Category: February2022

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What Matters Most

I’m going to ask you to think about doing something. Something different, something special.

I want you to make a list, an actual physical list not just one in your head, of 10 things you want your children, your grandchildren, your closest friends and people in general to remember about you when you’re gone.

Several years ago, I brought up the same thought in one of my writings. Since then, my Mom has passed and a number of dear friends. In fact, just a couple weeks ago I was asked to speak at one friend’s memorial – the thing I could recall most vividly was her kindness and her love for the Lord.

I was reading in Joshua again this morning and was reminded what the 2 1/2 tribes of Israel that stayed on the East side of the Jordan wanted people to remember about them.

As they were returning to the land they had been promised, they stopped and built an altar, an altar that their fellow tribesmen thought was sacrilege. However, look at the reply of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh.

“…No, we built the altar to remind us and you and the generations to come that we will worship the Lord. And so we will keep bringing our sacrifices to the Lord’s altar, there in front of his sacred tent. Now your descendants will never be able to say to our descendants, ‘You can’t worship the Lord.’ But if they do say this, our descendants can answer back, ‘Look at this altar our ancestors built! It’s like the Lord’s altar, but it isn’t for offering sacrifices. It’s here to remind us and you that we belong to the Lord, just as much as you do’…The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar ‘A Reminder to Us All That the Lord Is Our God.’” Joshua 22:29-30 & 34 CEV

A reminder to us all that the Lord is our God! I want my life to have reminders that the Lord is my God.

I think people will probably remember that I was a good cook and I love to entertain. It makes me happy to have people in my home and I enjoy honoring my friends and neighbors. Maybe, people will remember this blog that came every morning, but more than anything I want people to remember my love for the Lord and His word.

Let me ask again, what things do you want to be remembered for? What matters most?

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The Delivery

I can’t even begin to tell you how many deliveries we have had since we took possession of our new home. There are so many little things I couldn’t find after the move or I didn’t think I’d need any longer and sold, only to replace them.

It’s one thing to receive a delivery of something I’ve ordered but there’s a completely separate emotion and excitement when I see that it is something which has been sent by a friend or family member.

Never once have I taken that unexpected arrival, set it on the table and left it to be opened later. No, it’s one of those “find the box knife and open it carefully” moments. Everything about this unexpected gift says it’s special.

I was remembering this morning the boxes my Mom used to send when I was in college. The boxes would be wrapped in brown paper and there would be stickers or handwritten drawings on the wrapping. Inside there were cookies, homemade candies, a favorite magazine, stationery and stamps – little things that told me she loved me.

Now, imagine today one of those delivery drivers stops at your house with a package. You don’t recognize the store or the return address. It’s addressed to you but from whom?

It’s the most wonderful gift ever! You’re overcome with emotion. Tears stream down your face; words can’t express the gratitude. You are overwhelmed and now you grab the phone and call the giver of this precious gift and say, “I’m sorry I can’t receive this. I don’t deserve it and I’ll be sending it back.” Really? No, not at all. You call and express your gratitude and love, or at least that’s what I would do.

Do you know that this is exactly what God has done for us? Let me show you.

““All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ. 25-26 God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people’s sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair. He was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. And in our own time he still does what is right. God worked all this out in a way that allows him to judge people fairly and still make right any person who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 ERV

God’s great grace and love gave us something we didn’t deserve. Something we won’t ever earn, something we will never be able to buy. It’s a gift!

It’s a gift of love that comes straight from the Father’s heart. The gift is new life, a relationship with God the Father. We’re saved from the punishment of sin. Jesus took the punishment for us! Why? To show us through all the time to come that He loves us.

I feel I have been given the job of the delivery driver. I get to bring the gift to your home. Once you open it, make sure you call the Father and thank Him for this amazing gift of love!

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Love, Not Fear

Years ago, our first year of marriage to be exact, Dave was in law enforcement. Each day he would head out the door into an unknown world filled with danger. I could sit home and fret or I could trust the Lord.

I remember specifically praying one of those first mornings, “Lord, you love David more than I do. I don’t want anything to happen to him so I am putting him in your care. Bring him home to me at the end of each shift. I love You more than I love David. I will trust You”.

And I did trust the Lord and I knew Dave was safely wrapped in God’s love.

Yesterday I had several times throughout the day that I found myself focusing on the Father’s love. I could see, in my mind’s eye, the love of God surrounding me like a shield, protecting me from every side. It was amazing.

