Tag: never alone

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Moving Forward

As you probably know by now I like to reminisce. However, I’m not in this alone, am I? That’s why we take pictures or keep a journal. We want to remember special events – weddings, births, graduations, a new car, school or home. The memories remind us of blessings and give us hope for the future.

A couple of days ago I had someone ask me when we moved to this house. Without thinking I quickly replied May 29, 2014. She was surprised but that day holds in my memory because we had prayed and waited for eight years to move from Montana to Arizona. With each month and year that passed the longing to move home grew greater. I won’t forget that day.

We said good bye to friends and started out on our journey. We didn’t get far the first day but we started. It was good to stop and rest – good dinner and a good bed. Moving to a new state, a new home or a new job is much like our walk with Christ.

We aren’t abandoning the old, we’re taking the knowledge and strength that we gained from the past with us as we walk new ground. It’s in these “alone” times when we are without the familiar that we deepen in our relationship with the Father and listen more intently for the voice of the Holy Spirit as He gives us direction.

Forward progress doesn’t always come in great distances covered but more often comes from moment by moment, hour by hour, mile by mile forward movement in developing who we are in Christ. It’s important to stop and rest – to come aside to be refreshed and then to pick up and begin again, faithfully following and moving forward in what the Lord has called us to do.

We were excited about the move to Arizona and we’re glad we came. We were joined on our journey by our son and his girlfriend. They helped with the driving and the unpacking at our new home. We so appreciated that. It’s good to have help with difficult challenges. God has promised to never abandon us or leave us alone. Help is always there when we need it!

So today I leave you with this encouragement from God’s word:

“I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. 14 I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven. 15 All of us who have grown to be spiritually mature should think this way too. And if there is any of this that you don’t agree with, God will make it clear to you. 16 But we should continue following the truth we already have.” Philippians 3:12-16 ERV

Keep moving forward – reaching the finish line brings great joy!

Love to you all.

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A Watchful Father

We are all familiar with baby monitors – what a great invention! Loving parents can keep watch when their children are sleeping and playing. They can hear the coos, the laughter and the cries. They are ready to run to their children’s aide the moment it’s needed.

Can anything be more reassuring?

This morning as I was viewing the baby monitor I was overwhelmed by a wonderful thought. I was watching to see if my assistance was needed; I was waiting and ready to help. I realized our heavenly Father is doing the same.

We aren’t left alone to struggle and fall without someone being there to help us up, give us a hug and wipe away our tears.

“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC

Our heavenly Father is watching over us.

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes (or the virus comes)* and the mountains fall into the sea. 3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark  and the mountains tremble. Selah” Psalm 46:1-3 ERV (* added by me for practical application)

There is a song that I grew up hearing on the record player. It conveys our Father’s loving care so adequately, “My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me”. It was written in 1910 but I think it applies so well to what we are going through today.

  1. I trust in God wherever I may be,
    Upon the land, or on the rolling sea,
    For come what may, from day to day,
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.
    • Refrain:
      I trust in God, I know He cares for me;
      On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
      Though billows roll, He keeps my soul;
      My heav’nly Father watches over me.
  2. He makes the rose an object of His care,
    He guides the eagle through the pathless air,
    And surely He remembers me;
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.
  3. I trust in God, for, in the lion’s den,
    On battlefield, or in the prison pen,
    Through praise or blame, through flood or flame,
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.
  4. The valley may be dark, the shadows deep,
    But, oh, the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep;
    And through the gloom He’ll lead me home,
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.

Our Father is ready to run to our cry. He is our help in times of trouble. We can trust Him to watch over us every day, in every place. He will never abandon us!

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“With” Is Better

Where are you going today? Doing anything special? I always find that even the mundane is more fun when I have someone along to share it with. Yesterday, Dave and I had lots of errands to run and we enjoyed it more because we were “with” each other.

We are never alone even in the dullest or most difficult moments. We have a promise that God is with us. That’s what His name means:

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].” Isaiah 7:14 AMP

Immanuel, God with us!

God came to walk with Adam in the cool of the day; then He came and walked and talked with Abraham and Moses, David and Daniel, Enoch and Elijah, you and me. God loves being with His people. It’s only fitting that one of His names should mean God with us. That was His goal – to have relationship with us, to walk and talk with us, friend to friend, Father to child.

