Category: Studying the Bible

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Rock Solid Truth

Growing up I would hear preachers say, “God said, I believe it, that settles it”. They were saying this to confirm their faith in the Word of God, however, that saying isn’t quite true.

This is the truth that we see – God said it, that settles it! Whether I believe it or not, God’s word will always be true and perfect.

“ Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:2 CEV

The world outlook is becoming increasingly dark. Calling good evil and evil good – it’s amazing! So we who are believers in Christ need to stand tall on God’s word!

“The Lord’s teachings are perfect. They give strength to his people. The Lord’s rules can be trusted. They help even the foolish become wise. 8 The Lord’s laws are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are good. They show people the right way to live. 9 Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb. 11 His teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them. 12 People cannot see their own mistakes, so don’t let me commit secret sins. 13 Don’t let me do what I know is wrong. Don’t let sin control me. If you help me, I can be pure and free from sin. 14 May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:7-14 CEV

Father, Your word is my daily bread. It gives me strength when I am weak. It gives me wisdom when I need answers. It gives me rest when I am weary. It is life giving water to my soul; You are the giver of life. Your word gives me hope for each day and joy to replace my sorrow.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

Thank you Father that your Word is perfect and trustworthy. It is rock solid truth!

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Time for A Campout

Dave and I have been planning some summer camping trips. The first outing in our rooftop tent was great! Burros and all.

We’ll have a couple more opportunities this summer and our anticipation is great.

Do you like to camp?

As a kid I grew up camping with my folks. In the different places we lived there were always lakes or rivers close by. We would go for the day, the weekend or even a couple weeks at a time. Fishing, campfires, hot chocolate, card games, marshmallows and the stars! So peaceful and life was simple and unhurried.

Awe yes, I love camping.

One of my favorite places to camp spiritually is in the Psalms and my favorite campsite is Psalm 119. And then in that campsite my favorite spot is verses 97-104.

“O, how I love Your Law! It is what I think about all through the day. 98 Your Word makes me wiser than those who hate me, for it is always with me. 99 I have better understanding than all my teachers because I think about Your Law. 100 I have a better understanding than those who are old because I obey Your Word. 101 I have kept my feet from every sinful way so that I may keep Your Word. 102 I have not turned away from Your Law, for You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet is Your Word to my taste! It is sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I get understanding from Your Law and so I hate every false way.” NLV

With Memorial Day coming up many of you will be getting away for a camping trip or wishing you could. Why not take time today to camp by a stream of living water, rest in the grass of green pastures and enjoy the warmth of the Son?

God’s word is a great place to campout and enjoy the Creator!

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I Miss My Garden

When Dave and I downsized to our tiny home we embraced the adventure. It has been wonderful to be less encumbered with a house and property that needed maintenance and upkeep.

Cleaning that used to consume hours each week has been condensed to minutes. But there is one thing I miss – my garden!

Around this time of year, I would already be out staking up the tomatoes and the pepper plants. The bulbs in my flowerpots had already come to full bloom. Dead heading geraniums and petunias was a special type of quiet time – just me and the Lord.

Imagine my delight when I read these verses this morning.

“Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.” James 3:16-18 CEV

Ahh, seeds of peace. I don’t need potting soil for those. Just a tender heart toward God.

 “Again Jesus said: God’s kingdom is like what happens when a farmer scatters seed in a field. 27 The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn’t understand how. 28 It is the ground that makes the seeds sprout and grow into plants that produce grain. 29  Then when harvest season comes and the grain is ripe, the farmer cuts it with a sickle.

30 Finally, Jesus said: What is God’s kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it? 31 It is like what happens when a mustard seed is planted in the ground. It is the smallest seed in all the world. 32 But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade.” Mark 4:26-32 CEV

Right before these two examples Jesus told the people that a man went out and sowed some seeds, but the seeds were the word of God. Yesterday’s blog was about a seed of faith, today’s is about a seed of peace.

Putting God’s word into our hearts each day is like planting a garden. We need to keep it watered and pull out the weeds of bitterness, unbelief, worry and distraction. When we do we will gather a bountiful harvest.

“But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. 20 The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce 30 or 60 or even 100 times as much as was planted.” Mark 4:19-20 CEV

One of the keys to a good garden is good soil. Each day I pray that my heart is prepared to hear and plant God’s word.

