Category: Matthew

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What We Do for Love

This morning I’m starting my day without coffee…the coffee maker works fine and I’m not turning over a new leaf with no caffeine. But, our six-year-old grandson is sleeping on the couch and he’s a light sleeper and startles easily…so no coffee because the coffee maker would wake him.

It’s what we do for love.

We make sacrifices. You know the kind – giving up the last piece of pie so someone else can enjoy it. You skip the Hallmark movie so they can watch sports or a travel show. They give us their coat because we said we wouldn’t need one and now we’re cold…I’m sure you have your own list of little and big sacrifices that you make for the people you love.

It’s what we do because we love.

I’m so glad that Jesus was willing to sacrifice because of His love for us. Yes, the sacrifice of giving His love for ours is almost inconceivable but look at the hundreds of other little things He did.

First, He left heaven – get that, heaven. He came to earth where things are dirty and messy. He left a perfect relationship with the Father to be surrounded by some fishermen and tax collectors who were always in competition as to who was Jesus’ favorite. He dealt with constant ridicule and scrutiny. People were always coming to “get” something from Him and not to just be His friend. Why?

It’s what He did because of love.

“…If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. 27 And if you want to be first, you must be the slave of the rest. 28 The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people.” Matthew 20:26-28 CEV

Because of love, Jesus came with forgiveness and compassion. He went without sleep and missed meals; he brought healing, peace, release from guilt and expected nothing in return. He gave it all…it’s what we do when we love!

“ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

That’s what He did for love. Now, what do we do in return?

“ We love because God loved us first. ” I John 4:19 CEV

“We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.” Hebrews 12:28 CEV

We love Him and we show Him our gratitude with our honor and respect.

It’s what we do for love! It’s what we do to be like Him!

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Big Hugs

I’m a person who loves to give hugs! Plain and simple – I feel hearts connect with a hug.

My hugs aren’t those tiny squeezes with a pat on the back, those remind me of burping a baby. Hugs should be genuine, huggers should be bold and not timid. Yesterday was a good day for hugging. Family came, neighbors stopped over, dear friends visited and even some new acquaintances came.

I think the hardest thing for me during our last months of social distancing was not being able to hug. People were so cautious and even timid about touching. I understand…but for someone who loves to hug it was a very isolating time.

I want to tell you about a man who experienced a life changing touch. He was a man with leprosy. He wasn’t allowed to connect with society. In fact, he and others like him had to live outside the city and announce to all who came close “unclean, unclean”. It was his warning to stay away, social distance, as it were.

Can you imagine the loneliness and despair?

But one day something happened. A man came outside the city and a large crowd followed Him. He was teaching up on a hillside; His words were dynamic, His presence was inviting. One of the things this man said that day was this:

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.” Matthew 7:7-8 CEV

The leper continued to listen and then this happened:

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.”

3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

This leper encountered a healing touch – no longer unclean, no longer an outcast!

You and I didn’t have leprosy but we were just as unclean as this man. Our disease was worse than COVID, our disease was sin. It separated us from a relationship with God, the Father. “Unclean, unclean”! But the Father wasn’t willing to accept our condition and made a plan for our redemption.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life.” Romans 5:6-10 CEV

” Now that we are at peace with God” no longer do we have to shout “Unclean”, we are redeemed!

Let me tell you, when I reflect on the depth of God’s love for me I feel Him giving me the biggest and best hug ever. When He hugs me our hearts connect and I know that I am loved!

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What About Tomorrow?

Dave and I are planners – yes, it’s a blessing and a curse. We make “lists”; first in our heads, then in our conversation and finally we put them down on paper.

We only have a couple more weeks on the mountain. We’ve loved our time here and would really hate to leave except that the cooler temperatures are reminding us it’s going to get cold. After living in Montana where it could get to 25-35 below zero, we have decided we don’t like being cold.

So, thinking ahead to what’s next once we leave our mountain home, we have begun to organize our thoughts and our priorities. It’s a common question amongst camp hosts – where will you go and what will you do when you leave here.

The last few nights we have been sitting by the fire talking, organizing, making our list and to be honest, there is an anxiousness that has started to creep in. Almost a worry about some things. That’s where we were a few nights ago. That angst needed to be banished – it’s not from God, we know that. God’s plans bring peace!

“But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.” Matthew 6:33-34 CEV

When we are trusting God with our tomorrows we can leave worry behind. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that our Father isn’t capable of handling. Not one thing that will arise in our lives with catch Him by surprise!

