Category: Psalms

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Montana Mountain Moments

With our unseasonably high temperatures I’ve been thinking about what the weather is like in other areas where we have lived.

I always knew that by the end of October we would have snow on the ground when we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. But snow came even sooner when we lived in Montana. Always, always, we had snowfall on Columbus Day. I found this picture and it was dated October 6, 2013, a week before Columbus Day so the snow came early that year.

What a gorgeous day, I remember it well. It was a Sunday. Dave and I assisted a large animal vet, and we were called out to preg check and vaccinate a small herd at a remote ranch. There had been fresh snow fall for a couple of days; the pastures and the mountains were covered; the air was crisp and it was a beautiful day.

“He renews our hopes and heals our bodies. 4 He decided how many stars there would be in the sky and gave each one a name. 5 Our Lord is great and powerful! He understands everything…8He fills the sky with clouds and sends rain to the earth, so that the hills will be green with grass. 9 He provides food for cattle and for the young ravens, when they cry out…14God lets you live in peace, and he gives you the very best wheat. 15 As soon as God speaks, the earth obeys. 16 He covers the ground with snow like a blanket of wool, and he scatters frost like ashes on the ground.” Psalm 147 CEV

The Lord who put the stars in the sky, gives field grass to the cattle and covers the ground with snow, loves and cares for us. He has provided us with His word and every promise He gives will come to pass.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found.  Call out to God! He is near.7 Give up your evil 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

If you live in a place where you can see the stars, are blessed with rain, and can see snow covered mountains, then know this. These are signs of God’s promises. They are examples of His faithfulness.

His ways far exceed ours; His love is unconditional and everlasting. His mercy never ends. His faithfulness is to a thousand generations and He cannot lie, His word is true. Heaven and earth may pass away but God’s word will never fail.

I pray that you will have a Montana Mountain Moment and will be able to look around at all God has made and say “Thank you Father for loving me and always being faithful to Your word”.

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Don’t Panic – Pray

I’m so glad the Lord reminded me yesterday to hold fast to His hand.

There’s an old hymn, written in 1906, “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”.

  1. Time is filled with swift transition,
    Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
    Build your hopes on things eternal,
    Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
    • Refrain:
      Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
      Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
      Build your hopes on things eternal,
      Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
  2. Trust in Him who will not leave you,
    Whatsoever years may bring,
    If by earthly friends forsaken
    Still more closely to Him cling.

Interesting first line for sure. “Time is filled with swift transitions”.

Dave and I headed into town early yesterday morning to pick up some building materials and a few groceries. On our drive home we saw a big white smoke plume rising in the desert.

It was hard to determine its exact location. In fact, we purposely didn’t take one road because we thought it might be blocked and we wouldn’t get through. So, we drove on to our normal road. As we got closer to Queen Valley, our little community, we realized the fire that had caused the smoke plume was just to the east of us.

Talk about a swift transition…

It looked like everything was being tended too. Unconcerned we drove home, unloaded the building materials and the groceries.

We learned within a few short minutes that our community had been placed on a “Set” response for evacuation.

Don’t panic. Pray. Hold on to God’s unchanging hand.

” 3 God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

We were concerned for those neighbors who live out of state and were seeing things posted on Facebook. The calls and emails were coming in quickly and we did our best to reassure everyone.

God blessed our community with a wonderful crew of fire fighters both on the ground and in the air. Within a few hours the smoke had diminished. We are still on a “Set” alert and will be until the situation is re-evaluated this morning, but we are safe.

We do not know what each day will bring but when we know and trust God, we can rest, without fear, in His protection.

Let me close with this Psalm that I was reading this morning.

“You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 2 I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. 3 Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. 4 As long as I live, I will pray to you. 5 I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.

6 I think about you, God, before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night.
7 You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:1-8 ESV

As children of our loving heavenly Father, we hold tightly to His hand. Don’t panic – pray. He holds us up!

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Lessons from Autumn

Raised most of my life in the desert “Fall” never had much impact on my life. However, a few years ago when we first began to camp host in the White Mountains, I was awed by the beauty of this natural change.

The air gets brisk, the leaves begin to change – yellow, red, gold. And then they begin to fall leaving the branches bear and preparing to face the cold winter. But fear not, they will not die; they are just going through a stage of dormancy. They come back next Spring with new life, green and luscious.

Nature doesn’t fear change; it embraces it.

We go through changes. It can seem like our leaves are falling off and we are being left without a covering, but nothing could be further from the truth. God is our covering; He is our provider.

Why do we try to handle these changes on our own and then in futility say, “there’s nothing left to do but pray”. Prayer should be the first thing we do and then we should rest from worry while God works it out.

