Tomorrow I will be having a surgical back procedure to help alleviate the pain I have been experiencing since I injured my back in April 2017. It has been a long and most days, a very painful journey.
I have appreciated the prayers of friends and family during this time. Now the day has come to have a procedure which will eliminate the majority of the pain and get me back to a “normal” life.
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved. For You are my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 NLV
“By the power of his own word, he healed you and saved you from destruction.” Psalm 107:20 CEV
I will have six to eight weeks of recovery so I would appreciate your prayers as you think of me during that time. The next couple of days I may not be up to posting my blog. It really is a blessing to me to share with you from God’s word each morning.
I’ll be back soon!
“I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. 4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy.” Philippians 1:2-4 CEV
Last night our home was filled with dear friends…some we’ve only known a few years and others for more than half our lifetime. How precious they each are to us!
.
I just wanted to take a quiet moment to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. Although, you weren’t in our home I am touched by your love. God has blessed me with wonderful friends. Some of you I know personally and have been able to hug, to touch, to share a cup of coffee with or a meal and we have shared times of laughter and tears.
Others of you I only know through social media and your comments here on the blog. I’ve seen pictures of your families, shared your joys and your prayer requests. True friends just the same. I really don’t think there is time or distance when the Lord joins hearts.
Whatever your plans are for these upcoming days of Christmas I want you to know that I feel truly blessed to call you friends.
“I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! 3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. 4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy.” Philippians 1:2-4 CEV
But I also want you to know that our heavenly Father, the author of our friendship, has such a great love for you. He designed our meeting and crafted the bond that we have for one another.
His purpose – To show us His amazing love. Each time we reach out to love someone new, to develop a new relationship, His love is put into action. We can never truly love on our own. That deep and lasting commitment we experience for others comes from His heart. Friendship is a tangible example of His amazing love.
We are always in His heart and on His mind. His love is overwhelming, His peace reassuring and His comfort beyond comparing!
I can hear Him saying: “I love you with an everlasting love” Jeremiah 31:3 “My peace I give to you; peace, be still.” John 14:27 “I will send the Comforter that will abide with you forever” John 14:16 “Let my joy be your strength” Nehemiah 8:10 ” I know the thoughts I have for you; thoughts of peace”. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Yes, my world is quiet and my Father is speaking to me and He’s speaking to you as well. Enjoy your time with Him this morning and all through the day.
The song I want to share with you this morning isn’t a traditional Christmas Carol. However, if Jesus never brought heaven to earth as He did that day we wouldn’t be able to experience the blessed relationship we have with him.
O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget; After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met. O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart; Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.
Chorus: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)
When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)
My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)
Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine, Justified fully thru Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine! And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came, Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name!
Chorus:
Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time; I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime. And it’s because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed; Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.
Chorus: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul) When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole) My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)
Thank you Father for allowing all of us to experience heaven on earth through the gift of your Son!
There are so many things we “wait” on this time of year. We wait to see friends and family. We wait for packages to arrive. Just a few more days until the Christmas Concert or the party, we say. And we wait.
It’s so hard for little kids to wait. If they have a present for you they want you to open it the minute its wrapped. If you have a present for them the same reaction holds true. “Can I open it now?”
There’s real joy associated with anticipation or waiting. I remember when Dave and I were dating. It was a long distance relationship with him living in southern California and me in Arizona. I would get so excited the days before his visits. I couldn’t wait to see him!
It’s the same type of anticipation and excitement that an expectant mother feels waiting for the arrival of their child.
Another word for anticipation is hope. What a wonderful thing it is to live with hope.
“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV
King David tells us that waiting on the Lord will strengthen us and fill us with hope. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Hope.
God sent His Son to earth to bring us hope. His gift of love gives us hope for our future.
“And Isaiah says, ‘Someone will come from Jesse’s family. He will come to rule over the nations, and they will put their hope in him.’ 13 I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:12-13 ERV
I’m not sure what you are hoping for. What is your heart anticipating?
When we put our hope in God we will never be disappointed. Our hope in God is like an anchor for our souls.
“I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 CEV
It was this message of hope, hope in Christ the Savior, that Charles Wesley was expressing when he wrote this Christmas hymn in 1744.
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Lord Jesus, hope of all the earth, fill our hearts with Your joy today and always!
So many people spend a great deal of time searching for their purpose in life. The movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” comes to mine. George Bailey, Jimmy Stewart, gets to see how the lives of those he loves would have been drastically changed if he hadn’t been around.
