Category: Matthew

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Things That Go Munch in the Night

There are some mornings, as I sit here writing, I wish you could be with me. That was the case yesterday. I sat in my rocker with words of comfort running through my head when my thoughts were disturbed by the barking dog across the street.

I know I’ve mentioned to you before about the unrest that comes to our neighborhood when javelina, deer and coyote walk the roads in the early morning hours. I tried to ignore the barking and kept writing but it wasn’t long before I put down my laptop, picked up a flashlight and headed out the front door.

Before I got to the courtyard wall I could hear the munching. My cacti had become a middle of the night snack. I turned on the flashlight and peered over the fence. There they were, the javelina. I saw the first one rooting around the base of my newly planted yucca and heard others feasting on the fat, water-rich pads of my prickly pear.

Mind you, it’s three a.m. and I don’t want to yell at them and wake Dave or the neighbors so I kept the light in their eyes and annoyed them enough that they headed on their way. I was really surprised they weren’t more skittish. They were hungry and not easily deterred. Once they meandered off, I came back in and finished writing.

As I went through the day I thought about them again and this Scripture came to mind:

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

Those who hunger and thirst will be filled…

Do I hunger and thirst for the things of God? Am I easily distracted or frightened away from His word? Or do I boldly search the Scriptures for His truth and ignore the distractions that are driving me from feasting on the truth?

“I feel like a stranger visiting here on earth. I need to know your commands. Don’t keep them hidden from me. 20 I constantly feel a hunger to understand your laws.” Psalm 119:19-20 ERV

It’s important that we take time to feed on God’s word. I know that you feel that way too or you wouldn’t be taking the time to read my blog each day. Our physical bodies get hungry and we feed them – sometimes too much but we can never over indulge when we are feeding on God’s word.

“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. ” John 6:35 NLV

Take time each day to feed on God’s word. Fix a big sandwich from the Book of John. Enjoy a buffet in the Book of Psalms or feast on a steak-size portion from the Book of Ephesians. It will soon become addictive and you won’t spend a day without feasting on His Word.

Are you hungry? Come and be filled!

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Comfort & Joy

No, this isn’t going to be a blog with a Christmas theme. We’re still about five weeks from that. This has been a very rough year for many, I think we all thought we would be on the road to normal by now. Yet, we’re still being distanced from family and friends.

There is a real sense of loss. Some losses are small – gatherings, celebrations, luncheons, one-on-one times and others have faced life-changing, life-ending circumstances on their own. Those who so deparately need to be comforted have been without support.

Who can they turn to? How do we help?

I hesitate when answering these questions because some will find my answer trite or cliche`. However, it is the most profound and impacting action I know. We pray!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 ERV

Reaching out in prayer to the Father, who is the God of all comfort, on behalf of those who are hurting is powerful. Before Jesus died, leaving his disciples in a desparate emotional state, he told them that when He went away the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, would come.

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate[a] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NLT Footnote a for verse 16:7 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete.

The Holy Spirit is able to comfort me in Arizona at the same time He is bringing comfort to you in Nebraska. His presence can be felt the world over. He isn’t limited. When I can’t be with someone that I love and I know they are going through a very difficult time, my prayer goes something like this: “Father God, you said that you are the God of comfort and I believe that. Right now my friend is going through a very, very difficult time and they need Your comfort. I ask for the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to their heart. Wrap Your loving arms around them and let them sense Your peace. Please send someone to extend Your comfort in a personal way. I thank you. In Jesus name.”

And if we can be there in person, we don’t need to know the right words to say because there really are no words. A genuine hug, a hand to hold and tears shed will speak to their heart.

God will never abandon us in our time of need but He won’t force us to accept His comfort either. He’s right there the moment we cry out to Him. He knows our heartache and He is able and willing to bring healing and comfort in our grief.

“God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!” Matthew 5:4 CEV

My prayer is for all who need to be comforted. “Lord Jesus, shower them with Your love and wrap them in Your comfort this very hour.”

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Thankful for Direction

Need direction today? Wondering which way to go, which decisions to make?

We learned early on to ask people if they have GPS when they are coming for a visit. After they answer that question with yes, we follow it with one simple instruction. Take exit 22. You see GPS would have them take exit 20 and there’s no way you can get here from there.

