Category: Provision

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Life in a Fish Bowl

I love going to aquariums. Places like Sea World and the Monterey Aquarium fascinate me and I could spend hours there, moving from one aquarium to the next.

I even enjoy going to BassPro or Cabela’s and seeing the large tanks that they have in the center of their stores. It’s fascinating to watch the fish in a near-natural environment.

But what if the fish, looking out, became discontented with its environment. What if it decided it didn’t want to be cloistered and became jealous of those strange-looking creatures on the other side who could walk on two legs and could come and go as they please.

Sounds like a good plot for a Disney movie, right?

There is real truth to be found here at the aquarium. In the giant tank the temperature is right for optimal growth and comfort. The water pH is balanced which keeps micro-organisms from breeding too quickly or too slowly. Although contained, aquarium life provides the maximum benefit for each creature in its ecosphere. To attempt life outside of this housing would certainly mean death.

The same premise holds true for those of us on the outside of the glass enclosure. For us to attain a life of aquatic liberty would be disastrous. Our lungs are not equipped to extract oxygen from the water nor is our skin adapted for a continued exposure to it.  We were created for a different purpose.

I am amazed at how often some judge our lives as Christians as too confining, restrictive and limited. Some think that because we are Christians we aren’t allowed to have any fun or experience the fullness of life. Their judgement is that we are isolated and out of touch. However, that perspective is completely wrong. When we live our lives “in Christ” we are able to experience life at its optimal level.

“You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.

8 Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world. 9 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 2:7-10 ERV

There is no life that has greater fulfillment that the life that we have in Christ. In Christ, we have everything we need to live life to its fullest, much the same as the fish who live in the aquarium. I know that’s an inadequate comparison but I think you see my point.

When the Apostle Paul was preaching in Athens he noticed that they had built a shrine for “the unknown god”. This is what Paul said to them.

 “He is the God who made the whole world and everything in it. He is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 He is the one who gives people life, breath, and everything else they need. He does not need any help from them. He has everything he needs. 26 God began by making one man, and from him he made all the different people who live everywhere in the world. He decided exactly when and where they would live.

27 “God wanted people to look for him, and perhaps in searching all around for him, they would find him. But he is not far from any of us. 28 It is through him that we are able to live, to do what we do, and to be who we are. As your own poets have said, ‘We all come from him.’” Acts 17:24-28 ERV

Verse 28 is also translated to say “ For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” (KJV)

In Him we find our very existence; the reason and purpose for our lives. Our belief and adherence to God’s word isn’t restricting us; it’s giving us the ultimate expression of life!

In Christ we have a great, full, overflowing life!

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Thankful for Victory

I hoping that you had a wonderful day of Thanksgiving and that you took opportunities throughout the day to look around and say thank you for the blessings the Lord had provided.

When I got up this morning my heart was filled with gratitude for  life’s victories. We never like going through the battles but the victories are worth remembering. We’ve all had them; the battles with health, finances, relationships, and emotions. Some of you have faced actual battles (war, military conflict, disasters) and that, I know nothing about. But I am grateful for each and every one of you who have fought those battles for me.

I remember the words of a young shepherd boy named David. He told King Saul that he was prepared to meet the giant Goliath because God had given him victory over a lion and a bear.  The small, sometimes daily, battles that we fight prepare us for life’s bigger conflicts.

The secret is to remember that we didn’t succeed in the smaller skirmishes by our own efforts, it was by the help that God gave us. So when the larger battles come our source of strength and power is the same.

I’ve told you about King Jehoshaphat before but I want to relay a couple of things from his battle this morning.

“ Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “There is a large army coming against you from Edom. They are coming from the other side of the Dead Sea. They are already in Hazazon Tamar!” (Hazazon Tamar is also called En Gedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat became afraid, and he decided to ask the Lord what to do. He announced a time of fasting for everyone in Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to ask the Lord for help.” II Chronicles 21:2-4 ERV

Three armies were getting ready to descend on the small kingdom of Judah. They outnumbered. It was definitely a battle they couldn’t win on their own efforts.

“Lord God of our ancestors, you are the God in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms in all the nations. You have power and strength. No one can stand against you. 7 You are our God! You forced the people living in this land to leave. You did this in front of your people Israel. You gave this land to the descendants of Abraham forever. Abraham was your friend...12 Our God, punish those people. We don’t have the strength to stop this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help.” verses 6,7, 12 ERV

The first thing we must all do when we see the battle coming is admit that we don’t have the power to do it on our own and that we need strength that only the Lord can give. 