“Look how the wild flowers grow! They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of these flowers. 28 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. Won’t he do even more for you? You have such little faith! 29 Don’t keep worrying about having something to eat or drink. 30 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father knows what you need.” Luke 12:27-30 CEV

There’s an old song I used to sing, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”, that’s been running through my head lately. It brings me back to that place of peace that I know the Lord has designed for me.

“I don’t know about tomorrow
I just live for day to day
I don’t borrow from the sunshine
For it’s skies may turn to gray

I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand”

I’m writing this to myself today and if it ministers to you I’m glad!

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

Lord, I give you my today and my tomorrow. I’ll hold Your hand and walk in Your peace!

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Power’s Out!

Last night we had friends come for a bar-b-q. About 8 pm, the power went off.

No matter, we were outside enjoying the light of the full moon and the outdoor lights, which were 12v. It wasn’t until everyone went home and we went inside that we had to begin using alternate sources of power. The electric heaters didn’t work so we switched on the gas heat. The water heater had been operating on electric and so there was enough hot water to do up the dishes but it did pose a question about our morning showers if the power stayed off.

I always get the coffee ready at night so I can turn it on when I get up. I filled the coffee maker but I also filled the stove-top percolator in case I needed to make coffee the old-fashioned way. My computer battery was fully charged, no problem there and our signal booster is 12v so that would be operational.

About 11 pm, I woke to the electric clock flashing. Power had been restored!

The Bible is filled with stories of God’s power being displayed in the earth. Each story had a specific purpose which demonstrated God’s love and holiness.  But, such displays were isolated and temporary, then the power would go out until the next occasion. Until Jesus!

His was a life of daily demonstration of the love and power of God. Everywhere He went, everything He did, He was God in action. The miracles, the messages, the compassion, the selflessness were demonstrations of God’s power. His life was the power of the Holy Spirit moving in concert with God’s plan and Jesus’ obedience.

“About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove. 11 A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.” Mark 1:9-11 CEV

He had told his disciples in one sermon that they would be light which would shine in the darkness.

“ and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 CEV

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus commissioned his disciples, us included, to be His witnesses in the earth. As He was getting ready to leave earth, his disciples were concerned about political power. Jesus told them, that’s not for your concern. You need to be filled with spiritual power so you can change the world the way I have.

“While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?” 7 Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud.” Acts 1:6-9 CEV

Once the Holy Spirit filled them with power they changed the world with the message of Christ.

Do you ever feel that somehow your power’s been cut? You’re operating on alternative power? The promise of the Holy Spirit infilling our lives and giving us the power of God holds for us today.

There is no clearer promise for us to take to heart that what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength”.

No need to be concerned about a power shortage when we have a direct line to the Omnipotent Father.

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Jumping In

Have you ever noticed how much fun kids have jumping? It can be jumping in to a pool or jumping in a puddle; they like jumping on trampolines and jumping rope. They have to be told not to jump on the bed and the furniture. Jumping houses have become a favorite at backyard birthday parties. Yes, jumping seems to be a favorite pastime for kids.

Now, some adults seem to enjoy jumping as well but it’s a different kind of jumping. They like jumping to conclusions. This kind of jumping can be quite dangerous.

Without much background information and little research, snap judgements are made and conclusions are improperly drawn. Reputations can be ruined and discontentment can surface when we jump to the wrong conclusion.

The religious leaders of Jesus day jumped to the wrong conclusion about Him.

They had been waiting for the “coming Messiah”. It had been prophesied by their prophets for hundreds of years. They talked in their synagogues of His coming – would He deliver them from Roman oppression?

But when He came, they accused Him of blasphemy. They said He came from the wrong region of the country, that He had a devil because He could do miracles and that the Messiah wouldn’t associate with sinners who drank wine or had scandalous reputations. They jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. 11 Some Pharisees asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?”

12 Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn’t come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13 CEV

You know, I jumped to a few wrong conclusions about God’s love myself. I felt I had to be good enough to earn God’s love and if I messed up God would distance Himself from me. I felt my relationship with the Father was based on my good merit and didn’t understand His grace.

“But the gift that God was kind enough to give was very different from Adam’s sin. That one sin brought death to many others. Yet in an even greater way, Jesus Christ alone brought God’s gift of kindness to many people.

