Category: June2024

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Designed With Purpose

I’ve been sitting here for quite some time talking with the Father. It’s premature to share what He is putting on my heart and what I am feeling led to do so, I have sat quietly in His presence, listening.

On the credenza in my living room is this little pot. I’m not sure of its age but it is primitive in making. The surface is rough, not glazed; the rim has a notch out of it, possibly from years of use. The bottom isn’t flat, so it leans to the side and the bottom is discolored from smoke. Not an attractive piece but usable.

I guess that’s how I’m feeling this morning. Not an attractive piece, not fine china or a crystal vase but usable.

“But, Lord, you are our father. We are like clay, and you are the potter. Your hands made us all.” Isaiah 64:8 ERV

God has a purpose for each of our lives, for our entire life. We are never too young, after all God used Samuel when he was just a boy and never too old, Noah was 600 when he built the ark.

We are never too rich – Solomon used his wealth to honor the Lord God and never too poor, the widow in the temple only had two mites (half pennies) to give to the Lord and he took note of it.

“…Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. 7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 CEV

We are just the vessel that God uses; it’s His power and glory that are seen through us. We simply need to be willing to be used.

Are you dealing with something today that you feel is just TOO big for you to handle? Good!

God isn’t looking at our ability; He’s asking for our availability!

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. 24 Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.” Psalm 139:23-24 ERV

I would much rather be a clay pot that is used on a daily basis than a crystal vase that sits on the shelf and is rarely used.

Father, use us today in spite of our rough exterior and our bumps and smudges. You are deserving to receive all honor and glory and praise!

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Growing Stronger

Those words jumped off the page to me – “grow strong in faith”. Faith: complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Faith according to the writer of Hebrews is “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The title deed. Over the past several months I have helped a number of people through the process of transferring title. Once that is done, the property is legally and officially theirs. Faith is our title deed – it is our assurance that God has transferred His promises to us.

“And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17 AMP

A large portion of my early life was spent struggling, worrying, facing the insecurity of my failures and unworthiness. But then I began hearing messages on faith, not in my abilities but in God’s. My spiritual life began to grow stronger, like a plant in the garden that had received an infusion of fertilizer.

“But I am like a green olive tree growing in God’s Temple. I will trust God’s faithful love forever and ever. 9 God, I praise you forever for what you have done. I will speak your name before your followers because it is so good!” Psalm 52:8-9 ERV

How many millions of Christians are like I was wanting to believe God but struggling to trust?

“ So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 ERV

That’s my goal each day; to help others grow stronger in their faith. The Apostle Paul said in Romans that faith comes by hearing and by hearing the WORD of God. That’s why it’s so important for me to fill these morning devotions with God’s word. My opinion and experiences won’t build faith, they can be examples, but faith comes by trusting in God’s word and His faithfulness.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4 ERV

It is my desire to see each of you grow in faith, as you grow in the knowledge of what your relationship with Christ has given you. You have received a marvelous inheritance, the title deed to God’s promises for living the life God has provided.

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New Road Ahead

This morning, I was surprised to see a photo I had taken three years ago come up on my FB feed. Alot has happened since then.

Dave and I left our home in Rio Rico for a month of camping. We were excited to be taking most of the summer away. Little did we know that our lives were about to change in a dramatic way. Less than two weeks later we had been hired to camp host at Big Lake for the summer.

New friends, new adventures, new challenges and new ministry. God had set our course on a path we had only briefly thought about.

“ The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down, because the Lord holds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 NLV

By the end of that summer we knew more changes were coming. We sold our home and moved into our RV. We were now fulltime RVers and were living closer to our daughters and smallest grandchildren.

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

It was hard to imagine what those changes would mean. We have made so many new and wonderful friends during these past three years. Campers, co-workers, neighbors – the Lord has blessed our lives richly.

“The Lord guides our steps, and we never know where he will lead us.” Proverbs 20:24 ERV

We may not know the definite destination when the Lord begins to lead but we can be certain of one thing – it will be good!

“The Lord is my shepherd.  I will always have everything I need. 2 He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water. 3 He restores my strength.  He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.” Psalm 23:1-3 ERV

Maybe you feel the Lord leading you to something new or maybe you’re like us and were just off for a fun camping trip when new doors opened, don’t be afraid to follow His leading.