I do miss my garden but I have come to realize that my heart is the garden God wants me to tend!

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Still Standing

I was thinking this morning. What keeps you grounded when life’s storms have your boat rocking? …hmmmm and the storms will come – health, finances, accidents, death, divorce, family issues or physical storms (tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes). Where do you find peace and safety?

Peter was in a physical storm and he learned that he would sink or walk based on one thing – the Word of God. Jesus said “Come” and on that one word direction from the mouth of the Son of God, he walked.

If we are going to be grounded, we have to be standing on the word of God. It is the only sure and firm foundation.

“Grass dies and flowers fall, but the word of our God lasts forever.” Isaiah 40:8

” Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

“ That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:13 ERV

There’s an old hymn that I love to sing, it was written in 1876 by Russell Carter.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

through eternal ages let his praises ring;

glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

by the living Word of God I shall prevail,

standing on the promises of God.

(Refrain)

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,

overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

standing on the promises of God.

(Refrain)

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,

resting in my Savior as my all in all,

standing on the promises of God.

(Refrain)

Stand on His Word – it will never fail. When the battles are over we will still be standing!

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Yes and Amen!

One more morning blog on the promises of God.

The little chorus I sang as a child goes like this. “Every promise in the book is mine, Every chapter every verse every line. All are blessings of His love divine. Every promise in the book is mine.”

The Apostle Paul put it like this:

“All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20

Somebody needs this this morning. I just love it when God wants to minister to someone and He decides to use me to bring the message.

When God makes a promise He keeps it because simply put, God cannot lie. What promise has God made you that you haven’t seen come to pass yet? Don’t get weary, stand strong it will happen!!

Joseph had a dream that all his brothers would bow down to him one day. He had that dream as a 17 year old and then his brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy. I’m sure Joseph was beginning to wonder how God was going to make this all come about but he knew God was with him.

“The traders who bought Joseph took him down to Egypt. They sold him to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. 2 The LORD helped Joseph become a successful man. Joseph lived in the house of his master, Potiphar the Egyptian. 3 Potiphar saw that the LORD was with Joseph and that the LORD helped Joseph be successful in everything he did.” Genesis 39:1-3

Then there’s Abraham who had God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations. He had this promise from God and had to wait 25 years to see if come to pass. During that time he hoped against hope, knowing that God was faithful. At age 100 he saw God’s promise come to pass.

What about Noah? He was told by God that it was going to rain and he needed to build an ark and collect two of every kind of animal. In all the time that it took to build the ark, he kept preaching, waiting for his neighbors to repent because God was going to send the rain and it had never rained before. The neighbors never repented but God sent the rain. Promise kept.

I will ask again what promise has God made you?

“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:19

“Great shall be the peace of thy children for they are taught of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:13

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against you, you shall condemn for this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” Psalm 103:2-3

“Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God believe also in me” John 14:1

“The thief cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

I’m not sure if your promise is in this list but if it isn’t add it. God will keep His word; He is faithful to a thousand generations. He hasn’t lied in the past and He’s not going to start now by lying to you.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! Your answer is yes and it’s just about here.

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Shake Down Cruise in the Desert

Yes, you read that right.

Last summer Dave and I purchased a Jeep and for the past seven months we have been equipping it with all the equipment and gear we need for overlanding. Winches, roof top tent, lift kit, bigger tires, recover boards, camp kitchen, solar generator, refrigerator, etc. You get the picture. We were prepared and ready to go.

And that’s where we’ve been for the last four days – out at the desert lake. We had a marvelous time. We learned so much about our equipment and ourselves. Who says “old people can’t do this”?

This image is of our last night’s sunset. What a wonderful time!

We also learned that some of the items we brought were unnecessary and some of them were ill-suited. Those will be left at home next time and new items will replace them. We found the tent was sturdy and stable even in some pretty heavy wind.

We worked together; we walked, talked, read our books, cooked together and spoke of the future, wondering what else God has in store. It was an amazing time and we are looking forward to our next adventure.

A shaken down cruise is it a lot like living the Word of God.

You have the equipment – your Bible, a good commentary, a heart touching message on the subject. Now, you need to get out in the field or the desert and put it into practice. The equipment does you no good left in the box or packed neatly in the back of the Jeep.

It needs to be used.

