Category: Relationship

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Heart’s Desire

May I ask you a question today? Thank you, I just did but now let me ask you another question. What is your heart’s desire?

It’s ok to take time to think about it. I’ll wait…

Before coming to Christ many of our desires were rooted in self-promotion, personal gratification and even greed. After coming to Christ our heart changes and our desires become more focused on Him.

That’s really how it is when we fall in love with someone. We lay aside our desires for theirs.

“Trust the Lord and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. 4 Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire. 5 Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help.” Psalm 37:3-5 CEV

The Lord isn’t looking to give us an encumbered lifestyle. In fact, it’s just the opposite. He came to give us life, an abundant life to the full and overflowing.

“You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:5-6 CEV

I heard one person put it this way. “Since I came to Christ I still do everything I want to, but my “want to” has changed.

“ Don’t be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don’t be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don’t be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols…10  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… 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 3:5-17 CEV

This is where our “want to’s” change. This is the Word we were talking about yesterday, the Word that gives light to our path. It keeps us on the right road, it instructs us on how to follow Christ.

Please take time to read Colossians 3, verse by verse, phrase by phrase. Let it sink in. Let it replace any selfish desires with those that please and honor the Father.

As we change and trust Him, He will give us our heart’s desire.

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A Father’s Prayer

We have three children, two are married, five grandchildren, two are married, and two great grandchildren. We are blessed!

We pray for them daily and many times a day as the Lord puts them on our hearts. This morning, I was praying for them and the joys and obstacles that they face each day. In that, my heart began to feel a bit overwhelmed. So, I did what the Word says.

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

“6 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 4:6-7 CEV

And then I was reminded of these verses:

“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and the well-being of your children will be great. 14 All will be right and good for you. No one over you will make it hard for you, and you will not be afraid. You will be far from trouble, for it will not come near you.” Isaiah 54:13-14 NLV

“ See what great love the Father has for us that He would call us His children. And that is what we are. For this reason the people of the world do not know who we are because they did not know Him. 2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now. But it has not yet been shown to us what we are going to be. We know that when He comes again, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is.” I John 3:1-2 NLV

“I do not pray for these followers only. I pray for those who will put their trust in Me through the teaching they have heard. 21 May they all be as one, Father, as You are in Me and I am in You. May they belong to Us. Then the world will believe that You sent Me. 22 I gave them the honor You gave Me that they may be one as We are One. 23 I am in them and You are in Me so they may be one and be made perfect. Then the world may know that You sent Me and that You love them as You love Me.” John 17:20-23 NLV

This morning, I got a deeper vision of the Father’s love for each one of us. We are His children, we were adopted into His family when we placed our trust in Him. I only have fourteen in my prayers, He has millions.

How great is the Father’s love for us! The Holy Spirit prays for us just as Jesus did.

“God knows the hearts of men. He knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking. The Holy Spirit prays for those who belong to Christ the way God wants Him to pray.28 We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.” Romans 8:27-28 NLV

My heart is at peace. Peace because I know that the Father hears and answers prayer and He is praying for us. Thank you, Father, for Your prayers!

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The Father’s Gifts

When I woke up this morning, this verse was on my heart.

“If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11.

This word evil is a comparative word.

When comparing earthly fathers to God, the Father, the earthly fathers are comparatively evil. Sometimes our natural fathers will make a wrong decision or lose their tempers or display other “evil” character flaws but not God, the Father, His very nature is love.

His love is unconditional, He is never self-seeking, and He will never fail us.

I was blessed to have a very loving father and I miss him dearly. He was a living example to me of God’s love. Yes, he had his faults and shortcomings, but I always knew he loved me and that he would do all he could for me and our family. Some are not so blessed, and I understand that too – but regardless of how your natural father has treated you, God, the Father, always welcomes you with open arms and a heart full of love!

