Category: Strength

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To-Do List

What’s on your schedule? Do you have a calendar on the wall with a To-Do list or maybe it’s all in your smart phone or on your I-pad? Or you could be old fashioned like me and just have a list on a sheet of paper on the kitchen counter. Whatever it is, does it give you a sense of accomplishment to check things off when they are done?

I was reading about the Apostle Paul. He had a checklist.

“I don’t know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God’s Spirit and go there. 23 In every city I visit, I am told by the Holy Spirit that I will be put in jail and will be in trouble in Jerusalem. 24 But I don’t care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God’s great kindness.” Acts 20:22-24 CEV

Paul had been out preaching all over Asia. He was preaching to Jews and non Jews alike. Telling everyone, everywhere he went about Jesus. That was all he had on his list.

One thing!

“I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. 14 I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.” Philippians 3:12-14 ERV

One very important thing. Now I’m sure he had other things to do each day. After all, he would go into new towns and needed to find a place to stay, food to eat. He would have people to look for, etc. but the one thing at the top of his list was to tell folks about God’s great kindness and the good news of Jesus.

He definitely knew how to prioritize. We do know that Paul wasn’t one to sit idle when he went to a new town. He would work and work hard. By trade, he was a tent maker. Now I’m not sure how difficult tent making was but I had an idea.

Dave used to make saddles and do leather work for a living. He had the advantage of modern equipment but there were a several times when he built a saddle completely by hand. No machine stitching, no pre-cut pieces. It was a labor of love and very time consuming. So it must have been for Paul.

I can see Paul sitting there will all of the pieces of a tent laid out before him, awl, needle, sinew in hand and with each stitch I imagine him telling people about Jesus. His one thing was to keep moving forward in telling the world about the amazing grace and saving power of Jesus.

Mary and Martha were two sisters who regularly had Jesus come to dinner in their home. Their brother Lazarus and Jesus were good friends. One day Jesus was in their living room teaching and Martha was in the kitchen preparing for the meal. She looked around for her sister and Mary was no where to be found. When Martha did find Mary she was sitting, listening to Jesus teach. Martha complained to the Lord.

“The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. 40 Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”

41 The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-32 CEV

This morning I woke up tired. I didn’t sleep well last night and as I came to my chair my mind began racing with all the things I need to get done before 11 am. I was going over my list and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart – “choose the ONE THING, choose what’s best”.

I will focus my thoughts on Jesus; I will center on His word and I will walk in His strength today.

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Awards & Accolades

Seems that everywhere we turn folks are trying to get us to support a cause. We don’t have to watch TV too long before we see several commercials that are asking for $19 a month to help with this, that and the other.

There are social issues, political issues, humanitarian causes, educational, religious, medical, environmental, recreational, cultural and even artistic areas that are asking for our time and support. Each of us have an area that appeals to us more than others but these things cannot be our primary focus.

Jesus was faced with all the same issues when he walked the earth and he gave this admonition to his disciples.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 NKJV

To achieve greatness for self or mankind is futile if it causes us to loose sight of the most important calling we have, our relationship with Jesus Christ!

There is no Nobel prize, humanitarian award, national acclaim or public recognition that can compare with knowing God and having Him speak our name.

“Then Jesus said to his followers, “If any of you want to be my follower, you must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. 25 Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will find true life. 26 It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are lost. You could never pay enough to buy back your life. 27 The Son of Man will come again with his Father’s glory and with his angels. And he will reward everyone for what they have done.” Matthew 16:24-27 ERV

We can become weary and exhausted from “trying” to fix all the worlds woes. Our own efforts will fall short every time. But there is a place of rest and that is found in Jesus.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 CEV

Give up trying to gain the world and find rest in Him today!

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Heart Smart

So many advertisements and commercials encourage us to be “heart smart”. They focus on proper eating habits, exercise, refraining from smoking and living stress free.

I agree that we need to protect our hearts but it won’t come from eating a certain cereal, taking a low grain aspirin everyday, or any other thing that man can advertise. To be truly heart smart take a good dose of Scripture everyday.

“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” I Kings 8:61

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39.

if you really want to do something to keep your heart healthy keep it centered on God’s Word!

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Standing Trial

I’ve never been on trial in a courtroom. It must be a desperate feeling to know that you are innocent and have to prove that.

I was reading a few days back some words the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy.

“The first time I defended myself, no one helped me. Everyone left me. I pray that God will forgive them. 17 But the Lord stayed with me. The Lord gave me strength so that I could tell the Good News everywhere. He wanted all those who are not Jews to hear that Good News. So I was saved from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me. He will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be the Lord’s. Amen.” II Timothy 4:16-18 ERV

Paul was on trial a number of times. Each time he was falsely accused and people had been paid to lie so that Paul would be convicted. He says here that everyone left him BUT the Lord stayed with him. Being alone can be a hopeless feeling BUT having the Lord with you brings strength, peace and victory.

Look at Paul’s words – I was saved – He brings me to safety. Praise the Lord!

As I said, I have never been on trial in a courtroom but I have been on trial in the court of public opinion. I’ve had people speak against me, try to defame me and ruin my reputation. Some of the lies cut so deep and the wounds were so severe that I wondered if I would recover.

