Category: Blessings

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Water for the Thirsty

Summertime in Arizona has it challenges.

I saw a quip on FB the other morning that went something like this, “For happy summer life in Phoenix stay indoors from 10 a.m. until November 2”. That made me laugh.

As kids growing up in Yuma, AZ, one of the hottest places in the nation, we knew none of that. We were raised by a working mom and spent our summer vacation at home, alone. No, it wasn’t neglect – it was the way life was. Other kids in the neighborhood also were responsible for staying home and taking care of chores, just like we were. Morning was set aside to completing Mom’s daily list and afternoons were for fun.

The city swimming pool had swimming lessons in the morning but after 1 pm it was open swim. My sister and I would walk to the pool and be there in time for it to open.

Walking in the heat of the day – really? It didn’t bother us, we were on our way to have fun – fun in the water. Of course, once we got to the pool one of our first stops was at the drinking fountain.

Thirsty? We certainly were.

Life, in the natural and spiritual, can be a dry and thirsty place. I love what the Scriptures have to say to us:

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. Israel, don’t be terrified!
You are my chosen servant, my very favorite. 3 I will bless the thirsty land by sending streams of water; I will bless your descendants by giving them my Spirit. 4 They will spring up like grass or like willow trees near flowing streams. 5 They will worship me and become my people. They will write my name on the back of their hands. 6 I am the Lord All-Powerful,
the first and the last, the one and only God…8 Don’t tremble with fear! Didn’t I tell you long ago? Didn’t you hear me? I alone am God—no one else is a mighty rock.” Isaiah 44:1-8 CEV

Just as the Lord sends water to the thirsty lands, He also gives His Spirit to those who are spiritually thirsty. The Holy Spirit brings us refreshing, He restores us when we are weary and brings us peace when we are undone.

Is there anything better than a cool drink of water on a hot day? Anything more comforting?

Oh yes, something much greater. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit who is the Comforter for a weary soul!

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Heading South?

This time of year, most people aren’t heading south? We live in an area where the population increases every Oct/Nov and decreases greatly in April or May. They are affectionately called winter visitors or sometimes referred to as snow birds.

They, like their avian friends, have learned to fly South for warmer climates in the winter. Birds, the ones with wings, instinctively head south for warmth and sunshine where they will not only survive but thrive away from the northern artic chill.

Wouldn’t it be great if we were as in tune to following the Lord’s leading as our bird-brained feathered friends?

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this: If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died!

Now that’s not scripture but it is scriptural.

“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. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the LORD and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

“Turn to the LORD for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.4 The LORD has a plan for everything.” Proverbs 16:3-4a ERV

God has a plan for each day – it doesn’t really matter what the activities are in the day; He has a plan!

Some days His plan is to change our plan. When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed!

“Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have told you today. 28 But you will get the curse if you refuse to listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God. So don’t stop living the way I command you today, and don’t follow other gods that you don’t know.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ERV

We have a choice – it would be silly to lean to our own understanding since following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect. Trust the Lord today. He loves us and His desire for us is good!

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Go South today – He will provide!!!

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Unshakable, Immovable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why do bad things happen to good people? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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No One Like You!

Today is a day for giving thanks – across this nation there will be millions of people taking time to express gratitude and thankfulness. That is a wonderful thought!

Before your day gets too busy, before your home fills with loved ones or before you travel to them take this time, this quiet morning time, and give thanks. If you have nothing else to be thankful for, give thanks that Almighty God knows your name, He knows the very number of hairs on your head, He has known you since your conception and He loves you with an everlasting love.

“ Lord All-Powerful, you are greater than all others. No one is like you, and you alone are God. Everything we have heard about you is true. ” II Samuel 7:22 CEV

“You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. 4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, 5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. 6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me…You are the one
who put me together inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. 15 Nothing about me is hidden from you!” Psalm 139:3-5, 13-15 CEV

Remember a couple of days ago when I told you that our password into God’s presence is “Thank You”? When times are tough and almost overwhelming our praise brings God’s power into our situation. We release control to Him and He brings the victory.

