Category: God’s Promises

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Call to Battle

I was reading about King David this morning. The account in II Samuel 21 is long past his days of youth when he defeated Goliath but here he is leading the Israelites in battle against the Philistines again.

David had grown weary in the fight and the Philistines knew it. A warrior had come to destroy him but King David’s aide defended him and destroyed the enemy. The Israelites were victorious, and the Philistines were once defeated once again.

Do you feel like King David? Have you grown weary in the battle?

I don’t know why Christians think that we won’t have troubles or battles. We do and we will. But our battles aren’t against flesh and blood, they are against the spiritual evil and darkness that has so much influence in our world.

“We live in this world, but we don’t act like its people 4 or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments 5 and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people’s thoughts and make them obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 CEV

We fight against thoughts and arguments that take hold of people’s thinking, leading them away from obedience to Christ. The weapons we used are given to us by God and don’t conform to man’s way of thinking.

“Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

14  Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. 15  Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. 16 Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17  Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

18 Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.” Ephesians 5:10-18 CEV

Young David said he battled Goliath not with sword and spear but with the name of the Lord. Joshua went to battle in the power of the Lord. We also go to battle in the same way.

“ So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” vs 13

Each piece of armor listed in the verses above, truth, the gospel of peace, salvation, righteousness, faith, sword of the Spirit, are all found in God’s word. He gives them freely to each of us to use.

When we grow weary, like David did, we pray for strength and the Lord will provide that too. The armor that God gives us prepares us for battle and assures us ultimate victory!

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Back In the Box

This past week Dave and I have been packing things up and getting ready to head back to the Valley. Our biggest struggle has been trying to get things back in their original boxes.

No, we don’t have a cat and if we did we wouldn’t put them in a box but we did have canvas tarps and poles for our garage and also the awning and stakes for our canopy. Dave kept saying, “how did they get all this in the box”.

After what seemed to be hours of struggling with folding and refolding, packing and unpacking and packing again, we were tired. At one point I said to him, “no more today, it can wait till tomorrow”. I went in and he kept working.

This may all seem silly to you but each of us face daily struggles. How do we keep everything in order? How do we get all our “junk” back in the box?

“He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.” Zechariah 4:6

When we have Christ in our life we never have to draw on our own strength. We have his promise that He will provide the strength that we need.

Some things become easier with age. We have the experience to be more relaxed in different situations. Things don’t seem as stressful because we’ve walked this ground before and know that eventually everything will work out. Or at least that’s how it seems.

However, with age some things can seem more difficult. The physical things that we once had the power to handle when we were younger not can be tiring and frustrating.

“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills. 3 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies! He is worthy of my praise!” Psalm 18:1-3 ERV

The Lord never intended for us to do things on our own. He came to walk and talk with Adam and Eve each evening. He talked with Abraham, friend to friend. The Lord visited with Moses and gave him direction. He gave David strength to defeat a giant and was there when Daniel needed Him in the lion’s den.

Jesus talked with the Father continually and obtained the strength He needed for each day. The Apostle Paul made this statement to the churches in a letter written as a prisoner in Rome.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

What is it that takes your strength? Packing up to go home, an illness, an obnoxious co-worker, financial stress? In each and every situation the Father promises to be our help and provide our strength.

Trust Him. He knows how to put everything back in the box.

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Parched in the Desert

Many years ago Dave and I farmed alfalfa in the desert outside of Phoenix. We were responsible for over 900 acres of alfalfa. The Bible says that the Apostle Paul went to the backside of the desert to learn about the Lord; well we went to Arlington.

It was there I learned about thirsting for God and His word.

Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really, really thirsty where your lips were dry and your throat was parched.

When Dave and I first started farming we had an equipment malfunction. The baler I was using kept breaking one of the wires. This was summer and it was really hot! Dave had been picking up the good bales with the roadsider and it was my job to walk from field to field, cut the wires, spread the hay for re-baling until all of it was done.

At some point Dave had finished his job, came to check on me and then had gone off to do something else. As I saw him drive away I realized he was leaving with the water! I was so hot and thirsty. I sat on a bale and cried. I felt so alone and forgotten.

I was parched!

Every time I read a verse about “thirsting” for God’s Word I remember that experience. When our soul cries out for strength and help, it’s like that day I cried for water in a hot, dry land.

I am so glad the Father is faithful to see that I am well watered!

“God, you are my God.
    I am searching so hard to find you.
Body and soul, I thirst for you
    in this dry and weary land without water.
2 Yes, I have seen you in your Temple.
    I have seen your strength and glory.
3 Your faithful love is better than life,
    so my lips praise you.
4 By my life, I will praise you.
    In your name, I lift my hands in prayer.
5 When I sit down to satisfy my hunger,
    my joyful lips hunger to praise you!
6 I remember you while lying on my bed.
    I think about you in the middle of the night.
7 That is because you are the one who helps me.
    It makes me happy to be under your protection!
8 I stay close to you, and you hold me with your powerful arm.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV

Are you thirsty? The Lord’s promise is that when we hunger and thirst for right standing with Him we will be filled!

