Tag: NeverLeaveOrAbandon

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Fall for Jesus

I love this time of year. Autumn, Fall, Harvest. It’s great!

Instead of focusing on the “scary” things, we can enjoy the rich harvest that God has produced in our lives.

Many have been haunted by their pasts and it can leave them paralyzed to face the future. We have all done things that if brought to light would either embarrass us greatly or ruin our reputation and cause close friends and family to walk away from us.

But that is the fear that the Lord came to free us from.

“But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” Isaiah 43:1-3a AMP

Do you see the first line of these verses, “in spite of past judgements for sins”?

The Lord redeems us from our past and gives us hope for the future! He knows all that we have done and are going to do and He loves us! He wants us to stay close to Him so that He can be our constant source of peace and joy. He wants us to keep our thoughts so focused on Him so that we can’t be plagued by our past. Now that’s freedom!

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

When we fall at the feet of Jesus, we are washed of our sins and enjoy a harvest of His unconditional love and forgiveness.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

“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

“16 “This is the agreement I will make with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.” 17 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 10:16-18 ERV

Our heavenly Father doesn’t like people trash talking His kids! Everything is forgiven.

When we fall in love with Jesus, He gives us an abundant life!

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Build on a Firm Foundation

When I went to bed last night I had an idea of what I would be sharing with you this morning but that all changed. I must have awaken at least 3 or 4 times with the words of this song rolling out of my heart and my head.

“Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken”

The main thing that stuck with me all night long was “I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation. And I will put my trust in You alone and I will not be shaken.”

There is so much worry and anxiety in the world. People, good people, are being overwhelmed by everyday stress, not to mention the state of our world condition.

This last weekend the Lord reminded me of His peace. We had two very windy nights. I was concerned about the stability of the roof top tent. I know what it’s like to have high wind in an RV and also in a ground tent, so those concerns were not unfounded. However, they were unnecessary.

The tent was solid. Solid as a rock!

That’s the image the Lord brought to mind with the words, “a firm foundation”.

“ ‘Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock...’ 28 When Jesus finished speaking, the people were amazed at his teaching. 29 He did not teach like their teachers of the law. He taught like someone who has authority.” Matthew 7:24-29 ERV

“ I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

“…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]!” Hebrews 13:5b AMP

The Lord is as deeply concerned about our mental well-being as He is about our spiritual. He died for our entire person, spirit, soul and body. He does not want us to be overwhelmed.

“ Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Isaiah 53:4-5 AMPC

Whatever gusts of worry and distress blow at you today, remember that Christ and His amazing love has given you a firm foundation and you do not need to be shaken! Trust the foundation!!

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Never Alone

Yesterday we got together at our oldest daughters for swimming and a bbq. Our youngest daughter and her family were there too. It was a great afternoon.

Our oldest daughter mentioned that she and her husband were going on a morning trail ride with friends today. To me, it’s an almost perfect start to an Easter. You see when she and her brother were little, before their younger sister was born, we spent nearly every Easter at Cowboy Church Sonrise Service.

Before dawn, we would gather up in the grandstands at the arena and celebrate the resurrection of our wonderful Lord. We’d sing, give testimony of God’s goodness, preach a little and pray.

Those were the thoughts filling my heart as I felt off to sleep.

Jesus is our risen Lord!

We met so many people during those days, some of them still stay in contact with us. Life is good when you can join together with others who love the Lord. There’s a bond – a connection – a common love. There’s something about being together with people who know that they are loved by Christ, have been forgiven and know they will never be alone.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves. 7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace.” Ephesians 1:3-7 ERV

If you feel lonely, abandoned, “forsaken”, outcast and unloved. I have one word for you – Jesus!

Jesus’ mission was to the lost and the hurting. He came for those who were hopeless, helpless and alone. His promise is real:

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

Money and things will never fulfill our hearts desire. They can satisfy for a while but Jesus has promised to never leave us – He won’t abandon us, desert us or leave us unprotected and without help.

“ 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 grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

That was the message we preached in those moments just before dawn. In those grandstands and bleachers at rodeo arenas across Arizona. That’s the message that we will be preaching today.

Christ is faithful. He is forgiving. He knows our needs. He is risen! and because He rose, we will never be alone, abandon or left without help and hope. He is risen indeed!

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HOW GREAT!

Very often, early in the mornings my heart fills with song. Sometimes it’s just a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude, at others it’s a prayer put to music. Then there are the occasions that the song comes as a result of something I’ve read in my Bible as I start the day.

“ Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.”

46 Then they came to the town of Jericho. When Jesus left there with his followers, a large crowd was with them. A blind man named Bartimaeus (meaning “son of Timaeus”) was sitting by the road. He was always begging for money. 47 He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”

48 Many people criticized the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man and said, “You can be happy now. Stand up! Jesus is calling you.” 50 The blind man stood up quickly. He left his coat there and went to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked the man, “What do you want me to do for you?”

He answered, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

52 Jesus said, “Go. You are healed because you believed.” Immediately the man was able to see again. He followed Jesus down the road.” Mark 10:45-52 ERV

Immediately! he followed Jesus. I can’t help but believe that he followed praising God, singing, shouting, rejoicing in God’s goodness. How great You are Almighty God!

