Category: Trust

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Promised Peace

Yesterday a friend and I began a time of Bible study. The Lord led me to begin a verse by verse study of Colossians. I love that book!

I honestly know that there isn’t a wasted word in the Bible. All scripture is God inspired and given to help us grow, to correct and instruct us so that we will be thoroughly furnished for every good work.

I spent a lot of time just on verse 2.

“To the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father.” Colossians 1:2 ERV

This is not a generic “hi, how ya doing” greeting. Paul wanted this message to permeate all he was about to say. He was under house arrest in Rome. He was no longer able to meet with these young believers personally. He wanted their lives to be guided by peace and filled with grace.

God wants that for every believer. Grace – the forgiveness and restitution of our lives to relationship with the Father. Peace – the absence of fear, doubt and stress.

We spent a good deal of time right there. God gives us promised peace. Jesus said to his disciples:

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:27 ERV

He said knowing He would be crucified in the next few hours. If ever there was a time for peace it was then. Jesus was reassuring them that everything would be ok. That promise is good for us too.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

Slow down enough to let that sink in. God gives true peace to those who trust Him – so trust Him always! That’s how we live in peace – trusting the Lord. He is our place of safety.

Remember the message of the angels as they announced the birth of Christ?

“Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.” Luke 2:14 ERV

Peace on earth came through Jesus. This was God’s plan from the beginning. He wanted the relationship He had with Adam and Eve in the garden to be restored. Jesus came to fulfill that plan.

“And through him, God was happy to bring all things back to himself again— things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace by using the blood sacrifice of his Son on the cross.” Colossians 1:20 ERV

God has promised us peace. Emotional peace, internal peace and spiritual peace. I am certain of this when God makes a promise, He keeps it. Peace comes to those who trust so…trust Him always!

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The Answer is Yes!

Somebody needs this this morning.

“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

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.

What about Noah? He was told by God that it was going to rain and he needed to build an ark and collect 2 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.

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 pass and He’s not going to start now by lying to you.

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

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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In Complete Control

Today is Palm Sunday. Jesus is making His entrance into Jerusalem and there is so much going on behind the scenes, but Jesus is in complete control.

“He said to them, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a donkey with her colt. Untie them both, and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, tell them, ‘The Master needs them. He will send them back soon.’” Matthew 21:2-3 ERV

In Jesus’ latest teachings He had angered the religious leaders. They were plotting to have him killed. In fact, at one point they had picked up stones to stone Him and He simply walked away from the crowd in the confusion.

He had told His disciples that he was going to be beaten, tried and crucified. Remember that from my blog a few days back. And now they were headed back to Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover and as he knew, to His death.

“The followers went and did what Jesus told them to do. 7 They brought the mother donkey and the young donkey to him. They covered the donkeys with their coats, and Jesus sat on them. 8 On the way to Jerusalem, many people spread their coats on the road for Jesus. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Some of the people were walking ahead of Jesus. Others were walking behind him. They all shouted,

“Praise to the Son of David!  ‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Matthew 21:6-9 ERV

If you’ve been around horses or donkeys at all you know this could be a recipe for disaster. Being horse-back in the middle of a crowd, shouting, throwing branches on the ground in front of you, could spook even the gentlest of horses. And for it to be a mare with a young colt by herself, this was sure to unnerve horse and rider.

But Jesus…yes, He was the one who calm the sea and the wind with His words. He was the one who always preached “Don’t be troubled, don’t be afraid, peace be still”.

So, in this situation, He stayed in control and at peace. This ride into Jerusalem had been predicted hundreds of years ago.

“People of Zion, rejoice! People of Jerusalem, shout with joy! Look, your king is coming to you! He is the good king who won the victory, but he is humble. He is riding on a donkey, on a young donkey born from a work animal.” Zechariah 9:9 ERV

Jesus knew every prophecy needed to be fulfilled. This was part of the plan and He was in control.

It may seem like a small detail to you and I, but what it tells me is that whatever God has planned for me I can be at peace, knowing that He is in control and will work out everything for my good.

“ Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

When we let the Father direct and control our lives He will be peace in the midst of chaos.

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Believe The Impossible

Isn’t that the story of Easter? Isn’t that the story of the Christian life?

Are there things in your life that appear to be impossible or nearly impossible to change? Maybe not impossible but highly unlikely?

God has a way of changing the impossible!

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

That’s what the angel told Mary. A young woman, a virgin, would conceive a child. Not any child but the Son of God. Impossible!

Not to Mary.

“ Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let this thing you have said happen to me!” Then the angel went away.” Luke 1:38 ERV

She went from asking how this can be done to saying let it happen to me. I’ve learned over the years that part of that changing process begins in me. I have to begin to see things differently and have to get past my own limitations and doubt.

A boy was brought to Jesus who needed to be healed. The father had some doubt. He knew Jesus could do it but he wasn’t sure Jesus would do it for his son.

“Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’”? All things are possible for the one who believes.’ 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!'” Mark 9:23-24 ERV

Sometimes we just need to be honest with God, recognize our own weakness and limitation and then say “Help me believe more”.

Our heavenly Father takes great joy in seeing our faith increase as we trust in Him. Peter left the boat and walked on water. Jairus saw his daughter raised from the dead. The leper was restored to health; the blind received sight, and the lame walked.

The birth and the death of Christ are stories of the impossible. Beaten, nailed to a cross, a lifeless body laid in a tomb. And then those words spoken by the angel

“ The angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. 6 But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was. 7 And go quickly and tell his followers, ‘Jesus has risen from death. He is going into Galilee and will be there before you. You will see him there.’ Then the angel said, “Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7 ERV

The power of God is never restricted by what the world thinks is impossible. Our heart should cry “Help me to believe more”.

With God all things are possible!

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They Didn’t Understand

Do you remember our review of God’s promises from the other day? If not, may I suggest that you go back and review the review.

I say this because it’s important that we understand the message of hope and power that we have been given by Jesus, our Lord. In the verses we look at today, Jesus plainly tells the disciples about his death, burial and resurrection – but they didn’t understand.

“17 Jesus was going to Jerusalem. His twelve followers were with him. While they were walking, he gathered the followers together and spoke to them privately. He said to them, 18 “We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the leading priests and the teachers of the law, and they will say he must die. 19 They will hand him over to the foreigners, who will laugh at him and beat him with whips, and then they will kill him on a cross. But on the third day after his death, he will be raised to life again.” Matthew 20:17-19 ERV

It really couldn’t have been much plainer than that.

Handed over, beaten, killed on a cross, three days after death he will be raised to life again.

Jesus was preparing his disciples for what was coming very soon, really only a matter of days away. But they didn’t understand.

He went on to tell them at the last supper “Jesus said, ‘Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.” John 14:1 ERV

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am leaving, but I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going back to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. 29 I have told you this now, before it happens. Then when it happens, you will believe.” John 14:27-29 ERV

Why do I say they didn’t understand?

“The women were very afraid. They bowed down with their faces to the ground. The men said to them, “Why are you looking for a living person here? This is a place for dead people. 6 Jesus is not here. He has risen from death. Do you remember what he said in Galilee? 7 He said the Son of Man must be handed over to the control of sinful men, be killed on a cross, and rise from death on the third day.” 8 Then the women remembered what Jesus had said.” Luke 24:5-8 ERV

“But the apostles did not believe what they said. It sounded like nonsense. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb to see. He looked in, but he saw only the cloth that Jesus’ body had been wrapped in. It was just lying there. Peter went away to be alone, wondering what had happened” Luke 24:11-12 ERV

They didn’t understand.

Now, I am not faulting the disciples because we are just as guilty as they are in not understanding God’s instructions and His promises. When He tells us not to worry about anything, ANYTHING, but to pray about everything then why do we worry?

When He says trust in the Lord with all our heart, why do we doubt and wonder? When He tells us He never lies, His word is always true why don’t we hold fast to the promises He has made?

