Category: Proverbs

Posted on

Discovering Hidden Treasure

Dave and I have always enjoyed finding “hidden treasure”! While we lived in Northern Idaho we spent nearly every weekend at farm and ranch auctions seeking lost treasure buried in barns or some old box. It was a wonderful time.

It also required an effort of time and finances. Sometimes we would travel into neighboring states, rarely was there anything within a couple hours drive. That was the fun of it; the drive, taking a picnic, setting a budget, going over the budget and then coming home with the truck laden down like a pirate’s ship. All of this was the image that came to mind this morning as I was reading Proverbs 2.

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Remember my commands. 2 Listen to wisdom, and do your best to understand. 3 Ask for good judgment. Cry out for understanding. 4 Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. 5 If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the Lord, and you will come to know God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 ERV

Search for wisdom like hidden treasure.

Wisdom that comes from God is invaluable. Solomon is the one who wrote Proverbs and he is reported to have been the wealthiest and wisest man to have ever lived. He placed a greater value on wisdom than on riches. In fact, when God asked him what he wanted most this was his answer.

“While Solomon was at Gibeon, the Lord came to him at night in a dream. God said, “Solomon, ask me what you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You were very kind and loyal to your servant, my father David. He was faithful to you and lived a good, honest life. And you showed him the greatest kindness when you let his son take his place as king. 7 Lord my God, you have made me the king in my father’s place, but I am like a small child. I don’t have the wisdom I need to do what I must do. 8 I am your servant here among your chosen people. There are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation.”

10 The Lord was happy that Solomon asked for wisdom. 11 So God said to him, “You did not ask for long life and riches for yourself. You did not ask for the death of your enemies. You asked for the wisdom to listen and make the right decisions. 12 So I will give you what you asked for. I will make you wise and intelligent. I will make you wiser than anyone who ever lived or ever will live. 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for. You will have riches and honor all your life. There will be no other king in the world as great as you. 14 And I will give you a long life if you follow me and obey my laws and commands as your father David did.” I Kings 3:5-14 ERV

Time and again in the book of Proverbs Solomon refers to wisdom as a treasure.

“Good homes are built on wisdom and understanding. 4 Knowledge fills the rooms with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3 ERV

“Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15 Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value. 16 With her right hand, Wisdom offers long life—with the other hand, riches and honor.” Proverbs 3:14-16 ERV

I’m sure you have noticed that there are 30 chapters in the book of Proverbs, one for each day of most months. What if we were to go on a daily treasure hunt? I know it would require time, just like it required a commitment of our time to travel to those auctions. Do you think if would be profitable for us to search out the treasure in each chapter? There is so much that we can glean from the practical teachings of this book.

One thing that Solomon teaches us is to trust God’s wisdom and not our own. We’re not to “lean on our own understanding”. This is probably one of the most difficult things for me to consistently follow. I’m constantly coming up with one “bright idea” after another and I have certainly had my fair share of failures. But those things that I have truly sought the Lord on and followed His wise plan have succeeded.

This is one of the gold nuggets that I found hidden in the book of Proverbs.

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 AMP

In the natural way of thinking it wasn’t good military strategy to have a nation of people march around a city for 7 days and then shout and blow on trumpets but that was God’s plan for taking the city of Jericho. Joshua followed it and defeated his enemy. Going after a giant with a sling shot and 5 smooth stones wasn’t King Saul’s plan but it was God’s, so when David was obedient success followed.

A widow woman had the plan to take her last bit of meal and oil, make a cake for her and her son and then they were going to starve. There was no other food and her countrymen had been dying all around her. It wasn’t her plan to make the cake and give to God’s prophet first but that’s what she did and with God’s plan in place the woman and her son never ran out of meal and oil during the famine.

We need to trust and follow His instruction. God will give us creative ideas if we ask Him.

“Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb. 11 His teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them.” Psalm 19:9-11 ERV

So get out your metal detectors, your gold panning equipment and your treasure map. Dig into God’s word. Happy prospecting!

