Tag: GodCannotLie

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God’s Good Plans

Every building begins with a blueprint. From the smallest “tiny house” to the most intricate homes and palaces there is a plan to follow. A good plan.

And of course, in designing the construction of our lives God has a good plan.

“Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV

“ For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

The Lord is the master designer and architect. He created the earth and all that’s in it. It is a synchronized, master design. The days, the seasons, the ebb and flow of the tides all work together to support the balance of life on earth.

His design work can be seen in His instruction for building the tabernacle in the desert. The floor plan, the gold work, the bronze, the dyed skins and woven linens. A massive design.

Then take a look at our human bodies. The cells, the immune system that fights disease, the organs, our master computer – the brain, our circulatory and digestive systems, none of these occurred by happenstance. There was and is a master designer who has good plans.

So, why do we think that, if our heavenly Father went through all the thought and design to make things work so well, He would leave us to figure out our daily living and purpose without instruction? That’s foolish thinking.

I found myself reading and rereading two different chapters this morning, Psalm 34 and Proverbs 4. There is so much to absorb and apply in these verses. Please take time to read them.

“ I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! ” Psalm 34:4-8 NLV

“10 The young lions suffer want and hunger. But they who look for the Lord will not be without any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ” Psalm 34:10-11 NLV

“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...  26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-23 NLV

God, our Father and master designer, has grand plans for our lives!

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Take A Walk

When you read the Bible, do you read it as if you are there? Do you take time to look around and see what was going on and how people are affected by the story that is being revealed?

Can you imagine what you would do if you were in their shoes? I am always amazed as I read the account of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, and then the first couple of verses of Matthew 8.

Here Jesus has been teaching all day. The hillside is covered with people, children are playing and adults are trying to hear what Jesus is saying. Jesus has positioned himself in such a way that his voice carries down the hillside, without the amplification that we have today.

“Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted…You are a light on a hill, don’t hide under a bushel…Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will never pass away…Forgive, be faithful to your mate, don’t seek revenge…Give to the poor, pray often, don’t make money your master…don’t worry…God knows what you need, seek Him first and everything else will be added…take care of the beam in your own eye before you try to remove a splinter from your brother’s…ask & it will be given, seek & find, knock & it will open…bear good fruit…build on a solid foundation (the Word) and you’ll make it through the storms…”

All day long Jesus preached, the multitude listened, now the teaching is over and Jesus heads down the hill with his followers. But this is where the story runs into a road block! A leper, who has obviously been waiting at the bottom of the hill, can’t contain himself. He comes running and puts himself right in front of Jesus.

Unclean, unclean!

I can see the shock and repulsion on the face of the people. This leper should not be in close contact with all of us good “clean” people.

Wow! Weren’t you just listening – about removing beams and judging not? But this leper had been listening. He heard Jesus say, “ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find”.

It seems all the others on the hillside had heard words, words, words. Amen. But this leper had heard a message that would change his life forever. It brought hope and faith so he came to ask and to receive. What would you have done if you were in his shoes?

“Jesus came down from the hill, and a large crowd followed him. 2 Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, “Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.” 3 Jesus touched the man. He said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about what happened. But go and let the priest look at you. And offer the gift that Moses commanded for people who are made well. This will show everyone that you are healed” Matthew 8:1-4

He received!!!

He asked and he received. Jesus did tell him to go show himself to the priest and have them declare him clean. He needed that pronouncement according to Jewish law to be able to go back home and live among his family and friends again. And he needed to offer sacrifice.

All the people that heard Jesus preach on the hillside that day but only one came to Jesus to receive! I guess it amazes me because for many years I just heard words, words, words about Jesus; of the things He had done, the way He lived and I read the stories in the Old Testament and thought how neat that would have been. I did let it impact and change my life to a small degree but then the Holy Spirit became my teacher and started showing me that what happened in the Bible was available to me today.

My life has been forever changed and I can identify with that leper. I was unclean but one touch from Jesus has cleansed my life forever! To God be the Glory!

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Taking Good Advice

Do you know that God is a very loving Father and that He desires the best for us?

