Category: Trust

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In The Storm

The wind decided to blow, ALL NIGHT! When you live in an RV you hear the wind, at times it sounded like a freight train moving rapidly alongside the 5th wheel. I’m so glad for the shelter of my home.

Peter and the disciples were in a storm on the sea. Jesus was exhausted and fell asleep “in the back of the boat”. The waves grew larger and as they crashed against the bow, the boat began to fill with water. Jesus still slept.

Finally, in desperation the disciples woke Him with a startling cry.

“A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” Mark 4:37-38 ERV

Don’t you care – aren’t you worried, don’t you love us?

Here’s the answer: Jesus didn’t have a care about the situation; no, He wasn’t worried but yes, He loved them dearly. So He stood, and said:

“ Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.” vs 39

Have you ever had the same reaction as the disciples? Lord, don’t you care? I can’t pay my rent this month, the doctor said cancer, my child has left home and I don’t know where they are, my loved one is dying. Don’t you care?

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

God isn’t weighted down with worry but He definitely cares for you!

Jesus was right where He needed to be, He was resting in the peace of God.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” Psalm 91:1-2 ERV

The disciples did the right thing. In their worry, they ran for shelter, shelter was found in the presence and protection of the Father.

Is the wind howling and are the waves crashing in around you today? Run to the Father. Be grateful – there is always shelter from the storm!

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Do You See It?

Last night I heard someone use the expression, “I can see the handwriting on the wall”.

Do you know that expression is from the Bible? It’s from the book of Daniel. In Daniel chapter 5, a new king had replaced Nebuchadnezzar and his name was Belshazzar.

He decided to have a party for his rulers, their wives and his concubines. As the party went on he called for the golden goblets that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem years earlier. They filled them with wine and began toasting and praising their gods of gold, silver, bronze and stone.

“Suddenly, a person’s hand appeared and began writing on the wall. The fingers scratched words into the plaster on the wall, near the lampstand in the king’s palace. The king was watching the hand as it wrote.

6 King Belshazzar was very afraid. His face became white from fear, and his knees were shaking and knocking together. He could not stand up because his legs were too weak… His face was white from fear.” Daniel 5:5-9 ERV

The king’s wisest men couldn’t provide him with the answers he needed. Enter Belshazzar’s mother. She reminded him that Daniel had always provided the answers to King Nebuchadnezzar.

“12 The man I am talking about is named Daniel. The king gave him the name Belteshazzar. He is very smart and he knows many things. He could interpret dreams, explain secrets, and find the answer to very hard problems. Call for Daniel, he will tell you what the writing on the wall means.” Daniel 5:12 ERV

Daniel boldly proclaimed what God put in his heart. Daniel recounts how God revealed himself to Nebuchadnezzar. And then he finishes by saying, “You knew all this but you didn’t learn a thing.” He went on to hold Belshazzar accountable for his arrogance and worship of false gods. And then he interprets the writing on the wall.

“You gave praise to the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. They are not really gods; they cannot see or hear or understand anything. But you did not give honor to the God who has the power over your life and everything you do. 24 So because of that, God sent the hand that wrote on the wall. 25 These are the words that were written on the wall:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPARSIN.

26 “This is what these words mean:

Mene:

God has counted the days until your kingdom will end.

27 Tekel:

You have been weighed on the scales and found not good enough.

28 Uparsin:

Your kingdom is being taken from you.

It will be divided among the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5: 22-28 ERV

And at the end of this chapter, Belshazzar gave Daniel the reward that he had promised to the one who could read the handwriting. And then he was killed and a new ruler, Darius the Mede, took the kingdom.

There is so much happening in our world today that can be seen as the handwriting on the wall. Not the scribbles of a child but the intervention of God into our lives. Daniel’s stand for God continued to bring him before kings. His boldness is an example to us.

When asked to give an answer, let God give us the words. Don’t apologize – but speak boldly what He puts in our hearts.

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Lighted Path

Recently I sent out a memo reminding our neighbors to take a flashlight if they were out walking after dark.

Living on the edge of the desert there are many animals that live nocturnal lives and it’s necessary that we are aware of our surroundings. We have javelina, coyote, and even snakes. Our home is backed up to a wash so have a series of solar lights lining the back edge of the property. We wouldn’t want to fall off in the darkness.

Light is good. At times, the darkness can be scary.

Have you ever been in a situation when you knew there was something out there – something out there in the dark – and you were afraid? However, when you saw it in the light of day it was only a tree branch or a strange rock formation or a small animal, something insignificant. Maybe you didn’t wait till light of day but instead you got out your spotlight or turned on the flood lights on the porch – when you could see things clearly, it wasn’t scary at all.

Well, that’s how I feel looking at things through the light of God’s word. It tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation, whom shall I fear?

When we let God light our circumstances, we see that His light is bigger than our fears. We can trust Him and not be afraid!

