Category: Provision

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Going the Right Direction

This morning I find myself sitting in a log cabin, in the White Mountains in northern Arizona. I visited this area as a small girl. It was my favorite place to come for summer vacations; we camped on the banks of the White River, fished all day in the steam and played games with our new friends in the evenings.

As I sit here this morning in the glow of my computer screen, trying to be quiet so I don’t wake Dave, I am imagining the wonderful times we will have with our grandchildren. The memories we will make and the joy we will share.

And then my thoughts are interrupted.

I hear it…the morning song of the mountain birds. No matter where we are God reminds me of his loving care through the song of the birds. Each morning starts the same way. It starts with a chorus of those winged creatures who lift their voices in song and praise their creator for the countless ways He provides for them.

Our lives have dramatically changed since I came here as a girl. There are been some real rough patches, things I choose not to relive and there have been some great joys. As I look back I can always see the Father’s faithfulness. It’s not something I was quick to recognize in the moment but He was always there, He always provided.

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 scriptural.

“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 aay 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 but He has a plan.

When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed! “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

We have a choice – it would be silly, even disastrous at times, to think our own plan is better. Following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect. His way will keep us from being lost and give us something to sing about each morning.

“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

Trust the Lord today. He loves us and His desire for us is good! He wants to make wonderful memories with us and He wants us to teach our children and grandchildren about His goodness and provision.

Go South today – He will provide!!!

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Be Lion-Hearted

Do you remember a couple days ago when I told you that our daughter is teaching our grandson how to write his letters and words? There is a progression that comes with that learning. We start with small words, c-a-t, d-o-g, r-e-d, t-w-o. And then as we go through the years our vocabulary increases and so do the words we learn to spell. Basic education gives way to more intense learning.

The same holds true with our knowledge and growth in spiritual things. We start with the basics. God is good. Jesus loves me. Trust in the Lord.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him, now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 ERV

Just like my little grandson is growing in his knowledge, we are to grow in our knowledge of Jesus, the Father and His word. A couple years back I shared with you some insight that the Lord gave me from I Samuel 24. This morning, as part of my systematic reading through the Bible I was reading in I Samuel 24 again and I found myself focusing on David’s reaction to adversity and those who were trying to kill him. I think we always need a reminder of how God wants us to react in stressful situations.

“The sinful run away when no one is trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1 NLV

Let me tell you about a man who had a good heart and knew that he is destined for greatness. He had been assigned a place of leadership, however, the current leader was still actiively fulfilling the role.

The current leader became jealous and did everything he could to destroy his successor. Constantly, he thought of ways to pursue and destroy this man. He enlisted the help of well-meaning by-standers.

The current leader’s pursuit was so relentless that this man with the good heart became exhausted by his efforts to avoid conflict. He let God be his defense and his strength! He didn’t retaliate or bad mouth his pursuer. He did all he could to remain humble and pure of heart.

I’ve been in situations that I know I’m where God called me and when opposition came I cannot say that I remained pure in heart and let God be my defense. I have tried to defend myself – get others to see that I’m right and have fought to prove my point.

I was wrong!

So where is all this coming from? I Samuel. I have been reading how David was anointed king while Saul was still ruling. Then Saul sought to kill David and pursued him relentlessly. David did the honorable thing and avoided capture. Even when David had opportunity to kill Saul, he did not touch him.

“The Lord put you within my grasp today in the cave, but I refused to kill you. I was merciful to you. I said, ‘I won’t hurt my master. Saul is the Lord’s chosen king.’ 11 Look at this piece of cloth in my hand. I cut off the corner of your robe. I could have killed you, but I didn’t. Now, I want you to understand this. I want you to know that I am not planning anything against you. I did nothing wrong to you, but you are hunting me and trying to kill me. 12 Let the Lord be the judge. I hope the Lord will punish you for the wrong you did to me, but I won’t fight you myself. 13 There is an old saying:

‘Bad things come from bad people.’ I haven’t done anything bad, and I won’t hurt you…

16 When David finished speaking, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul lifted his voice and began to cry. 17 He said, “You are right, and I am wrong. You were good to me, even though I have been bad to you. 18 You yourself said it when you told me about the good things you did. The Lord put my life in your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 This shows that you are not my enemy. A man doesn’t catch his enemy, and then just let him go. He doesn’t do good things for his enemy. May the Lord reward you for being good to me today. 20 Now, I know that you will become the new king. You will rule the kingdom of Israel.” I Samuel 24:10-20 ERV

I don’t know who is pursuing you today – who is making it their personal vendeta to destroy you but you can trust the Lord to be your strength and your defender.