“Jahaziel said, “Listen to me King Jehoshaphat and everyone living in Judah and Jerusalem! The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or worry about this large army, because the battle is not your battle. It is God’s battle! 16 Tomorrow, they will come up through the Ziz Pass. You must go down to them. You will find them at the end of the valley on the other side of the desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Just stand there and watch the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid. Don’t worry, because the Lord is with you. So go out to stand against those people tomorrow.”  

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him.” verses 15-18

The Lord will give us the direction and wisdom we need. We have to show up for the battle but it’s not our battle. Once we pray about it and ask the Lord for help, it becomes His. Our part is to not worry or be afraid; God is able.

I’m not sure what battles are before us today. But I am thanking God that He is on our side! He has prepared a way of victory! I won’t be afraid.

“ So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. ” Romans 8:31-32 ERV

AMEN!

 

 

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Thankful for Overflow

Have you ever cleaned up after a child, or adult, when they’ve filled the milk glass too full?

Perhaps it was a cup of coffee or a mug of hot chocolate that you were heating in the microwave. Did you see the mess or were you blessed by the message?

Our minds seem to be programmed to stop the overflow. When I’m filling my watering-pot to tend to my flowers, I try to turn off the hose at just the right moment so it doesn’t flow over. We do the same when we fill our gas tanks, a pot of water to put on the stove or our cup of morning coffee.

We have a tendency to see the overflow as wasteful or negligence. God calls it blessings!

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death,  but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

God isn’t worried about a stained tablecloth or a puddle on the floor. He wants us to know that He provides and when He does he isn’t stingy; He’s generous and his provision is more than enough.

A while back I did a morning blog on planting seeds and getting a harvest. We all realize that when we plant pepper seeds we won’t harvest green beans. Jesus was using this concept in his teaching on forgiveness, kindness and mercy.

“But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. 36 Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.

37 Jesus said:   Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. 38 If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.” Luke 6:35-38 CEV

There it is again – overflow. The love, mercy and kindness that we give to others with come back to us in overflowing portions. That’s just the way God is.  In fact, one of the names that the Jewish people used for God, El Shaddai, meant “the God who is more than enough”.

One final thought on overflow. The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in the church at Corinth about a need in another church. He was encouraging them to help with their giving. Paul uses the same analogy as Jesus did, sowing and reaping.

“Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. 8 God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. 9 The Scriptures say, “God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right.” II Corinthians 9:7-9 CEV

We should never give from a heart that feels forced; not money, kindness, mercy, forgiveness. We should give from hearts filled with love. Why? Because that’s the way God gives to us.

Oh yes! My heart is overflowing with love and gratitude for the love that God has shown to me.

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Dry & Thirsty

I have lived in the desert most of my life. I remember when I was a child and we would go out to a dry river bed, I was amazed by the parched ground.

I could pick up the chunks of dried earth and hold the pieces  in my hands. The soil of the fields around it were a different consistency. They were grainy and the particles were finer but the river bed was dried mud; it had once been moist.

When we farmed alfalfa in Arlington, AZ we were out in the middle of no where. There was a dried riverbed just on the edge of our fields. The contrast between the soil of the two areas was amazing. One was dried and cracked while the other was lush, green and productive.

Don’t our lives seem to be like that from time to time? One moment we feel well watered and refreshed and then something happens and we seem to dry up and crack.

God has never wanted that for us. He wants us to draw our life from Him. He promises to provide the water we need; He has a supply of life-giving water that never runs dry.

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land and rivers on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your children, and will bring good to your children’s children. 4 They will grow like grass in the fields, and like poplar trees by the rivers.” Isaiah 44:3-4 NLV

This is a promise the Lord gave to the nation of Israel. They realized that God was promising to be the very substance of life. They lived in an arid region and understood the importance of life-giving water so verses like these were very applicable to their lives.

“God, you are my God. I am searching so hard to find you. Body and soul, I thirst for you in this dry and weary land without water. 2 Yes, I have seen you in your Temple. I have seen your strength and glory. 3 Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you.” Psalm 63:1-3 NLV

King David wrote the words above. As a young shepherd he knew it was vital for the well-being of his sheep to have a good source of water. He knew what it was like to search diligently for those ponds of water that would quench this tremendous thirst.

In light of that, the verses in Psalm 23 have a greater meaning. He knew how diligent he was to provide for the well-being of his sheep, searching out good pastures and clear water, and he saw the Lord provides for us in an even greater way.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLV

Jesus met a woman who came to the well to draw water. Her life was emotionally and relationally dry. She had been married and divorced five times and was living with another man. He told her this.

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”

15 The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.” John 4:13-15 NLV

Jesus is our source of living water. What we receive from Him does more than nourish the flesh, it brings us life eternal.

