Category: Relationship

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Apples of Gold

For the last few days I have been reading about Solomon’s rise to power. He was a young man, used by God, to bring a season of peace to Israel.

One night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him, “ask for anything you want and I’ll give it to you”.

Solomon’s answer is one that speaks to my heart.

“You were very kind and loyal to your servant, my father David… And you showed him the greatest kindness when you let his son take his place as king. 7 Lord my God, you have made me the king in my father’s place, but I am like a small child. I don’t have the wisdom I need to do what I must do…9 So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation.” I King 3:6-9 ERV

The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s answer and granted his request but the Lord also added these blessings as well.

“You asked for the wisdom to listen and make the right decisions. 12 So I will give you what you asked for. I will make you wise and intelligent. I will make you wiser than anyone who ever lived or ever will live. 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for. You will have riches and honor all your life. There will be no other king in the world as great as you.” I Kings 3:11-13 ERV

The other morning I wrote in my journal, “Lord, I want to be kind and wise”. Kindness without wisdom can lead us to do impractical things but kindness with wisdom gives us direction to make proper decisions.

I can’t help but think that James may have been studying the life of Solomon when he wrote: “ Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind.” James 1:5-6 ERV

The prayer for wisdom is a prayer that God enjoys answering for everyone who asks.

Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, said this about wisdom.

“ Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. 5 If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the Lord, and you will come to know God. 6 The Lord is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth. 7 He gives good advice to honest people and shields those who do what is right. 8 He makes sure that people are treated fairly. He watches over his loyal followers.” Proverbs 2:4-8 ERV

At my age, I am still trusting the Lord for wisdom, learning from His word, following the leading of the Holy Spirit. I desire to share the Father’s heart and His word with the world that He has placed me in.

“ Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12 Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11-12 ERV

Saying the right thing at the right time is a true treasure, like apples of gold in a setting of silver!

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Lift Up Your Head

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from disappointment and heart ache. We are faced with the same challenges and problems as everyone else in the world. We experience relationships that fail; physical sickness and disease; death of loved ones; financial lack; political and social attack and unrest; and family crises.

What makes the difference in our lives is our faith and trust in a loving heavenly Father who is able to come to our aide in every situation. We don’t live with our heads in the sand but we do live with our hearts in HIS hand!

Let me remind you of what Jesus said.

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].’” Luke 4:17-19 AMP

This was the reason Jesus came and He didn’t just talk the talk, He walked the walk. So did His disciples.

“Jesus answered, ‘Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. 5 The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6 God will bless everyone who doesn’t reject me because of what I do.” Matthew 11:4-6 CEV

His purpose is the same today as it was then!

When we are feeling overwhelmed we don’t have to fall into the same pit of despair as others around us. We can lift up our heads (a sign of hope) and go to the One who comforts, heals and sets right.

“Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. 3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 AMP

” We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 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 4:14-16 CEV

Lift your head, look up. Come find help today!

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The Pain of Betrayal

Last night I didn’t sleep well at all. Finally, about 3 a.m. I came to the couch and had a nap. So this morning I will share my thoughts from nine years ago on the subject of betrayal.

I pray God uses it to speak to your heart.

My thoughts as I was reading John 13 yesterday were on Jesus. He knew Judas had betrayed him. He knew this when He knelt down and washed Judas feet. He knew of the betrayal when He sat at dinner with him and He knew when He sent Judas out that His arrest and crucifixion would be soon.

“After Jesus said these things, he felt very troubled. He said openly, “Believe me when I say that one of you will hand me over to my enemies.”

22 His followers all looked at each other. They did not understand who Jesus was talking about. 23 One of the followers was next to Jesus and was leaning close to him. This was the one Jesus loved very much. 24 Simon Peter made signs to this follower to ask Jesus who he was talking about.

25 That follower leaned closer to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered him, “I will dip this bread into the dish. The man I give it to is the one.” So Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 When Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus said to Judas, “What you will do—do it quickly!” 28 No one at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas. 29 Since Judas was the one in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus meant for him to go and buy some things they needed for the feast. Or they thought that Jesus wanted him to go give something to the poor.

30 Judas ate the bread Jesus gave him. Then he immediately went out. It was night.

31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the time for the Son of Man to receive his glory. And God will receive glory through him. 32 If God receives glory through him, he will give glory to the Son through himself. And that will happen very soon.” John 13:21-32

Why didn’t Jesus confront Judas? If He had called him out in front of the other disciples I’m sure Peter would have tackled him and beat the living day lights out of Judas. However, Jesus kept what Judas had done a secret.