“Praise the Lord! He has heard my prayer for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trusted him with all my heart. He helped me, so I am happy. I sing songs of praise to him. 8 The Lord protects his chosen one. He saves him and gives him strength.” Psalm 26:6-8 ERV

If you are going through a particularly tough time right now and feel like you are being harrassed and attacked I encourage you to read I Samuel 18-31. Read how the Lord protected David through all of Saul’s plottings. These words in the Psalms will have greater meaning when you realize the situations that surrounded them.

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth. 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.” Psalm 121:1-3 CEV

Stand strong and see the deliverance that comes from the Lord!

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Not My Power

“I am the Lord All-Powerful. So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6 CEV

When I woke up the words above were the ones that came to mind. Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts. This is an all encompassing word of encouragement.

Right now, I have a friend who is facing a very serious heart surgery. One of my children is recovering from back surgery and another has a surgery scheduled next week. Our youngest daughter is pregnant and has had a rough time with morning sickness. We have friends who have been overwhelmed by business details and work situations.

As I was praying about these areas and many others the Lord kept reminding me of the verse above. Not my might, not my power but total dependence on the Lord. When I finished praying I found these words that I had written a couple years back…

What’s your focus when you wake up in the morning? Is it the project before you – the diagnosis you recently received from your doctor – the financial challenge that seems overwhelming? Maybe it’s physical pain in your body – a relationship that is factured and fragile – possibly physical danger and unrest?

If those things remain in the forefront of your mind, your day will wrap itself in worry, distress and then eventually lead to despair and depression.

However, if your focus is on God’s goodness and His provision you will find hope, joy and peace. That’s why I love starting my mornings in the Psalms – it is good to begin each day celebrating the faithfulness of the Lord.

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole world sing to the Lord! 2 Sing to the Lord and praise his name! Tell the good news every day about how he saves us. 3 Tell all the nations how wonderful he is! Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does. 4 The Lord is great and worthy of praise. He is more awesome than any of the “gods.” 5 All the “gods” in other nations are nothing but statues, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 He lives in the presence of glory and honor. His Temple is a place of power and beauty. 7 Praise the Lord, all people of every nation; praise the Lord’s glory and power. 8 Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory! Come, bring your offerings into his courtyard. 9 Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty. Everyone on earth should tremble before him. 10 Tell the nations that the Lord is King! The world stands firm and cannot be moved. He will judge all people fairly. 11 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be happy! Let the sea and everything in it shout for joy! 12 Let the fields and everything in them be happy! Let the trees in the forest sing for joy 13 when they see the Lord coming! He is coming to rule the world. He will rule all the nations of the world with justice and fairness.” Psalm 96 ERV

Let the Lord rule over the circumstances in your life today and receive the peace that floods in when you let go and trust God. It’s not our might or power but HIs Spirit that brings the answers and defeats the enemy.

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No Problem’s Too Big

I found myself praying this morning for different ones that I know are going through particularly hard times right now. That’s pretty normal for my morning prayer time. Recently I have been made aware of friends who are experiencing severe physical issues while others are facing career challenges and some are having their entire lives uprooted and their peace and joy on are the verge of destruction.

What do we do when our world seems to be falling apart?

Our God is waiting to handle each and everyone of these situations. God is able and I can hear Him saying, “Child, that’s not a problem for me. I can handle it. Trust me.”

“There is One Who can keep you from falling and can bring you before Himself free from all sin. He can give you great joy as you stand before Him in His shining-greatness. 25 He is the only God. He is the One Who saves from the punishment of sin through Jesus Christ our Lord. May He have shining-greatness and honor and power and the right to do all things. He had this before the world began, He has it now, and He will have this forever. Let it be so.” Jude 1:24-15 NLV

All through the Bible we have examples of God coming to the aid of His children. He brought them deliverance from the enemies, healing when they were sick, provision when they lacked, peace when they were in a place of fear and unrest and strength to be victorious in battle.

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

I’ve heard people make the statement, “I didn’t know what else to do so I prayed”. When they come to the end of their own strength, knowledge and resources that’s when many turn to God. I’ve been guilty of that too, however, the real time to trust God is when everything seems to be going right. Let Him take control then and He will keep us in a place of peace when the storms come.

