Author: Kristi Wilson

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The Friend of God

In order to build a strong friendship men have to talk to one another; share ideas, understand one another and love each other.

Based on these qualifications it’s interesting to see that God called Abraham his friend.

“ Now you see how Abraham’s faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did. 23 This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, “Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him.” That’s how Abraham became God’s friend.” James 2:22-23 NLV

Abraham and God developed a bond of trust. It would have been logical to say that Abraham called God his friend. The weaker one making friendship with someone greater but that’s not what Scripture says. It says that Abraham became God’s friend. God picked Abraham and started the relationship.

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make you a great nation. I will bring good to you. I will make your name great, so you will be honored. 3 I will bring good to those who are good to you. And I will curse those who curse you. Good will come to all the families of the earth because of you.” Genesis 12:1-3 NLV

Abram was 75 years old when God promised to bless him with land and children. Abram had neither. Just one chapter later we read that God has made Abram very rich.

“So Abram left Egypt and went to the Negev, with his wife and all that belonged to him. And Lot went with him. 2 Now Abram was very rich in cattle, silver and gold. ” Genesis 13:1-2 NLV

God always came to seek out Abram. No where in the relationship do we find Abram begging God to bless him. No, instead he was just obedient when God asked him to do something.

Abram was not a perfect man. No, much to the contrary. On two different occasions he lied to foreign kings about his wife. He said she was his sister. He was afraid that he would be killed because her beauty was so great that these kings wanted her as part of their harems.

God promised to give Abram and Sarai a son, an heir, but as time passed and Sarai didn’t become pregnant they came up with a way to help God out. (We would never do something like that, would we?) Sarai gave her maid to Abram so that they could have sex and get an heir that way.  Big NO NO!

Have you heard the term blood brothers? It was very prominent with the Native Americans and also with the tribes in Africa. A weaker person or nation would make a pact with a stronger one. Then each one would commit all that had to the other.

God came to Abraham and made a blood covenant with him.

“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. He said, “I am God All-Powerful. Obey me and live the right way. 2 If you do this, I will prepare an agreement between us. I will promise to make your people a great nation.”

3 Then Abram bowed down before God. God said to him, 4 “This is my part of our agreement: I will make you the father of many nations. 5 I will change your name from Abram to Abraham, because I am making you the father of many nations. 6 I will give you many descendants. New nations and kings will come from you. 7 And I will prepare an agreement between me and you. This agreement will also be for all your descendants. It will continue forever. I will be your God and the God of all your descendants. 8 And I will give this land to you and to all your descendants. I will give you the land you are traveling through—the land of Canaan. I will give you this land forever, and I will be your God.”

9 Then God said to Abraham, “Now, this is your part of the agreement: You and all your descendants will obey my agreement. 10 This is my agreement that all of you must obey. This is the agreement between me and you and all your descendants. Every male must be circumcised. 11 You will cut the skin to show that you follow the agreement between me and you. 12 When the baby boy is eight days old, you will circumcise him. Every boy born among your people and every boy who is a slave of your people must be circumcised.” Genesis 17:1-12 ERV

So Abraham and all that were with him entered into covenant that day with the Lord. All that God had He was giving to Abraham. He only asked that Abraham live to obey Him. What a wonderful relationship.

The covenant that the Lord made with Abraham also applies to us also. How you ask? We’re not Jewish.

“The Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith. 7 And so, you should understand that everyone who has faith is a child of Abraham. 8 Long ago the Scriptures said that God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. That’s why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. 9 This means that everyone who has faith will share in the blessings that were given to Abraham because of his faith… 14 And because of what Jesus Christ has done, the blessing that was promised to Abraham was taken to the Gentiles. This happened so that by faith we would be given the promised Holy Spirit.” Galatians 3:6-14 CEV

When we place our faith in Jesus we inherit the same blessings that God promised His Friend, Abraham!

God All Powerful has invited us into a relationship with Him.

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Walking with God

We saw yesterday that God came to walk with Adam in the garden.

Even though Adam and Eve sinned and had to leave the garden, God didn’t sever relationship with them.

Today we will meet Adam’s great (5X) grandson. His name is Enoch.

“ When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God 300 years after the birth of Methuselah. He had other sons and daughters. 23 So Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was seen no more, for God took him.” Genesis 5:21-24 NLV

How’s that for an afternoon walk? Enoch walked with God and God was pleased with Him. God was so pleased with Him that during their walk one day he just kept walking straight into heaven with God.