Posted on

Keep It Sweet

When our oldest daughter was in kindergarten, the alphabet circled the room. Each letter of the alphabet had a scripture verse to learn with it. Each verse started with a different letter of the alphabet and all these years later I still remember the verse for the letter “D”.

“14 Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14

Do ALL things without complaining…Really God, ALL things! Yes, all things. Because as the verse goes on to say we will then be a light in the dark world. If we, who believe in Christ Jesus, and have received His wonderful gift of sonship go about complaining all the time, what will set us apart from the world? How will they know that there is victory and hope if our lives don’t reflect that Christ is living in us.

“15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world,” Philippians 2:15

It’s so easy to complain about our kids, our mates, our jobs, our health, our finances, the politicians, the weather, etc., but we must resist that temptation and live in what God called us to do.

Paul, who wrote this verse while he was in prison, had been beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, and run out of nearly every town he preached in but he didn’t complain. In fact, he would sing and praise God in the midst of his adversities. He called them “light afflictions”.

When we start to complain about having to pick up after the kids again – remember those who have no children and would dearly love to clean up a mess. Those without a job…those who have lost a mate to death or unwanted divorce…those battling serious health issues…those who live in a country where you are imprisoned for speaking out against the gov’t or even shot in the streets.

King Solomon wrote in Proverbs that having a joyful heart, a heart that is void of complaining, was like having a good medicine.

“Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.” Proverbs 17:23 ERV

There was a Disney movie in the late 1950’s called Pollyanna. Pollyanna always had something good to say no matter  how bad the situation was. She brought gladness to the most sullen souls in town. Her attitude helped people see past their disappointments and brought them healing from their pain.

“Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. 21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:20-21 ERV

When we speak words of life, words without complaining we are a testament to God’s power in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for – to do all things without murmuring or complaining (old English terms)! And rejoice in the Lord always because He is the one who can and will cause us to be victorious.

Posted on

A Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep like a baby…it may seem strange for me to be talking to you about sleep. I know, I’m the one who rises early and doesn’t seem to require a lot of sleep and maybe it’s because I have learned these verses.

“I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV

I hear so many people talking asking “how’d you sleep last night”. It’s big business – specialized mattresses, memory foam pillows, just the right comforter and if all those fail then there are the sleep aids. We are obsessed with getting a good night’s sleep and rightfully so. Our bodies need rest to reenergize. Our brains need sleep so that we can function with clear headed alertness. Yes, sleep is important and since it is, God has something to say about it.

“It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late, trying to make a living. The Lord provides for those he loves, even while they are sleeping.” Psalm 127:2 ERV

Many times we lose sleep because we are working so hard that we just don’t have time. Or we get so anxious over what needs to be done to provide for our families that we just have to stay up a few more hours to get this project done. A good work ethic is important. The things we do should be done right and done well. However, we sometimes put more pressure on ourselves than we should. “If I don’t get this done…”

The Lord is the one who provides us with the job/career we have. He is the one who has given us the abilities we possess and ultimately it is the Lord who is our provider. Our jobs may be one avenue of income but God is our source. Lie down at night with a prayer on your lips “Lord, thank you for giving me restful sleep tonight so that I can wake up refreshed in the morning. Ready for another day of honoring you.” You’ll be amazed at how well you sleep.

Roll all the cares and worries of the day over on Him. He has big shoulders and his solutions are better than yours so He can solve the problems that are facing you.

“ Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. 30 For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLV

The Lord desires to carry those things that weigh us down and cause us to worry and in turn to lose sleep. Jesus certainly faced as many stressful and anxious moments as we do but He was able to sleep in the middle of those storms. We should follow His example and handle our storms the same way.

“ A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.40 He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:37-40 ERV

I can hear someone saying “Ya, but that was Jesus. I’m not him and I’ve got big problems.” Ok, so let’s look at a guy with big problems, Peter. He’s about to be tried in court and possibly executed; he fell asleep, peaceful sleep.

