Category: Growing

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Oil & Wine

When we first moved to Rio Rico and began working to make this house our home we quickly became acquainted with the hard, stony, clay infused ground. I don’t think we have ever lived anywhere with soil as hard as here.

It was necessary to soak it for several days, a slow soak, and then use a pick to break through. When the footers were dug for our courtyard wall it took several men, several days to dig deep enough to have a trench that would hold the concrete and rebar for the foundation. When I decided I wanted a flower and vegetable garden we had to mix in many bags of a top soil/garden soil mixture just to provide a good environment for them to grow.

Hard ground. Stony earth. Both of these prevent proper growth of the seeds that are planted. To have a good and healthy growing environment the soil needs to be broken up, the rocks removed and good earth mixed in. The same is true of our hearts.

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” Mark 4:16-17 NLT

I know what it’s like to work with hard soil, the time it takes to get a good harvest and I know what it’s like to have an unproductive heart and the time it takes to see a good harvest there, as well.

” I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,  and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” Hosea 10:12 NLT

For years I had memorized Bible verses for Sunday School contests and awards at Vacation Bible School but all they were, were words on a page. My heart was hard and there wasn’t much fruit. But I remember when I prayed “Lord, I want to know your Word. I want the Holy Spirit to make it come alive in me.”. It was only a couple days later, as I sat at my kitchen table, Bible open before me and I read…

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:19 NKJV

I had memorized this verse over twenty years earlier but it had never taken root. That day as I read it out loud, I began to cry. That Bible verse, that seed, planted in the soil of my softened heart, took root and immediately brought a harvest of hope. That was just one of many examples I could share with you.

If the soil in a garden isn’t tilled regularly it will harden. It needs to be watered and the sun baked surface needs to be broken up. The same is true of our lives. Our hearts can become hardened and the seed of God’s word won’t produce a good harvest. So, we must break it up with repentance and water it with prayer.

When our older children were in high school, they went to a winter camp with the church group. The kids came home and on a Sunday evening sang a song they had learned at camp. The words of that song are still captured in my heart. The song was written by Keith Green, My Eyes are Dry.

“My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold
And I know how I ought to be
Alive to You and dead to me

But what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew
With the wine of Your Blood

The good news is we don’t have to go through the dry spells. We can keep our hearts tender and always producing good fruit if we work the soil everyday. We do that with prayer and applying God’s word.

Reading the Bible and praying doesn’t get the Father to love us any more than He already does. But it does keep us in constant remembrance of His promises and HIs love.

Maybe you’re like I was, hard and unproductive. Let the oil and wine soft you again.

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Importance of Light

Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night in a new place and everything was pitch black? You walked carefully across the room, stubbing your toes more than once, wishing there were a night light that could give you some assistance in your journey. I have. As a child Dave was a sleep walker and would wake up lost, so needless to say, we have night lights in our home. Very helpful indeed.

But what about those times when you need a “night light” walking through life?

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:105-106 KJV

It would be silly to ask someone for help or directions when we don’t know the way and then ignore what they say. The same holds true for mental and spiritual direction in our lives.

When we have God’s word to light the way and give us direction we shouldn’t be second guessing or ignoring the instruction we receive.

“If we live in the light as He is in the light, we share what we have in God with each other. And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, makes our lives clean from all sin. ” I John 1:7 NLV

“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 CEV

“I am under an agreement with You, O God. I will give You gifts of thanks. 13 For You have set my soul free from death. You have kept my feet from falling, so I may walk with God in the light of life.” Psalm 56:12-13 NLV

When we walk in the light of God’s Word our way is smoother! Walk well today!

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Do It Again

Have you ever noticed how sometimes things we had victory over in the past come back and start to cause problems again? Little things like temper, doubt, pride, insecurity, jealousy, criticism or even laziness.

This morning it’s not about writing a thought that will inspire or encourage; it’s about DOING 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 hear.

“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.

