Category: Hebrews

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A Watchful Father

We are all familiar with baby monitors – what a great invention! Loving parents can keep watch when their children are sleeping and playing. They can hear the coos, the laughter and the cries. They are ready to run to their children’s aide the moment it’s needed.

Can anything be more reassuring?

This morning as I was viewing the baby monitor I was overwhelmed by a wonderful thought. I was watching to see if my assistance was needed; I was waiting and ready to help. I realized our heavenly Father is doing the same.

We aren’t left alone to struggle and fall without someone being there to help us up, give us a hug and wipe away our tears.

“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC

Our heavenly Father is watching over us.

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes (or the virus comes)* and the mountains fall into the sea. 3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark  and the mountains tremble. Selah” Psalm 46:1-3 ERV (* added by me for practical application)

There is a song that I grew up hearing on the record player. It conveys our Father’s loving care so adequately, “My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me”. It was written in 1910 but I think it applies so well to what we are going through today.

  1. I trust in God wherever I may be,
    Upon the land, or on the rolling sea,
    For come what may, from day to day,
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.
    • Refrain:
      I trust in God, I know He cares for me;
      On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
      Though billows roll, He keeps my soul;
      My heav’nly Father watches over me.
  2. He makes the rose an object of His care,
    He guides the eagle through the pathless air,
    And surely He remembers me;
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.
  3. I trust in God, for, in the lion’s den,
    On battlefield, or in the prison pen,
    Through praise or blame, through flood or flame,
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.
  4. The valley may be dark, the shadows deep,
    But, oh, the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep;
    And through the gloom He’ll lead me home,
    My heav’nly Father watches over me.

Our Father is ready to run to our cry. He is our help in times of trouble. We can trust Him to watch over us every day, in every place. He will never abandon us!

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The Lamb and The Shepherd

As we enter Easter week so many are focused on the crisis we are going through. That was true in Jesus day as well. He was focused on the events of His week. He came to earth to be our sacrificial lamb. We have His promise of forgiveness and a life-long relationship with our heavenly Father; we must keep our focus on that.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV

I saw a post on a friend’s FB page “Easter isn’t about the bunny; it’s about the Lamb”! Jesus is called the Lamb of God. He came to be the sinless sacrifice; the atonement for our sins.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God. He takes away the sins of the world!” John 1:29 ERV

The Lamb of God is also our Good Shepherd. As the Son of God, He recognized that we are vulnerable as lambs and can easily be led astray. He promised to be our Good Shepherd, our protector and provider.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. 11 “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 ERV

Jesus used this analogy to make his ministry and purpose easy to understand. Raising sheep was a common profession in that day, Jesus used something they were familiar with to teach his lesson. At night the sheep were kept in a gated pen for their protection and early each morning the shepherd would come and lead the sheep out to pasture. The sheep had become accustom to the shepherd’s voice and so when he called, they would follow. They wouldn’t follow someone who would sneak in and try lead them astray.

Jesus was telling them, and us, if they spent time with Him, listening to His word and getting to know Him, they would follow Him and keep His commandments. He would lead them “in green pastures” (Psalm 23).

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Jesus’ mission statement, His purpose, is to give us life and life more abundantly. He warns us that there is a thief who wants to kill, steal and destroy – that’s the devil. Everything that falls in one of those categories – stealing, killing and destroying – doesn’t come from God.

Those things that bring life, abundance and fullness to life comes from God. “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 ERV

Our Good Shepherd gave His life for us. Let’s keep our focus on Him, following Him and living the life He has provided for us.

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Encourage Each Other

As I opened the template to begin writing this morning I was “Wow-ed” by what I saw. Today’s post is number 1001! Oh my. What a privilege I have had, being able to share my thoughts from God’s word with you each day.

This morning I want to talk to you about encouragement.

We are self-distancing and it’s the right thing to do. However, I miss my kids and my grandkids. Yesterday our youngest daughter contacted us for a Facebook video call. It was so sweet – we were able to have one-on-one time with her and each of our three littlest grandkids. The first words out of Sam’s mouth, he’s 4 1/2yr, was “thank you for sending the baby chick racecar supplies, Besta”.

It’s hard not being close to those we love in challenging times.

