Category: Acts

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Desert Blooms

It takes Dave and I about 15 to 20 minutes to drive to town. Most of the way we travel through sparsely populated desert, which we enjoy, and especially when the Spring flowers and love grass blanket the ground.

All it takes is a few warm days and some moisture and the desert floor comes to life.

Isn’t that how it is with us? A little light, warmth, and watering with kindness and love and our souls respond with beauty.

“The waste-land and the dry land will be glad. The desert will be full of joy and become like a rose. 2 Many flowers will grow in it, and it will be filled with joy and singing…They will see the shining-greatness of the Lord, the wonderful power of our God. 3 Give strength to weak hands and to weak knees. 4 Say to those whose heart is afraid, ‘Have strength of heart, and do not be afraid. See, your God will come ready to punish. He will come to make sinners pay for their sins, but He will save you…Those whom the Lord has paid for and set free will return. They will come to Zion with singing. Joy that lasts forever will crown their heads. They will be glad and full of joy. Sorrow and sad voices will be gone.’” Isaiah 35:1-4, 10 NLV

I really encourage you to read the full chapter of Isaiah 35. It is an amazing description of what the Lord does in the lives of those who love Him.

I can almost hear someone saying, “but Kristi, it also says that He will make sinners pay for their sins. Where’s the good news in that?”

I’m so glad you asked!

Read the next five words – “but He will save you”. There’s the good news. Salvation!

“‘It will be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from the punishment of sin.’” Acts 2:21 NLV

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

The choice is ours.

Our lives can be dry and brown, filled with thorns and stickers or we can bloom with beauty. The difference between the two is the water.

“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, ‘If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! 38  Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.’ 39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory.” John 7:37-39 CEV

When we come to faith in Christ, He fills us with the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. He causes our lives to blossom with the fruit of love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience and meekness.

We bloom with joy and strength!

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My Light

Have you ever awakened and been disoriented? I have. I have been in a deep sleep and my dream has been very vivid and for a few seconds I’ve not realize where I was. This normally happens when we’ve been staying in a hotel or the home of family and friends. That’s why we always travel with a night light in our overnight bag.

This morning when I woke and I saw the soft glow of the night light I said, “thank you Lord for being my light and my salvation”.

“Lord, you are my Light and my Savior, so why should I be afraid of anyone? The Lord is where my life is safe, so I will be afraid of no one!” Psalm 27:1 ERV

In the natural, a light in the darkness keeps us from stumbling or stubbing our toes. Been there – done that.

The same holds true in spiritual things.

“I gain understanding from your instructions, so I hate anything that leads people the wrong way. 105 Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:104-105 ERV

God uses His word to light our path and keep us from going the wrong way. When we have the light of God’s word guiding our lives Jesus said that we can be used to light the path for others.

“You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. 15 People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 ERV

The Apostle Paul said this:

“For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
 to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’ 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message…” Acts 13:47-48

“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.” I Thessalonians 5:8-9 NLV

Our lives, in Christ, should illuminate the world around us. We should be beacons of hope, peace, love and forgiveness. The light we possess is not of ourselves, it’s His light within us.

“It was God Who said, ‘The light will shine in darkness.’ He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God’s shining-greatness which is seen in Christ’s face. 7 We have this light from God in our human bodies. This shows that the power is from God. It is not from ourselves.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 NLV

We all have so many opportunities each day to be a light. Let’s share the greatness of God and His Word to brighten the paths of those around us.

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Harness the Wind

Dave and I enjoy watching shows on sailing. I’ve never been on a sailboat but I find that mode of transportation fascinating. There are a whole new set of pioneers who are crossing the waters of the world in their sailing vessels.

Recently we watched a movie, Kon Tiki, based on the travels of a Norwegian explorer, sailing from Peru to the Polynesian islands on a balsa wood raft with a crew of five men. They were subject to the power of the trade winds.

Another movie we watched was the chronicling of a young, 16-year-old, Australian girl who solo circumnavigated the globe. It took her 210 days to complete her trip. The movie shows how depressed she became when she was left without wind for seven days. No wind, no forward movement.

These modern day sailors, like their ancient counterparts, learned to harness the wind and navigate their way through the seas.