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Clap Their Hands

Have you ever seen the trees swaying in the breeze?

Here on the mountain, we often get breezes that cause the tops of the trees to sway to and fro. The leaves rustle, especially now, as they are starting to fall after displaying their beautiful colors of yellow, gold and red.

I was mindful of these verses from the book of Isaiah yesterday. I had the opportunity to be out driving, once again, down the same dirt lane I’ve driven at least a hundred times this summer but yesterday was different.

The tree tops were dancing. The prophet Isaiah wrote “the trees of the field will clap their hands”. Clothed in such beauty and splendor, no wonder they were clapping.

“Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the sinful turn from his way, and the one who does not know God turn from his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have loving-pity on him. Let him turn to our God, for He will for sure forgive all his sins. 8 ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways,’ says the Lord. 9 ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn bush, the cypress tree will come up. Instead of the thistle, the myrtle tree will come up. It will cause you to remember the Lord, something special to see that will last forever.’” Isaiah 55:6-13 NLV

Take time to re-read those verses, please.

Are you looking for God this morning? He’s looking after you. His thoughts toward you are full of love, kindness and forgiveness.

In the natural the rain and snow come to water the earth and cause the vegetation to grow. In the spiritual, God sends his word to provide for us. His word will carry out His plan – it will bring us joy and peace.

The mountains break out in joyous celebration and the trees clap their hands in honor of the Lord and all He has done. Seeing the trees will cause us to remember the Lord. They continually tell of His greatness.

Let the wonder of the beauty you see in the trees cause you to praise and celebrate the One who created them!

It’s time for us to join the celebration and clap our hands in honor of His love.

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The Changing Lane

Last night we had a “good-bye” dinner for some of our host friends who will be leaving the mountain the end of this week. Things are beginning to change.

Each day we become more visually aware that Autumn is here and our mountain life is changing. I feel blessed that we are here to see God’s design of changing seasons but the goodbyes do tug at my heart.

“And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day. 14 Then God said, ‘Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.’ And that is what happened.” Genesis 1:13-15 NLT

From the beginning the change of seasons was in His plan. It was established by His word and it has not changed. The Father’s faithfulness is unchanging.

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

Faithful and unfailing.

The question that came to mind the other day as I was driving up the lane to our campground was how many times have these trees’ leaves changed? Season after season, year after year, they from green to yellow and gold and then they fall to the ground, only to bud again in the Spring. They are a part of God’s plan and design. It was spoken at the beginning of time and the life of each subsequent generation of trees follows suit.

Why? Because God’s word established it. Established it in the same way that He established his love and faithfulness.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.” Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT

Jesus is always the same. Period. He does not change, season after season, year after year He remains the same. He is our example of the Father’s unfailing love, mercy and grace. His eternal purpose is to bring us into relationship with the Father. Our strength comes from God’s grace.

Our lane changes from green to gold. Some trees die and then new saplings sprout. One day it will all be gone but we have God’s promise that his word will never pass away.

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Matthew 24:35 NLT

When we put our faith and trust in Him, we have the promise of eternal life; a life in heaven surrounded by beauty, in the presence of God, Himself!

If you have trouble with change, put your hope in the One who never changes and whose Word will last forever.

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Hungry?

The last few days photos of our youngest grandson have been showing up on my memory pages. He just celebrated his 7th birthday and it’s been fun to look back at his first few weeks of life.

I love babies!!

They are so pure and so hungry. They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to know that they must eat, and they let the world know it. Their feedings take priority.

“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” I Peter 2:2-3 CEV

Yes, we need to be like babies – sincere, innocent, with an overwhelming desire to grow – to drink spiritual milk (the Word) and learn of the Lord’s goodness.

As we feast on milk we grow and come to a point where we are mature enough to enjoy solid food, as the writer of Hebrews put it. Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong.

“People who live on milk are like babies who don’t really know what is right. 14 Solid food is for mature people who have been trained to know right from wrong.” Hebrews 5:13-14 CEV

Sometimes babies, and adults, just need a drink of water and not milk. It keeps us hydrated and all our organs functioning well.

We also need to come for the living water that only Christ can give.

“Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.’

11 The woman said, ‘Sir, where will you get that living water?…

13 Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.’

15 The woman said to Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.’” John 4:10-15 ERV

Water and milk are both a necessity of life. When babies need to eat, they cry out. They really have no other way to signal that they are hungry.

When was the last time we cried because we were hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? Jesus made us all a promise.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. 36 I said to you that you have seen Me and yet you do not put your trust in Me. 37 All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6:35-37 NLV

When we come to Him, hungry and thirsty for the life He gives, He will never turn us away!

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Made Whole

Last night we had dinner with friends in the campground. I was speaking with a gentleman that had lost his family home and all its belongings earlier this Spring in the fires that consumed a large portion of New Mexico.