“Because Enoch had faith, he was taken up from the earth without dying. He could not be found because God had taken him. The Holy Writings tell how he pleased God before he was taken up. 6 A man cannot please God unless he has faith. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is. That one must also know that God gives what is promised to the one who keeps on looking for Him.” Hebrews 11:5-6 NLV

I can just imagine the conversation. Enoch and God out for a walk and Enoch seeing an elephant or a giraffe for the first time. Enoch says to God “that is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen”. God says to Enoch “you think that’s great, come on over to my place and I’ll show you some real spectacular sites”. And Enoch said “I’m outta here”!

Like I said – that’s how I imagine it happened. Scripture doesn’t give us details. It just says that he was taken. Amazing!

Now you may not have been very familiar with Enoch but everyone knows the name of Enoch’s great grandson. It’s Noah!

“When Lamech was one hundred eighty-two, he had a son. 29 Lamech said, “I’ll name him Noah because he will give us comfort, as we struggle hard to make a living on this land that the Lord has put under a curse.” Genesis 5:28-29 CEV

Noah’s father not only gave him a name but he gave him a destiny.

“The Lord saw how bad the people on earth were and that everything they thought and planned was evil. 6 He was very sorry that he had made them, 7 and he said, “I’ll destroy every living creature on earth! I’ll wipe out people, animals, birds, and reptiles. I’m sorry I ever made them.”

8 But the Lord was pleased with Noah, 9 and this is the story about him. Noah was the only person who lived right and obeyed God. 10 He had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” Genesis 6:5-10

Such a startling statement – Noah was the only person who lived right and obeyed God! By now the earth was quite populated and Noah was the only one who was obeying God.

The Bible tells us God was going to destroy man but Noah, a just or righteous man, found favor in God’s sight. God spoke to Noah told him the plan of salvation; an ark for Noah, his family and the animals. The Bible doesn’t say that Noah was calling on God, no, God was looking at mankind and Noah found favor with Him.

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it:” Genesis 6:10-15 NIV

God then went on to give Noah the dimensions for the ark. God also told him to bring in the animals and how many of each kind.  I don’t know Noah’s occupation before this but he was now a full time contractor.

“ I’m going to send a flood that will destroy everything that breathes! Nothing will be left alive. 18 But I solemnly promise that you, your wife, your sons, and your daughters-in-law will be kept safe in the boat” Vs 17-18

Noah received God’s word and went to work fulfilling what he had been told. He didn’t laugh at God or express the impossibility of the task. As Noah was building he was also preaching to his neighbors. Telling them to repent so they could be saved from the flood. No one listened. Can you imagine how discouraging that might have been? But Noah never faltered at his task.

“Noah was six hundred years old when he went into the boat to escape the flood, and he did everything the Lord had told him to do. His wife, his sons, and his daughters-in-law all went inside with him. 8-9 He obeyed God and took a male and a female of each kind of animal and bird into the boat with him. 10 Seven days later a flood began to cover the earth.” Genesis 7:7-10 CEV

Noah and his family were saved because he had a heart to obey God. They talked together as a man talks with his friend.

“ Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.” Hebrews 11:7 CEV

What a wonderful reputation these two men had. No one filed a missing person report on Enoch, everyone knew he walked with God. Noah and his family were saved from a catastrophic flood because he had an obedient heart.

Thank you Lord for the example of these men! My desire is for an obedient heart each day.

 

 

 

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True Friends

The older I get the more I appreciate true friendship. You know the life-long kind. Those are the ones that are like pure gold. 

A few days back I asked  you to tell me how you define friendship. Here are some of the answers I received:

“I was just going to say Trust, Support (or in today’s vernacular – someone who “gets me”), it’s the personal connection that happens naturally but requires thoughtful effort to reinforce and maintain.“

“ being able to share my heart without being judged, someone who can laugh with me and not at me, someone who is not quick to give advice but instead steers me back to the Lord for guidance, someone I can be myself with – loves me unconditionally, someone who holds me accountable when necessary, and last but probably most important is someone who prays God’s best for me.“

“To me it’s someone who knows everything about you and accepts you in spite of it, or maybe because of it. They don’t use things against you. Someone you can feel 100% safe with, they never judge or look down on you. Someone who you may talk to everyday and share everything with, but can also be someone you only talk to a few times a year, but know, they are there when/if you need them and they know you are there for them. A true friend is ok with you having other people in your life, because they know your relationship is real. I heard the song How Jesus Does by Eric Church and thought of my best friend right away. Because to me that’s friendship, true, pure, honest love.”

