Category: Relationship

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Good Thoughts

The Apostle Paul said this: “Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9 CEV

Think on good things. Keep pure thoughts and peace will be the by-product.

“It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. 17 The wicked will lose all
of their power, but the Lord gives strength to everyone who is good. 18 Those who obey the Lord are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. 19 They won’t be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce…

21 An evil person borrows and never pays back; a good person is generous and never stops giving. 22 Everyone the Lord blesses will receive the land; everyone the Lord curses will be destroyed. 23 If you do what the Lord wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. 24 The Lord will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall. 25 As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food. 26 They gladly give and lend, and their children turn out good.” Psalm 37:16-26 CEV

These thoughts, good thoughts, came flooding in this morning when I read this one verse, “Be wise! Remember this and think about the kindness of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43 CEV

Make it a great day – think on these things. The Lord is kind!

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Walk & Talk

When I lived in Montana we were about 15 miles from town on a dirt road with four neighbors. We were the last house and we had acres, no, miles to walk in.

My friend, who lived about a quarter of a mile away and I would do what we called “Walk & Talk”. We didn’t get together every day but when we did we would walk about 3 miles and spend the time talking about the things on our heart. It was a wonderful time.

Those times with her came from my times of walking with the Lord and talking to Him. It was good exercise but it was even better for spiritual strengthening.

God wants to involved in our daily lives.

It’s so amazing that God, the creator of the universe, would want to come each evening and just talk with Adam and Eve in the garden. He was their friend and wanted to hear about their day. He desires the same friendship with us.

Let Him direct your steps today and be involved in your day’s details. God bless you!

“The Lord shows us how we should live,
    and he is pleased when he sees people living that way.
24 If they stumble, they will not fall,
    because the Lord reaches out to steady them.
25 I was young, and now I am old,
    but I have never seen good people left with no one to help them;
    I have never seen their children begging for food.
26 They are kind and generous,
    and their children are a blessing.
27 Stop doing anything evil and do good,
    and you will always have a place to live.
28 The Lord loves what is right,
    and he will never leave his followers without help.
He will always protect them,
    but he will destroy the families of the wicked.
29 Good people will get the land God promised
    and will live on it forever.
30 Those who do what is right give good advice.
    Their decisions are always fair.
31 They have learned God’s teachings,
    and they will never stop living right.” Psalm 37:23-31 ERV

Now that we are in Arizona and it gets hotter than blazes on some days it’s hard to get out for a walk and talk so, I have devised a new activity. It’s called the “Sit n Sip”. The premise is the same – spending quiet time with the Lord with no distractions.

Whether you Sit n Sip or Walk n Talk, the Father is always available and always willing to meet with us!

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The Father’s Love

I was thinking about this this morning. Who taught you to brush your teeth and hold a fork and a spoon? Who taught you to eat good things, to button your shirt and tie your shoes? What about looking both ways before crossing the street or how to ride a bike?

One of my kids asked me once, “Mom how long are you going to tell me to brush my teeth every night?” My answer, “Until you brush your teeth every night without being told.”

Discipline or correction isn’t a bad thing. It’s necessary to develop in the essentials of life. That’s what parents do – they correct their children so they will learn to do things right and they help them learn discipline so they will stick with it when things get hard.

“for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.” Proverbs 3:12-14

You know our heavenly Father does the same. His word will bring us discipline and correction. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and to guide us into all truth. And when we learn we develop wisdom and acquire understanding.

“The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him…Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him and so were the people. Luke 2:40 & 52

It was important that Jesus, in his human body, gain wisdom and disciple in order for Him to accomplish what his Father had sent Him to do. He did what He learned from his Father.

“28 So Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things. 29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.’ 30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:28-32

Jesus said that by doing what the Father taught, it pleased the Father. If we follow His (Jesus) example we will find true freedom. He also said in John 6:63 that the words I speak unto you are spirit and life.

” Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are” I John 3:1 CEV

God’s instruction, his correction, and his commitment to discipline are to bring us life, truth and freedom. The next time you tie your shoes and brush your teeth, thank God for parents who loved you and corrected you and helped mold you into the person you are today.

And the next time you love with your heart and give to help others, thank God that He loved you enough to mold you into His character and give you life.

The Father’s love is worth more than silver or gold!

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Pulled to Safety

I just wanted to share this Psalm with you as a way of following up on yesterday’s blog.

There are so many who feel helpless and without hope because of the situations they are in. They don’t have that rock solid foundation that I was talking about. If you know someone like that – wondering what to do, where to go, how to manage, I pray you will share these Scriptures with them.

God knows, He cares, He’s here with the answer.

