Category: Relationship

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A Good Example to Follow

Yesterday I reminded you of the example our Father has set for us. He is loving and gracious, ready to help and never too busy to be there for us. These verses of instruction from the Apostle Paul on following a good example seem to fit right in with yesterday’s thoughts.

“Follow my way of thinking as I follow Christ. 2 I think you have done well because you always remember me and have followed the things I taught you.” I Corinthians 11:1-2 NLV

Paul tells the church at Corinth to follow him in the same way he is following Christ. This is the man who went many years being religious but not following Christ. He persecuted the Christians, stood at the stoning of Stephen, and was a member of the Pharisees (religious zealots). But then Paul met the Lord on the road to Damascus and was converted. He learned from the Holy Spirit the truth of the Scriptures. He was given a mandate from God to share the truth of the Gospel and the good news of grace with the world.

He had learned that following Christ would lead him before the most prominent men of his day and that it would also lead him into the depths of the dungeons, leave him in chains, subject him to beatings and stoning but in all things he would be victorious as he followed Christ.

In all the persecution, he never harbored a grudge. He loved those who persecuted him and ministered to those who held him captive. His imprisonment wasn’t a detriment but instead it became the solitude that allowed him to write over half of the New Testament.

His letters were the instruction and encouragement that the Christians needed. Life in prison allowed him to focus on his writings and to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In Paul’s life as a Christian he didn’t complain but he offered praise. In his physical weakness he depended on God’s ever enduring strength. He wasn’t afraid of death but saw it as an opportunity to “be absent from the body and present with the Lord”. However, he chose to stay so that he could continue to teach and encourage those who were his children in the faith. And we are in that group.

Paul gives us insight on God’s plan of authority. The head of every man is Christ. Jesus brought peace between God and man – he brought reconciliation. He brought authority to replace defeat. Through Christ’s sinless life He was a living example of godliness. A true example of the Father, an example to follow.

There is one leader, God the Father. Christ followed His example of love and self-sacrifice. We’ll never go wrong when we follow the Father by following Christ.

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A Living Example

I think it’s every loving father’s desire to see his children grow up to act and look like him. He teaches them things when they are young and spends time with them as they grow and develop. It’s great when his kids like the things he likes and mirror him in their life decisions. No, he doesn’t want puppets – he wants kids that make good quality decisions and that mature into respectable young people and adults.

You know, our heavenly Father wants the same. So many times we read in the Bible that we are to follow our Father’s example and be like him. This is what Jesus was saying at the Sermon on the Mount.

“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48 But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-48 CEV

God, the Father, brings good to all – rain and sunshine. He has freely offered new life to everyone. He desires a deep relationship with all of us.

“Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. 2 Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 CEB

Let’s model His character today and reach out to all, even those who aren’t as nice to us as we would like. In doing so we are letting the love of the Father shine through us.

There’s no better example to follow than His!

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A Day for Father’s

I really appreciate that we set a day aside to honor our fathers , and our mothers. Scripture tells us that we will live long lives when we do this. Father’s Day is just a week away and so I would like to share some thoughts with you on honoring our fathers.

A father’s love is tender hearted, kind, forgiving, filled with compassion! I was blessed with a father who loved me. He was strict and insisted I work hard, be respectful, and do my best in everything. He worked hard and was gone from home for weeks at a time. But when he came home we enjoyed things like fishing and hunting. But there never seemed to be enough time to spend with him.

My heavenly Father is the one who gave my earthly father those characteristics. His heart is always filled with compassion for me. His Word teaches me right from wrong and He wants me to be obedient for my own protection. He knows the dangers that I will face and He is always there to provide.

We don’t always see what our Father is doing while we are in the midst of a situation but when we know our Father, we know His motives and intentions are based on His love for us and we can trust Him.

Even when we manage to get “a far off” He’s there waiting for us to come home . He watches and waits, He doesn’t come to drag us back but when we return He throws a party. I guess one of the best gifts we could give our heavenly Father is to come home and let Him shower us with His love.