This morning the wind is blowing. I’ve been awake for several hours listening to it gust and die down only to gust again. That’s what prompted my thoughts on sailing but then it also guided my thoughts to God’s power and provision.

I’ve been thinking about the followers of Christ in the book of Acts. These were the men and women who stumbled in their faith while Jesus was here on earth but became an unstoppable force after His resurrection.

What made the difference?

The wind.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

They had been timid in the face of adversity. Peter had denied even knowing the Lord when he was confronted on His association with Christ. Thomas had doubted the resurrection. Their testimonies were dead in the water, so to speak.

But then…

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-4 NLT

The wind of the Holy Spirit touched their lives and propelled them forward with the bold testimony of Jesus and salvation through His name.

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today…38 Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” Acts 2:32-33, 38 NLT

The presence of the Holy Spirit is vital to our lives as Christians. He empowers us to live the life God has designed for us. We will be emboldened the same way they were almost 2000 years ago.

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

It’s not a physical wind that propels us forward but something much greater – the power of the Holy Spirit. Harness the wind!

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Begging or Believing

This morning I was reminded of a time, not so very long ago, when I was talking with the Lord about a situation that needed to be changed. Yes, I was complaining and even started to beg. It didn’t take me long to realize that the Lord was not impressed by either.

I had this thought come up – are you a beggar or a believer? What! A beggar or a believer? Show me how to stop begging because I really thought I was believing.

Jesus is the perfect example of a “believer”. He never doubted God’s word or His power. We need to follow his instruction. Jesus’ disciples asked for examples on how to increase their faith, their ability to believe, and this is what happened.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Show us how to increase our faith.'” Luke 17:5 NLT

Jesus went on to tell the disciples about a man that had a slave who worked for him. He said that the master doesn’t compliment the slave for doing what he’s supposed to do. No, he expects the task to be done.

The way I read this is Jesus was telling them that they didn’t need to beg for faith, they simply needed to put it to work. And then Jesus gave them an example.

“As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” Luke 17:12-14 NLT

The lepers “begged” Jesus for healing. Jesus put his faith to work and “believed” God and it was accomplished. Faith was working to bring about the will of God.

Another example is the lame man at the Gate Beautiful who had been there begging alms all his adult life. He saw Peter and John coming to the temple and began begging from them. Peter said “We don’t have any silver or gold to give you today but what we do have we’ll give to you. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk”. (Acts 4) Immediately he jumped up and began walking.

“You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.” Acts 4:16

Begging indicates a lack of faith, an uncertainty that what we are asking will get done. But faith is confident belief.

“ We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:14-15 ERV

That’s the way it is with our heavenly Father, we simply tell Him about the need and believe in faith that it will be taken care of. There’s no need to be a beggar, we are called to be believers.

Have faith in God!

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Unconditional

This morning my mind is filled with memories; a Montana sunrise, an Arizona sunset, snow sparkling on the branches of a fir tree, a baby’s smile, my husband’s blue eyes, a cup of steaming hot coffee, a plate full of rolled tacos with guacamole. Seeing our daughter as she walked down the aisle at her wedding, my oldest daughter and I as we sat in the middle of a mountain stream in our lawn chairs, our son at the helm of his boat, friends gathered on the deck/patio of our home for good bbq; yes, it was quite a way to wake up and start the day!

Then I asked, “Father, all of these images that I see can be described but how do I describe Your love?” For the most part, I’m pretty good with words but when I try to describe God’s love I am seriously at a disadvantage. However, this morning I heard the answer to my question and it was “You just did!”

You see, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. Every good thing that we enjoy comes as an outward expression of God’s love; that’s the way He has always been and that’s the way He’ll always be!

In every circumstance and situation that I live, I can sense the love of God and know that He is there because God is LOVE!

“In the past God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke to them many times and in many different ways. 2 And now in these last days, God has spoken to us again through his Son. He made the whole world through his Son. And he has chosen his Son to have all things. 3 The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3

Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to bring God’s love to each and every one of us. He brought the message that God isn’t mad at us and that God desires to have relationship with us – a real, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road, every day, I’m always here type of relationship.

