Going South

Many in the continental U.S. like to travel south every year. We call them winter visitors. This year some of them stayed longer than expected because they felt it wasn’t safe to head home. There was so much uncertainty – would they be jeopardizing their health, would there be a safe place to stay while on the road, could they fly safely. So many questions.

We should all ask these same questions about life in general. Our daily routine needs to be taken to the Lord in prayer and He will guide.

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this: “If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died!”

Now that’s not scripture but it is Biblical. Solomon put it this way: “Trust the LORD completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the LORD and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

And then this one: “Turn to the LORD for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. 4 The LORD has a plan for everything.” Proverbs 16:3-4a ERV

God has a plan for each day – it doesn’t really matter what the activities are in the day He has a plan! Some days His plan is to change our plan, His plan is better.

When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed! We have a choice – it would be silly to lean to our own understanding since following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect.

“Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have told you today. 28 But you will get the curse if you refuse to listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God. So don’t stop living the way I command you today, and don’t follow other gods that you don’t know.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ERV

Trust the Lord today. He loves us and His desire for us is good!

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Go South today – He will provide!!!

Preparing For A Harvest

In the days when fields were cultivated by hand rocks had to be removed before the seeds could be planted. The ground had to be broken up and turned over either with a shovel, hoe or a plow. The stones would be unearthed and removed, generally they were placed at the edge of the fields.

The same holds true in our lives. The Bible teaches us that God’s word is good seed and if we plant it in our hearts we will receive a plentiful harvest.

“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

If seed is just scattered on top of the dirt and not planted in the soil properly production will be greatly hindered. Some of the seed will be eaten by birds, some will blow away, some will be hampered by the rocks and some will find good soil and grow well.

It’s a foolish farmer that sows seed so frivolously. With a little extra work and a little more time the ground can be properly prepared and a greater yield achieved. I’ve learned that lesson well from gardening. Plants don’t like rock infested ground. The roots struggle as they seek to go deeper in the soil, carrots that encounter rocks during the growth are misshaped and twisted when they are harvested.

“Now listen to the meaning of the story about the farmer: 19 The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message about the kingdom, but don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the message from their hearts. 20 The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. 21 But they don’t have deep roots, and they don’t last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.

22 The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life and are fooled by the desire to get rich. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. 23 The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and understand the message. They produce as much as a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was planted.” Matthew 13:18-23 CEV

Our heart is the soil, God’s word is the seed. Prepare the ground, pick out the rocks, protect the seed and we’ll see a harvest of good fruit in our lives!

Sunrise Sunset

My yesterday was amazing! I hope yours was too. I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise, a warm and welcoming good morning hug from my heavenly Father. Although the sunset was more demure, I experienced the Father’s presence in much the same way as a sleepy babe welcomes a gentle kiss goodnight.

“May the Lord’s name be praised now and forever. May the Lord’s name be praised
 from where the sun rises to where it goes down. The Lord is higher than all nations. His glory rises to the skies.” Psalm 113:2-4 ERV

And here I am this morning expecting more of the same. When we look for the Father our heart always finds Him.

I have a soft fleece throw that I keep on the couch. I snuggle into it every day. It’s not that I’m cold or chilled, definitely not in this Arizona high desert, but it’s comforting. The comfort I experience in sensing God’s presence is so much greater! When I’m praying for friends and family who are going through a particularly rough time there is a peace that covers me, much like that blanket, and I know that the Lord has taken charge and I can rest from worry.

There’s also a joy that comes bubbling up in my heart when the Lord shares some new idea with me or when I’m reminded of an old promise.

Most of our plants are on a watering system and as I sit here in the morning I hear the pop of the timer and then the gentle soaking mist of the water flowing from the nozzles. How refreshing it is to be constantly watered. That’s what joy in the Father’s presence is like to me – a continual refreshing.