His word is filled with good advice. Just like we try to impart good advice to our children, God has written a book of daily life advice for us to follow, to live by.

Why? Because He wants nothing but the best of us.

I want to share just a couple of things that jumped off the pages of the Bible this morning.

“My child, if you listen and obey my teachings, you will live a long time. 11 I have shown you the way that makes sense; I have guided you along the right path. 12 Your road won’t be blocked, and you won’t stumble when you run. 13 Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go. It will mean life for you. 14 Don’t follow the bad example of cruel and evil people…My child, listen carefully to everything I say. 21 Don’t forget a single word, but think about it all.
22 Knowing these teachings will mean true life and good health for you. 23 Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.” Proverbs 4:10-23 CEV

Those are the words of Solomon who was endowed with an abundance of wisdom. Next, we have the words of the Apostle Paul to his disciple Titus.

“God has shown us undeserved grace by coming to save all people. 12 He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world. 13 We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. 14  He gave himself to rescue us from everything evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right. 15 Teach these things, as you use your full authority to encourage and correct people. Make sure you earn everyone’s respect.  Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. (Chapter 3) They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They shouldbe gentle and kind to everyone. 3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.

4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. 6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. 7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. 8 This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.” Titus 2:11 – 3:8 CEV

As parents we have all given advice to our children, advice that we feel is good. God’s advice to us as His children is much better, more reliable and always true. We do well when we follow His teachings!

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Think On These

Yesterday’s blog was very timely – A Changed Mind.

God knows what He is doing. King Solomon put it this way in Proverbs 23:7. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:”

If we see ourselves as God sees us and we meditate on His word, we will be victorious when the battles and the challenges come. We’re told…

…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

…My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Philippians 4:19

…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

…If God be for us, who can be against us Romans 8:31

…the thief comes but to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly John 10:10

…if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally James 1:5

…He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed I Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5-6

…(Abraham) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:17

God tells us that the battle is in our minds and we are to renew them to His way of thinking and not to be caught up in man’s natural way of thinking. Sucessful people throughout time have used God’s principal of renewing your mind and have come through with God-like results.

“The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, 5 and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:4-5

This is what David did as a young shepherd; all the armies of Israel were in fear of one giant but David knew that God would fight with him and so he had no fear and defeated Goliath single handed. Abraham knew he had God’s promise for a child and so at 100 years old, he held on to God’s word and a miracle of conception took place and Sarah gave birth to Issac. Peter was in a sinking boat when Jesus came walking on the water and at Jesus’ word, Come, Peter stepped out and walked to Jesus.

The men and the women of the Bible were/are people just like us, 100% human, what made them special is they chose to believe that God’s words had power and they let those words change their circumstances. We can do the same today.

Give God’s word more credibility than the word of your neighbor, your spouse, a trusted friend and think on His words. Your situations will change as you put your faith in God.

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A Changed Mind

Having a changed mind, or a renewed, transformed mind, as the Apostle Paul says, is a two-sided coin.

We have to realize what God the Father says about us in His word and live that out each day, but we also have to realize that we have an enemy who tries to destroy what the Father desires to do.

We are the deciding factor.

Who do we agree with? If we side with the Father and believe His Word we will see the positive results that He intends for us. If we side with the enemy and agree with him, we will see results of destruction. God is greater than the devil and could just “force” us to believe the right, but He won’t.

God doesn’t want us to be mindless puppets. He wants us to be loving children who hear and obey His word. We have a free choice, even if that brings a negative influence into our lives.

I want to point out a few of the subtle and not so subtle mind games the devil likes to play. He uses the same old tricks he always has so they are pretty easy to spot and through our strength in Christ, easy to defeat.

“… He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.” John 8:43-45 ERV

“…The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1

“The devil came to tempt him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread.” Matthew 4:3 ERV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:1-2 KJV

Identify the words of the enemy; he comes to bring doubt, destruction, condemning and “if” thoughts. “You can’t do it; look at your past; God won’t use you; did God really say that; you’ll make a fool of yourself; “if” you try you’ll fail; are you really sure you’re saved and God will come to your rescue?” All of these and so many more are the tactics of the enemy.

The devil’s a liar but God cannot lie!