If you’re like me, you found yourself nodding your head as you were reading those and saying “that’s it, that’s what I feel about friendship”.

I’m not sure how long it’s going to take but for the next week or so we will be going through the Bible looking at examples of those who were friends with God.

We’ve already seen that God is willfully shameless in expressing His love for us. This was His plan from the very beginning.

“God said, “Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures.” 27 So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women. 28 God gave them his blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28 CEV

God had created all the animals, fish, birds, plants and trees but something was missing. He wanted someone like Him so he created mankind.

Was God’s purpose in creating man to have a gardener or grounds keeper for Eden? No. God wanted man created in His image so He would have someone to have communication with. He wanted someone to talk to and to share with.

After Adam and Eve sinned God came to walk with them in the cool of the evening. It is implied that He had been coming each day about that time. They knew it was God. This was not the first time it had happened.

In fact, Adam and Eve had received instruction from God on naming the animals and even that there was one tree in the garden that they shouldn’t eat from.

“During the cool part of the day, the Lord God was walking in the garden. The man and the woman heard him, and they hid among the trees in the garden. 9 The Lord God called to the man and said, “Where are you?”

10 The man said, “I heard you walking in the garden, and I was afraid. I was naked, so I hid.”

11 God said to the man, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat fruit from that special tree? I told you not to eat from that tree!” Genesis 3:8-11 ERV

Even after they were removed from the garden the Lord still came to talk with them and with their children.

“Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why are you looking down? 7 Will not your face be happy if you do well? If you do not do well, sin is waiting to destroy you. Its desire is to rule over you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7 NLV

Do you see what the Lord said to Cain? Why are you looking down? Remember our teaching on being ashamed. Cain was ashamed of his offering. God told Cain that he had the ability to rule over sin. God was trying to get him to look up and ask for help.

“God created men and women to be like himself. He gave them his blessing and called them human beings. ” Genesis 5:1-2 CEV

Isn’t that just like a Father? He wants His children (us) to be like Him and He wants our lives to be filled with blessings.

From the very beginning God’s plan was a plan of blessing!

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Shameless

Some years back Billy Joel wrote a great song that Garth Brooks recorded, Shameless.

When I read the lyrics I make it the prayer of my heart, an expression of love to the Father and believe it or not, I can hear the Father singing those lyrics back to me. His love for me is Shameless.

“ Well I’m shameless When it comes to loving you, I’ll do anything you want me to, I’ll do anything at all…You see in all my life I’ve never found What I couldn’t resist, what I couldn’t turn down. I could walk away from anyone I ever knew, But I can’t walk away from you.    And I’m shameless…”

God is always there; when we succeed and when we fail. He doesn’t abandon or desert us in the rough times! He is always there to hold us close, pick us up when we fall and lift our burdens.  His love for us is Shameless.

When we’re embarrassed or have lost our way the Lord is the “lifter of my head”. Someone who is embarrassed finds themselves looking down, not making eye contact but God takes His loving hand, cups it under our chin and lifts our head.

“3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3

With head lifted  up, the first thing we do is look into the loving eyes of our Father. He, more than likely, has a smile on His face;  accepting, inviting, understanding and forgiving. He is there to be a shield for us.

“I come to you, Lord, for protection. Don’t let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me. 2 Listen to my prayer and hurry to save me. Be my mighty rock  and the fortress where I am safe. 3 You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.” Psalm 31:1-3

When we put our hope and trust in the Lord, depending upon Him for His direction and His protection we will have no need to be ashamed. We are secure in His love and it really won’t matter what anyone else says about us or thinks about us. We are the apple of His eye.

“I went to the Lord for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. 5 If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. 6 As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6 ERV

Take a look at the times that Jesus showed “shameless” love to folks in the Bible. The first one that comes to mind is the woman who was caught committing adultery. She was dragged by her accusers through the streets to Jesus. She was shamed publicly.

“The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses brought in a woman who had been caught in bed with a man who wasn’t her husband. They made her stand in the middle of the crowd. 4 Then they said, “Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn’t her husband. 5 The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?…

Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn’t there anyone left to accuse you?” 11 “No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” John 8:3-5, 10-11 CEV

Then there was the time when an  leper encountered Jesus and asked to be healed. This man’s life was void of human touch because the laws of the day prohibited him from having contact with anyone. He was unclean. It was shameful!

