Tag: GodIsGood

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Oh My, Look at the Time!

That’s what I said to myself when I woke up this morning! I really slept in.

We are all so conscious of time. Appointments, work, school, dinner with friends all require us to look at the clock. But there are other times too – times you can’t find on a clock. Those are the ones I want to talk about this morning.

Look at the time.

Since we are connected through the internet it may be early morning, midday or perhaps you are reading this in the evening but whatever time it is where you are it is time to praise the Lord!

You could be in a time of trouble, a time of fear, good time, dinner time, party time, time of loneliness, time of sickness or time of concern. No matter, it is time to praise the Lord.

Why?

Because He is Lord of all and Lord over all and all who trust in Him will never be ashamed!

Just so you know, all those times listed above – I’ve been there and the thing that ALWAYS brings me through is praise time. Remembering that my heavenly Father is bigger than anything here and that He has a plan for me to prosper and have good success gives me reason to praise.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. 2 I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.

4 For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. 5 Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! 6 This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. 7 For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.

8 Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him. 9 If you belong to the Lord, reverence him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing.

11 Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.” Psalm 34:1-11 TLB

Oh my, look at the time! Look at the timeline of your life and praise the Lord for bringing you to this place.

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Go To Church Anyway

Years ago, Dave and I helped found a ministry called Christians Cowboys Association. It was an outreach to the farming and ranching communities, mostly in Arizona. We shared Jesus on local ranches, in home Bible studies, at Youth, High School and College Rodeos and at Friday night gatherings we called Cowboy Cathedral.

The ministry was unconventional in the places we went and the folks we ministered to. Many times, we sat on hay bales or metal bleachers beside a rodeo arena. The music was country gospel and the message was the uncompromised Word of God.

Last night I read a post written by a man who had preached some of those rodeo services and it touched my heart. His name is Clay McGuire, and he pastors a church in Buckeye, Arizona called Lighthouse Fellowship. I messaged and asked if I could share this with you. He told me, sure. This writing reminded me of those Christian Cowboy days, these are the kind of people we ministered too, these were the ones who were always welcome.

“GO TO CHURCH ANYWAYS

If you’re having sex before marriage, go to church anyway.

If you are a drug addict trying to beat addiction, go to church anyway.

If you were out drunk all night the night before, go to church anyway.

If you aren’t sure what gender you prefer, go to church anyway.

If you can’t quit that disgusting habit, go to church anyway.

CHURCH is a HOSPITAL for the BROKEN, LOST, EMPTY, CONFUSED, DESPERATE, and REJECTED.

Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past.

How do we break the chains of addiction and bondage?

By prayer…

Prayer for you.

Prayer with you!

There isn’t a single person in the 4 walls of the church that doesn’t have something they hate or regret about their past.

We’ve all made mistakes and will continue to,

BUT His Grace is enough.

There are things that I’d never want to admit out loud about myself, but God knows.

And He loves me nonetheless.

So whatever you’ve done, whatever you’re doing,

whatever you will do…

it might just change your life if…

YOU GO TO CHURCH ANYWAYS

It certainly did mine.”

There is something strengthening to be found in gathering with other Christians. The Bible tells us that we are all part of one body and each one of us has a part to play in keeping the “body” whole.

“Our bodies are made up of many parts. None of these parts have the same use. 5 There are many people who belong to Christ. And yet, we are one body which is Christ’s. We are all different but we depend on each other.” Romans 12:4-5 NLV

Go to church away?

When Jesus was teaching all were welcome, no one was excluded, and His final earthly message to us was to go to all the world and preach the good news. As Clay said, the church is a hospital for hurting people.

Let’s be the church that Jesus wants us to be – and if you are ever in Buckeye, AZ and need a good place to gather Lighthouse Fellowship is my recommendation.

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As Long As I Live

Such a definitive phrase – as long as I live. All encompassing. Total commitment.

Those are the words I found this morning in Psalm 146. I am uncertain of the age of the writer of this Psalm, but I do know this, they had encountered first-hand the mercy and goodness of God.

“Shout praises to the Lord!
With all that I am,
    I will shout his praises.
2 I will sing and praise
the Lord God
    as long as I live.

