Category: June2018

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Speak Up

I was thinking about Esther this morning. A young girl in a foreign land and she changed her world!

Her story can be read in the book with her name. The book of Esther is only 10 chapters long. It’s an easy read and I encourage you to take time to learn about this courageous young woman.

Esther was raised by her uncle, Mordecai, after her parents had died. She was a Jewish girl being raised in captivity in Persia. The Scripture says that she was very beautiful.

King Xerxes had thrown a party for all of his leaders; governors and officials, military commanders and anyone with influence. This was a display of Xerxes wealth and the greatest of his kingdom. We are told the display lasted for 180 days. A 6 month party.

While the men were being entertained by King Xerxes the women were spending time with their hostess, Queen Vashti. It was a jubilant time.

About 7 days into the celebration, the king called for his queen. He wanted her to wear her crown and show off her beauty. She refused his command. King Xerxes became very angry and he wrote a law saying that Queen Vashti would never see his face again. He divorced her and had her removed.

Now all this is in the first chapter…A search was made for the most beautiful women in the land. The king would choose someone to replace Vashti. Esther was brought to the palace with many other young women. They went through a year of beauty treatments and then were brought before the king.

Now I hope that’s enough to wet your appetite to read more of the story. Remember Esther was a Jewish girl in a foreign country being brought before the king. What an amazing story!

So what has all this got to do with speaking up?  We’ll get there.

After she was selected as queen, Esther’s uncle learned of a plot to destroy all the Jews in Persia. He came to Esther and told her that she must speak for her people.

One of my favorite verses in the book of Esther is this. Mordecai sent her this message.

“Mordecai answered, “Do not think that you in the king’s special house will live any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep quiet at this time, help will come to the Jews from another place. But you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows if you have not become queen for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:13-14 NLV

“Have you become queen for such a time as this?” Destiny. God’s plan for Esther was evident to her uncle. She had a purpose, she needed to speak up to save her people.

Have you ever felt you should speak up about something but fear kept you from it?

 What is the purpose and plan that God has ordained for you? Esther’s uncle said if SHE didn’t step forward that God would provide someone else as a deliverer.

King David proclaimed:

“The Lord’s arm is raised in victory. The Lord has shown his great power again. 17 I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:16-17 ERV

What is it that God has asked you to declare? Your testimony of God’s goodness and love could be the very thing that will keep someone from falling into discouragement, depression, self-pity or loneliness.

Look for your purpose and plan today. Let God work through you to bring deliverance to those around you. Speak up!

You are here “for such a time as this”.

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Bad News! What Bad News?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to live the devotional I had just written – Good, Better, Best! Sometimes you just know the Lord is setting you up to see things His way…

I had been waiting months to receive news about a physical issue I have been dealing with. Yesterday was the day. I was going to get an answer, the end was in sight.

But the answer I received was not the answer I was  hoping for. My heart sank down into my shoes. I wanted to cry but managed to hold it together. I was not going to let my emotions win! My faith and hope has always been in the Lord on this and I wasn’t going to back off now.

I thought I knew how God was going to work it all out and now that was gone. I had to be willing to give up what I thought was my “best” answer for His.

Several Scriptures came flooding in to fill my heart.

“Shout praises to the Lord! The Lord blesses everyone who worships him and gladly obeys his teachings…They won’t ever be troubled  and the kind things they do will never be forgotten. 7 Bad news won’t bother them; they have decided to trust the Lord. 8 They are dependable and not afraid” Psalm 112:1, 6-8 CEV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock.”     Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

I don’t know what kind of things you consider bad news. It may be something about your kids, your job, your finances, your health. Whatever it is I encourage you to “not be afraid”. This news doesn’t come as a surprise to the Lord. He knows and He has a plan to turn it for our good.

We can trust Him!

The thing that’s important is to keep your eyes focused on God’s word. The perfect peace comes when we have our minds stayed or established firmly on the Lord.

Take a look at a father who came to Jesus asking for his daughter to be healed.

“The person in charge of the Jewish meeting place was also there. His name was Jairus, and when he saw Jesus, he went over to him. He knelt at Jesus’ feet 23 and started begging him for help. He said, “My daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live.” 24 Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed along and kept crowding around...

