Category: Matthew

Posted on

First Things First

Yesterday I spent some time going through my ring of verses. WOW! A host of memories came flooding back. Times when the Lord made each one of the verses applicable to my life and the lives of my family.

But first things first…we have just completed several weeks in establishing God’s word as our foundation. I trust you have seen how important it is to be on solid ground.

I heard a story once about a man who came from a very remote rural community in the Appalachian Mountains into the city. He found himself in public meeting and the room began to get warm. A man went to a small box on the wall, adjusted it and it began to get cool. After the meeting was over the man from the mountains asked about the box on the wall. He was told it was a thermostat and when it is adjusted it will make the air cooler or warmer as is required.

Before heading back to the mountains our rural visitor stopped at the hardware store and bought a thermostat. He couldn’t wait to get home and put it on his wall. He nailed it to the wall, switched it to the “on” position and nothing happened. He moved the regulator slide up and down and nothing happened.

Many times we are like that. We have the thermostat but we aren’t connected to the power source and the proper equipment. Jesus is our source of power and his word is what equips us.

Mary and Martha were two sisters who loved Jesus and had Him in their home. Martha was busy getting dinner ready for Jesus and their guests and Mary was sitting in the living room listening to the teaching. This really upset Martha, she needed help.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

I know what it’s like to be Martha. I enjoy entertaining but everything has to be done right. I am a list maker, an organizer and I NEED for things to be done right. I could see myself doing the same thing.

However, through the years I have also learned that it doesn’t matter how many lists I have or how prepared I think I am if I haven’t spend time with Jesus my heart won’t be right. I will be anxious, focused on the details and oblivious to the people that need my love and assistance.

It’s nice to be retired and have more time to focus on what’s important but when I started on this journey of making God’s word a priority in my life I didn’t have 15 minutes to spare in my day.

We were farming 900+ acres of alfalfa. In Arizona, our growing season started in March and ended with the first frost (generally in December). In peak season we were cutting hay every 21-28 days. Ten cuttings a year. Dave and I had 2 Freeman balers, 1 swather, 1 roadsider and 1 double set of rakes. We had 1 irrigator and one lady who ran the roadsider, the rest of it we did. We had two small children, ages 5 and 7, meals to cook, laundry to wash, groceries to buy.

I didn’t have time to spend hours reading the Bible – thus the cards. Write out a verse and keep it close. I didn’t have a smart phone to store it in. How great to have these verses as a screen saver or in the photo gallery so I could scroll through them.

But I did learn that no matter how many things I had on my “to do” list each morning my day ran much smoother when I gave my first moments of each day to the Lord.

“ Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 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 6:31-34 CEV

Make the verses above the first ones you start with. When God is your focus you’re whole day will be better.

Don’t worry. Trust God.

Posted on

Everything Has Limits Except God

Some people think that to follow God’s Word and to be obedient to the instructions we receive in the Bible is stifling, constricting and even archaic. But I’m not one of those people! To me the Word of God is vital, living, powerful and life changing in a positive and strengthening way. I can live by God’s word and not be disappointed; His Word never fails, it’s beneficial to my well being. My Father never lies.

As I sit here this morning, I’m waiting for the sun to rise. It’s still dark outside all is quiet but in just a bit the day with dawn, the birds will be out welcoming the day, and nature’s activity will be in full swing. I’m excited to see what the day will hold. We received one of those nice desert rains last night and this morning the earth is soaking in that life giving moisture.

“Lord, your word continues forever in heaven. 90 You are loyal forever and ever. You made the earth, and it still stands. 91 All things continue today because of your laws. Like slaves, they all obey you. 92 If I had not found joy in your teachings, my suffering would have destroyed me. 93 I will never forget your commands, because through them you gave me new life. 94 I am yours, so save me! I have done my best to know your instructions. 95 The wicked tried to destroy me, but your rules made me wise. 96 Everything has its limits, except your commands.” Psalm 119:89-96

When you went to bed last night did you stop to wonder if the sun would rise or the earth would be spinning off in space because gravity lost its pull or would the grass still be growing this morning? None of these were a concern right? The very path of nature is predictable, a constant; it operates as God created it to from the beginning. If we want to see how faithful our God will be to us all we have to do is look at creation. The sun has no choice but to obey the command to rise and set; the tides have to ebb and flow; the seasons have no choice but to process through their cycles; they are as the Psalmist says “slaves”.