3 You can’t depend on anyone,
    not even a great leader.
4 Once they die and are buried,
that will be the end
    of all their plans.

5 The Lord God of Jacob blesses
everyone who trusts him
    and depends on him.
6 God made heaven and earth;
he created the sea
    and everything else.
God always keeps his word.
7 He gives justice to the poor
    and food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free
8     and heals blind eyes.
He gives a helping hand
    to everyone who falls.
The Lord loves good people
9     and looks after strangers.
He defends the rights
of orphans and widows,
    but destroys the wicked.

10 The Lord God of Zion
will rule forever!
    Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 146 CEV

This is a psalm of blessing, of healing and hope. It’s a psalm of provision and protection. This is a psalm, a song as it were, of the faithfulness of God, not to just one individual but to us all.

It’s for friends and strangers, widows and orphans, the imprisoned and the poor. It’s for everyone.

Everyone!

Join me and the writer of this Psalm and say, “As long as I live I will sing and praise the Lord”.

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Well, Then…

O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!!

End of sentence, end of paragraph, end of story! To keep our peace, we MUST keep our focus – God is good. So far this year the Lord has had me share on His amazing grace, His unconditional love, the power of His word and now, on His peace.

“Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5:17-19 ERV

It took me a while to understand the verses written above. Growing up I would hear verses like this, and it would be followed with a comment like “we just never know what God’s going to do so we have to be thankful for whatever it comes our way”. No! Rape, murder, divorce, financial devastation, cancer – no, I don’t have to be thankful for those.

But, I do need to be thankful that no matter what comes I have Jesus in my life and greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I can be thankful because this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. I can and will be thankful because Jesus said, in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 NLT

Focus, Kristi, focus.

When my life is in Christ Jesus, it doesn’t matter what comes my way, I can give thanks knowing that I won’t be going through it alone. God, the Father, has sent the Holy Spirit to guide me through successfully.

“14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 NLT

Yes!

Now this is what I can be thankful for. I can be at peace because my mind is stayed on the Father and on the truth that He is good. It is God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who empowers me each day, reminding me that I have been adopted and my Father has caused me to inherit His nature and His blessings.

Jesus is my example. He faced hard times – persecutions, riotous mobs, hunger, betrayal, a cross but He was victorious!

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

Well, then…since the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead now lives in us, we can be at peace and trust the Father in every circumstance. God is good!

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Pursued by Goodness

I just love it when I wake up singing praise to the Lord. It sets the tone for my whole day!

Sunday we sang a song that filled my heart and my soul. This morning it also filled my mind. I had to get up and just sit with the Father and sing it over and over to Him.

“Goodness of God” by Bethel Music

“And all my life You have been faithful, oh-oh-oh
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give you everything
‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me, oh-oh
‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me”

We are being chased, pursued by God’s goodness. This is the image that King David painted for us in Psalm 23.

“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.” Psalm 23:6 AMP

Goodness, mercy and unfailing love are sent to follow us all of our days.

Moses told the Israelites the same thing just days before they entered into the land of promise.

“Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God. 3 You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3 AMP

Why is it, I wonder, that people are so ready to believe that God is looking for ways to punish us and not to bless us?

The Israelites had faced numerous hardships on their journey to the land the Lord had promised them. In fact, one king hired a prophet to proclaim a curse on them. (This just happens to be one of my favorite stories.)

Each time the prophet was supposed to pronounce a curse he would proclaim a blessing. The king became very angry and this is what the prophet told him.

“Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, ‘What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!’…’God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? 20 Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!'” Numbers 23:11,19-20 NLT

The Lord has promised to fill our lives with blessings – unconditional love, forgiveness, peace, joy, provision. We are being pursued by goodness!

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Thankful for Abundance

Years ago, I had a Thanksgiving experience that has reminded me to be thankful for leftovers. Putting away leftovers became a reminder to me of the Lord’s abundance.

This particular Thanksgiving occurred during our farming days. We had a hired hand named Max who irrigated for us. We invited him to come for dinner but he felt uncomfortable with that, so, Dave took a platter of food down to him. I had put some of everything on that plate.

Dave came back and he was almost speechless. Max said he had never seen so much food at a single setting. In fact, he wanted to know if we were going to come down and eat with him because this was just “too much food”. Dave told him it was all for him. Max was overwhelmed to say the least.