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;  he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” 9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. 13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27 NLT

God’s word will light our path and keep us safe!

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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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Spa Day

Let me share some of my day with you.

I’ve been waiting for yesterday to come. You see I had a very special appointment. For my 70th birthday my family, kids and grandkids, gave me the one thing I asked for – a spa day!

Oh my, I’ve been looking for to it for weeks. Facial, massage, mani/pedi, the works. Believe it or not, I’ve never been pampered like this. I had imagined how wonderful it would be. My appointment was for 11:30, I was there by 11:15.

I walked in and since no one was at reception to meet me I signed in. I sat there patiently for the next 15 minutes. Finally someone came to the reception desk and asked why I was there. I told them I had an 11:30 appointment. Her next words caused my heart to sink, “I don’t have anyone scheduled at 11:30”.

“Surely, there’s a mistake” I said. “I was called yesterday to confirm my appointment”. After this dialogue she assured me that I was in the wrong. I asked if they had another location and she told me there was another location at least 20 minutes away. (I won’t explain how there is another spa with the same name and they are not affiliated but it’s a thing.)

I left there, almost in tears and called the other location to let them know I would be late and explained what happened. The young woman put me on hold and when she came back she told me that I would probably not get my massage, because I was late, but they could do the facial and the mani/pedi.

Big sigh!

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

Now, it was time to pray. Before any of you think this is too petty to pray about your wrong. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing and to pray about everything. I resolved not to be disappointed if I couldn’t get the massage I had been looking forward too and to keep my attitude pure.

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. 24 Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.” Psalm 139:23-24 ERV

When I arrived, the masseuse was at reception. She understood my frustration and said this has happened before. She had looked at her appointments and would be able to fit me in if we rearranged the order of my services.

Thank you Jesus!

What I’ve conveyed this morning is not some deep Biblical truth, it’s simple. The Lord cares about us and all we do. He’s big enough to heal cancer and also concerned about the small things in our life like a delayed spa appointment.

Plain and simple the key to walking with the Lord is trust.

The more we read His word, the more we will realize the many facets of His character and as we grow in knowledge of our heavenly Father our faith will grow also.

Each day walk with Him, trust Him. He’s even concerned about a spa day!

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Back Ordered

Just recently I went on-line to order a shirt for our anniversary celebration next week. I had found one in town, but it wasn’t in my size. No problem, I thought. I’ll just find the same one on-line and have it in a couple of days.

It wasn’t that simple. The first three sites I went to didn’t have it in my size either. I will tell you I got a little perturbed. The words “back ordered” were not what I was wanting to hear.

In the last couple of years we, as a collective group, have become so accustomed to instant gratification. If you live in a larger city some companies will deliver your item within hours and not days. The rest of us who live a little more rural have come to expect delivery by the next day and two at the very latest.

This instant society has fed the monster of selfishness that hides within.

This morning the Lord showed me something about Himself. His gifts and blessings are never on backorder, never out of stock.

“Ask, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NLV

I was asking for strength, clarity of thought and wisdom. There is no lack of any of these in the heavenly warehouse.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength.” Isaiah 40:28-29 NLV

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV

“ If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:5 NLV

When the Father tells us to ask for something, He expects us to ask. Not selflessly but from a sincere heart of dependence upon Him and His word. Jesus said his purpose was to bring abundant life to us who believe.

“The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

There’s also never a shortage of God’s love – it endures forever, His mercy never comes to an end, His peace flows like a river and His goodness extends to a thousand generations. His word will never pass away.

“ If you love Me, you will do what I say. 16 Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him. It does not see Him or know Him. You know Him because He lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NLV

The Father’s delivery system is infinitely better than FedEx, UPS, USPS and Amazon. He delivers from His heart to us via the Holy Spirit. The Father’s love and character are never on backorder.

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Troubled Times

You may think that I am going to share some rich insight this morning on the situations and circumstances that we are facing in our nation and our world today but that isn’t my focus.

Each generation and millennia have had their own share of crises, disasters and unrest.

Jesus lived in a troubled world. The governmental rule was anti-God. The Romans, who ruled over the nation of Israel, preached Caesar as god and his word as infallible. They were living in political slavery when Jesus was born.

I find it interesting that God the Father didn’t use Jesus to rescue the Jews from the Romans in a similar way that he used Moses to rescue the Jews from the Egyptians. Jesus didn’t come to save just one nation. He came to bring reconciliation, peace and freedom to all who would believe.

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about God’s kingdom. He healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. 36 Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless—like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. 37 Jesus said to his followers, ‘There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. 38 God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help gather his harvest.’” Matthew 9:35 – 38 ERV

Jesus was about His Father’s business – a worldwide harvest.

But the corruption of the government was always on Jesus disciples’ minds. They heard Jesus preach; they saw the miracles. In fact, they did miracles themselves but still they wondered when Jesus would take control and change things. Here are Jesus’ last words to his disciples.