Making baby chick racecars is something we do together. It’s becoming an Easter tradition. We were supposed to take Sam camping next week and were going to make them at the campsite. Since we had to cancel those plans, I sent the supplies to his mom so they can make them at home. It really tugged on my heart – I miss them all.

As much as I miss not having my children close I know God misses it even more. He is our loving and gracious Father; He wants his kids close so He can reassure us and calm our fears. He wants to hold us close and dry our tears. His door is always open; we can enter His presence anytime, any hour of the day and He’ll be there waiting.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

He understands and He is waiting for us to come!

Once we receive encouragement from our Father we should reach out to encourage others. A phone call, a text, a video chat or a note in the mail – all will be welcomed by the receiver. A friend of mine calls her grandkids and has a story time video chat. We all like to know we are being thought of – we all like to know that we are loved and missed! Send along a little prayer or simply say “I love you”. Those are words everyone likes to hear.

“When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29 ERV

Sometimes when we are in the midst of a trying situation our thoughts turn inward. Our thinking might be something like this – “I wish someone would call me and say something kind. Why do I always have to be the one to reach out to others?”. Let’s be honest, there are times when we all have a pity party or think selfishly. Get rid of that kind of thinking, it will destroy you! It will spread like a cancer.

Go to the Father, hand those thoughts over to Him and then follow Jesus instruction.

“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:38 MSG

Give some encouragement today; it will bless them and bring a blessing back to you too.

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Hills Make A Difference

The weather has been perfect lately so Dave and I have been out walking. Monday we took a 3.1 mile walk out on BLM land. The dirt road had a few potholes in it from the rain but it was flat. Yesterday our walk was a bit more strenuous and a little bit shorter. It was 2.7 miles but went down into the canyon and back up three different times. It took a little longer than Monday’s walk and we were certainly more tired and sweaty when we got home. (Today’s image is our last descent into the canyon and the road out in is the background.)

The hills make a difference.

They make a difference in life as well. Just ask the cancer survivor or the one whose spouse has died. Talk to the parent who has lost their job or the business owner who has had to file bankruptcy. Their daily lives before these hills/mountains sprang up may have been tiring but it doesn’t compare to the struggle up this mountainside.

I think this was King David’s point of view when he wrote: “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3-4 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121 MSG

The mountains don’t provide our strength, they drain it. It is God, who walks beside us, that provides us with strength. Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It can be both exhilarating and exhausting but we keep going. We’re not in it alone. He guards us now, He guards us always.

The Apostle Paul said: “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 MSG

These are good words – don’t turn back.

The last hill out of our canyon is always the toughest. It’s a long steady incline. I’ve walked it many times in the last six years. The only way home is up. One step at a time; muscles aching and breathing hard we make it to the top. Next time it won’t be as bad, we’ll be in better shape, we’ll be more prepared.

Little victories prepare us for bigger challenges. As we acknowledge God’s faithfulness in the smaller areas of our life we grow in faith and are able to face the larger circumstances with confidence.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who faced physical and spiritual trials. I think of a widow woman who was living through a three year famine. She only had a little oil and flour left, everything was gone including her hope. She decided to make one last cake for herself and her son to eat. Then she was prepared to die. BUT GOD…sent a prophet with a miracle. Here’s her mountain, the prophet asked her to give him the cake she made.

Her dilemma, her hill – give the cake to the prophet or her son. She gave it to the prophet and that’s when the miracle came – her oil jar never ran dry and her flour canister never went empty. These are the testimonies we can hold on to in difficult times.

“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV

This is a mandate for us. Don’t quit, keep our eyes on Jesus. When the mountains and the hills are before us, God is beside us!

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Lessons From Glory

Those of you who have been reading my blog any length of time have heard me refer to Glory on a number of occasions. She is my morning buddy and has sat with me through countless hours of Bible Study and prayer. Yesterday, Dave and I had to make the hard decision to let her go. Her little heart had given up; the vet said it was used up.

So, this morning for the first time in a very long time I’m at my computer alone. I just had to re-share one of the many lessons the Lord taught me when Glory was here…

It was a typical Saturday morning. Dave was busy working on things outside and I was getting the house cleaned. Somewhere in all that our little dog Glory got very nervous and unsettled.

