Category: Relationship

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The Importance of Being “In”

Have you ever thought about the difference between “with” and “in”?

If you have water in a glass and you take it to the table it is “with” you. But you can leave that room and leave the water behind. However, if you drink the water it is “in” you. It gives life to your cells and nourishes your body.

All through the Old Testament we find that God was “with” them. When Jesus came one of his names was Emmanuel, God “with” us and wherever Jesus went He took God with Him.

Once we accept Jesus as our Saviour the Scriptures says that we are “in” Him.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10 KJV

His fullness fills us with His life, His love, His character. Wherever we go we take Christ in us. We bring His nature, His life to every circumstance and person we come in contact with.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 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.” Ephesians 1:3-6 ERV

There is no need to beg God for be “with us”. We need to be aware, vitally aware, He is always “in us”.

“This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. 27 God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory. 28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:26-28 ERV

He lives “in” us so that we can take Him to the world! Let the Lord shine through you today.

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Before Take Off…

For the last several days I have been reminding you of what God’s word says about the storms or anxious moments we face.

Why the repetition?

Well… that’s what God has put on my heart to encourage and inform you of His promises.

So, this morning when I heard the Holy Spirit prompting me, one more time, to share more on this message I did say, “Lord, they are probably getting tired of hearing this. Can I come back to it later”?

That’s when I saw, in my mind’s eye, those flight attendants who stand in the aisleways before every flight telling us about seat belt placement, life vests and oxygen masks. Yes, they probably have other things they would like to do but their first priority is our safety. They follow the same routine on every flight. The same script. The same communication with the cockpit. Everything is done to ensure our safety and theirs.

That’s why, once again, I’m going to remind you of the promises God has given us for our daily safety and protection.

Before we take off on the day let’s go over them once more. Take out the safety instructions, the Bible, and let’s go over them together.

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ERV

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20 NIV

“I will soon die, as everyone must. But deep in your hearts you know that the Lord has kept every promise he ever made to you. Not one of them has been broken. 15-16 Yes, when the Lord makes a promise, he does what he has promised. But when he makes a threat, he will also do what he has threatened. The Lord is our God.” Joshua 23:14-16 CEV (This is an amazing testimony to God’s faithfulness. Joshua died at 110. He never saw God break a promise.)

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

“The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 5 You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.” Psalm 91:3-6 CEV

And finally, from Jesus’ mouth to our ears:

“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 much more than birds? Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

You are now prepared for take off. Enjoy today’s flight. God has you secure under His wings!

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Bringing Life Into Focus

How many of you started wearing glasses when you were a kid? I was one of those kids. My mom took me to the optometrist when I was in sixth grade.

My teacher told her I seemed to be having trouble seeing the blackboard and then Mom noticed that I was leaning in, close to my music books on the piano when I sat down to practice. Sure enough, I was nearsighted.

Going to school on the first day with glasses was embarrassing. My lenses were thick and the frames were anything but stylish. I was now a nerd.

But there was no denying that I could see better. In fact, it was amazing! I could see across a room without squinting to make things come into focus.

This morning I was reading some verses that prompted the memory I just shared.

“I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus. 3 We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.

5 Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, 6 self-control, patience, devotion to God, 7 concern for others, and love. 8 If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. 9 But if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven.

10 My friends, you must do all you can to show God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won’t stumble and fall.” II Peter 1:2-10 CEV

Those words – “if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind”, jumped off the page. For years I wasn’t just nearsighted physically but also spiritually.

I knew that God wanted to forgive my sins, but little did I know that He wanted me to be living a life where I wouldn’t stumble or fall. He had given me great and precious promises and I didn’t see it.

Those promises are filled with victory and power, peace and joy, love and forgiveness. Now, the blurriness is gone. God’s promises have come into focus and I see with clarity what He has given me.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

Maybe it’s time for a check-up. We can all use a spiritual adjustment in bringing life into focus based on the promises of God’s word.

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No Worries

I really spend very little time worrying about anything. You see, through the years I’ve gone from worrying about many things to where, most days, I am completely comfortable with rolling all my cares over on the Lord and letting Him control the outcome.

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

When I was a girl I grew up hearing Mahlia Jackson and Ethel Waters sing “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and it became a theme song of sorts for me. I would walk around the house, when no one could hear me, singing it at the top of my voice. “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me”.

What’s your focus when you wake up in the morning? Is it the project before you – the diagnosis you recently received from your doctor – the financial challenge that seems overwhelming? Maybe it’s physical pain in your body – a relationship that is fractured and fragile – possibly, physical danger and unrest?

If those things remain in the forefront of your mind your day will wrap itself in worry, distress and eventually lead to despair and depression.

However, if your focus is on God’s goodness and His provision you will find hope, joy and peace. That’s why I love starting my mornings in the Psalms – it is good to begin each day celebrating the faithfulness of the Lord.

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole world sing to the Lord!

2 Sing to the Lord and praise his name! Tell the good news every day about how he saves us! 3 Tell all the nations how wonderful he is! Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does. 4 The Lord is great and worthy of praise. He is more awesome than any of the “gods.” 5 All the “gods” in other nations are nothing but statues, but the Lord made the heavens.