26 You might think you are a very religious person. But if your tongue is out of control, you are fooling yourself. Your careless talk makes your offerings to God worthless. 27 The worship that God wants is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence. This is the kind of worship that God accepts as pure and good.” James 1:17-27 ERV

If we aren’t doing the things that God has put in His word for our instruction we cannot be surprised when our lives experiences are less than we hoped for. We need to be diligent to keep “doing” God’s word. Here’s a novel idea, we can’t do God’s word if we aren’t reading it. We must apply what we read and hear. It’s like anything in life that we become skilled at. We have to keep doing it or our skill level decreases.

I’m glad you join me each day for this blog. It is my goal to stay focused on God’s word. I ask you to put Bible reading on the top of your “to do” list each day. You won’t regret it.

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Facing the Sun

This morning I will be recycling a devotional for the blog from a few years back. Our friends are leaving in a couple hours and I want to send them on their way with a good hearty breakfast. To make the most of my time, I decided to reuse a teaching from the past.

The teachings from God’s word are timeless. This one struck a chord with me – I’m still growing in Christ. That’s something I want to do everyday. I hope you do too.

So many times we think that growing as a Christian means we are becoming more like Jesus in the things we say and do. I believe that should be our goal. For years, I tried to be more like Christ; trying hard to do the right things, keeping my attitude in check, putting others first, etc. I wanted to make sure I was reading my Bible, attending church, tithing, serving; but those things were really works of the my own selfish effort. Those are the things that good Christians do, right?

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen” II Peter 3:18 CEV

We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. That’s where the change comes. My works will be frustrating and futile and my relationship with Him will be shallow but if I allow His word to do work in me, my growth will be permanent and lasting.

God’s amazing grace covers me when I fall, picks me up, encourages me to keep going and not lose hope. When I began to realize what grace truly was, growing in it, my relationship with the Father and with Jesus began to grow.

Knowledge of His deep unconditional love brought me from a place of working for the Lord to letting Him work in and through me.

I love the example that sunflowers give us. Each morning their heads are bowed but as the sun appears they lift and become strong and tall. They face the sun, soaking in its rays, basking in it’s warmth, finding strength. They remind me that each day I should face the Son and let His light change my life.

“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV

Face the Son! You’ll gain strength and warmth from Him.

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Camp In God’s Word

When we lived in the Northwest it seems our first camping trip of the year came on Memorial Day weekend. We enjoyed getting away with friends, back to nature and the creek side.

Do you like to camp? As a kid I grew up camping with my folks. In the different places we lived, there was always a lake or river close by and we would go for the day, the weekend or even a week at a time. It was great! Fishing, campfires, hot chocolate, card games, marshmellows and the stars! So peaceful and life was simple and unhurried. Awe yes, I love camping.

I don’t just like to camp by a lake or a stream. I like to camp in God’s word. One of my favorite places to camp spiritually is in the Psalms and a favorite campsite is Psalm 1. And then in that campsite my favorite spot is verses 1-3.

“God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. 2 Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it  day and night. 3 They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.” Psalm 1:1-3 CEV

With Memorial Day coming, many of you will be getting away for a camping trip or a short vacation. Why not take time today to camp by a stream of living water, rest in the grass of green pastures and enjoy the warmth of the Son?

God’s word is a great place to camp and enjoy the Creator!

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I Want More

That’s the way my morning prayer time was headed this morning and then the Lord caught me mid-sentence. I was praying, “Lord, I want more of you in my life.”

That’s really not a Scriptural prayer. You see, the Apostle Paul tells us that God the Father has invested all He is in Christ and we are in Christ so we have all of the Father as well.

“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

It’s kind of like another prayer I have often heard. “Lord, be with us” but since God has promised to never leave us or abandon us, and He can’t lie, that prayer isn’t really Scriptural either. However, I completely understand the intent of each of those prayers. Let me share this story with you to explain.

Yesterday, we spent a good portion of time researching our Norwegian heritage. My great grandparents on both sides of the family came from Norway. Something I have always been proud of. My children and grandchildren are too. Our oldest granddaughter is in New York and went to Ellis Island. She wanted to research our family names and see if she could learn more about their arrival in America.

My oldest daughter called me asking questions for her daughter. Then we, my daughter and I, talked with my Mother and my cousin, Sally, who have more knowledge on the family history than I do. They provided some insight. I don’t know how long Lex spent searching the archives but she was able to find some family names registered. It was exciting to all of us.