She wasn’t a dog to jump up on people but she was that day. Jumping up on Dave and then on me. She was obviously upset. Her world wasn’t as she thought it should be and the only way she knew to do to make it safe was to be with one of us, on our lap.

It made me think, what do I do when my world seems to be wrong? Do I get upset and just work harder, not smarter? Do I hide myself away from family and friends? Do I try to escape the situation by running away – into the television, on a vacation, a shopping trip? Or do I go to the Father, jump up in His lap and let Him assure me things will be alright?

“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 ERV

This morning I am spending time in my Father’s lap and letting Him dry my tears. It’s where I am finding the comfort I need. It’s the best place to be!

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What Is Sacrifice?

This morning we will have an interactive blog posting. I will ask you a couple of questions and hopefully you will answer. Of course I won’t be able to hear those answers unless you post them as comments but answer them in your heart just the same.

The definition of the word sacrifice is this: to offer up, surrender, or suffer the loss of something. The term has been used in a number of ways; the sacrificial hit of a batter, a service member giving the ultimate sacrifice, a parent sacrifices their material and emotional needs to provide for their children. In every one of these circumstances, the person is offering up or laying down their own well-being for the needs of another.

First question: What sacrifices have you made for those you love?

I’ve recently been reading in the book of Leviticus. It’s here that Moses gives the laws of living and instructions for sacrifice to the Israelites. They are in the desert, about to go into a new land. They need instruction to properly set up their governance and life as a nation. God gives them instruction on sacrifice; the kind of animals that are acceptable, oil, bread and wine offerings too. Each sacrifice was a reminder that the Lord was their God and He would go with them and protect them.

This morning I made a discovery about praise. In the Psalms, King David asked the Lord to consider his prayer as a sacrifice.

“Lord, I call to you for help. Listen to me as I pray. Please hurry and help me! 2 Accept my prayer like a gift of burning incense, the words I lift up like an evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:1-2 ERV

Question Two: What did King David sacrifice?

He sacrificed his words. I believe, on more than one occasion, he sacrificed his words of fear, worry, and complaining to praise God for His faithfulness. Just like the Israelites, his sacrifice of words was a reminder that God was with him in all things.

Question Three: How do we offer sacrifice to the Lord and show Him our love?

“So through Jesus we should never stop offering our sacrifice to God. That sacrifice is our praise, coming from lips that speak his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:15-16 ERV

Answer: We praise Him! We praise the Father that Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. We praise Him that He is in control, even when things seem to be completely out of control. We do good and share with others because God, our loving Father, has given us all we have need of and more.

The most effective form of sacrifice that we can give is praising God when we don’t feel like it and when it looks like there is nothing to be thankful for. It is then that we sacrifice our emotions and will to His safe keeping. A sacrifice of praise reminds us that God is in control and we can trust Him.

I hope you will join me and offer the Lord a sacrifice of praise.

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My Anchor Holds

What do we do when the seas of life start getting rough? Do we abandon ship? I hope not.

There are so many things that can shake us to the core; dangerous circumstances, loss of a loved one, financial crisis, relationship issues. So many things. Jesus answered each and everyone with the same words, fear not!

He said that to the man whose daughter was at the brink of death. Fear not was his command to his apostles on the stormy sea. He told Peter to go fishing when he needed to get the money to pay Caesar’s taxes. And when He was about to be crucified His command to his disciples was “Don’t worry”!

I once heard a sermon on rattlesnakes. The preacher asked what we would do if someone came to our door with a box of rattlers. The answer, of course, was not to let them in. He went on to say that worry, fear and anxiety are more deadly than that box of snakes. So, when those things come to plague us we shouldn’t let them in.

How do we keep them out; the thoughts of worry and fear?

We put God’s word at the door of our heart and mind and stop those thoughts from entering. We keep focused on God’s promises. Max Lucado, teacher and author, has coined a wonderful phrase, “Because God’s promises are unbreakable our hope is unshakable!”.

Hope!

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV

Our hope in God’s promises will be the anchor that we need as we face life’s challenges. None of us are promised a life of only smooth seas and prevailing winds. When the storms come we can be assured that our anchor holds firm and that the One who said “Peace, be still” is right beside us in the boat.