“I patiently waited, Lord,
    for you to hear my prayer.
You listened 2 and pulled me
from a lonely pit
    full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock
    with my feet firm,
3 and you gave me a new song,
    a song of praise to you.
Many will see this,
and they will honor and trust
    you, the Lord God.

4 You bless all of those
    who trust you, Lord,
and refuse to worship idols
    or follow false gods.
5 You, Lord God, have done
    many wonderful things,
and you have planned
    marvelous things for us.
No one is like you!
I would never be able to tell
    all you have done.

6 Sacrifices and offerings
    are not what please you;
gifts and payment for sin
    are not what you demand.
But you made me willing
    to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here
    to do what is written
about me in the book,
    where it says,
8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you.
    Your Law is in my heart.’ ”

9 When your people worshiped,
you know I told them,
    “Our Lord always helps!”
10 When all your people met,
    I did not keep silent.
I said, “Our Lord is kind.
He is faithful and caring,
    and he saves us.”

11 You, Lord, never fail
    to have pity on me;
your love and faithfulness
    always keep me secure.

12 I have more troubles
    than I can count.
My sins are all around me,
    and I can’t find my way.
My sins outnumber
the hairs on my head,
    and I feel weak.
13 Please show that you care
and come to my rescue.
    Hurry and help me!

14 Disgrace and confuse
    all who want me dead;
turn away and disgrace
    all who want to hurt me.
15 Embarrass and shame
everyone who says,
    “Just look at you now!”

16 Our Lord, let your worshipers
    rejoice and be glad.
They love you for saving them,
so let them always say,
    “The Lord is wonderful!”

17 I am poor and needy,
but, Lord God,
    you care about me,
and you come to my rescue.
    Please hurry and help.” Psalm 40 CEV

The Lord IS wonderful, He is great! I will magnify Him for He IS all I need!

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Rock Solid Truth

Growing up I would hear preachers say, “God said, I believe it, that settles it”. They were saying this to confirm their faith in the Word of God, however, that saying isn’t quite true.

This is the truth that we see – God said it, that settles it! Whether I believe it or not, God’s word will always be true and perfect.

“ Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:2 CEV

The world outlook is becoming increasingly dark. Calling good evil and evil good – it’s amazing! So we who are believers in Christ need to stand tall on God’s word!

“The Lord’s teachings are perfect. They give strength to his people. The Lord’s rules can be trusted. They help even the foolish become wise. 8 The Lord’s laws are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are good. They show people the right way to live. 9 Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb. 11 His teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them. 12 People cannot see their own mistakes, so don’t let me commit secret sins. 13 Don’t let me do what I know is wrong. Don’t let sin control me. If you help me, I can be pure and free from sin. 14 May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:7-14 CEV

Father, Your word is my daily bread. It gives me strength when I am weak. It gives me wisdom when I need answers. It gives me rest when I am weary. It is life giving water to my soul; You are the giver of life. Your word gives me hope for each day and joy to replace my sorrow.

“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

Thank you Father that your Word is perfect and trustworthy. It is rock solid truth!

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A New Way of Living

God knows that my life has been varied.

As a child, I grew up in a construction worker’s home. We moved frequently because my dad was a heavy equipment operator and primarily worked on road construction projects. We never had any formal vacations but instead spent our time camping, fishing, hunting and exploring the outdoors. I loved it!

Once Dave and I were married we lived in a beach community for a while, after leaving a more rural life of farming alfalfa and living among working cowboys and ranchers. That was an adjustment.

We have lived in big cities and also so far out in the farmland and country that we said only people who were really close friends or completely lost could find us. All of these experiences changed my life; most of them for the better.

After we retired, we became fulltime Rvers for a few years and now we live in a tiny home. New experiences and adventures have been the course our lives have traveled. But the one thing that has changed our lives most completely was finding out who we are in Christ.

He has designed a life for all of us. And although the location, the people and the day-to-day experiences may vary, the lifestyle is the same for all of us who have a relationship with Him.

“Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. 11 It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

12  God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13  Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16  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. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:10-17 CEV

There will never be a greater adventure than following Christ. Will it always be easy? No! Will there be challenges and problems to overcome? Yes!

Following Christ will take us to new heights as we faithfully obey – greater joys, giant-slaying victories and a peace that controls our thoughts and keeps us worry fear. This new way of living works for rich and poor, highly educated or not, male or female, those who are free and enslaved.

No matter our occupation or profession. Whatever we say or do, our new way of living has us living in Christ.

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Draw Close to the Father

What’s the first thing on your mind this morning?

The kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis – whatever it is, the Lord has a solution.

God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.

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

His lap is cozy enough to have room for you to cuddle up and draw strength from Him. Last weekend we had our three youngest grandkids come for sleepovers. Each morning when they came down the stairs they wanted to cuddle. They love to snuggle in and we love it too!

