Category: Faithfulness

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Stuck in a Pit

Our thoughts this morning come from Psalm 40. As I was reading it the words jumped off the page.

“I called to the Lord, and he heard me. He heard my cries. 2 He lifted me out of the grave. He lifted me from that muddy place. He picked me up, put me on solid ground, and kept my feet from slipping. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see what he did and worship him. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 ERV

He lifted me from a muddy pit and put me on solid ground!

I don’t know if you’ve ever been stuck, I mean really, really stuck. There’s almost a sense of hopelessness and despair. When will help come – will I ever be rescued?

That’s the desperation in the heart of David as he wrote this Psalm. I called and He heard me and He lifted me out and put my feet on solid ground and kept me from slipping!

We were stuck in a snowdrift once on the side of a mountain. We were in our Excursion, we had gone out to cut a Christmas tree. We started to back down a side road so we could turn around and we were stuck. Even with four-wheel drive we would make twelve inches of progress and slide back six inches. It was scary and both physically and emotionally exhausting. We were sliding closer and closer to the edge of the mountain.

When I read those words “kept my feet from slipping”, I can relate. Even now as I am relating this to you my heartbeat has increased, and my breathing has gotten deeper. And I just exhaled a big sigh of relief.

My example is of being physically stuck but there have also been times when I was emotionally stuck. Desperate and depressed. The Lord’s loving-kindness pulled me out of those times too. He reassured me that no matter what I would face in life I would never be alone. He would walk through every step with me and He would rescue me when I slipped.

“So I said, ‘Here I am, ready to do what was written about me in the book. 8 My God, I am happy to do whatever you want. I never stop thinking about your teachings.’ 9 I told the good news of victory to the people in the great assembly. And, Lord, you know that I will never stop telling that good news. 10 I told about the good things you did. I did not hide these things in my heart. I spoke of how you can be trusted to save us. I did not hide your love and loyalty from those in the great assembly. 11 Lord, do not hide your mercy from me. Let your love and loyalty always protect me. ” Psalm 40:6-11 ERV

This is the reason I share with you every morning. “I told about the good things You did”! If the Lord could reach me with His love and mercy, and He did, He can and will reach out to each one of you!

Our heavenly Father doesn’t want us stuck in a pit. He is willing to lift us up and set our feet in a place where we won’t slip! Amen.

(read all of Psalm 40 – you’ll be blessed)

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The Shepherd at the Gate

Jesus was called the Lamb of God because He came to be the sinless sacrifice, the atonement for our sins. He was meek and humbled Himself to death.

Yet the lamb became the Shepherd. He recognized that we were vulnerable as lambs and promised to be our good shepherd.

“Jesus said: I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. 2-3But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out. 4When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. 5The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away. 6Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.

7Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. 8Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:1-10 ERV

In this parable Jesus is trying to make his ministry and purpose easy to understand. Since raising sheep was a common profession in that day, Jesus used something they were familiar with to teach his lesson.

At night the sheep were kept in a gated penned for their protection and early each morning the shepherds would come and lead their sheep out to pasture. The sheep had become accustomed to the shepherd’s voice and so when he called, they would follow. They wouldn’t follow someone who would sneak in and lead them astray.

Jesus was telling them that if they spent time with Him, listening to His word and getting to know Him, that they would follow Him and keep His commandments and He would lead them “in green pastures” (Psalm 23).

He also went on to say that He was the gate of the sheep pen. This was the first line of defense in their protection – He would provide for them and keep them safe. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23)

Jesus said His purpose was to give us life and life more abundantly. He also warned that there is a thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy – that’s the devil. Everything that falls in one of those categories – stealing, killing and destroying – doesn’t come from God.

Those things that bring life, abundance and fullness to life comes from God. “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17

Follow the right voice today – He will lead you on the right path and He’ll never leave you or forsake you.

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Faithful & True

Have you been going through a real struggle lately? Feeling alone and as if no one understands? You are not alone.

God is faithful! He is always there to help in time of need.

