Category: Ephesians

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So Help Me God

Before I start with today’s blog, let me explain what happened yesterday.

Our day started about 2 am with hard winds and blowing icy rain. About 4 am, that changed to snow. I’m not sure if the small booster antenna I have iced over and it prevented me from getting a signal but from 3:30am to almost 12 pm, my phone screen read “no service”.

But, I’m back today.

Dave and I were watching a movie, an old western, the other night and the character had to place his hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, so help me God. That got me to thinking – why and how did they practice become a part of court testimony?

Since most of our laws are based on Biblical instruction, I assume that this procedure also has its basis in the Bible.

“Humans have control over every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have controlled all these things. 8 But no one can control the tongue. It is wild and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people who were created in God’s likeness. 10 These praises and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.” James 3:7-10 ERV

Most all of us have had a problem with our tongues at one point or another. We had been known to embellish, exaggerate, gossip, criticize and twist the truth ever-so-slightly to make it fit our account or remembrance of an event. We need God’s help in controlling our words – it’s with His power that we can have victory in this.

We need God’s help to speak truth, the whole truth. Even God, Himself, when He needed to swear an oath, swore by His own name because there was nothing greater than Him.

“God wanted to prove that his promise was true. He wanted to prove this to those who would get what he promised. He wanted them to understand clearly that his purposes never change. So God said something would happen, and he proved what he said by adding an oath. 18 These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe…” Hebrews 6:17-19 ERV

Each morning, our attitude should be “Lord, put a guard over my words. Let me speak the truth in every situation with a loving heart”.

“I know that you heard about him, and in him you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to leave your old self. This means that you must stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self gets worse and worse, because people are fooled by the evil they want to do. 23 You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. 24 Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him. 25 So you must stop telling lies. “You must always speak the truth to each other,” because we all belong to each other in the same body.” Ephesians 4:21-25 ERV

Let’s be like that old cowboy in the movie, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help me God!”

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Running Short on Time

I remember one of the first blogs I wrote from the mountains at the beginning of summer. I was recounting how early each morning the sun came up. The birds would start singing at approximately 4:15am to welcome the day. Here we are, four months later and the day doesn’t start to dawn until 5:45am, an hour and a half later.

The days are getting shorter.

Yesterday, we had quite a few campers check-in and they all remarked, one way or another, that they were here for their last camping trip of the season. We were asked repeatedly, how much longer will you be here. Our answer, just one more week.

We are running short on time.

It’s hard to think about not being in this beautiful place each day. We have loved our time in the mountains and we are praying, and expecting, to return again next year. But as I wrote in my journal this morning not only are the days getting visibly shorter in regard to length of daylight, and our time on the calendar has a definite end date, the days we have left on this earth are also getting shorter.

We need to make the most of the time we have before us.

While we’re here at this campground, we need to be diligent about the tasks that we’ve been given. The facilities need to be winterized. Things need to be packed away and building needs to be prepared to protect against the damage that the harsh weather could bring. We are busy examining each individual campsite, making notes of needed repairs before the next season. And we only have so many hours of daylight in which to accomplish these tasks..

The same applies to the circumstances of our life. We need to redeem the time, make the most of each day, so that our lives are lived well and we give glory to the Lord.

“You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light 9 and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, 10 as you try to please the Lord. 11 Don’t take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are…15 Act like people with good sense and not like fools. 16 These are evil times, so make every minute count. 17 Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:7-17 CEV

I’ve heard it said that time is our most precious commodity. It’s the only thing we can’t get more of. We all are allotted the same 24 hours, the key is to use them wisely. Show love and kindness to those around us; be appreciative; let the world see Jesus in what we do.

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples. He knew something that we don’t; He knew his life would be short, He knew the number of his days.

“As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light for the world.” John 9:4-5 CEV

Jesus’ instruction was that we make the most of each day. He came to bring light to the lives of mankind and when He left, He gave us the same instruction. Bring light and God’s glory to those around us.

Let’s make every day count because we’re running short on time!

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Out In the Open

For the last several weeks it has been hunting season on the mountain. Deer, turkey, bear, antelope, mountain lion, elk and now duck. This is an area with an abundance of game.

For several days we traveled the road to town. It is so enjoyable because we would always see game in the open meadows or amongst the trees along the roadside. But about a week ago we noticed that the meadows were empty. It was hunting season and wildlife was scarce.

But two days ago they were back! The danger was gone and they felt safe to come out in the open.

I’m going to miss not being on the mountain! I’ve been reminded of so many of God’s truths in the last four months. These antelope brought another truth to mind. They retreated, they hid in the underbrush of the pine thickets during hunting season – they made it hard for their adversaries to find them.

