Category: Relationship

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It’s Just A Tent

Today Dave and I are headed out for ten days of camping. Most of you know that we purchased a Jeep last summer and added a roof top tent in the Spring. We have it all decked out with everything we need – a kitchen, generator, winch, electric fridge, memory foam mattress and all the little things necessary.

As the Lord prompts me, I will be posting but I might not post everyday. It will be a time to rest and reflect on God’s goodness.

When our kids were younger we did quite a bit of camping. It was relaxing, fun and inexpensive. It was a nice tent and as comfortable as a tent could be but still it was just a tent.

I had my camping boxes that went on every trip. Each box had all the necessities prepacked. The only thing we really needed to think about was filling the ice chest with food and drinks. We could be ready to go in less than an hour’s time. Now that we’re older it takes a little longer to prepare but it’s just as much fun.

The adventures of wild animals in camp, canoe trips, floating the river, good friends, and the one time we brought everything but the tent. I know…but it happened.

No matter how much fun we had and how beautiful the camp site, it was always nice to come home. A comfortable bed, dry clothes, and a warm shower. Awwww.

In my reading today the Apostle Paul is talking about tent camping. Yes, tent camping!

“We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever. 2 But now we are tired of this body. We want God to give us our heavenly home. 3 It will clothe us and we will not be naked. 4 While we live in this tent, we have burdens and so we complain. I don’t mean that we want to remove this tent, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be covered with life. 5 This is what God himself made us for. And he has given us the Spirit as the first payment to guarantee the life to come.

6 So we always have confidence. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see. 8 So I say that we have confidence. And we really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord. 9 Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.” II Corinthians 5:1-9 ERV

Life on this earth is like camping in a tent. The HoIy Spirit equips us with what we need but it’s not as comfortable as Home. Going home is something to look forward too with great anticipation.

However, while we’re in this tent we need to enjoy our surroundings. It’s an adventure but it’s just a tent. Our heavenly home awaits!

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Like a Dove

This morning we’re going to spend a few minutes looking at the third person of the Godhead – the Holy Spirit.

When we talk about the Holy Spirit, many times He is referred to as it but He is every bit as much “God” as the Father and the Son. He is the ever present, empowering, victory giving, life changing, comforting, teaching, presence of God.

In the beginning he was there. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Holy Spirit was there to confirm that Jesus truly was the Son of God. “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:” Mark 1:10

As Jesus began to do signs, wonders and miracles, it was “THE” Spirit who filled Him with power. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” Luke 4:17

He is the same Spirit that Jesus told His disciples would come and empowered them, and us, as well. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27

and

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14

The Spirit of God isn’t pushy but is patient and He purpose is to glorify Jesus and not draw attention to Himself, but he is our power source.

Paul put it this way in Romans. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

The word quicken means to empower or make alive – and that’s what the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit does for us as believers. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit’s empowering and then they were to go and make disciples.

“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Holy Spirit is here to empower us so that we can make an impact on our world the way the early Christians did in theirs.

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God’s Garden

When I was a child, I heard my dad say on a number of occasions, “knee high by the 4th of July”. He was talking about the corn they raised in Iowa on the farm. Years later, Dave and I worked eight summers in Iowa, and the corn would be shoulder high by the 4th of July. There was just something about that black Iowa soil, the humidity and the summer sun.

Not only did the cornfields produce an amazing bounty but the family gardens were abundant with all the vegetables you could possibly desire.

These are the images that came to mind when I was reading in I Corinthians this morning.

” I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. 7 What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow. 8 The one who plants is just as important as the one who waters. And each one will be paid for what they do. 9 Apollos and I work together for God, and you are God’s garden and God’s building.” I Corinthians 3:6-9 CEV

Paul and Apollos had both been teaching the Christians in Corinth about the ways and words of the Lord. Paul didn’t want there to be any division in their midst by considering one teacher more important than the other.

Boy, that happens so much today. I go to this church and we believe this way. You go to another church – and so there is division. That shouldn’t be so. It’s God who makes us grow.

And here’s what He wants to see growing in our lives.

“ But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.” Galatians 5:22-23 ERV

“ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him, now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 ERV

“ You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. 7 You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Colossians 2:6-7 ERV

We are God’s garden. Some plant the seed of God’s word in our hearts, others water it by their teaching and their prayers, but it is God who causes it to grow and produce a harvest. A harvest of grace, knowledge, love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, and understanding.

Those beautiful gardens that I referred to earlier had to be weeded and protected from varmints that wanted to nibble away at the crop. We need to do the same with the seeds that have been planted in our lives.

The harvest that comes isn’t just for our benefit; it will also feed and strengthen those around us so that they can benefit from God’s goodness.

