Tag: TrustInTheLord

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Important – Take Notice

The Psalm I read this morning is one I have read the middle verses from probably a hundred times but this morning when I read it from the beginning it took on a deeper significance.

It was the Lord saying, “I notice you. You are important to me. Even when you think the things you do are mundane and insignificant, I notice. I see you”.

I don’t know how old David was when he penned this Psalm, but he was keenly aware of the Lord’s involvement in his life. I want to live each day with this same awareness of the Lord’s presence.

“You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. 2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.

3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. 4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, 5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. 6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?8 If I were to climb up
to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead
you would also be there. 9 Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. 10 Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. 11 Or suppose I said, “I’ll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.” 12 But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.

13 You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.

15 Nothing about me  is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together out of human sight,
16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything about me.

17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
18 I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.” Psalms 139:1-18 CEV

I pray those words touched you to your very core! “3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.“

The Lord takes notice of us. There’s an old hymn and the words say “My heavenly Father watches over me”. He does! He notices! We are important to Him.

I’m not as old as some but I am older than most and these thoughts that David penned bring such great joy and peace to my heart. I am important enough to my heavenly Father that He takes notice of everything I do and He listens to every word I speak.

“…Since the day you were born, I have carried you along. 4 I will still be the same
when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe” Isaiah 46:3-4 CEV

On those days when you wonder does anyone even notice, does anyone even care – take heart. The Father does!

You are noticeably important to Him!

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Safe and Secure

We had an interesting flight yesterday. We were about 10 minutes late taking off. Some people in the back of the plane would not take their seats.

After several stern announcements from the senior flight attendant, the issue, whatever it was was resolved and we were able to take off.

We had been flying for about 20 or 30 when we were told there was quite a bit of turbulent weather and the pilot was flying an alternate route to avoid it. Stay in your seats and keep your seat belts pulled tight.

Only when we were already late did we receive word that a weather front from Mexico to Las Vegas was the cause for our rerouting and that of a number of other flights.

We would be on the ground in Phoenix in another 20 minutes or so. We arrived safely and all was well.

One thing I noticed as the passengers were boarding was a family with 3 small children. Only once did I hear a small cry, I couldn’t turn around to see but I imagine that the mother was cuddling her child and diminishing any fears.

Now why would I tell you this story? Glad you asked.

“But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied, like a young child in its mother’s arms. People of Israel, you must trust the Lord now and forever.” Psalm 131:2-3 CEV

When we run into turbulence how do we handle it?

I can tell you how I did, I prayed. Things were beyond my control but not beyond God’s. No fear, just confidence that I was in a place of safety.

It’s little daily lessons like these that remind me of the Father’s constant protection and love.

Let me encourage you – feel safe like a child in its mother’s arms. No matter the circumstances God is holding you in His arms.

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Don’t Limit God

Words of the Day: Fret Not, Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Cease & Inherit!!!

Now just reading these words without explanation should put a spark in your step today – Psalm 37 is filled with God’s promise to you – Don’t limit Him today.

Did you realize you can limit God? In the Gospels it says that Jesus went about healing and doing good but in His own home town He could do no mighty work because of their unbelief.

In Psalms it says that the children of Israel limited God. We can be guilty of the same thing today.

Make up your mind and establish your heart – don’t limit God! He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and all-loving. He desires to show Himself strong on your behalf.

“Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37: 1-8 NKJV

Make today the day you take the limitations off God’s power to work in your life.

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Little Old Ladies

When I put the words “little old ladies” into a search this morning, this was one of the images that popped up.

I want us to look at one little lady that the Lord brought to the attention of His disciples.

“ Jesus sat near the Temple collection box and watched as people put money into it. Many rich people put in a lot of money. 42 Then a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth less than a penny. 43 Jesus called his followers to him and said, ‘This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. 44 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had. It was money she needed to live on.'” Mark 12:41-44 ERV

I’ve seen this lady many times in my imagination. Hair brushed back, the fabric in her clothing faded, a bit thin but a smile on her face and an air of confidence in her step.

The disciples hadn’t noticed her but God did!

The world around her ignored her. She wasn’t significant to them, but she was to the Lord. She didn’t come to Jesus asking for anything, she came to give to God willingly, sacrificially and without pretense.

There’s no mention that Jesus had any personal encounter with her, not like He had with Zacchaeus when he told him to come down out of the tree or that He had with Peter when He asked him to leave his fishing nets and follow Him.

No, but He noticed her. He knew what God would do.

“Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live. 17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere.” Psalm 145:15-18 CEV

“ When you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand gives. 4 Your giving should be in secret. Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 NLV

This isn’t a message on giving, please don’t think that. But it is a message on being seen by the Father.