In the Old Testament we find Scripture telling us that God is our hiding place. He protects us from our enemies.

” Show your wonderful love. Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies. 8 Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:7-8 CEV

They hid instead of coming face-to-face with the enemy. But in the New Testament, we believers are instructed to “be bold”, unafraid, courageous as we face the enemy. Jesus told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the presence of the Holy Spirit who would fill them with power to be witnesses.

And that they did!

They went from hiding in the days after Christ’s crucifixion to standing boldly in front of the crowds and proclaiming the resurrection and new life in Christ. Their adversaries had them beaten and imprisoned. They were maligned and persecuted. Their response, they prayed for more boldness.

“Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30 Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus. 31 After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God’s message.” Acts 4:29-31 CEV

Our reaction should be the same. When we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have the power of God defending us. There is no reason to hide. Ours is not a defensive battle against our enemy, we are on the offensive – taking ground – enacting the victory!

“Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-14 CEV

We stand at the start of the battle and we will still be standing, victorious, when the battle is over!

Come out in the open and let the power of God bring us to victory!

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I Will Sustain You!

This morning those were the opening words in my Bible reading, “I will sustain thee”!

Those words have a particular importance to me today. I had been sitting here praying for my dear friend from high school. She and I have shared many experiences, heart aches and joys, over the years. Miles have separated us but the love we share has never waned.

I silence my phone during the night and so when I woke up this morning I had a text from her. She was diagnosed with cancer a week a go. Today she will have exploratory surgery. As I sat here I prayed for her strength and healing, for the medical teams skill and wisdom, peace for her and her family and death to every cancer cell in her body.

A fighting spirit emerged from my heart. I went to my Bible looking for answers and the Lord brought me this verse.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV

God’s word has our answers, there is nothing that comes our way that He cannot change. “I will sustain you and I will rescue you” are great words of promise and hope.

We are never on the sidelines when it comes to our family and loved ones. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are all members of one body in Christ and when one members hurts we should all come to their aide. Our prayers, our encouragement, our faith are needed on their behalf.

And, when we’ve done all we know to do we stand, stand firmly on God’s word.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything to stand firm. Stand firm then!” Ephesians 6:10-14 TLV

This morning I need some gray-haired prayer warriors to send prayers of encouragement, of healing and strength to my friend. We have a Father who will carry us, sustain us and rescue us.

I believe that with all my heart.

“God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind! Does He speak and then not do it, or promise and not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 TLV

Join me in my battle cry – “He will sustain and rescue”!

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More Love

The last two days I have had these words in my mind and on my heart – More Love.

Think about those two words in connection with our relationship with God, the Father. Can we earn more of His love? Is it possible that He loves someone more than He loves us?

The answer to those two questions is an emphatic no!

Something we need to realize, and it goes beyond human understanding, is that God is love, period. There is no greater or lesser degree of His love displayed because of our efforts or goodness.

“God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.” I John 4:8CEV

Water is wet. That is a definitive statement. I know this is an inadequate example, but water doesn’t get any wetter because someone is rich or poor, tall or short, good or bad. Water is wet.

God is love!  He can’t get more love from anywhere – He is love. We, however, can understand the depth of His love more as we develop in our relationship with Him but that doesn’t mean He loves us more.  The Apostle Paul prayed this prayer for the Christians in Ephesus, and it is for us too.

“So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:14-19 ERV

One of the most quoted verses in the Bible is John 3:16.

“ God loved the people of this WORLD so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” CEV (emphasis mine)

We are all included in the “world”, so we could accurately read that verse like this: “For God so loved Kristi (add your name) that He gave His only begotten Son…” God, in His love, is unwilling that any of us should perish, His love has been poured out to all.

More Love!

It’s not possible for Him to love anymore than He does right now. It’s not possible for anything to separate us from His love.

“I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39 CEV

Don’t ever entertain the thought that God doesn’t love you. That’s not possible for if God ever stopped loving us, He would stop being God. He cannot deny who He is.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul for the Christians in Ephesus – I pray that you will understand and come to know the height, the depth and the breadth of God’s love for you.

God is love and He loves you!

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Where There’s A Will

Some of you received yesterday’s message that my daughter posted for me. I am having technical difficulties; my laptop is failing to hold a charge. She told you it may be several days before I could post.

After being plugged in for almost 18 hours, I was found that this morning the battery had gained from 5% power to 20%. Hallelujah!