It amazes me how many times in my life I have felt that way. There’s no way I can get there from here. Personal growth. Marriage. Parenting. Managing a business. Graphic design (computer skills). Happiness. Joy. Peace. Trust.

“Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. 25 Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. 26 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. 27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:24-27 AMP

God has practical instruction for each day. We just need to be willing to listen and obey!

Sitting here this morning while it’s still dark and feeling the cool of the fall air, I am enjoying the warmth of a good cup of coffee and seeking the Father for the day’s direction, I am very thankful.

Thankful that my Father is still in control; He hasn’t fallen off His throne and His omniscience is superior to the knowledge of the world’s wisest men and His omnipresence penetrates to the farthest reaches of the universe.

With everything He has before Him this day the Father has time for me. He wants to show me the best direction and bring me to a place of rest.

“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 that 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.” Matthew 11:27-29 CEV

Jesus has taken the time to tell us about the Father and not only that, Jesus made a way for us to be adopted by the Father so that we can call Him “Abba Father” (Papa or Daddy). We can experience firsthand His love and compassion. I don’t have to have all the answers and I don’t have to learn by “hard knocks”. I can trust the Father and learn from Him.

“With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Enjoy your day. Let the Father lead. He knows the right direction and there we will find rest!

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Thankful for Kindness

Some mornings I almost have a mandate on what I am supposed to share. This is one of those mornings.

These are the first words I read as I opened my Bible:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever… 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 5 I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place. 6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. 7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:1-8 NLT

Since the focus of the blog has been on thankfulness I couldn’t pass by these verses without sharing them with you.

How long is forever? Have we reached the end of forever? No, well then, according to the verses above we haven’t reached the end of God’s loving-kindness! We may have frustrated the Lord from time to time but we have not exhausted or depleted His loving-kindness. That’s good news.

Take a moment to think of the time when someone showed you the most kindness. I’ll wait…Three people and situations came to mind immediately. I’ll tell you about one. A number of years back I was hospitalized very unexpectedly and when I was released I was very weak. Two sweet ladies came to my aid. One stopped by each morning and took our little dog for a walk and when she returned she washed dishes and took my laundry home with her and brought it back clean. The other lady did my grocery shopping and prepared meals for Dave. Dinner was always waiting when he came home from work. I was overwhelmed!

These women showed me God’s loving-kindness! Almost daily I ask the Lord to bless them with acts of kindness the way they blessed me.

We all have times that we know we have experienced supernatural kindness. It’s God’s little expressions of His love and His way of saying “I care”.

It’s also wonderful to be able to share God’s love and kindness with others. Simple things – taking a dog for a walk, preparing a meal, doing laundry, buying groceries – how trivial. Never! When done in love these acts of kindness are life changing.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave Me water to drink. I was a stranger and you gave Me a room. 36 I had no clothes and you gave Me clothes to wear. I was sick and you cared for Me. I was in prison and you came to see Me.’

37 “Then those that are right with God will say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? When did we see You thirsty and give You a drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and give You a room? When did we see You had no clothes and we gave You clothes? 39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and we came to You?’ 40 Then the King will say, ‘For sure, I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me.’” Matthew 25:35-40 NLV

Thank you Lord for loving acts of kindness. Open my eyes to see those that need my kindness!

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All The Time

Thanksgiving – Joy – Praise – Gratitude!

I know you won’t be surprised by the theme of this morning’s blog. As I said a couple days ago I will be bringing you thoughts on being thankful each day for the next several weeks.

It should be a way of life to those of us who trust the Lord and follow Christ. Does that mean that we never face obstacles, challenges, tought times or persecution? No! Most emphatically not. However, when we are thankful and take time to praise the Lord the struggles we are facing take a backseat to God’s greatness.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart,  I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name.” Psalm 34:1-3 CEV

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I am greatly encouraged each morning as the birds start their morning chorus. Their songs are a constant reminder of the faithfulness of the Lord. The doves coo, the meadowlarks warble, the wrens chirp, the finches tweet and even the crows caw their welcome to the dawning of a new day.

Not once have I heard them complain that there aren’t enough bugs to eat or seeds to feast on. Yes, there is an occasional squawk or clicking when they feel threatened but they go right back to singing their sweet songs of thanksgiving.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

I have learned a lesson from the winged creatures around my home. When I hear them sing, I take a moment to say “thank you Lord for caring for me like You care for them”. Whether they are welcoming the sunrise or calling their young to nest at night it reminds me that the Lord is always there caring for me.