“One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, “Hurry, get up!” The chains fell off Peter’s hands.” Acts 12:6-7 ERV

When I was a young child my sleep was plagued with nightmares. All sorts of monstrous and horrible images filled my dreams. I would wake up frightened many nights. On the worst occasions I remember going in and asking my Mom if I could sleep with them. She would comfort me and take me back to bed and then I would be ok.

After I became a mother I would pray over my little ones as I put them to bed. “you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly” I put the Father in charge of their sleep. It made their nights and mine more restful.

“My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind. 22 They will help you to live a long and beautiful life. 23 You will walk safely and never stumble; 24 you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly.25 So don’t be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil.” Proverbs 4:21-25 ERV

If you face nights without sleep I encourage you to choose one of the verses above and tell the Lord when you go to bed, “Lord, this is your promise and you don’t lie so I’m depending on what you said for a good night’s sleep”.

You know there are times, few and far between, when my sleep is uneasy or absent and that’s when I go back and remind myself of these verses. Then there are many times, like the other morning, when I get up in the middle of the night to pray. That’s different. But whether it’s sleep or strength I have learned to trust God to provide exactly what I need.

Rest well dear ones. Sleep in peace!

Posted on

Living A Life of Health

We can’t leave Psalm 103 just yet. Yesterday we just looked at a couple of the promises that the Lord had for us this. This morning I want us to look again at verse 3.

“He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses.” Psalm 103:3 CEV

I was really amazed the first time I read this verse. As I said yesterday, I knew God would forgive my sins but no one had ever told me that He would heal me from sickness. Having grown up in Sunday School I had heard the stories of people Jesus had healed in the Bible. There were some lepers, lame men, some who were blind, a woman with a bleeding problem, a couple people who had died and been raised to life again and then scores who had various sicknesses and diseases.

I believed that Jesus did miracles but I had no confidence that He would heal me. There you have it – So as I heard people start to teach about healing and say that God wanted me well I was skeptical. I had the mindset that maybe God would and maybe He wouldn’t but when I read this verse there was no getting around the word ALL.

“Jesus went everywhere in the country of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. And he healed all the people’s diseases and sicknesses. 24 The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all those who were sick. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some had demons inside them, some suffered from seizures, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed them all.” Matthew 4:23-24 CEV

There it was again – ALL.

“From there, Jesus went along Lake Galilee. Then he climbed a hill and sat down. 30 Large crowds came and brought many people who were crippled or blind or lame or unable to talk. They placed them, and many others, in front of Jesus, and he healed them all. 31 Everyone was amazed at what they saw and heard. People who had never spoken could now speak. The lame were healed, the crippled could walk, and the blind were able to see. Everyone was praising the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:29-31 CEV

I was beginning to see this “all” in a new light but my mind was telling me that this was for the Bible days when Jesus was in his physical body and physically touching people. Jesus wasn’t physically in front of me, could I be healed like this?

“My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NLV

By listening to and reading God’s word I had learned about forgiveness. I learned about healing the same way, it came from God’s word. Jesus never turned anyone away who came to Him for healing. In fact He sent his disciples out as his representatives with a command to heal. It was all part of what He came to do – forgiveness, healing and peace of mind.

“When you go, tell them this: ‘God’s kingdom is now very near.’ 8 Heal the sick. Bring the dead back to life. Heal the people who have leprosy. And force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help others freely.” Matthew 10:7-8 ERV

As I studied I found that the Lord had provided both forgiveness and healing. It was His will for me.

“The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did. 5 But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain. 6 We had all wandered away like sheep. We had gone our own way. And yet the Lord put all our guilt on him.” Isaiah 53:4-6 CEV

There are so many more verses that I could give on healing and it being God’s will for us but I won’t list them now. I hope that you will begin to see that you can go to the Father when you body is weakened by sickness and disease and receive healing just like you receive forgiveness. I began trusting the Lord for healing over 40 years ago. I started out small – praying over a headache, a toothache, the sniffles. Through the years I have seen my body healed, my children, my husband, friends and strangers. Health has become a way of life.