“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:18-24 NIV

There have been times that I have been away from the Father. I’m so glad that He greeted me with love and forgiveness when I returned. I can guarantee that He is always waiting with open arms and a heart full of love.

There’s nothing like the embrace of the Father!

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The Trial & Verdict

Yesterday I took some time to rest in the sun. It’s not something I do very often but when I do I find that I feel totally relax and refreshed in about thirty minutes. Too keep out the distractions I generally listen to Country Gospel music on Pandora. There’s just something about the old hymns of the faith that encourage my heart.

Well, yesterday I was not disappointed. One of the first songs that came on was a childhood favorite.

“Just As I Am”

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings and fears within without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind;
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

This song was written in 1835. I hope you don’t have trouble with the old English because the words are powerful. Here is a person on trial – they come without a plea, guilty or not guilty. Life has been unkind and there is absolutely no reason that the judge, our heavenly Father, should be merciful but He is!

“There is a lot of difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gift. That one sin led to punishment. But God’s gift made it possible for us to be acceptable to him, even though we have sinned many times. 17 Death ruled like a king because Adam had sinned. But that cannot compare with what Jesus Christ has done. God has been so kind to us, and he has accepted us because of Jesus. And so we will live and rule like kings. 18 Everyone was going to be punished because Adam sinned. But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life.” Romans 5:16-18 CEV

Our defendant is poor, blind and emotionally distressed. Their life needs cleansing; so many charges have been leveed against them. They come seeking healing and help. Standing before the judge’s bench, waiting for the gavel to drop and sentence to be issued, they come. We come!

The Judge is ready to pronounce His verdict. He looks at the defendant, “what do you have to say for yourself?” – “Judge, I am without excuse. I deserve the harshest penalty. I am a sinner but I come today and ask for mercy. I come to the throne of grace.”

The Judge glances down at the papers before Him. He shuffles them, searching the pages. He looks up with a loving smile and says “I find no charges here, they are gone. They’ve been removed. My Son paid the price.”

“You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:13-15 CEV

This is what the song writer knew when he wrote the last verse of this song. We have been received by the Father – we are welcome, pardoned, cleansed, and relieved of sin. We are made right in His sight.

And the final verdict is given as the Judge drops the gavel; “All charges have been dropped, forgiveness is yours and new life has been given.

Like the defendant and the song writer, to receive forgiveness and new life in Christ we say, “Oh, Lamb of God I come”!

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Seeing Things Clearly

Last week I went in for a routine eye exam and the optometrist told me that my vision was improving. Good news. As I sat here this morning I was remembering the exam particulars. “Which is better, A or B? Do so see more clearly with 1 or 2? What is the lowest line you can read on A or B?”

To see things clearly makes all the difference in the world. But even more importantly than seeing things clearly with the natural eye is the ability to see things spiritually clear. There is a song that was written years ago for the musical “Cinderella”. The lyrics go something like this:

“In my own little corner
In my own little chair
I can be whatever I want to be
On the wing of my fancy
I can fly anywhere
And the world will open its arms to me”

The people who surrounded Cinderella told her she wouldn’t amount to anything but she had an inner vision. And that’s how I feel when I open the pages of God’s Word. I can see the Father’s vision of who I am. “I can be whatever HE wants me to be”! So can you.

Our heavenly Father has infused us with His nature, His power, His love. Jesus came to give us new life; a life that is free from fear, a life filled with joy even in adverse circumstances. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit with the characteristics of our Father.

“From John to the seven churches in Asia. I pray that you  will be blessed with kindness and peace from God, who is and was and is coming. May you receive kindness and peace from the seven spirits before the throne of God. 5 May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. 6 He lets us rule as kings and serve God his Father  as priests. To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6 CEV

We have been appointed to the role of priests and kings in God’s kingdom. He has given us a book full of precious promises for life in this world.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4 ERV

From my “own little corner, on my own little chair” I can see what God has called me to be. I am His; He is my loving Father and He wants me to tell the world of His greatness.

“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, 10 “Once you were nobody.  Now you are God’s people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you  with kindness.” I Peter 2:9-10 CEV

Are things coming in to focus for you? Are you beginning to see who God has called you to be? Let’s leave the corner and share with others this wonderful life God has given us – in Christ, our life is so much greater than we first imagined.