I will bless the Lord at all times!

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Staying Focused

Some mornings I get up and have to put drops in my eyes. They have gotten dry during the night and it becomes hard to focus. The drops do the trick and after a few blinks I begin to see things clearly.

What helps you focus at the beginning of each day?

For me it’s rising to the quiet of the house, brewing coffee and taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit. It hasn’t always been that way but now it has become my strength and the purpose for my life.

I remember those time when my world was selfishly all about me, doing what I wanted without any guidance from the Father. “I could handle this. I didn’t need any outside help.” I never really thought to ask for His help or His direction. I just got up and ran things my way. Oh, I was so wrong, so very wrong.

“At noon the whole country became dark. The darkness continued for three hours. 46 About three o’clock Jesus cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?” Matthew 27:45-46 ERV

Jesus spent his entire earthly stay focusing on the Father, doing the Father’s will and bringing glory to Him. Now in the darkness Jesus knew that He had been forsaken or left alone! This broke Jesus’ heart.

God the Father had to turn His focus away from Jesus, his beloved Son, to us so that Jesus could pay the penalty for our sin on the cross. At that time the Father put us and our relationship ahead of His love for Jesus. We became His primary focus.

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 ERV

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:20 ERV

The experience of that separation from the Father was almost unbearable to Jesus. He paid the supreme sacrifice. Not only was the Father’s focus on us and the relationship we can have with Him but it was also what Jesus was focusing on.

“Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God. 3 Sinful men spoke words of hate against Christ. He was willing to take such shame from sinners. Think of this so you will not get tired and give up.” Hebrews 12:2-3 NLV

Whether your quiet time is first thing in the morning or another time during the day stop and think what it cost for you to have this wonderful privledge of coming into the Father’s presence. Make it your focus! Don’t take it for granted.

“May you have loving-favor and peace from Jesus Christ Who is faithful in telling the truth. Jesus Christ is the first to be raised from the dead. He is the head over all the kings of the earth. He is the One Who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood. 6 Christ has made us a holy nation of religious leaders who can go to His God and Father. He is the One to receive honor and power forever! Let it be so.” Revelation 1:5-6 NLV

This amazing relationship is available to all, to whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. He is worthy of our focused attention – He is worthy of it all!

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Growing Strong

I love babies!! ❤❤

We have two grown grandchildren, three young grandchildren and one great grandchild. I’ve been working on photo boards and attending birthday celebrations during the last couple of months. First birthday, third birthday and fifth birthday…lots of pictures to look at while I reminisce.

I remember holding all six of these precious ones in my arms, speaking softly, swaying gently as they slept in my arms. What a blessing to hold a sleeping babe! As much joy as that brings no one wants them to remain babes forever. We desire to see them grow strong and healthy.

It’s a routine with babies – eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. It’s required for growth.

They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to eat and they let us know about it. We quickly learn which cries mean I’m hungry, tired, mad or wet. As they get a little older we learn signs long before they can articulate their request.

We need to follow their example.

“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 2:1-3 CEV

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

Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong. Babies also get thirsty and sometimes just need a drink of water and not a feeding of milk. It keeps them hydrated and all their organs working well. We also need water, but 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

When little babies are hungry they cry and their parents get them a bottle and provide them with nourishment. Scripture tells us that our Father runs to our cry.

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy” , because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

When was the last time we cried to let the Father know we are hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? When we do, we will be filled.

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Weak, Trembling, Worried?

How many times have you awaken in the night heavy hearted? There’s something going on with family or work and you think you’ve got it under control and then there’s that middle-of-the-night awareness and your peace is destroyed.

Laying there, all the what-if scenarios run through your mind and you figure you will never get back to sleep. All there is to do now is pray for morning. But wait…

“Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling,  and worried: 4 “Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 CEV

“Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:3-4 AMPC

The Lord has given us a promise of peaceful sleep. Our bodies were designed to rest. Daniel slept in the lions’ den, Peter slept in a prison cell, and Jesus slept in the bow of a boat on a stormy sea. Each one of them was surrounded by their problems but they were in a place of peace; they were trusting God.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:8 AMPC

Our heavenly Father provides us with a place of safety, a place where we can trust in His protection and provision. He is there, always, during the watches of the night. Jesus knew this better than anyone and here is what he said:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC

When we are burdened and we come to Jesus He will give us rest. He wants us to learn from Him; He trusted the Father implicitly. He knows that’s where we will find true peace and rest.