Have you gotten off in a dry place? Do you feel parched and cracked like the ground in the picture above? Come back to the One who has promised to give you living water.

God promises an abundance – a river that never shall run dry.

“The Lord will always lead you. He will meet the needs of your soul in the dry times and give strength to your body. You will be like a garden that has enough water, like a well of water that never dries up.” Isaiah 58:11 NLV

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Need Help?

Have you ever called Customer Service for help? Perhaps you have used an on-line chat or even clicked on the “Help” tab at the top right of your computer screen. Did you get the help you were looking for?

Yesterday morning I was reading in Ecclesiastes again.

“Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. 10 If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 GW

Now that’s what I call a help line!

The image above is a poster that hangs in our oldest daughter’s bathroom. I asked her to send me a picture of it after I read these verses so I could use it in this morning’s blog.

When Kim and Koy were little they were given a real tool kit for Christmas. It had a small hammer, hand saw, level, tape measure and a screw driver. They used that saw and hammer to build this frame for their poster.

We told them that as they worked and played together they could accomplish more than if they were alone. Having a friend to help lightens the burden and adds joy to the journey.

And so it does in all our lives.

Asking for help can be hard to do because it means we need to admit that we are weak in someway and that makes us vulnerable. However, a true friend will never point out our inability to accomplish the task, instead they are glad to be part of the process.

Jesus was talking with his disciples a short time before He was crucified. He called them friends. He knew what was ahead and I believe He was stating how much he needed them and also He knew how much they would need each other.

“You are my friends if you obey my commandments. 15 I don’t call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. But I’ve called you friends because I’ve made known to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. 17 Love each other. This is what I’m commanding you to do.” John 15:14-17 GW

Shortly after Jesus said this He led his disciples, his friends, to the garden to pray. He asked them to pray with Him. Jesus was stressed over what was ahead. He had never sinned and now He was going to take on the sins of the whole world. He would be the sacrifice. He became sin so that we could be forgiven and have a new life, new relationship, with God the Father.

Jesus needs our help now to show the world what God is like. Our commandment from Him is to love each other. This is the greatest commandment.

When we do this for His honor and glory, Jesus tells us that we can ask the Father for whatever we need and He will be there for us.

WOW! We won’t get help like that from any other friend. He is there to help in each and every circumstance. Jesus is the friend that never leaves us or abandons us.

“Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.” Hebrews 13:5 GW

Since we have Jesus promise to never leave us we don’t need to put  trust in our wealth or make money our god. We can trust Him to provide all that we need and more. We are His friends and He provides.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.

“ My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13 & 19 ERV

It’s great to have friends who walk with us through life; faithful, loyal, honest friends. I thank God for each and every one. They are examples of Jesus to me.

And then there’s that one friend, the One others can’t see but He is always there. He is the One who walks with me each step of the way and carries me when I fall.

What a friend we have in Jesus!

 

 

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Contentment

We live in an agricultural community so seeing herds of cattle and bands of sheep is common place.

So much so that I can see them and not really pay any attention to their presence. But when I stop and take a look with my heart and not with my eyes, it’s amazing what the Lord reveals.

Some mornings I wake up knowing what the day has in store or at least I think I do. And then there are mornings like this morning that I start praying over my day and have no idea how it will go or what I will be doing. That’s when the “sheep” came to mind.

Last night the sheep settled in the pasture. They laid down to rest and felt safe. They will begin stirring in about 30 minutes or so as the new day starts to dawn. They have no agenda and feel no anxiousness over what they will do or where they will go. Unless the shepherd comes to lead them to a new field, they will be content to eat well in this pasture where they are. But the minute they are aware of the shepherd’s presence, they become attentive – their senses heighten, their tails flick and their heads come up. They are ready to follow!

I need to learn that. To be content in this pasture where I am until I hear the shepherd and then be ready to follow is a lesson that is repeated over and over in my life. Today, I will be content and wait for the shepherd. Following Him brings me to a place of provision and protection.

“Jesus said, “It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. 2 But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. 3 The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4 He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 But sheep will never follow someone they don’t know. They will run away from him, because they don’t know his voice.”

6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.
11 “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

12 The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.

14-15 “I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep. 16 I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17 The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can get it back again. 18 No one takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me.” John 10:1-18 ERV

Our good shepherd cares greatly for our well-being. He gave His life to save ours. He is the one that leads us to the right pasture to eat and brings us to waters that will quench our thirst.

Our shepherd brings us life, life that is full and good! We can lie down in green pastures and have our strength restored!

Trust Him!

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Where Do Your Plans Lead

We have been visiting friends in Idaho for the last few weeks. Last night we had a wonderful time catching up with several couples at a bar-b-q. It was great!