Psalm 138 is a short Psalm, only 8 verses but two major points are made.

1. The Lord places His word in the ultimate position of authority; it is ranked even higher than His name.

2. He promises to perfect those things that concern us.

So we should eagerly trust His word and let Him handle things!

“I will give You thanks with all my heart; I sing praises to You before the [pagan] gods. 2 I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word together with Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; And You made me bold and confident with [renewed] strength in my life. 4 All the kings of the land will give thanks and praise You, O Lord, When they have heard of the promises of Your mouth [which were fulfilled]. 5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of the Lord [joyfully celebrating His wonderful acts], For great is the glory and majesty of the Lord. 6 Though the Lord is exalted, He regards the lowly [and invites them into His fellowship]; But the proud and haughty He knows from a distance. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever— Do not abandon the works of Your own hands.” Psalm 138 AMP

Our heavenly Father makes a much better God than we do. He is asking for permission to intervene in our lives. He won’t force Himself on us. He won’t twist our arm until we give in and let Him help. But He will wait patiently and be there when we call.

Like the aspens, He has a plan for our future. Somethings must fall away and then new growth, new life will come.

Trust His word, rely on His strength, find peace in His provision and give thanks!

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Prayers of Hope

I sit here this morning in prayer for all those in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Those who have missing loved ones; those who have loved ones who have died and those who have experienced the loss of their earthly possessions.

Praying also for those who are coming to help. First responders, good Samaritans bringing medical aid, food and water, clothing and temporary shelter. Those bringing hope!

I saw a post by Franklin Graham that over 800 volunteers have arrived to help the people in North Carolina. Medical teams, field hospitals, water, clean-up crews working and praying in those communities. May I encourage you to give a donation to Samaritan’s Purse to help fund these efforts.

Many of you are like me. So far away and unable to physically help but we can pray!

Prayer is never a secondary response. Prayer is powerful.

This morning my heart was drawn to two different Psalms.

“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.

4 I asked the Lord for help,
and he saved me
    from all my fears.
5 Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun
    and never blush with shame.
6 I was a nobody, but I prayed,
and the Lord saved me
    from all my troubles.

7 If you honor the Lord,
    his angel will protect you.
8 Discover for yourself
    that the Lord is kind.
Come to him for protection,
    and you will be glad.” Psalm 34:1-8 CEV

“I look to the hills!
    Where will I find help?
2 It will come from the Lord,
    who created heaven and earth.

3 The Lord is your protector,
and he won’t go to sleep
    or let you stumble.
4 The protector of Israel
doesn’t doze
    or ever get drowsy.

5 The Lord is your protector,
there at your right side
    to shade you from the sun.
6 You won’t be harmed
by the sun during the day
    or by the moon at night.

7 The Lord will protect you
and keep you safe
    from all dangers.
8 The Lord will protect you
now and always
    wherever you go.” Psalm 121 CEV

“Father, we pray for all who are recovering from this devastation. Comfort them, protect them, give them courage and hope. Let them experience Your love in a powerful way. Provide for them as only you can. Let them know that You are there! A very present help in time of trouble. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

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Worthy of It All

I do not enjoy getting up to a messy kitchen, but this morning that is exactly what I encountered.

Let me explain.

Last night when I was getting the coffee maker ready to go for this morning, I took the coffee canister out of the cupboard and the lid came off spilling grounds all over the counter and filling the sink. Ugh!

I grabbed the Dust Buster and began sucking up all the grounds, until the battery died. I had to plug it in and leave it charging overnight. The grounds on the counter had been swept away but the bottom portion of the kitchen sink is still covered.

Now, this is not life-changing disappointment, not earthshaking in the least. Nothing like what those on the East Coast are experiencing with loss of homes, all their worldly possessions and great loss of life. My little disappointment doesn’t even make a blip on the radar screen.

So why mention it?

It seems so insignificant, but God wants us to keep Him forefront in everything. It’s what comes out of the heart in times like this that matter. God wants us to live in His presence of joy, basking in His goodness, not grumbling and complaining about things. In the monumental or the minute’, the heart attitude is what keeps us centered, full of peace and focused on God’s provision and protection.

Throughout the night the lyrics to a praise song kept coming into my head and my heart.

“We give You the highest praise
We give You the highest praise
We give You the highest praise
Jesus our Savior
You’re worthy of it all” by Phil Wickham

We give YOU the highest praise, YOU are worthy of it all!

When we are meditating on the Word of God, day and night, we keep ourselves in an attitude of praise. We keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

“Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.” I Thessalonians 5:18 CEV

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Notice that these verses don’t say that only when bad things happen that we need a stiff upper lip and we praise. No, it says whatever and anything; in other words, in all things, good and bad, we are to praise God and then we will be controlled by peace.

