Good Morning from Arizona!
Tomorrow we will be leaving the mountain and heading back to the valley. It’s been a wonderful season and we hate to see it end.
We are looking forward to the next few months in the Valley being closer to family and friends.
There will be no internet service in the morning, so I wanted to give you a head’s up. I won’t be posting a blog tomorrow.
Keep us in your prayers for safe roads and travel.
God bless you all.
I love this image. I don’t remember the first time I saw it but I do know it made an indelible impression. It could have been on the wall of Sunday School classroom, or maybe it was in my children’s Bible. It could have been hanging in one of the rooms in my grandma’s home but it has always stayed with me.
Time and again the Bible refers to the Lord as our Shepherd. Jesus even said that he was the good shepherd who gives his life for his sheep.
As a child it was so reassuring to know that Jesus was always there! In my teens and early 20’s I would sometimes wonder about His presence and even wander off to do things on my own, without His leading or assistance. But I don’t wonder anymore, I know, I am absolutely convinced there has never been a time when Jesus hasn’t been with me.
In Christ, I have it all!
“We are your people, the sheep of your flock. We will praise you forever. We will praise you forever and ever!” Psalm 79:13 ERV
A good shepherd provides food, rest, protection. He is constantly with his sheep and protects them from intruders and cares for them if they do get hurt. Our shepherd does the same – His death provides for our salvation; it makes us sound.
“And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” I Thessalonians 5:23 AMPC
The word sound means strong, able, with no defect. The walls of a house are sound. The conformation of an animal is sound. The supports of a bridge are sound.
I think it’s interesting that this isthe same word used for our relationship with Christ.
King David said it best: “The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 ERV
In Him I have it all – protection, provision, contentment, comfort, abundance.
“Then we, your people, will always thank you. We are like sheep with you as our shepherd,
and all generations will hear us praise you.” Psalm 79:13 CEV
We should never be silent. We should talk of the Lord’s goodness to those of your own generation and to those older and younger. Our younger generation needs to know the reality of God’s goodness.
The image of the Good Shepherd created a life-long impression for me. I want my children, grandchildren and great grands to know the goodness of the Shepherd. In Him, we have it all and I will sing His praises.
It’s chilly this morning – down to 37 when I got up. I am grateful for the warmth of my heater, grateful that I’m not tent camping but most grateful for the warmth I feel in my spirit.
The heater is nice but what’s better is the warmth of the glow of the Father’s love in my heart. Reading His word, this morning and every morning, I sense His love, goodness and grace. It sets my heart on fire.
I am having a hard time coming up with the words to express my wonder and amazement in the goodness of God and His love!
I have been reading through the book of John and am only now coming to the end of chapter 10. So far in this book Jesus has turned the water into wine, fed the 5000, calmed the storm, walked on water, healed the blind, defended the adulterous woman, healed a lame man and the centurion’s son.
He was setting the world on fire with the love and goodness of His Father but the religious leaders were doing all they could to extinguish the flame.
“It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. 23 Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon’s Porch. 24 The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, ‘How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.’
25 Jesus answered, ‘I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand. 30 The Father and I are one.’” John 10:22-30 ERV
Seriously? Everytime Jesus did something wonderful for the people, these men were there to question his motives and his character. They wanted to kill him for doing good!
In the face of accusation, Jesus stays on point. “I am doing what my Father sent me to do – the Father and I are one!”
That truly is the definition of love; love is patient and kind, love suffers long, love thinks the best.
Jesus is to be our example for walking in love. When we are falsely accused and maligned, when the folks around us are so angry that they would like to destroy us, can we walk in love?
I want to be Christ like, walking in that kind of love. I thank the Father that He is conforming me to His image so that the warmth of His love will flow through me to others.
This morning a phrase kept going through my head, it’s something I heard a preacher say long ago. That phrase is “when we come to Christ, we are complete, nothing missing, nothing broken”.
I don’t think there’s a person alive who at one time or another hasn’t felt alone, left out. When we were kids, someone was always the last to be chosen for the team, the last to be asked to participate, or the one who was never invited.
Christ came to change all that. He came to see that we are all included in the Father’s invitation of love.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 TLV
Peter knew firsthand about the Father’s all-inclusive love. He had denied Christ three times on the night of His trial, but the Lord showed him forgiveness and restoration. Peter experienced the Lord’s loving kindness.
“ But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) 6 Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. 7 God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.” Ephesians 2:4-7 ERV
The love of God isn’t conditional, it extends for all time to show His amazing grace. God’s provision of grace, receiving something we don’t deserve, is for all who believe.
“God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same. 23 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.” Romans 3:22-24 ERV
We all are made right with God by his grace. It’s a free gift.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV
All who come to Christ are given new life, no one is left to sit on the sidelines waiting to be chosen. The Father has made a way for all of us to have new life.
“Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:2 ERV
God’s plan for relationship with mankind isn’t based on our merit. His love is for all!
This past week Dave and I have been packing things up and getting ready to head back to the Valley. Our biggest struggle has been trying to get things back in their original boxes.
No, we don’t have a cat and if we did we wouldn’t put them in a box but we did have canvas tarps and poles for our garage and also the awning and stakes for our canopy. Dave kept saying, “how did they get all this in the box”.