Jesus constantly used creation in his parables as He taught his followers the principles of God’s kingdom. In Matthew 6, Jesus was teaching about God’s faithfulness to provide and He used the sparrow and the lily. The sparrow doesn’t get up in the morning fretting if there will be enough worms or bugs to eat – no, they wake up singing! Praising God for His faithfulness and another day of fullness, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory…”

The lily stretches her face heavenward and enjoys the morning sun. She drinks in the rain and is refreshed as she grows. Her roots go downward and she receives nourishment from the soil. She is beautifully adorned and all her growth and beauty seem to come effortlessly. God has provided all she has need of for the day.

With last night’s rain the desert will begin to bloom. It’s amazing! The ocotillo stems have dried over the past few months with no rain. The bright orange blooms have faded and fallen to the ground but now with this new moisture it will only be a couple of days and we will see green leaves and festive blooms. It’s their own circle of life. (Sound like a Disney song) No, it’s God’s song, nature’s song and it should be our song.

I’m sure that in all of creation there are a few birds that would be considered unworthy; a few flowers that just don’t measure up to the standard; a few fruit trees that aren’t as good as they should be, they haven’t spent enough time in prayer or attending service or paying tithe or even saying the right thing; but God’s plan comes to pass in all their lives because it’s His plan and it endures to a thousand generations. Now, of course, this is tongue in cheek but I think you get the point. None of us are perfect but God’s plan and purposes are!

Jesus said to consider the lily and the sparrow – are we not of greater value than they? They don’t toil or spin – they are simply obedient to God’s plan. So if we seek first the kingdom of God; God’s plan – God’s purpose – God’s natural flow and His righteousness (His right way of doing things), then all that we have need of will be provided. Why? Because we are such a great example of perfect living before God? No. Because we are so valuable and faithful? No. Because we are so wise and such a step above all the rest? No! Why then? Because it’s God’s nature! It’s His plan and just the same as God’s plan works for every bird, every flower, every seed; He has designed His plan to be the same for each of us – we simply need to trust Him.

Did you notice David’s final thought? Everything has limits EXCEPT God’s word.

Today I encourage you to live as David, in confidence, that God’s word and His faithfulness endure forever!

Posted on

I Want It All

Let’s jump right in to the verses for today.

“Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words. 58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:57-64

I find it hard to get passed the first verse. This phrase “thou art my portion” reminds me of a pie. I know, a pie. I heard my Dad say on numerous occasions “the only problem with a pie is that you cut it, just give me a fork and I’ll eat the whole thing”. That’s how I see this verse about God’s word – when asked “how big a portion do you want” the answer came back “the Lord is my portion, just give me the whole thing, I don’t need anything else but Him.”

Jesus said that He was the bread of life. If we eat of Him we will never hunger. “Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The manna that fell from heaven in the wilderness was a sign to the Israelites that God would be the one to sustain their life. Every man was to take the same amount of manna in the morning and the evening and there was always enough for everyone to eat their fill. That’s the way it is with God’s word; we all come to “eat” of His word and there’s enough for everyone, for each day, for every need.

The word mercy used in the next verse is translated “love” in other versions. I like the word mercy. Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve! The Apostle Paul put it this way “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 It doesn’t matter if you are the best sinner to have ever lived, you have still sinned and need God’s mercy. Yes, mercy definitely is love in action but it conveys a deeper meaning.

