Category: Lamentations

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I’m Sure!

Welcome to another morning of God’s mercy and grace. Yes, I’m sure.

The sun will come up this morning, the earth is still rotating on its axis, birds will sing, waves will rush to the shore and God’s love never ceases.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my God, and I trust him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

Sitting with my hot cup of coffee, in the quiet of the morning hour, it is well with my soul!

Does that mean that everything is perfect? No worries, no problems? Does it mean I have no unanswered questions? On any given day, whether bombarded with challenges and difficulties or relaxed and filled with joy I have learned to be sure.

“Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. 2  It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.

3  Because of our faith, we know that the world was made at God’s command. We also know that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

4  Because Abel had faith, he offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God was pleased with him and his gift, and even though Abel is now dead, his faith still speaks for him.

5  Enoch had faith and did not die. He pleased God, and God took him up to heaven. This is why his body was never found. 6 But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:1-6 CEV

Did you read that? Faith makes us sure and gives us proof. We cannot please God without faith. By faith, we believe that God is real and He rewards us for seeking Him.

When we are seeking for God, searching for Him like something that was lost, we focus on Him. When we focus on Him, He keeps us in peace.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

I’m reminded of a father who brought his son to Jesus for healing.

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ The father answered, ‘Since he was very young. 22 The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything, please have pity on us and help us.’ 23 Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.‘ 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!‘” Mark 9:21-24 ERV

That’s what searching for God does. It helps us believe more. This was exactly the reaction that Jesus was hoping to see in this father’s heart.

Our confidence in God grows when we spend time in His presence.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Our heavenly Father does not lie. When He tells us to come, He means it. He rewards us for coming. He rewards us with grace, help and peace in our time of need.

I’m sure!

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Don’t Be Shy

I knew the moment I opened my eyes this was going to be a day of praise! You may ask, how did you know?

The lyrics of a song we were singing Sunday were energizing my soul!

“I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arms stretched wide
I will worship You

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing
Hallelujah, hallelujah

So come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Oh, come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord” Gratitude by Brandon Lake

I can remember one of the first times I was in a worship service when people around me were lifting their hands in worship. I was so uncomfortable; we didn’t do things like that in the church I was raised in. If the message was exceptional, you might hear one or two Amens but that was it.

But then one day when I was home with our toddlers, I started singing an old hymn and our oldest came in and lifted up her hands to me. She wanted to be picked up. As I lifted her up, with tears in my eyes, I realized why those people were lifting their hands in praise.

They weren’t shy about their gratitude and their lifted hands was a way of being picked up by the Father and embracing His presence!

With the song above on my heart, I raised my hands all by myself in my quiet living room and praised God for his faithfulness and love. “I’ll praise You again and again with a hallelujah”.

“Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to the God of heaven.” Lamentations 3:41 ERV

Don’t be shy! When we lift up our hands to the Father, He bends down and lifts us up to where we are close to His heart.

“Lord, I praise you with all my heart. I sing songs of praise to you before the gods. 2 I bow down toward your holy Temple, and I praise your name for your love and loyalty. You are famous, and doing what you promised will make you even more famous! 3 When I called to you for help, you answered me and gave me strength.” Psalm 138:1-3 CEV

“Everyone who serves the Lord, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight, 2 lift your hands in prayer toward his holy place and praise the Lord.” Psalm 134:1-2 CEV

It might seem a bit strange at first but don’t be shy; lift up your hands and praise the Lord!

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Abiding Love

I’ve been sitting here for the better part of three hours thinking about the abiding love of God. I am at a loss for words so I will let God’s word speak.

“ 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 3:17-19 ERV

I read once that God’s love is like the ocean, you can see where it begins but never where it ends. There is no end to the love of God!

“But then I think about this, and I have hope: 22 We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!” Lamentations 3:21-23 ERV

“ I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.” John 15:9 CEV

The word remain in other translations is abide. Abide means to live or stay in the place of God’s love. We abide in God’s love by staying in His word. It’s through the word of God that we learn the depth of His love.

See what happens when we live or stay in God.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.'” Psalm 91:1-2 CEV

Occasionally we lose our way. Occasionally we wander off, but God always remains faithful in His love for us.

“I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.” Psalm 119:176 CEV

Hundreds of years after King David wrote those words Jesus said this:

“ If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? 5 And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder 6 and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:4-6 CEV

That my friends is the depth of God’s abiding love!

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Love Without End

I’m a big country music fan – real country. You know Randy Travis, Tracy Byrd, Barbara Mandrell, Travis Tritt, Lorrie Morgan, Vince Gill and George Strait.

This morning it was the words of a George Strait song that sneaked into my heart during my quiet time.

“They said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
You see, daddies don’t just love their children
Every now and then It’s a love without end, amen
It’s a love without end, amen”

Whether married or single, a couple or alone, this Valentine message comes to all of us from the Father above. We can never truly love or be loved until we experience His marvelous, wonderful, unconditional life-giving love. It’s a love without end!