After what seemed to be hours of struggling with folding and refolding, packing and unpacking and packing again, we were tired. At one point I said to him, “no more today, it can wait till tomorrow”. I went in and he kept working.
This may all seem silly to you but each of us face daily struggles. How do we keep everything in order? How do we get all our “junk” back in the box?
“He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.” Zechariah 4:6
When we have Christ in our life we never have to draw on our own strength. We have his promise that He will provide the strength that we need.
Some things become easier with age. We have the experience to be more relaxed in different situations. Things don’t seem as stressful because we’ve walked this ground before and know that eventually everything will work out. Or at least that’s how it seems.
However, with age some things can seem more difficult. The physical things that we once had the power to handle when we were younger not can be tiring and frustrating.
“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills. 3 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies! He is worthy of my praise!” Psalm 18:1-3 ERV
The Lord never intended for us to do things on our own. He came to walk and talk with Adam and Eve each evening. He talked with Abraham, friend to friend. The Lord visited with Moses and gave him direction. He gave David strength to defeat a giant and was there when Daniel needed Him in the lion’s den.
Jesus talked with the Father continually and obtained the strength He needed for each day. The Apostle Paul made this statement to the churches in a letter written as a prisoner in Rome.
“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV
What is it that takes your strength? Packing up to go home, an illness, an obnoxious co-worker, financial stress? In each and every situation the Father promises to be our help and provide our strength.
Trust Him. He knows how to put everything back in the box.
Many years ago Dave and I farmed alfalfa in the desert outside of Phoenix. We were responsible for over 900 acres of alfalfa. The Bible says that the Apostle Paul went to the backside of the desert to learn about the Lord; well we went to Arlington.
It was there I learned about thirsting for God and His word.
Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really, really thirsty where your lips were dry and your throat was parched.
When Dave and I first started farming we had an equipment malfunction. The baler I was using kept breaking one of the wires. This was summer and it was really hot! Dave had been picking up the good bales with the roadsider and it was my job to walk from field to field, cut the wires, spread the hay for re-baling until all of it was done.
At some point Dave had finished his job, came to check on me and then had gone off to do something else. As I saw him drive away I realized he was leaving with the water! I was so hot and thirsty. I sat on a bale and cried. I felt so alone and forgotten.
I was parched!
Every time I read a verse about “thirsting” for God’s Word I remember that experience. When our soul cries out for strength and help, it’s like that day I cried for water in a hot, dry land.
I am so glad the Father is faithful to see that I am well watered!
“God, you are my God.
I am searching so hard to find you.
Body and soul, I thirst for you
in this dry and weary land without water.
2 Yes, I have seen you in your Temple.
I have seen your strength and glory.
3 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.
5 When I sit down to satisfy my hunger,
my joyful lips hunger to praise you!
6 I remember you while lying on my bed.
I think about you in the middle of the night.
7 That is because you are the one who helps me.
It makes me happy to be under your protection!
8 I stay close to you, and you hold me with your powerful arm.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV
Are you thirsty? The Lord’s promise is that when we hunger and thirst for right standing with Him we will be filled!
I woke earlier than normal this morning. I was organizing my thoughts and my activities. We leave the mountain in one week.
So much still needs to be done. There are responsibilities to complete here and preparations to be made for the trip home. Yet, in all of this, I heard the Father saying, “Trust Me, I know everything that needs to be accomplished and I will direct your path”.
Deep breath in and then a slow exhale. His presence always bring joy and peace.
I’ve been reading through II Samuel. This morning’s reading was the accounting of Absalom’s mutiny against his father, King David. David wouldn’t allow anyone to speak evil against or do harm to his son. He let the Lord, his God, be his defender.
From there I went to Psalms. I just happened to be reading Psalm 55, these are the words King David wrote after being betrayed by his “trusted friend”, his son. He ends that Psalm with these words; “But I – I will trust in You”.
King David had a deep grasp of God’s faithfulness. He knew the Almighty God was trustworthy in every situation.
“All day long those who hate me have walked on me. For there are many who fight against me with pride. 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 I praise the Word of God. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can only a man do to me? ” Psalm 56:2-4 NLV
“My heart will not be moved, O God. My heart cannot be moved. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! 8 Awake, my shining-greatness. Awake, harps. I will awake early in the morning. 9 O Lord, I will give thanks to You among the people. I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10 For Your loving-kindness is great to the heavens, and Your truth to the clouds.” Psalm 57:7-10 NLV
When we put our trust in the Lord we can walk free from fear. Our Father promises to maintain us – He is our strength, our shield and our defense.
“Followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is your strength and shield.” Psalm 115:11 ERV
He will always keep us on the right path, if we ask Him.
“Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.” Psalm 143:8 CEV
“Praise the Lord! He is my Rock. He prepares me for war. He trains me for battle. 2 He loves me and protects me. He is my safe place high on the mountain. He rescues me. He is my shield. I trust in him.” Psalm 144:1-2 ERV
“ I will tell of your greatness, my God and King. I will praise your name forever and ever. 2 I will praise you every day. I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and deserves all our praise! No one can fully understand his greatness! 4 Each generation will praise you and tell the next generation about the great things you do.” Psalm 145:1-4 ERV
(Take time to read Psalms 143, 144 and 145 today)
Whether I am on the mountain or back down in the valley, the Lord is faithful and always will be. When I trust Him, I will be on the right path.