We have the example of the disciples not understanding what God was saying to them to learn from. God is faithful to His word. His promises never fail!

When the Lord began to teach me this, I made Numbers 23:19 my favorite verse in all of Scripture.

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

What God says is always true! We need to be confident of that and not be afraid.

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The Shepherd at the Gate

Jesus was called the Lamb of God because He came to be the sinless sacrifice, the atonement for our sins. He was meek and humbled Himself to death.

Yet the lamb became the Shepherd. He recognized that we were vulnerable as lambs and promised to be our good shepherd.

“Jesus said: I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. 2-3But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out. 4When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. 5The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away. 6Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.

7Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. 8Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:1-10 ERV

In this parable Jesus is trying to make his ministry and purpose easy to understand. Since raising sheep was a common profession in that day, Jesus used something they were familiar with to teach his lesson.

At night the sheep were kept in a gated penned for their protection and early each morning the shepherds would come and lead their sheep out to pasture. The sheep had become accustomed to the shepherd’s voice and so when he called, they would follow. They wouldn’t follow someone who would sneak in and lead them astray.

Jesus was telling them that if they spent time with Him, listening to His word and getting to know Him, that they would follow Him and keep His commandments and He would lead them “in green pastures” (Psalm 23).

He also went on to say that He was the gate of the sheep pen. This was the first line of defense in their protection – He would provide for them and keep them safe. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23)

Jesus said His purpose was to give us life and life more abundantly. He also warned that there is a thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy – that’s the devil. Everything that falls in one of those categories – stealing, killing and destroying – doesn’t come from God.

Those things that bring life, abundance and fullness to life comes from God. “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17

Follow the right voice today – He will lead you on the right path and He’ll never leave you or forsake you.

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Even When, I Trust

All through Scripture we have the words “be not afraid, fear not, be anxious for nothing” and sometimes it seems it would be easier to climb Mt. Everest than to not be afraid.

Other than Jesus, I think the Apostle Paul in the New Testament and King David in the Old Testament probably encountered more fear-filled situations than anyone else in Scripture. Every town that Paul preached in broke out in a riot and had someone planning his death. King David was pursued by more armies than I can count, even his own son sought to murder him.

That makes these two experts in the “fear not” department.

While reading in the Psalms this morning I found these words.

“Have pity, God Most High! My enemies chase me all day. 2 Many of them are pursuing and attacking me, 3 but even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you. 4 I praise your promises!
I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me.” Psalm 56:1-4 CEV

All day long, David was on the run. Armies by sheer number were greater than his band of 400 mighty men. ” even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you.” His life was in literal danger and he made the determination to trust God even when he was afraid.

“When I pray, Lord God, my enemies will retreat, because I know for certain that you are with me. 10 I praise your promises! 11 I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me.

12 I will keep my promises to you, my God and bring you gifts. 13 You protected me from death and kept me from stumbling, so that I would please you and follow the light that leads to life.” Psalm 56:10-13 CEV

What are the enemies that are pursuing you?

Take a note from David’s playbook . “I know for certain that you are with me”!

I just heard someone say, “That’s all well and good Kristi but I’m not certain that God is always with me”. I’m glad you said that.

“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 CEV

He came to be with us and when he went back to heaven the Holy Spirit came to live in us and be God’s representative in our lives.

“But I tell you I am going to do what is best for you. This is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.” John 16:7 CEV

Sad to say but one of the biggest fears today is that of not having enough. Not enough money to pay our bills, not enough time, not enough food, not enough health, not enough peace.

” Don’t fall in love with money. Be satisfied with what you have. The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us.” Hebrews 13:5 CEV

Jesus said. “ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Psalm 23:1 CEV

Is there something that has you fear-filled today? Say with King David and with me, “Even when, I will trust”!

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

Well, this wonderful trip has come to an end.

We pack up this morning, drive back to Jacksonville, turn in the rental car and board a plane, headed for home. One stop over in Dallas and arrive in Phoenix later today. It’s been fun and exciting – but home is sweet.