 

We talked about our children, grandchildren, music, work, health and the Lord. Everyone there we have known for over 20 years. Our lives have taken us different directions but our friendship remains strong. That is truly a treasured gift.

 

We all make plans. Some of those are just for the day ahead while others cover the next week or through the end of the year. For us, we are planning our trip back to Arizona. Whatever our plans, whatever course we set for ourselves, we need to seek God’s direction and guidance.

“Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well…People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps...People might throw lots to make a decision, but the answer always comes from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:3, 9, 33

Whether we are traveling the highways and negotiating the freeways or navigating through the locks and channels of large corporations, we can trust the Lord to guide our steps and lead the way.

As we travel I can’t help but think of all those who have traveled these roads before. Those who came on horseback, in covered wagons and those whose only means of transportation were their feet. Looking at the terrain, considering the weather, the elements and the dangers they may have faced causes me to pause. But then thinking of the joy they experienced in seeing new land that no one had ever been to before, the beauty, the grandeur, the vastness of creation, brings an unprovoked smile to my face. We check the Atlas and follow the roads, they followed the dreams of their hearts!

I think  about Abram. At a word from the Lord, he set out for a world unknown. God called him to leave his home and go into a far country.

“The LORD said to Abram:
Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. 4-5 Abram was seventy-five years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.” Genesis 12:1-5 CEV

His obedience birthed a nation. His obedience open the door for Jesus, the Messiah to come. His obedience brought blessing to his life and those who traveled with him.

What road has the Lord asked you to take today? Are you being obedient and bringing blessing to the lives of those around you?   If God gives you a course correction be willing to take it.

“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

There are new horizons to view, new adventures to experience and new victories to celebrate!

 

 

 

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Review and Evaluate

For many years I was responsible for conducting Personnel Evaluations and Reviews. When employees were first hired they had a 90-day review and after that it was an annual evaluation. I always looked for their strengths and tried to encourage change in areas of weakness.

Now I find myself each morning reviewing the events of my previous day. I look back and am thankful for so many things, large and small.  I know some of you do this at the end of your day and that’s great too. This isn’t a performance evaluation because we can never win God’s approval by performance or the lack of it, That was all done by Jesus.

So what did I learn in my review of yesterday?

The day started out spending time with Dave, Pam and Jen. We enjoy being together and it doesn’t have to be something great and significant, just the small things are so much better because of the love we share.

The afternoon was spent resting. It’s important that we give ourselves time to be quiet. Our bodies aren’t made to be on the go 24/7, they need rest. It’s a shame that I had to retire to realize that.

In the evening we went to friends for dinner. Randy and Kristi have been our friends for almost 30 years. Friendships like that are truly nuggets of gold. We spent time catching up on life; children, grandchildren, life’s treasures and disappointing times. We talked of the Lord and His faithfulness and our hearts were more full than our stomachs when we left.

Yes, it was a good day!

So, I began to thank the Lord for the day past and the one to come. I found myself saying “Thank you Father. You make my life so…” and then I searched my mind for the right adjective.

Exciting…adventurous…wonderful…full…marvelous…amazing…peaceful…joyful…loving.

But then I stopped. I realized I didn’t need any adjectives. What I was really saying is “Thank you Father, You make my life!”

It’s that simple. Without the Lord, I really wouldn’t be experiencing true living. He makes it all complete.

“You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.” Job 10:12

Knowing God and having Him in my life intensifies and magnifies each day’s experiences.  The Apostle Paul said it this way:

“I am full of hope and feel sure I will not have any reason to be ashamed. I am certain I will continue to have the same boldness to speak freely that I always have. I will let God use my life to bring more honor to Christ. It doesn’t matter whether I live or die. 21 To me, the only important thing about living is Christ. And even death would be for my benefit.22 If I continue living here on earth, I will be able to work for the Lord. But what would I choose—to live or to die? I don’t know.” Philippians 1:20-22 ERV

Jesus purpose in coming to earth was to give man a life filled with purpose. He didn’t come to diminish life and cause it to be substandard. No! He came to enhance and improved our lives in a way that we can’t possibly do on our own.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

“I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.

47 I am not the one who will judge those who refuse to obey my teachings. I came to save the people of this world, not to be their judge.” John 12:46-47 CEV

Now it’s time to get up and start this day. I am really looking forward to it. I know that God has planned my steps and He has great things in store for me! I pray that you are looking forward to the moments of your day as well.

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it. 25 O Lord, we beg You to save us! O Lord, we ask that You let everything go well for us! ” Psalm 118:24-25 NLV

 

 

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What Did Ya Come For?