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

Trust the Lord and His goodness to lead you. You won’t be disappointed.

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Let God’s Word Speak

This morning, I sat here for quite a while waiting for the words to come. In the quiet I listened and I read.

When our hearts are open to the Lord, when we genuinely desire to hear from Him, He speaks. Not in some big religious lights-in-the-sky way but in a quiet way that touches our hearts with a life-altering message.

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. 6 You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright. 7 I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. 8 I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. 9 With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.

10 I am your chosen one. You won’t leave me in the grave or let my body decay. 11 You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:5-11 CEV

All I want – reminds me of another of David’s Psalms. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I don’t want for anything”. A bright future, guidance, protection, and safety.

Here it is again, we are chosen (before the foundation of the world), we have been given life. God is always near to us and in His presence is a place of joy!

Before I started to read, the lyrics from a MercyMe song were my morning prayer. Word of God Speak:

“I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice…”

I don’t know what specific word God wants to speak to you this morning however, I do know if you are still while you are reading the Word of God will speak to your heart.

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Olly Olly Oxen Free

Right now, there are three littles up in the loft, still sleeping. We had a great day yesterday. They had so much fun and are loving our new home and it will be a place they can enjoy for years to come.

It’s hard for me to follow my normal morning routine without waking them so this morning I’d like to share something I wrote some years back. A few days back I wrote about “Hide and Seek”, which was really more about seeking than hiding. Today I will share on how and when we need to hide.

As a kid, we used to have great games of hide n seek on our block on a summer evenings. Most of the time I would be one of the first caught because I was one of the youngest and didn’t hide too well.

Occasionally there would be that time when no one could find me and I dreaded hearing them call out “Olly, Olly, Oxen Free”. (Side note: I have since learned that really had been “All ye, all ye, outs in free”.) I didn’t want to reveal my hiding place because I could use it again. I was safe and well hidden.

In life there have been times that I have stood in the face of trouble and defiantly said give me your best shot – I can take it. Sometimes this was a foolish confidence in my own strength and at other times it was a secure declaration of my victory in Christ.

But there have also been those times that my desire was to be securely hidden; not wanting to be seen or found because I needed a time to rest.

God is so good that way! Giving us time to hide under the shadow of His wings; time to regain our strength, time to build spiritual muscle, time to grow in Him.

“You are a hiding place for me. You protect me from my troubles. You surround me and protect me, so I sing about the way you saved me. Selah 8 The Lord says, “I will teach you and guide you in the way you should live. I will watch over you and be your guide.” Psalm 32:7-8 ERV

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” Psalm 91:1-2 ERV

“Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:30-31 CEV

Whether you’re on the front lines of battle today or in a secure place of hiding I want you to know that the Father is there to give you rest when you’re weary, strength for the battle and victory over the enemy.

“Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

It’s ok to hide when He is our hiding place!

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The Littles

Today is our youngest daughter and son-in-law anniversary, 11 years. Today we will have those we affectionately call the littles for a sleepover. Sam, 8, Kristine 6 and Elizabeth 4. We have a new home for them to come to, new sleeping bags, and other new things to make it special.

The one thing that isn’t new is the love we have for them and the joy we have in spending time with them. I know many of you can relate. We will be tired when they leave but we are so glad we live close enough that they can come.

That’s just like God!

He loves it when we come to His house.

“ For a day in Your house is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be the one who opens the door of the house of my God, than to live in the tents of the sinful. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and a safe-covering. The Lord gives favor and honor. He holds back nothing good from those who walk in the way that is right.” Psalm 89:10-11 NLV

It’s so good to go to the Father’s house.

“ I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Psalm 122:1 NLV

Why do we think the Lord is any less excited to see us than we are to see our children and grandchildren come home? Our heavenly Father is the example of how loving parents should be.

Yes, there is discipline, instruction and correction because that’s what loving parents and grandparents do but there is so much more. There is unconditional love and overwhelming joy.

“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLV

“Go into His gates giving thanks and into His holy place with praise. Give thanks to Him. Honor His name. 5 For the Lord is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. And He is faithful to all people and to all their children-to-come.” Psalm 100:4-5 NLV

We are all the Father’s littles and we are always welcome in His presence.

“Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.” Matthew 19:13-14 ERV

Take time to be in the Father’s presence today. He is always glad to have us come!

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