Do you recall the first time your child didn’t want you around? I remember hearing our toddlers say “I do this”. It was cute but then when they were in their teens, they got too big to need my presence or it wasn’t cool to have their folks hanging out with them. It hurt. I can only imagine how much it must hurt the Father when we exclude Him from our activities, not wanting Him around, taking the attitude “I’ve got this”.

He’ll let us try to handle things, sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail but He’s always there. He never leaves us alone – that’s who He is, that’s what He does.

“God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Hebrews 13:5b ERV

Friends may come and go; relationships change. Death may separate us from the ones we love. But the Lord will be with us forever and when we have Him, He takes care of the rest.

What’s on your list of things to do today?

Take Him along. Lunch with a friend, bring the extra guest. Need some down time, the two of you can sit quietly together, after all He IS Immanuel! He’ll be excited you’ve included Him in your plans.

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Delivered From Down Days

I’ve been asked on a couple of different occasions if I ever have down days? If I’m completely honest, I have to say not often. I’m pretty much a half full, life is good, kind of girl.

That doesn’t mean I have never experienced depression because I have. Ugly, dark, not wanting to go on, type of days. However, the Lord brought me through that time and completely assured me of His love and HIs calling on my life.

It was a life changing moment! Almost as dramatic as the day that the Lord gave me new life in Him. You see, I knew Jesus loved me enough to die for me and save me but I just figured He pretty much left me alone to figure things out here on earth. I didn’t know how to handle life and the failures and disappointments I was facing. There was no one to encourage me, no one to turn to. But God had a plan…

“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.” Proverbs 4:20-23 ERV

God’s plan became clear when I heard Dale Evans Rogers talking at a college assembly. She told of some of her heartaches but she quickly added that the Lord had always been there to be her strength and carry her through. I came away from that assembly knowing that I would never be alone again. If it was just Jesus and I for the rest of my life, that was more than enough.

“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

This became my go-to verse when I would start to feel down. Now, 55+ years later, there just aren’t any down days. God has been faithful. I started to say “so faithful” but there aren’t degrees of faithfulness. Either you are or your aren’t and God is! It’s like love – either you love or your don’t, there isn’t more or less. Love is love and God is love!

It’s nice to have friends come along side and encourage us when we are having a “bad day” but ultimately we are the only ones who can bring our thoughts to the place of peace by trusting God.

“Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 AMP

King David was in a tough place. He and his army returned to their town to find that their wives and children had been kidnapped and their town burned to the ground. His men were distraught and blaming David. They were talking of killing him. He had lost everything. There was no one to encourage him, no one to tell him it would be alright; he encouraged himself in the Lord.

I know I often share the lyrics of songs with you. I’m going to share an old hymn with you this morning. I really hope the words of this song bring you hope and reassurance.

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

Ev’ry day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

The words of this song are the words of my life! I hope you will make them yours.

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Some Things Can Be Scary

We’ll be celebrating our Independence Day very soon. It’s always been a favorite of mine. I love the fireworks!

However, for those of us with pets at home it can be a scary time. When I worked for a vet we would be inundated with calls the week prior to the 4th from concerned pet owners who were wondering what they could give their pets to help them through the night’s festivities.

I remember a time when we were in Iowa for the summer and how Glory reacted. It was a nice display – I had a perfect spot from the porch of our RV. But Glory, our Australian Shepherd, was not getting the same enjoyment I was. Although the noise was slightly bothersome, it was the bright flashes of light that bothered her the most so we finished watching from inside, through the window. As long as she sat in my lap and I was patting her she was ok. She didn’t realize that nothing would harm her and that soon, very soon, it would all be over. Her perspective was skewed but she knew she would be ok because I would protect her.

It made me think of how unfounded my fears have been. Most things are only loud noises and flashing lights when put in perspective with God’s word and His goodness, grace, mercy and power. In a few short days I will be celebrating my 65th birthday. The years have flown and I feel the best is still ahead – the best years with my husband, my children, grandchildren, my friends, and my God!

There’s an old song – The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows!

Yes, I can say God is always faithful! Always! Me, on the other hand, I can use some work.

So many times I thought I knew best and have the perfect plan. I got out into a place of loud booming noises and flashes of light that frightened me. I was sure I would be destroyed. Then I would feel God’s reassuring hand and hear His voice telling me it would be ok, “I’m here”. I would cuddle in to Him and yes, it was soon over and I was ok.

