Tag: CallOnMe

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Lift Up Your Head

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from disappointment and heart ache. We are faced with the same challenges and problems as everyone else in the world. We experience relationships that fail; physical sickness and disease; death of loved ones; financial lack; political and social attack and unrest; and family crises.

What makes the difference in our lives is our faith and trust in a loving heavenly Father who is able to come to our aide in every situation. We don’t live with our heads in the sand but we do live with our hearts in HIS hand!

Let me remind you of what Jesus said.

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].’” Luke 4:17-19 AMP

This was the reason Jesus came and He didn’t just talk the talk, He walked the walk. So did His disciples.

“Jesus answered, ‘Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. 5 The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6 God will bless everyone who doesn’t reject me because of what I do.” Matthew 11:4-6 CEV

His purpose is the same today as it was then!

When we are feeling overwhelmed we don’t have to fall into the same pit of despair as others around us. We can lift up our heads (a sign of hope) and go to the One who comforts, heals and sets right.

“Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. 3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 AMP

” We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Lift your head, look up. Come find help today!

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Fenced In

Last night was another one of those times when I tried to sleep but got up in the wee hours to pray.

Praying over family, friends and life’s situations.

I’m needing answers to some questions that are past my knowledge. I don’t want to be held back because of my ignorance so I got up, seeking the Father and His wisdom.

One thing that has been proven over the years, not just of my lifetime but of time itself, is God is faithful and His word is true. When He tells us to ask for wisdom and He will give it liberally, He does! When He says ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will open, you will and it does!

When we call – He answers!

“Moreover, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard, saying, 2 Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name: 3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).” Jeremiah 33:1-3 AMP

When it seems like we are fenced in, in the prison of our circumstances or held back by our limited knowledge, He reminds us of who He is, His power and His willingness to help.

Call on Me and I WILL answer and I’ll show you the things that were hidden, the things that you don’t recognize or understand. CALL!

And after we call “Be still and know that I am God.”

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV

The wonderful work of the Holy Spirit is to teach.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 NKJV

As we ask for wisdom, we wait for the answers. The key is to wait in peace and not be afraid. God’s plan for us is good and He is faithful!

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Loving Conversations

In those times when we think “doesn’t God see what’s going on” or when we say “I wish I knew what to do now”, the Bible tells us that God, our heavenly Father, is waiting to talk with us, to direct us, to reassure us.

From the beginning, in the garden the Lord would come to talk with Adam in the cool of the day. On the day they sinned, He still came looking for them. Sin doesn’t keep us from God but trying to hide our sin from Him does. God didn’t abandon them. He made clothes from them and gave them instruction on how to live.

The Lord talked with Noah and gave him the specifications for building an Ark and told him how to care for the animals that would be on it.

God spoke to Abram and made him a promise that he would be the father of many nations and that his descendants would occupy the “promised land”.

Joseph and the Lord talked about a famine that was coming to Egypt and he told the pharaoh how to prepare for it. It saved the Egyptians and also all the members of Joseph’s family.

The Lord spoke to Moses from a burning bush while the nation of Israel was being held captive in Egypt. He gave Moses an exit plan.

The Lord spoke to the kings of Israel showing them how to succeed in battle and He gave this promise to the prophet Jeremiah.

“I was still being held prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guards when the Lord told me: I am the Lord, and I created the whole world. 3 Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3 CEV

And that’s just a few examples from the Old Testament. In the New Testament we find the Lord giving instruction to Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zachariah and the shepherds through visiting angels.

Once Jesus started His ministry the Father spoke through the words of Jesus and those words are still our instruction for today.

“ Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.” Matthew 7:7 CEV

We have also been given the Holy Spirit to give us instruction and guidance.

“The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.” John 16:13 CEV

And because we have the Holy Spirit, we also have this promise.

“We who have the Spirit are able to make judgments about all these things. But anyone without the Spirit is not able to make proper judgments about us. 16 As the Scriptures say,

‘Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give him advice?’

