Category: February2022

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What’s Wrong Here?

I enjoy doing brain teaser puzzles and games, Word Search, Hidden Objects, Picture Differences, What’s Wrong. I think they help keep my mind and observation skills sharper.

The “what’s missing”, Picture Differences, puzzles can be the most challenging to me.

The other afternoon I was watching a news program and I saw it as a real life what’s-wrong here challenge. People were rude, uncaring, selfish, threatening, angry, and mean spirited. The commentator was expressing their disbelief over the rampant decline in this particular geographic location.

Buildings were being vandalized, garbage filled the streets, and the crime rate was higher than it had ever been. What’s wrong here?

I couldn’t help but wonder…

  • Thou shalt not kill
  • Thou shalt not steal
  • Thou shalt not bear false witness
  • Thou shalt not covet
  • Honor thy father and mother

For years some of the more liberal thinkers of our land have expressed the sentiment that the Bible and godly living is antiquated and too restrictive, so they fought to remove its influence and now, I believer, we are dealing with the consequences.

“People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. 6 If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6 CEV

A line from one of my favorite cowboy movies goes like this: “Huey, actions have con – see – quences”.

That is so true! If our actions are God-directed we will have life and peace.

“But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. 25 We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:19-25 ERV

“There is no law against these kinds of things”. There are a lot of laws to control wrong behavior, but God makes changes in our hearts that don’t need to be legislated.

I have been challenged by God’s word, challenged to live more intentional. To allow my life to make good consequences. The world around us doesn’t need more laws; it needs lives that are intentionally focused on Christ and His love.

Lives like that bring life and peace!

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Seeing Clearly

I have a thing for clean windows. We do a lot of driving and I’m always wanting to get a good picture but if the windshield or the side windows are spotted it ruins the shot.

I realize that I come by this naturally. As a child, my dad was always cleaning windows. After we were married, Dave & I would go to visit my folks and as we were in the car ready to drive away, Daddy would stop us and clean the windshield. It didn’t matter that we were heading to the gas station and would do it there. We couldn’t leave with a dirty window.

Not only did my earthly father give me a desire for clear vision but my heavenly Father has as well.

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. 13 So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:11-13 ERV

One translation says, “we see as in a cloudy mirror”. The Apostle Paul draws a comparison between our thinking like children and the way we see God. We don’t have full understanding of things when we are children, nor do we have a full understanding of God’s love and His plan for us.

Our limited understanding is like looking through a dirty glass – we just can’t see clearly but we will someday.

Our hope, in God and His word, is what feeds our faith to believe that God can do all things and that He will! Why? Because of His great love for us. Gaining knowledge of God’s love is like cleaning the windows, we get a clearer picture of who God is.

“But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. 9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life.” Romans 5:8-10 CEV

Do you see it a little clearer now?

God’s love made provision for our forgiveness; but there’s more to God’s love than that. God’s love grants us peace and friendship with Him. The more we walk in relationship with Him, the clearer our vision becomes.

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Good Winter Advice

Years ago, we moved from California to Washington State for work. We arrived the first week of November. Thanksgiving week we had a “100-year” snowfall. My, oh my!

To this point I had lived in the warmth of Arizona and the milder climate of southern California. I didn’t know how to live in snow. The first weeks we were there required an investment of time and money as we sought out the proper winter clothing; coats, boots, gloves, hats, long johns.

We knew the snow fall was heavier than normal when the church called to cancel services. The guys had to hoist the snow blower up on the roof of the carport for snow removal so it wouldn’t collapse. Not something this desert girl was accustomed to at all.

We seemed to be adjusting well, even walked Kaci to school in the mornings. Everyone was walking – they took it all in stride. One morning my sister-in-law asked me to join her and a friend on a morning walk before breakfast.

Sure.

It was now the first week in February. I felt I was getting the hang of this “winter” routine quite well. We were almost home when I slipped on the ice. My feet went out from under me, and I did what came naturally, but it was the wrong thing. I reached out to brace my fall and broke my right wrist.

X-rays, surgery, a night in the hospital and over five months in a cast. I celebrated my 40th birthday, in July, in a pretty purple cast from my wrist to my elbow.

So, what’s all this got to do with our morning Bible study? Plenty!

Remember a couple days ago the verse I shared with you from Hosea? “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge”. Well, this morning I was reminded of a verse I found several years after that slip and felt impressed to share it this morning with all of you.