About thirty years back, society became aware of a new condition, the mid-life crisis. People were disillusioned, ending marriages, acting irrationally, searching for their purpose. I wish I could say that Christians aren’t effected by such behavior but we are. Everyone wants to know why we’re here and how our lives can make a difference.
“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
There are so many in the Bible who thought they really had no purpose – Esther, a young Jewish girl ended up saving her people from annihilation. Gideon, a fearful farmer, defeated a vast army with only 300 hundred men. A young boy had Jesus use his sack lunch to feed a multitude.
Shepherds, possibly feeling they were unappreciated and unacceptable to society, were given the responsibility of spreading the news that the Messiah had been born. Joseph was just a carpenter but he was called to bring up Jesus in a loving home. Mary, a young girl, dreaming of her marriage to a carpenter was asked to be the mother of God’s Son.
Jesus, God’s Son, was asked to give up heaven so that He could bring salvation to all mankind.
“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 ERV
Each one was willing to live a life of purpose. They all had to trust God, overcome obstacles and self-doubt to fulfill the plan God had for them. We too, have a call of God on our lives.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.
19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 CEV
Our purpose is almost identical to the one the shepherds received. We have been given the work of sharing God’s message of peace with those around us. I’m so thankful that someone shared that message with me and that I can now share it with you.
I have a song to share with you this morning that may be unknown to many but the story is one of purpose. I believe it was written by Barbara Mandrell, I know she is the one who recorded it.
This past week has been so much fun! Dave and I have been taking care of our two youngest grandchildren.
Their folks will be coming home tomorrow evening and our time here will come to an end. What a joy it has been!
I know you think I am going to start bragging about how cute, smart, talented and obedient they are. I would love too but there just isn’t enough time. Suffice it to say, they are sweet and we love them.
These days have been precious…Yes, that’s the word.
Precious is used to describe something with monetary value like precious stones or to describe something emotionally valuable. Our days have been rich with memory making moments.
Looking at these two each day I can see God’s hand of blessing on my family. I can see God’s design in our marriage, our having children and them choosing mates and having children. Yes, it has been a continual pattern of blessing. God’s provision for us is indeed precious.
“How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36: 7 AMPC
We can place our love and trust in Him knowing that He will protect and provide.
Sam and Kristine depended on Dave and I to feed and protect them. They knew we would help them and do what’s right because they were confident of our love.
In the same way, our heavenly Father wants us to trust in His love. He reassures us by telling us how much time He spends thinking about us.
“O Lord my God, many are the great works You have done, and Your thoughts toward us. No one can compare with You! If I were to speak and tell of them, there would be too many to number.” Psalm 40:5 NLV
We have spent the last seven days creating memories, precious memories. Recalling them, at some time in the future, will bring us right back to this place and the joy we feel now.
That’s the way it is with God. He remembers the good times we’ve had with Him and all the while, He chooses to forget our sins.
“I will show loving-kindness to them and forgive their sins. I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 NLV
The Lord has so many good thoughts and plans for us. He wants our lives full and complete. Each day we spent with Him is a memory-maker.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
Lord, thank you for thinking of me. Thank you for the good plans you have for me. Thank you that you consider me precious. I love you.
How do you define the word righteous? And along that same line, define the word righteousness. Think about that for a few moments.
Let me give you a simple definition of righteous. It was one that my college professor gave in class years ago. Righteous: being made right with God. Is that how we see ourselves – right with God?
“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:21 ERV
That’s the way God sees us. The great exchange. Jesus, who had never sinned, took on our sins when He died on the cross and in exchange for our sin, gave us His righteousness. His right-standing with God became ours. That is absolutely amazing!
Isaiah wrote that our self-righteousness is like filthy rags. Our efforts to make ourselves in right-standing with God is, at its best, rubbish.
My dad was a master mechanic. He worked on large equipment, keeping it running and fixing it when it broke down. When he would come home his clothes were filthy and he would often have dirty towels he had used to wipe his hands on. I remember Mom telling him to throw those dirty things in the trash, there was no point in trying to wash them, they wouldn’t come clean.
That’s the image that would come to mind when I heard that phrase, filthy rags. Now contrast that image with this one.
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:10-11 NKJV
Dirty, greasy, grimy clothes or the elegant apparel of a bride groom, how do we think God sees us? Because of Christ, He sees us decked out in His finest.
“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners (dirty, greasy), and by this God showed how much he loves us.