I can hear some of you say, “Ya but you don’t know my situation”. No, but, God does!

There were three young Hebrew men who had committed their lives to follow God’s teachings and they were captured and taken as slaves to Babylon. They went through a time of training to serve in the king’s court. There was one thing they were commanded to do and they refused. They refused to worship the king as God. Their lives were threatened and here was there answer. They could give this answer because they had trusted God in the good times and they knew He would be faithful in the worst of times.

“King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. So he sent for the three young men and said, 14 “I hear that you refuse to worship my gods and the gold statue I have set up. 15 Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don’t, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. No god can save you from me.”

16 The three men replied, “Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. 17 The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:13-18 ERV

So let me ask you again. What problem is facing you today? Is it health, work, family relationships, financial problems? Whatever it is, it’s no problem to our great God!

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

God is faithful!

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How Do They Know

The last several days I have had some reading to catch up on and the weather has been so nice I decided to take my reading to the backyard. The reading was an encouragement to me but the activity in the yard was the real lesson.

About two weeks ago the hummingbirds began returning. I could hear the whirl of their little wings and also their little chatter as they sat in the mesquite trees. One of my favorite things about this home is my hummers.

Each year I put out about six feeders and all day long they are filled with visitors. In the morning it’s not unusual to have five or six birds at each one and another three or four circling, waiting their turn. I can get so close that I can see them swallow as they drink from the feeders. They buzz me when I remove a bottle for cleaning and refilling.

A couple of days ago I saw a new fellow arrive in the backyard troupe. I call him an aerial applicator. He reminds me of the helicopters that flew in Iowa, spraying the crops of corn. He comes straight down, flies across the yard in a low trajectory and then straight up again at the other side of the yard. He gets to his designated height, turns, and swoops down again, headed the other way. I watched him do this repeatedly while the minutes passed. The whole time he was flying like this he was making a high pitched, whirling sound like that of a racing engine. He is a wonderful new addition to our backyard aviation family.

I know, I know. I’m hooked! But I’m also amazed! Amazed by the instinct of these tiny little birds; amazed by their God-given, innate ability to return year after year. How do they know it’s the right time to leave their southern homes and return to our backyard?

There’s only one answer. Their Creator, God our Father, has given them and all birds the gift of migration for their survival.

I’ve learned so much for watching the birds around my home. They always start the morning singing; they welcome each new day with a song. They get quiet and roost when they know a storm is coming; as long as they are out and about everything is fine. They are the first ones out when the rain stops, it’s a great time to get some juicy worms. In the evening, the quail call for their brood and their mates. Time to come home and settle in. They like to build their nests in a place they feel safe.

It’s no wonder at all that Jesus used the birds to teach us a very important lesson about the Father’s loving care.

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 CEV

“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

When you find yourself tempted to worry, consider the birds. They are a living example of the Father’s protection and provision!

If you’d like, you’re always welcome to join me in my backyard and we’ll let them encourage us together.

“His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me!”

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Not Afraid of Monsters

Years ago, when the movie was first released, Dave, Koy and I went to see Monsters Inc. We were amazed by the animation; we could see every whisker and hair move, the sweat glistening on Boo’s skin and the colors were so vivid. I remember it still.

But what I remember the most was the story. It was my story!

Remember when you were little and thought there might be monsters under the bed or in the closet? As a child, I was plagued with nightmares until one night I made friends with the biggest monster in my dreams. After that, whenever I would have a nightmare I would just call on my monster friend and he would come scare off all the other monsters that were there to hurt me. When I saw the movie Monsters Inc, I was reminded of my friend because he looked a lot like Sulley.

But now I don’t make friends with monsters, instead I rely on the Father and His Word. 

“3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.” Psalm 91:3-6 AMP

In this day of terror plots, road rage, random shootings and all the mayhem that is loose in our world, not to mention the daily dangers we are exposed to, living in the power of God’s Word is a place of comfort and protection. 

These are the verses above from the Complete Jewish Bible translation.

“he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter and from the plague of calamities; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his truth is a shield and protection. 5 You will not fear the terrors of night or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the plague that roams in the dark, or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.” Vs 3-6

The way I see it, the Lord promises to protect us from hidden peril – from the things we can’t see. A bird doesn’t see the trap until it’s caught and plagues come without advance warning. 