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Where Do I Go?

Over the years I have had numerous friends tell me the different places they go to sense the presence of God. Some find that closeness sitting on a deserted beach, watching the waves come to the shore. Others have said that when they are sitting on the back of horse and feel its strength beneath them that they have a tangible sense of God’s presence.

And then I’ve been told that holding their sleeping child or grandchild heightens their awareness of the Father’s love. The mountains’ grandeur is a place that sparks some to focus on the greatness of our loving God.

Where do you go to find God’s presence?

As a young mother and someone who was just learning to hear God’s voice and sense His presence, my place was the clothes line. Strange as that may sound, it was my favorite place.

I remember the house so vividly. We lived on the corner lot, in a brick house with a carport and on the back patio was a laundry room with a washer and a deep sink but no dryer. At first I was disappointed to learn I would have to carry the laundry out to the backyard and pin them up on the line. To be truthful, I think I was grumbling with that first load and in my complaining I realized that I should be grateful for the clothes my family had to wear. I went from complaining to praising.

Those times at the clothes line were mine and the Lord’s. Occasionally one of the kids would come out to ask a question but no one wanted to stand out there and watch or help. It was my time – my time to have an uninterrupted conversation with my Father. I learned so much about His love and patience standing there in the sunshine and the “Sonshine”.

Let me ask again – where do you go to feel close to the Lord? It doesn’t have to be somewhere exotic or faraway. Abraham just walked outside and looked at the stars, Moses herded sheep on Mount Sinai, Peter went fishing and Paul went to prison. If we are looking for God, we WILL find Him.

“The angels were calling to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord All-Powerful. His Glory fills the whole earth.” Isaiah 6:3 ERV

Wherever we are, anywhere that we go, if we look for the Lord we will find Him. His glory, power and presence fill the whole earth. And when we look for Him, we will find that He has a life of blessing planned for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Wherever we go looking for the Father, even to the clothes line, we will find Him if we look for Him with an honest and open heart.

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Feeling Overwhelmed?

About eighteen months ago we repurposed our dining room. Out with the dining table (everyone likes to eat on the patio when they come) and in with the roll-top desk, bookcase, filing cabinet, side table and two wonderful wooden rockers that Dave refinished.

The side table holds a lamp and a charging station. On the bottom shelf we have our books; several translations of the Bible, daily devotionals and our “what I want to read next” stack of books. This is my quiet place; my sit-and-pray, read-n-pray, pray-n-write solace. I have learned that every morning life needs to start here or I, all too quickly, become overwhelmed with life’s daily routine and whatever new crisis that crops up in the world overnight.

Here, before the day really starts, I spend time with my Father. He encourages me, corrects me, strengthens and instructs me. It’s here I pray for family, friends, neighbors, our nation and the world.

Life can be overwhelming, Jesus understands that. He knows we need help and He is here to provide what we need. These are some of Jesus final words to His disciples. He would be arrested in just a matter of hours.

“Jesus answered them, ‘Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.’” John 16:31-33 MSG

The disciples were facing an overwhelming time – the death of their leader and their own persecution. Jesus’ words were trust me, be at peace, cheer up, I’m here and I have conquered the world. The same truth is for us as well. Jesus wanted their focus to change from being overwhelmed by their circumstances to overcoming them.

I make lists when I come to my quiet place – a list with prayer needs and I have a daily to-do list. I pray over both of them. I ask the Lord to provide for those I know who need specific things and I ask for direction on which of my to-do’s need my attention that day. It keeps me focused and on track. I hand the Lord those I love dearly and the situations that could overwhelm and I receive His peace, joy and reassurance.

There’s one place in Psalms that I go to when I am feeling overwhelmed and it always brings me peace.

“O God, listen to my cry!  Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help
 when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

When life is overwhelming, run to the One who overcame all its adversity. Find safety and peace with the Rock of Ages.