There are four verses that are the basis for my daily walk. They are my basic equipment for living.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

“… for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:22-23 NKJV

“ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6 NKJV

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13:4-8 CEV

Let’s put this equipment to work.

I want to please God the Father each and every day so I must have faith. Whatever I do that is not done in faith is sin; in order for faith to truly work it must have love as its foundation. To have effective faith I must be walking in love and love is kind, patient, unselfish, not rude or jealous, boastful or proud. Love assumes the best and is supportive, loyal and trusting – it never fails.

My decisions, actions and reactions need to be based on knowing God’s amazing love for me; His character is love and He shares that with me so that I can walk in faith and please Him. Never faith in my own works or abilities but always in His! Then and only then is my day truly successful!

Shakedown cruise complete, equipment tested. Walk in faith and please the Father today!

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God is Trustworthy

COMPLETE TRUST!

What an amazing truth! I’m not sure I can say that I have complete trust – if that shocks some of you, I apologize but I am being honest. I know in my heart of hearts that God is always faithful, His love is unconditional and His Word never fails but I don’t always let that lead me.

I guess I’m kind of like Peter. This morning I was reading in John 21. Peter and some of the others had gone fishing. It had been a couple of weeks since Jesus’ resurrection but they were no longer living in daily contact with Jesus. In fact, this account says it was the third time they had encountered Jesus since His resurrection.

They were probably at a loss of direction, so they went back to doing what they had done before they began following Jesus. They went fishing and having fished all night, they caught nothing.

As they were bringing their boats back to shore, Jesus called to them and told them to cast their nets to the right side of their boat. The Bible said they didn’t recognize that it was Jesus but they obeyed. They trusted Him. Their nets filled with fish and almost broke.

John told Peter, “It’s Jesus.” Peter threw on his outer coat, jumped in the water and headed to shore. Jesus was waiting with fresh bread and grilled fish.

I find it interesting that Jesus met them again where He had originally met them, at the seaside, and called them to be fishers of men. Jesus fed them physically and then He asked them to follow Him, once again.

“Then he said to Peter, ‘Follow me!‘” John 21:19 ERV

In spite of Peter’s actions – his denial of knowing Christ, his fear of the religious leaders after the crucifixion, his return to his old ways of fishing – Jesus still reached out to Peter, restored him and reminded him to trust.

I know that God can’t and doesn’t lie – I know His love never fails – I know that He is faithful to a thousand generations! I know that He is my Savior, my healer, my provider, my counselor, my peace, my protection, my all-in-all!

Then why do I let fear or anxiety, frustration or anger, or self will invade my world? It’s because like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus and look at my own efforts. I neglect to “consider” the one thing that always provides the right answer.

The Apostle Paul said that we are to renew our minds and not be conformed to this world. Jesus went aside to pray and spend time with His Father on many occasions, renewing His mind and refreshing His spirit.

Complete Trust!

It’s something we grow toward and grow in as we spend more time in God’s word and in prayer, bringing our minds into obedience with His word. There is only one thing that has always been right – God and His word!

Trust God and follow Him!

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A Gnarly Tree…

or as the prophet Isaiah put it, “oaks of righteousness” or the planting of the Lord.

Can you even imagine what this tree has experienced in its life cycle? The winds, the rains, the hurricanes, the drought, the fight to survive and thrive!

I think of trees like this as well as the giant redwoods, the sequoias, massive olive trees and cedars groves when I read what Isaiah, David and the other Old Testament writers refer to when they write about those who are righteous.

The term “righteous” isn’t some unattainable religious goal. No. Simply put it means to be in right standing with God. Righteous is a term that can be applied to all of us who have placed our faith in God.

“ Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:20-21 NLV

“But he finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. 3 This man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.” Psalm 1:2-3 NLV

Isaiah, the prophet, wrote these words about Jesus hundreds of years before He was born.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV

Jesus spoke these words in a synagogue and it made them so angry they tried to throw Jesus off a cliff. (Luke 4:17-30, read it)

Some people still get angry today when they are told that we have received right standing with God because of what Jesus did.

A life lived in Christ is a life of thriving in the storms. Our roots go deep into His word, our branches sway in the wind, we provide shelter to those in need, comfort to those who are weary.

We become gnarly old trees who have been planted by the Lord and we stand grounded on His word.