Yesterday morning as I was making pies I was listening to Pandora and this is one of the songs I heard. It was published by Bethel Music in 2018, “Raise A Hallelujah”. As you go about the busyness of your day’s preparation let the words of this song minister to you as you tell the Lord thank you!

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies

I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief

I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody

I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me

Chorus

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm

Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar

Up from the ashes, hope will arise

Death is defeated, the King is alive

Verse 2

I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me

I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee

I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery

I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me

Father, today we say thank you! We lift our voices in praise and say Hallelujah! There is no one like You!

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Forget Password?

Am I the only one who has trouble remembering some of my passwords?

In the last few days I have accessed some sites that I haven’t used in a year. Since I got my new computer over the summer those passwords aren’t a part of the memory on this unit. I have a little place that I record my passwords because of situations like this however, I have found out that I don’t ALWAYS record a new one.

Getting locked out is frustrating and time consuming. I find myself asking the question, “what do I have of any value that would make someone want to steal my identity anyway?”.

Then it came to me this morning – my identity has already been stolen and it was with my permission.

“Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” II Corinthians 5:17-20 MSG

We’ve been created new – a new life emerges – we have a fresh start where all our sins are forgiven. New identity!

When God looks at us through Christ He sees someone who is clean, perfect, His child and friend! The Father has set up a new account for us, we have open access!

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

But, what about the password? What if we forget it? Simple!

“On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3  Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.” Psalm 100 MSG

The password is easy – it’s our expression of gratitude! Open before us is our new identity, we sign in with grateful hearts and are given the right to His love, forgiveness, mercy, grace and help.

I will never forget that password – THANK YOU!

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So Good!

I spent a good portion of yesterday in busy work. So much to be done…so little time but the words that I shared with you from Philippians kept going through my heart.

“Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. ”

Those words kept my heart centered and my thoughts focused. Most of my day was spent cleaning out clutter, separating the mundane from the important. With the cleaning, I began purging things from my bookcase. Some books I had read many times and others I have had for years and never read. On the bottom shelf I found my journals and some notebooks of teachings I have done through the years. Next to those were a number of Bibles that I have used over the years, one dated back to 1967.

I took time to read some of the comments I had made in the margins. There were outlines of sermons that were especially meaningful during those years. Most of those Bibles were worn and pages were loose and falling out but the words on the pages were so sweet – as the psalmist says “sweeter than honey in the honeycomb”.

The sweetness of God’s word is even better than a plate of pumpkin pie.

Oh yes, even in my cleaning, my mind was focused on what was truly worthwhile and worthy of praise!

This morning as I woke, the words of a song we sang Sunday in worship, by Bethel Music, was filling my heart and my head.

“You reign above it all, You reign above it all
Over the universe and over every heart
There is no higher name
Jesus, You reign above it all”

Is there anything more praise worthy than that? Jesus reigns in my heart and over the entire universe – nothing is more worthwhile to focus on! Those thoughts are SO GOOD!

“God made heaven and earth; he created the sea  and everything else. God always keeps his word. 7 He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free
8  and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand  to everyone who falls. The Lord loves good people 9 and looks after strangers. He defends the rights of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked. 10 The Lord God of Zion will rule forever!  Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 146:6-10 CEV

The Lord will rule forever! That is such a refreshing promise. Our God, our Father is SO GOOD!

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Fall Harvest

The fall harvest isn’t something we really get to see and enjoy here in southern Arizona. There aren’t many opportunities to enjoy the changing leaves, the vegetable gardens rendering their bounty or workers in the fields.

However, there is a harvest for the soul and it’s called Thanksgiving!