That’s my day. What’s yours got in store? Whatever it is the Lord has designed a path and is waiting for us to follow Him.

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 AMPC

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

“ If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours:

3 “He will bless you in the city and in the field…6 He will bless you at all times in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 28:2-6 ERV

I am praying for your day to be filled with the blessings of the Lord. That’s the kind of day He has designed for us.

I’ll be with you tomorrow from my living room in Queen Valley.

Enjoy the blessings of the day!

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Start Your Day with a Song

Here I am all the way across the country from my Arizona home. We flew from Arizona to Florida yesterday – Kim, Austin, Dave and me. A bit jet lagged but filled with joy and praise.

We’ll be here for a week taking in all the sights and sounds of the Daytona 500 races. This trip was a 50th birthday bucket list adventure for Kim and she invited us to come along since she knew this is one of her dad’s Top 10 too.

Last night as we were driving to our B-n-B we were greeted by the full moon over the ocean. I plan to be on that beach this evening to take in the full beauty of it. And this morning, there is a chorus of unidentified birds singing their melodies outside my window. It seems that all of creation has joined in welcoming us here and giving glory to God.

“Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.” Psalm 143:8 CEV

Maybe that’s why the birds start their songs before the crack of dawn – they want us to join in their praise to the Father.

Oh, there have been days when I woke up dreading what the day had in store – those were dark days. It’s so much better to be filled with joy from the moment my eyes open and my feet touch the floor. I’ve learned to take my cue from my feathered friends.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

These sentinels of song aren’t worried about how many bugs, worms, or seeds they are going to find today. No – they just know they will be provided for like they were the day before. They don’t worry about how high they will fly – they just fly. Why? because our Father in heaven takes care of them.

Maybe we should be a little more “bird-brained”!

Don’t worry – we are much more valuable to the Lord than the birds.

“Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.” Each morning as we learn more about His love for us, we trust Him more.

Then we can start your day with a song!

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A Trusted Friend

Who is your most trusted friend? Your spouse, someone you’ve known for years or someone new in your life? This is the person that you know would never lie to you…when they give their word, they keep it even if it detrimental to their own well being. They know you are counting on them and they would never let you down.

Think about them for a minute. I’ll wait…(silly fact, I am sitting here waiting for you to think).

Now let me share with you what I found in God’s word this morning.

“We believe what people tell us. But we can trust what God says even more, and God is the one who has spoken about his Son. 10 If we have faith in God’s Son, we have believed what God has said. But if we don’t believe what God has said about his Son, it is the same as calling God a liar. 11 God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. 12 And so, if we have God’s Son, we have this life. But if we don’t have the Son, we don’t have this life.” I John 5:9-12 CEV

Did you see that? We can trust what God says even more than we trust our closest friend. Do you? Do you read God’s word and hear what He has promised and believe He is telling you the truth; that it really will happen or are you just wishing and hoping that God’s word is true and going to work for you?

How would your relationship with that “trusted” friend be hindered if they knew you weren’t really confident that they were going to do what they said they would? It would weaken the relationship for sure.

I’m encouraging you this morning to strengthen your relationship with the Father. Don’t hope His word is true – spend time talking with Him, time watching Him, time listening to Him speak to you and then confidently trust Him to do what He says He will do.

I know I’ve shared this many times but it bears repeating. I grew up with the mindset that we hope for the best but never really know what to expect because God’s ways are higher than our ways. That was the teaching so you didn’t get mad at God or disappointed in Him when things didn’t turn out the way you expected.

Yes, God’s ways are higher than ours. He never lies or misrepresents. He doesn’t mislead by insinuation. Can you imagine if you had been David facing Goliath and only “hoping” that God would show up and things would work out right? Or Moses standing at the edge of the Red Sea with the Egyptians behind him and hoping that God was going to provide a way across to safety?

Trust, complete trust, should be our response to God’s word. It has never failed and it never will! That’s why I’ve chosen Numbers 23:19 as my favorite verse in the Bible.

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” ERV

Trust in His goodness!

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