BUT the Lord stayed with me!

“When men bring you into the synagogues before the leaders and other important men, don’t worry about what you will say. 12 The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:11-12 ERV

The Holy Spirit is with us at all times and He is our teacher, our comforter and our counsellor. We can trust Him to be our defense.

I’m not sure what you are going through but someone needs to hear this this morning because you feel as if you are on trial and life’s witnesses have lied about you. Be encouraged.

The Lord stayed with you!

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It’s a Great Day to Be Alive!

Last week we spent some time talking with friends about when and why we started a ministry to farmers and ranchers, folks who worked round the clock. That was over 35 years ago. At that time there really weren’t too many occupations where you had to work on Sundays – yes, emergency personnel, first responders, food service industry and some grocery stores but not many others.

We took “church” to those on ranches and involved in youth rodeos. These were the folks that worked 24/7 during the planting and harvest of their crops. We knew, we had been one of them. Even if you had a few hours of rest from work on a Sunday morning there still wasn’t enough time to shower, change clothes and get to town in time for church. So we took church to them.

And then there were the kids – the rodeo kids, most of them ages 5 to 19. They loved rodeo and they loved the Lord but some of them had been told that if they loved the Lord they had to give up rodeo and be in church on Sunday. So we took church to them.

We had a wonderful time during those years. We love people and we love the Lord and it was so great to be able to tell them that He loved them no matter where they were; they could be horseback or covered in field dust, it didn’t matter to God. He saw their heart.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “…People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart…” I Samuel 16:7 ERV

Now, don’t get me wrong I’m not putting down church attendance. I believe it is important that we receive good teaching; it’s vital for our spiritual growth. And the importance of good Christian friends is incalculable. They are the ones who pray with us, encourage us and support us. It means so much to get an email or a card that says “I was just thinking about you and I prayed the Lord would bless you.” Some of my oldest and dearest friends are those I have from church.

“We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. 25 Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.” Hebrews 10:24-25 CEV

It makes no difference if it’s a Sunday or a Thursday, if we dress in a three-piece suit or dusty jeans, if our church is a brick building with stained glass windows or an outdoor arena; the important thing is that we set time aside to worship the Lord and have association with other Christians. That is what helps keep us strong.

There’s an old country song that I love. These are the lyrics:

“Oh, the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Filled by the hand of the Lord
Where the trees of the forest are like pipes of an organ
And the breeze plays an amen choir.

All the stars are the candles and they light up the mountains
Mountains are altars of God
Oh, the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Where the sun warms the peaceful sod.” by Red Foley

Wherever you are today, whatever you are doing, today is great day to be alive, thank the Lord for it!

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it. ” Psalm 118:24 NLV

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Peaceful Cuddling

Yesterday we came to the Phoenix area to spend some time with our girls and their families. Kaci and Stephen are off on an anniversary weekend; happy anniversary. Kim and Austin have Sam & Kristine at their house for a weekend of fun and we came to help out and play.

I was holding Kristine yesterday afternoon and she started to get sleepy. She cuddled in to my chest and was content to fall asleep there. Awww! That feeling of peace, security and the ability to rest. It’s enviable.

I can’t help but think that is what our heavenly Father wants us to do – cuddle in and rest. He wants us to fall asleep resting in Him and He wants us to wake up and start our day the same way.

What was the first thing on your mind this morning? Was it thoughts of joy that kept your heart at peace? Or was it the kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis? Whatever it was, the Lord has a solution.

God cares for you, so cuddle in and let Him handle your worries. His lap is cozy enough for you to snuggle up and draw strength from Him.

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

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word your world can change from disorder to order. Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“The rules you have given me to follow will be mine forever. They give me great joy. 112 More than anything I want to obey your laws always, until the end of my life.” Psalm 119:11-112 ERV

Don’t rush, settle back, close your eyes and feel the Father’s warm embrace. In Him, all is well!

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Facing the Sun

This morning I will be recycling a devotional for the blog from a few years back. Our friends are leaving in a couple hours and I want to send them on their way with a good hearty breakfast. To make the most of my time, I decided to reuse a teaching from the past.

The teachings from God’s word are timeless. This one struck a chord with me – I’m still growing in Christ. That’s something I want to do everyday. I hope you do too.

So many times we think that growing as a Christian means we are becoming more like Jesus in the things we say and do. I believe that should be our goal. For years, I tried to be more like Christ; trying hard to do the right things, keeping my attitude in check, putting others first, etc. I wanted to make sure I was reading my Bible, attending church, tithing, serving; but those things were really works of the my own selfish effort. Those are the things that good Christians do, right?

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen” II Peter 3:18 CEV

We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. That’s where the change comes. My works will be frustrating and futile and my relationship with Him will be shallow but if I allow His word to do work in me, my growth will be permanent and lasting.

God’s amazing grace covers me when I fall, picks me up, encourages me to keep going and not lose hope. When I began to realize what grace truly was, growing in it, my relationship with the Father and with Jesus began to grow.

Knowledge of His deep unconditional love brought me from a place of working for the Lord to letting Him work in and through me.