I’m not saying that everything will be perfect in our lives because our lives aren’t perfect! But I do know that in the imperfect, trying, challenging, frustrating, ugly times of our lives that God is always there and He doesn’t abandon us! He’s always there to offer comfort, help, wisdom, peace and joy even in the midst of our storms. God is love!

Jesus brought comfort to those who had lost family and friends to death, He brought compassion to the prostitute, food to the hungry, wine to the wedding, sanity to the demonic and love and forgiveness to all.

“You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him.” Acts 10:38

The experiences we hold most dear are tangible expressions of God’s unconditional love for us!

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In Everything Give Thanks

“ Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

Be thankful in all circumstances.

Our circumstances don’t have to be perfect for us to have an attitude of thankfulness. As Christians we aren’t promised a problem free life, but we are given the promises that make us victorious in every situation. That is what we are to be thankful for.

“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” Acts 16:22-26 NLT

There was no apparent reason for Paul and Silas to be singing and praising God at midnight but sing they did.

“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.” Acts 16:31-34 NLT

Some days it’s easy to sing because all seems right with the world, but other days come with unexpected distractions and joy-robbing obstacles. That’s where singing comes in – singing lifts the heart, it can make the heart skip and brings a lightness to our step.

Paul and Silas had been beaten and were chained in the prison but at midnight they chose to sing. I don’t believe they were singing the blues either, “nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen”…No, I’m sure it was something like “I’ll fly away, o glory, I’ll fly away. When I die hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away.”

“In” the worst of circumstances we can praise God “for” His faithfulness. Praise Him that He is a loving Father, and He has promised to never abandon us. Praise Him “for” being our source of strength, peace and joy.

Praise brings our focus to who God is and what His word says. Paul and Silas were focused on Jesus their Savior, and it led to the salvation of their jailer and his family.

“Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise. 3 The Lord is the greatest God, king over all other gods.” Psalm 95:2-3 CEV

Sing songs of praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of your soul!

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Freely Forgiven

The Bible’s stories are not about perfect people, far from it. It is written about God’s forgiveness, His complete forgiveness.

Yesterday morning I was reading the words from Nehemiah expressing God’s mercy and forgiveness. For years they had lived their lives in captivity. They were strangers in a foreign land, Jerusalem had been destroyed but now they had been freed to go back and rebuild.

The Israelites were a stubborn, rebellious people. They had God’s promise constant protection and provision but that wasn’t good enough. They wanted to do things their own way, and when they did, they ignored God’s laws and stepped outside of His protection. They did this numerous times; each time was the same.

They would go their own way, get in to trouble and be overrun by other nations, they would call out to God in repentance, and He would deliver them and restore them.

“ But they, our fathers, acted with pride. They became strong-willed and would not listen to Your Words. 17 They would not listen, and did not remember Your powerful works which You had done among them. So they became strong-willed and chose a leader to return to their hard work in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God. You are kind and loving, slow to anger, and full of loving-kindness. You did not leave them…19 But You, in Your great loving-kindness, did not leave them in the desert…21 For forty years You kept them alive in the desert and gave them everything they needed. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not become sore.” Nehemiah 9:16-21 NLV

Before we get too critical of their actions, we need to recognize that we often follow the same pattern. Even Peter, who had followed Jesus for three years, denied he knew Christ on the night of trial and sentencing. Peter’s final words to Jesus were that he would never leave His side. But his last words about Jesus denied his association with the Savior.

But God, who is rich in mercy, is always ready to forgive. God is good!

“ But God had so much loving-kindness. He loved us with such a great love. 5 Even when we were dead because of our sins, He made us alive by what Christ did for us. You have been saved from the punishment of sin by His loving-favor.” Ephesians 2:4-5 NLV

Someone needs to hear this today. Is that someone you? You have been struggling in your walk with Christ, you feel God has given up on you. You’ve even asked, “can God forgive me, I’ve failed so many times?”.

The answer is a resounding YES!

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:12-13 NLT

“‘Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.'” Acts 13:38 NLT

You and I are included in “everyone”. We are made right in God’s sight; we are freely forgiven, and I am very grateful for that.

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Jesus Does a “Good” Job

Today, we’ll look at Jesus and the good works He did while He was on earth.

“ For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38 NLT

It all started with the angels’ message to the shepherds. “Peace on earth, good will to men”.