I gained a new understanding of this verse:

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear.” I John 4:18 ERV

Understanding the depth of God’s love will drive out fear. Realizing that I am completely surrounded, shielded, by the Father’s love removes all fear. The Bible tells us that God is love. Since He is love and He promises to never leave us or abandon us, we will always be shielded by that love.

“God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children.” Romans 8:15-16 CEV

No longer enslaved by fear, we are children of a loving Father and nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from His love.

“God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. 10 Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.” I John 4:9-10

During the month of February we celebrate love and there is no greater love than the love of the Father!

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A Shield of Love

I couldn’t sleep last night so I found a movie to watch, Mountain Top. The main character is played by Barry Corbin who is falsely accused of embezzling $100,000. It wouldn’t be top-rated in any genre but the acting was good and the plot was refreshing.

The lead character had an unwavering faith in God’s provision even when those around him doubted. It was that kind of faith that comes from walking with the Lord for years and depending on Him in all situations.

“The Lord is truthful; he can be trusted. He loves justice and fairness, and he is kind to everyone everywhere on earth.” Psalm 33:4-5 CEV

It gave me pause. I’m not always good when people falsely accuse me of wrongdoing. In fact, I’ve been known to jump in and make things worse. This is one area that the Lord is still helping me with – keeping my mouth shut and letting Him defend me.

“Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, ‘I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.’” Romans 12:19 CEV

Jesus knew what it was like to be unjustly accused. It seems every time He taught someone was there to malign Him. Jesus would redirect the conversation and point His accusers back to the Father. Even at His trial, He stood silent.

I’m really not sure why the Lord put this subject on my heart this morning, but I know I had to be faithful to write it. Maybe some of you are dealing with false accusations; it could be that you are being threatened with losing your job or a relationship because of lies.

“But let those who trust in you be happy forever. Protect and strengthen those who love your name. 12 Lord, when you bless good people, you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.” Psalms 5:11-12 ERV

I want to encourage you to let the Lord fight the battle. Place yourself behind His shield of love!

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An Audience with the King

I have a very strong image of God, the Father, as my heavenly father. I often see Him in my mind’s eye, sitting with me, as a father does with his daughter. There is a familiarity that comes with the closeness of His love. It gives me great comfort.

Then I come across verses that I read this morning and if brings me back to the fact that my Father, my heavenly Father, is the ruler of the universe. There is no power greater than His.

He reigns in majesty!

“Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place,
  and it will never be moved. 2 You have always ruled, and you are eternal.

3 The ocean is roaring, Lord! The sea is pounding hard. 4 Its mighty waves are majestic,
  but you are more majestic, and you rule over all. 5 Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.” Psalm 93 CEV

You have always ruled…always. And He still does!

I remember the words from a movie I like. The king has disguised himself as a commoner so he could live among his subjects. At a climaxing moment in the movie, he reveals himself as king. He makes this statement, “I am king and as such my words are incontestable”!

The words of a king are law and as such they are not to be argued with. What he says is established.

Our Father, the King, has established His word forever.

“The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.” Matthew 24:35 CEV

The stars are held in place by his word, the seas hold their ebb by his word, the sun rises and sets according to his word. We can put our trust in His word and know that He will not lie and He will not change. His word is incontestable!

That gives me great confidence and hope. The Almighty God, the One who was, who is and who will always be, is the ruling force behind the words I base my life on. There is no one, no force of nature, no government, no other power who can stop His word from coming to pass.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are invited to come bravely before the throne of Almighty God and find help. He has extended the invitation. We have full access to an audience with the King!

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Goodness – Gracious

My new backyard has me looking at the Superstition Mountains. Each morning and evening when I look at their majesty, I find myself using an old expression, Goodness Gracious. That’s something my grandmother would have said.

I started thinking – what does that really mean? When she said it, it would have meant
“God, you are so good; look at the beauty You have designed”.

What does it mean to be gracious? Some definitions are godly character, kindness, dignity, mericiful, compassionate. Gracious – displaying grace.

Nature is a display of God’s goodness and grace.

So what is grace?

Grace: receiving the goodness of God that we don’t deserve. It is given freely with no strings attached. The grace of God took Jesus to the cross long before we were ever born so that we could be brought into right relationship with the Father.