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your feet go out from under you. He Who watches over you will not sleep. 4 Listen, He Who watches over Israel will not close his eyes or sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your safe cover at your right hand. 6 The sun will not hurt you during the day and the moon will not hurt you during the night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all that is sinful. He will watch over your soul. 8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, now and forever.” Psalm 121 NLV

The Bible is practical – very practical. When I found this verse I began to pray it. I now had knowledge of God’s promise and I was putting it in to practice. Now, in 68 years I have had only two broken bones and I thank God for that every day.

Many of you live in cold climate, where the ground will be snow covered for a few more months. I suggest that you add this verse to those you rely on each day.

“Father, protect my readers. Keep them from harm. Don’t let their feet go out from under them. In Jesus name, amen”.

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No More Excuses

I know I need to but…

Excuses – none of us like excuses. As parents we have heard our children give us a 1000 reasons why they couldn’t or didn’t do what they were told. As co-workers we hear the reasons and excuses on why something wasn’t their responsibility or in their job description.

We have a large segment of our society that won’t take or accept responsibility for their own actions but are quick to justify or excuse their actions.

It’s frustrating to say the least!

Now imagine you are God. How many times each minute do you hear excuses. The devil made me do it was the first excuse ever; I’m not qualified, I’m not talented, I’m too busy…on and on it goes. I was reminded of Moses this morning – making excuses.

“Moses asked the Lord, ‘Suppose everyone refuses to listen to my message, and no one believes that you really appeared to me?'” Exodus 4:1 CEV

And the Lord provided him with signs and an answer.

Then”Moses replied, “I have never been a good speaker. I wasn’t one before you spoke to me, and I’m not one now. I am slow at speaking, and I can never think of what to say.” Exodus 4:10 CEV

The Lord provided him with an additional answer.

Resistance, excuse #3. “Moses begged, ‘Lord, please send someone else to do it.’” Exodus 4:13 CEV

At this point the Lord is angered. He isn’t mad like we get mad but He was angered by Moses’ resistance to obeying what he has been asked to do. It’s as if Moses were saying, I know it’s you Lord but that’s just not enough.

Have you ever said something like that to the Lord? Me neither – ya, right! The Lord has given us His promise to never leave us or forsake us and He’s given us the Holy Spirit to be our strength and our guide, what more do we need? He’s even given us His Word filled with examples of His faithfulness to people in the past.

The Lord will listen to our fears, our concerns and our excuses but He will remind us that He has called us; He won’t give up on us.

“Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will tell each of you what to do. 17 Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles.” Exodus 4:16-17 CEV

No more excuses – time to go and do what we are called to do knowing that the Lord’s power and promises won’t fail!

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True Love

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When I see the advertisements for beautiful rose bouquets my memory takes me back to the first years Dave and I were married.

Dave worked in agriculture and near the fields he worked in were the fields of a commercial rose grower. The roses were grown for stock, not for flowers. When the roses bloomed, they were cut and left lying on the ground and the stock was harvested to sell to nurseries.

In those days, we didn’t have too nickels to rub together. On his way home from work – tired as he was, he would stop and go out into the fields and collect the buds and bring me a beautiful bouquet! He would do this several times during the growing season. What a guy!!

Here we are – 49 Valentines’ Days later and those are still some of my treasured memories.

We all know that love isn’t about a day. True love is a way of life.

“Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.” I John 4:7-10 ERV

True love is found in God. He IS love and all that love is, is found in Him.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. 8 Love will never end.” I Corinthians 13:4-8 ERV

Love gives and never gives up. Love forgives and forgets. Love is filled with hope and kindness.

We can never be separated from the unconditional love of God.

“Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 ERV

The Father demonstrates His unconditional love to us each day of each year of our lives. God’s love for us will never end because God, Himself, has no end.

Happy Unconditional Love of God Day!

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Roaring Oceans

For the last couple of days, I have shared with you the Scriptures that keep me on a solid footing each day. In my 68, almost 69, years there have been days with roaring waves and those of calm seas. What I’ve learned in my relationship with the Father is He wants me to be at peace regardless of what I see around me.

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

Sadly, I admit, I haven’t always enjoyed being alone with just my thoughts. My heart would become anxious. Maybe you’re like that. But it’s in this quiet that God reassures us of His presence.