Moses gave this instruction to the Israelites and to Joshua right before they crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Moses told them that he wouldn’t be going with them; he had led them for 40 years and now it was time for someone new to take charge. They were to follow Joshua.

“Be brave and strong! Don’t be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The Lord your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you. 7 Then Moses called Joshua up in front of the crowd and said:

Joshua, be brave and strong as you lead these people into their land. The Lord made a promise long ago to Israel’s ancestors that this land would someday belong to Israel. That time has now come, and you must divide up the land among the people. 8 The Lord will lead you into the land. He will always be with you and help you, so don’t ever be afraid of your enemies.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 CEV

In one translation these verses say have “good courage”. Good courage is God based. It will drive out fear. John wrote that perfect love casts out fear. When we are secure in God’s love for us, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us, we will also be strong with “good” courage, even in the face of fierce battles and opponents that are big as giants.

In these three short verses, Moses tells the people and Joshua twice that God will ALWAYS be at their side. He will NEVER abandon them. Don’t be afraid of your enemies.

We all need to be reminded of this.

I don’t know what loud noises and flashing lights you are facing today. Let the Lord lead, have “good courage”. Hear His voice telling you He’s there and you can trust Him to protect you.

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No Introduction Needed

Jesus knows your name. You know that don’t you?

He knows the very number of hairs on your head; He saw you as you were being formed in your mother’s womb and considered you perfect. He has been there every day of your life and has been as intimately involved as you have allowed Him to be. There’s no introduction necessary, He knows you!

I know I have brought this as the morning devotion before but I am so in AWE of the fact that God the Father, the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe knows my name. He not only knows it but He calls to me each and every day! His desire to provide for me and have me rest in Him.

“Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior:” Isaiah 43:1-3 ERV

The prophet Isaiah wrote this as a reminder to the people of Israel that God was there for them – the situations of life would not bring anything so large that God was not with them; He is the Lord, their Savior.

He says the same thing to us in the New Testament in the book of Hebrews.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

We don’t need to be looking at others and wishing we had what they have because we have God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us. We have our help that comes from the Lord so we should be “fear free”; our God is greater than any man.

I know, I can hear you saying – “That sounds good on paper but those are just words on a page. Where is God now? Do you know what I’m going through?” No, I don’t but He does!

I’ll leave you with this thought. Remember when Mary went to the garden along with the other women. She went early in the morning to properly prepare Jesus body in his death. When they arrived the tomb was open and empty. They were just as heartbroken then as they were when they saw Jesus crucified. The women had gone to pay their last respects, to do one final thing for the Lord – to give him a proper burial and He was gone! Someone had taken his body away – what a cruel joke! Who could be so mean?

Mary looked into the tomb and saw the angels but all she could think of was the gravity of the situation and Jesus was gone.

“Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.” As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.” John 20:11-16

In her darkest hour, in her deepest grief, in her hopelessness, eyes filled with tears she didn’t recognize that Jesus was there and then…He spoke her name. What is your situation today? Are your eyes filled with tears? Have your circumstances obscured your vision? Are you blinded from seeing the One who has promised to never leave you or forsake you?

Listen – listen carefully – you will hear Him call your name!

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Left But Not Alone

I have a question for you parents this morning. Do you remember a time when you had to leave your child somewhere and it made your heart ache? Maybe it was the first day of kindergarten, maybe it was college or boot camp, it could have been at the door to the operating room in the hospital.

A sinking feeling for sure. Even now those times bring tears to your eyes and ache to your heart.

This morning I was reading I Samuel 1 about Hannah and how she longed so deeply for a child. The Lord heard and answered her prayer and as a response of devotion to Him she then took that little boy and gave him back to the Lord.

“When the boy was old enough to eat solid food, Hannah took him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh. She also took a bull that was three years old, 20 pounds of flour, and a bottle of wine.

25 They went before the Lord. Elkanah killed the bull as a sacrifice to the Lord as he usually did. Then Hannah gave the boy to Eli. 26 She said to him, “Pardon me, sir. I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord. I promise that I am telling the truth. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer. He gave me this child. 28 And now I give this child to the Lord. He will serve the Lord all his life.”