“Shout praises to the Lord! With all that I am, I will shout his praises. 2 I will sing and praise
the Lord God as long as I live…The Lord God of Jacob blesses everyone who trusts him and depends on him. 6 God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word.” Psalm 146:1-6 CEV

If you’re in the midst of a terrible time, praise God that He is there with you and has promised not to abandon you but will bring you through it. If you have little annoyances, praise God that He has promised to keep you in peace as you stay focused on Him.

If you have a sink full of coffee grounds, be thankful that you had enough to make the morning coffee.

In everything, yes everything, give thanks for this is the will of God. He is worthy of it all!

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Search & Rescue

It seems that we are going on a search and rescue mission today.

“Everyone who saw this started grumbling, ‘This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.’…9 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, ‘Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10  The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.’” Luke 19:7-10 CEV

Jesus’ mission while on earth was one that the Father had designed in heaven. God’s heart has always been to provide and care for those who seek Him.

This morning my Bible reading overlapped. What I read in the Old Testament, was the same message Jesus was teaching on the mountain. Follow along with me.

“You are merciful, Lord! You are kind and patient and always loving. 9 You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation…Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live.” Psalm 145:8-16 CEV

This is who God is. He doesn’t change and He doesn’t lie. What He says is what He will do. These verses would have been read in the synagogue. The people He was talking to on the mountain had probably heard them many times.

These words had probably lost their meaning to many that were listening to Jesus that day. Religious tradition and opinions, along with life’s disappointments, had stolen the strength of God’s promises. But Jesus was there to restore their hope and faith in the Father.

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

9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

Ask, Search, Knock. This is our instruction. Bring everything, every need, every desire, every worry and fear to the Father. ” your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” or as it says in the Psalm, “By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live.”

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He was the Father’s hand extended from heaven, reaching out to rescue us, to lift us up when we fall and then to keep us in a place of safety.

“ God is strong and can keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24 & 25 ERV

We’ve been rescued by our loving heavenly Father – we once were lost but now we’re found!

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Something for Everyone

Occasionally the Lord shows me some verses that need no commentary from me. His word is always sufficient. I’m just the messenger.

Enjoy this message – it’s for everyone!

“The Lord Works Miracles

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
    He has worked miracles,
and with his own powerful arm,
    he has won the victory.
2 The Lord has shown the nations
that he has the power to save
    and to bring justice.
3 God has been faithful
    in his love for Israel,
and his saving power is seen
    everywhere on earth.

4 Tell everyone on this earth
to sing happy songs
    in praise of the Lord.
5 Make music for him on harps.
    Play beautiful melodies!
6 Sound the trumpets and horns
and celebrate with joyful songs
    for our Lord and King!

7 Command the ocean to roar
    with all its creatures,
and the earth to shout
    with all its people.
8 Order the rivers
    to clap their hands,
and all the hills
    to sing together.
9 Let them worship the Lord!
He is coming to judge
    everyone on the earth,
and he will be honest
    and fair. Psalm 98 CEV

“Our Lord, you keep your word
    and do everything you say.
14 When someone stumbles or falls,
    you give a helping hand.
15 Everyone depends on you,
and when the time is right,
    you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy
    the desires of all who live.

17 Our Lord, everything you do
    is kind and thoughtful,
18 and you are near to everyone
    whose prayers are sincere.
19 You satisfy the desires
    of all your worshipers,
and you come to save them
    when they ask for help.
20 You take care of everyone
who loves you,
    but you destroy the wicked.

21 I will praise you, Lord,
and everyone will respect
    your holy name forever.” Psalm 145:13-21 CEV

We are the everyones’ who should be singing praises to God. We are the everyones’ who love and respect the Lord. We are the everyones’ that He cares for, provides for and lifts up when we have fallen.

That is God’s promise and He doesn’t lie.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

We are ALL an everyone. This is the good news of God’s love and patience to us all!

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Encouragement for Seniors

When I was a girl, I loved to hear the stories of David the shepherd boy, young Samuel, Esther the girl chosen to be queen and Mary the young Jewish girl called to be the mother of Jesus.

It was important for me to know that the Lord used young people; they had an important role in Biblical history. The Apostle Paul even told Timothy “Let no one despise your youth”.

Then there are those middle-aged giants of faith, Naomi, King David, Solomon, Isaiah, Daniel, Peter, James, Luke and Paul. They had such strength of body and strength of character. It’s easy to see how they made an impact on their world.