I hate the idea of not being able to share with you each morning. It’s what I do; it’s my calling.

“God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:10 CEV

This morning, Dave and I are headed into our small northern Arizona town to see the “computer guy”. I believe the problem is with the power cord or how the cord isn’t making proper connection with the computer. I’m praying he has another cord or can ascertain the problem and fix it.

Through the night, I kept praying “Lord let me have enough battery life to share the blog in the morning”.

Isn’t that the way it is in life? We face obstacles and problems and our power seems to drain. We try everything but nothing seems to work for more than a few hours or a few days.

“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.” Hebrews 12:1 CEV

We must be determined to keep going; where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Throw off the things that slow us down and tackle every obstacle head on with the help the Father provides. It’s not silly to pray about a faulty computer, a car that won’t start, a checkbook that is almost empty, groceries for the table, a good teacher for your child…none of that is silly to pray about. What’s silly is not to pray!

Our Father is concerned about all our issues of life – big and small, live threatening or minute.

“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

Where there is a will, trust God to make a way!

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Living With Purpose

This morning I would like to introduce you to two younger women I know. Each one of them has a heart for the Lord.

They are both wives, mothers, devoted Christians and have the ability to convey what the Lord puts on their heart with the written word. 

I met Hollie while we were living in Montana. She came to Dillon with her husband and two young sons. They bought some property and began building their dream home right across the canyon from our home. During those years Hollie faced some very real medical challenges but she always had a smile on her face, a love for Jesus in her heart and a desire to be a source of encouragement to her husband and to raise her sons to love the Lord and all He had made.

Her sons are now teenagers, almost, and they are maturing into young men who stand strong for the Lord. Hollie conveys the truths the Lord has taught her in a simplistic and heart-warming way. Here’s Hollie’s link: LivingLovingandWriting.com

The other young women I would like you to meet is Brooke. I have yet to meet her face-to-face but she is the daughter-in-law of our dear friends. Brooke and her husband have three small children and have just launched out on a great adventure, following the Lord’s leading and traveling through the country, sharing the love of Jesus in small churches everywhere they go.

Brooke also has a heart to raise her family to love and honor the Lord. She is a gifted poet and writer. The truths she shares are an encouragement to mothers of young children and to us who are grandparents of young children. Here’s Brooke’s link: www.brookelouvier.com

The word of God has no limits or boundaries in who it reaches with instruction and encouragement. These two ladies are willing ambassadors and share God’s word with candor and honesty. It been years since I had the joy of raising small children and teenagers so I appreciate the openness of these ladies. I hope that you will find practical truth as you read what these ladies share.

This past year I have been developing a study on “Bold Women of the Bible” for a teaching I will be doing in September. The stories of these women’s lives are truly encouraging – young, old, married, single, mothers, childless, respectable and those of disrepute. God used them all to bring the message of hope, redemption, grace, mercy and salvation to families, neighbors and to the world.  

“The plan of the fullness of times is to bring all things together in the Messiah—both things in heaven and things on earth, all in Him. 11 In Him we also were chosen, predestined according to His plan. He keeps working out all things according to the purpose of His will— 12 so that we, who were first to put our hope in Messiah, might be for His glorious praise.” Ephesians 1:10-12 TLV

We have all been given a story. There isn’t one of us that the Lord doesn’t want to use to touch the lives of others. Not one of us has been disqualified for service. No one has a story exactly like yours, no one can touch those in your circle like you can.

Be willing to be used just like Hollie and Brooke. Reach out and let the Lord touch others through you!

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Looking for Perfect

The last few days Dave and I have spent a lot of time talking about how much we enjoy being here in the mountains, not just any mountains, these mountains and this place, this place called Big Lake.

When we started planning our summer, months back, the first place we put on our list was this campground. It holds special memories for both of us. My folks came here over 50 years ago. It was one of Dad’s favorite places to come and although the high altitude was hard on Mom she loved coming here too.

After Dave and I were married, Dad brought Dave up here for some special days when just the two of them would fish together. The love of fishing is something the two of them shared. It was their bond.

And then as our family grew, Mom and Dad brought our oldest daughter and son here as well. They weren’t much more than toddlers. Out of diapers and able to climb over the boulders they spent time at this mountain lake. Our hearts are rooted here and we love it.

Each week we have many of the campers tell us their stories of coming here, some for more than 40 years. They are similar to ours – brought here as chidren by their parents and what a great time it was and now they are bringing their children and grandchildren to enjoy this place. What a blessing!

We spent most of the afternoon visiting with a new friend and fellow camp host yesterday. Her experiences in this area are very similar as well. The more we talked, we agreed that the Lord had brought us to this place and His ways are perfect.