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.” 3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

Jesus was not ashamed to associate with this man, to touch him, to heal him. Jesus was shameless!

Just one more example – there are so many. But this is the story of a man who was a crooked “IRS” agent, a tax collector. He wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd so he climbed a tree to get a better look. He was hated by society. His action of climbing the tree opened him to even greater ridicule. It was shameful.

“Jesus was going through Jericho, 2 where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes and was very rich. 3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” 6 Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus.

7 Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.”

8 Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.” 9 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10 The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 CEV

The shameful actions of a tax collector were changed that day because of the SHAMELESS love of God’s Son!

Let’s take a close look at our lives. What things have we done that are shameful? What is it that has us looking down? Jesus came to lift our head – to provide forgiveness and restoration.

I’m going to close with one more verse.

“Everything belongs to God, and all things were created by his power. So God did the right thing when he made Jesus perfect by suffering, as Jesus led many of God’s children to be saved and to share in his glory. 11 Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:10-11 CEV

God’s love for us is absolutely SHAMELESS!

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How Big Is Our God?

As we start the day I need to ask, “how big is our God?”.

Do problems and stress keep us awake at night? Do we find ourselves in turmoil over the day’s situations? As we raise our kids and provide for our families are we undone by the pressures that surround us?

So, how big is our God?

“I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so that you can do what he wants. God is the one who raised from death our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of his sheep. He raised him because Jesus sacrificed his blood to begin the new agreement that never ends. I pray that God will work through Jesus Christ to do the things in us that please him. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:19-21 ERV

Do we see God the Father as a God of peace or do we see Him as someone we need to be wary of because “we just never know what God’s going to do”?

I hope it’s the first, because through Jesus’ sacrifice, he made the way for us to be reconciled to God. To be made sons of God so that we could call him “Abba Father”.

Abba was a term of endearment like daddy or papa.

“Since you are now God’s children, he has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit cries out, “ Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are not slaves like before. You are God’s children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.” Galatians 4:6-7 ERV

Did you notice that this verse says since we are God’s children we will receive everything He promised us? God has not lied in the whole of eternity and I can guarantee that He will not start lying now.  If God has promised it, He will come through every time!

Sometimes, we don’t even know what we need! We become so exhausted and overwhelmed that we lose perspective. That’s when we pray like the Apostle Paul did and God steps in with the answers.

“I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! ” Philippians 4:19 CEV

We are also told in Hebrews that we can come boldly to His throne to find help in time of need. I can see it now – like little kids we are invited to come running in, climb up on the throne and sit in the Father’s lap and tell Him we have a need and He by grace provides the help we are looking for.

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16

So let’s take time to thank Him today for his grace and mercy and if you have had a misconception of God and His love for you ask Him to show you just how much He loves you today. He will!

My God is big!

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Go Eat Worms

As a kid, I’m sure you all said this little chant once or twice. “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worms. Big fat juicy ones, little tiny scrawny ones, oh, how they do squirm.”

Eating worms is ok if you’re a bird or a fish but I imagine it leaves a lot to be desired if you’re a person. Believe me, I’m not going there.

I hope the verses from yesterday’s devotional are still in your heart and your mind. To God you ARE good enough and He loves you deeply.

However, the feeling that we’re all alone and that nobody really understands us or loves us is a major issue in the life of many adults! It can be overwhelming. We’ve all had people let us down, turn against us or just ignore us as if we don’t exist. But! There is One who promises to never leave us or forsake us.

I’m about ready to start a week of studies on people in the Bible who had a true friendship with God. They were all often ignored or criticized by family members and friends. They found the Lord was that friend that they could always depend on. 

Even Jesus faced relationship issues. He was followed by hundreds and thousands. He had many that came to listen to his teachings, see his miracles, and even speak out their adoration. They were part of the crowd. Then there were the 12 apostles. One of those sold him for 30 pieces of silver, one denied knowing Him and they all fled when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. 

Jesus had three who were a part of His inner circle, so to speak. These men, Peter, James and John, were with Jesus constantly. They were His closest confidants but John, the Bible says, the one that Jesus loved, was who Jesus asked to care for his mother when he was hanging on the cross. 

1000’s – 12- 3- 1.

Yes, people will let us down even those who love us most. That’s why I love Hebrews 13:5b so much. 

“God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.”

Now that’s good news. This is how that verse reads  from the Amplified version. This version shows us the emphatic sense of commitment that God has to us.

“for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down [relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6

Now read that again. This is how God feels about us – He’s there for us. He will not leave us!!!!