Each morning as I sit in the quiet I hear it. Sometimes it’s as soft as a lullaby and at other times it comes booming through my soul with the passion of an aria.
What do I hear you ask? I hear my Father singing – yes, singing and He’s singing over me!
“ On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion. Do not let your hands lose their strength. 17 The Lord your God is with you, a Powerful One Who wins the battle. He will have much joy over you. With His love He will give you new life. He will have joy over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those who have sorrow for the special days, and take away their shame. 19 At that time I will punish all those who made it hard for you. I will save those who cannot walk and gather those who have been driven away. And I will turn their shame into praise. They will be known all over the earth.” Zephaniah 3:16-19 NLV
I can’t even begin to count the number of days that I share with you Scriptures where the Father instructs us not to be afraid, but here I am this morning with another one.
These verses are an encouragement to the nation of Israel but they are also offered to us. Don’t be afraid, don’t lose strength, I am with you. I take joy in you, I give you new life and I am singing over you with great joy…
Wow, what an amazing word picture. The Father is singing over us with great joy!
I remember the morning of my wedding. My brother was home to join the celebration. He was in our parents’ guest bathroom shaving and he was singing at Charlie Pride song, “Kiss an Angel Good Morning”. As I walked by, he leaned his head out the door and kissed me on the cheek.
It was one of the wonderful brother/sister moments. He was singing over me. So sweet.
That was a one-time event but the singing I hear in my heart that comes from my Father is almost a daily event. I sit quietly and I can hear His voice.
One hymn that I love to sing, and it always fills my eyes with tears, is “In the Garden”. The chorus goes like this:
“And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known”
Whatever your day has in store, slow down and listen. Listen with your heart. You will hear the Father singing over you. It will be a song of love.
Enjoy His presence!
Years ago, my dear friend gave me a fleece blanket. She knew I get up early and she wanted me to have something soft and warm to wrap up in as I sat on my couch. It doesn’t take much to make me smile in the morning…a good night’s rest, a gentle rain during the night, enjoying coffee with a blanket wrapped around me and knowing how very much the Father loves me!
Do you remember the names of Jesus that were given in the book of Isaiah? Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE! These names are often printed on Christmas cards, as a reminder during the holiday season but they are more than words on a page in the Bible or on a greeting card or a plague hung on a wall.
Prince of Peace. Let that settle in.
Last night at twilight it looked like we were in for an evening of heavy rain and thunderstorms. But I was pleasantly surprised when the rain was gentle and the thunder lost its roar.
The rain was gentle and the sound of raindrops on the roof of the RV added to a peaceful night’s sleep. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Prince of Peace. Our Jesus is the one who rules and directs peace. Peace must go where He sends, it must stay as long as He says.
“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” John 14:27 AMP
Another verse that tells us what Jesus came to bring is in Isaiah 52.
“How beautiful and delightful on the mountain Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace, Who brings good news of good [things], Who announces salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 AMP
This lines up perfectly with what the angels said when they announced Jesus’ birth.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. 11 For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah)…14 “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” Luke 2:10-14 AMP
Peace: the presence of God and the assurance of God that all will be well. Exalting faith over fear; believing God more than your circumstances!
Let God’s peace enfold you!
Have you ever seen the trees swaying in the breeze?
Here on the mountain, we often get breezes that cause the tops of the trees to sway to and fro. The leaves rustle, especially now, as they are starting to fall after displaying their beautiful colors of yellow, gold and red.
I was mindful of these verses from the book of Isaiah yesterday. I had the opportunity to be out driving, once again, down the same dirt lane I’ve driven at least a hundred times this summer but yesterday was different.
The tree tops were dancing. The prophet Isaiah wrote “the trees of the field will clap their hands”. Clothed in such beauty and splendor, no wonder they were clapping.
“Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the sinful turn from his way, and the one who does not know God turn from his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have loving-pity on him. Let him turn to our God, for He will for sure forgive all his sins. 8 ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways,’ says the Lord. 9 ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn bush, the cypress tree will come up. Instead of the thistle, the myrtle tree will come up. It will cause you to remember the Lord, something special to see that will last forever.’” Isaiah 55:6-13 NLV
Take time to re-read those verses, please.
Are you looking for God this morning? He’s looking after you. His thoughts toward you are full of love, kindness and forgiveness.
In the natural the rain and snow come to water the earth and cause the vegetation to grow. In the spiritual, God sends his word to provide for us. His word will carry out His plan – it will bring us joy and peace.
The mountains break out in joyous celebration and the trees clap their hands in honor of the Lord and all He has done. Seeing the trees will cause us to remember the Lord. They continually tell of His greatness.
Let the wonder of the beauty you see in the trees cause you to praise and celebrate the One who created them!
It’s time for us to join the celebration and clap our hands in honor of His love.