Category: Confidence

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Handwriting on the Wall

This morning I was looking for a document in my “documents” folder when I came across a picture I had taken when Dave and I visited the Petrified Forest this summer.

Petroglyphs are some of the earliest forms of communication. Unfortunately, it’s a language I do not speak. But it’s a language God has always understood.

“One evening, King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his highest officials, and he drank wine with them. 2 He got drunk and ordered his servants to bring in the gold and silver cups his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. Belshazzar wanted the cups, so that he and all his wives and officials could drink from them.

3-4 When the gold cups were brought in, everyone at the banquet drank from them and praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 5 Suddenly a human hand was seen writing on the plaster wall of the palace. The hand was just behind the lampstand, and the king could see it writing….25-28 The words written there are mene, which means “numbered,” tekel, which means “weighed,” and parsin, which means “divided.” God has numbered the days of your kingdom and has brought it to an end. He has weighed you on his balance scales, and you fall short of what it takes to be king. So God has divided your kingdom between the Medes and the Persians.” Daniel 5 CEV

I encourage you to read the whole chapter of Daniel 5. King Belshazzar defied the Lord and defiled the sacred items of the Temple. The Lord got his attention by writing on the wall at Belshazzar’s party.

Handwriting on the wall.

Each one of us have been subject to the “handwriting on the wall”. All of our sins were written down as an accusation against us, very similar to a list of charges that are read before the judge in a court room. However, the handwriting against us has been blotted out – removed completely.

“Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.

15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].” Colossians 2:14-15 AMPC

The handwriting against us was nailed to the cross and wiped away. The blood that Jesus shed for us, covered our sins and cleansed us. Through His death, Christ defeated satan and his powers and we now share in His triumph!

Now, there’s something to be grateful for. All of my sins were nailed to the cross and because of His death I am forgiven…so are you!

We are no longer subject to the handwriting on the wall.

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Celebrate Life!

Today our family will celebrate my Mom’s life. If you remember I told you of her homegoing last May. Mom was 97 1/2 years old, the half was always very important to her.

Each time I was with Mom, for the last 4 or 5 years, she would say “If I’m not here in the morning tell “them” have a party. I don’t want them crying because I’m gone. I want you all to celebrate that I’m in heaven with Jesus”.

Today, we will have a party and celebrate Mom’s life!

She grew up during the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s in a small farming town in Iowa. She became a school teacher and taught at a one-room school, grades 1-8, for 4 or 5 years before she married my Dad.

Mom and Dad gave their hearts to the Lord at a tent revival shortly after they were married. She loved Jesus – she taught Sunday School, Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School and Young Women’s group. She had a way of always making people feel welcome in our home – she loved to feed people.

She would tell everyone who came to see her – visitors, home health and repairmen about Jesus. She asked that we share from John 14 today, she wanted people to have a relationship with Jesus.

“Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father too. But now you know the Father. You have seen him.” John 14:1-7 CEV

Don’t be afraid. I’m preparing a place for you. Follow me because I am THE way to heaven. I am THE way of life. Mom found her life in Christ. She has her home in heaven and when life for us is over here we will meet up with her there and have a party!

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am leaving, but I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going back to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. 29 I have told you this now, before it happens. Then when it happens, you will believe.” John 14:27-29 CEV

Peace – Mom was at peace, she was before she left this earth and she certainly is now that she’s in heaven. She would say to us “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be sad. I’m in a perfect place and I want you to join me here.”

Celebrate, rejoice, in life! The Father has made a place for us to be with Him for all eternity. I am so grateful that my Mom made sure I knew about Jesus!

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In Need of Light

Those of you who have been reading my blog for any length of time know that I get up each morning, come to my rocking chair with my coffee, read my Bible, pray and then write.

However, that changed a bit this morning.

This is a picture of my surroundings this morning. You can see my chair, my coffee cup, my Bible sitting on my computer. What you don’t see is light. When the auto timer for the lamp clicked on there was no light. I manually turned the light on and off but still no light. The bulb had burned out.

The room was dim.

I hate to say it but there are times when we are spiritually dimmed. Our lifestyles cause us to hurry and worry too much. We don’t take the time to sit and read God’s word, which is a light to our path.

“Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.” Psalm 119:105 CEV

“Lord, you are my Light and my Savior, so why should I be afraid of anyone? The Lord is where my life is safe, so I will be afraid of no one!” Psalm 27:1 CEV

When the light is dim we don’t see very well. In fact, the shadows in the darkness can distort what is really there. I remember a fellow in the Bible, he was servant to the prophet Elisha. He got up early in the morning and when he walked out he saw an enemy’s army surrounding him. He went and reported it to his master.

“Elisha’s servant got up early that morning. When he went outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, “Oh, my master, what can we do?”

16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the army that fights for Aram.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I ask you, open my servant’s eyes so that he can see.”

The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and the servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. They were all around Elisha.” II Kings 6:15-17 CEV

When the Lord shed some light on the matter, Elisha’s servant could see things he hadn’t seen before. He saw the Lord’s deliverance and protection.

When we go through life, looking at the circumstances through our own dim knowledge and experience we see things in the natural but when we spend time letting the Lord’s word light our way we begin to see things from a spiritual perspective.

From God’s perspective!

I’m happy to say that Dave replaced the burned out bulb when he got up and now I have good light again.

When circumstances have dimmed our way, go the Father and in His word we will find that light we need. After all, didn’t Jesus say “I AM the light of the world”?

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Get Excited!

I was so excited when I picked up my Bible this morning because I knew I was going to be reading the chapter that contains my favorite verse.

“Balaam answered: ‘Pay close attention to my words—
19 God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. 20 ‘My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done.'” Numbers 23:18-20 CEV

Balaam had been hired by a king, Balak, to curse the Israelites. He was fearful they would conquer his nation. Balaam told Balak that he could only say what God put in his mouth, and then he proclaimed a blessing over the Israelites. Balak was so angry but he gave Balaam a second chance to curse them. The words above are Balaam’s response.

The reason this is my favorite verse is because it attests to the faithfulness of God. God doesn’t lie; He keeps his word and no one, absolutely no one, can change what he has spoken.

Get excited! That means every promise that we find in God’s word is unchangeable! His promise of love, mercy, grace, kindness, goodness, peace, etc. are all unchangeable, irrefutable!

My prayer this morning was “Father, I want to be single-minded and focused on Your promises. There is only one thing I desire and that is to know You in a deeper way and never doubt Your word”.

“Armies may surround me, but I won’t be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you. 4 I ask only one thing, Lord, Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are  and to pray in your temple. 5 In times of trouble,  you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock” Psalm 27:3-5 CEV

His promise of safety and protection are constants; He is trustworthy! Get excited!!

The Bible tells us that a double-minded person is unstable in all their ways. One day they feel that point A is right; the next day they waver and side with point B. With God’s word as our absolute, we are stable and unshakeable because we are confident that it won’t change.

“She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. 40 Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!’

41 The Lord answered, ‘Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:39-42 CEV

Instead of worrying about the many things that need to be done, let’s sit down in front of Jesus and listen to His words of instruction. In other words, spend time reading our Bibles and let the Father speak to our hearts.

Get Excited! God’s word is unchangeable; He doesn’t lie. His promises are true and everlasting, Like the sunrise and the sunset, God’s word is dependable for each day!

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Everything? Yes, Everything!

Sometimes these morning blogs are a little disconcerting. I promised the Lord I would share with you the things He puts on my heart and that means I have to be honest with you about my victories and my failures.

We have only been down from the mountain for eight days and already I have allowed myself to become harried and hurried. Each day this summer, I would watch the sunrise, in all its splendor, and set, in unrivaled beauty. Each sunrise and sunset were a vivid reminder that the Father was in control and I could be at peace. This photograph is one of my favorite’s at end of day.

There has been so much going on since we’ve been home that I have forgotten to let my heart capture that glimpse of God’s glory at the beginning and ending of each day.

This morning my Bible reading took me to II Peter, chapter 1. That is a favorite chapter of mine – because everything, yes everything, that God has blessed us with is spelled out there in just a few verses.

“From Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. To everyone who shares with us in the privilege of believing that our God and Savior Jesus Christ will do what is just and fair. 2 I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus.

3 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.

5 Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, 6 self-control, patience, devotion to God, 7 concern for others, and love. 8 If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful.” II Peter 1:1-8 CEV

Please take note – these verses are for everyone so that we can live in peace. We have everything we need because we have God’s great and marvelous promises.

Everything, yes everything.

And since we have everything, we should keep growing in goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to the Father, concern for others and growing in love.

That’s what taking those moments each morning and each evening reminded me to do! They reminded me to let the Father and His promises be my everything – there is nothing I need outside of Him.