His love never fails.

Be blessed today because God loves you, what can man do to you that could possibly compare to that!!

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Good Enough?

What if I’m not good enough? Do you ever have thoughts like this?

Do you have that “one special someone” in your life? The one who knows your deepest secrets, your biggest fears, your worst failures and loves you still? That one who has been behind you for every success, cheering you on, encouraging you, applauding you, being there at the trophy ceremony to celebrate your victories?

That someone who will never leave and who will always support through thick or thin, good times or bad, that One is none other than our loving heavenly Father.

He loved us before we were born. He loved us when no one else knew our name. He loved us when we failed and disappointed Him and He loved us when we reached the pinnacle of success!

He can do no other. He IS love! He had His Son die for us. That’s who He is and what He does. It’s absolutely amazing to be in relationship with Him!!!!

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 CEV

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us.” Romans 8:31 CEV

God isn’t waiting for us to fail so He can humiliate us or punish us for what we do wrong. He’s always with us – loving us, encouraging us to try, helping us to grow.

If you’ve ever battled with being “good enough” like I have and then come to a realization that there’s nothing that I can do to make God love me less and there is nothing I can do to make God love me more than you know what a wonderful joy (doesn’t even describe) it is to wake up each morning and say, “Father I love you. Jesus, I love you. Holy Spirit, I love you. And then to hear them say back, “We love you too!”

“Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say,

“For you we are in danger of death all the time.
People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.”

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:34-39 CEV

Nothing can separate us from His love. Good enough? We are for Him!

Now that’s a good way to start the day!!!

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Hand in Hand

What’s on your schedule today?

It’s important that we keep our priorities focused. One way to do that is to see how someone you admire schedules their day.

Have you ever asked yourself what’s on the God’s to-do list for the day? I have, “what ya doin today Father? Can I tag along?”

The answer is always the same. “Sure Kris, I’d love to have you spend the day with me. I have some wonderful adventures planned and I’m glad that you want to go with Me.”

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 ERV

He planned out ahead of time the “good things” He’d like us to do and He sent Jesus to show us how exciting spending time with Him can be.

“In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace. 8 God gave us that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding 9 he let us know his secret plan. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ. 10 God’s goal was to finish his plan when the right time came. He planned that all things in heaven and on earth be joined together with Christ as the head.

11 In Christ we were chosen to be God’s people. God had already planned for us to be his people, because that is what he wanted. And he is the one who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants.” Ephesians 1:7-11 ERV

From the beginning of time, my Father made a plan for me and He’s stuck with me to see His plan work in my life. I love that about Him! He desires that we walk hand in hand through life.

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 ERV

He’s definitely a good Father with a good plan. I’ll spend time with Him today!

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The River of Life

This morning I found myself praying for my children and grandchildren as I do each morning. Praying for their health and safety. Praying that they will have wisdom, peace of mind and joy.

 

Trusting the Lord to reveal the depth of His love to them – showing them that His Mercy is new everyday and that there is no end to His loving kindness to them!

I feel a bit like the mother of Moses. The Pharaoh had given a vicious order. All the Hebrew boy babies were to be killed. He feared that the Hebrew slaves would increase in population so greatly that they would rebel against him and his rule.

Moses mother made a basket of reeds and tucked Moses safely inside and placed it in the  Nile River but she had someone standing close by to ensure his safety.

“A man from the Levi tribe married a woman from the same tribe, 2 and she later had a baby boy. He was a beautiful child, and she kept him inside for three months. 3 But when she could no longer keep him hidden, she made a basket out of reeds and covered it with tar. She put him in the basket and placed it in the tall grass along the edge of the Nile River. 4 The baby’s older sister  stood off at a distance to see what would happen to him.

5 About that time one of the king’s daughters came down to take a bath in the river, while her servant women walked along the river bank. She saw the basket in the tall grass and sent one of the young women to pull it out of the water. 6 When the king’s daughter opened the basket, she saw the baby and felt sorry for him because he was crying. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”

7 At once the baby’s older sister came up and asked, “Do you want me to get a Hebrew woman to take care of the baby for you?”

8 “Yes,” the king’s daughter answered. So the girl brought the baby’s mother, 9 and the king’s daughter told her, “Take care of this child, and I will pay you.” Exodus 2:1-9 CEV

Moses mother had to trust God to keep her son safe. There were all sorts of perils to deal with. Crocodiles, snakes, the basket sinking or the baby being found by an Egyptian soldier.