16 There is a lot of difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gift. That one sin led to punishment. But God’s gift made it possible for us to be acceptable to him, even though we have sinned many times. 17 Death ruled like a king because Adam had sinned. But that cannot compare with what Jesus Christ has done. God has been so kind to us, and he has accepted us because of Jesus. And so we will live and rule like kings.” Romans 5:15-17 CEV

I had jumped to the wrong conclusion. God is gracious, loving and kind. He is forgiving. He desires to have relationship with us.

Let’s all jump to the right conclusion – God is love; jump into relationship with Him, the conclusion will be acceptance and an abundant life in Him.

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Oops!

This morning is a time of confession. I hope you don’t mind that I share.

Yesterday, I didn’t stop myself from doing something I know is wrong. I allowed myself to gossip! And yes, I have repented. It was wrong and ungodly.

There are so many more things we can fill our mouths with, without filling them with words that are derogatory. My actions made my heart hurt and I also know that the Holy Spirit was grieved.

Why am I sharing this with you?

I felt it was important to let you know what the Lord is ministering to me this morning. Our words have creative power – they can give life but they can also bring about death. Maybe not physical death but they can bring death to a relationship, to someone’s character, to a good testimony.

“Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.” Proverbs 18:21 CEV

James, the apostle, tells us that a mature persons learns to bridle their tongue. Jesus’ example is always the one we should follow. I’m sure He had numerous occasions to gossip but He didn’t. He didn’t because He knew it wouldn’t please the Father. Proverbs tells us that gossip is one of the seven things God hates. Now that’s strong!

The question then comes, how do I keep from it. This was King David’s prayer:

“Help me to guard my words whenever I say something.” Psalm 141:3 CEV

“Let my words and my thoughts  be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 19:14 CEV

And these words come from King Solomon:

“Watching what you say can save you a lot of trouble.” Proverbs 21:23 CEV

If you find yourself in a situation where you are gossiping or saying something unkind, stop and repent. The best way I have found to control my tongue is to keep quiet – learn the vocabulary of silence.

“But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God.” Matthew 15:18 CEV

Lord, help us all to honor You with our heart’s attitude and our words! Amen!!

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A Solitary Place

I think the thing I enjoy most about the mountains is the quiet – the solitude!

Each morning and evening I watch the campers come to enjoy the beauty of the morning sun on the lake and the evening glow but it’s the quiet and sense of peace that overwhelm me. I don’t think there is any other place on earth where I have experienced the Scripture, “Be still and know that I am God”, anymore than here.

Throughout the day, the side-by-side’s and pickups are headed to the lake and out to the trails. Campers are laughing, waving as they head out. There is such a sense of joy, even when it’s raining.

But it’s in the peace that the Lord speaks to my heart!

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

We all need a place to come away and enjoy the quiet presence of the Lord.

“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side,  I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

Life gets so hectic that we all need a place to unplug. Jesus knew this.

We tend over spiritualize Jesus life and forget that He faced difficult issues on a daily basis. The religious leaders hated him and were openly plotting his demise. The country he lived in was under the rule of a foreign dictator. The masses came seeking Him but most only wanted to see the next miracle and didn’t really embrace His message. His own disciples questioned his actions on numerous occasions. From early morning until late at night demands were made on His time and His strength.

“After Jesus said goodbye to the people, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. It was late, and he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 ERV

“The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.” Mark 1:35 ERV

On the night that He was arrested He took His disciples with Him to the garden where He prayed.

“Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36 CEV

Jesus needed a place to pray, we all need to follow His example.

I remember when our oldest children were two and four my quiet place was our walk-in closet. Honestly, that was where I had no distractions. I would put them down for their afternoon nap and I would go into the closet to pray. It wasn’t nearly as serene or beautiful as the view I now have of the lake but it was quiet and I was alone.

I encourage you to find a place – even a closet – that becomes your quiet place where you can go and sense God’s peace, be filled with His joy and come away refreshed.

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Built Strong, Built to Last

Over the last two months we have had a lot of rain in the mountains. We are so thankful!

To us the rain is a blessing but to some others, who weren’t prepared for it, it has been a discouragement and even a destructive element of nature. Recently, we had two different sets of campers leave the campground at the end of their reservation. One was upset by all the rain. Their tent had collapsed because the roof wasn’t protected from by a rain cover and the water was too heavy, causing it to cave in.

