Category: Relationship

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Is Your Name Barnabas?

Yesterday morning I was reading about Barnabas in Acts 4. The Bible tells us his name was Joseph, but he was all called Barnabas which means son of encouragement.

Every time I read that description of this man I pause. What a legacy! Encourager.

When I think of an encourager it’s someone who is supportive, someone who builds others up, someone who offers helpful correction and instruction. Then the English wordsmith in me comes out and I look at the root word – courage. An encourager is someone who builds or places courage in another.

We could certainly all use more of that. So many struggles, frightening situations, obstacles to overcome and reasons to run and hide; this world needs more people who emulate Barnabas.

Maybe you know someone who has been going through a really tough time or maybe you see a stranger and sense that they just need a smile or a kind word. It might be your child or spouse; it could be a waitress or checker at the grocery store. I once encountered a lady at the pharmacy one day. I knew the Lord wanted me to speak to her so I asked if I could pray for her, she fell into my open arms and wept as I prayed. That was a God moment!

Keep your eyes open and your heart ready – ask the Lord to use you to bring hope, strength and joy to someone today.

But maybe you’re thinking, I wish someone would do that for me today. I need encouragement – I need a kind word. Take heart. I have good news for you!

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 KJV

David’s wife and children had been stolen along with the wives and children of his men. His men were so distraught they were considering killing David because they felt it was “all his fault”. David needed someone to encourage him but there was no one so he encouraged himself…one version says he strengthened himself.

“…the men were talking about killing David with stones. This upset David very much, but he found strength in the Lord his God.” ERV

Maybe that’s how you feel today. If you need to encourage yourself today start with this verse. Look in the mirror and read it to yourself.

“You formed the way I think and feel.

You put me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! 15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape, hidden in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13-16 ERV

If no one else is there to offer words of encouragement this should put a smile on your face and hope in your heart! God formed you and He saw to it that nothing was missing in your development. He is still with you promising to never leave you or abandon you. You’re not alone!

Now take what the Lord has done for you and give hope to others. Let’s all change our name to Barnabas.

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Don’t Wake Up Grumpy

There are those days, very few and far between, when I wake up grumpy. I have gone to bed the night before praying about something that was really bothering me, an injustice of some sort or I’ve had a dream that has left me unsettled and I am out-of-sorts.

I know that never happens to any of you, but you might have friends or family members that this morning’s blog might help when they do.

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created heaven and earth. 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble. 4 The protector of Israel doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy. 5 The Lord is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun. 6 You won’t be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night. 7 The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers.
8 The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.” Psalm 92 CEV

The perfect way to implement an attitude adjust is first to recognize our own limitations and secondly to realize that God isn’t limited by anything!

When we look to the Lord for help, we find Him there, always! No circumstance or obstacle prevents Him from being at our side. The thief hanging on the cross is our best example of that.

In his dying hour, the thief looked over to see Jesus on the cross next to his. Many would have thought he was too far gone; his life wasn’t worth saving but the Lord was there to bring this man, this thief, forgiveness and salvation.

It’s impossible to be grumpy and grateful at the same time. Like oil and water the two don’t mix.

“Shout praises to the Lord! With all that I am, I will shout his praises. 2 I will sing and praise
the Lord God as long as I live. 3 You can’t depend on anyone, not even a great leader. 4 Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans. 5 The Lord God of Jacob blesses everyone who trusts him and depends on him. 6 God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word. 7 He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free 8  and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls. The Lord loves good people 9  and looks after strangers. He defends the rights of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked. 10 The Lord God of Zion will rule forever! Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 146 CEV

Every morning, I mean every single day even the grumpy ones, I rise and give thanks for who God is and how He covers me with His love. I encourage you to find some verses that are particularly relevant to you and start each day with praise.

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning  to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are.” Psalm 92:1-2 CEV (all of Psalm 92 is a good read)

If you do wake up grumpy, start your day with praise and gratitude. You’ll have a better outcome.

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The Sound of Rain

I woke up in the wee hours of the morning to the sound of rain. There is something so soothing about that. The raindrops falling on the roof of our RV lulled me back to sleep. I can’t wait to open the door and the windows because my first favorite thing about a desert rain is the scent.