“The Lord’s word is true, and he is faithful in everything he does. 5 He loves goodness and justice. The Lord’s faithful love fills the earth.” Psalm 33:4-5 ERV

God the Father is a God of faith. Jesus Christ walked this earth as a man of faith. The Holy Spirit’s presence fills us so we can be men and women of faith.

God the Father spoke “Light be and there was light”. He didn’t speak hoping it would be. He spoke in faith.

Jesus lived a life of faith while He was here. He pleased the Father.

“So he said to them, ‘You will lift up the Son of Man. Then you will know that I Am. You will know that whatever I do is not by my own authority. You will know that I say only what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases him. So he has not left me alone.’ 30 While he was saying these things, many people believed in him.” John 8:28-30 ERV

The writer of Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God; so, if Jesus pleased the Father, it was because he was living by faith.

“But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6

When we become children of God, we are saved by faith in God’s grace. That faith is in what God has done, not in our own works but in God’s grace, his kindness.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit who indwells us “… is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Faith isn’t something we have to WORK to get, it’s something we have been given freely by God the Father. It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and like all fruit it will grow. It starts with a seed and matures.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

He has given to each of us “the measure of faith”. It’s not based on our effort, our goodness, our holiness but faith is given to us by God. Even if we feel that we only have small faith, Jesus said it’s enough to move mountains. Once again, God kind of faith isn’t in our abilities to perform but in His power.

When faith is in ourselves; in our works; in our abilities; in our employer then it isn’t faith at all. We put our faith in the Father, the same faith we used when we were born again – it was based on God and his power to save and on the love of Jesus who died and rose again.

When our faith is properly placed in God alone, we will walk by faith, not by sight and we will see mountains move by the power of God.

He is faithful and true!

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A Protecting Shepherd

It seems once the Lord shows you an example in Scripture, it pops up again and again. I like the way the Holy Spirit draws our attention to a vital truth.

A couple months back we spent some time looking at Psalm 23. The Lord is my Shepherd.

That’s personal. My Shepherd. He knows my name, He watches over me. He leads and guides me. He protects me. He feeds me and He causes me to rest. Very personal.

The Good Shepherd leads us (His sheep) to good pasture. He calls to us and we follow Him on a good path. The path of right relationship with the Father. He searches for us when we are lost.

He is faithful and trustworthy. He doesn’t abandon us in times of trouble. No, He stands and protects from our enemies; those determined to harm us.

“I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers. 7 You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely. You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song. 8 You give strength to your people, Lord, and you save and protect your chosen ones. 9 Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.” Psalm 28:6-9 CEV

Every time I read verses like these, I immediately remind myself, “this is God’s word, He doesn’t lie, these verses are written for me and they are true”.

Answered prayer. Complete trust. Protection. Carried. Thanksgiving.

Our Shepherd isn’t passive. He actively fought for our good. He won the battle and defeated the enemies and now He enforces that victory so that we can always triumph in Him.

Trust Him. He is a strong shield and is our protector and Savior.

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Do Your Best

Do your best!

Have you ever said that to your kids, a friend, your spouse or even encouraged yourself to “do your best”? I know you have.

Each time we do something we should be doing our best – even if it’s washing the dishes, cleaning house, working in the garden, preparing a meal and it goes without saying that we should be doing our jobs to the best of our ability.

And what if you were God?

Do you think that He does anything less than His best? I found myself praying that this morning, “Father, do your best.” In praying for my kids and grandkids, my friends and relatives, I don’t always know the details of what they need and so this morning I was just praying that the Father would do His best in their lives today.

I hope that’s ok with you. Some of you need healing, some financial blessing, some need joy, others need rest, some need encouragement while others need a project (to feel helpful). Some need to be free from bitterness, others free from guilt. Some just need a hug and to hear I love you.

So again my prayer is “Father, do your best”. And then I was reminded of these verses – it’s the Father doing His best!

“If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours:

3 ‘He will bless you in the city and in the field. 4 He will bless you and give you many children. He will bless your land and give you good crops. He will bless your animals and let them have many babies. He will bless you with calves and lambs.

5 He will bless your baskets and pans and fill them with food. 6 He will bless you at all times in everything you do.

7 The Lord will help you defeat your enemies who come to fight against you. Your enemies will come against you one way, but they will run away from you seven different ways! 8 The Lord will bless you and fill your barns. He will bless everything you do. The Lord your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you. 9 If you follow the Lord your God and obey his commands, he will do what he promised. ‘” Deuteronomy 28:1-9 ERV

Thank you, Father, for blessing my friends with Your best today!

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A Godly Interruption

Yesterday we saw how the Lord has instructed us to be gentle and kind to everyone.

Are you looking to be set-up by God today? You know, those “chance” meetings, wondering about people you used to be close with, just being in the right place at the right time.

God’s set-ups!

Philip was open to God using him. When Saul started persecuting the Chrisitans in Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria to preach there. Then one day the Lord told him to go south of Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. Philip obeyed.

There he met a high official in Egypt’s political system. The man was reading the book of Isaiah but didn’t really understand what he was reading.

“The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ 30 So he went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’

31 The man answered, ‘How can I understand? I need someone to explain it to me.’ Then he invited Philip to climb in and sit with him… The official said to Philip, ‘Please, tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Is he talking about himself or about someone else?’ 35 Philip began to speak. He started with this same Scripture and told the man the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:29-35 ERV

There are people all around us waiting for someone to be their Philip. We need to slow down from our own demanding schedules and allow the Lord to direct us to them.

Maybe the Lord will have you pay for someone’s groceries or pay for their meal at a restaurant. He could ask you to assist them by mowing a lawn or helping change a tire. I hardly ever, hardly ever, give money to those with signs on street corners but occasionally the Lord prompts my heart so strongly that I know I just have too.

It might be as simple as giving someone a smile and a God bless you. It might be asking someone how they are doing and really listening to their answer. Philip was listening, he heard the man and then he asked a question.

It’s the Father’s job to prepare hearts but it’s our job to be prepared to be obedient when He calls on us to be a part of a godly interruption.

Are any of you praying for the Lord to send someone to minister to your children or a dear friend? What if that person is too busy? Maybe we are the answer to someone’s prayer for their loved one. Are we ready?

When we take time to listen to the Father, He can use us to be the answer to someone’s prayer!

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Wanting More

Yesterday’s question, if you had only one prayer request – what would it be, should have caused us all to ponder on what the most important thing in our lives is.

As we mature in our relationship with the Lord, we notice that our desires change. We can relax in knowing that we don’t need to strive to be in control; we can let Him lead, directing our path, setting our course.

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. 6 You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright.” Psalm 16:5 ERV

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 ERV

These are the words of King David. A man the Bible tells us had a heart for God. He wasn’t perfect. His failures are recorded in Scripture but so is his faith and trust in His God. The Lord promoted him, he became king of Israel. He was known throughout the world. However, his greatest desire was to live in the presence of God, that’s where he had all he desired and needed.

The Apostle Paul had a similar experience.

He had been one of the religious elite. He was a man of means. A well-educated man, on the chief religious counsel. A Roman citizen and highly respected by his peers.

” I was circumcised when I was eight days old, and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses. 6  And I was so eager I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.

7 But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, 11 so that somehow I also may be raised to life.” Philippians 3:5-11 CEV

There are many situations where wanting more is considered greed or discontentment but it’s completely opposite when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Knowing Him is a true act of humility. Wanting more of Him, is desiring less of ourselves.

Jesus said this:

“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 10:41-42 CEV

Knowing Christ, wanting more of Him is what God desires for everyone of us!

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Nothing Is Impossible

I remember a number of years ago when Kim and I climbed Camelback Mountain here in Phoenix. Let me rephrase that, I attempted to climb the mountain, and my lack of success kept Kim from completing her climb.

It was an amazing experience. A challenge for sure; I’m glad I had the opportunity to experience it. It left an indelible impression in my heart and my mind. There was a viewpoint along the way where we stopped to take a picture of sprawling metropolitan area below. The city seemed endless.

Just days before I had been reading about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and it had been hard to imagine the greatness of the exodus until I stopped to take in this view. Now, the story wasn’t just words on a page; the massive undertaking that God had called Moses to became real.

Can you imagine moving a population the size of San Diego, Phoenix, Philadelphia or Dallas? This is what the Lord had Moses do!!! Yikes. The scripture tells us there were 600,000 men plus the women and children.

I was figuring that if only 500,000 men were married and those couples only had 1 child (which would be rare) there would be a minimum of 1.6 million people and according to the US Census 2010 the cities listed above ranged from 1.2-1.6 million in population.

Now, I understand that the Israelites didn’t have all the skyscrapers and business districts that we have in modern times, but they still had to have housing, pasture lands and roads leading from one community to another.

And what if overnight everyone was gone. They all took off for the desert…WOW!!

And now Moses has them at the shore of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army racing in behind them…

God Help!!!!

and he did. He put that wonderful cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians. It gave light to Israel and put Egypt in darkness. He caused the winds to blow and the water to hold back in walls while the Israelites walked across on dry ground.

It’s not just a story that kids hear in Sunday School – it’s real, it’s true and it’s a sign of God’s amazing love!

“30 On that day, when the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore, they knew that the Lord had saved them. 31 Because of the mighty power he had used against the Egyptians, the Israelites worshiped him and trusted him and his servant Moses.” Exodus 14:30-31 CEV

And then Moses led them all in song – can you imagine the party on the other side of the Red Sea…

“I sing praises to the Lord for his great victory! He has thrown the horses and their rider into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the Lord— he is my God and the God of my ancestors. 3 The Lord is his name, and he is a warrior!” Exodus 15:1-3

This is our God – our Mighty God!

“Our Lord, no other gods compare with you— Majestic and holy! Fearsome and glorious! Miracle worker! 12 When you signaled with your right hand, your enemies were swallowed deep into the earth.” Exodus 15:11-12 CEV

What is it today that you are facing – nothing is too big for our God!

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A Life Transformation

As I was reading in Colossians this morning, I immediately thought of a series of stories I read to our younger grandchildren. Two of them are old enough to read the stories for themselves but I think they really enjoy the time of us sitting together, cuddling, and I’m glad they still like to hear the sound of my voice.

Max Lucado, the Christian author, not only writes books for adults but he has a whole children’s book line as well. One of these characters is a caterpillar named Hermie. Hermie has all sorts of adventures, each one teaching him about God’s love and character.

So, I want you to think about Hermie, his transformation, and your life and your transformation as directed by God’s word.

“ When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” II Corinthians 5:17 ERV

Let’s read:

“ Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.

16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:10-18 ERV

Wow! That’s enough good solid teaching to live on for the next month or so. Daily application of God’s word brings transformation. Our spirit is created new the minute we receive Christ as our Savior, but our emotions and our will need to be transformed on a daily basis.

“ Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Romans 12:2 ERV

Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged by the process. “Let God change you inside with a new way of thinking”. The transformation takes place daily – God is working in us and through us, giving us a new way of thinking, completing the transformation.

“I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 ERV

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

Well, this wonderful trip has come to an end.

We pack up this morning, drive back to Jacksonville, turn in the rental car and board a plane, headed for home. One stop over in Dallas and arrive in Phoenix later today. It’s been fun and exciting – but home is sweet.

That’s my day. What’s yours got in store? Whatever it is the Lord has designed a path and is waiting for us to follow Him.

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

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

“ If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours:

3 “He will bless you in the city and in the field…6 He will bless you at all times in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 28:2-6 ERV

I am praying for your day to be filled with the blessings of the Lord. That’s the kind of day He has designed for us.

I’ll be with you tomorrow from my living room in Queen Valley.

Enjoy the blessings of the day!

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