9 We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger.10 I mean that while we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through his Son’s death. And the fact that we are now God’s friends (righteous) makes it even more certain that he will save us through his Son’s life.11 And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends.” Romans 5:8-11 ERV
I titled this morning’s blog God’s Thoughts About Me. Do you see it now? He thinks we’re righteous, in right standing with Him and these verses in Romans say that He calls us his friends. God the Father doesn’t hate us – He isn’t even mad at us.
He loves us!
Now for the final word on what God thinks about us. The first version of this verse uses the word “thoughts” and other versions say “plans”. I wanted you to see them both
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
“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
God’s thoughts about us are those of a loving Father. He has good plans for us, He doesn’t want to harm us. Instead He gives us hope and a good future. As we go about our day, it’s quite possible that thoughts will come to mind that are counter to the thoughts that God has of us. Don’t let those thoughts linger, replace them with what God thinks of us.
A while back Dave asked me a question. “Do you have time for me?”
He was being silly and teasing me because he knew I was busy making him breakfast. I think it surprised him when I answered “Sure babe, I always have time for you.”
Time is the only commodity that we are limited in receiving. Every one of us has the same 24 hours, the same 7 days, the same 12 months. It amazes me how some seem to get so much done while others waste what can’t be replaced. Some are more productive at night while others rise early and seem to get their best inspiration during the early morning.
Taking time – making time for the things that are important sometimes makes me feel like a juggler with one too many balls in the air.
When the kids were little it was important to “take time” to help them grow. When they became teenagers it seemed even more important; now that they are grown and have homes of their own I fondly remember those days, they are cherished memories. It delights me now to take time – undistracted time, to visit with them and be invited to share their time.
Everyone of us write appointments in our day planners, put them in our phone scheduler or write them on the calendar; the important things, things we don’t want to forget. Is our daily time with the Lord written there? Is it written on the schedule we keep in your heart?
One reoccurring question I have been asked over the years is “how long should my quiet time be”. My answer, “as long as you need”. It’s not important that we read multiple chapters in the Bible if we don’t remember what we’ve read when we’re done. It’s better to take one verse and apply it to our lives that day.
“‘Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’ ” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV
The same holds true with our prayer time. Praying is simply talking to the Father heart to heart. It shouldn’t be a religious exercise. No, instead we need to make it a conversation with our dearest friend. Prayer isn’t us doing all the talking; we need to be still and listen to that voice in our hearts, giving us instruction. That’s the Father talking back to us.
Start with a few undistracted minutes. I guarantee it will increase naturally. Spending time with the Father creates a desire and a hunger for more.
“Even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said. 148 I lie awake at night, thinking of your promises.” Psalm 119:147-148
Early or late, it’s one of those appointments we don’t want to miss! I was surprised to see how many times the Scripture records “early in the morning they went out to worship the Lord”. Early morning is my time but for you it may be the watches of the night, whenever it is, we can be certain that the Father will be there to meet us!
“God, hear my cry for help. Listen to my prayer. 2 From a faraway land I call to you for help. I feel so weak and helpless! Carry me to a high rock where no one can reach me. 3 You are my place of safety, a strong tower that protects me from my enemies.” Psalm 61:1-3 ERV
“I will answer them before they call for help. I will help them before they finish asking.” Isaiah 65.24 ERV
Take time to make time with the Lord. It is the best part of the day.
First Look. This isn’t a term I was familiar with before our grandson’s wedding.
No this isn’t their “first look” picture; they should be able to share that on their own without my interference.
Anyway, First Look describes the first time the bride and groom see each other dressed for their wedding. Many brides and grooms are having their photographs taken before the ceremony but still want the element of surprise when they see each other for the first time that day. The photographer captures that intimate moment when they First Look at each other.
Last night I went to bed thinking of how special that must have been for them and how truly special it is for us when we get our first look of Jesus.
I grew up in the church and always remember knowing Jesus. As a little girl I remember when I realized I wanted to give Him my heart and accepted Jesus as my Savior. However, I know that I took His great sacrifice for granted. I didn’t take into account what it truly cost to pay for my sin and for me to be reconciled to the Father.
It took years for me to realize that!
But I do remember the day when I fell hopelessly in love with Jesus, the day I gave Him my all. That day I came to know, really know, that if I went through the rest of my life with only Jesus by my side that was more than enough.
That was my First Look at the bridegroom who held my heart and still does today!
“The Lord makes me very happy.I am completely happy with my God. He dressed me in the clothes of salvation.He put the victory coat on me. I look like a man dressed for his wedding, like a bride covered with jewels. 11 The earth causes plants to grow, and a garden makes the seeds planted there rise up. In the same way, the Lord God will make goodness and praise grow throughout the nations.” Isaiah 61:10-11 ERV
As a little girl I grew up singing a chorus in Sunday School, Jesus Loves Me This I Know. According to my Mom I sang it all the time running around the house. But then there was that day when I would start to sing that simple chorus and my throat would constrict and the words would struggle out as I wiped the tears from my cheeks. I was overwhelmed by His love.