David says that he thought on God’s ways and made “haste” and didn’t delay in keeping His commands. Again, this reminds me of when David committed adultery with Bathsheba. He learned that she was pregnant and to cover his guilt he called her husband home from war hoping that he would sleep with his wife and then think the child she was carrying belonged to him, her husband. But her husband chose to stay faithful to the men in battle and wouldn’t allow himself the luxury of his wife’s presence. So David sent him back to battle with a letter that told the general to put Bathsheba’s husband on the frontlines where he would surely be killed and he was. Then David took her as his wife.

WOW! They could write a soap opera on that one. David was confronted by Nathan the prophet and when his sin was exposed, he repented immediately!

Yes, David knew a thing or two about God’s mercy and about repenting quickly.

Again, David refers back to his enemies and their attacks. But he knew the Lord would deliver him. Remember what he said in Psalm 23 – “if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. You prepare a table (a banquet) before me in the presence of my enemies”? He knew that God was his protector and provider – his source of strength against his enemies. No fear here.

If things do bother you and you can’t sleep do what David wrote about. Get up at midnight and praise the Lord. I guarantee that after praising God at midnight you will rest well.

Paul and Silas were in a prison cell and they lived out this verse. Praising God at midnight, after they had been beaten and imprisoned, caused an earthquake and their chains fell off – yes, there is power in praise! We can either worry half the night or praise; I like praise better.

“After they had been badly beaten, they were put in jail, and the jailer was told to guard them carefully. 24 The jailer did as he was told. He put them deep inside the jail and chained their feet to heavy blocks of wood.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. 26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.” Acts 16:23-26 CEV

Next, we have a reminder about the company we keep. Every mother has probably made this comment “choose your friends wisely or you may wind up in trouble”. When we choose godly friends we have someone we can talk about God’s word with; someone to help us grow and encourage us.

And finally, we have another reminder of God’s mercy; it fills the earth. Before Jesus came to earth to live and die people lived under God’s mercy and now after Jesus came we live under God’s grace. Grace is receiving blessings from God what we don’t deserve! Now that’s something to praise Him for.

Have some of that banquet that He has prepared for you – make God your portion!

Posted on

What Do You Remember

A few weeks back my Mom came to stay for a several days. At 94 her memory isn’t as sharp as it once was but she still has a good memory for someone her age. It’s always fun for me to talk with her about things that we did as kids – places we lived, friends we grew up with and special times we had as a family.

Dad was a blue-collar worker so we never had lavish gifts or big vacations. What we had instead were times of fishing at the lake, picnic lunches from the tail gate of the station wagon and day trips to the National Parks. We fed salt water taffy to the chipmunks in Zion, caught trout on salmon eggs and had rain water pour through the rotted roof of a travel trailer. (big smile) Yes, wonderful memories.

I also have wonderful memories of when our children were growing up and we saw the Lord do numerous miracles in our day to day life. Miracles of healing and provision, miracles of safety and protection. Answered prayers and expressions of God’s faithfulness.

Oh, how I love God’s word! It is such a joy to read it and know that for thousands of years it has never failed or been proven false and God will continue to protect it and bring it to pass. It won’t fail me or my children or my grandchildren.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall never pass away” Matthew 24:35

We’re about 1/3 way through Psalm 119 and I hope you are enjoying our study and that the Lord is ministering to you personally as we cover each segment.

“Remember your promise to me, your servant. It gives me hope. 50 You comfort me in my suffering, because your promise gives me new life.
51 People full of pride are always making fun of me, but I have not stopped following your teachings. 52 I remember the laws you gave us long ago, Lord, and they bring me comfort. 53 I am overcome with anger when I see wicked people, who have stopped following your teachings. 54 Your laws are the songs I sing wherever I am living. 55 Lord, in the night I remembered your name, and I obeyed your teachings. 56 This happened because I carefully obey your instructions.” Psalm 119: 49-56

Remembering God’s promises should give us hope and create an excitement in our hearts just like it did for David. I once heard it said that God has never had anyone, other than Jesus, qualified working for Him yet so don’t get hung up on your shortcomings. Look at those who God has used. Abraham was too old; David was too young. Mary Magdalen was a prostitute; Peter denied the Lord and Paul, the Apostle, killed Christians. (Just to name a few.)

