Category: Relationship

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Waiting – It’s Worth It

During this past month I have heard, and maybe even said, I love this time of year. The weather changes, the fall colors and the flavor of pumpkin spice. Waiting through winter, spring and summer for fall.

Or perhaps you are waiting for the Christmas season. The decorations, the carols, the homemade sweets, the gathering of family and the “peace on earth” that comes from putting the birth of Christ forefront around the world.

Waiting! It’s worth it!

Favorite verses of mine are Isaiah 40:29-31CEV “The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. 30 Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust (wait on) the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.”

And then from Psalms 27:14 ERV “Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.”

The word wait is also translated “trust”. When we trust the Lord, we are willing to wait for Him to bring His promises to pass.

Waiting! It’s Worth It!

Another word for waiting is one we don’t like very much, patience.

Some of us who have been Christians for a while know what it’s like to believe God’s word and then to stand, maybe for years, waiting for God’s promise to come to pass. We are tempted at times to get weary and give up but we can’t, because it’s God’s Word and He never lies and His word never fails.

When Jesus was born his parents took him to the Temple to offer the sacrifices that were required. In the Temple was a man who had looked each day to see the promised Messiah.

“ A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a good man who was devoted to God. He was waiting for the time when God would come to help Israel… So he was there when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to do what the Jewish law said they must do. 28 Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God: 29 ‘Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said. 30 I have seen with my own eyes how you will save your people.'” Luke 2:26-30 ERV

If you’ve been waiting, waiting a long time – don’t complain. Thank God that He is faithful to His word and it will come to pass.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground. Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 ERV

Waiting? Grab a pumpkin spice latte or a molasses cookie and “wait on the Lord”.

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Wipe Away All Tears

How many times have I sat alone, crying, while talking to my Father. Tears flow freely in His presence. Times of devastation, disappointment, heartbreak, empathy, pure joy and inexpressible love – can cause my eyes to overflow.

“And the Lord God will wipe away every tear from every face. In the past, all of his people were sad, but God will take away that sadness from the earth. All of this will happen because the Lord said it would.

9 At that time people will say, ‘Here is our God! He is the one we have been waiting for.  He has come to save us. We have been waiting for our Lord. So we will rejoice and be happy when he saves us.‘” Isaiah 25:8-9 ERV

I’m so grateful for my husband, he is a loving and caring man. He’s a good father and an example of our loving heavenly Father.

I don’t think there has ever been a time when our kids have called out to their “daddy” asking him to help that he has not responded in a positive way. He has never refused to help when it has been physically, emotionally, spiritually or financially possible. He’s been there every time!

Now he may have given them a lecture regarding the circumstances that have led up to them getting in trouble but he has never refused to help.

Good example of the heavenly Father.

I was thinking this morning about how many times it says in Scripture, “I cried unto the Lord and he heard me”. Then I thought of the number of times I have called out to the Father. I have always known He was there! He heard me and He was there!

He either changed the situation or walk me through it. He has always been with me. He gave me His word and He never breaks His promises.

“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah” Psalm 3:4

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” Psalm 18:6

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” Psalm 30:2

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 I trust God, so I am not afraid of what people can do to me! I praise God for his promise to me…8 You know I am very upset. You know how much I have cried. Surely you have kept an account of all my tears. 9 I know that when l call for help, my enemies will turn and run.  I know that because God is with me!” Psalm 56:3-9 ERV

“Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6

“I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:5

The Lord never tells us to go away. Instead, He told us to come BOLDLY to the throne of God’s grace and find help in time of trouble. (Hebrews 4:16)

And Jesus said for all those who are weary and weighted down to come to Him and find rest! (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus invited ALL to come so that includes well…everyone!

Take the step today – cry out today, come…He’s there to help and He will wipe away our tears!

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Amazing Grace

It’s more than a hymn – it’s the love of God revealed to each and everyone of us.

Amazing GRACE how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see.

GRACE – unmerited favor; God’s unconditional goodness and love coming to us as a free gift! We so often get the idea that God only loves us or shows us favor when we are doing well and measuring up to a certain religious standard. Not so, that wouldn’t be grace! God’s love and grace are always extended to us – that’s what makes it GRACE! That’s what makes it so AMAZING!

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” II Peter 3:18

Those words were written by Peter, the man who denied the Lord three times on the night of his betrayal. The same man who stepped out of the boat to walk on water and began to sink when he looked at the waves and lost sight of Jesus.

This Peter was the same man who stood up on the day of Pentecost and preached to the crowds, unashamed and unafraid of what might be done to him. He was thrown in jail for preaching Jesus and then was threatened by the religious leaders.

“ But to keep this thing from spreading, we will warn them never again to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus.” 18 So they called the two apostles back in and told them they must never, for any reason, teach anything about the name of Jesus.

19 Peter and John answered, “Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? 20 We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”…29 Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30 Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus.” Acts 4:17-20, 29-30 CEV

The message of grace is the theme of the New Testament. The birth of Christ, the message of reconciliation that He preached, His death and resurrection, and the message that the apostles took to all the world was the message of grace.

“ And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.