Yes, these are all things that we know but sometimes we let them slip from our fore thoughts. So this morning, I took this admonition from the Apostle Peter and it’s one I will pass on to you.

“ You are holding firmly to the truth that you were given. But I am still going to remind you of these things. 13 In fact, I think I should keep on reminding you until I leave this body. ” II Peter 1:12-13 CEV

I’m reminding us, and will continue to remind us, to hold firmly to the knowledge that in Christ we have everything we need.

Everything? Yes, everything!

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Pursue Peace

Pursue: to run after, chase after, follow in order to catch or attack, overtake.

Most of the time the word pursue is used in the Bible it is referred to in a military setting. The Egyptians pursued the Israelites as they left Egypt. The Israelites pursued their enemies and overtook them because the Lord was on their side.

Have you ever chased after peace with such fervor?

What kinds of things do you pursue? There have been times I have pursued sleep…too much to do, running low on energy and I chased after a few hours of blissful sleep. We often pursue relationships – building friendships or developing a close tie with a family member who has been distant. Some pursue fitness – healthy body, healthy mind; while others pursue a good reputation.

All of these pursuits are good but they should never take first place in our lives.

This morning I looked up the word pursue in my Bible concordance. I found that there are 98 verses in the King James translation with the word pursue in them. Ninety of them make reference to a military-type pursuit.

“Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace—don’t let it get away (pursue)!” Psalm 34:14 MSG

That leads me to believe that when we pursue righteousness and peace we should do it with a vengeance, as if our very lives depend on it. Which they do. Many people have health related problems because of stress – the lack of peace.

“ But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast (pursue) in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.” I Timothy 6:11-12 MSG

When we run hard and fast after peace, when we seize it, peace will become the guardian or the sentry who keeps watch over what our minds focus on.

“ 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.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

Many people go out for a morning jog or run. May I encourage you to get your run into today – run after, pursue and overtake peace. Your day will be so much better!

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Calling All Davids

You are needed for battle!!

There are many today who see a giant in the land and it is causing them to fear. It’s time for a few David’s to show up for the fight.

“The Philistine army had a hero named Goliath who was from the town of Gath and was over nine feet tall. 5-6 He wore a bronze helmet and had bronze armor to protect his chest and legs. The chest armor alone weighed about one hundred twenty-five pounds. He carried a bronze sword strapped on his back, 7 and his spear was so big that the iron spearhead alone weighed more than fifteen pounds…8 Goliath went out and shouted to the army of Israel:…’Choose your best soldier to come out and fight me! 9 If he can kill me, our people will be your slaves. But if I kill him, your people will be our slaves. 10 Here and now I challenge Israel’s whole army! Choose someone to fight me!’ 11 Saul and his men heard what Goliath said, but they were so frightened of Goliath that they couldn’t do a thing.” I Samuel 17:4-11 CEV

We have a few giants in our land that are causing the king and the fighting men to fear. COVID, political unrest in our nation and around the world, personal crises.

“David said to Saul, ‘People shouldn’t let Goliath discourage them. I am your servant. I will go fight this Philistine.’ 33 Saul answered, ‘You can’t go out and fight against this Philistine. You’re not even a soldier! Goliath has been fighting in wars since he was a boy.’ 34 But David said to Saul, ‘There were times when I was taking care of my father’s sheep that wild animals came to take some sheep from the flock. Once there was a lion and another time, a bear…36 I killed both a lion and a bear like that! And I will kill that foreigner, Goliath, just like them. Goliath will die because he made fun of the army of the living God. 37 The Lord saved me from the lion and the bear. He will also save me from this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘Go and may the Lord be with you.’” I Samuel 17:31-37ERV

David knew God had made a promise to fight for the nation of Israel like He did with Joshua at Jericho. He told the king, Goliath is a foreigner – which meant he has no covenant with God – we do! David’s brothers thought he was being impudent, disrespectful and self-centered. The king thought David didn’t understand the gravity of the situation but David knew that they didn’t understand the scope and even the practicality of their covenant with God.

You know the story – David defeated Goliath with a rock and sling. He could have gone after him with a pea shooter because David wasn’t depending on his own strength and power to defeat Goliath, he was depending on the Lord.

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals. And we will do the same thing to all the other Philistines too. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel.'” I Samuel 17:45-46 ERV

God is looking for Davids today. Don’t let what people say or think about you keep you from being used. God isn’t looking for the qualified, He’s looking for the committed!

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Getting Ready to Leave

We only have a couple days left on the mountain, the place that has been our home for the last four and a half months. It’s been hard to say good-bye to friends and there are still good-byes to be said.

Yesterday, we spent time in the campground, going from campsite to campsite, making notes of things that need to be improved upon before the next camping season. We visited with the two families of campers that are still here. Only the hardy, with good generators, are here now. We had snow on Tuesday and the night time temperature dropped to 18*.

After that, there was the check-in station to finish packing up; all the bookwork and supplies have to be moved to the administration building. Bulletin boards, signs and windows have to be covered and there was one final load of laundry that needed to be done.

Almost all of the preparations have been made.

We have also taken time to pack away our own things – the bar-b-q, the outdoor canopy, and chairs. The closets have been rearranged, the cupboards straighten, awnings are pulled in, things are stowed away and secured. A little more cleaning and another load of laundry and we’ll be ready to pull out.

I began thinking of all the people in the Bible who had to leave some place they were accustomed too; Abraham and Sarah had to leave, Rebekah left her home to join her husband, Jacob’s whole family left their home to join Joseph in Egypt. Samuel left his mother and father to go to the Temple, Ruth left her home to follow her mother-in-law, Esther left her uncle to go to the King’s palace, Peter left his fishing business to follow Jesus, Paul left his place as an important member of Jewish society to become an itinerate preacher and Jesus left heaven to come to earth.

All of their leavings had a purpose. Esther was placed in the palace as queen by divine providence. She was used to save her people from genocide.

“And who knows, maybe you have been chosen to be the queen for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14b ERV

I believe that God has a purpose and a plan for every life, including yours and mine!

“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. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

Maybe your circumstances are changing too. You are making preparation for a new home, a new job, a new life. There can be insecurity and apprehension in this but when we trust the Lord, He will give us peace and direction.

None of us know exactly how the Lord will use us from day to day but we can be certain that His plan for us is good. Each one of us should always “be prepared for leaving” the old and embracing the new as we follow the Lord’s leading.

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On Solid Ground

Where are you standing today? Is your footing sure?

Hiking the hills, it’s imperative that you know where your next step needs to be. The terrain is covered with undergrowth and brush and the rocky ground can cause your foot to give way without any notice.

The same holds true in life.

If you are standing on a unsure foundation undoubtedly you will slip and fall. But when the foundation is sure, you are secure.

“But the foundation that God has laid is solid. On it is written, “The Lord knows who his people are. So everyone who worships the Lord must turn away from evil.” II Timothy 2:19 CEV

Jesus referred to a house on a solid foundation (rock) in a parable and then went on to say that the rock was the Word of God.

“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

I love the old hymn that says the same. It was written by a man named Edward Mote in the 1800’s – it has a very true message for today.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale ,My anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

When we put our hope and trust in Jesus, we will find our footing is secure on the Solid Rock!

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Lead On!

In the early days, when settlers were heading West, the people who traveled by wagon train had scouts. These were men who had traveled the trail previously. They knew where there was water, they knew where game was plentiful. They also knew the dangers of rivers that needed to be forded and places where water was scarce, and the terrain was dangerous.

The scouts would lead the wagons on.

You already know that I’m a planner – a list maker. I imagine many of you are like me and looking forward to the end of the year. There’s so much to do, so, we better begin now.

This morning, I was making mental notes of all the things I need to do once we get home. (I had been doing it in my sleep and it robbed me of my rest.) I stopped my mental tracking and said, “Lord, what is it You want me to focus on?”

Lord, lead on!

Jesus is much better than those wagon train scouts. He came to earth to live in a human body so that he would experience all the things we face. He faced every trial and temptation and was victorious in all things.

“ Jesus clearly did not come to help angels, but he did come to help Abraham’s descendants. 17 He had to be one of us, so that he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins. 18 And now that Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted.” Hebrews 2:16-18 CEV

The safety of the wagon train was experienced leadership. Listening to the advice of those who had been there before and not striking out “doing it my own way”. The same is true of our Christian walk.

“ We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

When we humble ourselves and trust in His leadership, letting Jesus chart the path before us, He will lead us safely through to our final destination. He will keep us from calamity!

“Show me your paths and teach me to follow; 5 guide me by your truth and instruct me.
You keep me safe, and I always trust you.” Psalms 25:4-5 CEV

Lord Jesus, lead on!

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