We can either get puffed up with pride or become discouraged if we compare ourselves to others but when we see that God gave His promises to common everyday people, just like us, we know that His word isn’t just for a select few or the very elite. One verse that is ringing in my memory this morning is my favorite verse in the Bible. If you’ve been reading my posts very long at all you will know that I am talking about Numbers 23:19.

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

God doesn’t lie – that gives me hope! He doesn’t lie about salvation, healing, peace, joy, comfort, protection, prosperity, wisdom, victory…He doesn’t lie! And what’s more, He tells us to remind Him of His word. Not because He’s old and senile and might forget but because He wants us to boldly trust our relationship with Him.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. 7 Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins. 8 The Lord says: “My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. 9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. 10 “Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat.
11 That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:6-11 CEV

Moses instructed the nation of Israel to teach their children the things that God had done; deliverance from Egypt, the miracles in the wilderness and the victory of entering the promised land. Then Peter says that it was important for him to remind the believers of all that God had done for them so that they, we, wouldn’t be deceive and fall away from God’s plan.

In Hebrews we are instructed to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace to find help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) That boldness can only come as we stand on God’s word and rely on Him to be faithful and loving. Each time I think of this verse I remember an incident that happened when our kids were small. We live out in the middle of nowhere, and I do mean nowhere; thirty miles from the closest small town and 70 miles from Phoenix. We were farming 900 acres of alfalfa – we had told the kids that on Friday we would go to the Dairy Queen. That was a big deal! We had promised!

So Friday when the kids got home from school they quickly reminded us that this was Friday and we had said we were going to Dairy Queen. Of course we went – tired but we went – we had promised! We didn’t scold the kids for reminding us – they weren’t being arrogant or demanding – they were being kids and we had promised so they expected that we would have kept our word.

If we as natural, earthly parents make promises and keep our word to our children should we think that God in all His power and glory would do any less? If He didn’t want us to believe that He was faithful, then He shouldn’t have included promises in His word but He did and He IS!

When I remember God’s word, His promises and how He has provided in the past it causes me to sing. Just this last week, while I was out on a walk, I had been battling discouragement in a particular matter. As I focused not on the problem but on God’s faithfulness, I began to recall times in the past when God had “come through” and shown Himself faithful. There were so many times – large and small. It didn’t take me very long before I was singing praise to God.

“Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Jeremiah 32:17

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing. Nothing is too difficult for thee!!

Put God in remembrance of His word today!

Posted on

Building With Purpose

Have you ever had someone ask, “if you could go back and live your life over, would you do it?” I don’t know what your answer is but mine has always been – No!

Yes, I’ve done things in my past that I’m not proud of, made some big mistakes and some little ones. But if I went back, would I do it any differently, would I make fewer mistakes or more? Can’t answer that one, however, I can answer this. I can live my life now, not looking back because I have been forgiven and I am a new creature in Christ – old things have passed away and all has become new. God has promised that he puts our sins as far as the east is from the west and He remembers them no more. So if He’s not dwelling on my failures – why should I?

“Young people can live a clean life by obeying your word. 10 I worship you with all my heart. Don’t let me walk away from your commands. 11 I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you. 12 I praise you, Lord! Teach me your laws. 13 With my own mouth, I tell others the laws that you have spoken. 14 Obeying your instructions brings as much happiness as being rich. 15 I will study your teachings and follow your footsteps. 16 I will take pleasure in your laws and remember your words.” Psalm 119:9-16

The very first thought is living pure as a young person. You do that by obeying God’s word and following it with your whole heart. This keeps you from making stupid mistakes and living with regrets. King David who wrote this lived his life as a young man serving God and following His word. He was single-minded in His obedience to God’s word and because of it David was selected by God to be Saul’s successor and the king of Israel. A young man still in his teens, David became known as a “man after God’s heart”.