These four verses tell us that nothing is outside of the Father’s attention. Something that appears insignificant to the world makes our heavenly Father take notice.

A little boy’s lunch, a widow’s small offering, a cup of cold water, a broken bottle of perfume – all gifts from the heart. All were noteworthy and found their place in Scripture. God felt they were important enough to be recorded in a book filled with miracles.

The little kindnesses we extend each day, the time spent in prayer for a loved one or a neighbor, forgiveness given, sacrifices of time, all are noticed.

Young child, college student, young mother, career path walker, blue collar worker, executive, retiree or little old lady – the Father sees you, He notices and He knows your heart.

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A Perfect Heart

This morning, I was reading in I Samuel 15. King Saul had disobeyed the command the Lord gave him. When Samuel confronted him, Saul said “the men” wanted to keep those animals to offer as sacrifice to the Lord. It’s amazing how he made justification for disobedience.

“…Then Samuel received this message from the Lord: 11 “Saul has stopped following me, so I am sorry that I made him king. He is not doing what I tell him.”…22 But Samuel answered (Saul), “Which pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the Lord than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams. ” I Samuel 15:10-22 ERV

To obey is better than sacrifice. What God desires is a heart that pleases Him, a heart that wants to follow His instruction. He’s not looking for our earthly perfection but for a willingness to obey.

“I try with all my heart to serve you. Help me obey your commands. 11 I study your teachings very carefully so that I will not sin against you. 12 Lord, you are worthy of praise! Teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:10-12 ERV

These are the words of King David. He was the man that replaced Saul as God’s chosen king.

Each morning a part of my daily prayer is “Lord, I want to please You. I want the things I do to honor You and reflect Your word”. And when I fail, I am quick to repent and receive His forgiveness and His strength for the next situation that may arise.

“But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.” I John 1:9 ERV

Our short comings and failures shouldn’t draw us away from the Father, they should bring us closer to Him. We shouldn’t run and hide as Adam and Eve did in the garden. No, instead we should run to Him and find His help in our time of need. We have this promise.

“ My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place 20 by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.

21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God’s house. 22  So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us.” Hebrews 10:19-23 CEV

We can trust the ONE who made this promise to us, the One who gives us a clean heart and a clear conscience because of what Christ did in dying for us.

The following are words to a song we used to sing years ago, “A Perfect Heart” by Reba Rambo and Donnie McGuire.

Bless the Lord
Who reigns in beauty
Bless the Lord
Who reigns with wisdom and with power
Bless the Lord
Who reigns my life with so much love
He can make a perfect heart

Let’s not be like Saul who disobeyed and then tried to justify his actions; rather, let’s be like David who asked the Lord to create in Him a clean heart.

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Recipe for a Good Day

The thing I’m learning in my quest to make good sour dough bread is measurement. There’s the starter and then the flour and water that you use to feed it. Measurement is important to my success.

The correct measurement is important to so many things, especially to our success in our spiritual growth. This morning, I will share what I feel is the recipe for a good day.

Here are the ingredients required: praise, trust, prayer, dependence and contentment and the end result will be peace and joy.


“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 KJV

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:8 KJV

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

“ I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:11-13 CEV

and the final ingredient is joy

“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

Being in the presence of the Lord we will have all we need to live right, to live successfully. Equal parts of praise, trust, dependence, prayer, peace, contentment and joy are the perfect recipe for a good day.

Mix up a big batch of it each day and enjoy the result!

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God Delivers

I feel compelled to bring you another message on deliverance today. Yesterday we saw how the Lord delivered Israel from the Philistines using a shepherd boy and five smooth stones.

Many years later there was another king in Judah, his name was Jehoshaphat. He honored the Lord.

“Jehoshaphat followed his father’s example and obeyed and worshiped the Lord. And so the Lord blessed Jehoshaphat 5 and helped him keep firm control of his kingdom.” II Chronicles 17:4-5 CEV

But some years later three armies came together and waged war on Jehoshaphat. He brought the nation together and they prayed for God’s guidance and deliverance.

“the Lord says that you don’t need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side! 16 So here’s what you must do. Tomorrow the enemy armies will march through the desert around the town of Jeruel. March down and meet them at the town of Ziz as they come up the valley. 17  You won’t even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy. Don’t be afraid. Just do as you’re told. And as you march out tomorrow, the Lord will be there with you.18 Jehoshaphat bowed low to the ground and everyone worshiped the Lord. ” II Chronicles 20: 15-18 CEV

Now let’s jump to the end of the story.