“ God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future. 12 I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, 13 because God’s gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do.” Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 CEV

Many people look for perfect. The perfect job, home, mate…and end up disappointed. If we were only looking at external factors we would miss the perfect that God has placed before us. Others have a newer, bigger, better RV than ours but when we look at where the Lord has called us we find perfection and He never disappoints.

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

He has placed a calling, a destiny, within each one of us. His plan is for our good.

When we look for perfect we will always find it in Jesus! We are loved and chosen by Almighty God and there is nothing more perfect than that!

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No S’Mores

Last night a grandfather brought his grandson and granddaughter to the check-in hut to buy wood. They are leaving today and they all wanted to have one more campfire before they headed home.

I got them their big bag of wood and as they were leaving I asked Grandpa “do you have the making for s’mores?”. He smiled and said he didn’t think he had any marshmallows. I told him that I had some at my campsite and they were right next door so I’d be glad to give him some.

His grandson whispered something to him and Grandpa said out loud, “Oh, I almost forgot”. Grandpa then explained to me that his granddaughter has multiple food allergies and she couldn’t have them. The little girl’s countenance fell; disappointment was written across her face.

What Grandpa did next was so sweet. He bent down and hugged his granddaughter tightly and said “I love you too much to let you have something that will make you sick”and then he kissed the top of her head. He looked at his grandson and thanked him for looking out for his sister.

The three of them left, talking all about the great fire they were going to have on their last night without any s’mores.

That is so much like the Father…

The world offers us something that sounds so good, something that everyone else likes. But our Father reminds us that those things wouldn’t be good for us, in fact, what’s being offered will make us sick.

“ But that way of life is nothing like what you learned when you came to know Christ. 21 I know that you heard about him, and in him you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to leave your old self. This means that you must stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self gets worse and worse, because people are fooled by the evil they want to do. 23 You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. 24 Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him.” Ephesians 4:20-24 ERV

Young Daniel and Esther were slaves in a foreign country. They had each been selected for the king’s service. Part of their preparation before they were presented at court was a special diet of the king’s dainties. Some of these foods were forbidden in the Jewish diet. Two different people, two different kings, two different countries but the two of them refused the foods being offered, they honored their God and then God honored them with a high place in the palaces.

Some things will make us physically ill, others will cause disease to grow in our mind and our spirit. Our loving Father wants to protect us in all three areas; He is concerned about our well-being spirit, body and mind.

Be thankful that He loves us enough to divert us from the things that would harm us. Follow His instruction and enjoy His presence.

Spending time with the Father, feeling His embrace and sitting by the “fire of life” with Him is so much better than giving in to the allure of life’s s’mores!

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Measureless!

Have you ever tried to count the stars in the sky? I remember being younger and trying to count them, not all the stars just the ones in the big dipper. Can you see that in your mind’s eye?

It seems measureless.

What about a bucket of sand?  Can you count the grains that fill the bucket? How long would do you think it would take just to count what’s in one small bucket?

Measureless?

Now, consider all the stars in all the galaxies or all the sand on all the seashores. That would truly be measureless in our lifetime.  What I want you to grasp is a concept of measureless.

Measureless!

That’s what I’m dealing with this morning, the idea of measureless.

You see, I was reading in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and he used a term that stopped me in my tracks. He said that the Father wants to show “the measureless richness of His grace in kindness toward us who are in the Messiah”.

“But God was rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. 5 Even when we were dead in our trespasses, He made us alive together with Messiah. (By grace you have been saved!) 6 And He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua— 7 to show in the olam ha-ba (future) the measureless richness of His grace in kindness toward us in Messiah Yeshua.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God. 9 It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship—created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10 TLV

Measureless…the richness of God’s grace is measureless. 

Religion tries to tell us that God’s grace is limited. That if we do too many things wrong, we’ve lost out. God’s grace and forgiveness will be withheld. We will no longer be worthy of acceptance.

Let me make this clear. We were never worthy of God’s grace, acceptance, forgiveness or love. God chose to love us unconditionally and His grace was an outpouring of that love. Jesus died to show just how great the grace of God is.

He, Jesus, who never sinned took the penalty of sin, death, for all of us and made the way for us to experience God’s amazing grace.

Measureless grace!

Since we have become the recipients of such measureless grace we are instructed to be gracious to those we know who are less than perfect. We give grace because we have received grace.

How many times did you experience the Father’s  grace and kindness yesterday? It’s measureless!

Begin sharing that same grace with others.

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