Category: I Peter

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The Heart/Hand Connection

We’re only about a week away from Thanksgiving and I hope you have enjoyed the writings of the past month on gratitude. My prayer is that you have become more aware of the daily blessings you have received from the Father and your heart has become more thankful.

Each morning as I write to you, I look across the room and see my Gratitude Pumpkin. I’ve been writing blessings, both large and small, on its ribs. It is a visual reminder of the events of the past month. My hand writes what touches my heart.

I’m a big believer in the heart and hand connection. This morning, in my prayer time I was reminded of the compassion Jesus showed – His heart prompted Him to use His hands.

“Many people spoke sharp words to them. They told the blind men not to call out. But they called all the more, “Lord! Take pity on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped and called them. He asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 33 The blind men said to Jesus, “Lord, we want our eyes opened!” 34 Jesus had loving-pity on them and put His hands on their eyes. At once they could see, and they followed Jesus.” Matthew 20:21-34 NLV

His heart was filled with compassion for these blind beggars and His hands went into action. This was not an isolated experience. Jesus touched a leper and he was cleansed; He took the hand of an adulterous woman and lifted her to her feet after he defended her to her accusers.

His heart and hands were also working in concert as He healed the man who had been crippled from birth. He had compassion on the crowd that had followed Him and listened to His teachings. He made them sit down and then, with His hands, He broke the bread and fish and fed them all.

I think it is almost impossible for a loving heart not to be moved to action. Our hearts, filled with love, cause our hands to reach out with a hug or an applause. A loving heart causes our hands to wipe away a tear. Our heart sees someone we love fall and we take action to lift them up, both physically and emotionally.

Yes, there is truly a heart/hand connection.

The one action I am most grateful for is this.

“ Christ suffered and died for sins once for all. He never sinned and yet He died for us who have sinned. He died so He might bring us to God. His body died but His spirit was made alive.” I Peter 3:18 NLV

“But God showed His love to us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NLV

God’s heart was filled with love for each of us and so Jesus stretched out his hands and had them nailed to a cross. He took our place on that cross insuring that we would have a place with Him in heaven.

Now the question I ask myself is this. How will the love I have in my heart for the Father move my hands in to action?

Thank you, Father, for loving me and touching my life!

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Never Gonna Let Me Down

This morning started with me writing notes of encouragement to a couple of friends who are going through some health crises. I received emails from them both yesterday and I could read the discouragement in their words.

You may be facing reports that are less than you had hoped for too. This morning I want to encourage you with a few of my favorite Scriptures. I know I’ve shared them before but we never read a verse just once and apply it to our lives and never need to read the verse again.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing the Word of God.

These verses have really helped me and I hope that there are one or two that provide what you need!

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR LET ME DOWN!

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; 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!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

WHEN CHRIST RULES, PEACE REIGNS

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMP

HE CARES FOR ME

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” I Peter 5:7 AMP

I HAVE AN OVERFLOWING LIFE

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

MOSES AND I HAVE THE SAME GOD, THE GREAT I AM!

24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:24 AMP

MY FATHER’S WORD GIVES ME CONFIDENCE

“ And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

GOD CANNOT LIE

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

As I was re-reading these verses this morning, my heart was greatly encouraged. God is ALWAYS faithful to His word. He will never let us down, we will never be abandoned!

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Hungry?

The last few days photos of our youngest grandson have been showing up on my memory pages. He just celebrated his 7th birthday and it’s been fun to look back at his first few weeks of life.

I love babies!!

They are so pure and so hungry. They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to know that they must eat, and they let the world know it. Their feedings take priority.

“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” I Peter 2:2-3 CEV

Yes, we need to be like babies – sincere, innocent, with an overwhelming desire to grow – to drink spiritual milk (the Word) and learn of the Lord’s goodness.

As we feast on milk we grow and come to a point where we are mature enough to enjoy solid food, as the writer of Hebrews put it. Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong.