Yes, I have physical health issues from time to time. Yes, I go to the doctor for their help when needed. Doctors aren’t evil – medicine isn’t bad but I pray first. I get the Lord working on my healing before I trust it to anyone else. And then I don’t just trust Him for healing, I trust Him for health. It’s great to be healed from some sickness or disease but it’s even better not to be sick in the first place.

There is so much to share and I’m limited by the length of a blog but I told you I would share with you the verses that I have written on my cards. These are some of those verses. I will close with a prayer that the Apostle John prayed. It is my prayer for you…

“My dear friend, I know that you are doing well spiritually. So I pray that everything else is going well with you and that you are enjoying good health.” III John 2 ERV

Posted on

Favor and Good Success

The foundation has been laid and the walls are going up!

 

When we first started on our study in Psalm 119 weeks ago, we started with the premise that we were building a firm foundation. A foundation that would be secure and able to keep us safe in the storms of life. It is my hope that each day you have found a verse that supported you and strengthened you.

King David has repeatedly mentioned his enemies and those who hate him and want to see him destroyed. But he also states time and again that he relies on the Lord to deliver him and that he will continue to stand on God’s word.

May I ask, do you have enemies? Who or what are they? It may be that they are real people or perhaps they are circumstances or situations like fear, debt, illness, lack of self-esteem, pride, anger, addiction, self-righteousness, gossip. I will give you a moment to ascertain what is trying to destroy you.

“Powerful leaders attack me for no reason, but the only thing I fear is your command. 162 Your word makes me happy, like someone who has found a great treasure. 163 I hate lies; they make me sick! But I love your teachings. 164 Seven times a day I praise you because your laws are fair. 165 Those who love your teachings will find true peace. Nothing can make them fall. 166 Lord, I am waiting for you to save me. I obey your commands. 167 I follow your rules. I love them very much. 168 I obey all your instructions and rules, because you know everything I do.”  Psalm 119:161-168

Jesus didn’t speak against Caesar but he did talk about the hypocrisy of his day.  He countered  each accusation or attack brought against Him with  “It is written”.  Satan brought temptations against Him and Jesus answered with the Word. The Pharisees, the Sadducees and the rulers of the Law brought twisted questions of entrapment and He answered with the Word. His answers were so powerful that the Bible says they would stop their line of questioning.

Staying focused on God’s word, loving His word and obeying His instruction will bring ridicule and persecution BUT it will also bring “true peace and nothing will make those who love it fall.”

I’d like to tell you the story of another king who trusted in the Lord. His name was Hezekiah. He became king at the age of 25 after his father’s death. His father Ahaz was an evil king who led the people of Judah in idol worship.

“Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled twenty-nine years from Jerusalem…2 Hezekiah obeyed the Lord by doing right, just as his ancestor David had done. In the first month of the first year of Hezekiah’s rule, he unlocked the doors to the Lord’s temple and had them repaired…So the temple was once again used for worshiping the Lord. 36 Hezekiah and the people of Judah celebrated, because God had helped them make this happen so quickly.” II Chronicles 29 CEV

Hezekiah was determined to honor the Lord and have made a commitment to obey God’s word.

“ Everything Hezekiah did while he was king of Judah, including what he did for the temple in Jerusalem, was right and good. He was a successful king, because he obeyed the Lord God with all his heart.” II Chronicles 31:20-21 CEV

But Hezekiah had enemies who wanted to destroy him, the king of Assyria waged war against him.