I love the example that sunflowers give us. Each morning their heads are bowed but as the sun appears they lift and become strong and tall. They face the sun, soaking in its rays, basking in it’s warmth, finding strength. They remind me that each day I should face the Son and let His light change my life.

“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV

Face the Son! You’ll gain strength and warmth from Him.

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Recipes for Worms

Ever have one of those pity parties where it’s just you and your emotions? I have to admit that occasionally I still find myself setting the table for that kind of gathering and I have to call myself on it and cancel the party because I know it doesn’t please the Father.

As a kid, I’m sure you all said this little chant once or twice. “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worms. Big fat juicy ones, little tiny scrawny ones, oh, how they do .” Ya, I know kids stuff right? Not so much – that feeling is all to prevalent in adults as well but we just don’t sing the chant. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has a good recipe for worm cake so let’s just not go there.

The feeling that I’m all alone and that nobody really understands me, appreciates me or cares about me can be overwhelming. We’ve all had people let us down, turn against us or just ignore us as if we don’t exist. But! There is One who promises to never leave us or forsake us.

“God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Now that’s good news but let me give it to you from the Amplified version.

“for He [God] [b]Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor [c]give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [d][I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor [e]let [you] down ([f]relax My hold on you)! [[g]Assuredly not!]
6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6

Now read that again. The Amplified version gives you the depth of the meaning of the words the way they were written in the original language. This is how God feels about you – He’s there for you. He will not leave you!!!! His love never fails.

Jesus has never once accepted my invitation to a pity party. He doesn’t like worm cake. (I know that made you smile.) He does show up and ask me to leave my party and my self-pity and to join Him in a celebration of the Father’s love. He also reminds me not to get side-tracked by the rejection, insults or condemning words that others may speak. He wants me to stay focused on the Father’s word the way he did.

“God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right. 16 You are free, but still you are God’s servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong. 17 Respect everyone and show special love for God’s people. Honor God and respect the Emperor.” I Peter 2:15-17 CEV

Our real enemy isn’t “stupid or ignorant people”, it is Satan and he would love to destroy our stand for the Lord by getting us to gripe, complain and become angry. He used the same tactics with Jesus. If he can’t do that then he would like us to become so wrapped in self-pity that we are ineffective.

It’s up to us to control our emotions and stay settled on God’s word.

“Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right.
God’s kingdom belongs to them. 11 “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you. 12 Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 CEV

Leave the worm muffins and pie for the birds and the fish. Look up! We are blessed today because God loves us. What can man do to you that could possibly compare to that!!

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Wipe Away The Tears

Not So Happy Day…I woke up this morning and asked the Lord what I should write. I remembered an article I wrote several years back to Mothers’ with broken hearts.

There are woman all around me who aren’t happy about Mother’s Day but instead are dreading it.

This is for those of you who have recently experienced the death of a child either as an unborn, infant or even an adult. You’re not having a good day, you want to stay in bed with your head under the covers and avoid all who are celebrating.

Some of you have been told you will never have children and your heart is screaming “I’m broken…I ache…I may never recover and I can’t go on pretending everything’s ok.”

Ladies some of you may be dealing with abortion or giving a child up for adoption. Others may be facing life as a single parent because you’ve been abandoned. Some have a special needs child that you love dearly but drain your energy and you are exhausted most of the time.

The last group of ladies I want to include here are those of you who are estranged from your children, those whose children have left and you have no idea where they are or they are living a lifestyle that is far from you and even farther from the Lord. They may be in an addictive lifestyle or they may be in prison.

Mother’s Day is not a good day for you to say the least. You hurt and the thought of facing the day, a day filled with cards and flowers, cheery greetings and gifts is just unbearable.

Because I’m writing this too you, you can know that your Heavenly Father knows your heart, He knows your pain. He wants to comfort you. There are two verses that immediately come to mind

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 CEV

“for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6 AMP

Your Father knows your heart and how it’s breaking, He is here to heal it and to give you comfort. You are not alone!

“God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!” Matthew 5:4 CEV

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Today’s Goal

What do you want to accomplish today? Do you have a goal or a purpose for the hours that lay ahead?

I woke up this morning singing the little chorus I learned years ago:
In my life Lord be glorified, be glorified. In my life Lord be glorified today.

That’s my goal today – to glorify or give honor to the Father today!

When Jesus came He said His purpose was to glorify the Father and then He went on to say that he came to cleanse the leper, heal the sick, raise the dead, heal the broken hearted and to set free those who were imprisoned (spiritually and emotionally). He quoted a prophesy from the book of Isaiah. At the end of that prophesy it says that we will be called trees of righteousness that the Father may be glorified.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God’s favor to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:1-3 TLB

The purpose of the miracles is to draw us to Christ and into a relationship with the Father. That relationship will so change our lives that we are living examples of his love and mercy.

We are planted, as trees, in our relationship with the Father, ever growing, firm, stalwart, able to stand in the storm, growing in our awareness of His righteousness working in us.

“God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers 17 and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love.” Ephesians 3:16-17 CEV

In my life Father, be glorified today!

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