7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace. 8 God gave us that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding 9 he let us know his secret plan. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ.” Ephesians 2:5-9 ERV

Amazing grace! May we grow in grace each day. God’s plan for our salvation was conceived before the world was even formed. How amazing is that?

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The Greater Gift

We are living in a time when there is so much uncertainty. A time when the Bible says, “men’s hearts will fail them for fear”. Unrest around the world, unusual weather conditions, financial distress and the daily fears and anxieties that inundate.

“The hearts of men will give up because of being afraid of what is coming on the earth. The powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Luke 21:26 NLV

But in all of this, we have received a gift that will keep our minds set on things above. It is a “present” to us all.

The ever-“present” power of God has been given to us as a gift.

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

Did you get that? He will not, He WILL not, HE WLL NOT fail us or leave us without support!!!

A lot of people get hung up on the first part of verse 5 and lose the impact of the second half of the verse. But let me put it to you this way. I have two gifts. The first is limited, it’s temporary, it will run out and be used up. The second is limitless, eternal, inexhaustible, constantly renewable. Which one do you choose?

Which one is the greater gift?

Moses said to the children of Israel; I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose life! That’s what this verse is saying – don’t go running after riches but instead choose God who promises to never leave you because in Him is an infinite supply for whatever we need.

We have been given a wonderful Gift who is always present.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ERV

And that Son has promised to never leave us or abandon us, regardless of life’s circumstances.

Jesus said: “… I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 CEV

Now, let’s ask and answer the question in Hebrews 13:6. What can man do to me?

When God is on my side, as my comfort, my encourager, my helper, man’s attacks are incomparable to God’s power. Circumstances and situations change when we put them in God’s hands. Storms come; attacks are launched but we have been given a gift greater than wealth or fame. We have been given the gift of His abiding presence.

The greater gift is ours!

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Set Your Heart

This morning my heart has been on a trip. It has been in Texas, California, Arizona, to England and to the states and towns where you live. My heart felt prayers have gone out to my family especially and to you, whom I also consider my family.

But then, my heart ended its travels set in heaven.

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 CEV

As a child I played a lot of hide-n-seek. We always played after dark. The subdivision we lived in was built in a pecan grove. We had big pecan trees and also some elm trees. These gave us lots of cover and great places to hide. Once we found a good hiding place, we never wanted to reveal it because we could always use it again. It was safe and concealed from the outside world.

That’s what I think of when I read “your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God”. I can’t imagine a place that is any safer than that. Our new life is in Christ, right next to God the Father.

We keep our heart hidden in Christ because it guards our emotions and our thoughts.

“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

Remember what King David wrote in the Psalms.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, ‘You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.’ 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.”Psalm 91:1-4 ERV

Keeping our hearts set on things above is another way of saying our hearts need to trust the Lord completely. He will lead us and protect us when our hearts are focused on Him.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 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.” Philippians 4:5-7 CEV

Keep your heart set on things above. When we do we have peace, protection, and we will be led on the right path.

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Look at My Hands

This morning I had my Bible laying in my lap and one hand resting on the page. I looked at it. It had a scab from where I touched the oven rack a few days back. There are some little cuts from working outside and a scar on the end of one finger from where I almost severed the tip of it 30+ years ago.

I remember when we were newly married our Sunday School teacher’s wife looked at my hands and said, “You have earthy hands, you must enjoy working hard”. I wasn’t offended, in fact, I took that as a compliment.

I’ll never be a hand model for a commercial but that’s ok. These hands have lived a lot of life and the one thing I want them to do is point to Jesus.

“ So they told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But Thomas said, ‘First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unless I do this!’

26 A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples 27 and said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!’

28 Thomas replied, ‘You are my Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!‘” John 20:25-29 CEV

First, I have to see the scars.

I think all of us at one time or another think “if I could just see Jesus, like the disciples did”. However, living with Jesus on a daily basis wasn’t what caused them to have such a strong testimony. The New Testament is filled with stories of their unbelief – Lord, there’s too many people to feed with 5 loaves and 2 fish; Lord, we’re going to sink; Lord, we can’t open the tomb, Lazarus stinks.

What Jesus said to Thomas was written for us. “The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

Paul wrote this to the Christians in Rome: “The Scriptures say no one who has faith will be disappointed, 12 no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13  All who call out to the Lord will be saved. 14 How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them?…17 No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ. “

Take a moment to stop and look at your hands. Are they hands that reach out to touch others with the kindness and compassion of Jesus?

We’ve all been sent into the world to preach the Gospel. Let’s say to others “look at my hands” they are a testimony of God’s saving grace.

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Shout Praises!

Dave and I are big NASCAR fans! There’s just something about watching a race with 50,000 of your closest friends that fills the air with excitement!

“Gentlemen, start your engines” brings a roar from the crowd and when the cars take the green flag at the start of the race everyone is standing and cheering on their favorite driver! You can tell who most everyone is hoping will win by the shirt or the cap they are wearing.

The shouts that rise from the grandstands is deafening with the most popular driver takes the lead…and it’s just a sport. No eternal significance to the outcome, no monetary or physical benefit to those in the stands but the fans seem to be intimately involved in the outcome.