“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

And finally, I have the peace of the avian chorus both morning and evening. Right now I’m listening to the quail, wren, dove, meadowlark, sparrow, finch and owl. They start the day singing praises for all that will be and end it the same way. They remind me to always be grateful for all the Lord has provided.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Yes, it’s going to be another amazing day – a day to experience the Father’s presence, His comfort, joy and provision.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found.  Call out to God! He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 CEV

From sunrise to sunset all of creation reminds us that God is near and that He loves you and me!

Where the Boat Leaves From

We spend a lot of time on our back patio. It seems like the perfect place to be! We love our yard and there’s either island or country music playing on Pandora. Yesterday, it was island music.

We’ve learned that there aren’t a lot of songs in that genre so they repeat regularly, one song that stuck with me last night was Zac Brown Band’s “Where the Boat Leaves From”. All night long it was in my dreams and I was singing it when I woke up this morning so I’m sharing it with you.

So get away to where the boat leaves from
It takes away all of your big problems
You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean
But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

Good advice – take all your worries and problems and drop them in the ocean. Get away from the dock! A boat tied up at the dock is going nowhere. So much of life is like that – we get tied down by worries and troubles and then we become immobilized.

The Apostle Peter was like that. He was a commercial fisherman. In fact, he and his brother owned a fishing fleet. Jesus met them one day on the shore of Galilee. They had fished all night and caught nothing. They were tired but the nets still needed to be washed and put away so they would be ready for the next trip out. And here comes Jesus, a carpenter, who knows nothing about fishing (or at least, that’s what they thought). He wanted to give them some advice.

“When Jesus had finished speaking, he told Simon, “Row the boat out into the deep water and let your nets down to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon answered, “we have worked hard all night long and have not caught a thing. But if you tell me to, I will let the nets down.” They did it and caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. Then they signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this happen, he knelt down in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t come near me! I am a sinner.” Peter and everyone with him were completely surprised at all the fish they had caught. 10 His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised too. Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you will bring in people instead of fish.” Luke 5:4-10 CEV

Launch out Peter, Jesus said. Go out to the deep water. Dump your worries of empty nets into water and I will fill them for you. Reluctant but obedient they did what Jesus said. They had never brought in such a haul!

When we trust the Lord and are obedient to His word what we throw out empty will come back full.

“I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow. 19 “If you listen to what I say, you will get the good things from this land.” Isaiah 1:18-19 ERV

Today’s the perfect day to follow Peter’s example. Maybe you’ve been up all night trying to figure out how you’re going to provide for your family or how you’re going to make it in business when this self-quarantine is over. It looks like your business is destroyed; you’ve fished all night and caught nothing.

Hear the words of Jesus, “Launch out. Trust me. Throw your empty nets overboard and bring them back full.” The Lord has promised that He will supply all our needs.

Get away from where the boat leaves from – get away from the shore and sail on the sea of God’s love and provision!

Are You Thirsty?

A number of years ago we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. We had one particular summer that was very dry. The catch ponds were drying up and the springs were only a trickle.

One afternoon the dogs put us on alert and when we looked out our windows, this is what we saw. A cow moose had wandered into our yard with her twins in search of water. Our sprinklers were running and they provided the much needed water that she was seeking. After they drank their fill, they rested in the shade of the tall pines. At first she was very cautious, looking about after every sip and then as her calves rested quietly, she found rest herself.

Have you been that thirsty, thirsty for God? Thirsty enough to “search” outside your comfort zone? To be willing to leave the familiar way of doing things and to find the answers you need in God’s word?

God asked Abraham to leave his family and his homeland. His descendants were the originators of the Jewish race. Ruth left all and followed after Naomi to a new land where God blessed her with a husband and a child. Christ was in their line of descendants. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Christ. Paul gave up his prestige as a Pharisee to follow Jesus and preach His word.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2 ERV

When we seek God, we will find Him and we will find that He fills our lives with so much more than we ever dreamed possible.

“Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.” This message is from the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 ERV

Jesus ministered to a crowd on a hillside one day and he told them. ““Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. 9 “Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! 11 You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 ERV

God is loving, kind and gracious and when we seek Him we will find that to be true. He put all of our punishment and judgement on Jesus so that we could have a wonderful relationship with Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19. ERV

Someone needs to know today that God isn’t mad at you! He loves you and if you seek Him, you will find Him waiting with arms of love open wide. Seek for Him like that momma moose who came to our yard seeking water.

Palm Branches Waving

The commemoration of Easter week is ahead of us. I’ve seen a post several times on Facebook of how we can celebrate what Christ did for us and not break our social distancing or self-isolation. Here it is:

“I’ve been thinking about this virus and the upcoming Easter season. What if we, as Christians, were to take red ribbons and pin or tape them to our door posts?…The bows would show this world and Satan that OUR GOD is still able to deliver HIS people from any and everything that tries to put us in bondage. We are HIS children. We are HIS favorites. We are HIS property, and HE loves us as no one else can. Let us show the world that we believe HIS word, and we are HIS. Cover those door posts, and stand on HIS promise of protection for HIS people. Passover starts April 8th -16th. Let’s get the word out!”

I have placed a red bow at my front door. Is anyone going to see it to ask me about it, possibly not? But I see it every time I come in and go out and it reminds me that the Lord has spared my life by taking my sin to His cross.

Today is Palm Sunday.

People came to Jerusalem this week to celebrate Passover and offer their sacrifices. What started on Palm Sunday ended with an empty tomb one week later.

“The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, 13 they took palm branches and went out to greet him. They shouted, ‘Hooray God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King  of Israel!’ 14 Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the Scriptures say, 15 ‘People of Jerusalem, don’t be afraid! Your King is now coming, and he is riding on a donkey.’ 16 At first, Jesus’ disciples did not understand. But after he had been given his glory, they remembered all this. Everything had happened exactly as the Scriptures said it would.” John 12:12-16 CEV

These people were jubilant! They were so excited to see Jesus so they came running to the street with palm branches waving and voices cheering. There was something about Jesus and his compassionate ways that resounded with the common man. Everyone wanted to be close to Him, to hear His words and experience the miracles.

Just a short time before this Jesus had given His “mission statement” to a group who were following Him and listening to His teaching. Jesus declared that he would watch over us the way a shepherd does his sheep. A good shepherd fights off the predators and takes the sheep to good pasture.

“I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:9-11 CEV

Provision and Protection. A full and abundant life.

That’s why people were cheering in the streets! Never, in their lifetime, had anyone been willing to make such claims and to demonstrate such love and commitment. His mission hasn’t changed – He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He is our protector, our provider, our Savior. He is worthy of our honor and praise. Join with me and let’s lift our voices to say thank you and to express our love for the One who gave His all.

Hills Make A Difference

The weather has been perfect lately so Dave and I have been out walking. Monday we took a 3.1 mile walk out on BLM land. The dirt road had a few potholes in it from the rain but it was flat. Yesterday our walk was a bit more strenuous and a little bit shorter. It was 2.7 miles but went down into the canyon and back up three different times. It took a little longer than Monday’s walk and we were certainly more tired and sweaty when we got home. (Today’s image is our last descent into the canyon and the road out in is the background.)

The hills make a difference.

They make a difference in life as well. Just ask the cancer survivor or the one whose spouse has died. Talk to the parent who has lost their job or the business owner who has had to file bankruptcy. Their daily lives before these hills/mountains sprang up may have been tiring but it doesn’t compare to the struggle up this mountainside.

I think this was King David’s point of view when he wrote: “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3-4 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121 MSG

The mountains don’t provide our strength, they drain it. It is God, who walks beside us, that provides us with strength. Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It can be both exhilarating and exhausting but we keep going. We’re not in it alone. He guards us now, He guards us always.

The Apostle Paul said: “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 MSG

These are good words – don’t turn back.