Jesus birth was the beginning of His mission. It was the entrance of God’s good will to men through the life of His Son. The long-awaited Messiah or Savior was born. Men’s lives would be radically changed, they would see and experience miracles. They would see the goodness of God first hand.

Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding. I really like this. Today our granddaughter is getting married. I can imagine Jesus coming to that wedding. He came as an invited guest but had no place of prominence. However, his mother found out that they were running low on wine. She came to Jesus and asked him to do something about it, she didn’t want to wedding host to be ridiculed for lack of preparation.

So Jesus did a good thing, He turned the water into wine. After that we know that He healed many, many people – the blind, the lame, those with fevers, the crippled, the lepers, those with defects from birth.

He healed those with mental illness and demoniacs. He brought forgiveness to the outcasts – the tax collectors and prostitutes.

“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 NLT

For all the good He did He was hated by the religious zealots. They despised Him for His good deeds and plotted His death. Even then they couldn’t destroy Him, He rose from the dead and continued to preach the message of good will, reconciliation, from God, the Father.

The works of the Father, His good will, and the works of Jesus continue today.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT

This means that Jesus is working good in our lives as well. Just like those in the Bible who came to Him for healing and deliverance, those who needed a miracle, we can come to Him and find that He is willing to work things out for good for us also.

Jesus is still doing good. He is still the miracle worker!

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God Is Good

Generally, I devote the month of November to gratitude. But this year I feel I need to start a bit early.

Gratitude. Grateful. Thankful. Thanksgiving. Humbled. Awe-struck.

All of these words express my hearts deepest thoughts. My first thoughts focus on the Father’s love and His goodness but I am also grateful and thankful for each of you who read this blog every morning.

Give God credit and praise for all the good things in your life. Express your gratitude for His goodness.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” I Chronicles 16:34 NLT

I’m asking you to make a list – a list of things you are grateful for each day from now until Thanksgiving. Keep the list in your phone notepad or in a journal, write them on a chalkboard or a pumpkin.

Yes, a pumpkin. Several years ago I saw something on a craft page. It was one of those pumpkins you buy at the craft stores and the idea was to have everyone at Thanksgiving dinner write something they were thankful for and then use the pumpkin as part of the centerpiece on the Thanksgiving table. I liked that idea but why not do a slight variation? Get the pumpkin now and each day write something you’re thankful for on it.

“How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! 6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. 7 Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.” Psalm 116:5-7 NLT

I don’t think there was anyone better at giving praise to the Lord than King David. He started writing psalms and giving praise when he was a young man and he praised God until his death. He was a man committed to praise.

It’s so easy to be overcome by stress and worry. It’s so easy to look at the problems instead of the Problem Solver. Let’s make a concerted effort to establish an attitude of praise.

“ He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from. 36 God has spoken to the people of Israel. He sent them the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all people.” Acts 10:35-37 ERV

Let’s start this first day of gratitude by thanking God for the Good News, the gospel of peace, that we have because of Jesus.

Yes, God is good!

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A Good Name

It’s amazing how names evoke an emotional response. Take for instance Queen Elizabeth. Her name is known worldwide and in the coming years, when spoken, it will be a reminder of a woman who served with integrity.

Now, on the other hand, the names of Billy the Kid or Jesse James bring to mind a different image. They were famous but for a completely opposite reason. Their character was associated with destruction.

This morning I was reading in the book of Matthew and Jesus was asking his disciples about His reputation, His character. Jesus had just been confronted by the religious leaders of the day. They were questioning everything he did, looking for opportunities to discredit Him, to ruin His reputation and His good name.

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” Matthew 16:13-17 NLT

Those closest to Him knew Him to be honorable, godly, perfect. His name was above reproach.

“Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. 23 I have sworn by my own name;  I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.” Isaiah 45:22-23 NLT

These words were spoken about Jesus. His is the name above every name. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Immanuel (God with us). There is no name higher or of any greater authority!

“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12 NLT

If Jesus were visiting us today and asked us the same question He asked his disciples, “who do you say that I am”, what answer would we give?

Some would say a good man, an influencer of society. Maybe some would say a con man, a phony.

What answer would you give?

To me, He is my Saviour and friend. He is my brother who died for my redemption! His name is Jesus, Son of the Living God!

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