“Listen my friends, if we trust the Lord God and believe what these prophets have told us, the Lord will help us, and we will be successful.” 21 Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and praise the Lord for his holy power by singing: “Praise the Lord! His love never ends.”

22 As soon as they began singing, the Lord confused the enemy camp, 23 so that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! II Chronicles 20:20-23 CEV

The Lord delivered them from their enemies. Their weapons were obedience and praise. The Psalms tell us that God inhabits the praises of His people. There is something about heart-felt praise that brings the power of God into our circumstances.

Now one last statement on this battle.

“ When the other nations heard how the Lord had fought against Judah’s enemies, they were too afraid 30 to invade Judah. The Lord let Jehoshaphat’s kingdom be at peace.” II Chronicles 20:29-30 CEV

I cannot repeat often enough how faithful the Lord is. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. These aren’t just nice stories; they are examples of God’s faithfulness to the people who love Him.

“ I did not give up waiting for the Lord. And He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the hole of danger, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock, making my feet sure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 NLV

I confidently say, trust God – He delivers!

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Trust and Obey

It was a delight to wake up again this morning to the sound of rain falling on the roof. Thank you Lord!

Everywhere I read in my Bible today, I found lessons on trust. The demon possessed man who trusted the Lord and was set free (Mark 5). The four lepers who trusted God with their lives when they headed to the Syrian camp (II Kings 7) and even the Philistines who trusted the Lord to take the plagues out of their cities when they returned the ark of covenant to the nation of Israel (I Samuel 6).

Trust in the Lord and obedience to His word brings deliverance to everyone, no matter who you are or what your circumstances are.

And the last place I was reading is one of my favorites. A set of Scriptures that I re-read regularly and have for many years.

“Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don’t turn away and leave me here to die. 8 Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. 9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord! I come to you for safety. 10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path. 11 Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble. 12 I am your servant. Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.” Psalm 143:7-12 CEV

I love this line – each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you!

It reminds me of the old hymn we would sing in church. Trust and Obey

“When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His word

What a glory He sheds on our way

While we do His good will

He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey”

Trust and obey.

In simple terms, we raise our children to obey us, their parents. Isn’t it only logical that we do the same with our heavenly Father?

The Lord’s plan is certainly the best and there is no one, NO ONE, who is more trustworthy than He!

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In A Nut Shell

Each day I am thankful that God has allowed me to share His word with you. I don’t know where I would be without the Father’s love or His wonderful love letter, His Word! In fact, I don’t even want to think about what my life would be like without Him.

In a nutshell – God’s Word has brought me forgiveness of sins, health to my body, peace to my soul, healing for my children. He has enriched my marriage, provided wisdom when my human intellect was lacking, protection in physical and emotional storms and safety in the face of danger. God’s promises let me know that He will always supply and He always has.

I saw in God’s word that He has made provision for more than just eternal life and that He wanted me to live victoriously while I was here on earth. That’s why I share with you.

“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV

All of God’s promises are the same. His Word is for everyone but we don’t all see the same results. Why? We must appropriate what God has given us; simply put we must believe it regardless of how we feel or what circumstances tell us we should believe.

There have been days that I wake up and don’t feel very saved; but my salvation isn’t founded on my feelings, it’s based on God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. There are days that I wake up and may not feel healed, but I am because it’s based on God’s promise and Jesus’ sacrifice.

“He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases.” Psalms 103:3 NLV

The circumstances said there wasn’t enough lunch to feed 5000 men with five loaves and two fish but the blessing of God flowed and there was more than enough. The medical world said nothing could be done for the woman with the issue of blood but just one touch brought healing to her body. Yes, the word of God changes our circumstances when we believe; it’s called faith! Not faith in ourselves, but faith in God’s unchanging, unfailing love.

Let the words of David’s Psalm be real in your life today.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the LORD, ‘You are my place of safety, my fortress, My God, I trust in you.‘ 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield...14 The Lord says, ‘If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help. 15 When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91 ERV

The Lord placed a capacity for faith in our hearts. Even when our faith is the size of a mustard seed, that’s smaller than a nutshell, it’s a powerful force.

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Heart Smart

So many advertisements and commercials encourage us to be “heart smart”. I agree but it won’t come from eating a certain cereal, taking a low grain aspirin everyday, or any other thing that man can advertise. My watch even tells me my heart rate when I’m out on a walk.

To be truly heart smart, take a good dose of Scripture every day.

” Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” I Kings 8:61 ERV

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39.

Good eating habits, exercise and relaxation are good for the bones and the emotions. Being founded on God’s word and focused on God’s presence is good for the entire person – spiritual, soul and body.

“I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:13 CEV

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 CEV

Keep your heart healthy today.

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