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from Jairus’ home and said, “Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Jesus heard what they said, and he said to Jairus, “Don’t worry. Just have faith!”

37 Jesus did not let anyone go with him except Peter and the two brothers, James and John. 38 They went home with Jairus and saw the people crying and making a lot of noise. 39 Then Jesus went inside and said to them, “Why are you crying and carrying on like this? The child isn’t dead. She is just asleep.” 40 But the people laughed at him.

After Jesus had sent them all out of the house, he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples and went to where she was. 41-42 He took the twelve-year-old girl by the hand and said, “Talitha, koum!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got right up and started walking around.

Everyone was greatly surprised. 43 But Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.” Mark 5:22-24, 35-43 CEV

What you’re not reading here are verses 25-34 where Jesus and Jairus were stopped by a woman who had a blood issue. She reached out and touched Jesus, receiving the healing she needed. But her touch delayed Jesus and Jairus. I’m sure Jairus was very anxious – his daughter was dying, Jesus was going with him and they were delayed.

Then the worst thing happened. People came from Jairus’ home and said that his daughter had died. Jesus was unaffected by their report and told Jairus to have faith and not worry.

Don’t be moved by bad news!

Being in the presence of God is a good place to be. Just as Jesus was with Jairus in his time of need, the Lord is ever present with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Jairus walked on to his home with Jesus and saw the miraculous! His daughter was raised from the dead.

In Psalms we have a promise that when we are in His presence we can be full of joy.

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

So what do we do when bad news comes – what do we do with delays?

“ Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.” John 14:1 CEV

We keep our eyes on the Lord and we will be firmly established!

 

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Good, Better, Best

The last few days we have been watching a number of YouTube videos.

First ones were on auto repair because we (Dave) needed to replace an alternator. But then we started watching some just for fun. Looking at RV’s, 5th wheel trailers in general, toy haulers in particular.

We’ve always wanted to have a 5th wheel that we take trips with. We spent several summers living in an RV while we were in Iowa working so we have a pretty good idea of what we want and don’t want as far as design, build and options go.

All seem good, some are better and then there are those we consider the best.

But we do that with everything don’t we? Compare, I mean.

Making choices; which is right, who is better, what is best… The only real comparison that is necessary is the one that puts our decisions and choices in line with the word of God.

If we compare ourselves to others the Bible says we are unwise. And if we compare others to ourselves we generally end up judging.  We’re told that as  man we can only look on the outward appearance but the Lord sees the heart. So that really isn’t an accurate comparison either.

But when we compare ourselves to God’s word it will bring light and life to our situation. It will guide us in truth and that is a solid foundation.

“Our Lord, let the heavens now praise your miracles, and let all of your angels praise your faithfulness. 6 None who live in the heavens
can compare with you. 7 You are the most fearsome of all who live in heaven; all the others fear and greatly honor you. 8 You are Lord God All-Powerful! No one is as loving and faithful as you are. 9 You rule the roaring sea and calm its waves. 10 You crushed the monster Rahab, and with your powerful arm you scattered your enemies. 11The heavens and the earth belong to you. And so does the world
with all its people because you created them 12 and everything else.
Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon gladly praise you. 13 You are strong and mighty! 14 Your kingdom is ruled by justice and fairness
with love and faithfulness leading the way. 15 Our Lord, you bless those who join in the festival and walk in the brightness of your presence. 16 We are happy all day because of you, and your saving power brings honor to us. 17 Your own glorious power makes us strong, and because of your kindness, our strength increases. 18 Our Lord and our King, the Holy One of Israel, you are truly our shield.” Psalm 89:5-18 CEV

We don’t want to settle for anything less than the best.

Lord, nothing I desire compares with You!

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Instructions for Fatherhood

What a wonderful, challenging, frustrating, invigorating, demanding and out-right rewarding thing is fatherhood.

I was blessed with a loving and caring father. Not a perfect man by any means but a man who loved me and wanted the best for me. I have also been blessed with a wonderful, godly man who is my husband and father to my children. He, too, isn’t perfect but he is committed to me, his children and his grandchildren.