The love we have, give and experience on our own is only a shadowed comparison of the love that He offers us through Christ.

“How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth! 12 How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!” Psalm 103:11-12 CEV

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

Never ending, east-from-west kind of love. Stop and think about that. If you ever start to go east and continue in that direction, never turning back, you will never go west. You will always continue in an easterly direction, it will be a never-ending path. Each morning His love is new and fresh; as long as we experience morning, we will experience an outpouring of His love.

God’s love brought heaven to earth, something only God could do. Love came wrapped in the form of a man; a man named Jesus. Jesus was the embodiment of love, even on the cross His love spoke, asking forgiveness for those who were responsible for His crucifixion.

His love for us brought Him to death and that same love brings us to life!

“ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 & 21 NLT

“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:26 NLT

I’m not sure if you’ll receive candy or flowers, a card or a gift today but one thing I know for certain is that we will all receive a love without end, Amen!

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The Power of Love

Have you bought any Valentines this year? I was just thinking about the card boxes we made when I was in elementary school. For some reason, I can still picture the box I made and took to my third-grade class.

Maybe that year was more memorable because we had just moved back to my hometown and I was in a new school, making new friends. I was the “new” kid, the outsider, and I wanted to fit in so badly. Eight years old wanting to be accepted…

I remember carefully choosing each Valentine and putting a classmate’s name on it, some were more special than others. I had to let my new friends know I cared. Mom made a plate of cookies for the class party, heart shaped and frosted with white, pink or red icing. Those were a hit!

It may seem silly for me to be sharing these childhood memories but it’s a reminder to me of the power of being loved.

When I opened God’s word this morning, I was met with these words.

“What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 What if I could prophesy
and understand all mysteries and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. 3 What if I gave away all that I owned
and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.” I Corinthians 13:1-4 CEV

Yes, those verses precede some of the most quoted verses in the Bible, they are from the love chapter, I Corinthians 13.

Paul was an educated man, passionate, and giving. He had been maligned, stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned all for the message of Christ. How did he keep going? How did he continue to preach? Why was he so driven to deliver the message of Christ? He knew his sacrifice was useless without love.

“Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13:4-8 CEV

Love doesn’t give up – it endures. God never gives up on us.

“…I think about this, and I have hope: 22 We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my God, and I trust him.’” Lamentations 3:21-24 ERV

You may be like that little eight-year-old girl who was hoping to fit in. Let me tell you the truth she has learned. God is faithful and His love never fails. He is waiting to show you just how much each and every morning.

That’s the power of love!

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Think On This

I wonder how often we overlook the important because we are focused on minute details.

Sometimes we allow the “little” things to block us from what truly matters. I heard a Bible teacher comment on this verse in Philippians and it gave me a greater perspective of what my daily mindset should be.

“Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 NLV

Thinking on what is good, pure, lovely, true and worthy of respect will stop us from jumping to wrong conclusions. When we deal with others we should be slow to take offense. It’s possible that the other person has just had a very bad day and they didn’t mean to be rude or critical. Think on what is good, loving and kind.

Let God’s love flow to them, showing them His compassion. Afterall, doesn’t God extend His loving-kindness to us even when we are at our worst.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!'” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Each day is filled with challenges but we have God’s example and His strength to handle them in a way that brings God glory.

I want you to stop and think about the most difficult person you have ever encountered. Now, with their picture in your mind think about God’s love.

“Do not trouble yourself because of sinful men. Do not want to be like those who do wrong. 2 For they will soon dry up like the grass. Like the green plant they will soon die. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. 4 Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it. 6 He will make your being right and good show as the light, and your wise actions as the noon day.” Psalm 37:1-6 NLV

Don’t fret, trust God, do good, be happy. Think on these things and let God handle the rest!

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Start With Love

Each morning I start with love. I profess my love to the Father, Son and Spirit of God. Then I search His word and hear Him speak love over me. It’s an amazing way to begin each day.

When Scripture is put to song, it really stays with me. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to end, they are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness, oh Lord. Great is thy faithfulness.”

Steadfast: a. firmly fixed in place : IMMOVABLE, b: not subject to change: firm in belief, c: determination, or adherence : LOYAL

God’s love is steadfast: firmly fixed in place; immovable; not subject to change; determined; loyal. And His love is towards me!

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. 24 ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:22-26

We have all failed. God knows that and His love never ceases. It is new to us each morning. He sees what no one else sees; the times we’ve tried and the times we’ve grown tired from trying. He loves us in our efforts and loves us in our failures.

“ Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. 15  God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children.” Romans 8:14-16 CEV

The great thing is that the Spirit, living in us, will remind us of that deep and abiding love of God. Failure is not a reason to be condemned, it propels us forward straight into the arms of our loving Father.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 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 4:15-16 ERV

God’s love for us is steadfast, immovable. Heads up and Move forward!

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Again?

Yesterday was moving day, again. The concrete had sufficient time to cure and we were anxious to get back to the site we call home.