The last hill out of our canyon is always the toughest. It’s a long steady incline. I’ve walked it many times in the last six years. The only way home is up. One step at a time; muscles aching and breathing hard we make it to the top. Next time it won’t be as bad, we’ll be in better shape, we’ll be more prepared.

Little victories prepare us for bigger challenges. As we acknowledge God’s faithfulness in the smaller areas of our life we grow in faith and are able to face the larger circumstances with confidence.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who faced physical and spiritual trials. I think of a widow woman who was living through a three year famine. She only had a little oil and flour left, everything was gone including her hope. She decided to make one last cake for herself and her son to eat. Then she was prepared to die. BUT GOD…sent a prophet with a miracle. Here’s her mountain, the prophet asked her to give him the cake she made.

Her dilemma, her hill – give the cake to the prophet or her son. She gave it to the prophet and that’s when the miracle came – her oil jar never ran dry and her flour canister never went empty. These are the testimonies we can hold on to in difficult times.

“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV

This is a mandate for us. Don’t quit, keep our eyes on Jesus. When the mountains and the hills are before us, God is beside us!

We Need A Bigger Boat!

Do you remember that classic line from the movie Jaws? Roy Scheider had just seen the shark and he called to Robert Shaw, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat”. Great line.

Have you ever been on the water in a storm and felt your boat might now handle it? I have. We were out for ride on the Mississippi, in a pontoon boat about ten years back. We actually had two boats; it was a break from work. Picnic on the beach type day. But, as the clouds began to gather we knew we had to get back up stream to the docking area. Lightning was flashing, the wind was blowing, the water was choppy and the motors on the pontoons were running full speed and still they were struggling to get us to our desired end.

I was praying!

Don’t consider the boat or the waves!!!  It was a struggle but we finally got back safely. I felt like I was living a story from the Bible.

Jesus had just learned that his cousin and dear friend, John, had been beheaded. He wanted to go somewhere to be alone so he got in a boat with his disciples and crossed the Sea of Galilee. The people heard where Jesus was headed so they ran ahead on the shore and were waiting for Him when He got out of the boat.

Jesus didn’t consider his own sorrow but instead was moved with compassion for the people – He healed them and taught them God’s word. What a terrific way to handle a tragic situation! Satan had used Herod to kill John the Baptist and Jesus approach to the situation was to go out and heal people and set them free from Satan’s oppression. (That’s another lesson for another time).

The people stayed late into the day. The disciples told Jesus to send them away so that they could go eat. Jesus said, no you feed them and then we have the miracle of the five loaves and two fish feeding over five thousand men and their families. Another great miracle!!

After the meal, Jesus told his disciples to get in the boat and head home. He would come later. Jesus sent the people away and then He went up into the hills to pray. Out on the sea it was turning into a scene from Gilligan’s Island. What should have been a couple hours on the water had turned into an all night adventure and they still weren’t to shore. Now these disciples were seasoned fisherman and they knew how to handle a boat in a storm but they were having no success. The Bible says it was about the third watch of the night, between 3 and 6 am, and Jesus came walking to them on the water.

The disciples were very frightened when they saw Jesus and thought that He was a ghost. He said something to them that He repeated many times during his time with them, “Fear not”. Jesus knew that fear, considering things other than God’s word and God’s way, will overpower faith if it is allowed to run unchecked.

So Peter looking at Jesus, said “Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Matthew 14: 28. Now what was Jesus to say – “No Peter it’s really not me but just your imagination” or “Peter, it’s me but you can’t handle this so don’t come.”  No, Jesus response was one of faith. “Peter, come.”

Peter “considered not” the boat, the other disciples, the wind or the waves and he got out of the boat and started walking to Jesus. WOW!  But wait, Peter keep looking at Jesus – don’t look at the waves!!!

 “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?”  32 After Peter and Jesus were in the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the followers in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:29-32 ERV

I’ve heard one preached ask, “What did the wind and waves have to do with anything? Peter couldn’t have walked on water on a calm day if it wasn’t for Jesus.”  And the same is true for us!