It’s a hard thing to put our kids in this river called “life”. So many dangers but we can stand back watching, praying and planning to protect. Thank God that this isn’t a job of our own effort.

“16 Clearly, it is not angels that Jesus helps. He helps the people who are from Abraham. 17 For this reason, Jesus had to be made like us, his brothers and sisters, in every way. He became like people so that he could be their merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Then he could bring forgiveness for the people’s sins. 18 And now he can help those who are tempted. He is able to help because he himself suffered and was tempted.” Hebrews 2:16-18 ERV

Jesus is the one we can trust to provide that much needed salvation from life’s dangers. In common speech He’s been there, done that, nailed it. We don’t send our kids out on their own. They are under the watchful protection of a loving heavenly Father.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7

As we send them out the door this morning or perhaps they are grown and live far away, we can put our trust in the Lord. He provided for little Moses and He’ll do the same for our children.

Thank you Father for blessing me and trusting me with these lives and thank you that You, in Your great love, are faithful and well able to protect them and give them victory.

” 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.” Jeremiah 29:11 ERV

 

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Can You Hear Me Now?

Everyone in America and maybe around the world know what cell phone company used this slogan.

But before it was used by Verizon, millions of people in eons past have stood out in the open sky looking up toward heaven and they have all asked the same thing.

In the days when Ahab was king, the people of Israel were serving the false god Baal more than they were serving God. In fact Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had many of the prophets of God killed.  Elijah was the best known of the prophets. He was tired of God being ignored so he challenged the prophets of Baal.

If Elijah had been a cowboy this challenge would have been as big as the gun fight at the OK Corral.

Anyway, Elijah told Ahab to bring 450 prophets of Baal to the top of Mount Carmel.

“ Elijah answered:  You’re the troublemaker—not me! You and your family have disobeyed the Lord’s commands by worshiping Baal.

19 Call together everyone from Israel and have them meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.

20 Ahab got everyone together, then they went to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the Lord is God, worship him!  But if Baal is God, worship him!” The people did not say a word.” I Kings 18:18-21 NLV

Elijah’s challenge went like this. You call out to your god. Ask him to send fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice. If he answers we will know that he is the true God. But if he doesn’t I will call on my God and ask Him to send fire. If He does then you will know that He is the true God.

“Elijah said to Baal’s prophets, “There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don’t light the fire. Then pray to your god.”

26 They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no answer.

27 At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he’s day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he’s asleep, and you have to wake him up.”

28 The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, 29 and they kept it up all afternoon. But there was no answer of any kind.” I Kings 18:25-29 NLV

I love it.

Elijah was taunting them and poking fun at their god and they fell for it. Then it was Elijah’s turn to call on his God, the Lord Almighty.

“He told the people, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood.” After they did this, 34 he told them to do it two more times. They did exactly as he said 35 until finally, the water ran down the altar and filled the ditch.   36 When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed:

Our Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Now, prove that you are the God of this nation, and that I, your servant, have done this at your command. 37 Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the Lord God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you.

38 The Lord immediately sent fire, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones. It scorched the ground everywhere around the altar and dried up every drop of water in the ditch. 39 When the crowd saw what had happened, they all bowed down and shouted, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”                   I Kings 18:33-39 NLV

“Please show these people who You are. Let them know that you are the true God!” Elijah’s prayer “hear me now Lord” received an immediate response from heaven.

We don’t have to wonder if God is going to hear us. We have the promise of His word.

“I have called to You, O God, for You will answer me. Listen to me and hear my words.” Psalm 17:6 NLV

“Hear my cry, O God. Listen to my prayer. 2 I call to You from the end of the earth when my heart is weak. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a safe place for me, a tower of strength where I am safe from those who fight against me. ” Psalm 61:1-3 NLV

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my prayers. 2 I will call on Him as long as I live, because He has turned His ear to me.” Psalm 116:1-2 NLV

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

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 ERV

What I hope you are seeing from all these verses is that God is there when we call. He is waiting for us to come – come when we need help and instruction but also to come and just visit.

As parents we desire to provide for our kids. When they ask for something they need we don’t ignore them or ridicule them, no we lovingly help. But we don’t just want them coming only to get stuff – we want to have time to talk with them, listen to their dreams and have them spend time with us.

If we listen we can hear the Lord calling out to us.

 “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.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLV

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

The Lord is always waiting for our call!  He CAN hear us now.

 

 

 

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