Yesterday we had a strange experience I’d like to share with you.

Dave and I have toyed with the idea of getting an RV since we fully retired 4 years ago. We are up here in the Spokane/Couer d’Alene area and there are a lot of RV dealerships. We decided to just go and look at what’s available.  Mid-morning we took off with our friend, and headed to a few different dealerships.

Since we’ve been thinking about this for a while we know what we want and what we feel would work best for us. We wanted to see what’s available in our price range. This was a fun fact finding mission.

The first place we stopped only had two 5th wheel trailers that matched our criteria. The sales person was very nice and helpful. He understood that he really couldn’t help us. Off we went to the next dealership.

Once again we explained what we were looking for and why. This salesman got his inventory list and was unable to find anything on his lot that matched our wish list. He told us they were having a big sale this weekend, Dave told him we wouldn’t be buying this weekend. Then he blurted out in frustration “then what did ya come in for”.

Oh boy!

Those words stuck with me throughout the rest of the afternoon and I woke thinking about them this morning, “then what did ya come in for”.

There are so many times I go to the Lord and I’m not really sure what I need or what I’m wanting. I have confusion and need clarity. Or it maybe that I just need to talk, uninterrupted and unafraid, as I sort through emotions and circumstances.

The Lord is always there for me and never once has He lost his cool and asked me what I came for. In fact, it’s just the opposite. He tells me to come and I will find help when I need it.

“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

The Lord tells me to come when I’m tired and need rest.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

When I need wisdom the Father tells me to come and receive teaching that will give me a long and prosperous life.

“The young lions suffer want and hunger. But they who look for the Lord will not be without any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Who is the man who has a desire for life, and wants to live long so that he may see good things? 13 Keep your tongue from sin and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn away from what is sinful. Do what is good. Look for peace and follow it.” Psalm 34:10-14 NLV

I did a word search for “come” this morning and I found that there are over 2100 listings in the King James version. I will tell you honestly that I did not read all 2106 verses. However, this one from the book of John has to be one of my favorites.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. 36 I said to you that you have seen Me and yet you do not put your trust in Me. 37 All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me. 38 I came down from heaven. I did not come to do what I wanted to do. I came to do what My Father wanted Me to do. He is the One Who sent Me.

39 “The Father sent Me. He did not want Me to lose any of all those He gave Me. He wants Me to raise them to life on the last day. 40 He wants everyone who sees the Son to put his trust in Him and have life that lasts forever. I will raise that one up on the last day.” John 6:35-40 NLV

I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me. 

What a promise!

He will NEVER turn away anyone who comes to Him. That is an absolute, all encompassing promise.

So forget the rude and frustrated salesman; forget the customer service rep; forget the harsh tone of the banker or the mortgage broker, forget the misdirected words of a mate or friend.

Come boldly and find help, rest, instruction and life. We’ll never be turned away when we come to the Lord!

 

 

 

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Knowing When to Stop or Go

Yesterday we safely completed our trip from Arizona to Idaho. It was another 12 hours of travel and although we arrived weary we certainly enjoyed the journey.

As we drove through the rolling ranchlands and the greasewood covered plains we imagined what it must have been like for the first settlers that came to the area. Looking at the beauty of the landscape through their eyes gave us an appreciation for their sacrifice and dedication in coming to such a place.

What was it that made them stop here. Build their homes, raise their families and create a new life? I imagine it was much like King David wrote in Psalm 23, it was a place of quiet streams and green grass. A good place, a place of peace. A place to stay.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLV

As we traveled down the road further I was faced with the contrast between staying in a place of rest  and moving forward.

For a good portion of the day we followed the Payette River. We had travelled this road last year and it was a beautiful drive. The forest was green and lush, the river beautiful but all of that was obscured from view this year.

There were fires in the area the last few days and the smoke was lingering in the air. Along the highway we passed numerous signs telling us “fire activity…don’t stop…proceed with caution”.  So we were obedient and just kept moving.

Isn’t that a lesson for life? Just keep moving!

Things happen that will obscure our view, detour our route and slow our progression but when we have Christ as our guide we can continue forward knowing that we will arrive at our destination.

“You are my God. I worship you.  In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 2 I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship.

3 Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. 4 As long as I live, I will pray to you. 5 I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.

6 I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. 7 You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV

Staying close to the Lord, receiving His powerful support is the key of our success.

The conclusion  I drew on yesterday’s journey is a simple one. Whether we are stopping in a place of resting or moving forward to a new place it’s important that we allow the Lord to lead in all of it.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 30:21 CEV

I pray that you hear God’s voice today in your resting and receiving strength or moving forward by His leading.

 

 

 

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