Men, fathers, have an tremendous responsibility. They are to be living examples of God’s love for us. Our heavenly Father loves unconditionally, protects, leads and instructs us in the ways of right living. Our earthly fathers are instructed to do the same.

The great thing, men, is that you have never been directed to do this on your own. God has given you His word and the Holy Spirit to help in your areas of weakness. Let’s look at a few of the verses given to you as fathers.

The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon as instruction in wisdom for his children. He constantly taught them to pursue wisdom and have reverence for the Lord.

“The reward for not having pride and having the fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.  5 Thorns and traps are in the way of the sinful. He who watches himself will stay far from them.  6 Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:4-7 NLV

These verses correctly state that living a life committed to the Lord brings reward. It also gives a directive to avoid traps and pitfalls. Teaching/training a child implies dedication to getting the job done. It doesn’t happen with just one instruction. No, children need repetition, discipline and boundaries as they are growing and learning.

However, all of the above should be done with a loving and compassionate heart.

“Fathers, don’t make your children angry, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord.”          Ephesians 6:4 ERV

““Remember these commands I give you. Keep them in your hearts. Write them down and tie them on your hands and wear them on your foreheads as a way to remember my laws. 19 Teach these laws to your children. Talk about these things when you sit in your houses, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 20 Write these commands on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 21 Then both you and your children will live a long time in the land that the Lord promised to give to your ancestors. You will live there as long as the skies are above the earth.”          Deuteronomy 11:18-21 ERV

Our children learn as much from our example as they do from our words. Maybe more.  A good father is someone who lives what they teach.

Joshua was a man like that. He had been Moses assistant and when Moses died it became his job to lead the Israelites into their promised land. This is a charge he gave the nation of Israel. He made it personal when he said “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. He wasn’t just telling his family to follow God but he was determined to follow the Lord himself.

“Then Joshua said to the people, “Now you have heard the Lord’s words. So you must respect the Lord and sincerely serve him. Throw away the false gods that your ancestors worshiped. That was something that happened a long time ago on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Now you must serve only the Lord.

15 “But maybe you don’t want to serve the Lord. You must choose for yourselves today. Today you must decide who you will serve. Will you serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River? Or will you serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land? You must choose for yourselves. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

16 Then the people answered, “We will never stop following the Lord. We will never serve other gods!” Joshua 24:14-16 ERV

The Apostle Paul gave the same type of fatherly advice to the Christians in Ephesus. Since God is our heavenly Father, as His children, we should follow His example.

“You are God’s dear children, so try to be like him. 2 Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave himself for us—a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 ERV

Ladies, I know this has been directed at fathers but we need to be praying for our fathers and husbands. They have been given an assignment by God and we need to be supporting them in what they’ve been called to do.

“Thank you Lord for godly men. Thank you for husbands and fathers who have a heart’s desire to see their children become adults who are honest, God loving, leaders in their own homes and communities. Give these men strength, wisdom, compassion and tenderness to lead as You lead. And for those who haven’t had fathers like this I thank you that You have never failed us. “

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Jumping to Conclusions

Have you ever done that? Come to a conclusion without knowing the facts? Me neither!

I wish I could say that were true but it’s not. Too many times I have looked at a situation and drawn a wrong conclusion. And then I repent.

The Bible is filled with stories of people who drew the wrong conclusion. Young Joseph was a servant in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar’s wife wanted to make Joseph her newest conquest. I guess we would call her a Mrs. Robinson. When Joseph refused her advances, she framed him and he was thrown in prison.

“Joseph’s master listened to what his wife said, and he became very angry. 20 So Potiphar put Joseph into the prison where the king’s enemies were held, and that is where Joseph remained. 21 The Lord was with Joseph and continued to show his kindness to him, so the commander of the prison guards began to like Joseph.”             Genesis 39:19-21 ERV

But notice, even when he was judged wrongly the Lord continued to bless Joseph with His kindness.

A young David was also the object of wrong conclusions. His brothers thought he was being a braggadocious teenager when he said he would go out and face Goliath.