We must find God’s promises and place our anchor there. Our hope in Him will hold us secure.

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A Warm Fire

Have you ever been in the desert on a cold clear night? How about in the desert on a hot blazing day? I have found that the desert is a formidable environment, much more so than the cold mountains.

In Montana we faced some -35 degree temperatures in the winter but in Arizona we have lived through many 110+ degree days. Two things were always welcomed, a good shade and a warm fire.

When I read my Bible I put myself in the story and look around at the terrain, the people, the circumstances. Many years ago I was reading in the book of Exodus and there I saw God’s faithfulness. It was right here in this verse.

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22 KJV

Do you see God’s faithfulness? It’s right there in the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire. The one thing you need in the desert in the day time is shade and the thing you really need at night is warmth. God provided both.

God told Moses that His name is I AM. I AM your shade and I AM your warmth. Our loving heavenly Father is in the details. He was also I AM your compass or GPS, “follow the cloud and I will not recalculate”. God had the “cloud” before the internet.

This was a big cloud. He was able to keep all the people covered, over 600,000. He is the same loving God today and He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. We won’t be abandoned physically, emotionally or spiritually. The Lord provides a covering for us in all areas of our life.

“Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 MSG

Some people get hung up on the “be free from the love of money” aspect of this verse and think that God doesn’t want us to have anything. To the contrary, He wants us focused on Him, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, He is I AM; so with His promise to never leave us or abandon us we will be well supplied.

The Israelites needed warmth and shade. We may need peace and joy, strength and health, forgiveness and love, prosperity and protection, wisdom and favor. Whatever it is, our God is still the I AM who provides for all our needs.

Stay under the cloud of His provision. It is the shade and warmth we need.

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Finding Love in Silence

A cool morning, a warm cup of coffee, a cozy blanket and quiet! Truly an enjoyable way to start the day!

Alone with just the thoughts of my heart and there is peace! I didn’t always enjoy being alone with just my thoughts. My heart would become anxious; I would turn on the tv or the radio – anything to block out the silence, anything not to focus on the unrest and the distress I felt churning inside.

Maybe you’re like that. You don’t want to get up and be “alone” with your thoughts or with the Father. You want to get up and get going right away to keep yourself from pausing in the quiet of the morning.

King David wrote in the Psalms to “be still and KNOW that I AM God”. To know means to be intimately acquainted with, a deep personal knowledge or understanding.

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. 3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah…10 God says, “Stop fighting (be still) and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.” 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah” Psalm 46 ERV

This verse says to stop fighting where another translation of the same verse says be still. The psalm ends with the word Selah, which means to pause, reflect, take time to let what you just heard sink in.

I used to hate being alone with my thoughts. They told me I was unworthy, I was alone, I wouldn’t amount to anything. My thoughts pointed out all my failures and my shortcomings. I never measured up so why did I want a quiet time to reflect on all that was wrong with me?

However, when I began reading God’s word and taking time to sit silently and let it sink in, I found God’s love and peace.

“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 ERV

When I come to His throne, in the quiet of the morning, I find grace, mercy, kindness and help. I find Jesus! I’ve had folks ask me why I get up so early – it’s not a chore, I’ve been doing it for years. It’s my place of peace and strength. I can’t imagine starting a day without this time.

In the silence I know that God is with me and He surrounds me with His love!

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As A Little Child

We have all have noticed how innocent and trusting little children are. Those of us who have an influence in their lives are given a strict mandate not to lead them astray.

When Jesus was teaching his disciples He used a little child to convey His message. Children are the perfect example of trust. They will believe what they are taught. They are dependent on others. Jesus said it was very important that no one misdirect them or lead them in error.

“About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” Matthew 18:1-6 NLT

The adults around Jesus were vying for greatness. Their motives were selfish and prideful. Jesus corrected them quickly and told them they needed to be child like in their motivation.

Child-like faith!

We would do well to learn from this example too. Its easy to be caught up in our own importance and our own abilities. The Father wants us to trust Him. He wants us to admit our need and to place our faith in His strength and wisdom. That’s where our greatest comes from.

Is there a circumstance in your life that’s too big for you to handle? Good. Come in child-like faith and let the Father take over.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

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