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 CEV

He doesn’t promise one thing on one day and take it away the next. He is always the same. He is a promise keeper.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. 20 ‘My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done.'” Numbers 23:19-20 CEV

He has promised to give us every blessing that comes from heaven.

“ 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.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

His great and precious promises are infused with His nature – love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, meekness, faith. His love never fails; it isn’t self-seeking or selfish. It isn’t vindictive or unforgiving. These are just some of the gifts He has given to us.

He’ll wipe away our tears, laugh with us in the good times and hold us close to protect us in the evil times.

He is a good, good Father!





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Fill the Temple

The first words that came to my heart when I got up are from Isaiah the prophet.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a very high and wonderful throne. His long robe filled the Temple. 2 Seraph angels stood around him. Each angel had six wings. They used two wings to cover their faces, two wings to cover their bodies, and two wings to fly. 3 The angels were calling to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord All-Powerful. His Glory fills the whole earth.’” Isaiah 6:1-3 ERV

Have you noticed in the last weeks that revival, a massive revival, is happening worldwide? People are filling stadiums, auditoriums, congregating and parading in city streets and public parks declaring their allegiance and love for the Lord. They are being saved by the thousands!

His glory is filling the whole earth!

My Bible reading took me to I Chronicles today. King David had brought the Ark of God’s Covenant back to Jerusalem. (Side note: it was called the Ark of the Covenant because it contained items that reminded the Israelites that God had made a promise, an unbreakable covenant with them. He would be their God and they would be His people.)

The people were thrilled. They made sacrifices – they sang – they danced – they worshipped!

“The Levites brought God’s Holy Box and put it inside the tent David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to God. 2 After David had finished giving the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he used the Lord’s name to bless the people… 7 This was when David first gave Asaph and his brothers the job of singing praises to the Lord.” I Chronicles 16:1-7 ERV

This is part of the song they sang. I encourage you to go to the Bible and read the whole song.

“Give thanks to the Lord and call out to him!
    Tell the nations what he has done!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him.
    Tell about the amazing things he has done.
10 Be proud of his holy name.
    You followers of the Lord, be happy!
11 Depend on the Lord for strength.
    Always go to him for help.
12 Remember the amazing things he has done.
    Remember his miracles and his fair decisions.
13 The people of Israel are his servants.
    The descendants of Jacob are his chosen people.
14 The Lord is our God.
    He rules the whole world.
15 Remember his agreement forever,
    the promise he gave that will never end.” I Chronicles 16:8-15 ERV

I can hear someone saying, “Well Kristi, that’s Old Testament and was written to the Jews. What’s that got to do with me?” I’m so glad you asked!

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 ERV

” But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life, because Christ made you right with God. 11 God raised Jesus from death. And if God’s Spirit lives in you, he will also give life to your bodies that die. Yes, God is the one who raised Christ from death, and he will raise you to life through his Spirit living in you.” Romans 8:10-11 ERV

We are God’s Temple! He has chosen to live in us, to make His home in us. We are where he resides by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“ 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.

Each of us have been ordained by God to be filled with His presence and His glory will be spread though out the earth!

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Able & Available

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 but He needs us to work with Him.

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 within us 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

As I finished writing this a chorus filled my heart. It’s a song we sang twenty years ago.

“And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me”

Father, I am available. You are able to work in me, through me and for me for Your honor and glory!

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They Left All

This morning my Bible reading took me back to Greece.

The four weeks we spent in Greece is one of the most memorable times of my life. The beauty, the relaxation, the food, the people, the history (biblical history) made it the trip of a lifetime.

The first eighteen days we were on the island of Paros. Each morning, we would walk the seashore and then visit the harbor. There we would stop and watch the fishermen. Fresh caught octopus would be hanging from the boat railing and fishermen would sit on the seawall, mending the nets spread before them.

Working diligently in the morning sun.

These were big nets and their hands shifted through them, discovering and mending the holes. This all needed to be done before they left the next morning. It was a time-consuming chore.