Then Hannah left the boy there and worshiped the Lord.”
I Samuel 1:24-28 ERV

The story of Hannah and Samuel isn’t just a fable that makes a good read. It is the true story of a loving mother and godly woman. Imagine how she must of wrestled with her emotions as she made the decision to give Samuel to Eli, the priest, and leave him there.

Now imagine, if you will, another parent who was willing to give up their child. This time, however, the child was given as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

“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

Hannah gave her son to a loving God but God gave His Son to an unloving world. Hannah knew her son would be well cared for, God knew His Son would be hated and abused.

It’s important that we realize the great sacrifice that our heavenly Father made in giving His Son! We can’t take it lightly. He gave so that we can have life eternal.

He gave because of His great love for us!

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:6-8 ERV

God gave one Son to gain many. Once we accept the sacrifice of Jesus we are given the right to be called the sons of God.

“The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much he loved us: We are called children of God. And we really are his children. But the people in the world don’t understand that we are God’s children, because they have not known him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God. We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like him. We will see him just as he is.” I John 3:1-2 ERV

Maybe you’re going through a tough time right now. Maybe you feel that you have been abandon, left all alone – let me assure you that that isn’t true. Jesus told His disciples that even though He would go away He would send a Helper who would be with us until His return.

“But you are filled with sadness because I have told you all this. 7 Let me assure you, it is better for you that I go away. I say this because when I go away I will send the Helper to you. But if I did not go, the Helper would not come.” John 16:6-7 CEV

God the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper and our comforter. We are not alone. We have the someone who is constantly with us and gives us the strength we need for each and every day!

“I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.

27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:25-27 CEV

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I Do It Myself

“I do it myself”. Not good grammar but you get the point.

Now that our gardens our planted I wanted to go in a different direction. Make sure you water those seeds everyday and keep the weeds pulled. You’ll be harvesting the fruit very soon.

One of our children was a very independent learner. He didn’t want help, he wanted to “do it myself”. I would sit down on the floor to play with him and his sister. We had these puzzles that both kids loved to play with. But if I tried to help, sure enough you guessed it, he would go to something different, he refused my help.

We laugh and think – sure kids do that kind of stuff but what about us as adults. Do you ever find yourself saying, “I do it myself”? Men, you have a project around the house and your wife asks if you need help…you might as well find your best little kid voice, put your hands on your hips and say “I do it myself”.

Ladies, what about us? We have family or friends over for a dinner, we have pots on every burner and something in the oven and someone asks, can I help. What do you say? “No just go enjoy everyone, I can do it. I’ve got this.” And then when they leave we complain because no one helped.

Oh yes, we all do it. But let’s  stop it here. It’s ok to say I need help.

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good. 11 See, all those who are angry with you will be put to shame and troubled. Those who fight against you will be as nothing and will be lost. 12 You will look for those who argue with you, but will not find them. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as nothing at all. 13 For I am the Lord your God Who holds your right hand, and Who says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’ 14 Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel. I will help you,” says the Lord. “The One Who bought you and sets you free is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:10-14 NLV

God makes Himself available to help us. Do we say, “I do it myself”? He desires to take our cares, our worries, our lack of wisdom, our weakness and replace it with His strength, peace, knowledge and joy.

“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. 30 For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLV

Yes, we are capable, maybe, of doing things our self but we miss out on spending time with our Father who loves us so dearly. Whether we see Him or not, He walks right with us so that He can run to our call or pick us up when we fail.

“Jesus did not come to help angels. Instead, He came to help men who are of Abraham’s family. 17 So Jesus had to become like His brothers in every way. He had to be one of us to be our Religious Leader to go between God and us. He had loving-pity on us and He was faithful. He gave Himself as a gift to die on a cross for our sins so that God would not hold these sins against us any longer. 18 Because Jesus was tempted as we are and suffered as we do, He understands us and He is able to help us when we are tempted.” Hebrews 2:16-18 NLV

So the next time you are tempted to say “I do it myself” remember there is no reason to go it alone. There is strength in numbers, God and you are a majority in any situation.

“God has said, “I will never leave you or let you be alone.” Hebrews 13:5b NLV

“What can we say about all these things? Since God is for us, who can be against us? 32 God did not keep His own Son for Himself but gave Him for us all. Then with His Son, will He not give us all things? ” Romans 8:31 NLV

 

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