Grow strong and tall and give thanks to the Father for His increase in your life!

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Always Triumph

Yesterday morning several of us in our community gathered near the flagpole. We sang, we said the Pledge of Allegiance and we prayed for our country. Those of us in our group have seen many things change in our country, some have served in defense of her, and we are all extremely grateful to live in this country called America.

She has faced many obstacles; some from without and others from within but she has triumphed.

It reminded me of the impact one verse made on my life about triumph.

“ But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air.” II Corinthians 2:14 GW

Always! Always triumph! Quite an absolute to wrap your mind around right?

Years ago my granddaughter and I heard a message on II Corinthians 2:14. The youth pastor was teaching in a large auditorium filled with teens. He was sharing with them about the importance of putting their trust in Christ.

” But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. 15 Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. ” II Corinthians 2:14-15 ERV

When we trust God and follow His lead we will ALWAYS triumph! That’s not to say there won’t be battles. Bible is filled with those who faced battles and circumstances that could have defeated them.

Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, faced prison time but became prime minister. Noah had to face a flood but he floated in the ark. David stood up to a giant and became king.

Peter was frightened by the storm, but he walked on water. Paul was in a shipwreck, but he made it safely to shore. Jesus had to face the cross but rose in triumphant resurrection!

Yes, when we trust in God he ALWAYS leads us to victory in Christ!

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Everlasting Love

This morning when I woke I picked up my journal and wrote:

“Father, thank you for my life, my family and Your amazing blessings. You have given me so much more than I could ever ask or imagine! Thank You for your everlasting love!!”

There was a time that I was not confident in God’s love for me. I thought I had failed too many times and surely, I was past being forgiven and was no longer lovable. But then I heard a testimony of a woman who insisted that God’s love for us was everlasting. That He would not desert us or abandon us. She said nothing could separate us from the love of God and that when we are in Christ we are complete having all we need.

When we have Jesus, He and I are more than enough. That changed my life.

“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

“God our Father loves us. He treats us with undeserved grace and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father 17 will encourage you and help you always to do and say the right thing.” II Thessalonians 2:16-17 CEV

“ I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things…38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-32, 38-39 ERV

These are the verses that have been the foundation of my life for the last 55 years. Today is my 73rd birthday and I can tell you that nothing has ever separated me from the Father’s love.

“ The Lord appeared to me in a faraway place and said, ‘I love you with an everlasting love.
So I will continue to show you my kindness.'” Jeremiah 31:3 GW

He has been gracious and kind to forgive my sins, my failings and shortcomings and He will do the same for you. His love is everlasting!

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Not Taken Lightly

This morning I seemed to be stumped on what to share. But as I sat quietly and began to pray I found that all my prayers involved safety.

Safety in travels, safety from natural disasters, safety during medical procedures, safety in daily routine, safety for soldiers, first responders and all in harms way. Safety during fun family activities.

Safety!

And then I read again God’s word and His promise of safety. God’s promises are not something that we take lightly; they are powerful, life-changing, and eternal.

”Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High will remain in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “⌞You are⌟ my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

3 He is the one who will rescue you from hunters’ traps and from deadly plagues. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.

5 You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day, 6 plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. 7 They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.

8 You only have to look with your eyes to see the punishment of wicked people.

9 You, O Lord, are my refuge!

You have made the Most High your home. 10 No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house. 11 He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways. 12 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.
13 You will step on lions and cobras. You will trample young lions and snakes.

14 Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name.
15 When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble.
I will save you and honor you. 16 I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you.” Psalm 91 GW

Thanking God for our nation and those who purchased our freedom and those who protect us each day from harm. Praising God for His protection and love.

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Some Things Bear Repeating

God is faithful!

Please hear me. We are not promised a life without troubling circumstances or battles but we are promised that faith is the victory that overcomes the world. We also have Jesus words to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world.

“ The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won’t be alone. 33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” John 16:32-33 CEV

Jesus faced His tribulation without the support of earthly friends but He was quick to say “the Father will be with me, I won’t be alone”. So, when you face the world, cheer up (I won’t leave you alone), I have defeated the world.

God is faithful! We are not alone. Cheer up!

“ 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

God is faithful!

“All of you nations, come praise the Lord! Let everyone praise him. 2 God’s love for us is wonderful; his faithfulness never ends. Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 117 CEV

It bears repeating – God is faithful. His faithfulness never ends!

“Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food. 16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live. 17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere. 19 You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help.” Psalm 145:13-19 CEV

God is faithful! He cannot lie.

“God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind.
When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.” Numbers 23:19 GW

“You are Lord God All-Powerful! No one is as loving and faithful as you are.” Psalm 89:8 CEV

Yes, it bears repeating. God is faithful and His love is never-ending!!