The Father wants us to snuggle up close when we are worried and life seems heavy.

“But he gives us more grace. This is why it says, God stands against the proud, but favors the humble. 7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you…” James 4:6-8 CEB

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word your world can change from disorder to order.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness.
 Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

God’s instruction and direction for our lives isn’t hard. When we learn to follow Him, it brings us to a place of peace and rest.

“The rules you have given me to follow will be mine forever. They give me great joy. 112 More than anything I want to obey your laws always, until the end of my life.” Psalm 119:11-112 ERV

Draw close to the Father. His arms are open wide!

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Too Great to Measure

Do you know what the image is that I used this morning? Of course you do, it’s a measuring wheel.

It seems we have a measuring tape or several around our house that are in constant use. I have a small one in the kitchen that measures up to 10′, an even smaller one in my purse that measures 3′. Dave has several in his tool box – 25′, 50′ and 100′. On more than one occasion I have been asked “do you know if Dave has a 100′ tape”.

Astronomists can measure the distance to the planets, elephants and whales can be measured. Geologists can tell us the height of the tallest mountains and the depth of the deepest canyons.

But who can measure the love of God? No one can fully measure or understand the height, the depth, the width and the breath of God’s love.

“ I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19 I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 CEB

Nor can we count or calculate the loving thoughts that God has for us.

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18  If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.” Psalm 137:17-18 AMP

The magnitude of the miracles that Jesus did while on the earth were impossible to record.

“This is the disciple who testifies concerning these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If all of them were recorded, I imagine the world itself wouldn’t have enough room for the scrolls that would be written.” John 21:24-25 CEB

But the one thing for certain, we know that everything Jesus did was good!

“You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him. 39 “We saw all that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem.” Acts 10:38-39 ERV

I just don’t understand how we can get so sidetracked that we focus on our problems and not on the goodness of God.

There was an old hymn that rolls around in my heart and it reminds me of just how loving God is. It was written in 1917 – World War I was being fought and the Spanish flu was running unchecked and still he wrote this song.

“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.”

The love of God is unconditional, unending and is too great to be measured! Amen!!

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All I Need

This morning as I was praying a verse came to mind and when I looked it up I realized I had never thought of this as an “in Christ” verse before but there is was.

“My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus. 20 Let glory be given to God our Father forever and always. Amen..” Philippians 4:19 CEB

In Christ, every need I have has already been met.

He became my sin so that I could have His righteousness II Corinthians 5:21

He took stripes on His back so that I could be healed Isaiah 53:5

He told me to come boldly to his throne to find Help (Him) in time of need Hebrews 4:16

He became my strength when I am weak Philippians 4:19

He became my peace when things around me are in chaos. Philippians 4:6-7

He gave me a cup that runs over and abundance when the enemy is trying to steal, kill and destroy Psalm 23

He gave me wisdom when I asked for it James 1:5-6

As I am sitting here and thinking about what my day has in store, I know that in Christ, He has already supplied all that I need!

That’s a good thing!!

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Listen Up!

This morning, I found myself reading parts of the Bible that I have read repeatedly for the last 30+ years. And believe it or not, those verses are as exciting to me now as they were then.

I never get tired of reading the Bible because it is the living word of God. The Apostle Paul said this: “ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV

And Jesus said this: “15 You people who hear me, listen!… 28 “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.” Matthew 11:15-30 ERV

In verses 16-27 of Matthew 11 Jesus was pointing out the hypocrisy and criticism of the religious leaders. They were critical of one another, of John the Baptist, and of Jesus and His miracles.

Jesus’ message was “Listen up! My teaching will give you rest from all your striving. It will give you peace and freedom from worry. My teaching is easy to accept”.

When I first began to really study God’s word I had a lot of misinformation to unlearn. Mine was a works based mentality. If I did enough good things, the Lord would be pleased with me. If I didn’t, watch out, “you never know what God will do”.

So, the first thing I had to do was saturate my thinking with the Father’s unconditional love.

As I said I spent months reading and re-reading the same portions of Scripture every day. Faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing the word of God. My faith in God’s love grew until I became CONVINCED that nothing could separate me from the love of God!

Time does not permit for me to print out these verses so I will trust you to look them up for yourselves. Read them and let the Holy Spirit make them real to your heart.

Numbers 23:19, Psalms 91, Psalms 103, Psalms 143, Psalm 145, Romans 8, Ephesians 1:16-23, Ephesians 3:14-21 and Colossians 2:5-20.

Let me close with this from Romans 8.

“ What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36  It is exactly as the Scriptures say,

‘For you, we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.’

37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:31-39 CEV

So listen up! Learn from the teaching of God’s word and find rest!

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