But now that I’m in my seventies, it’s encouraging to know that God has a plan for the senior generation as well. The picture I used today is of the cedars of Lebanon that the Bible frequently talks about. Read to the end and see why this stately tree is an example to us.

Moses was 80 years old when he went to pharaoh and demanded that the Israelites be released from bondage. He died at 120.

“ Moses was 120 years old when he died. He was as strong as ever, and his eyes were still good.” Deuteronomy 34:7 ERV

Joshua took over for Moses at the age of 80 and led the people of Israel in to conqueror the promised land. He was a mighty leader and so was Caleb who had walked side by side with Joshua for the last 40 years.

Some mornings I get up with those little aches and pains like many my age experience. Some mornings it more intense than others – you know what I mean. But, each day I get up with praise in my heart and thanksgiving on my lips for all the Father has done and is doing in my life. I am blessed with strength, health, a sound mind, a pretty strong body and God has given me wisdom, hope and joy.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV

I’ve said all of this to encourage you, no matter what your age, God has a purpose and plan for us at each stage of our lives. I want to share with you what I read in the Psalms, and I pray that it speaks to you as it spoke to me.

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are...12 Good people will prosper like palm trees, and they will grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do well. 14 They will be like trees that stay healthy and fruitful, even when they are old. 15 And they will say about you, ‘The Lord always does right! God is our mighty rock.'” Psalm 92:1,2, 12-15 CEV

Healthy and fruitful, strong and prosperous even when we are old. We will say “the Lord always does right”. We have a testimony that those younger have yet to fully understand. With length of years comes a confidence and a trust that the Lord ALWAYS does right. He is faithful.

Waking up this morning means that God has something planned for us to do. Let’s do it with a grateful heart and begin by telling others about His love!

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In the Shadow

Do you ever have things come to mind that you just have to mull over for a while? Things you need to think on, to ponder. The Bible calls that meditating – that’s what I have been doing with the beginning verses in Psalm 91.

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

3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.5 You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon…14 The Lord says, ‘If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. 15 When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you. 16 You will live a long life and see my saving power.” Psalm 91 CEV

Stay in the shadow – living in the desert, shadows are a good thing. It means that something is providing shade for our protection.

It became clear that God is asking us to stay under His shadow, in the shade of His protection. Look at all that happens when we stay in that place where we are close to God.

a. live under protection

b. be in a place of safety

c. kept secure night and day

d. no fear of disaster or disease

e. truly know God and His love for us

When we are in His shadow, we are under His protection. Even when there is a “shadow of death”, we can be free from fear. God is with us, and He casts a bigger shadow than death.

“Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me.” Psalm 23:4 NLV

When we stay close to the Father, we are always in the protection of His shadow.

“Your love is faithful, Lord, and even the clouds in the sky can depend on you. 6 Your decisions are always fair. They are firm like mountains, deep like the sea, and all people and animals are under your care. 7 Your love is a treasure, and everyone finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm36-5-7 CEV

What fears are holding you captive? The known and the unknown are no match for the protection of the Father. When fear comes and it will, put yourself under the shadow of the Almighty God and rest.

His protection casts a big shadow!

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Come & Sit

Do you know what I love about my mornings? It’s the quiet.

The only sounds I hear are the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the tick of the coffee maker. Other than that, it’s completely silent.

The first thing I do each morning is write my heart’s impressions in my journal, only a couple of sentences of gratitude and love. Then I say a short prayer for guidance before I open my Bible and begin to read. Many days during that writing and that prayer the Holy Spirit prompts me with what I should share with you, sometimes that comes once I begin reading.

This morning as I was writing, these four words were what I penned on the page. “Come sit with Me”. Oh, how I love that – time just sitting here, coffee cup in hand, when it’s just the Father and I. He bringing Scriptures to mind and flooding me with His presence.

Those of you who have read my writings for any length of time know that one of my most favorite old hymns is “In the Garden”.

  1. I come to the garden alone,
    While the dew is still on the roses,
    And the voice I hear falling on my ear
    The Son of God discloses.
    • Refrain:
      And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
      And He tells me I am His own;
      And the joy we share as we tarry there,
      None other has ever known.
  2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
    Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
    And the melody that He gave to me
    Within my heart is ringing.

I know exactly what the writer of this hymn experienced.

“You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

Come, sit with me.

“Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. 40 Martha was working hard getting the supper ready…42 Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 NLV

“Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said. 7 The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told them to give the fish to the people.” Mark 8:6-7 ERV

Sitting with the Lord is a good thing!

Something to be chosen above all else. It’s a place of learning, of resting and refreshing. It’s a place of miracles.

Listen with your heart. When you hear the Lord say “Come sit with me”, take time to stop and enjoy His presence. It will fill you with joy!

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