When the winning driver crosses the finish line and takes the checkered flag, more shouts of victory arise.

Shouts of praise!

This morning there are shouts of praise arising all over the world. From every corner, every nation, fans are young and old, from all demographics, shouts can be heard in the heavens.

“Shout praises to the Lord! With all that I am, I will shout his praises. 2 I will sing and praise
the Lord God as long as I live. 3 You can’t depend on anyone, not even a great leader. 4 Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans.

5 The Lord God of Jacob blesses everyone who trusts him and depends on him. 6 God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word. 7 He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free 8 and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls. The Lord loves good people 9 and looks after strangers. He defends the rights
of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked.

10 The Lord God of Zion will rule forever! Shout praises to the Lord!‘ Psalm 146 CEV

If you were thinking these verses were only for the nation of Israel or that they are Old Testament and no longer valid, listen to what Jesus said:

“‘The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, 19 and to say, ‘This is the year the Lord has chosen.’

20 Jesus closed the book, then handed it back to the man in charge and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue looked straight at Jesus. 21 Then Jesus said to them, ‘What you have just heard me read has come true today.’” Luke 4:18-21 CEV

The writer of Psalms says “God always keeps his word” and Jesus said “what you have just heard me read has come true today”.

What we have just heard is better than any individual or team winning the championship. These are the words of the Lord and they are for us because of Jesus!

Shout praises to the Lord! Shout praise!

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Waiting for the Sun

Waiting on the sunrise this morning, I know it will be a glorious day!

There’s an old hymn that I’m humming as I wait:

1 When morning gilds the sky,
our hearts awaking cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
in all our work and prayer
we ask his loving care:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

2 To God, the Word on high,
the hosts of angels cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals too upraise
their voice in hymns of praise:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

May Jesus Christ be praised! Praised from every corner of the earth. Praised by all the heavenly hosts. Praised by the angels’ chorus. Praised because He is worthy of all praise.

“They sang songs of praise and thanksgiving, taking turns in singing each part. They sang, ‘The LORD is good. His faithful love will last forever.’ Then all the people cheered—they gave a loud shout and praised the LORD because the foundation of the LORD’S Temple had been laid.” Ezra 3:11 ERV

Let’s follow the example of those Jews who were responsible for rebuilding the Temple today. Let’s take turns singing our part in the praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

These people were rejoicing because the foundation of the temple had been laid, which meant that God would be dwelling with them once again. You see, they felt that the presence of God was with them because He lived in the Holy of Holies in the temple and rebuidling the temple meant that God had a place to live once again.

We should be giving thanks every day because we have been promised that God’s presence is always with us – never leaving us or forsaking us – His presence dwells within us when we are in Christ. That’s reason to give praise.

Each one sang their part. I’ll sing my part today and I hope you’ll join in too.

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Beauty for Ashes

Yesterday I took some time for myself. Thank you for allowing me that privilege.

My brother left earth and his Alzheimer’s weaken body and mind on Friday. His eyes and hands were focused upward toward heaven and he told his wife that he could see Jesus. What a wonderful passing!

I know that the next time I see him his body will be perfect and so will his mind. Mine will be too. Heaven is wonderful! I filled most of my day yesterday with memories of my childhood and my life and experiences with him. Sweet.

I had this precious promise from the Lord and it brought me comfort.

“ He sent me to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness, when our God will also punish evil people. He has sent me to comfort those who are sad, 3 those in Zion who mourn. 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.” Isaiah 61:2-3 ERV

Today, I’m choosing beauty; focusing on the love of my heavenly Father. Jesus came to bring us comfort and to take away our sadness, to meet us in our time of grieving. Jesus grieved over the death of His friend Lazarus and then with His own death, He defeated the power of death.

“So this body that ruins will clothe itself with that which never ruins. And this body that dies will clothe itself with that which never dies. When this happens, the Scriptures will be made true: “Death is swallowed in victory.” I Corinthians 15:55 ERV

“How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth! 12 How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west! 13 Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship him, 14 because he knows we are made of dust. 15 We humans are like grass or wild flowers that quickly bloom. 16 But a scorching wind blows, and they quickly wither to be forever forgotten. 17 The Lord is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants 18 who faithfully obey him.” Psalm 103:11-18 CEV

Maybe, you are also experiencing a wave of sadness or a time of mourning, let the Lord fill you with beauty and joy!

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To the Uttermost

What a strange word. Uttermost.

As defined by Merriam-Webster: “most remote or outermost; farthest. the uttermost stars. 2. of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, etc.; greatest. The country’s art has reached uttermost creativity.“

Why would a word like that come up in my mind? I’m sure the Lord put it there this morning!

“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” Hebrews 7:24-27 NKJV

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf to save to the uttermost.

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work in our lives to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

Maybe you’re one who feels you have been too far gone – gone like the prodigal son – gone to the uttermost. Not so, God’s love supersedes our sin. He is able to save to the uttermost.

Father, today I give you my availability so that Your abilities may work in me, through me and for me!

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