Category: Character

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Thoughts of Peace

Yesterday morning we talked about decluttering our thoughts. It really is freeing to let go of the worries, the what-ifs, the constant bombardment of unsolicited thought and focus on what the Spirit of God is teaching us.

“We who have the Spirit are able to make judgments about all these things. But anyone without the Spirit is not able to make proper judgments about us. 16 As the Scriptures say,

‘Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give him advice?’

But we have been given Christ’s way of thinking.” I Corinthians 2:15-16 ERV

The Apostle Paul was continually instructing the new Christians on how to have a renewed mind. He wanted them to have their thinking conforming to God’s word and in turn he knew it would transform their lives.

“ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:3-11 NLT

To be like Christ we need humility. We let God’s word and will be done in our lives. Learning to serve and care for others, knowing that God, Himself, is committed to caring for us.

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 NLT

Our hearts are the treasury of God’s love, and we can make daily deposits into our account by what we think and by following through with corresponding actions.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NLT

We choose to think on the good things, the things that are godly and pure. We capture thoughts that go contrary to God’s word. When we do, we have peace, God’s abiding peace!

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“Fall” in Love

Leaves are falling, weather is getting chilly, sweaters are coming out of the drawers and days are getting shorter.

I love Fall!

Nature has such a way of harmonizing with the elements. They don’t fuss and argue because one flower is bigger and more colorful. There’s no complaint because the sunrise and sunsets are more beautiful on one night than another. Elk are bugling and the antelope aren’t but it’s not big deal.

However, we people have a bit more of a problem in this area. May I encourage you to “fall” in love this autumn.

This morning I was reading Jude. A small book but filled with powerful instruction. Jude is talking to believers who have had false believers integrate their fellowship. Because of this, false teachings and doctrines are being taught and believers are being drawn away from their stand in faith. Jude warns against this. The book is only one chapter long and it’s the last few verses that I found myself focusing on.

“ My dear friends, remember the warning you were given by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They told you that near the end of time, selfish and godless people would start making fun of God. 19 And now these people are already making you turn against each other. They think only about this life, and they don’t have God’s Spirit.

20 Dear friends, keep building on the foundation of your most holy faith, as the Holy Spirit helps you to pray. 21 And keep in step with God’s love, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to show how kind he is by giving you eternal life. 22 Be helpful to all who may have doubts. 23 Rescue any who need to be saved, as you would rescue someone from a fire. Then with fear in your own hearts, have mercy on everyone who needs it. But hate even the clothes of those who have been made dirty by their filthy deeds.

24-25 Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.” Jude 17-25 CEV

Look at this – people making fun of God, getting Christians to turn against one another. Does that sound familiar? So here comes the solution to the problem…build yourself up in your most holy faith as you pray directed by the Holy Spirit. Walk in God’s love, be helpful to those who doubt and rescue those that need to be saved, show mercy!

Notice that before we can help others we have to first be built up in faith. We need to be strong in faith – knowing God, His character, His word, His mercy and His grace. When we KNOW these things from personal experience then we can be free to share them with others.

The King James version says we are built up in faith by praying in the Spirit. Praying Spirit directed prayers are prayers that are void of selfishness and filled with love and mercy. Praying in the Spirit means that He is leading our motivations, conforming us to God’s way of doing things.

Finally standing strong in faith we offer praise to God for what He has done for us through Jesus Christ. God is able to keep us from falling, falling prey to those who would seek to destroy us and the message of the Gospel.

As we fall in love we are strengthen and we won’t fall into deception or divisiveness.

God is worthy of all honor, praise, glory, power and authority. Fall in love!

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Completely Committed

You may be familiar with this cute little story about some farm animals.

They lived on the farm of a wonderfully kind man, Farmer Brown. One morning the animals got to talking as farm animals often do and decided they would like to do something nice for Farmer Brown.

Finally, they thought they had devised a good plan. They would make a hearty breakfast for Farmer Brown. The chicken clucked, “I will bring the eggs”. The cow mooed, “I will provide the milk and the butter”. The pig was silent for quite some time and then he grunted, “A hearty breakfast is something you both can participate in without much effort but for me it’s a complete commitment”.

That’s how it is for me when I read God’s word. I have vowed to be completely committed. Situations and circumstances test that resolve. Do I compromise my integrity? Do I give in to fear or let doubt take over, removing me from my stand on God’s word? Or do I remain true to my resolve and stand completely committed?

This is the answer I found in Psalms this morning.

“Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk. 106 Your laws are fair, and I have given my word to respect them all. 107 I am in terrible pain! Save me, Lord, as you have promised. 108 Accept my offerings of praise and teach me your laws. 109 I never forget your teachings, although my life is always in danger. 110 Some merciless people are trying to trap me, but I never turn my back on your teachings. 111 They will always be my most prized possession and my source of joy. 112 I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what.’ Psalm 119:105-112 CEV

I don’t know what kind of danger the psalmist was experiencing, nor have I ever felt my life was in danger from merciless people but many around the world have. Everyday Christians in other countries are being persecuted and tortured because of their faith; many have died rather than deny Christ.