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. 3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah …He is there to help even before sunrise. 6 Nations will shake with fear and kingdoms will fall when God shouts and makes the earth move. 7 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah 8 Look at the powerful things the Lord has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth…10 God says, ‘Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.’ 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah” Psalm 46 ERV

The Psalmist recognizes that there will be earthquakes, raging seas and rough times but it also says God is there to help us even before the sun rises. We are told to stop fighting. I think that refers to fighting our own fears and anxiousness because it goes on to say, “I am the one who controls the world; I am the place of safety”. The Psalm ends with the word Selah which means to pause, reflect, and take time to let what you just heard sink in.

I used to hate being alone with my thoughts, focusing on the quiet of my own heart. It told me I was unworthy, I was alone, I wouldn’t amount to anything. It pointed out all my failures and my shortcomings. But that wasn’t really my heart talking that was my mind. I never measured up so why did I want a quiet time to reflect on all that was wrong with me?

It was in that quiet time of reading, learning and applying God’s word that I found peace, true peace. It provided me with my firm foundation.

“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

When I come to the Father’s throne, in the quiet of the morning, I find grace, mercy, kindness and help. I find Jesus!

This time before the sun rises is where I find help for when the oceans roar!

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Unshakable, Immovable Part 2

This morning’s blog will be the conclusion of yesterday’s teaching.

I want everyone to realize that God’s promises are still true. They haven’t lost their power and they aren’t being withheld because we aren’t worthy to receive them. That’s just not the case.

Let’s continue…

But it’s not a given – the promises of God are true, but we have to appropriate them.

We all have electricity in our houses. But if we don’t know to turn on the switch we will sit in the cold and the dark. It’s that simple. Christ paid the bill, the power is flowing, we have to release that power.

2nd reason: There is a very real devil who is working against us. He wants to destroy us and he will if we don’t fight back.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

When satan came and tempted Jesus, He resisted the devil’s attacks by using Scripture.  We must follow His example.

 “7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.8 Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. 9 But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith.” I Peter 5:7-9 CEV

3rd reason: We get rebellious and want to do things are own way.   Just like a child who is told not to touch the stove because its hot – if the child reaches up to touch the stove, ignoring the father’s advice, and gets burned that’s not the father’s fault. He didn’t allow it or cause it. It was an act of our will.

“16 Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.”. James 3:16 CEV

4th reason: We get tired of fighting and give up. Seeing God’s promises come to pass is not for the faint of heart.  The Apostle Paul says it’s a spiritual battle. Don’t be moved away from God’s word, therein is our victory!

“Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. 13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:12-13 ERV

Never, ever, are we alone. The Father has promised to never leave us or abandon us.  We might get weary and want to give up but if we ask, God will give us all the strength we need.

“Christ gives me the strength to face anything” Philippians 4:13 CEV

God will not force His protection and blessings on us. We have to believe and receive His promises. There’s nothing the devil wants more than to defeat us and make others think God’s word doesn’t work. If he can deceive, he can defeat.

God’s word has stood the test of time, the very gates of hell cannot prevail against it. When we stand on God’s word, we will be unshakable and immovable!

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Unshakable, Immovable

A few days back a friend and I were discussing all the senseless tragedies that have been in the news lately. Some people want to blame God for what’s occurring. I would like to go on record, “this is not God’s fault”.

What I’m about to share with you now are the words that came pouring from my heart. The word of God is my unshakable, immovable, solid rock foundation. In these uncertain times we need a firm foundation.

“ Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me 48 is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When the flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn’t even shake. 49 But anyone who hears what I say and doesn’t obey me is like someone whose house wasn’t built on solid rock. As soon as the river rushed against that house, it was smashed to pieces!” Luke 6:47-49 CEV

Let’s take a look at God’s word. He has given us a free will and He will not violate that. We are free to choose His blessings or to reject them. The choice of building our lives on the solid rock of God’s word is ours. God will not usurp our will to keep us from going to hell nor will He force us to accept any of his other blessings or His help.

“God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. II Peter 3:9 KJV

Psalms 103:1-5 tells us that the Lord forgives all our sins and heals all of our diseases but there are very few people I know who actually live free from the guilt of sin in every area of their lives or who live in divine health, 100% of the time. Does that mean that God lied when He said all, or does it mean we are unworthy to receive those blessings? NEVER!

If we are in Christ, children of the Father, all His promises belong to us.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

Why do bad things happen to good people? 