However, none of the research made us more Norwegian than we had been before the day started but it did give us more knowledge.

And that’s what our prayers of wanting more of the Father and wanting Him to be with us really are. They are prayers for more knowledge that will help us understand and grow deeper in our relationship.

The Apostle Paul prayed this:

“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.

12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13 My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14 I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. 15 All of us who are mature should think in this same way. And if any of you think differently, God will make it clear to you. 16 But we must keep going in the direction that we are now headed.” Philippians 3:7-16 CEV

We should always want more – not that the Father hasn’t given us everything we need because He has. But as we learn more, as we increase in knowledge we also show more of His character to those around us and we understand more of who He is and what He is wanting to do in our lives.

“I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus.

3 We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:2-4 CEV

It seems we all have a desire to know more about our heritage; our story, what makes us unique. So join me today in coming to the Father and saying

“Lord, Father God, I want to know you more. Show me how to increase in my knowledge of You and Your goodness.”

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Today’s Goal

What do you want to accomplish today? Do you have a goal or a purpose for the hours that lay ahead?

I woke up this morning singing the little chorus I learned years ago:
In my life Lord be glorified, be glorified. In my life Lord be glorified today.

That’s my goal today – to glorify or give honor to the Father today!

When Jesus came He said His purpose was to glorify the Father and then He went on to say that he came to cleanse the leper, heal the sick, raise the dead, heal the broken hearted and to set free those who were imprisoned (spiritually and emotionally). He quoted a prophesy from the book of Isaiah. At the end of that prophesy it says that we will be called trees of righteousness that the Father may be glorified.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God’s favor to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:1-3 TLB

The purpose of the miracles is to draw us to Christ and into a relationship with the Father. That relationship will so change our lives that we are living examples of his love and mercy.

We are planted, as trees, in our relationship with the Father, ever growing, firm, stalwart, able to stand in the storm, growing in our awareness of His righteousness working in us.

“God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers 17 and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love.” Ephesians 3:16-17 CEV

In my life Father, be glorified today!

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God’s Increase

Yesterday I had a very interesting experience when I went to get my nails done. My manicurist is a sweet lady named Maria. I’ve been going to her for about a year and a half. I don’t go as often as I would like but I always enjoy it so much when I do.

We learn more about each other each time I go. Yesterday she asked me what made Dave and I move to the Rio Rico area. I explained that I was born and raised in Arizona but we had been gone to Washington, Idaho and Montana for over twenty years and when it came time to move back we were diligent in our search.

We didn’t want to come back to the big city of Phoenix, that wasn’t us. Nor did we want to move back to my hometown of Yuma, too hot. We looked around Tucson and couldn’t find anything that really suited us or our budget so we kept broadening our search while keeping Tucson as our hub city. Most of our searching was on-line and we found some nice places in Rio Rico so came to explore what was here.

I went on to tell her that we had been to this area years ago. We would come down and hold Bible Studies for the ranchers and their friends who lived in Tubac. We also came down and held a three-day campmeeting that the local residents were invited to. We had music, food, and Bible teaching for those three days. It was a great time!

We loved this area and so we were happy to be back and make it our home.

When I finished telling her our story of coming to Rio Rico she looked at me and smiled. She said when she and her brothers were younger they were invited to a Bible Study in the home of their bus driver. She said they had good music and teaching. She wanted to know if that was us. What a small world! No, it wasn’t us but it was one of the families that came to our campmeeting and Bible Studies, in fact, Dave, the kids and I had stayed in their home once while we were down here ministering.

We never know how the Lord will use us and how he will touch others through the things we do. Here I was talking to someone who had been touched by the cowboy ministry thirty-five years ago. Isn’t God good?!

Her story reminded me of something the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth. They were divided in their loyalties between Paul and another man who was preaching Christ, Apollos.

“ Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave? 5 Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen. 6 I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. 7 What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow.” I Corinthians 3:4-7 CEV

It was such a blessing for me to know that the seeds we planted in this area and that those Bible Studies watered, caused growth in the life of some of those in this community.

We may never know the impact that our words and actions have to bring someone to the Lord. However, we should always keep sowing the seed, even if it’s while getting our nails done.