If the thoughts that come to your mind are any of the above, you know the devil is at work trying to dis-courage or destroy what God has promised. Condemnation doesn’t come from God. When we do things wrong, He will correct and instruct and even discipline us but it always comes in a loving, you-can-do-better type of way. He doesn’t ridicule or defame.

“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” II Corinthians 10:5 AMP

We are to take EVERY thought captive into obedience in Christ!

Don’t let thoughts that aren’t from God take residence in your mind, drive them out as Jesus did – IT is written, it IS written, IT IS WRITTEN!

God’s word creates a changed mind!

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Gateway to Wisdom

The theme of our past several blogs is gaining wisdom. Wisdom is found in God’s word. When we stand on God’s word it’s a firm foundation keeping us secure in troubling and tumultuous seasons.

The best thing we can do is “I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning  against you.12 I praise you, Lord! Teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:11-12 CEV

When I start writing and can’t remember where to find a Scripture I just look it up. I either use my Strong’s concordance from the bookshelf or I use the Biblegateway app on my computer. But here’s the thing, if it isn’t in the concordance or if I hadn’t downloaded the app, I wouldn’t have it.

If we don’t put God’s word into our heart and mind, it becomes almost impossible to utilize it when we need it. Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted of the devil and when temptation came, He stood strong because He had already spent time putting the Word into His heart. When the temptation came, his heart took over and out came the Word! His eye was single – He had set His mind on things above.

“Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. 2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread. 4 But He replied, It has been written,” Matthew 4:1-4 AMP

About 15 years back I went out for an afternoon ride. The horse I was riding was a big old standard bred – he had been trained to pull our wagon but also to work cattle in the hills. We started out the side gate and had gotten up the first little rock basalt hill when he balked and hopped sideways. Little did I know but my cinch was faulty and off I came, saddle and all. As I hit the hard ground, the first words out of my mouth were “ ‘by His stripes I am healed’…I will have no broken bones. ‘He sent His word and healed them’ ‘He will protect me lest I dash my foot against a stone’”. With that I picked up my saddle and started walking back to the house. No broken bones, just a few sore spots for the next several days.

My point is this – we don’t know when we’ll need the Word of God but we WILL need it. Jesus taught that the Word would be a solid rock foundation for us when the storms of life come. We need to be standing on the rock – Knowing the latest sports stats, or Wall Street financials, or political talking points or quotes from the textbook aren’t going to provide the strength and answers we need when facing a crisis! There’s nothing wrong with that stuff but it shouldn’t be our foundation; if it is our house with fall.

But we have the God-given opportunity to read and know God’s word. We can put it to the test and find that He never fails. His word will stand true forever.

It’s only thing to look at a beautiful garden from pictures but it’s so much better to walk through the gate and enjoy the beauty personally. Walk through the gate of God’s word!

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Wonderful Counselor

I love looking at the names of Jesus that Isaiah spoke of.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT

and His name shall be called Counselor – what is it you are needing direction on today?

We have been given a “Counselor” and this one knows the beginning from the end and all there is in between. Nothing happens that He doesn’t know about and He is wisdom. His counsel is faithful and true – He isn’t guessing or offering suggestions – He gives us the right answer every time.

We are a people in search of answers. We have financial advisors, life coaches, fitness instructors, legal advisors, sports trainers, YouTube experts on every subject but there is one who outshines them all.

“These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. 5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:4-7 NLT

When we open the pages of God’s heavenly love letter, the Bible, we receive wisdom and instruction in right living.

It’s profitable to receive good advice from a friend or trusted loved one.

My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. 23 For their command is a lamp  and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.” Proverbs 6:20-23 NLT

But even greater advice comes from the One who made us and put our world in place.

“ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT

What a wonderful gift we have been given. Take time for a counselling appt today. Our Wonderful Counselor is waiting for our call.

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Beginning the Advent-ure

December 1st, the beginning of Advent. When our children were little, we had advent calendars, the countdown to Christmas and Jesus’ birthday. It was always about Jesus and the gifts we could give Him.