We see a truth in God’s word, we get out of the boat of public opinion and the world’s way of thinking and start to walk by faith to Jesus. Then we see the winds and the waves of family criticism, a call from the bank or a doctor’s report and we start to sink.  Call out to Jesus – He’s there and He’ll lift you up.

Keep your eyes focused on Jesus today. Don’t let fear of cause you to sink. Consider them not but consider the One who told you to come, He truly is the Son of God.

Just for the Birds

It was beautiful day, yesterday. The sun was shining, a few clouds in the sky, the fragrance of hyacinths filled the air and it was perfect for sitting out back and enjoying the warmth of a Spring day.

I took my water, my phone and my book. I’m currently reading Max Lucado’s “Jesus, The God Who Knows Your Name”. It’s very good. I chose a chair that had me positioned directly across from the mesquite tree and two of our hummingbird feeders.

They’re back!

One of the things I most look forward to each Spring is the hummingbirds returning. One year we had so many little visitors that I was going through almost five pounds of sugar a week. I could watch them for hours. At one point, I closed my book and just watched as they flitted from branch to feeder. They are very possessive and don’t like to have other birds or bees sharing what they feel is their spot on the feeder’s base and they will dart from the tree to chase off the offending intruder.

The whirl of their wings as they hover mid-flight is a sound I relish and the little chirp or chatter they emit when they are excited is soft but emphatic. Yes, I love watching them!

I hope you’ve had the pleasure of seeing them. Regardless of that, I’m sure you have seen the robins, sparrows, blue jays, dove, cardinals or meadowlarks. Each one has their unique rituals of feeding and nesting. They start and end each day with a song.

Do we?

Do we start the morning with melodious song and end it with a soft cooing or warbling? What do they have to sing about; they live out-of-doors, no roof (other than leaves) over their heads? They eat bugs and face the weather head on. Their recliner is nothing more than a tree branch or telephone wire. Do they “people” watch and wonder why we are in such a hurry to get from place to place? Do they hear us screech or do they think our voices are sweet?

I know I’ve penned these thoughts before but the Lord reminds me frequently that He loves me more than He loves the birds and because of that I, too, should spend my life singing.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:25-27 ERV

Since God takes care of the birds we can be confident that He will always care for us, after all, He has adopted us as His own. I think those were probably the thoughts of the songwriter when he wrote:

“I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free. For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”

I hope you realize that you have reason to sing this morning. Our heavenly Father is watching over us and that is certainly something to sing about!

Spilling Over

My mother always enjoys telling my adult children stories of their childhood. Mom was with us for two weeks in February and our son came to visit one weekend. One of the stories she told was about him pouring milk into a bowl of rice crispies. He added the milk too quickly and of course, the cereal came up over the edge of the bowl and out on to the table.

We had a good laugh. Memories are good!

That image and one of a coffee cup being filled to overflowing is what I imagine each time I read a verse in Psalm 23. Yes, there are still lessons to learn or be reminded of from that short Psalm.

“You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life…” Psalm 23:5-6 CEV

Yesterday, I hope you were able to get an understanding of the elegant banqueting table the Lord has set for us, right in the presence of our enemies. And today, I want you to see how the Lord lavishes us with His love and protection. While we sit, feasting at this table, the Lord comes and fills our cups to overflowing.

He isn’t the least bit bothered by what we would consider a mess that is being made on the table top. To Him, it is an overflowing expression of His provision of goodness and mercy.

Run the cup over, let it flood and even spill to the floor. Let those sitting at the table be awash in His love!

“For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; And abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5 AMP

God has a surplus of everything we need but He’s never wasteful. God, is a God of overflow.

We should follow His example. Our lives should be abundantly overflowing with love, understanding, forgiveness, mercy, grace and joy. Those around us are drowning in fear, panic, worry and turmoil. Let’s share with them from our abounding, cup-running-over supply.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLT

I hope we “spill over” with God’s goodness today. Those around us need to be flooded with good.