As parents and grandparents we should be sharing the value of God’s word with the young people in our lives. Not beating them over the head with the Bible and a list of do’s and don’ts  but making it practical – showing them that God is real and can be trusted. The people in the Bible aren’t mythical stories but real just like they are and faced some difficult challenges and came through them trusting God and depending on Him. David was probably 17 when he faced Goliath; Joseph was but a young man in his late teens when his brothers sold him into slavery, he faced being seduced by his master’s wife, prison time and rose to power and never gave in to bitterness or hatred towards his brothers. Esther was a young woman taken into a king’s harem and she maintained godly character in a harsh and hostile environment.

How does a young man keep his life pure – by following God’s word!

Now for us who are a bit older – we can enjoy this trusting relationship with the Lord too. We can treasure God’s word above everything else and it will keep us from sin. Holding our tongue, refusing to be unkind, not caving to compromise when it could lead to our advancement at work; refusing to worry; fighting political correctness when it goes against God’s word; doing what’s right because it’s right will bring joy and happiness. These are the things that bring true success.

Each one of the Bible characters I mentioned above rose to power and prominence because they honored God. Those things didn’t come first, they followed. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Have the Holy Spirit show you today one thing – large or small – where you have been compromising, repent and then ask Him to show you how to follow in His footsteps. Find a verse that gives you instruction on how to deal with the area that needs correction – meditate it, memorize it. “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11

If you’re going to make a New Year’s Resolution make it one to follow God’s word and you will find true purpose.

Posted on

A Firm Foundation

This morning we are going to begin our study of Psalms 119. But why?

There’s a new year coming and it’s important to have a firm foundation. We don’t know what trials, struggles or life storms lay ahead but God does and he has promised that when we have built our lives on a sure foundation we will be able to withstand the storm.

“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

This past year we saw time and again pictures of those areas that were devastated by storms; Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, California, Montana, Oregon, Oklahoma, Kansas. Hurricanes, fires, flooding. Billions of dollars spent in restoration.

God has promised that His word, standing on His word, believing His word will provide us with a strength to withstand. It provides us with blessing.

“Our Lord, you bless everyone who lives right and obeys your Law.
2 You bless all of those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts
3 and who never do wrong or turn from you. 4 You have ordered us always
to obey your teachings; 5 I don’t ever want to stray from your laws.
6 Thinking about your commands will keep me from doing some foolish thing.

7 I will do right and praise you by learning to respect your perfect laws.
8 I will obey all of them! Don’t turn your back on me.” Psalm 119:1-8 CEV

When our kids were little we told them we have one rule, “be obedient”. Very simple, not a lot to remember – just be obedient. That’s what I hear the Lord saying in the start of this chapter. Obey My word – it’s the same as saying obey me.

Obey from deep within our hearts – not surface or superficial obedience; but one that is heartfelt and genuine. Knowing that God knows more and has a better understanding than we possibly could, so our obedience is a sign of respect for His infinitely greater knowledge.

Remember the old “Karate Kid”. Wax on – Wax off! Daniel was so frustrated with Mr. Miyagi. What good was all this “waxing” doing? There was a lesson being taught that wasn’t apparent to the young Daniel. I feel like that sometimes when the Lord is teaching me something – what’s the point? And then I go back to what I required of my children, “be obedient”. He’ll show me at the appropriate time.

This Psalm says that simply thinking about God’s word will keep me from doing foolish things – I certainly need that. Foolish mistakes can be very costly and I don’t want to waste time or effort in having to re-do what was done wrong.

“I will do right by learning to respect your laws”. Respect – that means giving honor, a place of pre-eminence, a valuing above others. Respect God’s word over the word of a trusted friend – seek God’s word above the counsel of the others.

God has a plan established for our obedience. Isaiah 1:18 says if we be willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land. I like that – I like good.

And finally, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10

To fear the Lord doesn’t mean that we are scared but that we have that respect that the verse above talks about. Respecting the Lord and His word, giving it credibility, will make us wise and increase our understanding.

Find one thing today in God’s word and be obedient! It’s worth it for sure.

