Category: God’s Promises

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Over the Top

I spent quite a bit of time thinking about heaven yesterday. It would have been my Mom’s 99th birthday but she left earth for heaven fifteen months ago. At 97 her body was weak but now that she’s in heaven her energy, strength and overall well-being is restored.

As Dave and I took some time to talk about the joys of heaven, we concluded that it really is impossible to comprehend the amazing home the Father has planned for each of us who love him.

The garden of Eden was perfect and wonderful, but heaven is over-the-top. All of this pondering brings me to a place of worship. Not worship because of things that He has done for me, although those are many, but worship just because of Who He is!

One defintion in Merriam-Webster for worship is excessive admiration for someone. Excessive – our God is excessive.

He didn’t just create five colors and quit – He was excessive. He didn’t just create six kinds of fish or seven different fruits or eight varieties of flowers. He created thousands of animals, birds, and trees. He created millions of stars, countless galaxies, hundreds of millions of people with individual fingerprints and unique DNA.

Excessive!

He gave us one Son who willingly paid the price for the sins of the whole world.

Excessive!

“My Lord, there is no God like you. No one can do what you have done. 9 My Lord, you made everyone. I wish they all would come worship you and honor your name. 10 You are great and do amazing things. You and you alone are God. 11 Lord, teach me your ways, and I will live and obey your truths. Help me make worshiping your name the most important thing in my life. 12 My Lord God, I praise you with all my heart. I will honor your name forever! 13 You have such great love for me. You save me from the place of death. 14 Proud people are attacking me, God. A gang of cruel men is trying to kill me. They don’t respect you. 15 My Lord, you are a kind and merciful God. You are patient, loyal, and full of love.” Psalm 86: 8-15 ERV

Will you join me this morning in worship? Let’s show some excessive admiration and love to the One, the Only, Father God, creator of heaven and earth. He is incomparable – His character is over-the-top!

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Needing Support

Last night a memory came to mind. It’s coming on the end of summer and when we lived in Montana that meant it was time to harvest the apple tree.

The branches of this tree were heavy laden with fruit. I would have to place wood posts under the branches to hold them up and keep them from breaking. But that’s not the only support this tree needed.

The wind in Montana seems to never stop. So, the folks who planted the tree tied it to a very sturdy post to keep if from blowing over when its trunk was young and easily bent . Those ropes were still providing it with support when we bought the home some years later. We left them in place.

Maybe you’ve felt like that apple tree, in need of support. I know I have.

As children we are nurtured and supported by our parents, grandparents, teachers at school, coaches and loving friends. They are there to give us instruction, correction and guidance. They pick us up when we fall down. They help us develop and begin our journey in living fruitful lives.

As we grow older, we still need a support system. Loving family and caring friends are a priceless treasure but even then, we have dark days when we feel alone. That’s when we need the support that only the Father can provide.

“You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:7-9 CEV

I’m sure each of us can remember a time when we were without hope, feeling wind-blown and insecure. But then we experienced a strength and grounding that only the Lord could give. We might not have recognized it as such, but it was the Father’s help just the same. It could have come as the kind words and prayers of a friend or perhaps, just an inner strength and determination that kept us tethered. God has a way of providing us with what we need in those times.

“Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. 16 Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:15-17 CEV

His word gives us support and instruction, instruction that will keep us strong.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

There is no more reliable and sure counsel, no other place of unfailing support than what we will find in God’s presence and in His written word!

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Mending Fences

All through the Bible we have verses that tell us to remember – remember the good things the Lord has done.

We are told to teach our children God’s ways; make sure they know of the times the Lord has delivered us, protected and provided.

“You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.” Deuteronomy 4:9 CEV

“Someday your children will ask, “Why are these rocks here?” Then you can tell them how the water stopped flowing when the chest was being carried across the river. These rocks will always remind our people of what happened here today.” Joshua 4:6-7 CEV

So, this morning the Lord reminded me of a special time we experienced years ago, and I wanted to share it with you. Some of you have read it before but ask the Lord what He is wanting you to learn as you read it again.

I had the privilege to preach the funeral of a dear friend. This old cowboy had lived a good life but not always a godly one. In fact, it wasn’t until a couple years before he died that I had the opportunity to lead him to Jesus. How special it was to know that God’s love had touched this man’s life and that he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Dave and I made the trip from Montana to Nebraska for the celebration of his life. I remember asking him just a few days before he died if he was ready to see Jesus and he responded with a resounding “Yes, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”

When we entered the mortuary, I saw his favorite saddle was positioned at the end of his casket and tied to the saddle was a pair of fencin’ pliers. I wondered how many times he must have used those as he rode fence and checked on the cattle.

As I preached his funeral the next day, I made comment that Derald wouldn’t need those pliers anymore because there are no fences to mend in heaven. However, down here on earth we still need them.

How many times have I needed a pair of spiritual fencin’ pliers? How many times have I needed to have the lines around me pulled tight and secured, once again, to a strong post? How many times have I tried to grab a loose strand of wire with my hands and been stuck on the barbs?

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe.” Hebrews 6:18-19

To me, hope is like a pair of fencin’ pliers. It pulls things up tight and keeps us for running off beyond the fence of safety that God has established for us.

God can’t lie. Trust His Word, pull your fence tight, and He will keep you safe and sure.

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Hurry Up & Wait

Today is one of our days’ off and I’m thankful that we don’t have a long list of things that need to be done. Sometimes our non-workdays are filled with more activities than those when we work a full shift.

Whatever the day brings, it seems there is always a time of waiting. At 69, you would think I had learned to wait better but I’m still working on it.

How are you going to spend your day? Do you have a list of projects that need to be completed? Are you travelling to far away places? Do you think your activities are mundane and uneventful? Or do you possibly have a “big” appointment that could be life changing?

As you hurry through your morning or stop to have a quiet cup of coffee and a reflective moment, I want to encourage you to start your day praising God for the blessings in your life. You have breath, a computer/tablet/phone (if you’re reading this), a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in, you have some degree of health and wealth and you have God’s promise to never leave you or abandon you!

So much to be thankful for.

A while back, I was reading the last chapter of Luke. Jesus disciples and apostles had followed him for 3 years. They thought he was going to set up an earthly kingdom, overthrow their Roman oppressors and bring peace to their nation. But instead, He died; they were dejected. The resurrection gave them new hope . They learned He was leaving again but this time they had a new prospective.

What did they do?

“Jesus led his followers out of Jerusalem almost to Bethany. He raised his hands and blessed his followers. 51 While he was blessing them, he was separated from them and carried into heaven. 52 They worshiped him and went back to Jerusalem very happy. 53 They stayed at the Temple all the time, praising God.” Luke 24:50-53 ERV

They spent their waiting time praising God!

What a great way to pass the time while you’re waiting in traffic, or in the checkout line that seems to be at a standstill. You can praise God while waiting to be served in a restaurant or on hold waiting for a live person to take your call. It’s the best way to spend your time while waiting in the carpool lane or sitting in a waiting room at the hospital.

“Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 27:14 ERV

Wherever you are waiting today, wait on the Lord – praise Him and He will fill your life with joy!

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A Touch

I’ve started reading through the Gospels again. Since we are supposed to be Christ’s ambassadors on earth, I think it’s important to study his life, the miracles He did and the way He dealt with people. This way I can better emulate Him.

One of my favorite miracles is in Matthew 8. The healing of the leper.

For probably fifteen plus years now I have read and reread this man’s story. The first time I truly read it, I was brought to tears. Oh, I’ve heard the story since I was a child in Sunday School. But there was that one day when it came to life.

Jesus had been preaching on the mountain. Many had come to hear him teach. The whole teaching can be found in Matthew, chapters 5 to 7. He gave an example for prayer, the “Lord’s Prayer”, He gave instruction on character – blessed are the meek, the peacemakers, the righteous, etc. He gave us instruction on how to change our world, we are to be salt and light.

And He gave insight into the Father’s character and how He treats us. Jesus told us to ask to receive, to search and we would find, to knock so that we would see doors open. He went on to say that the Father gives good gifts to His children.

Many were on the mountain with Jesus, listening. As He descended the mountain side He was met by this man, a leper. This man who had heard His teaching, this man was unclean and by Jewish tradition was forbidden to be in close contact with any other human. This man was an outcast and left to rot, literally.

But this man had heard the words of Jesus and it filled his heart with faith. This man ignored the traditions of religion and came to the Savior.
“Jesus came down from the hill, and a large crowd followed him. 2 Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, ‘Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.’ 3 Jesus touched the man. He said, ‘I want to heal you. Be healed!’ Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy.” Matthew 8:1-3 ERV

Jesus also ignored religious traditions and touched this man.

I have no idea how many years it had been since this man felt the touch of another human. How long had it been since anyone had hugged him or kissed his cheek? How he must have longed for someone to simply touch his hand or pat him on the back.

He heard Jesus say “ask and it will be given you” and of all the people on the mountainside that day – he asked and then he received.

That’s what Jesus has done for each one of us who have asked. He has touched us – our lives have been changed. We are no longer ravaged by leprous cells of past sins, no longer an outcast.

Again, the tears are falling. My heart is filled with thanksgiving and the words of a song come to mind:

He touched me, oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole

One touch of the Master’s Hand and now we’ve been made whole!

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Which Box?

Do you have a tendency to compartmentalize your life?

Family, work, health, friends, finances, social activities. Everything has to be kept in its own little box, not touching or interfering with the others, like vegetables on a dinner plate, we don’t let them blend.

Many people do that with the Lord. It’s ok for Him to have their Sunday or days when times are tough, but they aren’t ready to allow Him to permeate each area of their everyday lives.

Yesterday’s blog dealt with opening our heart’s door and letting Jesus in. Welcoming Him in a warmer way than we do with family and friends. Today, we need to look at giving Him full access to every area of our lives.

I found an interesting assessment of the Lord in the book of I Kings. Benhadad, a foreign king, had attacked Ahab, king of Samaria. The Israelites had gone to aid in the fight. King Benhadad was defeated, his officers needed to find a reason for his defeat and this is what they told him.

“King Ben-Hadad’s officers said to him, ‘The gods of Israel are mountain gods. We fought in a mountain area, so the Israelites won. If we fight them on level ground, we will win.'” I Kings 20:23 ERV

God won’t be kept in a box. God won’t be limited. This was the Lord’s reply to their attempt to confine his involvement.

“A man of God came to the king of Israel with this message: ‘The Lord said, “The people of Aram said that I, the Lord, am a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys. So I will let you defeat this great army. Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!’” I Kings 20:28 ERV

The same holds true in our lives.

The Lord wants to show that He is the Lord, wherever we are. God wants to be involved in every aspect of what we do. He has the knowledge, the plan and the power to bring us through in victory. He wants to be Lord over every area of our lives.

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:16-17 CEV

Our lives should be completely filled with the message of Christ, letting Him have every area, holding nothing back. Then whatever we say or do will be done to honor Him.

We have all given the Lord limited access in our lives at one time or another. Isn’t it time to let Him have it all? No more putting Him in a box. Let the Lord bring the victory we need in every area.

“Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!”

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What Are You Waiting For?

Every few years the Lord reminds me of my need to be contentedly patient.

Therein lays the struggle. “Contentedly” patient. Patient in the moment of today while still waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise. If we become so intent on the when of the promise, we lose sight of the now of our walk of faith.

We become impatient and impatience is a destroyer of faith.

When we become impatient, we begin to try to work things out on our own – we wonder if God is ever going to come through – what’s taking sooooooooooo long? Those kinds of thoughts come from doubt and doubt brings fear – fear that it is never going to work out right. Doubt and fear will choke out the promises of God’s word – they can outweigh faith, if we let them. We must stand with confidence in God’s word if we expect to see God’s promises fulfilled.

“But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. 7-8 If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.” James 1:6-8 CEV

Abram followed God from his homeland out into the middle of nowhere because God made him a promise. A promise that he would possess great land and be the father of many nations. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham reiterating the promise that he would be a father of many descendants.

Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had to wait years to see that promise come to pass. They tried to rush the promise, using their own efforts, and it caused real issues of jealousy and bitterness. Their efforts didn’t stop God’s plan.

“God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. 19  Abraham’s faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly 100 years old. He knew he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20 But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. 21 Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21 CEV

What is it that God has promised you? Don’t give up – don’t fall back. Move forward – continue to follow in obedience what God has put in your heart.

“By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.” Hebrews 11:11

Keep going. Don’t become impatient. A friend of ours told us once “If God says go North He will provide, if you go South you’ll think you died”.

Follow God and He’ll bring His promises to pass.

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Reaching Down

Wednesday, we headed down the mountain for the Valley. We had some business to attend to and were also able to have a brief visit with our kids. Before we left, we did what we always do. We prayed for safely while we traveled.

Our drive was uneventful even though we were followed by some of the largest rain clouds I had ever seen. Thank you, Lord!

Yesterday morning we went to the far east side of the Valley and got some business taken care of. Then we came back to a more central area to do some shopping and our visit with the family. Only a few sprinkles and cloudy skies.

When we were at our daughter’s last night, we saw video of what the over 2″ of rain had done in the area where we had been just that morning. Thank you, Father, for your hand of protection and safety.

“Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, he made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3 ERV

These words are not some author taking poetic license. They are the promise of God to be our protector!

These words were written to the nation of Israel, but they are valid for us today.

“You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 28 Now, in Christ, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus. 29 You belong to Christ, so you are Abraham’s descendants. You get all of God’s blessings because of the promise that God made to Abraham.” Galatians 3:26-27 ERV

We all get the blessings of the promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants, Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. In Christ, His blessings are for all of us.

Those promises are practical – they are for everyday living. Look at the words in the Isaiah verses again “when you have troubles, I am with you”. That’s a promise.

The flash flooding and the thunderstorms are a reminder to me of the Father’s hand of protection. Even in our stupidity He is there.

“…Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”

31 Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. He said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29-31 ERV

Now, I’m not suggesting we do stupid things BUT when we realize we have, the wisest thing to do is what Peter did. Shout out “Lord, save me”. And let the Lord reach down, catching us by the hand and rescue us.

The prayer that Dave and I pray each day for safety and protection isn’t wishful thinking or a positive affirmation. It is an expression of our faith-filled trust that we always are under the shelter of God’s hand of protection.

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Just The Facts

dun ta dun dun…

If you’re close to my age you remember the theme music for Dragnet.

Since it’s almost Friday, it seems a good time to remind you of those famous words spoken by Sgt. Joe Friday on every episode of Dragnet, you know the ones, “the facts ma’am, just the facts”.

But there’s a difference between the facts and the truth. Have you ever thought about that?

Wanting to know the truth, we should never settle for just the facts.

The facts according to Jewish law said that a woman caught in adultery should be stoned to death. However, the truth was Jesus was moved with compassion, he stopped her accusers, her life was spared, and she was forgiven.

The facts according to Jewish law said that a leper was declared unclean and couldn’t be in close proximity to the general population. The facts stated that a woman who had menstrual bleeding was not allowed in public.

But the truth was that Jesus came to heal the sick and so he touched the leper and healed the woman with the issue of blood.

“Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, ‘Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.’ 3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, ‘I want to! Now you are well.’ At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:2-3 CEV

“The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes. 28 She had said to herself, ‘If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ 29 As soon as she touched them, her bleeding stopped, and she knew she was healed…The woman knew what had happened to her. So she came trembling with fear and knelt down in front of Jesus. Then she told him the whole story. 34 Jesus said to the woman, ‘You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain.’” Mark 5:27-29,33-34 CEV

Jesus by-passed the facts and focused on the truth. The leper needed a touch and Jesus reached out to him. The woman had exhausted all her finances seeking a cure – she needed peace, she needed healing. Jesus didn’t condemn her with the facts but was moved by compassion and healed her.

What facts could be holding you back?

Compare them with the truth of God’s word and see how God’s truth will overcome the facts of your situation.

“Lord, help me learn your ways. Show me how you want me to live. 5 Guide me and teach me your truths. You are my God, my Savior. You are the one I have been waiting for. 6 Remember to be kind to me, Lord. Show me the tender love that you have always had.” Psalm 25:4-6 ERV

The facts without compassion can be condemning but wrapping the facts in God’s compassion brings peace, healing, kindness and forgiveness.

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Stay Out of the Weeds

Dave and I had been looking for a small inflatable boat that we could use on these mountain lakes. It would need to be something light weight enough that he and I could load and unload it from the back of our flatbed truck without much trouble.

We knew what we wanted. We had been watching YouTube videos for over a year to find the right one. One day there it was on CraigsList. We drove across Phoenix and sure enough, it was perfect for us. But with all the settling in and adjusting to fulltime RV life we hadn’t gotten it out on water until yesterday.

We loaded it up and headed off to a nearby reservoir. It was the perfect place for our first outing. No one else was there so we had plenty of time to get it off the truck and into the water without feeling rushed. We have a small trolling motor that pushed us through the water with ease.

We were even able to fish a little. It is balanced so well. He sat on one pontoon, and I sat on the other. It didn’t rock or list when either one of us cast our line. Perfect.

However, there was one thing we had to be mindful of – the weeds. Dave told me, “Keep a sharp eye out, let me know if it looks like we’re getting into the weeds”. Since the motor is as small as it is, weeds could be a problem. They could wrap around the prop and that wouldn’t be good.

“Stay out of the weeds”!

If memory serves me correctly Jesus said the same thing.

“And what about the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people who hear the teaching but let worries about this life and love for money stop it from growing. So it does not produce a crop in their lives.

23 “But what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear the teaching and understand it. They grow and produce a good crop, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.” Matthew 13:21-23 ERV

How many times have the weeds of worry over finances stopped God’s word from growing in my life? Too many times for sure.

When we were first married, we had to close our business and sell our inventory for 10c on the dollar. Then there was the time our oldest were little – ages 2 and 4. We moved back to Arizona from New Mexico and could find no where to live because of a housing shortage. We lived in my parents Class C motorhome (our first RVing experience). Those weren’t the only two times that the weeds of financial worry wrapped around us and slowed our forward movement.

But God…He is faithful! He changed circumstances, gave us creative ideas and used the loving kindness of friends to bless us and see us through. We are still learning to stay out of the weeds; the weeds of high fuel prices, increased food prices, etc.

“ My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ERV

Maybe you’ve found yourself in a bramble patch or stuck in seaweed. Trust God to bring you through it, don’t let the circumstances choke His word. He is faithful. He came to bring us life, an abundant life, we just need to stay out of the weeds.

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