“People who live on milk are like babies who don’t really know what is right. 14 Solid food is for mature people who have been trained to know right from wrong.” Hebrews 5:13-14 CEV

Sometimes babies, and adults, just need a drink of water and not milk. It keeps us hydrated and all our organs functioning well.

We also need to come for the living water that only Christ can give.

“Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.’

11 The woman said, ‘Sir, where will you get that living water?…

13 Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.’

15 The woman said to Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.’” John 4:10-15 ERV

Water and milk are both a necessity of life. When babies need to eat, they cry out. They really have no other way to signal that they are hungry.

When was the last time we cried because we were hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? Jesus made us all a promise.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. 36 I said to you that you have seen Me and yet you do not put your trust in Me. 37 All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6:35-37 NLV

When we come to Him, hungry and thirsty for the life He gives, He will never turn us away!

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Learning New Things

Yesterday a friend posed a question, if you only had a short amount of time to teach someone the ways of Christ what would you focus on?

The list could be endless, however, he prefaced it with “a short amount of time”. This morning I believe I found how Jesus would answer that question.

“‘My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too.

28  If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29  Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.'” Matthew 11:27-30 CEV

Jesus wants us to know the Father!

He wants us to know the Father’s heart – his love, mercy, grace, power, strength, protection, rest. The Father gave Jesus everything he needed for his life on this earth. Jesus was content to know that the Father was willingly supplying all, nothing was excluded. And He wanted to tell others, us, about the Father so we could know Him too.

Let’s be honest as we assess our lives and current circumstances. When we are tired of carrying heavy loads, all the day-to-day responsibilities, the financial pressures, the need to make a good living, where do we turn? Do we take some sort of sleep aide, maybe another glass of wine, or just work until we are exhausted and are forced to sleep?

Jesus’ words are clear. “Come to me and I will give you rest. Learn from me.” In context, He is telling us to come and learn about the Father, come to know the Father as He does. It’s in learning about the Father and all He is and has provided that we will find true peace and rest.

The word picture that Jesus is giving us here is a farm scene. Take my yoke.

In Jesus day the fields were plowed with a team of oxen. A younger ox would need to be trained to accept the yoke and the proper way to plow. It would be paired with an older, more experienced ox. A yoke would be placed across the neck of both, linking them together. Then the farmer would drive them through the field.

The weight of the yoke would rest solely on the neck and shoulders of the older ox since he was stool taller. The younger ox just needed to learn to walk alongside without straining to go his own way.

The yoke is easy and the burden is light.

When we walk alongside of Jesus, watching His life and learning from Him about the Father and His love, our burdens get lighter. We learn to let the Lord carry the load.

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

Now, going back to the question my friend asked yesterday. If I only had a short amount of time, what would I teach? I would teach the goodness of God and the unconditional love of the Father.

“Come learn of me and find rest”!

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Perseverance

Never give up!

Around Christmas time a friend gave me a book by Samuel Rodriguez, “Persevere with Power”. It sat on my shelf until a couple weeks ago. It is such an encouraging read.

Pastor Rodriguez uses examples from the life of Elijah and Elisha on staying the course, regardless of the circumstances and opposition. Most of his examples are lessons I have taught on about the faithfulness and provision of God. Yet, his personal perspective has given those examples fresh insight.

I would like to share some of what I was reading last night:

“You may have grown tired of waiting on God, but He will never give up on you. You may have let go of God, but He has never let go of you. You may even have stopped believing in God, but God has never stopped believing in you! He has equipped you for times such as these. Right now, you are about to receive a new outpouring of His Spirit that will sustain you for the next race to be run.

Yes, others will try and stop you. As we have seen, the devil will try to derail you and deride you and destroy you. But what heaven has launched, hell can never halt. Even if it appears foolhardy to enter the race, to tuck and run, to expect anything other than second place, it is time to trust God and run. I love the way Peter coaches us to keep going no matter how many obstacles we may face:

 ‘Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.’ I Peter 5:8-11 MSG

When you run the good race to the full extent of the divine power bequeathed to you, then you can leave the results to God…”

Tempted to quit?