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Dry Times?

I hope you take time to look closely at this morning’s image. Do you see the two little sprouts? They are today’s object lesson on God’s love and faithfulness.

I almost forgot about them completely. Last Spring a dear friend gave me this pot of hyacinths. I love their fragrance! At our home in Rio Rico, before we started RVing full-time, I had a half whisky barrel where I planted hyacinth bulbs. Oh, the aroma that would fill the air when they began to bloom…

Early last summer when the blossoms were gone, I placed this pot in a big storage bench we have on the patio and completely forgot about them. Then the other day, I was looking for some potting soil and there was this metal bucket filled with soil. Much to my delight, one little stock was breaking through the bone-dry soil.

I took it out of the bench, watered it and placed it on a tabletop where it would get the warm sunshine. Yesterday, the second sprout appeared. And this morning, it’s a living example of hope.

“ As long as the earth continues, there will always be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and hot, summer and winter, day and night on earth.” Genesis 8:22 ERV

God has a plan for replenishing. Replenishing the soil, yes, replenishing our hope, our joy, our peace, most certainly.

“Then Jesus said, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it to? 19 God’s kingdom is like the seed of the mustard plant. Someone plants this seed in their garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree, and the birds build nests on its branches.” Luke 13:18-19 ERV

“And what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear God’s teaching with a good, honest heart. They obey it and patiently produce a good crop.” Luke 8:15 ERV

The Seed is God’s word. Our hearts are the soil.

“ If you plant goodness, you will harvest faithful love. Plow your ground, and you will harvest with the Lord. He will come, and he will make goodness fall on you like rain.” Hosea 10:12 ERV

“For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.” Isaiah 44:3 NLT

“ But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

“…The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it. 15 We are a sweet smell of Christ that reaches up to God. It reaches out to those who are being saved from the punishment of sin and to those who are still lost in sin.” II Corinthians 2:14-15 NLV

Oh, how I love God’s word!

It is like seed planted in our hearts. Our hearts are the soil. the Lord brings His living water to soften the soil so the seed will grow, and the Holy Spirit creates the fruit and our sweet aroma draws others to Christ. Amen and Amen!

You might be like my little hyacinth – hidden in the dark in a bucket of dry soil but take heart. The dry times are behind you – it’s time to grow!

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Time to Listen

I know you’ve experienced it – been on your cell with someone, telling them something that is really important to you and you realize they aren’t listening. When that happens, I’ve been tempted to say, “I was just stepped on by a huge green elephant” to which I know their reply would be something like “Oh really, that’s nice”.

Yep, they’re not listening!

When the kids were little and we wanted them to pay attention to what we were saying we would tell them to “get your catchers on”. That meant we are about to say something you really need to listen to so catch every word.

Listening doesn’t mean giving answers or advice, it means listening.

“Listen to your teacher and learn all you can.” Proverbs 23:11 ERV

“Open your heart to teaching, and your ears to words of much learning.” Verse 11 NLV

“Listen to instruction and do your best to learn.” Verse 11 CEV

Three different translations saying the same thing – Listen!

Then there was this verse:

“So listen, my son, and be wise. Always be careful to follow the right path.” Proverbs 23:19 ERV

You see that? Solomon was making sure we had our catchers on. Jesus did the same thing with his teaching. He gave his followers a head’s up during his sermons. It went something like this:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 KJV

Repeating the phrase verily, verily was not wasted words, it was spoken for emphasis, and it meant I am telling you a great truth, listen up, pay attention. As you read through the Bible look for these clues. It’s ALL important and we can learn something from each Scripture we read but take to heart when the writer says listen.

There’s a difference between hearing and listening.

“Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. If you are not hearing-impaired, hearing simply happens. Listening, however, is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences.” University of Minnesota, Duluth

“Listen to and obey (hearken diligently) all the Laws I am telling you today. Love the Lord your God. Work for Him with all your heart and soul. If you do, 14 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. 15 He will give grass in your fields for your cattle. And you will eat and be filled. 16 Be careful not to let your hearts be fooled so you turn away and work for other gods and worship them.” Deuteronomy 11:13-16 NLV

God promises to bring blessings into our lives when we “hearken diligently” to His word. He has so many good things for us, we need to listen. What you are reading is really God talking to you. Are you listening?

Get your catchers on!

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