“After King Hezekiah had faithfully obeyed the Lord’s instructions by doing these things, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He attacked the fortified cities and thought he would capture every one of them... Be brave and confident! There’s no reason to be afraid of King Sennacherib and his powerful army. We are much more powerful, 8 because the Lord our God fights on our side. The Assyrians must rely on human power alone...Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz asked the Lord for help, 21 and he sent an angel that killed every soldier and commander in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib returned to Assyria, completely disgraced.” II Chronicles 32

This isn’t just a fun little Bible story, this is the story of a man who trusted God and stood on God’s word. He was built on a firm foundation and it saved him and those in his country.

King Solomon also knew that in order for us to be truly successful we must trust and follow God’s word.

“My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words. 2 For they will add to you many days and years of life and peace. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:1-5 NLV

If the Kings, (David, Solomon, Hezekiah) and many others plus Jesus and his disciples all depended on God’s word as their foundation should we do any less?

Let’s say with the Apostle Paul “let God be true and every man a liar”.

Favor and victory comes from the Lord!

Posted on

A Wonderful Counselor

What do you do when you run into those situations that you just don’t understand and need some extra insight? Do you have a trusted friend that you can talk to, someone who gives good advice, a counselor who will give you the proper perspective?

It seems we are a society intent on gaining information and affirmation. My goodness, just look at the afternoon “talk shows” and commentaries. If that isn’t enough to set your head swimming you can “research” just about anything on the net and get an “expert’s” advice. There you will find answers to medical issues, marital advice and even financial investment guidance. Oh but wait, there’s still more. Then you can get a You-Tube video to give you instruction for mechanical, construction and destruction projects.

Yes, we are a society in search of answers.

Who’s better than Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Oprah, Judge Judy, the horoscope, Howard Stern, the entire news service and the net? The Counselor!

“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

He’s never given bad advice – never. He’s never drawn a wrong conclusion or made a judgment out of malice. He’s never gone back and change his mind because of political correctness or because more information has surfaced. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

His Word is infallible, His judgments are pure and righteous and He is easy to reach – no appointment necessary. No waiting – come right in and it’s free!

“ Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

This Counselor knows all the answers. He knows the beginning from the end. There isn’t a topic of concern that is above his pay grade or surpasses His knowledge. He can accurately advise you on any subject.

“The Lord’s laws are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are good. They show people the right way to live. 9 Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:8-10 ERV

Jesus is also our advocate, our defense attorney. He is the one who pleads our case but it isn’t based on our merit but on His.

“My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He always did what was right, so he is able to defend us before God the Father. 2 Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:1-2 ERV

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

The one requirement on your part is time. Take time to read the information He gives. Go ahead it’s there for you. You may say you don’t understand the Bible, I agree that some translations are difficult to understand but there’s an app for that. I use the Bible Gateway app all the time, www.biblegateway.com. It lists multiple translations and paraphrases to help you understand God’s word. And you’re going to be spending time, one way or another, searching for your answer so why not start here first?

Set up your “counselling” appointment today. Lay down on the couch, rest in Him and find help in your time of need!

Posted on

The Gift of the Plan

Yesterday I showed you how the Lord has always used His words to bring things to pass. He has always had a plan. In fact, He is the master planner!

When I was in the business world, back in the dark ages before smart phones and computers, I operated my life from the pages of my Day Planner. My life as wife, mother, home school teacher, administrator, ministry coordinator and my social commitments would have been in disarray had I not written everything down. It was then that I was reading in Proverbs, the book of wisdom, that the Lord showed me this verse.

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 AMP

By giving the Lord my plans each morning, I let Him direct my steps and I know it saved me time, effort, and anguish. This is when I learned to say “no” to some things. I learned it was important to seek God’s counsel before I accepted invitations and new responsibilities. I learned to trust the Lord when I needed to do personnel evaluations and suggest alternate ideas of operation. I learned to hear God’s voice prompting me to encourage and support those who needed help and hadn’t asked for it.

I learned to trust God’s plan!