I want my resolve to be “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what”.

“As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. 7 Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLV

I don’t just want to participate in my walk with Christ; I want to be completely committed.

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Are You Able?

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf, but He needs us to work with Him.

“…So work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved. 13 God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.” Philippians 2:12-13 CEV

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“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.

20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work within us to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

When we give God permission to work in our lives, He is able to fulfill His plan which is for our benefit and ultimate good.

“ I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13  You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you” Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEV

Father, today I give you my availability so that Your abilities may work in me, through me and for me!

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Planting New Seeds

Fall is a good time to plant in Arizona. The cooler weather and our mostly mild winters provide a good growing environment.

I miss my garden and my flowers so now I plant a different kind of seed.

In years past, I have chosen my plants carefully. Measuring out the distance between, giving them enough room to grow without hindering the growth of what was around them. Potting soil added to the ground, automatic watering system in place and lots of tender loving care. I would imagine how they will look in 5, 10 and even 20 years. Gardens planted at homes I no longer live in brought temporary joy.

More important are the other seeds I have sown in the past 10, 20, 50 even 70 years. Seeds that have produced a wonderful marriage (although we had to pull up some weeds along the way), 3 children and their mates, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, numerous friends who have been a part of our lives for so many years. Sowing seeds from God’s word to encourage, bring hope and God’s forgiveness of sin.

And then there are the seeds that had to be rooted out, things like bitterness, anger, insecurity, pride, selfishness and discontentment. These had to be dug up and pulled out by the roots so that the other seeds could grow and produce fruit.

This morning, I won’t be planting physical seedlings, I will be planting seeds of hospitality, acceptance, forgiveness, peace, joy, healing and restoration. It is my desire that all who share my life’s garden will know God’s goodness and the abundant life that He has given us in Christ Jesus.

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12 KJV

“This is what the story means: The seed is God’s message, 12 and the seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But the devil comes and snatches the message out of their hearts, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up.

14 The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they are so eager for riches and pleasures that they never produce anything. 15 Those seeds that fell on good ground are the people who listen to the message and keep it in good and honest hearts. They last and produce a harvest.” Luke 8:11-15 CEV

Happy Planting!

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Start With A Smile

Doesn’t take much to make me smile in the morning…a good night’s rest, a cool morning, coffee in my new mug and knowing how very much the Father loves me!

Do you remember in Isaiah where the names of Jesus are prophesied? Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE!

Prince of Peace.

Aww, take that in! 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 mountains 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. Exalt faith over fear; believe God more than your circumstances!

“Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth…As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. 7 But we live by faith, not by what we see. 8 We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:1, 7 & 8 CEV

So, smile. Be cheerful and let peace rule your heart.

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Worthy of It All

I do not enjoy getting up to a messy kitchen, but this morning that is exactly what I encountered.

Let me explain.

Last night when I was getting the coffee maker ready to go for this morning, I took the coffee canister out of the cupboard and the lid came off spilling grounds all over the counter and filling the sink. Ugh!

I grabbed the Dust Buster and began sucking up all the grounds, until the battery died. I had to plug it in and leave it charging overnight. The grounds on the counter had been swept away but the bottom portion of the kitchen sink is still covered.

Now, this is not life-changing disappointment, not earthshaking in the least. Nothing like what those on the East Coast are experiencing with loss of homes, all their worldly possessions and great loss of life. My little disappointment doesn’t even make a blip on the radar screen.

So why mention it?

It seems so insignificant, but God wants us to keep Him forefront in everything. It’s what comes out of the heart in times like this that matter. God wants us to live in His presence of joy, basking in His goodness, not grumbling and complaining about things. In the monumental or the minute’, the heart attitude is what keeps us centered, full of peace and focused on God’s provision and protection.

Throughout the night the lyrics to a praise song kept coming into my head and my heart.

“We give You the highest praise
We give You the highest praise
We give You the highest praise
Jesus our Savior
You’re worthy of it all” by Phil Wickham

We give YOU the highest praise, YOU are worthy of it all!

When we are meditating on the Word of God, day and night, we keep ourselves in an attitude of praise. We keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

“Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.” I Thessalonians 5:18 CEV

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Notice that these verses don’t say that only when bad things happen that we need a stiff upper lip and we praise. No, it says whatever and anything; in other words, in all things, good and bad, we are to praise God and then we will be controlled by peace.

“Shout praises to the Lord! With all that I am, I will shout his praises. 2 I will sing and praise
the Lord God as long as I live…The Lord God of Jacob blesses everyone who trusts him and depends on him. 6 God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word.” Psalm 146:1-6 CEV

If you’re in the midst of a terrible time, praise God that He is there with you and has promised not to abandon you but will bring you through it. If you have little annoyances, praise God that He has promised to keep you in peace as you stay focused on Him.