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A Place of Comfort

I’ve been up for several hours now, in fact, it was just about 2 am and I knew I needed to get up and spend time with my Father. I went to bed last night after learning our governor had set a statewide crew extending from 8 pm to 5 am. This is to continue for at least the next week.

Communities all across this nation are in a state of turmoil and fear. I only know one way to maintain inner peace and that’s by reading God’s word and talking with my heavenly Father. I have been praying for my family and loved ones but I have also been praying for those of you reading this. I may not know you by name but God does and He desires to be your protection and your peace.

What was 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. He 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 big enough to have room for us to cuddle up and draw strength from Him. I love this picture I’m using this morning. That’s me sitting in my dad’s lap and yes, that’s an open Bible there too. This may be the reason that I find it so easy to imagine that I am always welcome in my heavenly Father’s lap. In times of joy and sorrow, triumph or tragedy, victory or defeat I find great solace in knowing that I am always welcome in my Father’s presence.

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word our world can change from disorder to order. We shouldn’t let anything hold us 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

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

In our Father’s presence there is joy, peace, kindness and help. Rest in Him!

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Talking to the Kids

With all of our children living away from us, we enjoy having them call and hearing what’s going on in their lives. It’s better than FB because we get to hear their voices and its personal, just us and them. Some of those conversations are just about day to day life while others ask for advice. The “how do I do…” or “do you we think we should…” are very special. It means they think we have the knowledge and/or ability to give them direction; they want our input.

Our kids are also very good to call for no special reason. They just want to say “I love you” and see how we are doing.

Very special indeed.

And then there are the times that the grandkids call – oh my! They want our help or our knowledge on a particular subject. Just doesn’t get much better than that!

“Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.” Proverbs 17:6 ERV

Our heavenly Father loves to hear from us too. He knows us, He knows our heart. He knows our strengths and weaknesses and wants to be there for us through each and every situation. He also likes to hear us say “No special reason for this chat Father, I just want to say I love you”.

His love is unconditional!

“The Lord is kind and merciful.  He is patient and full of love. 9 He does not always criticize.
 He does not stay angry with us forever. 10 We sinned against him, but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved. 11 His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is as kind to his followers  as a father is to his children.” Psalm 103:8-13 ERV

Let’s spend time with the Father today – He really likes to talk to His kids.

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Are You In?

This morning as I was pouring my first cup of coffee I was struck with the concept of “in”.

Let me explain. I was very glad that the coffee was in my cup and not on the counter. When something is “in” its contained and protected. It is much better to be in a boat and not on it. If we were on the boat it would more than likely be capsized and we would be holding on for dear life.

My imagination took over and I started thinking of other “in” phrases…in the house, in the car, in a plane, in love, in person. I’m sure you are thinking of some phrases yourself. To be in is to be protected, totally surrounded, completely captivated.

Used as an adverb the word in means “expressing movement with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else”.

Enclosed or surrounded by something else.

The New Testament has a lot to say about in.

“They were to look for God. Then they might feel after Him and find Him because He is not far from each one of us. 28 It is in Him that we live and move and keep on living. Some of your own men have written, ‘We are God’s children.’” Acts 17:27-28 NLV

As Christians, we are “in Him”, we are God’s children and we are in the family of God. My, my! In the family of God, we are enclosed and surrounded by the heavenly Father. The coffee that is in my cup can be consumed or poured out and the cup would be empty but when we are in Him nothing can removed us.

“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 8:38-39 CEV

Nothing can separate us from God’s love because we are in Christ Jesus. I really want you to catch hold of this truth – the truth of in. This is God’s plan for us and He sent Jesus to see that it was accomplished. God, our Father, wants all of us to be in Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people. 20 So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 ERV

Let me ask you this question, are you “in”? When we are in Christ we are right with God, every thing is new and all of our old life is gone. May I give you this instruction? Take time to read through the books of the New Testament that Paul, Peter and John wrote. They were teaching the new Christians about their life in Christ. As you read those books, underline the phrases “in Him” and “in Christ”. Pay attention to those words because this is where we live – in Him, and we are protected by His covering of love.

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV

Walk tall – we are part of the “in” crowd!

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