“Make everyone praise you and shout your praises.6 Our God has blessed the earth with a wonderful harvest!7 Pray for his blessings to continue and for everyone on earth to worship our God.” Psalm 67:5-7 CEV

Our God has blessed us…pray for His blessings to continue. Oh yes, yes He has.

I want you to look back at this past year. Can you name three unexpected and wonderful blessings? Now, go beyond those three and add three more blessings from last week. Pick three more of your most cherished moments from the summer – and another three from the spring.

If memories are your harvest and your heart is the wagon that contains them, you now have a dozen praise-worthy blessings to fill it.

I’m sure if you thought a little longer your harvest would increase and your heart would be overflowing with God’s goodness. So, what do you do with the overflow?

God isn’t wasteful and He has a plan for our “wonderful harvest” that the psalmist wrote about.

“When you harvest your grain, always leave some of it standing around the edges of your fields and don’t pick up what falls on the ground. Leave it for the poor and for those foreigners who live among you. I am the Lord your God!” Leviticus 23:22 CEV

When the Jewish people went into their fields to bring in the harvest they were instructed to leave some at the edges of the field. What they left was for those who were less fortunate.

Look around. Who do you know that has had a rough time recently? Who could benefit from the abundance of your blessing?

I remember a time when our cupboards were nearly bare. When there was very little and really nothing to share but share we did. We never ate the last of the groceries by ourselves, we invited friends to dinner. We had a night of joy and laughter and we praised God for good health and His love.

Each time, I specifically remember, each time we were in such a situation there would be a knock on the door the next day and someone would come by who had just butchered a hog or a beef, someone who had harvested their garden or a dairyman who had extra butter, cheese and a gallon of milk.

These were people who had let us share in their harvest, all without knowing that we were in need but God did and He provided.

Ask the Father if there is someone who needs you to share your bounty. If He doesn’t put anyone on your heart immediately just stay open to when He does. However, if the Lord impresses you with a face and a name, follow through. It could be a blessing of food, time, money, encouragement, or help.

Give generously because the Father has given generously to you!

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No Time?

As you know I missed yesterday morning’s blog – no quiet time.

If you’ve ever done much camping you know that most, if not all, campgrounds have quiet time. It’s generally from 10 pm to 6 am; while at the racetrack camping with 10,000+ of our non-closest friends, quiet time was from midnight to 6 am. But it was a not so quiet quiet time.

Yesterday morning, trucks were backing up to their trailers at 4 am and some a bit earlier. Motorhomes were pulling out even before that, quiet time was disrupted and things got busy in a hurry. Kim and Austin were up and out the door by 5 am and Dave and I started in right away getting things wiped down and stowed away for the trip home.

I didn’t make any time for quiet…yes, I admit it. My favorite time of the day passed me. It was invaded by a cluster of activity and noise. No time.

I didn’t even take time to write down three things I was grateful for although my heart was filled with gratitude for the events of the weekend and spending time with family and making new friends. This morning I’m back in my favorite place – I’m in my rocking chair, with my cup of coffee, my computer and my Bible in my lap. My heart is filled with praise.

Quiet time should never be an obligation that we check off our daily “to-do” list. It is an intimate time of day when we close off every distraction and focus on spending time with the Father. If we miss a day do we feel God loves us less? I’ve had those thoughts.

However, I have learned over the years that the Father understands my circumstances and my human tendencies to jump right into the day without spending time with Him. I have also learned that when I do start my day with my Father it goes much smoother because I’ve prepared my heart to focus on His blessings and instruction.

I found these words which were spoken by King David shortly before he died. He was giving instruction to his son, Solomon.

“‘”Our Mighty Rock, the God of Jacob, told me, ‘A ruler who obeys God and does right
4 is like the sunrise on a cloudless day, or like rain that sparkles on the grass.’ 5 I have ruled this way, and God will never break his promise to me. God’s promise is complete and unchanging; he will always help me and give me what I hope for.”‘” II Samuel 23:3-5 CEV

Isn’t that interesting? The Lord compares our actions, those who do right, to the beauty of a sunrise or the refreshing of rain on the meadow. He reminds us that His promises are complete and unchanging – He is always with us to help.

