blog has touched a chord with you, circle this day on the calendar and say, “Father, I will pray with confidence, knowing Your word is Your will. I will trust You to lead and provide. I will trust the Holy Spirit to guide me in all truth. Thank you. In Jesus name.”

Confidence in the Lord is never misplaced!

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Welcome to My World

Last night we were having dinner with a group of friends and somehow the conversation turned to country music. We talked about those we felt were great songwriters and recording artists.

I was asked who my country western artist was. I only had to think for a minute because I have several who share the top spot for me but then I answered Eddy Arnold. He was Country Music Entertainer of the Year for several years, had a smooth voice and a kind smile.

But what’s all that have to do with this morning’s blog? I’m glad you asked.

One of the songs I remember hearing most often was “Welcome to My World”. Those lyrics were running through my mind this morning as I sat quietly, lifting my prayers to the Lord.

“Welcome to my world won’t you come on in
Miracles I guess still happen now and then
Step into my heart leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world built with you in mind

Knock and the door will open seek and you will find
Ask and you’ll be given the key to this world of mine
I’ll be waiting here with my arms unfurled
Waiting just for you welcome to my world”

This of course is a love song and as I hummed the melody and allowed the lyrics to flow through my mind it became a love song to me from my heavenly Father.

He invites us to leave our cares behind. He planned our world for us before it was created. He told us to ask, knock and seek; He’s waiting with outstretched arms.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.” Ephesians 1:3-4 CEV

“So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. 10 Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.” Luke 11:9-10 CEV

“The Lord God is waiting to show how kind he is and to have pity on you. The Lord always does right; he blesses those who trust him.” Isaiah 30:18 CEV

You see, even a country-western song can convey the message of God’s faithfulness and love.

Welcome to my World!

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Morning Surprises

King Solomon said that “little foxes spoil the vines”, in our case it is the javelina that eat the geraniums and other plants at night.

You may think it’s silly to become frustrated over something as small as that and I agree it is. I have the opportunity at the beginning of each day to let the munched-on plants bother me or to take it in stride.

But isn’t that a lesson for any of life’s annoyances? Problems we consider as monumental are small to the Father. He doesn’t want our peace being disturbed no matter how large or small.

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are.” Psalm 92:1-2 CEV

I really don’t know how life would be if I didn’t start it each morning with my Lord.

“But I will sing about your strength. I will rejoice in your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. 17 I will sing praises to you, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety.” Psalm 59:16-17 ERV

We can give our day over to frustration and anxiousness or we can celebrate the love of the Father. He is our strength, our protection, our joy and our peace.

The Lord just brought a thought to my mind. Mary went to the garden early in the morning. Her grief was overwhelming. She went to finish preparing Jesus’ body for burial and then she would leave. But something had dramatically changed. Jesus wasn’t in the tomb, He had risen!

Her grief turned to joy when she looked away from the circumstances and looked into the face of the Savior.

I find peace and strength in starting my day in His presence with His word. I hope you do the same!

In the morning when I rise let me see Jesus!!

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Joy Every Morning

Listening to the birds singing this morning – it’s a beautiful song. The sparrows, the finches, the dove and the quail; they are all singing praises!

They know that their Creator has supplied their needs. Dave and I do our part in scattering seed every morning and evening. They rejoice as they meet the day.

“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?

27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth[b] wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. 30 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?

31 Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:25-31 CEV

Not one of the birds woke on the tree branch this morning and said “I’m just going to stay in bed, I can’t face the day! I don’t know what I’m going to do about the mortgage on this nest, these eggs are going to hatch soon and it’s another mouth to feed and there just might not be enough bugs or seeds. I’m just going to pull a twig or a leaf over my head and stay here. I don’t have the energy or the courage to face another day.”

No, they get up singing! The break of day tells them this is another day to sing. A day to see God’s provision, a day of promise!

When I was a little girl we sang a chorus in Sunday School:

The birds upon the tree top sing their song,

The angels chant their chorus all day long.

The flowers in the garden blend their hue

So why shouldn’t I, why shouldn’t you Praise Him too?

This morning – get up with a song in your heart and praise on your lips – the Father loves you and He will provide!

Now get out there and find some seeds. 🙂

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Face the Sun

Dave and I made a stop at Home Depot on Saturday. We went with a specific purpose. We wanted to buy two large pots and two tall bougainvillea. We both love the color of these plants and they do well in our Arizona heat.