“ David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him talking with the soldiers. Eliab was angry at him and said, “What are you doing here, anyway? Who’s taking care of that little flock of sheep out in the desert? You spoiled brat! You came here just to watch the fighting, didn’t you?”      I Samuel 17:28 CEV

We all know how that turned out. The Lord used David to kill Goliath and defeat the Philistine army. Even Samuel the priest, a man of God, jumped to the wrong conclusion when he first met David.

The Lord had sent him to David’s father’s house to anoint a new king. Samuel looked over all of David’s older brothers thinking that one of them was God’s chosen. Jesse, David’s father, also came to the wrong conclusion. He didn’t even invite David to the dinner. But the Lord corrected Samuel.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Eliab is tall and handsome, but don’t judge by things like that. God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. Eliab is not the right man.” I Samuel 16:7 ERV

There will be times when people jump to the wrong conclusion and make assumptions about who we are or how they think we should act. Our lives won’t be any different than those of Joseph and David.

It is incumbent upon us to follow the leading that the Lord has put in our hearts. Jesus gave this message to his followers early in His ministry.

“Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right.

    God’s kingdom belongs to them.

11 “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you. 12 Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 ERV

It’s so hard not to try and explain our actions or motives when we are misjudged much less to be happy about it. Our ultimate goal needs to be one of pleasing God and not man.

“We didn’t have any hidden motives when we won you over, and we didn’t try to fool or trick anyone. 4 God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn’t speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.”  I Thessalonians 2:3-4 CEV

I go to the Psalms time and again because I find so much instruction and comfort there, especially when I am misunderstood. King David’s life was filled with people who maligned him.  Remember just a few weeks back when we talked about David and his relationship with the Lord. God said that David was a man whose heart was toward God.

That may be the reason we see these words repeated over and over in David’s writings.

“Some people trust the power of chariots or horses,
    but we trust you, Lord God.
8 Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong
    and stand firm.” Psalm 20:6-8 CEV

One closing thought – as much as we hate to have people jump to the wrong conclusions about us, we must be on guard that we don’t fall into the same trap where others are concerned.

Father, my prayer is this. Let my words and my thoughts bring honor and glory to You. I trust You to give me the strength to stand on Your word even when no one seems to understand. Thank you for being trustworthy. Amen!

 

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Not Quite Enough

This morning I took some time to look back at some of the blogs I have posted. Amazing – there are so many of them that have a theme of hope.

How many times have we been right on the edge of accomplishment but fallen short? So many times it seems I have been right on the edge of making it, but like the golf ball above it’s just not quite there.

Those are the times when I have been trying to accomplish things on my own, making my own agenda and asking God to bless it, using my own efforts to make things happen my way.

Almost there but not quite.

Disappointment, heart ache, anger, discouragement, stress – all of these are the results of life moments that are almost there but not quite.

That’s the reason we need and have hope.

“… when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18 God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed.   We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:17-19 CEV

Our hope in God and His promises becomes the anchor for our emotions, our souls. Our hope in God, not in ourselves, keeps us steady, firm and well grounded.

Situations and circumstances of life come crashing in, like waves on the sea. When we have God’s kind of thinking we can see the victory and not become a victim. We can have hope when everyone else says it’s hopeless; we can have peace in the midst of a storm.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 43:5

We’re not like some who are just a hopin’ and a prayin’ but not expecting things to change. No, our hope has substance. Like Abraham who was 99 years old and had no child, he hoped against hope, knowing that God’s word was true.

“The Scriptures say that Abraham would become the ancestor of many nations. This promise was made to Abraham because he had faith in God, who raises the dead to life and creates new things.

18 God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. 19 Abraham’s faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly a hundred years old. He knew that he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children.” Romans 4:17-19 CEV

Hope in God!

King David had experienced many trials but also many victories because he kept his hope in God. When he went out to face Goliath as a young man, King Saul was concerned for his safety but David’s response was “The Lord delivered me from the lion and the bear, so who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”

When a problem comes that seems too big to handle that’s a good thing. It means God will show up to fight it for us. If the things we face in life are only small and insignificant we won’t gain any strength or character.