That year as I cleared the table and put away the leftovers my heart swelled with gratitude. We certainly had more than we needed, we had more than enough. We had an abundance that we took for granted.

Leftovers.

I wonder how the mother of the boy in the Bible who had a lunch of five loaves and two small fish felt when her son came home with leftovers.

“ Jesus said, “Bring the bread and the fish to me.” 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish. He looked into the sky and thanked God for the food. Then he broke the bread into pieces, which he gave to the followers, and they gave the food to the people. 20 Everyone ate until they were full. When they finished eating, the followers filled twelve baskets with the pieces of food that were not eaten.” Matthew 14:18-20 ERV

Here was a boy with a sack lunch, just enough to satisfy his appetite. Jesus took what he willingly offered and created a miracle that fed a multitude. I’m sure that some of what had been gathered was sent home with the boy. That’s what God does.

When we give, God gives. In fact, God gives before we do.

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

As we head into the Christmas season I want to be mindful of all that the Father gives us on a daily basis. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

May something as small as a bowl of leftovers be a reminder of God’s abundant blessings.

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Thankful for God’s Love

Happy Thanksgiving!

I pray that each of you find much to be thankful for today. One of my favorite Psalms is entitled “Praise for God’s Love”. That’s what today is all about – praising God for His love, protection and sustaining power.

I hope you will read it all the way through and open your heart, as King David did, to praise God for His amazing love.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. And all that is within me, praise His holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness. 3 He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases. 4 He saves my life from the grave. He crowns me with loving-kindness and pity. 5 He fills my years with good things and I am made young again like the eagle.

6 The Lord does what is right and fair for all who suffer under a bad power. 7 He made His ways known to Moses and His acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is full of loving-pity and kindness. He is slow to anger and has much loving-kindness. 9 He will not always keep after us. And He will not keep His anger back forever. 10 He has not punished us enough for all our sins. He has not paid us back for all our wrong-doings. 11 For His loving-kindness for those who fear Him is as great as the heavens are high above the earth. 12 He has taken our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord has loving-pity on those who fear Him, as a father has loving-pity on his children. 14 For He knows what we are made of. He remembers that we are dust.

15 The days of man are like grass. He grows like a flower of the field. 16 When the wind blows over it, it is gone. Its place will remember it no more. 17 But the loving-kindness of the Lord is forever and forever on those who fear Him. And what is right with God is given forever to their children’s children, 18 to those who keep His agreement and remember to obey His Law.

19 The Lord has set up His throne in the heavens. And His holy nation rules over all. 20 Praise the Lord, you powerful angels of His who do what He says, obeying His voice as He speaks! 21 Praise the Lord, all you armies of His who work for Him and do what pleases Him. 22 Praise the Lord, all His works in all places under His rule. Praise the Lord, O my soul!” Psalm 103 NLV

God loves each one of us with an everlasting love! Happy Thanksgiving.

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It’s Supper Time

Maybe some of you are like me, no family this year at Thanksgiving. Our kids and their families will all be in different places. It makes me a bit envious of those who have their families living close by.

When the kids were little, we lived close enough to be with my folks but as time passed, we moved farther and farther away. The kids grew and they moved. Although we are close in heart, family holiday traditions were not high on our list.

This year we’ll be doing something new. I volunteered to cook the turkey and dressing, make the gravy and then we will share it with our neighbors, who also won’t be with family.

As I woke this morning a song was going through my head, imagine that. It was written in the 1940-1950’s by Ira Stanphill and was recorded by a myriad of Country and Gospel singers. Come Home, It’s Suppertime.

“Come home, come home, it’s suppertime
The shadows lengthen fast
Come home, come home, it’s suppertime
We’re going home at last”

Jesus told his disciples a story about a banquet that was thrown by a King. He invited many people to attend but some refused His invitation. They made one excuse after another. So, the king sent out His servants to invite those of lesser reputation in society.

“‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.'” Luke 14:21-24 NLT

We are some of those who have been invited to this banquet. God the Father has issued the invitation. “Come home, it’s suppertime”. There will be one more banquet, a type of wedding feast. This one will be in heaven and all of us who have accepted Christ as Savior will be invited.