The other couple also had some damage to their cover. When we asked them if they enjoyed their camping experience, they had the complete opposite opinion from the first. They were excited. They told us it was their first camping trip and they loved it – “oh yes, we had some damage from the rain but we know what to do next time; we’ll be back – it was beautiful”.

It was surprising to hear such a difference of viewpoint. 

It reminded me of a little song we sang in Sunday School when I was a child.

The rains came down as the floods came up

The rains came down as the floods came up

The rains came down as the floods came up

And the house on the rock stood firm!

If we are built on a firm foundation, we can withstand the storms and the rain. 

Our world seems to be in a storm – spiritually, physically, politically, economically.  Some are being shaken to the very foundation and some collapse like the tent of the one camper. But God has given us a promise for the storms.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

When we make God’s word our foundation, letting it give us the stability and underpinning we need, we will withstand the storms. When Jesus came to earth, He was called the living Word, He is our foundation.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

I don’t know what type of storm you may be experiencing. You may have already seen your tent collapse, if you have, pick up the pieces and rebuild, build on the foundation of God’s unchangeable Word.

He will be your source of strength. He will be your protection and your provider. Trust Him!

Build Strong, Be Built to Last!

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This Old House

This Old House

Several weeks ago, Dave and I went to tour an old Cavalry fort in the area, Fort Apache. We were amazed by how many old buildings were still standing. The Fort was built in the 1800’s and has been operating in one form or another since then.

In the early 1900’s, President Roosevelt commissioned an Indian School to be built on the property. When we were there, even though it was summer, class was in session and some remodeling work was being done to the girls’ dormitory.

It was a nice snapshot of history.

This morning, we will be driving into Show Low to do some shopping. Along the way we will past some old log cabins. Most of them were probably built well over one hundred years ago. Some have fallen into a serious state of disrepair, but others still stand strong and are useful, viable homes.

As I was thinking about these old houses this morning, the words of a song, This Old House, came to mind.

This Old House has seen some good times

This old house has seen some bad times

But this old house will stand the test of time

Cuz it’s built upon God’s Word.

And those lyrics reminded me of a Scripture.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24 CEV

Our lives are like those old houses.  My old house, my life, has been standing quite some time. Most of my years are behind me. There is a legacy of longevity in my family, so I am looking forward to many more good years, but the truth of the matter is I have more years behind me than I do before me. I need to make sure that my old house stands strong, that it stands the test of time.

Being built on the word of God, I know I have a firm foundation and that I will be secure when life’s storms come. I want to be a place of shelter for my family and friends. As the years pass, if the Lord delays His coming, I want my life to be a legacy for God’s goodness and His provision. If my life were a house I would want my family – my children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren to view its structure and say, “her old house has stood strong through the years and the storms were not able to destroy it, it was built on a firm foundation”.

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Building Friendships

I missed sharing with you yesterday morning. It was one of those “no signal” days and as hard as I tried throughout the day I was still unable to get any internet connection. But even though I was unable to put words to screen I prayed for you all to have an amazing day, recognizing the Lord’s presence.

Two days ago, we were having one of those socked-in raining afternoons. It isn’t like that very often, so Dave and I found one of our favorite cowboy movies, a two-part, three-hour feature and made an afternoon of it. This movie is all about friendship, “Buffalo Girls”.

The eight main characters have years of friendship. Sometimes, they fight with one another, actually come to blows; sometimes, years go by and they never see one another but each reunion is sweet and filled with joy. There are rousing confrontations when faults are exposed. Friendship is built on honesty and trust. You find that in the lives of these characters.

There is heart ache and sadness. These friends help one another deal with the pain. At the end, two of our main characters die and they share their grief.

As I watched my eyes filled with tears. My thoughts were of friends we hold dear. Some we haven’t seen in years. We miss them dearly and love them deeply. Their lives have intertwined with ours for years and years.

The key to good friendship is not finding people you agree with in every situation. The key is to love without judging, allowing them to be who God made them to be and not who we want them to be. Friendship comes from living life together, sometimes its messy, and being committed to bringing out the best and not dwelling on the worst.

“You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. 4 How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye? 5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 CEV

It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of wrong doing. We, as true friends, speak the truth in love and know that we are just as susceptible to fault as they are.

Jesus said the world would come to know Him because of the way we love one another. Let’s make that our goal.

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 17 So I command you to love each other.” John 15:12-17 CEV

Be a Jesus-kind of friend!

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