Posted on

The Gift of Compassion

The last few years I have shared my thoughts on the need for genuine love and compassion on Facebook. We have been called to be the light to the world and Jesus told his disciples that the world would know that we belong to Him because of the way we love one another. What better time to be that light and example of love than at Christmas. This is a great time of year to most but to some it only reinforces their feelings of loneliness.

I look for examples of God’s word being lived out all around me and a few years ago I found it in the theme of a Disney movie, Frozen. I’ve only seen it once but I came away with a clear message of reaching out to those who are hurting. Look at the words to one of the songs – those of you with small children or grandchildren probably know it by heart.

“Do you want to build a snowman?…
Come on, let’s go and play!
I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It’s like you’ve gone away

We used to be best buddies
And now we’re not
I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn’t have to be a snowman

Ok, bye.”

As I’ve said in my devotionals on many occasions we need to be aware of people who are hurting. For whatever reason the holidays seem to accentuate feelings of loneliness. I know, I’ve been there. But there’s really only one answer to a lonely heart.

It’s not a good therapist, it’s not a new love, it’s not change of scenery or job, or a puppy or food or alcohol. It’s not even building a snowman. It’s finding personal relationship with the One who loves you unconditionally.

“Praise the Lord because he is good. Sing praises to our God. It is good and pleasant to praise him…3 He heals their broken hearts and bandages their wounds.” Psalm 147: 1 & 3 ERV

Jesus is here to provide the comfort and consolation we so desperately need.

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

Sometimes hurting people hide behind big smiles and laughter, some hide behind rude and obnoxious behavior and others just hide. When Jesus started his ministry it was said that He was moved with compassion. Compassion is that deep life-changing love. And since God has put His love in us we should shine brightly with his compassion in reaching out to other.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 CEB

“When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick.” Matthew 14:14 CEB

“Moved with compassion [for his suffering], Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Mark 1:41 AMP

“When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34 CEB

I’m asking you today to look for hurting people – ask them to come build a snowman or share a cup of coffee, a cinnamon roll…share your time, your love, your forgiveness and compassion.

By so doing you will have shared Jesus and He is the one who heals the broken hearted!

“When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.” 37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink?..40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:35-40 CEV

Find a way to give the gift of compassion today!

Posted on

The Gift of Power

Have you noticed how many movies are about Super Heroes? And it’s not just the kids that are going to see them. Adults are flocking to the theatres to see this bigger than life crime fighters. When I was a kid it was Mighty Mouse, Superman, then came Underdog, the Bionic Man, Wonder Woman and Batman. Now it’s the heroes of the Marvel comics or Storm Troopers and Jedi. So many others have been added or brought to the forefront but all them had one basic principal, they save us from evil injustice.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ERV

Mighty God – Powerful God. Yes, God all mighty and all powerful.

The stories in the Bible aren’t just nice little tales to give us hope when things look bad. The Bible is an accurate portrayal of God’s intervention into the lives of those He loves. Noah and the ark, Joseph and Egypt’s protection during famine, Moses and the Red Sea, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, Joshua and the walls of Jericho, the immaculate conception and birth of Christ, the healed leper, feeding 5000+ with a small lunch, raising of Lazarus from the dead, turning the water into wine, protection on the open seas – all real, all true, all God intervening in the lives of those He loves.

“God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 CEV

Joseph, a young Jewish man, had just learned that his fiance` was pregnant. By Jewish, custom he could have had her publicly stoned but he loved Mary and was struggling with what to do. He had decided to have her put away quietly, move her to another town, let her start life over. But God came to him in a dream and gave him this message.

23 “The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”) 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel told him to do. He married Mary.” Matthew 1:23-24 ERV

Yes, Immanuel, God with us! No super hero can compare to our God. His plan was and still is to be Mighty God. His purpose is to complete our lives, He desires to give us everything we need.

” I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

Thank you Father that You truly are God Almighty.

Posted on

The Gift of Rest

Are you like me – you have a list of that needs to be done and you cross things off as you go? Then I get down to a few things left I rewrite the list and add more. It seems the list never ends!