There have been many times I felt like the blind man. Circumstances beyond my control, financial hardship, chronic health issues, broken relationships and I couldn’t see. I couldn’t see how things would change.,,

and then I realized that Jesus was walking by – in fact, I realized that I wasn’t alone. He had promised to never leave me or abandon me. He had said, “Ask and it will be given” and “Call on me” and “Come to Me and I will give you rest”.

He never once turned me away when I called. He welcomed me with open arms. His word instructed me not to be afraid but to trust in the Lord.

Reading this man’s story my heart began to sing, “How great Thou art, How great Thou art!” https://youtu.be/a-m_6KN5ISA.

Maybe that’s what you need this morning.

Call out to Jesus – give Him your blindness to the answers that you are seeking. Tell Him you want to see, see how He is going to work in this situation and then follow Him as He leads the way.

Oh Lord, how great thou art!

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Ever Present – Ever Faithful

“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.”(Immanuel means “God with us.”) Matthew 1:23

” But the Lord will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 CEV

God with us – in the car going to work; in the kitchen baking cookies; helping our kids with their homework; Christmas shopping; sitting beside the bed of a sick friend; sitting alone looking at the checkbook and the bills that need to be paid.

God with us – His purpose in coming was to be “with us”. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

We are also told that He promises to provide all our needs, heals all our diseases and forgives all our sins. Psalm 103

He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 2:14

Can’t say that’s the way it’s always been in my life but I can say that when I realized that “God with us” it has certainly changed the outcome for the better – the best.

When we focus on all “we” have to do and how it’s “All” up to us, we become self absorbed. We make a very small package. But when we realize, truly realize, that God’s purpose is to “Be with us”, when we unwrap the present of His presence in our daily lives our world changes dramatically.

” What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 CEV

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

God’s present to us is His presence today. It fills us with joy!

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Noises that Go Boom!

Last night was a night of very little sleep. Right before bed, I read a “Breaking Now” news story. Two firefighters were killed, and one was wounded by a sniper! This was in a town we used to call home, Couer d’Alene, Idaho.

I wondered if we knew these men and/or their families. I prayed for them, their families, the other first responders, and the community. It was hard to sleep and when I awaken at 1 p.m. I was prompted to pray more. I ask you to pray for that city and all involved today.

With that being said, this morning I recycled a blog from 8 or 9 years ago. It’s one on driving out the loud noise of fear…

“I was reminded of this experience that I had several years back while we were in Iowa watching the fireworks. 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.

As long as she sat in my lap and I was patting her, she was ok. She didn’t realize that there was nothing to 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 when put in perspective with God’s word and His goodness, grace, mercy and power (the true light). In a few short days I will be celebrating my 64th birthday. (Now to be 72.) The years have flown by, and I feel the best is still ahead – the best years with my husband, my children, 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 had the perfect plan. I got out into a place of loud booming noises that frightened me. I was sure I would be destroyed. I would come back and cuddle in close and I would feel God’s reassuring hand and hear His voice telling me it would be ok, “I’m here”. And yes, it was soon over, and it was ok.

Moses was giving instruction to the Israelites and to Joshua right before they crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Moses told them that he would not 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 strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 30:6-8 KJV

Be of “Good” courage.

Good courage is God based, and it will drive out fear. John wrote in I John 4 that perfect love casts out fear.

When we are secure in God’s love for us, knowing that He will never leave us or abandon us, we will be strong with “good” courage even in the face of fierce battles and opponents that are big as giants.

Look at what Moses says in verse 8; He WILL be with thee, He WILL NOT fail or forsake thee, fear NOT!

I don’t know what loud noises you are facing today but when you are letting the Lord lead you can have “good courage”, and you’ll hear His voice telling you He’s there and you can trust Him to protect.

Let the light in your eyes be the light of His glorious presence and then there will be no reason to fear!

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What About Hardship?

Everyone that is alive has faced struggles; some are physical while others are emotional or financial or relational. That is part of living in a fallen world and it is also in part to the spiritual enemies we face.

I think we would all like a lot less hardship and more ease but frankly, that’s unrealistic.

Before you stop reading and think that this morning’s words are too depressing to read, read this.

“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed…16 That is why we never give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. 17 We have small troubles for a while now, but these troubles are helping us gain an eternal glory. That eternal glory is much greater than our troubles. 18 So we think about what we cannot see, not what we see. What we see lasts only a short time, and what we cannot see will last forever.” II Corinthians 4:8-18 ERV

These words were written by the Apostle Paul. Other than Christ, I don’t think there was anyone in the Bible who experienced more hardship than him. He was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead. He was maligned in nearly every town he preached in. And he calls all of that “small troubles”.

How can that be? His answer: God does not leave us, we look at the eternal, ever present Spirit of God who will never leave us our abandon us.

“But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.‘ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. 10 Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-11 ERV

When Daniel faced the lions, his strength was no match for theirs. David faced a Goliath of a giant, he was outmatched. The Hebrew children should have been toast in the fiery furnace. Joseph, who was accused of rape and spent years in an Egyptian prison, rose to be second in command.

Not one of them was abandoned or deserted by God. They were aware of the unseen power of God and they trusted Him.

“The Lord can be trusted in all that he says.  He is loyal in all that he does. 14 The Lord lifts up people who have fallen. He helps those who are in trouble.” Psalm 145:13-14 ERV

So, when we face hardship, and we will, we can trust God to give us the strength we need. He will be our deliverer.

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