Now that they are grown, the emphasis is the same. However, a few things have changed. Instead of heading to the forest to cut a tree we went to Home Depot. The adventure wasn’t quite the same – instead of facing icy roads and a snow-covered mountain top we maneuvered the freeway and the parking lots.

But opening the box of ornaments and nativities brought back memories of years past. I could almost hear the laughter as I removed the angels from the boxes and hung them on the tree. Each one has stood the test of time – being moved from state to state, surviving the downsizing from large home on acreage to the tiny home in the desert.

This is another adventure that the Lord has led us on. No longer does the tree stand in the living room; this year it’s on the front porch.

But the things that haven’t changed are the eternal promises of God.

Those of you that know me well know I love the Word of God and believe it is to be taken literally. It’s the rock I stand on and has been my foundation through good times and the bad. The thing about the bad times, is when we’re standing on the Word we come through victorious.

My favorite verse in all the Bible is Numbers 23:19-20

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 20Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”

If this verse isn’t true, then we can throw the rest of the Bible out the window.

Since the Bible is God’s word, we need to know that He cannot lie – so if it’s written, He’s holding Himself to it. God has spoken a blessing over those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior and He’s not going back on it.

“ The law says we are under a curse for not always obeying it. But Christ took away that curse. He changed places with us and put himself under that curse. The Scriptures say, ‘Anyone who is hung on a tree is under a curse.‘ 14 Because of what Jesus Christ did, the blessing God promised to Abraham was given to all people. Christ died so that by believing in him we could have the Spirit that God promised.” Galatians 3:13-14 ERV

Jesus took on the curses of sin, sickness, fear, failure, and all the rest so that we could walk in the blessings. See, what He has blessed can’t be reversed. Praise God!

Life with Christ is an amazing advent-ure!

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The Father’s Gifts

When I woke up this morning, this verse was on my heart.

“If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11.

This word evil is a comparative word.

When comparing earthly fathers to God, the Father, the earthly fathers are comparatively evil. Sometimes our natural fathers will make a wrong decision or lose their tempers or display other “evil” character flaws but not God, the Father, His very nature is love.

His love is unconditional, He is never self-seeking, and He will never fail us.

I was blessed to have a very loving father and I miss him dearly. He was a living example to me of God’s love. Yes, he had his faults and shortcomings, but I always knew he loved me and that he would do all he could for me and our family. Some are not so blessed, and I understand that too – but regardless of how your natural father has treated you, God, the Father, always welcomes you with open arms and a heart full of love!

“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 CEV

He doesn’t promise one thing on one day and take it away the next. He is always the same. He is a promise keeper.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. 20 ‘My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done.'” Numbers 23:19-20 CEV

He has promised to give us every blessing that comes from heaven.

“ We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

His great and precious promises are infused with His nature – love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, meekness, faith. His love never fails; it isn’t self-seeking or selfish. It isn’t vindictive or unforgiving. These are just some of the gifts He has given to us.

He’ll wipe away our tears, laugh with us in the good times and hold us close to protect us in the evil times.

He is a good, good Father!





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Don’t Compromise

Don’t ever, ever, ever compromise on the Word of God!

It is the only thing that is infallible, faithful and true – it will never change and the only time it seems to be void of power is when we fail to believe it but even then, it does not change. God’s word is a firm foundation for all who will stand on it.

When I was thinking about this topic I did a search of “don’t compromise your faith”. The following list came up first thing.

To avoid compromising your faith:

  1. Be solidly committed to God’s ways.
  2. Actively grow in your relationship with Him.
  3. Learn His truths.
  4. Rely on His power to help you walk without compromise.
  5. Trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all your ways.

Good advice for any time or generation. These line up perfectly with Scripture.

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. 22 These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. 23 Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.

24 Don’t bend the truth or say things that you know are not right. 25 Keep your eyes on the path, and look straight ahead. 26 Make sure you are going the right way, and nothing will make you fall. 27 Don’t go to the right or to the left, and you will stay away from evil.” Proverbs 4:20-27 ERV

“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

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 KJV

and one final word of encouragement

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

God’s word is trustworthy – all the time. No matter the circumstances or situations God and His word do not change. Trust Him and don’t compromise!

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