I have been many times. I’ve even sidelined myself and felt I was no longer fit to be used even though I knew the Father had a message for me to bring – a message of hope and encouragement.

Persevere! Trust the Holy Spirit to give you the strength you need to run the race God has called you too.

Don’t quit!

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It’s Broken

Father’s Day will be here soon. This morning I was reminiscing about stories I have heard of father’s coming to the rescue.

I heard a story once about a little boy who had a broken wagon. He came to his father with tears streaming down his cheeks asking his father to fix the wagon. It was the child’s favorite toy. Each time the father would reach for the toy, the child would tighten his grip and tell his father of another fond memory or special time he had in his wagon.

Finally, the father in loving firmness said to his son, “If you want me to fix it, you have to let go. You can trust me. I love you and I’ll fix your wagon.”

How many times have we come to the Father with our “wagon” that needs fixing? Asking for help but not wanting to let go!

“7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.” I Peter 5:7-9 AMP

We are to cast our cares on the Father. Than means our worries, our fears and our problems. If we don’t, our enemy will seize upon our fears and defeat us. But if we do, we will be able to stand strong in faith (believing God to fix it) and be victorious.

“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 NLT

Bring your wagon to the Father today and let Him fix it.

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Nothing Better

Some mornings I want nothing more than to imagine that I am snuggling in my Father’s arms and feeling the comfort of His love! Aww, there’s nothing better than that.

The world we live in is filled with crazy distractions and difficulties. It can be overwhelming.

What was the first thing on your mind this morning? The kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis – whatever it is, the Lord has a solution.

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

His lap is cozy enough to have room for you to cuddle up and draw strength from Him.

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word your world can change from disorder to order. Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“The rules you have given me to follow will be mine forever. They give me great joy. 112 More than anything I want to obey your laws always, until the end of my life.” Psalm 119:11-112 ERV

Do you remember when your kids and grandkids were small? The times when they would crawl up in your lap and snuggle in? They were coming to find comfort, a place of peace and protection. They were secure.

What did that do to your heart?

It melted, I’m sure. It was a time when you sensed you were trusted, and unconditionally depended upon. I imagine that’s how the Father’s heart feels when we pull away from all the distractions and come to find rest and comfort in Him.

This is a verse I share often in this blog, but it isn’t just because it makes good writing. No, it is a life-style verse for me.

“ 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

This is my invitation, our invitation, to come to the Father where we find help and comfort. A place of safety and protection, a place of trust. To me, there’s nothing better than enjoying the love I find in my Father’s presence.

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People I Don’t Know

I was reflecting on my Mother’s Day. It was a good day but not typical. Communication with my kids and grandkids came in the electronic form, not the oh-so-special face to face hugs and kisses kind.

There were attempted phone calls but without a strong signal the calls dropped but the attempt was made and that warmed my heart. One call with a daughter was successful and it was the nice end to the day.

We worked in the morning, there’s quite a bit to do before we welcome campers at the end of the week. Mid-afternoon we enjoyed a nice lunch in town with three friends. And then this morning as I sat here thinking of that time of fellowship I began to wonder about our waitress.

Was she a working mom? How was it that she was scheduled to work this day and not be with family? Were we kind and compassionate to her? I hope we made her day more pleasant. She wasn’t able to be waited on, instead she served a room full of people.

“Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. 9 Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God’s chosen ones, and he will bless you. ” I Peter 3:8-9 CEV

Treat everyone with kindness.

How often do we fall back on social media to help us make connections? We like or love a post or a photo. We say congratulations to engagements or births or weddings. All to people we don’t really know.

But our calling of kindness and compassion is greater than that. We are to see people the way the Father sees them. Remember Zacchaeus? He climbed a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus was surrounded by a crowd as He walked the streets that day. So many were wanting to see the Teacher, the Miracle Worker. Zacchaeus wanted to see Him too.

“Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like.” Luke 19:3 CEV

Jesus noticed him. He stopped. Jesus spoke to Him. Zacchaeus’ life was changed.