He also protects from disasters that can be seen. The picture in verse 4 is that of a mother hen or bird that sets herself down over the top of her chicks to protect them from danger. She risks her own life and cuddles her young under her wings. Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? He gave His own life to protect us from the ravages of sin and its effects.

“What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?” Romans 8:31-35 CEV

No matter what time of day – night, daylight, or noon day, the Lord promises to be there and be our protection.

When our children were little, Dave and I would pray with them and over them each morning before they headed out to school. We would pray these verses over them then and we still do now. But now we’ve added their spouses and our grandchildren.  I have no idea how many times they have been protected as they go about their days. God is faithful!

We have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, literally, in our vehicle without ever having an accident. We’ve been in the presence of danger many times and not even known it until later and then we saw how God’s hand protected us.

We can take these verses as our own and use them to bring a covering of protection for our families as well. God’s word is true; He does not lie! But it doesn’t just come automatically we have to appropriate it – we have to believe it. Just like the electricity that comes into our homes, it’s there but we will sit in the dark and the cold unless we turn on the switch and put the power to work. 

Turn on the switch in prayer and watch the power of God work in your life!

Let me end with this. God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours – His plan of protection is better than ours. As the rain is higher than the earth and comes down to cover the earth; God’s ways are higher than our thinking and He rains down His protection to cover us.

“The Lord says: ‘My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. 9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. 10 “Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat. 11 That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do.’

12 When you are set free, you will celebrate and travel home in peace. Mountains and hills will sing as you pass by, and trees will clap.” Isaiah 55: 8-12 CEV

God’s word will cause our lives to bring in a crop of good fruit – it will cause us to prosper and our lives to be filled with joy and peace.

As I said above, I no longer need to make friends with the monsters. God’s word is the word of my best friend and He is able to keep me safe in every situation. I trust Him and my life is filled with peace!

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I’m Going Fishing

Have you ever been through a time of crisis? I mean the gut wrenching, heart breaking, all hope is gone, kind of crisis.

It could be the death of a loved one; the end of a marriage you were trying to save; an attack that devastated your health and physical well-being or perhaps it was a financial situation that left you destitute.

Seeing the news of the last few days, I find myself praying for those who are losing everything to the floods, tornados, and snow storms. Homes are gone with everything that was in them; the livelihood of farmers and ranchers are lost; entire towns are being evacuated. What to do?!

I hope you will find comfort in this. I want to tell you about a man who had lost all and was fearful that he would be arrested and possibly killed. He went fishing. Yes, fishing! He went back to what he knew before his life was turned upside down. He went fishing. Some friends went with him.

“3 Simon Peter said, “I am going out to fish.”

The other followers said, “We will go with you.” So all of them went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.

4 Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore. But the followers did not know it was Jesus. 5 Then he said to them, “Friends, have you caught any fish?”

They answered, “No.”

6 He said, “Throw your net into the water on the right side of your boat. You will find some fish there.” So they did this. They caught so many fish that they could not pull the net back into the boat.

7 The follower Jesus loved very much said to Peter, “That man is the Lord!” When Peter heard him say it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself. (He had taken his clothes off to work.) Then he jumped into the water.” John 21:3-7 ERV

You know the background to this story. Peter and the others had been following Christ for three years. They left everything to be one of his disciples. They saw Jesus do miracles; they did miracles. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, God’s Son, and then they saw Him die. The Pharisees and religious leaders hated Jesus and his disciples. They were on the “Most Wanted” list.

Jesus had appeared to the disciples a couple of times after His death and yet, here they were. Floundering from their loss. They were emotionally undone. Where should they go from here? In true Peter fashion he declared “I’m going fishing”. I’m going back to the familiar, back to what I know. I’m finding something that will distract me and I’m going to a place of comfort.

Wow!

Some of us crawl into bed and pull the covers over our heads. Some find comfort in alcohol or drugs, they need to forget. Others find consolation being with others who have also experienced the same type of loss.

I want you to notice something from this story. In their loss and desperation the disciples didn’t go seeking the Lord. They went fishing and the Lord found them. He not only found them, He helped them catch a boat load of fish, cooked them breakfast and served them hope!

“The other followers went to shore in the boat. They pulled the net full of fish. They were not very far from shore, only about 100 yards.[b 9 When they stepped out of the boat and onto the shore, they saw a fire of hot coals. There were fish on the fire and some bread there too. 10 Then Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish that you caught.”