Now don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not saying that we should run around looking for trouble – not at all; it will come sure enough but when it does come, look up to your source of help – don’t loose hope!

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth. 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.” Psalm 121: 1-3

Just remember, when it seems things are falling short, not quite enough, we need to put our hope in God!

He is our help, the substance of our hope.

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Our Biggest Cheerleader

Do you realize that this year is half way completed? What goals are we accomplishing – what successes have we had so far?

Do you know that our Father is gracious and loving and He has such big plans for us? Plans for our success and benefit.

Oh my goodness – He is our biggest cheerleader! He is at every soccer game, basketball game, swim meet, 4H and FFA event and on every shoot. He’s there cheering us on and He does it with a good attitude and doesn’t say bad words if the “ref” gets it wrong.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

I used kids’ activities as my examples because each of us as a parent have been there to cheer our kids on and to tell them they are great. God does it too but in a much greater way.

He’s also there in every prayer we pray over our kids, He’s in on every discussion we have with our mate, He attends every business meeting, goes on every trip, is there for every sale and training session. He’s not a dead beat or absentee Father! He’s involved in our lives as much as we allow Him to be. He’s there!

He’s written everything down that we need to succeed. It’s not a suggestion book or an advice column. He has given us what we need to succeed in every area.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 NIV

He’s also given us a freewill. We can go out and try things on our own. We can fail, we can fall flat on our faces and He will be there to pick us up and set us on the right path once again.

Don’t we do this with our kids? How our hearts break when they try to do it on their own and don’t listen to our instruction. We know what’s best and they ignore us – and we love them anyway. We reach out to hold them, to comfort them and then to give them instruction once again. Our Father is just like that – where do you think we learned it?

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

If this year hasn’t brought a life of victory, maybe it’s because we are trying to do things on our own without reading the instruction manual, or it could be that our enemy has devised a plan against us. If it’s the former, we need to get in the book and take it to heart – “lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths”.

And if it’s the latter, get in the Word and take the authority that has been given us by the Father and put the enemy in his place. Don’t quit, don’t give up but go forward in the power and authority that the Father has made available 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 1:3-5 CEV

We have been given everything we need to live a life of victory – we have been given God’s great and precious promises!

He’s cheering us on today! Listen for His voice and follow His words. 

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A Father’s Day

Folks are thinking about Father’s Day. For over a  decade  I haven’t had my Dad to call but there are so many memories I hold dear in my heart.

And it makes my heart swell when I hear my kids and my husband say I wish Grandpa was here so he could do this or that. That honors his name and it brings a tear to my eye.

“Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.” Proverbs 17:6 ERV

It also fills me with joy when our kids, adults now, want to spend time with us doing the things  they know really mean something and bring us joy. Just being with our kids is a joy-filled moment. I love when they call and want to talk to Dad, “I need to ask his advice or have him help me with something.”

“Good people live right, and God blesses the children who follow their example.” Proverbs 20:7 CEV

I think it’s every loving father’s desire to see his children grow up to act and look like him.

He teaches them things when they are young and spends time with them as they grow and develop. It’s great when his kids like the things he likes and mirror him in their life decisions. No, he doesn’t want puppets – he wants kids that make good quality decisions and that mature into respectable young people and adults.

You know, our heavenly Father wants the same. So many times we read in the Bible that we are to follow our Father’s example and be like him. This is what Jesus was saying at the Sermon on the Mount.

“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48 But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-48 CEV

God, the Father, brings good to all – rain and sunshine. He has offered freely to all new life and desires relationship with everyone.

Let’s model His character today and reach out to all, even those who aren’t as nice to us as we would like. In doing so we are letting the love of the Father shine through us.

“Do as God would do. Much-loved children want to do as their fathers do. 2 Live with love as Christ loved you. He gave Himself for us, a gift on the altar to God which was as a sweet smell to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NLV

Make today and every day Father’s Day by honoring our heavenly Father.

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Worth Breaking the Budget

Have you ever taken time to evaluate your spending habits? We have lived on a budget all our married life.

Everything has a category and an amount and to the best of my ability I try to make it all line up each month. Need to be good stewards right?