6 He lives in the presence of glory and honor. His Temple is a place of power and beauty.

7 Praise the Lord, all people of every nation; praise the Lord’s glory and power. 8 Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory! Come, bring your offerings into his courtyard. 9 Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty. Everyone on earth should tremble before him. 10 Tell the nations that the Lord is King! The world stands firm and cannot be moved. He will judge all people fairly. 11 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be happy! Let the sea and everything in it shout for joy!

12 Let the fields and everything in them be happy! Let the trees in the forest sing for joy

13 when they see the Lord coming! He is coming to rule the world. He will rule all the nations of the world with justice and fairness.” Psalm 96 ERV

Let the Lord rule over the circumstances in your life today and receive the peace that floods in when you let go and trust God.

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Build on a Firm Foundation

When I went to bed last night I had an idea of what I would be sharing with you this morning but that all changed. I must have awaken at least 3 or 4 times with the words of this song rolling out of my heart and my head.

“Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken”

The main thing that stuck with me all night long was “I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation. And I will put my trust in You alone and I will not be shaken.”

There is so much worry and anxiety in the world. People, good people, are being overwhelmed by everyday stress, not to mention the state of our world condition.

This last weekend the Lord reminded me of His peace. We had two very windy nights. I was concerned about the stability of the roof top tent. I know what it’s like to have high wind in an RV and also in a ground tent, so those concerns were not unfounded. However, they were unnecessary.

The tent was solid. Solid as a rock!

That’s the image the Lord brought to mind with the words, “a firm foundation”.

“ ‘Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock...’ 28 When Jesus finished speaking, the people were amazed at his teaching. 29 He did not teach like their teachers of the law. He taught like someone who has authority.” Matthew 7:24-29 ERV

“ I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

“…for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5b AMP

The Lord is as deeply concerned about our mental well-being as He is about our spiritual. He died for our entire person, spirit, soul and body. He does not want us to be overwhelmed.

“ Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Isaiah 53:4-5 AMPC

Whatever gusts of worry and distress blow at you today, remember that Christ and His amazing love has given you a firm foundation and you do not need to be shaken! Trust the foundation!!

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God is Trustworthy

COMPLETE TRUST!

What an amazing truth! I’m not sure I can say that I have complete trust – if that shocks some of you, I apologize but I am being honest. I know in my heart of hearts that God is always faithful, His love is unconditional and His Word never fails but I don’t always let that lead me.

I guess I’m kind of like Peter. This morning I was reading in John 21. Peter and some of the others had gone fishing. It had been a couple of weeks since Jesus’ resurrection but they were no longer living in daily contact with Jesus. In fact, this account says it was the third time they had encountered Jesus since His resurrection.

They were probably at a loss of direction, so they went back to doing what they had done before they began following Jesus. They went fishing and having fished all night, they caught nothing.

As they were bringing their boats back to shore, Jesus called to them and told them to cast their nets to the right side of their boat. The Bible said they didn’t recognize that it was Jesus but they obeyed. They trusted Him. Their nets filled with fish and almost broke.

John told Peter, “It’s Jesus.” Peter threw on his outer coat, jumped in the water and headed to shore. Jesus was waiting with fresh bread and grilled fish.

I find it interesting that Jesus met them again where He had originally met them, at the seaside, and called them to be fishers of men. Jesus fed them physically and then He asked them to follow Him, once again.

“Then he said to Peter, ‘Follow me!‘” John 21:19 ERV

In spite of Peter’s actions – his denial of knowing Christ, his fear of the religious leaders after the crucifixion, his return to his old ways of fishing – Jesus still reached out to Peter, restored him and reminded him to trust.

I know that God can’t and doesn’t lie – I know His love never fails – I know that He is faithful to a thousand generations! I know that He is my Savior, my healer, my provider, my counselor, my peace, my protection, my all-in-all!

Then why do I let fear or anxiety, frustration or anger, or self will invade my world? It’s because like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus and look at my own efforts. I neglect to “consider” the one thing that always provides the right answer.

The Apostle Paul said that we are to renew our minds and not be conformed to this world. Jesus went aside to pray and spend time with His Father on many occasions, renewing His mind and refreshing His spirit.

Complete Trust!

It’s something we grow toward and grow in as we spend more time in God’s word and in prayer, bringing our minds into obedience with His word. There is only one thing that has always been right – God and His word!

Trust God and follow Him!

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God Provides

Dave and I spend quite a bit of time reminiscing about our adventures, friends and family. And last night was no different. We spent time talking about where to go for dinner tonight.

You see, today is our 53rd anniversary and we are currently living about 20 miles from where we were married and the night before our wedding we ate at an amazing steakhouse that is no longer there. It was destroyed in a fire but we still remember the delicious dinners we had there. Wish there was a place like that to go tonight.

Kind of reminds me of a Scripture.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! 9 O fear the Lord, all you who belong to Him. For those who fear Him never want for anything.” Psalm 34:8-9 NLV

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this: If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died!