Now, just imagine you were with those fishermen on the shore at the Sea of Galilee.

“As Jesus stood beside Lake Galilee a crowd of people pushed to get closer to him and to hear the teachings of God. 2 Jesus saw two boats at the shore of the lake. The fishermen were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon. He asked Simon to push off a little from the shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people on the shore.

4 When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Take the boat into the deep water. If all of you will put your nets into the water, you will catch some fish.’

5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish and caught nothing. But you say I should put the nets into the water, so I will.‘ 6 The fishermen put their nets into the water. Their nets were filled with so many fish that they began to break. 7 They called to their friends in the other boat to come and help them. The friends came, and both boats were filled so full of fish that they were almost sinking…Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on your work will be to bring in people, not fish!’

11 The men brought their boats to the shore. They left everything and followed Jesus.” Luke 5:1-11 ERV

Now consider the story.

This small fishing business had spent the entire night placing their nets and retrieving them and they caught nothing. It had been hard work. Now, with nets cleaned they were ready to go home, eat some breakfast and catch a nap.

But Jesus had another plan. He asked to use their boat as a floating pulpit. Then to reward the men for their assistance He asked them to do something out of the ordinary. “Let’s launch out a little further and drop your nets”. Fishing in the light of day wasn’t practical. They were tired, their nets were cleaned “But you say I should put the nets into the water, so I will.“

At the precise time a large school of fish, a net breaking, boat sinking school of fish was swimming by and got caught up in their nets. This was one for the record books! It took two boats to haul in the catch. When they made it to shore someone should have been there to document this record-breaking event, but no one did. They could have used this to promote their fishing fleet, “Best Fishermen of the Sea”.

That didn’t happen.

In fact, just the opposite occurred. Jesus ask Peter, James and John to leave the nets and go fishing for men. This is the part I really like – they left everything and followed Jesus! No question, no hesitation, they left their biggest success behind.

Jesus left heaven for us. They left all to follow Him.

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Stillness

This morning’s message is stillness.

Life is full of noise. Too many distractions, too much to do. The call of God is stillness. Stillness from activity but more importantly stillness in our emotions and in our spirit.

“God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations;
I am the one who controls the world. 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah” Psalm 46:10-11 ERV

God wants us to be still and leave the fighting to Him. He desires to lead us to a place of peace, the peace that bypasses our natural understanding. Divine peace. The word “Selah” means to be still, pause and reflect. Reflect on God’s goodness and His greatness.

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.
2 He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water.
3 He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.
4 Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4 ERV

At 2 a.m. our silence was broken. An emergency alert came across our devices. “Flash flood warning. Stay in place unless you need to move to a place of safety”.

This morning that is my message and God’s message to you. Stay where the Lord has led you. Stay in place, in the green pastures where He has led you, He is with you!

Enjoy the stillness and let your soul rest!

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Not Enough Words

My dad told me I started talking in small sentences before I was one and he reminded me that I really hadn’t stopped since. I was a chatterbox – got marked down in school for talking during class and even won first place in the state speech contest.

But this morning, I am having a hard time coming up with enough words to express my wonder and amazement in the goodness of God and His overwhelming love!

Shocking, isn’t it?

In the book of John, we see Jesus’ interaction with those who are hurting, outcast, needy and sometimes completely alone. Jesus has turned the water into wine, fed the 5000, calmed the storm, walked on water, healed the blind, defended the adulterous woman, healed a lame man and the centurion’s son and eaten with tax collectors and other sinners.

The religious leaders always questioned His authority to do such things.

“It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. 23 Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon’s Porch. 24 The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, ‘How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.’

25 Jesus answered, ‘I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand. 30 The Father and I are one.’” John 10:22-30 ERV

Every time Jesus did something wonderful for the people, these men were there to question his motives and his character. They wanted to kill him for doing good!

In the face of accusation, Jesus stays on point. “I am doing what my Father sent me to do – the Father and I are one!”