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.”
Like the bride seeing her groom for the first time on their wedding day, I hope that you are seeing Jesus with eyes of love. I’ve learned that no matter how long I am in relationship with Him he looks at me with that same unconditional love in His eyes.
“The Lord came to us from far away, saying, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to Me with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 NLV
Amazing love – Amazing grace – Amazing sacrifice – Amazing life
Dave and I have been gone for several days and on our first day we stopped at the store to buy a few things I needed for Kristine’s birthday cupcakes. While there I also bought some of our favorite coffee and some coffee filters.
I realized yesterday that we didn’t have either of those items when we unpacked the truck on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone who knows me well knows that coffee is an absolute essential to my morning existence. It’s better than gold!
Dave had to go out and search through the truck and the big tool box before he came back with the buried treasure I sent him for. This is a silly example but it makes the point.
Have you ever lost something valuable? Maybe it was a piece of jewelry, a credit card or maybe something more personal like a relationship; did you search and work hard until you “found” it again?
Luke, chapter 15, talks about three things that were lost – a sheep, a coin and a son. The shepherd, the woman and the father searched diligently until all was recovered.
Jesus was teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and he said:
“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.” Matthew 7:7-8 ERV
Jesus was telling us to be diligent in our asking, in our seeking and in our knocking (pursuing). Where did He learn this persistence?
He saw it in His Father.
God, the Father, has been asking man for 1000+ years to allow Him to be their God, to lead and direct. Jesus had watched as the Father had searched for His people after they had gone off to follow other gods and He loving brought them back.
He had followed the Father’s example to stand at the door and knock, waiting for it to open so He could have fellowship with the man He had created. Do you know that the Father is doing the same with us?
Jesus was doing more than giving us an opportunity to ask, seek and knock; He was reminding us that our relationship with the Father is one that the Father will continue to pursue – He won’t let go.
” Suppose a woman has ten silver coins, but she loses one of them. She will take a light and clean the house. She will look carefully for the coin until she finds it. 9 And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost!’ 10 In the same way, it’s a happy time for the angels of God when one sinner decides to change.” Luke 15:8-10 ERV
Follow the Father’s example. We need to pursue Him and have daily fellowship with Him. Let’s not allow our relationship to get lost in the activities of the day.
“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 Him and then rejoice because you will find that He is there waiting for you.
Do you realize that this year is half way completed? What goals are we accomplishing – what successes have we had so far?
Do you know that our Father is gracious and loving and He has such big plans for us? Plans for our success and benefit.
Oh my goodness – He is our biggest cheerleader! He is at every soccer game, basketball game, swim meet, 4H and FFA event and on every shoot. He’s there cheering us on and He does it with a good attitude and doesn’t say bad words if the “ref” gets it wrong.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
I used kids’ activities as my examples because each of us as a parent have been there to cheer our kids on and to tell them they are great. God does it too but in a much greater way.
He’s also there in every prayer we pray over our kids, He’s in on every discussion we have with our mate, He attends every business meeting, goes on every trip, is there for every sale and training session. He’s not a dead beat or absentee Father! He’s involved in our lives as much as we allow Him to be. He’s there!
He’s written everything down that we need to succeed. It’s not a suggestion book or an advice column. He has given us what we need to succeed in every area.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 NIV
He’s also given us a freewill. We can go out and try things on our own. We can fail, we can fall flat on our faces and He will be there to pick us up and set us on the right path once again.
Don’t we do this with our kids? How our hearts break when they try to do it on their own and don’t listen to our instruction. We know what’s best and they ignore us – and we love them anyway. We reach out to hold them, to comfort them and then to give them instruction once again. Our Father is just like that – where do you think we learned it?
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
If this year hasn’t brought a life of victory, maybe it’s because we are trying to do things on our own without reading the instruction manual, or it could be that our enemy has devised a plan against us. If it’s the former, we need to get in the book and take it to heart – “lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths”.
And if it’s the latter, get in the Word and take the authority that has been given us by the Father and put the enemy in his place. Don’t quit, don’t give up but go forward in the power and authority that the Father has made available to us.
“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-5 CEV
We have been given everything we need to live a life of victory – we have been given God’s great and precious promises!
He’s cheering us on today! Listen for His voice and follow His words.