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Goodness & Mercy Follow

When God leads and we follow, good follows too! Those who are trusting God can’t help but see God’s goodness. It’s just like His love – it’s who He is. God’s command to Joshua on the eve of leading the Israelites into the Promise Land was this:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:8-9 KJV

God promised Joshua if he meditated on and obeyed the Word of God his way would be prosperous and he would have good success. Good success as opposed to bad success. Less you think I am just mincing words here let’s look at Joshua’s battles in taking the Promise Land.

First battle in was Jericho – a walled city – the whole city was destroyed and not one of Joshua’s people were injured or killed. Then they went to Ai – one of Joshua’s people had stolen things from Jericho, which God specifically prohibited and when they went out in battle 36 men were killed. Not good. Joshua went to the Lord and asked what happened. God explained the disobedience and Joshua took action against Achan and his family and when they went to fight against Ai again, they won with no casualties – good success! We can follow all through the book of Joshua and find that each battle where they were obedient to the Lord they had “good success”.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians that in Christ we will ALWAYS triumph. The Prophet Isaiah reminded the Israelites that “no weapon formed against thee will prosper” and John, the beloved disciple, said “greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world”.

Good success! Joseph was sold by his brothers to slave traders; he served in Potiphar’s house and then was accused falsely of sexual impropriety and was sent to prison. From prison he was called to Pharoah’s throne room and became the second in command to all of Egypt. When his brothers came to Egypt asking for food during the famine, Joseph said this:

“’Don’t be afraid. I am not God! I have no right to punish you. 20 It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened. 21 So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.’ And so Joseph said kind things to his brothers, and this made them feel better.” Genesis 50:19-21 ERV

What you thought for evil, God meant for good!

Joseph experienced every segment of his life’s journey looking for God’s good and so those experiences kept him from being bitter and cruel.

Trust in the Lord, be obedient to his Word and then you will be prosperous and goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.

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Then Jesus Came

Last night when I went to bed a song rose in my heart.

One sat alone beside the highway begging,
  His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,
  Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.

When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken;
  When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
    For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

So men today have found the Savior able,
  They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
  Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within. (Then Jesus Came)

I spent my next several moments wondering what it would be like to have a conversation with the blind man, the leper and a paralyzed man I had read about so many times in the Bible. Their lives had been filled with desperation and hopelessness.

But God! Each man had an encounter with Christ.

The blind man: “…a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth ⌞was passing by⌟, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 The people told him to be quiet… 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him!” They called the blind man and told him, “Cheer up! Get up! He’s calling you.” 50 The blind man threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see again.” 52 Jesus told him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” At once he could see again, and he followed Jesus on the road.” Mark 10:46-52 GW

The leper: “Jesus came down from the hill, and a large crowd followed him. 2 Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, “Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.” 3 Jesus touched the man. He said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy.” Matthew 8:1-3 ERV

The paralyzed man: “ Four men came to him carrying a paralyzed man. 4 Since they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. Then they lowered the cot on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”… 10 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I’m telling you to get up, pick up your cot, and go home!” Mark 2:1-11 GW

If you could talk with these men, what would you ask? How do you think they would respond?

John the Baptist, when he was in prison, sent his disciples “ to ask Jesus, ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?’ 4 Jesus answered John’s disciples, ‘Go back, and tell John what you hear and see: 5 Blind people see again, lame people are walking, those with skin diseases are made clean, deaf people hear again, dead people are brought back to life, and poor people hear the Good News. 6 Whoever doesn’t lose his faith in me is indeed blessed.” Matthew 11:3-6 GW

The answer: Then Jesus Came and everything changed. Today, the answer is the same.

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Abide in Love

Happy Father’s Day to the wonderful men who hold such an important role in our lives. I’ve heard it said that parenting is one of the few jobs we have that doesn’t come with user’s manual.

Oh, but it does!

“ I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love continue in His love with Me]. 10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.” John 15:9-11 AMP

Jesus was a reflection of the Father’s love and He wanted us to know the depth of the love. His whole life was an example of the depth of His Father’s love. He lived each moment in the Father’s love and He wanted us to “abide” in that same love.

“Abide in my love”. Just like we “abide in our homes – it’s a place we live, our sanctuary, our safe shelter and that’s the picture Jesus painted for us of abiding in the Father’s love. It’s our place of safety, shelter and protection.

The unconditional love of God!

“ I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Ephesians 1:2-3 CEV

Our Father sent Jesus from heaven to earth to bless us with peace! We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places when we are in Christ.

“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

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God,
and I trust you.” Psalm 91:1-2 CEV

Thank you Father for showing us how to abide, to live in Your love each and every day and thank you for the fathers who reflect your character.

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