Each morning we all have a sunrise. Each morning that sunrise should remind us that God has promised to be faithful to His word and in turn, faithful in His actions towards us. That is what fills my heart with gratitude and joy!

No time?

Let the words of an old chorus be a reminder to us all – “In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise Give me Jesus”!

Let’s make time.

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Never Quit

Once we begin to exercise our praise muscle we find it gets stronger and stronger – just like our biceps or any other muscle we develop. It takes repetition and increased resistance to develop and build a strong attitude of gratitude.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.

5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.

8 Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:4-8 ERV

Notice the words emphasized?

Developing joy and a grateful heart isn’t a mindless exercise. No, it takes concentrated effort. And it isn’t a fatalistic approach to life or “whatever happens, happens”. It’s a concerted effort of placing our trust, our complete trust, in the Lord in every situation and letting Him show us how He will bring us through in peace.

The key is to “think about what is good and worthy of praise”. As a young David faced a blaspheming giant, who was intent on killing him, he wasn’t thanking God for the giant. He was thanking God for His faithfulness because the Lord had already helped him kill a lion and a bear so he knew that God would give him the strength he needed to kill the giant.

He was thinking on things that were praise worthy and good!

This morning, thank God for the sunrise. Thank Him that you didn’t bed down on the cold ground last night. Thank Him for the warm coffee in your cup. Giving thanks for little things exercises your praise muscle. Multiple repetitions with small things builds you muscle.

Then you will be able to be thankful for things that get weightier – things like co-workers who are aggravating, Jesus definitely knew about being harassed by jealous co-workers. Or a lingering health issue, instead of worrying or complaining be thankful that you know the Great Physician and that He knows exactly what your body needs and He will give wisdom to your medical doctors.

Always be filled with joy because the Father has promised to never abandon you or leave you alone in any circumstance.

Never stop praising the Lord!

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Teach the World to Sing

In 1971, the CocaCola company wanted to buy the world a Coke and teach it how to sing but the world had been singing in harmony for thousands of years before they came out with that slogan.

The seasons sing in harmony with the earth as they provide the time and the temperature to produce an abundance of crops; the pull of the moon causes the tide to ebb and flow; the course of the earth’s rotation gives us daylight and dark.

The world is singing in harmony.

It’s the people on earth that need more than a Coke, they need an awareness of the greatest of the Lord.

“Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs  in praise of the Lord. 5 Make music for him on harps. Play beautiful melodies! 6 Sound the trumpets and horns and celebrate with joyful songs for our Lord and King! 7 Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures, and the earth to shout with all of its people. 8 Order the rivers to clap their hands, and all of the hills to sing together. 9 Let them worship the Lord!…” Psalm 98:4-9 CEV

When the Jewish people left Egypt they put into song the marvelous things they had seen the Lord do. Before they entered into their Promised Land, Moses instructed them to tell their children of all the Lord’s mighty works to make sure they didn’t forget the Lord’s power and His protecting love.

It is incumbent upon us to tell our children and our grandchildren, our friends and neighbors, the amazing things the Lord has done. (that’s why I enjoy sharing this blog with you each day)

“Sing a new song to the Lord! He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory. 2 The Lord has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice. 3 God has been faithful in his love for Israel, and his saving power is seen everywhere on earth.” Psalm 98:1-3 CEV

The “songs” we sing and the stories we tell aren’t just wishful thinking and fairy tales, they are the stories of the Lord’s faithfulness and His love. They are words of life and encouragement. That’s why I encourage you to keep a Gratitude Journal – the works of the Lord in my life, in your life, need to be recorded so others will know why we have such great hope!

“Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don’t worry about what people might do. 15 Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” I Peter 3:14-15 CEV

Let’s give the world a new song – a song of hope and the Father’s unconditional love!

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