If we don’t know that God’s promises belong to us, all of His promises, then we blindly and ignorantly accept the evil being done without fighting back. If we don’t know that God wants us protected, well, prospered, worry-free, forgiven and loved then that lack of knowledge will destroy us. We will have no foundation.

“My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge…” Hosea 4:6 ERV

But if we know we can fight against those things and be victorious, it changes the outcome.

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

If we are in Christ, and we are as Christians, we are promised victory. I have more to share on this so there will be a part two tomorrow.

Don’t give up, don’t quit! Build on a solid foundation; we will be unshakable and immovable!

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Coals of Fire

I woke up this morning and it was chilly! Not cold, like it was in Montana or Idaho but chilly. We had gone to bed last night and had neglected to turn on the heat.

I found myself, in my sleep, tugging on the blanket and bedspread. I needed it tucked under my chin to keep me warm. I looked at the clock and it read 3:30. Ok, time to get up. When I came out to the living room, I realized why there was a chill in the air. The electric fireplace wasn’t on.

I turned the fireplace on; went straight to the coffee pot and got that started, picked up a lap robe and waited for the room to warm and the coffee to brew. Aww, comfort. I am so thankful for warmth of home.

As I sat here enjoying the increase in temperature a Scripture came to mind. You knew I was going to say that, right? Well, it did.

“If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. 22 This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads. And the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22 CEV

And then these verses came to mind almost immediately after that.

“Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. 28 Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you… 31 Treat others just as you want to be treated.32 If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them…35 But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. 36 Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.” Luke 6:27-36 CEV

What a lesson God is wanting us to learn! Be kind to our enemies, do good to those who hate us – feed them, clothe them, provide them with warmth. Really Lord?

He wants us to follow His example. This is exactly what He has done for each of us.

“But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven.” Ephesians 2:5-6 CEV

He showered us with forgiveness; He covered us with His unconditional love! The Father is asking us to share what we have received.

“Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” 22 Jesus answered: Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!” Matthew 18:21-22 CEV

These verses give us amazing insight into the Father’s love and forgiveness for us.

I’m glad the house was chilly. The Lord took the time to remind me of how He wants me to treat others; I’m to fill their lives with the warmth of His love.

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One More Time!

Yesterday I shared some insights from the book of Joshua. It seemed appropriate to draw on that book again today.

Years ago, I was given a copy of the book, Victorious Christian Living by Alan Redpath. It was written in 1955, long before much was being said about victory in the lives of Christians. Redpath uses Joshua’s experiences to show us how God has designed for us to win. (I would encourage you to find a copy [ebay’s a good place] and read it.)

This morning I was reading about all the kings that came out to fight Joshua and the Israelites when the entered their Promised Land. Moses had led them in successful military campaigns before they crossed the Jordan River but Joshua was given the responsibility to lead the warriors as they defeated the many kings occupying the land.

“…The total number of kings was 31.” Joshua 12:24 ERV

Joshua went from battle to battle. Sometimes he was the aggressor but at other times four or five kings would form an alliance and come out to attack him and the Israelite army. Each time Joshua headed into battle the Lord would give him the same message.

“All these kings met together at the small river of Merom. They joined their armies together into one camp and made plans for the battle against Israel. 6 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid of that army, because I will allow you to defeat them. By this time tomorrow, you will have killed them all.” Joshua 11:5-6 ERV

Don’t be afraid – one more time go out to battle; one more time I will give you the victory.

Joshua wasn’t the only one who faced repeated battles. Young David first fought Goliath and then he battled many enemy armies, including one his oldest son led against him. Jesus also faced many personal attacks. Satan came to him with three different temptations when Jesus was physically and emotionally weak. He had just completed a 40 day fast when Satan tempted him with food, with proving his deity and with world-wide acclaim.

“Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan! The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!’ 11 So the devil left him. Then some angels came to Jesus and helped him.” Matthew 4:10-11 ERV

Joshua and David won great victories because they trusted God’s word. Jesus was victorious over the temptations of the devil because He placed His trust in God’s word.

The Christian life isn’t void of trials or attacks but like Joshua and even more, like Jesus we can go from victory to victory when we put our trust and confidence in the promises of God.

“But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 ERV

I just had the feeling that some of you woke up this morning with a battle ahead of you. The Lord wanted me to remind you, you’re not in this alone. “Be not afraid, send the devil running. Our victory comes from the Lord”. You’ve got this – He’s got this!

Trust Him – one more time!

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