But we have been given Christ’s way of thinking.” I Corinthians 2:15-16 ERV

The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to hear and know God’s love and direction. That’s why we bring everything – everything – to Him. We trust Him, unwavering and He gives us the direction we need.

“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

Start the day meeting our Father for a loving conversation. He will direct our paths and He tells us not to worry. We can trust Him!

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Talking About Jesus

Really my favorite thing to do is talk about Jesus.

My day was hectic, but the bright spot was spending a few minutes talking about Jesus and His goodness. Well, you can’t talk about His goodness without talking about the sacrifice He made for all of us.

“2 Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.” I John 2:2 CEV

His sacrifice took away my sins, your sins and yes, the sins of the whole world. No one was left out; no one needs to experience the punishment for sin because Jesus took it for us.

“But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.” Hebrews 10:12-14 CEV

Christ willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. That was His life’s mission while He was here on earth. It was His eternal destiny from the beginning of the age. He was born to die.

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

As my friend and I were talking we both said how amazing it is that God not only forgives our sins, but He chooses to forget them, as well. He doesn’t remind us of our sin, in fact, He wants us to be free of a guilty conscience.

“Then he says, ‘I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.’ 18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins.” Hebrews 10:17-18 ERV

“ Sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our hearts have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ.” Hebrews 10:22 ERV

As I child, I often sang a hymn without really understanding the meaning. “Calvary Covers It All” seemed to be a theme of our church. Now, that song has such great depth of meaning to me.

“Far dearer than all that the world can impart

Was the message came to my heart;

How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone,

And Calvary covers it all.

Chorus

Calvary covers it all,

My past with its sin and shame;

My guilt and despair

Jesus took on him there

And Calvary covers it all.”

No fear, no condemnation, no guilty conscience. Only forgiveness, confidence and peace. Yes, let’s talk about Jesus and how grateful I am for His everlasting love!

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He Heard Me

Have you ever been speaking to someone and you know they aren’t listening? It happens quite frequently. It’s hard to get someone’s undivided attention. I know I’m guilty of only half listening at times; my mind wanders or I’m distracted with what I’m reading or working on.

Did you know God is never distracted? He listens intently when we talk to Him, He’s there when we cry for help and He’s ready to answer when we ask for His direction and wisdom.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart, I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name. 4 I asked the Lord for help, and he saved me from all my fears. 5 Keep your eyes on the Lord. You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. 6 I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the Lord saved me from all my troubles.” Psalm 34:1-6 CEV

I’m not sure what fears and troubles are plaguing you today but our Father does.

Ask for His help; He is here to save you from every distress. He is faithful; He can be depended on!

“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3 CEV

He’s listening and ready to help!

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Just Call

How many times each day do we wonder about something? We try to figure out the best way of doing things. We need answers and although friends and colleagues may try to help their assistance is often limited.

That’s why my morning quiet times are so important to me. I talk to the Father about things I know will occur throughout the day, plans I am making for the future and the daily unseen events that interrupt and cause me to make course corrections.

When I’m needing answers to some questions that are past my knowledge I don’t want to be held back because of my ignorance. I get up seeking the Father and His wisdom.

One thing that has been proven over the years, not just in my lifetime but of time itself, is God is faithful and His word is true. He tells us to ask for wisdom and He will give it liberally. When He says ask and it will be given, seek and we will find, knock and the door will open, we can be confident that He will be true to His word!

When we call – He answers!

“Moreover, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard, saying, 2 Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name: 3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).’” Jeremiah 33:1-3 AMP

When it seems like we are in prison, the prison of our circumstances or the one caused by our limited knowledge or even an actual physical prison, He reminds us of who He is, His power and His willingness to help.

Call on Me and I WILL answer and I will show you the things that were hidden, the things that you don’t recognize or understand. CALL!

And after we call “Be still and know that I am God.”

“Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.’ 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10-11 CEV

The wonderful work of the Holy Spirit is to teach us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 NKJV

The by-product of God’s wisdom is peace. The Old Testament tells us that we should be led by peace. If we ask for wisdom and it appears we get an answer, but it comes with turmoil and worry that isn’t an answer from God.

“Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do…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 3:13,17-18 CEV

You have walked with me as I have asked for wisdom this morning but now, I must take my leave and be still and listen. I encourage you to call – He will answer!

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Which Way, God?

Every day we make at least a dozen decisions that determine which way we will go.

We leave the house in the morning and pull out of the driveway, turn right or left like we always do. We stop at the same grocery store, follow the same path to work and in fact we get upset if the road is blocked and we have to turn another way. We like doing things the way we’ve always done; we like the familiar but what if there’s another way?

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

God’s ways are higher than ours but that doesn’t mean we can’t understand God or know His ways.

The Bible is our loving Father communicating with man so that we can know His ways. He gave his plan to Moses, the prophets and spoke His plan to Jesus, who was the fulfillment of that plan.

He gave his plan to Paul who penned over half the New Testament so that we would continue to have the direction we needed.

Then He placed His Spirit within us when we were born again so we could have greater understanding of His ways.

“But as the Scriptures say, ‘No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’

10 But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit knows all things. The Spirit even knows the deep secrets of God. 11 It is like this: No one knows the thoughts that another person has. Only the person’s spirit that lives inside knows those thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows God’s thoughts except God’s Spirit. 12 We received the Spirit that is from God, not the spirit of the world. We received God’s Spirit so that we can know all that God has given us.

13 When we say this, we don’t use words taught to us by human wisdom. We use words taught to us by the Spirit. We use the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 People who do not have God’s Spirit do not accept the things that come from his Spirit. They think these things are foolish. They cannot understand them, because they can only be understood with the Spirit’s help. 15 We who have the Spirit are able to make judgments about all these things. But anyone without the Spirit is not able to make proper judgments about us. 16 As the Scriptures say, ‘Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give him advice?’ But we have been given Christ’s way of thinking.” I Corinthians 2:9-16 ERV

A good way to start each day is to ask the Lord to make His way of thinking clear to us. When we follow what He puts in our hearts we will go the right way and we will do the right things.

If you’re having difficulty understanding the things of God, ask the Holy Spirit who lives within you for the direction you need – He’ll be more than glad to help!

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Walk & Talk

Yesterday I told you about my morning walking. Sometimes Dave walks with me and some days I walk alone. This image is from yesterday morning’s walk.

On the days Dave and I walk together we talk, we plan, we readjust plans and make set new goals, we thank God for where we are and where He is leading us. On the mornings when I walk by myself, I do the same with the Father.

That desire to walk and talk must be an inherited trait.

“ Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the evening. ” Genesis 3:8 NLV

God created man and woman so He would have someone to fellowship with. Even after they had sinned and left the garden God still came to talk with them.

Enoch went on a walk and talk with the Lord and instead of going back to his tent for the night it appears he walked right back to heaven with God.

“So Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was seen no more, for God took him.” Genesis 5:23-24 NLV

Noah talked with God and God gave him the blueprints for building the ark.

“ Then God said to Noah, “I have decided to make an end to all the people on the earth…14 Make a large boat of gopher wood for yourself. Build rooms in the boat. And cover it inside and out with tar. 15 This is how you are to make it…” Genesis 6:13-15 NLV

There are so many throughout the Bible who had walk and talks with the Lord and it still happens today.

We met a man while we were living in Idaho who had an idea for building a wood-burning stove. He built the proto-type and submitted it for a patent. He didn’t have a lot of money to spend on the patent process, and it failed the first round of testing. He told us he sat up all night praying about what had failed and how he could correct it with the funds he had left. He spread out the plans on the table and began asking the Lord about each step of the process. By morning, he had his answer on what needed to be adjusted, made the correction, submitted the stove again and was granted the patent. He has been producing his wood burning stoves now for years and has a very successful product and gives God the glory.