This morning I was thinking about spending; spending for groceries, vehicles, clothing, furniture, entertainment, health and extravagances. The way we assign value differs from category to category. I want to get a “good deal” on my groceries so I clip some coupons and shop the ads.

We shop for the best buy when it comes to our furniture and vehicles and are always looking for a super sale. Then there are those things that we willing go into our savings to purchase; a child’s wedding or college education, medical expenses for a loved one. These require sacrifice but a sacrifice of love.

As I was reading in I Corinthians  I saw Paul repeat a phrase that he had used earlier in the book. And we all know that when the Bible repeats something we should be paying attention.

” God paid a high price for you,” I Corinthians 7:23 ERV

I want us to stop and think about our value this morning. Do we understand how priceless we are to the Father?

We’re not like a bunch of grapes or a bag of tomatoes that can be bought cheaply for $.99 per pound. We’re not like the new dress or new car that He waited for the big sale to purchase. We are invaluable to Him.

“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. He hid it again and was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned and bought the field. 45 “Also, God’s kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very fine pearl. He went and sold everything he had to buy it.” Matthew 13:44-26 ERV

The earth is the world, God the Father is the man, we are the treasure or the pearl and Jesus is the price that was paid!

What is it that would cause us to sell all we have – our home, our jewelry, our cars, our boat, our horses, our RV, cash in the CD’s and empty the savings account? What would be valuable enough to have us sell all to buy one treasure?

We are that treasure! God gave His only begotten Son to purchase us!

No words can convey what I am feeling in my heart this morning as I realize in a deeper way God’s love for me.

” And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:18-19 ERV

Father, I will take my words from the Psalms: “Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you. 4 By my life, I will praise you. In your name, I lift my hands in prayer”  Psalm 63:3-4 ERV

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A Good Cleaning

I like a clean and tidy house. It’s hard for me to sit and relax when I know that the bathrooms need to be cleaned or I can see dirty floors and dusty furniture.

I’ve always been that way. It’s a part of who I am. My mom kept a tidy house and from what I’ve read, it’s a part of my heritage.

Yesterday I was having a particularly hard time sitting and relaxing because I could see the dust on the floors and the furniture. Dave said it looked ok and wasn’t that bad but it was certainly annoying to me.

I once read a book on a Norwegian family and the woman, who was a bit older than I, told stories about her Mom and her compulsion for cleanliness. At one point in the book she said they moved into a home, it was clean or so she thought but her mother had them scrub the floors just in case the family that had lived there before wasn’t Norwegian and didn’t understand the importance of cleanliness the way they did.

Now I’m not that bad but my husband and children may take umbrage with that last statement. However, cleaning for me isn’t a chore, it’s enjoyable. I am thankful for my home and the things I have in it and want to keep them looking nice and not let them deteriorate or come to disrepair.

And with that confession I’m sure you are wondering how all of this applies to this morning’s devotional. Let me draw the correlation.

I know that the dust seeps in and requires my attention. Then there’s the dog hair and dusty feet or food spills in the kitchen, dirty sinks and smudged windows. It all requires my attention.

I would have a real problem if someone wanted to march through the house with muddy feet or walked through the rooms spilling garbage. More importantly, I would stand up to anyone that wanted to vandalize my home or bring in a bag of snakes and scorpions.

So how do you think the Holy Spirit feels when we let our actions, our words and our activities “dirty up” His home.

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 ERV

We are a valuable dwelling place – a temple, as it were, for the Holy Spirit to live in. We must not be careless and  allow His home to fall into disarray.

“Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model. 14 You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.” II Timothy 1:13-14 CEV

As I grow older I realize more each year how important it is that I keep my house clean. There’s no room for dishonesty, no room for bitterness or petty jealousy. I don’t want the garbage of lying, gossip, and criticism spread about and I certainly don’t want my dwelling to be vandalized by immoral living.

So it’s time for a good cleaning! Make the earthly home a place of welcome and comfort for the Holy Spirit.

” And don’t make the Holy Spirit sad. God gave you his Spirit as proof that you belong to him and that he will keep you safe until the day he makes you free. 31 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:30-32 ERV

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