In II Peter 3, the entire chapter is written about the return of the Lord to earth. Peter says that some will grow weary waiting, others will call it foolish but he admonishes us to be ready. God is not willing that any should perish but He desires that all should repent. The reason it’s taking so long for Him to return is the Father wants all to come to salvation in Him. He wants everyone to experience His grace; He is gracious!

We are to grow in grace. That doesn’t mean we acquire more grace but that we understand the scope of God’s grace to a greater extent. When we are born human, we have all the “humanness” we will ever have but we grow in our capacity to understand and function in our humanity. It’s the same with our life given to us by grace.

As we grow in our knowledge of the Father, we see more clearly how His grace is given to each and everyone of us. We see that He has provided for us through His amazing love and goodness. He is merciful and He is gracious (full of grace). We are to be like Him. Growing in grace causes us to see that our failures and those of others are covered by His grace and so we can go forward, forgiving as we ourselves have been forgiven.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” II Peter 3:18 KJV

or maybe you understand it better this way

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

I pray that you have “goodness – gracious” moments in your day. Things that take your breath away – things that remind you of God’s goodness and grace!

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Quiet the Roar

Do you get tired of all the noise? The TV blaring, traffic, the noise at work, the negative conversations. Then there are the noises in our own heads, the unanswered “what if’s”. All of these are trying to steal our peace.

I guess that’s why I love early mornings so much – no sounds except the coffee pot, the refrigerator, and my Father and I talking heart to heart.  I love it! It seems to put everything in perspective.

I’ve been asked why I get up so early – habit, years of habit. Now that I’m retired, I’m glad that rising early was a practice I started when I had small children, was a home-schooling mom, had a business to run and all the daily chores that so many of you do. Rising early gave me time to focus on what’s important, on the One who is most important and who can walk me through each part of my day.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 KJV

I know I share a lot on being still. I guess that’s because I need to be reminded to keep focused on God’s peace.

In the first few verses of Psalm 46 the Psalmist talks about all the noise – the mountains rumble, the oceans roar, the earth quakes and wars rage. Sounds like the headlines from today’s news. But he also goes on to say that we don’t have to be afraid because God is our refuge and strength – a help in times of trouble!

“God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. 3 Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains. 4 A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High. 5 God is in that city, and it won’t be shaken. He will help it at dawn. 6 Nations rage! Kingdoms fall! But at the voice of God the earth itself melts. 7 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come! See the fearsome things the Lord has done on earth.9 God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields. 10 Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.’
11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46 CEV

Stop the noise today – pull aside and be still and know your God!

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Good Seeds Good Soil

In years past this is the time I start thinking about what I will be planting in my garden. This year there will be no garden. There’s no place to put one in at the RV park.

Although I won’t be planting a physical garden with tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro and the like, I am expecting another kind of harvest.

The primary step to ensure a successful garden is the preparation of the soil. One place we lived had horrible soil. It was rocky and the base was a sticky clay. I had to break up the ground, remove the stones and then add multiple bags of good soil into my garden bed. It was hard to get a good harvest.

“Plow your fields, scatter seeds of justice, and harvest faithfulness. Worship me, the Lord,
and I will send my saving power down like rain.” Hosea 10: 12 CEV

The hard ground of our hearts needs to be broken up too; the stones of bitterness, selfishness, jealousy and anger need to be removed. Good, fertile soil needs to be brought in.

“Jesus told them: If you don’t understand this story, you won’t understand any others. 14 What the farmer is spreading is really the message about the kingdom. 15 The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But Satan soon comes and snatches it away from them. 16 The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. 17 But they don’t have any roots, and they don’t last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.

18 The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. 19 But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. 20 The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was planted.” Mark 14:13-20 CEV

There are four kinds of ground in this story that Jesus is telling – the hard soil of the road, the rocky ground, the ground with weeds and the good ground. The same seed is being spread on all the ground, it’s the message of God’s kingdom.

Hard-heartedness, lack of being rooted, anxiety and worry kept the seed from growing in each of the first three soils. The good ground is those who hear God’s message and take it to heart. These are tender hearted and the seed takes root and produces a good harvest.

I’m taking inventory – preparing my heart. Have I allowed the ground to get hard? Are there stones that need to be removed, perhaps it’s time to weed out the thorns of distraction and worry?

I want the seed of God’s word to be in a constant state of production. “Lord, I desire to have a heart of good soil that creates an environment for the good seed of Your word to grow”.

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