“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 19:9-10 CEV

Zacchaeus was a hard man to love; he was a tax collector and a cheat. Jesus was drawn to him, He looked for him and he was saved.

We were talking at lunch about people with lots of tattoos. One of our friends has many, each one tells a part of her story, her struggle and her victory. She said how much she enjoys sharing when someone asks her about why she got them. People may be judgmental at first but when they know the underlining story, they soften and meet a wonderful woman. They see the lady that Jesus loves!

Our world is filled with people who want to be seen. Meet them with a heart of compassion. You never know, you may end up liking people you don’t know.

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I’m So Excited!

How’s that song go? “I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it. I’m about to lose control and I think I like it”.

Yes, that’s how I’m feeling this morning. The new refrigerator has been installed and is working properly and today we head to the mountain! I just wish all of you could go with us.

Did you wake up excited this morning? Do you have special plans for the weekend? Are you going to spend time with those you love? Maybe it’s a special anniversary or birthday you’ll be celebrating, or possibly a good report from your doctor. Whatever the event, large or small, it’s always better when we remember to thank the Father for his blessings.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

The Lord wants us to be excited about life. Why else would He fill it with wonder?

Sunrises and sunsets could be a dull gray. Waterfalls could be unimpressive trickles. The “Grand Canyon” could be just a subtle ditch. A child’s giggle could be monotoned. Without the blessings of the Lord our lives would be mundane and far from the abundant life He promised.

“God, your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like you.” Psalm 71:19 ERV

Be excited about what God has done, is doing now and will do with our future! He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Let me encourage you to embrace each day with joy. Wrap your arms around the morning and say, “Father, I don’t know all the details of the day, but I know that You have designed it for my good”.

“But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:10 ERV

If we truly believe God’s promise of abundant life, we will search for those blessings like a kid at Christmas. Oral Roberts was known for his saying, “Something good is going to happen to you today”.

“‘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. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

Search for the Lord. He has planned a good future for us. Now, that’s something to be excited about!

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Make It Stronger

A few days back Dave asked me to make the coffee stronger. I have used the same number of scoops for years, so his request intrigued me.

We always use the same brand and both of us drink our coffee black. I’m wondering if the coffee company has changed their processing. Maybe it’s just our taste buds. But I complied with his request, and we are enjoying it more.

Make it stronger…as I was drinking my first cup this morning and enjoying the fuller flavor I was reminded of a couple of Scriptures.

When we are young Christians, the Apostle Peter, says we grow by experiencing the milk of Scripture.

“Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow up and be saved.” I Peter 2:2 ERV

The writer of Hebrews points out that as we grow, we need a stronger diet of more solid foods.

“But solid food is for people who have grown up. From their experience they have learned to see the difference between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14 ERV

That is why I love Paul’s writings in the book of Colossians.

There are so many wonderful nuggets of God’s wisdom and provision contained in that small book. I wish we had time to sit and discuss it verse by verse. This book is filled with hope, strength, forgiveness, instruction for daily living. It starts by reminding us of how deeply the Father loves us.

“At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds, because the evil you did was against him. 22 But now he has made you his friends again. He did this by the death Christ suffered while he was in his body. He did it so that he could present you to himself as people who are holy, blameless, and without anything that would make you guilty before him. 23 And that is what will happen if you continue to believe in the Good News you heard. You must remain strong and sure in your faith. You must not let anything cause you to give up the hope that became yours when you heard the Good News. That same Good News has been told to everyone on earth, and that’s the work that I, Paul, was given to do.” Colossians 1:21-23 ERV

At one time we were enemies of God the Father. But through Jesus’ sacrifice we have been brought into a right relationship with Him. The Father loves us and sees us as holy, faultless and without blame. All of our sins were placed on Jesus when He died for us.

Christ lives in us and is our power source, our strength and our victory.

In our homes we have electricity. That electricity will light a bulb of 25, 60, or 100 watts. The size of the bulb may change but the power source is the same.

Christ is the same in all our lives and as we grow stronger in Him we learn to appropriate more of what He has provided.

Make us stronger Lord for your glory!

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