That truly is the definition of love; love is patient and kind, love suffers long, love thinks the best.

Jesus is our example for walking in love. When we are falsely accused and maligned, when the folks around us are so angry that they would like to destroy us, can we walk in love? I started to pray “Lord I want to walk in that love” and then I realized what that meant. It’s a hard prayer to pray. That truly is where I desire to be – Christ like.

The words of the song “Reckless Love” came up in my heart.

“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God,”

I thank the Father that He is conforming me to His image so I can walk in that depth of His overwhelming, never-ending reckless love. Now I will sit in silence and let Him speak to my heart.

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Life with Benefits

Yesterday I had a routine visit to the dentist. You know the semi-annual cleaning. Everything went well – the hygienist is so sweet and she’s very thorough. When I was checking out, I learned that our dentist office is no longer “in network” and next year we will be without a dental benefit if we continue with this practice.

What??

Our practice is under new ownership. Our previous dentist sold the practice and two new dentists, who are very good, purchased it but now it is out-of-network. We like the new dentists and especially our hygienist.

But…we’ve lost our benefit. Have you ever been in a situation where you lost benefits?

That’s one thing we never have to be concerned about in our relationship with the Lord.

“ Honor and thanks be to the Lord, Who carries our heavy loads day by day. He is the God Who saves us. 20 Our God is a God Who sets us free. The way out of death belongs to God the Lord.” Psalm 68:19-20 NLV

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 CEV

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 NJKV

The Lord, our Father, the God of salvation daily loads us up with benefits. When we are in Christ, we are “in-network”. We don’t have to get a referral or special authorization to enjoy the benefits. We don’t have a co-pay – that was all taken care of on the cross.

“ Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, we are always in an open enrollment. We aren’t limited to calendar restrictions.

“ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'” Romans 10:12-13 NKJV

The premium has been paid for.

“Then he said, ‘Here I am, God. I have come to do what you want.‘ So God ends that first system of sacrifices and starts his new way. 10 Jesus Christ did the things God wanted him to do. And because of that, we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time.” Hebrews 10:9-10 ERV

Because of Christ we have life with benefits!

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Family Heritage

In the 1970’s and 80’s, it became popular to search out your family tree. People had always kept records in the family Bible but with the information age, via the internet, it became easier to find dates, places and events that shaped our history.

Now it’s easier than ever, with the help of sites like Ancestory.com and 23&Me, to dive deeper in our past and even discover unknown relatives.

I have to be truthful; although my mother-in-law did extensive study and research on Dave’s family it never peaked my interest. Yes, I was curious about his grandfather and some of the other family members but knowing the whole history just isn’t my thing.

However…there is one bit of family history that I find very intriguing.

“When Jesus began to preach, he was about 30 years old. Everyone thought he was the son of Joseph. But his family went back… David, 32 Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon,… 34 Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Terah, Nahor,…Shem, Noah, Lamech, 37 Methuselah, Enoch,…Seth. The family of Jesus went all the way back to Adam and then to God.” Luke 3:23-38 CEV

The world had a hard time accepting the words of Jesus because they considered Him to be the son of Joseph, a carpenter, but there was so much more. He truly was the Son of God!

How do people see us?

I’m the daughter of a construction worker and a bank teller. No great fame or fortune, just part of the working class. Not a scholar or one of the elite in society. That’s the way it looks from the outside.

But inside it’s entirely different.

“ Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. 15  God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:14-17 CEV

“ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.” Ephesians 1:4-6 CEV

We have been adopted. Chosen by God since before the creation of the world. Chosen to be His children!

When we have our identity in Christ, our family tree starts with God. We receive His character. Our DNA is His Divine Nature Attributes. We become His representation to the world.

“ Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 CEV

“ God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

The Holy Spirit creates within us God’s character; after all, we are His dear children.

When we are adopted by God, we get a brand-new life and a new family heritage. Our family tree begins and ends with God, the Father.

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