I remember when my oldest daughter and I flew from the northwest to the desert for my dad’s funeral. It was certainly a time of sadness and our hearts were heavy. We had flown into San Diego and rented a car for our drive to Yuma. As we came down from the Mountain Springs Grade and started across the desert floor, the fragrance of a fresh rain filled our car. Something about that aroma was comforting and made us smile. It was as if the Lord gave us a sensual expression of His love, saying everything would be ok.

Outside of Noah’s flood, rain in the Bible has always been an outpouring of God’s blessings to His people. Even the great flood ended with His promise.

“I promise every living creature that the earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood. 12-13 The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever.” Genesis 9:11-13 CEV

The Bible talks of the former and latter rains – rain that comes at the beginning of the planting in the Spring.

“The Lord will open the storehouses of the skies where he keeps the rain, and he will send rain on your land at just the right times. He will make you successful in everything you do. You will have plenty of money to lend to other nations, but you won’t need to borrow any yourself.” Deuteronomy 28:11 CEV

When Adam sinned Satan became the ruler of this world. Jesus said that the devil’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. All we have to do is look at what’s been happening to see the devil’s handiwork of destruction.

But the rain that God sends has the purpose of giving life.

“He will give the rain for your land at the right times, the early and late rain. So you may gather in your grain, your new wine and your oil.” Deuteronomy 11:14 NLV

I am so grateful for the rain that God gives. It brings refreshing to the earth.

I am also thankful for the outpouring of God’s Spirit that brings a newness into the lives of mankind.

“‘God says: In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will have special dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit on my servants, men and women, and they will prophesy.
19 I will work wonders in the sky above.  I will cause miraculous signs on the earth below…” Acts 2:17-19 ERV

Listen, do you hear it? Listen for the sound of God’s refreshing!

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The Goodness of God

Yesterday we were talking about personalizing what we read in God’s word. Making our daily lives a friendship with the Father let us enjoy His presence and His person.

For years preachers delivered messages that did a great disservice to our loving Father. They delivered messages of hell fire and brimstone. They said everything the people were doing brought God’s judgment on them and the land they lived in.

God was blamed for failed crops, children dying of the pox, drought, cattle wasting away and bad-tempered people.

Where’s the grace? Where’s the loving Father? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying God doesn’t judge sin, He does but He also provides salvation through grace to the sinner. I honestly believe we need to do more teaching about God’s love and less about His judgement.

“You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?” Romans 2:4 CEV

Paul worked hard to counter the misrepresentation of God in his time too. His was a message of repentance and grace.

“In Christ we come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this because of our faith in Christ…14 So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 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 3:12-21 ERV

This is one of those group of verses that I read every day. It reminds me how wonderful and glorious God is. It reassures me each time I read it of the greatness of God’s love and how He wants His power to work in us. That is how we honor Him.

May your day be filled with the goodness of God.

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Letters of Love

Don’t you love getting personalized gifts? Something that was made or designed just for you…

It could be something to wear, eat or decorate with but you know that it is specifically for you. Cards made by your kids, grandkids or your spouse are the most treasured items we have.

Now let me ask you this. When you read the Bible is it just a book that you read because you think you should or is it a personalized love letter that you can’t put down?

If it’s the former let’s change it to the latter. God inspired its writing so He could tell you how much He loves you.

Take this passage in Ephesians 2.

“Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:3-10 CEV

Please go back and read those verses again but this time substitute the words I, my, me for the words we, our, us and you. Now, go back one more time and read it again only this time read it out loud. I want you to hear, really hear, the message of God’s love with your own ears.

Personalize God’s word. Let it sink down deep into your heart and let the Holy Spirit begin to reveal to you just how special you are to your heavenly Father.

“You were (I was) saved by faith in God, who treats us (me) much better than we (I) deserve. This is God’s gift to you (me), and not anything you (I) have done on your (my) own. 9 It isn’t something you (I) have earned, so there is nothing you (I) can brag about.” my paraphrase

I have several different places I read in the Bible each morning. Each of them reminds me of God’s goodness and love. I don’t want to start the day without that being my foremost thought.

“This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.” I John 4:9-10 ERV

Amen!

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Guard Your Heart

The last few days at work my computer and printer have been out of sync. They aren’t operating properly and so the CPU is off to the computer hospital. Repairs will be made and very shortly everything will be functioning correctly again.

Isn’t that the way it is with our lives?

Sometimes we get out of sync and when we do, we don’t operate correctly. It’s important that we get a spiritual update to function properly.

“ My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life. 24 Put false speaking away from you. Put bad talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-26 NLV

Life is not without challenges, problems and battles. If we don’t guard our hearts these things could and will break us.

King David was facing physical armies and this was his prayer:

“ When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:2-3 NLV

Hannah was a woman who had been barren and had endured ridicule and consternation from those around her. She prayed asking the Lord for a child. Her prayer was answered.

“Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart is happy in the Lord. My strength is honored in the Lord. My mouth speaks with strength against those who hate me, because I have joy in Your saving power. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord. For sure, there is no one other than You. There is no rock like our God.” I Samuel 2:1-3 NLV

These are just two of the many in Scripture who guarded their hearts and saw the power of God in their lives.

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. 8 It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NLV

We keep our heart and our mind in sync when we trust the Lord. Our mind says worry, get angry, take short cuts, and even gossip but our heart quickly sends out the message “Trust God”.

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

When our heart is focused on the Lord it causes our will and emotions to function properly. Guard your heart!

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To Our Children’s Children

Tomorrow is the birthday of one of our sons-in-law. Stephen is married to Kaci, our youngest daughter.

This morning I was praying for him, her and their family and the Lord reminded me of what a miracle it is that he is member of our family. Let me tell you what I mean. This is the power of God’s word in action.

In 1983, I experienced a second miscarriage. Shortly before that we had met a fiery, dynamic evangelist and his soft spoken, musically talented wife, Jay and Wendy Louvier. After my miscarriage, Jay said “You know God’s word promises that there will be no miscarriage or barren to those who love the Lord”.

This was news to us. He and Wendy prayed with Dave and I that if we ever did conceive again our baby would be protected from the moment of conception and would deliver full term, healthy and strong.

“ And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.” Exodus 23:25-26

“13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.” Deuteronomy 7:13-14

It wasn’t until three years later that I discovered that I was pregnant once again. We held on to the promise of God’s word and Kaci was born. Twenty-seven years later, we were blessed to have Jay officiate at Kaci and Stephen’s wedding. A God protected beginning – a blessed home!

That was ten years ago, and the blessings continue. Kaci and Stephen’s meeting and courtship is their story to tell. From our prayer in 1983 we not only have a daughter but a son-in-law and three energetic, loving grandchildren. Yes, the blessings of the Lord are to us and our children’s children.

The exciting thing is God is no respecter of persons. His promise came to pass in our home and I know that same promise is still valid today. I have been blessed to share these verses with a number of women who either have had miscarriages or were unable to conceive. Their testimonies of motherhood are wonderful.

“But the loving-kindness of the Lord is forever and forever on those who fear Him. And what is right with God is given forever to their children’s children, 18 to those who keep His agreement and remember to obey His Law.” Psalm 103:17-18 NLV

The promises of God’s word don’t time out. They are to us and to our children’s children.

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More Than Words

I have to admit that I have trouble with words. No, not in writing them but in condensing them.

I don’t like texting. I’m slow at it and in trying to be as brief as possible I believe I lose the full meaning and/or the depth of conviction and emotion. But brevity isn’t just a new issue to me.

I remember as a child my mother and dad making “long distance” calls on Sundays when the rates were lower. My mom would talk with Grama but hardly ever did their conversations extend past the ten-minute limit they had set for themselves. For those of you who are younger and don’t understand, there was a time before unlimited calling plans, and we were charged by the minute for non-local calls.

Then in college when I lived in the dorm there was one phone for the 24 women on our floor. All the calls had to go through the switchboard and the operator would cut in to tell us we were talking too long and needed to hang up. Oh yeah, it was a thing.

Even now, as I’m writing this, I keep checking my word count. I try to consistently stay between 500-550 words. When I first started writing the morning blogs, I thought nothing of using 900-1000 words for the morning messages. But I’ve learned that many of you don’t have the luxury of a long-read time and need to be out the door, so I’ve condensed my teachings.

So, where is all this going? It ties in with the Scripture that spoke to my heart this morning. Sometimes, we don’t need to read a lot in the Bible to get your direction for the day. God is able to touch our hearts with just a verse or two.

“My being safe and my honor rest with God. My safe place is in God, the rock of my strength. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a safe place for us.” Psalm 62:7-8 NLV

Our heavenly Father isn’t concerned with us using too many words when we pour out our heart to Him. He listens carefully; He even gives us time to vent but He also wants us to take time to listen to His wisdom and instruction.

Listening is an art and the masterpiece it produces is relationship. It’s more than just words.

To develop a friendship or a love relationship we need to learn to listen. We have to get passed the social media limitations of 144 words and truly listen. Listen without interruption as someone begins to pour out their heart.

“ My Christian brothers, you know everyone should listen much and speak little. He should be slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NLV

I like that phrase “listen much”. The impact we make in life is less about our words and more about our actions. If we want someone to know we care, we need to be a good listener.

Caring starts with listening, it’s more than just words.

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Never Abandoned

While looking through some pictures yesterday I was reminded of a dog we rescued. He is such a sweet boy but for whatever reason he had been abandoned in the desert near our home.

We found him on the local Humane Society’s website and adopted him. Such a loving nature and he fit in well with the dog we already had. After a few months he seemed to be fitting in perfectly, from all outward appearances things were going great.

One day Dave and I loaded both the pups in the truck, and we took off for a scenic ride. We stopped frequently, getting out to enjoy the view, take pictures and stretch our legs. The first couple of stops went off without a hitch. But then we began to notice a change. He became more reluctant to get out of the truck and didn’t want to wander too far from where we were parked. If Dave headed back to the truck before me, he ran ahead and waited worriedly by the door, anxious to get in. Each stop he became more and more reluctant to get out.

That’s when we realized he must have thought we were going to abandon him like he had been before. We took extra time to love on him and show him that he would be ok.

Remembering that day’s ride got me to thinking about how we react in certain circumstances. What is it that triggers things in our memories that make us insecure? What causes us to worry unnecessarily?

“Lord, don’t leave me. My God, stay close to me. 22 Come quickly and help me. My Lord, you are the one who saves me.” Psalm 38:21-22 ERV

Have you ever prayed a prayer like that before? I think we all probably have.

We can overcome those fears of abandonment and loneliness when we experience the Father’s love. He promises to never leave us and He never breaks His promise.

“…God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’” Hebrews 13:5b ERV

“Lord, those who know your name come to you for protection. And when they come, you do not leave them without help.” Psalm 9:10 ERV

I’m not really sure why the Lord put it on my heart to share these thoughts with you this morning but I do know that He must have someone who needs to hear this message. You aren’t alone. There is Someone who loves you enough to die for you and He won’t abandon you now!

“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.” Romans 8:21-32 ERV

God the Father is with us! We are never alone.

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Write Your Story

Today I’m going to offer you a physical challenge. It may take you outside your comfort zone. I want you to write down how you came to faith in Jesus. Someday when you are no longer here you’re family and loved ones will want to know how your relationship with the Lord began.

Jesus asked this of his disciples: “Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, ‘Who do people say I am?’ 14 They answered, ‘Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15 Then Jesus said to his followers, ‘And who do you say I am?’” Matthew 16:13-15 CEV

Who do you say that I am?

If that were the topic of your High School English class essay, how many words, how many pages would it take to answer the question? Sitting here this morning my heart runs to so many places; each time reminding me of God’s love and faithfulness revealed through Jesus.

Peter’s answer to Jesus was this: “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16 ERV

Peter’s answer was God given. These men who had lived with Jesus day in and day out, had experienced life, God directed life, up close and personal. Yet earlier in this chapter they once again doubted, thinking in mere human terms and not in God’s terms.

Jesus reminded them that they should be founded on the rock – in Matthew we have the story of the man who built his house on a rock and when the storms of life came, he was not shaken; when we know that our foundation is Christ, the storms of life won’t shake us.

I’m sure, if asked, the shepherds would have said He was a babe, born to be our Savior. The wisemen called Him a king. John the Baptizer said he’s my cousin but He’s also the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world. The woman with the bleeding condition called Him healer and the Samaritan woman at the well called Him the man who told me all I ever have done. Saul on the road to Damascus called Him Lord. John, while on the Isle of Patmos, called Him Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Mary called Him master.

So let me ask you again – Who do you say that I am?

“ Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect.” I Peter 3:15 NLV

I say His name is Jesus. He is my Savior, my dearest friend, my healer and the One who gives me peace in any storm, my constant companion. My Lord and My God.

Give voice to your testimony. The world needs to hear your story!

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