“A voice came from the throne, saying, ‘Give thanks to our God, you servants who are owned by Him. Give thanks to our God, you who honor Him with love and fear, both small and great.’

6 Then I heard what sounded like the voices of many people. It was like the sound of powerful rushing water. And it was like loud thunder. It said, ‘Thanks to our God. For the Lord our God is King. He is the All-powerful One. 7 Let us be full of joy and be glad. Let us honor Him, for the time has come for the wedding supper of the Lamb…

9 The angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Those who are asked to the wedding supper of the Lamb are happy.’” And he said, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:5-8 NLV

God, the Father, is anticipating having all His children home. The banquet will be great. Whether you are joined by family and friends or alone this Thanksgiving, give thanks that the Father has welcomed you to His table.

Very soon we will hear, “Come home, it’s suppertime”!

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Let the Son Shine

I love waking up to pray. This morning I learned of a young woman named Suzy who is going to have part of her thyroid removed and a biopsy done, it appears to be cancer. Her father posted a request for prayer. I count it a blessing and a privilege to pray for this lady and her family, whom I have never met.

Shortly after that I learned of a fire that destroyed everything a dear friend’s nephew had. Again – more prayers.

The Lord doesn’t prompt me to pray for every story or situation I learn of but when He does I want to be faithful.

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 NLT

I believe that verse with all my heart and so I pray.

Finally, I read one more story this morning that another friend had posted. It’s about the town of Barrow, Alaska. On November 18, the sun set and won’t be seen again until January 23, that’s 65 days with no sun.

No sun, but how many days do some people experience with no SON?

That’s why I pray. I want those who are hurting, in need or in a dark place to experience the Son shine.

“We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.” II Peter 2:18-19 NLT

The Apostle Peter had a life transforming experience when he was with Jesus on a mountain top and heard God, the Father, speak from heaven. He’s saying here that because of that experience he has great confidence in God’s word. However, he is also saying that we, who haven’t heard an audible voice, can also have confidence in the Word of God. The Word is like a shining light for our path and Christ is like the light that shines in the morning, the sun, and He shines in our hearts.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT

About a week ago, I met a man while having dinner with friends. After talking with him for a while he said something no one has ever said to me before. He said, “You have a light in you. It shines through your eyes and your smile.” Thank you, Lord, for shining in me.

Some people we meet are like those folks in Barrows, they’re living without “Son shine”. It’s up to us to let the Son shine through our actions and our prayers.

I’m so grateful for the light of God’s love!

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Preparing the Heart

Thanksgiving is coming soon and there is so much preparation still to be done. Groceries to buy, miles to be driven, pies to bake, turkey to prepare and cleaning to be done – but in all of this it’s important that we don’t lose sight of why we celebrate on the 4th Thursday of November.

“Father, you so graciously brought those pilgrims through a year of hardship and struggle in this new land. They came with a desire to worship freely and seeking to build a land where men were equal. They willingly faced the perils of sea and land; weather and wild but they persevered with Your help and the help of their new found allies. Our hearts are grateful that because of their sacrifice we are able to call this land home.

We are also grateful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus we can call heaven home and spend eternity in Your presence. We are dependent on You and Your direction for our lives as much as those early settlers that came to Plymouth Rock. We come to our Rock, the solid rock, Christ Jesus and in Him we find life.

Our desire is to let the light of Jesus shine from us so brightly that the world may see your great love. This is my prayer to You, in Jesus name. Amen”

The Apostle Paul desired that the light of the gospel, the good news, shine through him and through us.

“We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6 The Scriptures say, ‘God commanded light to shine in the dark.’ Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.

7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.” II Corinthians 4:5-12 CEV

Paul experienced the death of his fleshly desires – comfort, security, safety, freedom; so that he could bring the the message of new life in Christ to the world. Jesus sacrificed the desires and needs of the flesh to provide salvation and Paul was willing to crucify his flesh to continue to take that message around the known world.

As we finish our preparations for time with family and friends, let’s remember to do the same. When we’re tired, hungry, inconvenienced by long lines and irritable people, let’s let the light of Jesus shine through us to bring the power of God to others.

Let’s prepare our hearts, so that the light of God will shine for all the world to see!

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