Category: Relationship

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Convinced!

We live in a society where it is commonplace to question and even resent authority. Students bully their teachers; children disrespect their parents and employees trash talk their employers. Some commands have been replaced with “suggestions” and nearly everything is viewed as politically incorrect or offensive. We live in a world of “situational ethics”.

But some things should never change – one being our faith and trust in the unfailing, inerrant Word of God. The Word of God should and will be the final authority by which all is judged. It is the word of God that spoke this world into existence, and it is what is still holding it together.

Many struggle with issues in life – depression, recession, dis – ease, fear, hopelessness – anything but the abundant life that God has promised to us in His word and much of that comes back to our questioning the authority of God’s word and His promises.

If we live by the Bible we are considered old fashioned, uninformed, not academically in tuned or worse yet intolerant and politically incorrect.

But I know of no other Book that has stood the test of time and not had to be revised or rewritten – it is the living Word of God and it is sharper and more powerful than a two-edged sword. We either acknowledge it as absolute and live in victory or we disregard it as old fashioned and passe` and live defeated in those areas of our life.

“When Jesus had finished these talks to the people, he came to Capernaum, where it happened that there was a man very seriously ill and in fact at the point of death. He was the slave of a centurion who thought very highly of him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him with the request that he would come and save his servant’s life. When they came to Jesus, they urged him strongly to grant this request, saying that the centurion deserved to have this done for him. ‘He loves our nation and has built us a synagogue out of his own pocket,’ they said.

6-8 So Jesus went with them, but as he approached the house, the centurion sent some of his personal friends with the message, ‘Don’t trouble yourself, sir! I’m not important enough for you to come into my house—I didn’t think I was fit to come to you in person. Just give the order, please, and my servant will recover. I am used to working under orders, and I have soldiers under me. I can say to one, ‘Go’, and he goes, or I can say to another, ‘Come here’, and he comes; or I can say to my slave, ‘Do this job’, and he does it.”

9 These words amazed Jesus and he turned to the crowd who were following behind him, and said, “I have never found faith like this anywhere, even in Israel!”

10 Then those who had been sent by the centurion returned to the house and found the slave perfectly well.” Luke 7:1-10 ERV

I choose to put my faith in the authority of God’s Word – ” Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” Psalm 20:7-8

I am convinced of this very thing: Heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word will stand forever!

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Making Right Choices

Everyday we have the opportunity to make many choices; the hard part is making the correct one.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the LORD your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the LORD, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

This was Moses’ instruction to the Israelites when they were about to leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land. You have two choices and in case you aren’t sure which one to choose, Choose LIFE!

Jesus said something similar to Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary.

She was busy in the kitchen, running her household and preparing a meal for her brother, his friends and Jesus, the Messiah. While Martha was in the kitchen making sure everything was just perfect Jesus was in the living room doing what He did best. He was talking about His Father and the peace that comes from following His Father’s instructions.

Martha had enough!

Her sister was sitting front and center absorbing every word that Jesus was saying. Martha needed help and Mary was obliviously absent.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’

41 But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

Many choices! Make the right one – choose life, choose the bread of life, choose God above all else, He is the right choice!

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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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