“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

Did/do I always get it right? No, but what I learned from the times I failed was to listen better next time. God doesn’t make mistakes so if there was a failure it was mine and I needed to be more attentive to what He was saying. I like that the Lord can take our failures and rework them for good.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

I’m sure Noah wondered about God’s instruction to build an ark when there had never been rain. Then there was Joseph who had a promise that he would be a ruler and he was in prison. Dear sweet Mary certainly had to learn to trust God’s plan being a young, unmarried, pregnant woman. God’s plans always give us hope and a good future.

Now you may be saying “that’s great Kristi for those folks in the Bible but I’m not sure God has a plan for me”. Glad you said that.

“You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:8-11 CEV

God’s first plan for us was our salvation and after that He has a plan for us to do good things. Yes, there is a plan and if we stray or lose our way the Lord will help us recalculate and come back to the path.

I’m so very glad that God designed a plan just for me. What a wonderful gift!

Posted on

The Gift of Words

Remember a week or so back I asked you to join me in a fast, a fast of criticism? So how are you doing? I have to admit that there have been a few times that I’ve had to stop and repent and get back on track. Our words are so important.

You might not think that a teaching on words has much to do with the Christmas season but it really does. God started everything with His words. He said, “Light be” and it was. He spoke the plan of Christ’s birth was spoken out in words hundreds of years before the event took place. God had the prophets repeated that message again and again until it came to pass.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 KJV

Then the angel came to Mary and told her that she had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah. Listen to her response.

“26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth…
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38 KJV

According to your word. Mary knew that it was only necessary for God to speak a word for things to happen.

Words are filled with power – power to create or power to destroy. The writer of Proverbs penned it this way

“ A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:20-21 KJV

This is why it’s so important that we “fast” those words that are critical and condemning. We don’t want to end up eating our unkind words, we need to feast on words that life giving.

Our casual approach to the spoken or written word can undermine our faith. My favorite Bible verse, Numbers 23:19 focuses on the importance and power of God’s word.

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

When God speaks His word – it comes to pass. He has faith in what He has said and that’s why Mary could have such life-changing faith in the message that Gabriel brought her from God. We can have that same conviction and faith in God’s words.

At Christmas, and throughout the year, make your words a gift. A gift that brings life and encouragement. A gift of forgiveness and peace. A gift of kindness and love!

“Don’t let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.14 Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalms 19:13-14 CEV

Posted on

Follow His Lead

Sitting here this morning while it’s still dark out and feeling the cool of the fall air, down to 55 this morning, 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. His omnipresence penetrates to the farthest reaches of the universe. Yet, in all He has before Him this day I can hear Him speaking to me through His words – the words Jesus spoke about the Father.

“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) and 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

So enjoy your day and let the Father lead you and there you will find rest!

Posted on

Comfort in Troubling Times

Do you ever have thoughts come to you out of the clear blue? You know, you’re thinking about one thing and then something else just invades you thinking process. That’s the way it was for me this morning.

I wasn’t even really awake when a song I had heard on the radio on Sunday arrived in my heart and head bringing me to a place of conscious thought. Here are just a few of the lyrics that were written by Hillsong.

“What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus”

And as I kept repeating that refrain my mind went to what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 18:9

“The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety—”

And then I began to pray for those who lost loved ones yesterday in Las Vegas and those who were injured and those who were called to care for the injured and the dying. How do we cope with such senseless acts of violence and destruction?

I run to the Lord and find comfort in His loving arms.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 I trust God, so I am not afraid of what people can do to me!
I praise God for his promise to me.” Psalm 56:3-4 ERV

God wants to use us to bring comfort and consolation to those around us. It’s important that we aren’t overwhelmed but that we stay anchored in His love.

“Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” Romans 12:21 CEV

So even as I am writing this the chorus above keeps going through my mind. What a wonderful name it is, The name of Jesus! I will continue to trust in Him, to lean on Him for strength and will praise Him because He is greater than all my fears.

“Stand and shout praises to your Lord, the eternal God!
Praise his wonderful name, though he is greater than words can express.” Nehemiah 9:5 CEV

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress