Category: God’s Promises

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Wonderfully Made

“Lord, you have tested me,
    so you know all about me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up.
    You know my thoughts from far away.
3 You know where I go and where I lie down.
    You know everything I do.
4 Lord, you know what I want to say,
    even before the words leave my mouth.
5 You are all around me—in front of me and behind me.
    I feel your hand on my shoulder.
6 I am amazed at what you know;
    it is too much for me to understand.
7 Your Spirit is everywhere I go.
    I cannot escape your presence.
8 If I go up to heaven, you will be there.
    If I go down to the place of death, you will be there.
9 If I go east where the sun rises
    or go to live in the west beyond the sea,
10 even there you will take my hand and lead me.
    Your strong right hand will protect me.

11 Suppose I wanted to hide from you and said,
    “Surely the darkness will hide me.
    The day will change to night and cover me.”
12 Even the darkness is not dark to you.
    The night is as bright as the day.
    Darkness and light are the same.
13 You formed the way I think and feel.
    You put me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way.
    I know how amazing that was!

15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape,
    hidden in my mother’s womb.
16 You could see my body grow each passing day.
    You listed all my parts, and not one of them was missing.
17 Your thoughts are beyond my understanding.
    They cannot be measured!
18 If I could count them, they would be more than all the grains of sand.
    But when I finished, I would have just begun.” Psalm 139:1-18 ERV

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Rest & Renewal

This morning I overslept – that’s a strange statement for someone to make who is retired and has no appointments for the day but it’s true all the same.

I enjoy getting up in the quiet of the morning, having time to read, pray and then write. That generally means I wake up around 3 or 330 and start my day. This morning it was almost 430 before I got out of bed. Whoa.

As I was praying, I felt I really should be sharing on resting. There are so many things that pull on us every day that we fail to really rest. Then I opened my computer and went to BibleGateway to look up a few verses that came to mind. This was the verse on their home page:

“But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.” Isaiah 40:31 ERV

The two verses preceding this one read like this:

“He helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. 30 Young men get tired and need to rest.  Even young boys stumble and fall.” Isaiah 40:29-30 ERV

He helps tired people be strong. What an encouragement!

In another version, verse 31 says: “They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength”. Waiting on God will renew our strength. It will give us rest. Waiting on or trusting the Lord brings release from worry which brings rest. When we wait, we pause – we pause to get the Father’s plan and His direction.

Jesus was a prime example of this. He would minister all day and night and then he would send the disciples away or He would go to a place to pray – He would wait on the Father. After leaving these places of waiting, Jesus would go about ministering, rested and renewed.

“Jesus healed many of those who had different kinds of sicknesses. He also forced many demons out of people. But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. 35 The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36 Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 They found him and said, “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus answered, “We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here, and I can tell God’s message to those people too. That is why I came.” Mark 1:34-38 ERV

Are you feeling tired today – worn out, exhausted? Take time to WAIT on the Lord. He will renew your strength!!

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Dry Ground

Years ago, when Dave and I were farming alfalfa, the Lord taught me a life lesson about the Word of God being like a seed planted in good ground.

The Lord showed me that His word will bring that same kind of continual harvest in the life of the believers. It was a real encouragement for me to keep the Word of God planted in my heart and to see harvest after harvest from the goodness of His word.

There have been times over the past 40+ years that I have gone through a dry place and have almost felt withered and dead spiritually. During those times I didn’t see much of a harvest – just brittle, dry stubble with no signs of life. I like the growth times much better and yes, I am the one responsible to keep the Word planted in my heart.

However, in the dry and brittle times, I have learned that the life is still there. It’s in the root.

Sometimes the dry branches have to be pruned back for the health of the plant, but I learned not to prune until water has been applied to the root. Living in the desert as long as we have, we see dead looking plants but as soon as the rain comes, they show signs of life.

Life lesson.

“Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. 3 You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. 4 Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.” John 15:1-4 ERV

Jesus is the Word and when we abide, stay connected to Him, our lives bear fruit.

I’m glad that I’m not responsible for pruning my life or the life of other believers but it’s the Father, the master gardener, who is responsible to prune our lives. He knows when something is dead and He knows exactly where to cut without causing damage. He also knows when all we need is water, the water of His word, and we will flourish once again.

“I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family. 4 They will sprout like grass in the spring and grow like trees by streams of water.” Isaiah 44:3 ERV

Are you in a dry place? Let God’s Word water your roots and you’ll begin to flourish once again.

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Guard Your Thoughts

Do you ever daydream? You know what I’m talking about – you’re alone with your thoughts planning for something special, going over the details and then out of the blue a disturbing thought enters in.

It’s some thought that wants to take you in a wrong direction – it can be unnerving and even make you fearful.

How do you counter that?

“ My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. 22 These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. 23 Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 ERV

Be careful how you think…

Good advice from a very wise man, Solomon. Now here are some words from Solomon’s father, King David.

“May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:14 ERV

“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.” Psalm 19:1-2 ERV

These verses are from the same chapter – one from the beginning of the Psalm and the other is the last. King David tells us how to keep our thoughts centered – we stay focused on the glory of God and His power at the beginning and ending of each day, our thoughts will please our Father.

When troubling thoughts come, and they will, we counter them with God’s promises. especially those verses that counter fear.

“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 4:7 ERV

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

I find such peace in the beauty of the morning sunrise and the evening sunset. They are a constant reminder to me of God’s power and provision. For all of time past, there has never been a day that there wasn’t a sunrise or a sunset. Since God keeps all of nature on its course, He surely has established a plan for my well-being. I can trust Him!

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Father, I keep my mind fixed on You and Your good plan for me. Your peace will stand guard over my thoughts. I trust you!

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The Trees Will Clap

It has been a windy May and now that we are in June it is starting to subside. I’m glad for that. However, yesterday afternoon’s breeze became my teacher.

“The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours.
    Your ways are not like mine.
9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways,
    and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.

10 “Rain and snow fall from the sky
    and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow,
    and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat.
11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth,
    and they don’t come back without results.
My words make the things happen that I want to happen.
    They succeed in doing what I send them to do.

12 “So you will go out from there with joy.
    You will be led out in peace.
When you come to the mountains and hills, they will begin singing.
    All the trees in the fields will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:8-12 ERV

The trees in the fields will clap their hands. I heard the trees clapping yesterday afternoon as the breeze lightly rustled their boughs. I stopped to listen, without complaint, and wondered who the Lord was bringing out of their place of captivity.

That’s what these verses tell us. The Israelites had been held captive and the Lord said “you will go out with joy and peace”. They were coming home and they would hear the mountains singing and the trees clapping at their deliverance.

Was it you the trees were clapping for?

Has sickness or depression held you as a captive? Did the Lord reveal something to you from His word that set you free? In the midst of your circumstance did you experience the joy and peace of being released?

The Lord’s thoughts are higher than ours. When we see only captivity, He sees release. When all we are focused on is the problem, He is formulating the answer. If we say “there is no way out of this”, He is making a way where there seems no way.

And He does is all with His word.

In the same way that the rain and snow moisten the earth and cause the seeds to grow and produce, God sends His word into our lives to soften our hearts, bringing life-giving water to our souls and a change that will nourish us. A change that delivers joy and peace.

Do you understand why I love God’s word as much as I do? His thoughts and ways are higher, much higher than mine, so He sends His Word to change my circumstances and bring me to a better way of life.

Listen carefully. Do you hear the trees clapping for you?

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The Right Thing

Yesterday morning after breakfast Dave and I decided to walk the campground. It was a nice morning, no wind, and we could hear laughter from some of the different sites. We weren’t working, it was our day off. We stopped and visited with campers along our way.

We are in what the Forest Service calls “Stage II Fire Restrictions”. No wood or charcoal fires, propane only. Limited generator hours. No smoking except in enclosed vehicles or buildings. Every camper was given a list of the restrictions when they arrived and we also told them verbally. Obey the restrictions but have a good time.

As we walked, we had to stop and tell a few campers it was time to turn off the generators and remind them of the restrictions. They were quick to comply. They definitely didn’t want to cause a fire!

They were eager to do the right thing!

This morning I’m not writing a thought that will inspire or encourage. No, it’s a reminder to do what we have already been taught. We should never stop learning, never stop receiving good teaching but it’s imperative that we LIVE what we’ve already been taught.

“17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.

19 My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. 20 Anger does not help you live the way God wants. 21 So get rid of everything evil in your lives—every kind of wrong you do. Be humble and accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts. This teaching can save you.

22 Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. 23 Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror 24 and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked. 25 But when you look into God’s perfect law that sets people free, pay attention to it. If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard.” James 1:17-25 ERV

God’s instructions were written for our protection and to provide us with a better way of living. Each of us need to make practical application of the teachings in Scripture and do the right thing.

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Keep Your Hands Full

The last couple of days the blog has focused on words – God’s Word and our words. This morning we’re going to see how the two of them line up.

When the Lord called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt Moses felt unprepared. The Lord told him the shepherd’s rod that he carried would be used as a sign of God’s power.

“‘The Lord answered, “What’s that in your hand?” “A walking stick,” Moses replied. 3 “Throw it down!” the Lord commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back.4 “Pick it up by the tail!” the Lord told him. And when Moses did this, the snake turned back into a walking stick.5 “Do this,” the Lord said, “and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’” Exodus 4:2-5 CEV

Moses held that rod up, before God and the enemy, as a remembrance that God said He would fight for Israel and defeat their enemies and lead them into the Promised Land. God has promised to fight for us and defeat our enemies.

God has placed a rod in our hands but it’s more powerful than any sword or physical implement of battle.

“God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. 13 Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. He can clearly see all things. Everything is open before him. And to him we must explain the way we have lived.” Hebrews 4:12-13 CEV

When we know and speak God’s word it reinforces us with courage and hope. It keeps us from falling into the sin of worry and discouragement.

God’s word is powerful enough to give us new life in Christ. It is rich enough to provide salvation – wholeness, soundness – in every situation. A centurion captain came to Jesus and asked that his servant be healed.

“But the officer said, “Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9  I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.’ 10 When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you in all of Israel I’ve never found anyone with this much faith!” Matthew 8:8-10 CEV

The centurion knew the power of words spoken by one in authority. He knew the words spoken by Jesus would bring results.

In our battle today we have a rod, a powerful sword in our hand and the word of God in our mouth – we have all we need to defeat our enemy. Jesus is our example – when He was tempted by satan His weapon of defense was “it is written, it is written, it is written”.

Our response should be the same!

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That Settles It!

Growing up I would hear preachers say, “God said, I believe it, that settles it”. They were saying this to affirm their faith in the Word of God, however, that saying isn’t quite true.

This is the truth – God said it, that settles it! Whether I believe it or not, God’s word will always be true and perfect. It has never failed, and it never will.

The world outlook is becoming increasingly dark. Calling good evil and evil good – it’s amazing! If someone doesn’t believe in God, He still is. If they don’t think the miracles of the Bible are true, they still are. If they don’t embrace the unconditional love of God, it still continues. Becoming hard-hearted, our world population is putting their love for self above the truths of God’s word.

We who are believers in Christ need to stand tall on God’s word!

“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. 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. 11 His teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them. 12 People cannot see their own mistakes, so don’t let me commit secret sins. 13 Don’t let me do what I know is wrong. Don’t let sin control me. If you help me, I can be pure and free from sin. 14 May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:7-14 CEV

Lord, you are my Rock!

We used to sing a song that’s been running through my head this morning. Part of the lyrics go like this:

“I go to the Rock for my salvation,
I go to the stone that the builders rejected,
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me;
When the Earth all around me is sinking sand,
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to the Rock.” by Dottie Rambo

Thank you Father that your Word is perfect and trustworthy! Thank You that Your Word has never failed. Thank You.

Now that settles it!

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A Safety Line

Four years ago, Dave and I were on the way from our home in Rio Rico to Las Vegas. From Las Vegas we would fly to Chicago and then drive on to Indianapolis for the big Indy 500. This was a bucket list item for Dave.

But on our drive, we were met with a delay. We heard a helicopter whirling overhead and as we made the next bend in the road we saw why.

There, suspended in a safety harness, was a workman who was securing lines on an electrical tower. He seemed to be working confidently as the helicopter pilot held him in place. Attached to the safety harness was a steel cable keeping him tethered to the helicopter.

The helicopter pilot had to adjust to wind currents and the like, holding the workman secure.

We have a safety line from the Father. It’s called an anchor of hope.

“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. It goes behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has already entered there and opened the way for us. He has become the high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20 ERV

Since God cannot lie His promises hold true. They are an anchor for us, an anchor of hope. Jesus is like that helicopter pilot. He is in heaven holding the line that keeps us secure.

Sometimes the winds of life blow fiercely; the earth beneath our feet starts to quake and our knees give way. Flooding torrents of opposition try to swamp us and take us under. But never forget our Father and Jesus, our Savior, hold the lines of our safety.

“God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.8 Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” Psalm 62:7-8 CEV

“You are my Lord and God, and I look to you for safety. Don’t let me be harmed.” Psalm 141:8 CEV

Our God knew Daniel would face a lions’ den; He knew that Noah would need an ark. He knew that the widow only had a small cruse of oil and a little flour; He knew the disciples would be on the sea in a storm.

He knew!

And He said: “Descendants of Jacob, I, the Lord, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don’t be afraid. I have rescued you, I have called you by name; now you belong to me. 2 When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you, and you won’t drown. When you walk through fire, you won’t be burned or scorched by the flames. 3 I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, the God who saves you.” Isaiah 43:1-3 CEV

Everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus is a descendant of Jacob and these verses were written for us.

God’s word is our safety line and Jesus, Himself, is holding us secure!

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Don’t Ever Stop Trusting

Did you trust the Lord yesterday? What kinds of things did you trust Him for? Peace and safety, health and strength? The food on your table? A good job?

“With your help I can defeat an army. If my God is with me, I can climb over enemy walls. 30 God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. 31 There is no God except the Lord. There is no Rock except our God.” Psalms 18:29-31 ERV

Look at that!

“The Lord’s promise always proves to be true”.

We trust Him to forgive our sins and to make us a part of His family. We trust Him when He says that we will have eternal life but sometimes we forget to trust Him with the day-to-day circumstances.

“Did you forget what happened with the Ethiopians and the Libyans who also had a powerful army with many chariots and horse soldiers? That time you depended on the Lord to help you, and he let you defeat them. 9 The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong.” II Chronicles 16:8-9 ERV

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” II Chronicles 16:9 NLT

Our Father has always been concerned with the day-to-day.

He provided food for the Israelites in the wilderness; He made sure there were five stones available for David’s slingshot. He provided a ram to sacrifice when Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain. He turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. He brought fish to the nets of struggling fisherman. He delivered the Israelites from the armies of their enemies.

Our Father is trustworthy!

“Many people are suffering— crushed by the weight of their troubles. But the Lord is a refuge for them, a safe place they can run to. 10 Lord, those who know your name come to you for protection. And when they come, you do not leave them without help.” Psalm 9:9-10 ERV

Hannah, a young woman who was barren, cried out to the Lord for a child. Her heart was aching from carrying such a heavy burden. She prayed and the Lord answered her prayer. This is her joyful response:

“Hannah said, ‘My heart is happy in the Lord. I feel very strong in my God. I laugh at my enemies. I am very happy in my victory. 2 There is no holy God like the Lord. There is no God but you. There is no Rock like our God.'” I Samuel 2:1-2 ERV

Dear reader and friend, I have no idea what you are facing but I do know that you should never quit trusting the Lord your God. There is no one like Him.

“God is our protection and source of strength.  He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea.
3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah” Psalm 46:1-3 ERV

Never stop trusting our God!

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