If you have a sink full of coffee grounds, be thankful that you had enough to make the morning coffee.

In everything, yes everything, give thanks for this is the will of God. He is worthy of it all!

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Fruit Inspection

Dave and I grew up on the Arizona/California border. We were very familiar with the Agriculture Inspection Station at the border.

“Do you have any fruits or vegetables to declare?” That was always the question.

The Department of Agriculture didn’t want any pests transported from other states to the fruit and vegetable growing in California.

Did you know Jesus has something to say about fruit inspection?

He has been teaching on the mountain for three chapters now. We’ve heard him teach on adjusting our attitudes, how to pray, how not to worry about anything and not to judge others. All daily life, practical teaching from the heart of God.

As Jesus comes to the end of this time with the multitude He gives us a strict warning.

“Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you. 16  You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks grapes or figs from thornbushes. 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. 19  Every tree producing bad fruit will be chopped down and burned. 20  You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds.” Matthew 7:15-20 CEV

What Jesus came to share was good news and it brings a harvest of good fruit. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia about the fruit that God’s Spirit produces in our lives.

“ God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

This fruit is very similar to what Jesus described as the be-attitudes. It’s so important that we don’t allow our fruit to become infected by the harmful pests of pride, anger, fear, greed, malice and gossip. These things can and will ruin our fruit.

“Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in. 22 On the day of judgment many will call me their Lord. They will say, ‘We preached in your name, and in your name we forced out demons and worked many miracles.’ 23  But I will tell them, ‘I will have nothing to do with you! Get out of my sight, you evil people!’” Matthew 7:21-23 CEV

God will judge, not us. In our day, we have seen examples of false prophets. Jim Jones is one of the first to come to mind. “We preached in your name”.

Our job is to be fruitful. Jesus gave us a clear message on that.

“Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. 5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.” John 15:4-5 CEV

We don’t judge, but we do inspect fruit.

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Protect What’s Precious

Only one verse this morning and I think that it is often overlooked. I’d like to highlight it because I happen to believe that all of God’s word is profitable for our instruction.

“ Don’t give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.” Matthew 7:6 CEV

When we look through Scripture at verses that talk about dogs we find a spiritual implication. In the Psalms it says enemies are like dogs and it also compares stupid leaders to dogs. In one place it says liars roam the city like a pack of wild dogs.

The Apostle Paul told us to beware of dogs.

“ Watch out for those people who behave like dogs! They are evil and want to do more than just circumcise you.” Philippians 3:2 CEV

These people that Paul was talking about wanted to brag about their own exploits and wanted to draw attention to themselves and pull the Christians away from their belief in Christ.

Jesus also warned about giving what was precious to pigs. Peter made a correlation between people who hear God’s word but ignore it and return to their old ways and pigs rolling in the mud.

“They would have been better off if they had never known about the right way. Even after they knew what was right, they turned their backs on the holy commandments they were given. 22  What happened to them is just like the true saying, ‘A dog will come back to lick up its own vomit. A pig that has been washed will roll in the mud.” II Peter 2:21-22 CEV

Jesus knew that there were those in the crowd listening to Him who were religious hypocrites. Those who would try to discredit the message He preached. You will notice that Jesus didn’t go searching for them, trying to persuade them to believe that He was the Messiah.

No, instead He went to those who were hurting, lost and afraid. Those who He referred to as lost sheep.

We will encounter those who think we are foolish for following Christ; those who would try to drag us off to follow a different philosophy or teaching and some who just want to wallow in the mud of their own making.

One simple verse. Don’t give to dogs what belongs to God – that would be our love and devotion. Don’t let anyone pull you away from what God has given you!

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Be A Rebel

Oh, how I love God’s word! It is so practical. It gives us everyday answers for everyday situations. God’s sole purpose in giving us His word was to make our daily lives fruitful and blessed.

He’s offered to carry our load, forgive our sins, remove our worry, strengthen our minds and fill us with His love. What can be better than that.

We’re returning to the Jesus’ teaching on the mountain.

” Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. 20  Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21 Your heart will always be where your treasure is.” Matthew 6:19-21 CEV

Good advice.

It’s hard not to look at earthly treasure. Checking the stock market, the savings and checking accounts, looking at the 401K and if that’s not enough the interest rates on homes and cars, the price of bread and eggs, the crime report and it can send us spiraling down the rabbit hole of fear and lack.

Store up our treasures in heaven. How do we do that? There’s no heavenly ATM where we can make a deposit or is there?

“Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:37-40 ERV

Always Think of Me = ATM.

Always be ready to make a deposit in our heavenly account.

“ Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give. 8 And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work.” II Corinthians 9:7-8 ERV

When our earthly treasure is invested in heavenly purposes, we will have enough for every good work that God asks us to give too. We’ll be quick to give because we know we are doing it for Him.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven.” Ephesians 1:3 ERV

Be a rebel – count your blessings!

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