What I didn’t realize was move was part of an unplanned pattern. Looking back, I found that nine years ago was also a moving day, much bigger, as we placed all our belongings in a big U-Haul truck, loaded our Ford Excursion and left Montana for our new home in Arizona.

Yesterday was much easier. Button everything up, move stuff off the counter tops, roll up the hoses, unplug the electric and hitch the RV to the truck and drive about 1/4 mile, back into the site and get set up. What had taken days nine years ago took only hours yesterday. Somehow, I see the wisdom in that.

Sleep was sweet!

The word “Again” was often used in our vocabulary yesterday. Back-in again, hook-up again, level the RV again, put things up again.

Waking up this morning I realized that I was still thinking – again.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Every morning – again, my heavenly Father shows me mercy. Again, He covers me with kindness. I can depend on Him, again.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd.  I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life…Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Again, I read “I will never be in need, the Lord is all I need”. Each day of my life, again, I have the Father’s love and kindness, He will always be with me.

Some things are worth doing again.

A good Shepherd must lead His sheep to new pastures so they have ample feed. So Lord, if You lead us to move again – we will follow!

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Dependence

Sitting here this morning I find myself staring at my empty coffee cup. It’s an uncommon occurrence. Beside my cup is an empty coffee maker, another rarity. You see, in a few hours I will be having some routine lab work and I need to go fasting – and yes, that means my coffee also.

I like wrapping my hands around that cup, feeling the warmth, smelling the aroma and then savoring the flavor of that first sip. I admit, I am dependent.

Dependency is often construed as a weakness. From a very early age we strive for independence. Have you ever been around the toddler who tries to dress themself only to put their shirt on backwards and their shoes on the wrong feet, all the time proclaiming “I do it myself”?

Then there’s the teenager who thinks they can do it all – without any help from you, thank you very much. Wanting no guidance, instruction or help. We outgrow our teens but we take that independence with us into the job market. Independence causes us to bow our backs when being given instruction or assigned a task that has us working as a team.

We like being independent but that same quality, left unchecked, can leave us feeling alone and left out. We put off an attitude that we don’t need anyone, we are self-sufficient and so we hold others at arms length.

Sometimes we do that with God. We go about life on our own until we are faced with a life-challenging, heart-breaking circumstance and then we cry out “God where are You?”

Dependence.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
    therefore, I will hope in him!”

25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
    to those who search for him.
26 So it is good to wait quietly
    for salvation from the Lord.
27 And it is good for people to submit at an early age
    to the yoke of his discipline:” Lamentations 3:22-27 NLT

I have always found the Lord to be faithful. He is my loving and gracious heavenly Father. He wants me to depend on Him. He provides His strength in my weakness; His forgiveness for my failures; His character replaces my selfishness.

“The Lord always keeps his promises;
    he is gracious in all he does.
14 The Lord helps the fallen
    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
15 The eyes of all look to you in hope;
    you give them their food as they need it.
16 When you open your hand,
    you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
    he is filled with kindness.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on him,
    yes, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:13-18 NLT

Dependence.

Back to that empty coffee cup. It’s part of my morning worship. It’s me sitting alone with no distractions, offering my praise and gratitude, making my petitions, laying down my cares at His feet. Sharing a cup of coffee with my Lord and I make myself completely dependent on Him!

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Good Morning

The sun hasn’t come up yet but when it does this is probably what I’ll see. The desert is beautiful, the cacti are in bloom and the morning air is crisp.

It was a short night. I’ve been sitting here for the last several hours thanking the Lord for filling my life with so many wonderful blessings.

Last night we celebrated Dave’s birthday with new friends. These are folks we have known less than a year and already they seem like family. It amazes me how the Lord can knit our hearts to so many wonderful people.

Wonderful people like all of you.

“May you have loving-favor and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank God for you whenever I think of you. 4 I always have joy as I pray for all of you.” Philippians 1:2-4 NLV

I am so grateful that you join me each day and I never take your readership for granted. You are a blessing.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High. 2 It is good to tell of Your loving-kindness in the morning, and of how faithful You are at night, 3 with harps, and with music of praise. 4 For You have made me glad by what You have done, O Lord. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:1-4 NLV

To be honest, I haven’t always greeted the day with gratitude. No, there was a time when I grumbled at the start of the day. I didn’t want to get out of bed; I didn’t want to go to work; I focused on the things I didn’t want to do.

However, the quiet time – just me and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is now the richest time of the day. No grumbling or complaining here. I welcome the opportunity to spend time in His presence.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength. Yes, I will sing with joy of Your loving-kindness in the morning. For You have been a strong and safe place for me in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16 NLV

“ Fill us in the morning with Your loving-kindness. Let us sing for joy and be glad all our days” Psalm 90:14 NLV

There was a song we used to sing at church and it often invades my morning quiet times. I goes something like this:

“In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus.

Refrain:
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all this world, give me Jesus.”

My prayer is that as you start your day, your heart is filled with gratitude and praise!

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