Ranchers and farmers not only lost their homes but their livelihoods. He told me that there is an effort under way to help all those who suffered loss so they would be “made whole”.

Made whole. Those two words resonated within me. Made whole carries a meaning of lacking imperfection.

Made whole . It’s a phrase used time and again when Jesus healed people. Look at these few examples:

“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew 9:22 KJV

“And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” Matthew 14:36 KJV

“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:52 KJV

“The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.” John 5:15 KJV

Be made whole!

In most of these cases the Biblical account goes on to say that Jesus also told them their sins had been forgiven. They weren’t just made whole physically but also spiritually. The Father is concerned with our “complete” person, spirit, soul and body.

“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!” I Thessalonians 5:23 MSG

When the Father touches our lives He doesn’t leave us broken – He makes us whole, He makes us new.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” II Corinthians 5:17 NLT

The life we once lived, operating under our own power and intellect has been removed and we have become a new person. Sins forgiven and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

“ The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.” I Corinthians 2:14-16 MSG

One phrase in one conversation filled my heart and my mind. God the Father has made us whole. We have His nature and are created in His image!

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In the Fields

Do you possess a mental calendar? When you travel certain places do you have familiar memories that you can share with your family and friends? Is there a richness for times spent and lessons learned?

I do!

And so do some of the Bible’s leading characters. I’ll share just one.

“So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, ‘Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.’” Joshua 4:4-7 NLT

The Lord’s promise had been fulfilled. The Israelites were now in the Promised Land. This was a land that had been promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier. God was faithful to His word and Joshua wanted them to have an everlasting memorial of God’s faithfulness, a visible memorial that would last forever.

I have only stacked stones once but my memory serves as a constant reminder of the promises of God.

For instance, I remember the first time the verses of Deuteronomy 28 became a reality in my life. Dave and I were farming alfalfa for an absentee farmer in the Arizona desert. We had been listening to some teaching tapes on Victorious Christian Living, a new concept to us. It was there that these words came to life:

“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.'” Deuteronomy 28:2-4 ERV

Blessed in the city and in the fields…we spent a lot of time in those 900 acres of alfalfa. The Lord protected us, the crop and our children. We saw the land give amazing yields per acre. We were protected from storms and rattle snakes. We had good health and strong bodies.

When we drive through miles of open prairie now, I remember – “we are blessed in the fields”. When we drive the freeways I remember – “we are blessed in the city”. When I planted gardens in the backyard I remembered – “He blessed my land and gave me good crops”.

My favorite time is being in the fields. It’s there I remember I am blessed and not alone. My Father has given me a promise, one that I will never forget.

Take a little time today to stack some mental stones – stones which have spiritual meaning. Remember the promises of God!

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Never Underestimate the Impossible

This morning’s title comes from a song sung by Joe Nichols, a country singer. These were the words I heard running through my mind this morning.

“I’ve learned to never underestimate, The impossible”

Seems this is the message the Lord has wanted me to bring the last week. A message of hope, of safety, provision, protection, salvation, a message of doing the impossible.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

Let God be true and every man a liar, that’s what the Bible tells us! God cannot lie.

Abraham believed God rather than looking at his own body or the body of his wife and they had a child when he was one hundred. Mary believed God and she conceived a son when she was a virgin. The disciples believed God and they cast our demons, healed the sick and raised the dead. The lame man believed God and took up his bed and walked.

I believe God and He has healed me many times, brought peace in the midst of physical and emotional storms, prosperity out of poverty, and life eternal. I believe the word when it says, “with God, all things are possible”. I believe the word when it says, “by his stripes we are healed”. And I believe the word of God when it says, “nothing is impossible to him who believes”.

When we pray the word of God, we are praying God’s will because His word is His will. We can be confident when we pray the Word of God over a situation.

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:1-5 NLT

“ The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

Let God be true and every man a liar. Always let God’s word have the final say in your circumstances.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

Never underestimate the impossible for with God all things are possible!

AMEN!

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A Long Night

I consider it a pleasure and a privilege to share with you each day. Most of you I don’t know by sight but only by name. However, you fill my prayers, prayers for peace and health, prayers for a growing relationship with the Father.

I know life is filled with many challenges and for that reason I pray.

You may have gone to bed heavy-hearted last night. Maybe there were things rolling over and over in your mind while you tried to sleep. Some thoughts may have condemned while others just agitated but this is a new day and a time for a fresh start.

“Just thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable. 20 That’s all I ever think about, and I am depressed. 21 Then I remember something that fills me with hope. 22 The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!’ 25 The Lord is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. 26 It is good to wait patiently for the Lord to save us.” Lamentations 3:19-26 CEV

It may have been a long night but this morning the Father remains faithful. The Lord’s kindness NEVER fails. The Lord can ALWAYS be trusted. The Lord is ALL I need. I can DEPEND on Him. The Lord’s mercies are new every morning – great is His faithfulness!

The long night is over.

Start fresh today and know that God has not and will not abandon you and He will deliver you in every situation. Let Him FILL you with hope!

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