I woke earlier than usual this morning and here are the words that filled my heart and my mind. They are the words of an old hymn which was first published in 1878. These are the words of the chorus and the second stanza.

Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Jesus, abiding (living, making his residence) within our hearts replaces the worry, the fear and the weakness with His peace and rest! May you rest in peace.

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We’ve Been Commissioned

What does that phrase bring to mind? Commissioned?

There are many things that can be commissioned – an artist, a designer, an auctioneer, military personnel, a ship or airliner. With each one of these the word commission means to 1. give an order for or authorize the production of (something such as a building, piece of equipment, or work of art) or 2. appoint (someone) to the rank of officer.

Each and everyone of us has been commissioned. We have been appointed for production.

Jesus has commissioned us to be ambassadors for Him. We are His representatives while He is away.

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT

When Jesus left this earth, He left us with the responsibility of living a life that exemplifies Him. He gave us His power and authority for a specific purpose. We are commissioned to bring a message to the world. That message is simple – God loves you, He’s not mad at you and He desires to have a relationship with you. Through Christ we can be made right with God.

These are some of the final words Jesus spoke to his disciples before He returned to heaven.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

Jesus’ entire ministry was built on one commandment. He said the primary focus was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and then to love others as we love ourselves. He also told the disciples that the whole world would know that they were His disciples by their love for one another.

The commission given was a command to love. The example we have is to love in the same way that Christ loved us.

Accept the commission. We don’t fulfill it under our own power, Jesus has given us the ability.

Father, today I choose to walk worthy of your calling in my life and to be an example to those around me. Thank you for giving me the strength and the compassion I need to let others see Jesus through me.

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Things That Last Forever

Seeing is Believing – isn’t that how the old expression goes?

But that’s not always true. Have you ever been to a house of mirrors and seen your shape go from normal to tall & skinny or short & fat? And people will misconstrue what they see and what they hear.

I can just see the headlines now: “Boy Dying – Preacher Sends Father Away”

In John, chapter 4 a father comes to Jesus and tells Him his son is dying. The father begs Jesus to come.

“Jesus went to visit Cana in Galilee again. Cana is where he had changed the water into wine. One of the king’s important officials lived in the city of Capernaum. This man’s son was sick. 47 The man heard that Jesus had come from Judea and was now in Galilee. So he went to Jesus and begged him to come to Capernaum and heal his son, who was almost dead. 48 Jesus said to him, “You people must see miraculous signs and wonders before you will believe in me.”49 The king’s official said, “Sir, come before my little son dies.”50 Jesus answered, “Go. Your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus told him and went home. 51 On the way home, the man’s servants came and met him. They said, “Your son is well.”52 The man asked, “What time did my son begin to get well?” They answered, “It was about one o’clock yesterday when the fever left him.”53 The father knew that one o’clock was the same time that Jesus had said, “Your son will live.” So the man and everyone in his house believed in Jesus.” John 4:46-53 ERV

How many times did I want to see a miracle? Wanted to see the “power of God” moving and yet sat with the Bible on the coffee table and not opened it to find God’s miraculous, powerful Word for myself?

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” II Corinthians 4:18 NLT

Thank God, He understands our limitations and the frailty of our faith. He is moved with compassion because He loves us so.

Do you remember what Jesus said to the centurion who came to him asking that his servant be healed? To him, Jesus said I will come and the centurion said no, just speak the word and my servant will be healed because you have authority and your word is enough. (paraphrased by me)

“Jesus said to the officer, “I will go and heal him.”8 The officer answered, “Lord, I am not good enough for you to come into my house. You need only to give the order, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this, because I understand authority. There are people who have authority over me, and I have soldiers under my authority. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant obeys me.”10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those who were with him, “The truth is, this man has more faith than anyone I have found, even in Israel…13 Then Jesus said to the officer, “Go home. Your servant will be healed the way you believed he would.” Right then his servant was healed.” Matthew 8:7-13 ERV

I want centurion faith! If God’s word says it – that’s enough!

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