“While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?’ 7Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.'” Acts 1:6-8 ERV

Today, many are asking the same thing. When Lord are you going to do something about political unrest and corruption? Things are not good that is for certain.

Jesus’ answer to us is the same one He gave the disciples. Don’t worry about the political situation and those in power. Leave that up to the Father. Instead, take the message of my salvation to those in your world.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV

In troubled times we can run to the Father, we can put our hope in Him.

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Take A Break

It may seem silly to be talking about taking a break first thing in the morning but hear me out.

Getting up and focusing on the Lord is break-fast for the spirit. Through the night our bodies have rested, our minds have released the pressures of the day before and the Spirit of God has restored our souls.

Making time to praise the Lord for His goodness engages our spirit with His and brings us to a place of strength and direction.

None of us know what the day will have in store. Oh, we may have an idea or a plan of things we want to accomplish but there will always be some unexpected interruption or distraction we weren’t expecting. Where do we find the strength and the grace to face those, will we have the answer for the day’s questions?

If we begin our day breaking from our own thoughts and seeking His, we will certainly be on the right track.

“ 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.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLV

I find the best thing I can do is trust the Lord to lead me. There are times throughout the day when I hear myself say, “I’m just not sure what I should do” and that’s when I know it’s time for a break. A praise break – because the Father knows what my next step should be and He has the answers to all my questions.

“Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 9 He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 ERV

“Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 22 Offer sacrifices of thanks to him. Sing with joy about all that he has done.” Psalm 107:21-22 ERV

“ 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.” Psalm 119:99-100 NLV

Throughout the day take a break from the concerns and worries of your day. Take a break and spend time listening to the Father. Take a break and thank Him for His endless love.

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
 you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:1-3 MSG

When your heart is troubled and your mind is overwhelmed, take a break and have your soul restored.

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What’s Important?

In yesterday’s blog we met Hannah who had experienced great sorrow because of the natural circumstances of infertility. Today we will see the sorrow of a man who has everything.

The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus replied that he should sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Now don’t take this as a condemnation of wealth, it’s not. Jesus just knew that the man’s riches meant more to him than a relationship with Christ. Scripture says this man left Jesus and he was filled with sorrow.

“Then Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go now and sell your property and give the money away to the poor—you will have riches in Heaven. Then come and follow me!’

22 When the young man heard that he turned away crestfallen, for he was very wealthy.

23-24 Then Jesus remarked to his disciples, ‘Believe me, a rich man will find it very difficult to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, I repeat, a camel could more easily squeeze through the eye of a needle than a rich man get into the kingdom of God!’

25 The disciples were simply amazed to hear this, and said, ‘Then who can possibly be saved?’

26 Jesus looked steadily at them and replied, ‘Humanly speaking it is impossible; but with God anything is possible!’

27 At this Peter exclaimed, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What is that going to be worth to us?’

28-30 ‘Believe me,’ said Jesus, ‘when I tell you that in the next world, when the Son of Man shall sit down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and become judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. Every man who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mother or children or land for my sake will receive it all back many times over, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first now will be last then—and the last first!’” Matthew 19:21-30 Phillips

Peter and the other disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus; they had left their businesses to follow Christ, so this comment concerned them. Jesus reassured them that since they had left all to follow Him, they had a proper perspective of their possessions. Their commitment to Christ was their top priority. If the rich young ruler had trusted Jesus’ call to leave all and follow Him, he too would have had a place among the disciples.

Hannah brought her sorrow to the Lord and left with a sense of purpose and joy. The young ruler came to Jesus with his accomplishments and success and went away in sorrow. The difference between these two was trust. One trusted personal accomplishments and one trusted God.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT

God isn’t out to ruin our lives, He wants to complete it!

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Crystal Clear Clarity

Allow me one more teaching on focus.

When I was ten or eleven my mom realized I was having trouble seeing clearly. I had to sit close to the tv, my nose was almost always on the page of my piano lesson and my grades were falling in school. She took me to the optometrist and sure enough, I was near-sighted. Glasses became my closest friend.

Although I was an embarrassed six grader, I could see clearly. Things were in focus. I hope you are beginning to understand that God’s word brings focus and clarity to our lives.

“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

These verses make me think of the eye exams where the optician says “tell me when this object is in focus”. Then they flip the lens one way or the other until the image before my eyes is clear.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, like the verse says, we gain a clarity of spiritual vision that we previously lacked.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:1-3 MSG

Are you looking up today? Are you looking beyond yourself and finding God’s directive on how you should function today? It’s easy to get discouraged and even depressed with all the world’s happenings and Jesus knew that these days and times we are living in would be taxing to our mental peace at the very least, so He gave us this command.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

Looking “around” at all that’s occurring on the earth causes heart failure and fear. Looking up makes things crystal clear – our redemption is near!

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