God’s desire is for us to have wisdom and His leading in every circumstance. He’s not hiding His will or His plans. On of my favorite walk n talk verses are these:

“ While Jeremiah was still shut up in the open space of the prison, the Word of the Lord came to him a second time, saying, 2 “This is what the Lord says Who made the earth. The Lord made it to last. The Lord is His name. 3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:1-3 NLV

Call to Me and I will answer and show you great and wonderful things!

If you need motivation while on those morning or evening walks, let those verses be it. A walk and talk with the Lord will reveal great and wonderful things!

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Listen!

If you’re anything like I used to be you are probably in a rush this Wednesday morning. The week’s about half over and you have lots that you NEED to get done.

Listen…No stop right now and listen for 10 seconds…If you’re anything like me you’re morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot, the hum of the computer fan and a myriad of other noises all competing for your attention.

I am blessed to live where there are no sounds of traffic, sirens, planes or other such noises. I hear the birds, the air conditioning and the clock ticking.

Yesterday morning I had a very strange experience. I called my doctor’s office to get the results of my lab work. Four times I called. Each time I would hear them say hello, I would say hello and then “click”. I was disconnected. I was frustrated to say the very least; you could hear my frustration in my voice when I finally got through. The nurse on the other end was also frustrated, her phone system was malfunctioning. She apologized and so did I.

Is that what is must be like for God? He calls, we say hello and then He gets a disconnect. Or maybe He calls and we’re too busy so we send Him to voice mail and/or put Him on hold.

I love when I wake up each morning I can say, “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I can hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Folks spend much of their time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and miss the simple, still small voice of God trying to lead them and give them insight. How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing”. And we don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us. It’s a bad connection.

Elijah was looking for God’s answers during a very serious time in his life. He was seeking God and there came a great wind and then an earthquake and then a fire and finally a still small voice. God spoke in a still small voice!

“…a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” I Kings 19:11-12 NLT

The most important thing you’ll hear each morning, if you listen, will be the still small voice of the Lord. Sssssh – just listen!

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Desert Blooms

It takes Dave and I about 15 to 20 minutes to drive to town. Most of the way we travel through sparsely populated desert, which we enjoy, and especially when the Spring flowers and love grass blanket the ground.

All it takes is a few warm days and some moisture and the desert floor comes to life.

Isn’t that how it is with us? A little light, warmth, and watering with kindness and love and our souls respond with beauty.

“The waste-land and the dry land will be glad. The desert will be full of joy and become like a rose. 2 Many flowers will grow in it, and it will be filled with joy and singing…They will see the shining-greatness of the Lord, the wonderful power of our God. 3 Give strength to weak hands and to weak knees. 4 Say to those whose heart is afraid, ‘Have strength of heart, and do not be afraid. See, your God will come ready to punish. He will come to make sinners pay for their sins, but He will save you…Those whom the Lord has paid for and set free will return. They will come to Zion with singing. Joy that lasts forever will crown their heads. They will be glad and full of joy. Sorrow and sad voices will be gone.’” Isaiah 35:1-4, 10 NLV

I really encourage you to read the full chapter of Isaiah 35. It is an amazing description of what the Lord does in the lives of those who love Him.

I can almost hear someone saying, “but Kristi, it also says that He will make sinners pay for their sins. Where’s the good news in that?”

I’m so glad you asked!

Read the next five words – “but He will save you”. There’s the good news. Salvation!

“‘It will be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from the punishment of sin.’” Acts 2:21 NLV

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

The choice is ours.

Our lives can be dry and brown, filled with thorns and stickers or we can bloom with beauty. The difference between the two is the water.

“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, ‘If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! 38  Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.’ 39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory.” John 7:37-39 CEV

When we come to faith in Christ, He fills us with the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. He causes our lives to blossom with the fruit of love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience and meekness.

We bloom with joy and strength!

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