11 Simon Peter got into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish—153 of them! But even with that many fish, the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the followers would ask him, “Who are you?” They knew he was the Lord. 13 Jesus walked over to get the bread and gave it to them. He also gave them the fish.

14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his followers after he was raised from death.” John 21:8-14 ERV

We can trust Jesus to meet us in our time of crisis. He sees the hurt and brings comfort. He sees our fear and brings peace. He hears our cries for help and comes quickly to our aid.

“Jesus came to Nazareth where He had grown up. As He had done before, He went into the Jewish place of worship on the Day of Rest. Then He stood up to read. 17 Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:16-19 NLV

This was Jesus life mission; healing, saving, restoring and forgiving those who were without hope and purpose.

“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC

Maybe you have “gone fishing” because of the overwhelming circumstances in your life. If you look around, you’ll find that Jesus is there. He’s come to bring comfort and assistance.

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Circle the Wagons

Did you watch the old westerns on television like I did? Those shows like Wagon Train with settlers coming West, looking for a new and better life really drew me in. There was always an element of danger, the unknown. Would they be attacked by Indians, find dry watering holes or be overcome by inclement weather?

The one thing we could count on was some time in the show we would hear the wagon master give the order “circle the wagons”.

With the wagons in a circle the pioneers could fight off attacks from all sides. They worked together as one, they had too for their own survival. Or with the wagons circled, a fire could be built in the center and the warmth would fill the camp. A camp of circled wagons kept out unwanted late-night predators and brought a sense of peace and comfort to the weary travelers.

At the start of this new week you may feel like circling the wagons. You know some of last week’s problems are still hanging around; so are some of last week’s predators, the enemies who would like to see you destroyed. Start your week like King David, he started his morning with this prayer.

“I have a lot of enemies, Lord. Many fight against 2 me and say, “God won’t rescue you!” 3 But you are my shield, and you give me victory and great honor. 4 I pray to you, and you answer from your sacred hill.

5 I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, Lord,  protect me. 6 Ten thousand enemies attack from every side, but I am not afraid. 7 Come and save me, Lord God!
Break my enemies’ jaws and shatter their teeth, 8 because you protect and bless your people.” Psalm 3 CEV

David was starting a new day and he saw that his enemies were many, however, he committed his life, his thoughts, his heart to God. God was his shield of protection against his enemies; God was his glory and the one who put him in the place of leadership as king. God was the lifter of his head; the one who reminded him to look up and find help.

David wouldn’t have been king if God hadn’t of chosen him. We wouldn’t be in relationship with God, the Father, if HE had chosen us. David said, as he remembered all of this, he was able to lay down and sleep and wake up sustained because his hope was in God.

The Apostle Paul gave us a similar encouragement when he was writing to the Romans.

“What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side,[a] speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36 It is exactly as the Scriptures say,

‘For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.’

37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:31-39 CEV

If God is for us, and we know that He is because He gave Jesus to die for us, who can be against us? In all these things we have been made more than conquerors through Him that loves us.

Our loving God and Father is better than any wagon master. He has encompassed us with this love and protection. Now we can go out and take new land – let’s get those wagons rolling!

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Move Your But

I am fascinated by the English language. If I knew any other languages I would probably be intrigued by them as well. Mrs. Morgan was my eighth grade English teacher. She was the one who taught us parts of speech, sentence composition and how to diagram those sentences.

The word “but” is a conjunction, a connecting word that ties one thought to another. However, it is also a word that conveys contradiction. Take this sentence for example. I like red BUT blue is my favorite color. The two thoughts are connected and yet contradictive.

Once we begin to look for it, we will find this type of sentence construction in Scripture. This morning I noticed two different instances that I would like you to look at with me.

“They told Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us. It does flow with milk and honey. This is its fruit. 28 But the people who live in the land are strong. The cities have walls and are very large. And we saw the children of Anak there. 29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev. The Hittites and Jebusites and Amorites are living in the hill country. And the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.”

30 Then Caleb told the people in front of Moses to be quiet. And he said, “Let us go up at once and take the land. For we are well able to take it in battle.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go against the people. They are too strong for us.” Numbers 13:27-31 ERV

Moses had sent twelve men into Canaan to asses the land and its residents. When they came back they brought a bunch of grapes so large that two men had to carry it on a pole. The land God promised them was the most fertile and productive crop land around. However, there were also giants in the land. Instead of seeing the blessings in the land they pointed out the obstacles. There “but’s” stopped them from seeing God’s best.