Jesus’ heart had to be breaking that someone He loved so deeply had lied to him so why did He left Judas walk away?

Answer: Because Jesus loved us more than He hated being betrayed! If Judas had been stopped, then the soldiers wouldn’t have known to come to the Garden. The arrest wouldn’t have happened, the rigged trial, the beating and the crucifixion would not have been completed.

Jesus allowed the betrayal and all that came with it because His purpose in coming to earth was for one purpose, to bring salvation, restoration, to all mankind. He allowed the betrayal because it led to the cross and ultimately to the empty tomb!

If you’ve been betrayed and your heart is breaking go to Jesus, He understands. He’ll give you comfort and a right perspective.

He’s a wonderful Savior!

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Impatience & Its Brothers

Dave and I live in a small community for a reason. Neither one of us like traffic or crowds. There have only been a few years in our married lives that we have been city people – that’s not for us. We admire those of you that can and do live there and the gracious way you handle yourselves on a daily basis.

Yesterday I started the day by talking about impatience…and today we will venture into the city where I know our patience will be tested.

My solution is to avoid those places and people that test my patience but avoidance isn’t really the solution, in fact it’s delayed victory. I need to face things head on like a little shepherd boy with a giant.

While the Israelite army was standing on a hillside trying to avoid conflict with the Philistines, Goliath would walk out and taunt them daily. There was no victory, no peace. What was needed was a confrontation – a confrontation wrapped in prayer and the power of God.

Am I comparing impatience to Goliath? You bet! Impatience is a giant of an emotion and just like Goliath impatience has brothers; anger, criticism, strife and rude behavior.

You see when David went to meet Goliath he picked up 5 stones. This was not a backup measure in case he missed with the first one. No! If that had been the case, he would have been dead because Goliath would have killed him before he got off a second projectile. It was an offensive tactic; he wanted to be armed to take out the whole family.

So let me ask – what giants are you facing today? Have you been avoiding them? Choosing to go another direction? There will come a time that you must face the giants but not in your own strength. God will be there to lead you into battle victoriously – you must simply trust in Him.

” David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals. And we will do the same thing to all the other Philistines too. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel. 47 All the people gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will help us defeat all of you.” I Samuel 17:45-47 ERV

Conquer impatience. Follow His lead and claim victory today!

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Good Fruit

I love blackberries. I think they are my favorite fruit.

The other day I bought a container of them while we were out grocery shopping. I always look them over carefully before buying, I want to make sure there aren’t any that have begun to spoil.

I had been taking a few out each morning to have with my breakfast and on the 3rd morning, there they were. Three big berries with white mold on them! Disappointed I quickly removed them from the basket and in the trash they went. I washed the others knowing they could be tainted by those that had begun to spoil. It happens that way…

Good fruit can become tainted if we aren’t careful.

That brings me to this morning’s thoughts. We have been blessed with the fruit of the Spirit. He fills our lives and conforms our character with love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, meekness, faith and patience.

Impatience is a fruit of selfishness! Most of our objections around things that make us impatient start with I. I think, I can, I want my way.

How contrary that is to God’s character!

He waited for just the right time to send Jesus. Jesus walked this earth teaching the same thing over and over, the love of God and restoration to Him, and still people didn’t get it. And now God is waiting again, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He’s not impatient!

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

This morning I was reading in John 13. This is Jesus final Passover celebration with his disciples before His crucifixion. He takes the role of a servant and starts washing the disciples feet. Peter objects, not understanding but Jesus doesn’t become impatient. He takes time to explain His purpose to Peter and still he misunderstands…

“He came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to him, ‘Lord, you should not wash my feet.’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.’ 8 Peter said, ‘No! You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.'” John 13:6-8 ERV

Jesus was patient with Peter and his impertinence. How many times has the Lord been patient with our failings, our shortcomings, our wanderings. He has been there to pick us up, welcome us home and encourage us to “go our way and sin no more”.

And now He is asking us to become patient with ourselves and with others. To show them the same love and compassion He has shown to us. When we are patient, we are Christ-like and our lives will reflect His love.

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.” James 1:2-4 ERV

Pluck out impatience and let the good fruit remain.

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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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