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To Be or Not To Be

That is the question. What should I be, how should I be, where should I be?

It’s important that we fulfill our destiny. The plan that God has for us isn’t hard to find. All through Scripture we are instructed to be kind, loving, encouraging, truthful, sincere, generous, peacemakers; in essence, examples of Jesus.

This morning I will let the Apostle Paul write the blog for me:

“Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing. 5 In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others.

6 We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us. Whoever has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in a way that fits the kind of faith they have. 7 Whoever has the gift of serving should serve. Whoever has the gift of teaching should teach. 8 Whoever has the gift of comforting others should do that. Whoever has the gift of giving to help others should give generously. Whoever has the gift of leading should work hard at it. Whoever has the gift of showing kindness to others should do it gladly.

9 Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. 10 Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself. 11 As you serve the Lord, work hard and don’t be lazy. Be excited about serving him! 12 Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time. 13 Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.

14 Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. 15 When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. 16 Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

17 If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. 18 Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:4-18 ERV

When I read this this morning I had to stop and examine my heart. I had to ask the question, “Is this how I’m living? Am I encouraging others, teaching others, being generous and forgiving?” Then I re-read that chapter, in several different versions, each time asking the Holy Spirit to point out areas where I was falling short but He also encouraged me by showing me the things I am doing right. I love that about the Lord – He doesn’t condemn. His instruction is helpful and encouraging. He desires to build us up and not tear us down.

“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.” II Timothy 3:16 CEV

I must admit that sometimes I have a problem with verse 14

“Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them.” verse 14

But with God’s help I am doing better. Each morning I make that a part of my prayer. “Lord, show me how to be more loving today. I want to constantly be growing and conforming to the life that You have for me.”

I encourage you today to look for situations where you can be an example of Jesus.

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Put A Little Love in Your Heart

A few days back I was sharing with you on kindness. The simple act of being polite is monumental.

This morning in my reading I came to these verses in I Peter.

“So all of you should live together in peace. Try to understand each other. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Be kind and humble. 9 Don’t do wrong to anyone to pay them back for doing wrong to you. Or don’t insult anyone to pay them back for insulting you. But ask God to bless them. Do this because you yourselves were chosen to receive a blessing. 10 The Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy true life and have only good days, then avoid saying anything hurtful, and never let a lie come out of your mouth. 11 Stop doing what is wrong, and do good. Look for peace, and do all you can to help people live peacefully. 12 The Lord watches over those who do what is right, and he listens to their prayers. But he is against those who do evil.” I Peter 3:8-12 ERV

Basically – enough said!

If we would just follow this instruction on a daily basis our lives would be honoring to the Lord and our relationship with others would be enhanced.

Jesus told his disciples that our words are like seeds that cause fruit to grow in our lives. Either good fruit or bad, the choice is ours. Solomon said the same thing in Proverbs and James said if we learn to control our tongues we are mature people.

“I tell you that everyone will have to answer for all the careless things they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment. 37 Your words will be used to judge you. What you have said will show whether you are right or whether you are guilty.” Matthew 12:36-38 ERV (Jesus words)

“Make your words good— you will be glad you did. 21 Words can bring death or life!
 Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.” Proverbs 18:20-21 CEV (Solomon’s words)

“It is the same with our tongue. It is a small part of the body, but it can boast about doing great things.

A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame. 6 The tongue is like a fire. It is a world of evil among the parts of our body. It spreads its evil through our whole body and starts a fire that influences all of life. It gets this fire from hell.

7 Humans have control over every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have controlled all these things. 8 But no one can control the tongue. It is wild and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people who were created in God’s likeness. 10 These praises and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen. 11 Do good water and bad water flow from the same spring? Of course not. 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree make olives? Or can a grapevine make figs? No, and a well full of salty water cannot give good water.

13 Are there any among you who are really wise and understanding? Then you should show your wisdom by living right. You should do what is good with humility. A wise person does not boast.” James 3:5-13 ERV

Scripture is pretty tough when it comes to the words we speak!

We are to be examples of Jesus so let’s stop and think before we speak. Let’s cultivate good fruit for our lives. Let’s speak words of kindness, things that will build others up and not tear them down.

Let’s be kind!

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