This can be so draining and it seems there is no time to rest. I remember once years ago I prayed and said Lord, could you please give me 27 hours in my day? You can leave everyone else with the 24 but it would be great to have a few extra hours. The answer I got came immediately, “No! Because you wouldn’t use them to rest, you’d just fill them with more work.”

The Lord set us a wonderful example from the very beginning, He rested! He worked creating all that we see and enjoy and He rested! Then when the Law was being given to the Israelites after they came out of Egypt they were told to rest. Keep the Sabbath which meant no work. It was time to rest and reflect on the Lord and His goodness. We are pretty good about keeping the other 10 Commandments but we gloss over or ignore completely that God commanded us to keep the Sabbath. He knew we need rest!

It isn’t even December 1st and I’m sure some of you have your calendar filled right up to Christmas Day. So much to do, so many things that have to be just perfect. But in all the planning and activity you lose sight of the true peace that God brought to us all. We need to rest and let God’s presence restore our soul! Do you see that – the word “restore” – what are the first four letters “rest”. We are restored by resting.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

When Jesus was here on earth he would often go away by himself to rest and pray. He found strength in prayer. We need to learn from Him on how to release our burdens and rest in God’s strength and power.

“I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. 9 With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.” Psalm 16:8-9 CEV

One of the biggest causes of stress is fear. Take a look at it – fear that things won’t get done correctly or in time, fear that we won’t be understood in what we are trying to convey, fear that someone else will get the promotion or make the team or surpass us on the project. Fear. But when we focus on God’s presence being ALWAYS with us we can celebrate and rest.

“You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me 7 and treated me so kindly that I don’t need to worry anymore. 8 You, Lord, have saved my life from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.” Psalm 116:6-8 CEV

One translation of verse 7 says “return to rest”.

May I encourage you to take time to rest this Christmas Season. Rest by remembering the message of the angels on that first Christmas night “Good news of great joy”. Rest in the memories of special Christmases past, things weren’t perfect, mishaps happened but the love of Christ filled your home and your heart.

Or maybe you have never really enjoyed Christmas. It just seemed like all the hustle and hype left you lonely or even angry. This year take time to “rest” and learn from the Lord what a wondrous time of year it is, if you ask Him, he’ll show you.

I want to close with the words from an old Christmas carol that seem so very appropriate

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

I truly hope you are enjoying opening the presents of Christmas each morning and I encourage you to share them with your friends.

Posted on

Gift of Kindness

Sometimes you just know what you need to say and then circumstances around you back it up. That’s how I feel this morning.

Last night Dave and I were watching TV and saw a commercial we have seen 100’s of times before. You know, it’s the one where the young adults are walking out the door of a building and there’s a mother with a stroller coming out behind them. The door closes before she gets through and one young man looks around and then goes back to hold it open for her. See you know exactly which one I’m talking about.

Well Dave asked me last night, “why did that kid have to stop and think about holding the door for her? It’s a no brainer.” That used to be true but these days so many are caught up in their own lives they don’t take time to be helpful, considerate or kind. It’s not a no brainer. Writing a note of appreciation, saying thank you, being patient in the checkout line, giving someone the parking space, helping someone in need, supporting someone who is hurting – these should all be commonplace but they aren’t.

When I went to the Bible Gateway app this morning the verse of the day on their home page was this:

“Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 ERV

Everything…everything we do should be done for Jesus! With this thought in mind it certainly helps us in our fast to avoid criticism and complaining. Now look at what Jesus said about kindness.

“Then the king will say to the godly people on his right, ‘Come, my Father has great blessings for you. The kingdom he promised is now yours. It has been prepared for you since the world was made. 35 It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. 36 When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40 ERV

It’s important that we realize our lives have purpose and meaning. It may not be that we become famous and the world knows our name and our accomplishments. It is important, however, that they know our kindness and compassion. Jesus said that the world will know we are his disciples because of our love. If you need motivation for loving others take a look at this last verse.

“Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:32 ERV

Kindness is a gift that you can give freely to everyone you meet but it isn’t cheap.

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress