The Story in a Sunset

Yesterday Dave and I watched several programs on Australia. The brilliant blue waters and the chiseled rock formations were amazing. But I love living in Arizona.

I feel so grateful for where we live. I love watching the sun rise each morning and then set again each evening! I think that’s one of the things I enjoy most about living in Arizona – the amazing sunrises and sunsets! Beauty like this can never be captured on any canvas. Even the most advanced camera cannot truly capture the true colors and magnificence that God has placed in the heavens.

I love, did I say that again, I love seeing the beauty in nature. The brilliance in the color of a hummingbird, the magnificence of the whales. The intricacy of a flower’s center, the way the snow glistens like diamonds in the sunshine. Each and every one of them is a tribute to the excellence of God’s design. All telling the glory of God and showing off His handiwork.

But even greater than His creation is His word. For it’s His word that declares the depth of His amazing love for us.

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. 2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. 3 You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear.4 But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.

The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens. 5 It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom. It begins its path across the sky like an athlete eager to run a race. 6 It starts at one end of the sky and runs all the way to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The Lord’s teachings are perfect. They give strength to his people. The Lord’s rules can be trusted. They help even the foolish become wise. 8 The Lord’s laws are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are good. They show people the right way to live. 9 Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:1-10 ERV

It’s verse 10 that I wrote on my cards years ago. “10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.”

King David was a very wealthy man but he learned through all his years that what he learned from the Lord, from God’s word, was worth more than the purest gold. He desired to know God’s word more than he desired wealth and riches.

“More to be desired are they then gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Verse 10 King James version

When I see creation and all it’s beauty I realize how very rich I am. I am rich because the God who created all this allows me to call him Father! He created this beauty so that I could see His glory and His power. And then as I enjoy it all He whispers “I love you. I love you so much that I sent my Son”.

“Long ago God spoke to our early fathers in many different ways. He spoke through the early preachers. 2 But in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son. God gave His Son everything. It was by His Son that God made the world. 3 The Son shines with the shining-greatness of the Father. The Son is as God is in every way. It is the Son Who holds up the whole world by the power of His Word. The Son gave His own life so we could be clean from all sin. After He had done that, He sat down on the right side of God in heaven.” Hebrews 11:1-3 NLV

Thank you Father for this wonderful creation but thank you more for the gift of your Son and your Word!

Solomon Building the Temple

Was reading about Solomon building the Temple. David had always wanted to build it but his life was spent in securing the nation and the project of building the Temple was given to Solomon instead. 7 1/2 years and billions of dollars – over 100,000 workers – amazing!

But the most amazing thing is this.
“This is what Solomon said to King Hiram: 3 “You remember that my father, King David, had to fight many wars all around him. So he was never able to build a temple to honor the LORD his God. King David was waiting until the LORD allowed him to defeat all his enemies. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me peace along all the borders of my country. I have no enemies, and my people are in no danger.” I Kings 5:2-4

Solomon spoke of David wanting to build a temple for the Lord his God but now he, Solomon, was going to build a temple for the “Lord my God”.

That really struck me – as a parent David had many children that didn’t grow up to serve the Lord “their” God but Solomon did and he gave personal testimony that the Lord was his God.

What kind of heritage are we living before our children? Do they see the God we love and serve as antiquated and irrelevant to their lives? Or is our God loving, full of strength, power and peace and someone our children desire to have personal relationship with as well?

God doesn’t have grandkids – we aren’t in His family because of our parents relationship. Each one of us need our own personal relationship with our heavenly Father. I’ve heard it said before that being born in a christian family doesn’t make you a christian anymore than being born in a garage would make you a car.

We need to live lives that cause others to hunger for the same peace, joy, victory, strength and reliance on the Lord that we have. We pray for our children every day that God will reveal himself to them in a way that they can see and know it’s God.

“Then all your children will be taught by the Lord, their prosperity will be great, 14 and you will be established on a foundation of righteousness. You will be far from oppression, you will certainly not be afraid; you will be far from terror, it will certainly not come near you.” Isaiah 54:13-14

No one can be forced into salvation – it’s a free gift to be received. But one of the greatest things we can do for this world is to raise our children to honor God and follow His plan for their lives.

Cup of Coffee and Praise

Starting the day off right…cup of coffee and praise.

Just wanting to praise my God and my King. Join me!

” O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.” Psalm 63 KJV

Faithfulness

I’m sharing a devotional that I posted about 3 years ago. It’s what was on my heart this morning.

When I woke up I was thinking about faithfulness; my faithfulness to my family and friends, my faithfulness to myself and to the Lord. I realize that many times I fall short to all of them. My intentions are good, my desire is there but through my own lack and circumstances I fail.

However, God NEVER fails to be faithful! Amen!

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1 KJV

God is always there and He always will be. We fail in not recognizing His faithfulness but He never fails in being faithful. You know as well as I do that the sun will come up this morning, the tides will ebb and flow, the birds will sing, flowers will bloom and the sun will set this evening. He is faithful.

“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” Psalm 119:90 KJV

God’s faithfulness wasn’t just for one segment of time but it is for all generations! If it were, then God wouldn’t be faith-full. Full of faith – filled with faith – God can NEVER not be faithful! He was, He is and He will be and we can trust Him in that.

So I will say with King Solomon this morning
“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends.
23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

Look for the Father’s faithfulness today!