Now that’s not scripture but it is scriptural. That’s what it means to “taste and see” or it could be put “trust and obey”. We learn about the goodness and provision of God by trusting, tasting, putting Him first.

Our walk with the Lord has been learning to trust Him in the small things and then remembering how “good” it was to be obedient when a large issue came up.

All through the Bible we see examples of the Lord doing just that. He provided for the Israelites in the desert. He gave them manna and quail and water gushed from a rock. Before that, Joseph used the Pharoah’s grain to feed his family during the famine.  Noah and his family were safe and dry in the ark.

When the wise men came to see the child Jesus they brought gifts of gold, myrrh and frankinscense. Soon after their departure the Lord instructed Joseph to take his family to Egypt. The Lord had provided what they needed for the trip.

It’s important that we follow with the Lord with a trusting heart.

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

When we follow His plan for us there may be times of uncertainty but we don’t need to be afraid. When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed!

“Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the Lord your God that I have told you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26-27 ERV

 We have a choice – it would be silly to lean to our own understanding since following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect.

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

Go South today – He will provide!!!

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Wondrous Love!

I was thinking of one of my last visits with my mother before she died.

We always talked about Jesus and her desire to depart this life and join the Lord and so many of her family and friends in heaven. She was 97 1/2 years old.

She told me to tell her friends and our family that would still be on earth after her passing not to cry, have a party. She would be waiting for all of us to join her there someday. Thinking about that conversation this morning an old hymn came to mind, “When We All Get to Heaven”.

Sing the wonderous love of Jesus;
sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions, bright and blessed,
He’ll prepare for us a place.

Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
clouds will overspread the sky;
but when trav’ling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh! [Refrain]

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold.
Soon the pearly gates will open;
we shall tread the streets of gold. [Refrain]

The wondrous love of Jesus has been poured out on us in our life on earth and we will continue to be wrapped in His love when we leave here, when we “all get to heaven”.

“ Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.'” John 14:1-3 CEV

Be encouraged today – God is our faithful Father. He is our strength, our deliverer, our protector, our healer, our Savior. We can depend on Him!

“I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:12-13 CEV

Sing the Wondrous love of Jesus!

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Holding On

Years ago when I realized that the Lord had given me an ability to teach and share His word, it became my goal to share about His unconditional love, His mercy, His grace and His gift of sonship to us who believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and is risen as our living Savior.

I saw so many Christians who were like I was; reading the Bible but not really applying it to their everyday lives. We had grown up in believing in a God that’s “going to get you for that” or “you never know what God’s going to do” relationship; fearing God and His retribution rather than living in His love. So I accepted my calling to proclaim the “good news of the gospel” to Christians.

It is and was my desire to see believers grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It was my desire to see Christians walk in the full power of relationship with Christ and to receive fully from His blessings so that we truly are examples of Jesus, Christians, on the earth and that it would be the goodness of God that would draw men to repentance and not the condemnation of man.

There is nothing I find more fulfilling than to share God’s word through written communication, one on one personal interaction or teaching to a gathering. It’s my heart’s passion. So, this morning when I reread these verses, it reminded me of my purpose, to share with others the wonderful works of God.

“Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:5-11 NKJV

Look particularly at verses 8-10. Reread them.

I titled today’s blog, “Holding On”.

Holding on to Jesus means clinging to His presence, trusting His promises, and remaining  steadfast in faith through all circumstances.

“ We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised.” Hebrews 10:23 ERV

I will declare again today – God is faithful, He is righteousness, He is my salvation and His lovingkindness endures forever!

I hope you will read all of Psalm 40. When you feel weak – Hold On!

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Overwhelming Joy

Place yourself, if you would, with the disciples.

Yesterday, they had seen their friend, their Rabbi, their Messiah return from the grave! Their joy was overwhelming but there was still an undercurrent of fear.

The soldiers said the disciples had stolen the body. Would anyone believe them? Would the religious leaders come to their homes with arrest warrants? Would they be hauled off to prison?

Oh, but the joy!

This morning they are having their coffee and biscuits. In their excitement, no one really took time to cook and prepare for today. I imagine them sitting around a big table, deep in their own contemplation of the day’s events, looking up and seeing their friends doing the same and the burst into spontaneous laughter.

Jesus, who had died, was alive and He had appeared to them. There are so many they need to tell of this great miracle. People need to know. Thomas needed to know.

“After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, ‘I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.’ 22 Then he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23  If you forgive anyone’s sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don’t forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven.’

24 Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them. 25 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‘!” John 20:21-25 CEV

But let’s not be too hard on Thomas. For we often express some of the same doubt when it comes to things of the Lord. We doubt the things we haven’t seen or those we can’t understand. And, in spite of our doubting, Jesus meets us where we are and reveals Himself to us in our time of need.

“ We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. This is why we must give our lives for each other.” I John 3:16 CEV

Today’s not just another Monday. It’s the Monday after we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord! Make today a celebration filled with overwhelming joy!

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