Going in, however, my attention was redirected. There they stood. Glorious. Their heads tilted upward! Basking in the sun. Oh, how I enjoy these beautiful, friendly, smile producing flowers. The sunflower.

For eight years Dave and I traveled to Iowa every summer. Each year we would drive through the sunflower fields in South Dakota. When we would drive through in the middle of the day all the stocks would be standing tall, flowers facing the sun. Those times we passed through early in the morning the heads on the plants would be drooped down low.

The difference. The sun.

That’s how it is for us. When we are in the presence of the Son we stand tall, strong and full of life. When we no longer face the Son we droop.

“ For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; ” Malachi 1:11 KJV

God’s name – His power – is great among all nations of the earth, Jew and Gentile.

“I am the Lord, and there is no other. There is no God besides Me. I will give you strength, even though you have not known Me. 6 Then men may know from sunrise to sunset that there is no God besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7 I make light and I make darkness. I bring good and I make trouble. I am the Lord Who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7 NLV

The strength we need comes from the Lord. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. He is our shepherd, leading us to green pastures. He is our defender, our deliverer, He is protector and provider. He is our God and Father – there is no one like Him!

“Let the name of the Lord be honored, now and forever. 3 The name of the Lord is to be praised from the time the sun rises to when it sets. 4 The Lord is high above all nations. His shining-greatness is above the heavens.” Psalm 113:2-4 NLV

The sun is just beginning to crest above the mountain ridge to the East. It’s time to lift our heads toward the Son and stand strong in the day He has given us.

“3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” Psalm 3:3-4 NLT

Look up – bask in the Son!

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Doing the Ordinary

I’m still relishing in the experience of our Easter Sonrise Service.

Over 50 of our neighbors and friends arrived before 6 a.m. We sat in camp chairs facing the eastern sky. Most of us were wearing jackets, yes, jackets were needed in the early morning air of the Arizona desert. Coffee cups in hand and hearts filled with love.

We had prayer, several times, sang songs (make a joyful noise) accompanied by recorded music and amplified by a blue tooth speaker. We recited the Lord’s prayer, read the account of Resurrection morning from Matthew and we saw the sun crest the ridge welcoming the day. Resurrection Day!

We serve a risen Savior! Risen, indeed.

That first day of the week morning, a thousand plus years ago, was a morning of grief and fear. The things that needed to be done pushed the followers of Christ out of their comfort zones. They had to leave the safety of their homes. They had to enter a community that wanted them dead.

At the break of day, the women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus body for his final burial. What had happened a few days earlier was just a temporary wrapping of the body until they could come back and complete the work. They came with heavy hearts. Their Teacher, their friend was dead.

After hearing the reports of the women that the tomb was open and Jesus was missing, Peter and John ran from the house to the tomb. Jesus was in fact missing.

The others left but Mary stayed, still trying to figure out what happened. The angels appeared to her and said, “He is risen”. Mary saw who she thought was the gardener. Just an ordinary encounter. And then…she heard the Savior call her by name.

The ordinary became extraordinary!

Two disciples were leaving Jerusalem and heading to their home in Emmaus. As they walked along the road, talking about the events of the week before, Jesus joined them on their walk. Just an ordinary walk. He asked what they were talking about, and they explained fully what had happened.

The disciples reached their destination and invited Jesus to stay with them and have something to eat. But when Jesus blessed the bread and broke it…

The ordinary became extraordinary.

“The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them” John 20:19 CEV

It was an ordinary evening. The disciples were worried; they locked themselves behind closed doors and SUDDENLY Jesus appeared to them. When fear comes, Jesus comes too! He comes to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

One final ordinary event, a fishing trip. Peter and the rest went fishing several days later. They fished all night and caught nothing.

“Jesus shouted, “Friends, have you caught anything?” “No!” they answered. 6  So he told them, “Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish.” They did, and the net was so full of fish that they could not drag it up into the boat.” John 21:5-6 CEV

They caught 153 fish – they counted.

Extraordinary!

 “Jesus did many other things. If they were all written in books, I don’t suppose there would be room enough in the whole world for all the books.” John 21:25 CEV

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

Jesus will do the same for us. He will take our grief, our fears, our failures – the ordinary circumstances of our lives and turn them into something extraordinary. We just need to trust Him!

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