The second example I saw came from the New Testament.

“When Jesus saw the large crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we get enough food to feed all these people?” 6 He said this to test Philip, since he already knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered, “Don’t you know that it would take almost a year’s wages[a just to buy only a little bread for each of these people?”

8 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the disciples. He spoke up and said, 9 “There is a boy here who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?” John 6:5-9 CEV

Once again, “but” got in the way. Jesus disciples were looking at their circumstances and not at the miracle-worker who changed circumstances. Before we become to critical of the Israelites and the disciples we have to admit that many times our “but’s” get us in trouble too.

It’s time to move our but and let God have greater control.

“No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger.” Romans 5:7-9 CEV

What do you think would have happened if the men who went in to Canaan had come back and said “there are giants in the land BUT it’s a great land with wonderful crops and God said it’s ours”? I can tell you, they would not have wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They would have gone in and conquered the land the way God said.

Or perhaps Philip might have said “Lord, there are a whole lot of people BUT if you want us to feed them, tell us how”. (The Scripture says that Jesus knew what he was going to do.) It would have changed the narrative. God is looking to change the narrative in our lives. We have to move our but.

I don’t know what I’m going to do BUT I can do all things through Christ who give me the strength.

I’m not sure how I will handle this problem BUT God says if I ask for wisdom He will give it to me.

“In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. 3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you.” Ephesians 2:1-5 CEV

When we let God replace the but’s of life with His power and mercy we will see a much better outcome!

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Nervous About Change

The last few weeks Dave and I have been making subtle changes around the house. We’re excited but our little Aussie is unimpressed and in fact, it has made her very nervous.

Last Fall when I started working on the book, The Best Gifts of Christmas, I realized that I didn’t have a quiet place to write. The desk was right out in the middle of all that happens in our home. I kept eyeing this big, under-utilized space called the dining room. In the five plus years we have lived in our home the dining room has only been used about 5 or 6 times. Most of our friends and family would rather eat outside on the patio instead of at the dining room table.

I asked Dave if we could sell the table and convert the dining room to an office. He agreed that was a good idea. Neighbors called one day and wanted to know if we would like an antique roll-top desk. Yes! And so the transformation began.

Two weeks ago the dining room table finally sold. Out it went! In came an oak file cabinet, down went a horse hair hide for the rug and Monday we came home with an oak cabinet that we found in Mesa while visiting Kim and Austin.

Tuesday was the day to move end tables, lamps, books from the bedroom bookcase to the office. So much activity. Vacuuming baseboards and corners. Dusting books and arranging shelves. Trading out tables and lamps. Which one looked best where?

But Glory doesn’t like change!

It makes her nervous. She wants things to stay the same. When things get moved around she has to find a new place to lay. Where does she belong? In all the moving, her favorite place becomes the couch, on my lap when I am sitting down. She has to be close – it’s her comfort zone. I think she feels she is going to get left.

Aren’t we like that?

Change can be unsettling. A new job or school. A new neighborhood or town. A new relationship or marriage. Little kids can be unnerved by a new baby. How do we react when we are emotionally and physically uprooted?

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ERV

I think we are a lot like Glory. We need comfort, we need reassurance. We need to be close! Close to the Father. We need to know that we haven’t been left on our own to flounder and find our way. We need a place of security – a place to find love and comfort!

“Protect me, God, because I depend on you..5 Lord, you give me all that I need.
  You support me. You give me my share. 6 My share is wonderful. My inheritance is very beautiful. 7 I praise the Lord because he taught me well. Even at night he put his instructions deep inside my mind. 8 I always remember that the Lord is with me. He is here, close by my side, so nothing can defeat me. 9 So my heart and soul will be very happy. Even my body will live in safety, 10 because you will not leave me in the place of death. You will not let your faithful one rot in the grave. 11 You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16 ERV

That place of comfort is right next to the Father. When we are in His presence we have fullness of joy. He never wanders off or leaves us alone. There may be times that we wonder where He is but it’s because WE have left Him to do our own thing. If that’s the case, then we need to take a lesson from Glory. Jump on the couch and get close.

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

Don’t let change make you nervous. Draw close to the Father and let Him show you the adventures ahead!

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