Category: Provision

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Big Promises – Bigger God

As we look at the promises of God, I was reminded this morning of Solomon and his dedication of the Temple. King David, Solomon’s father, had gathered the treasury necessary for building the Temple but the Lord gave the task of construction to Solomon.

When the Temple was finished and the people were gathered for the dedication, Solomon prayed a prayer of thanksgiving honoring the Lord for His faithfulness and for His promise to “dwell” with His people. Then Solomon prayed over the people of Israel. Look at what he says.

“When Solomon prayed this prayer to the LORD, he was on his knees in front of the LORD’s altar and his arms were raised toward heaven. When he finished praying, he stood up. 55 Then, in a loud voice, he asked God to bless all the people of Israel. Solomon said,
56 “Praise the LORD! He promised to give rest to his people, Israel. And he has given us rest! He used his servant Moses and made many good promises to the people of Israel. And he has kept every one of them! 57 I pray that the LORD our God will be with us, as he was with our ancestors. I pray that he will never leave us. 58 I pray that we will turn to him and follow him. Then we will obey all the laws, decisions, and commands that he gave our ancestors. 59 I pray that the LORD our God will always remember this prayer and what I have asked. I pray that he will do these things for his servant, the king, and for his people, Israel. I pray that he will do this every day. 60 If he will do these things, all the people of the world will know that the LORD is the only true God. 61 You people must be loyal and true to the LORD our God. You must always follow and obey all of his laws and commands. You must continue to obey in the future as you do now.” I Kings 8: 54-61 CEV

Solomon reminded  the people. “He used his servant Moses and made many good promises to the people of Israel. And he has kept every one of them!” God keeps His word. He kept it to Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon and the Israelites and He keeps His word to us today.

Here is the key. God isn’t faithful to His word  so we can walk around bragging about things with an  arrogant attitude. God keeps His word for one reason.

“If he will do these things, all the people of the world will know that the LORD is the only true God.”

God gives and keeps His word so that all the world will know that the Lord is the only true God! So much in this world changes – we’ve heard the saying “everything is relative”. That may apply to man’s plans and programs but not to God.

I’ve never wondered if I ask the Lord for things that are too big. He is fully capable of handling any problem or situation I face. I have wondered, though, if I ask Him for too much. It’s then I remember this verse:

“Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. 5 Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:4-7 CEV

Do you see the words all, always, anything, everything in these verses? Our Father wants us to bring Him all of our concerns, all the time. He wants us to have complete confidence that He is able to handle anything, at any time.

He promises to give us peace, a peace that is beyond what we can rationalize. He wants us to let His peace control all we do. If we aren’t at peace, it’s a good sign that we aren’t totally trusting God in the situation.

The word of the Lord stands forever. It’s as true now as when it was written.  In our Father, there is no variableness or shadow of turning. He is consistent. Jesus Christ is the same as He was yesterday. He will not change today or in the future. God’s love, truth, mercy, peace and his grace will endure for all time.

Thank you Father! Heaven and earth may pass away but Your word, your promises, will remain forever!

 

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Enjoy a Good Meal

I love the way the Father gives me examples of Christian life. This morning He showed me something about my routine that reflects on Him.

“Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.” John 6:35 ERV

My morning starts with letting  Glory out, starting the coffee, feeding her and then coming to the couch where the she joins me as soon as she has eaten.

Each morning she knows that I will feed her and she is waiting for me. But it’s what happens after she eats that means so much. Glory jumps on the couch and lays her head in my lap. She comes to be loved on. After a few minutes she moves away a bit but stays  close.

So the Father showed me that this is what He wants our daily routine to be like. Coming to Him to get nourishment, eating from His word but staying close so that He can love on us.

He doesn’t want our Bible reading to be “drudgery”. We should be excited to come, eat and then stay to be loved on. God’s word is a wonderful love letter but it’s also a banquet, a meal that will strengthen us and provide all we need for each day.

“All you people who are thirsty, come! Here is water for you to drink. Don’t worry if you have no money. Come, eat and drink until you are full! You don’t need money. The milk and wine are free. 2 Why waste your money on something that is not real food? Why should you work for something that does not really satisfy you? Listen closely to me and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the food that satisfies your soul. 3 Listen closely to what I say.
 Listen to me so that you will live. I will make an agreement with you that will last forever. It will be an agreement you can trust, like the one I made with David—a promise to love him and be loyal to him forever.” Isaiah 55:1-3 ERV

But don’t eat and run. Stay. Visit. Develop a loving relationship. Make it a routine! Be ready to spend time, loving time, with the Father.

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A Love Letter for All Time

I quite often refer to God’s Word as His love letter to us. A love letter for all time!

I have saved a box of love letters from Dave. When we were dating he lived in California and I was here in Arizona. Every few years I take them out and read them. They remind me of how this wonderful life begin.

This morning I was reading back through some devotional thoughts I shared on Facebook about 5 years ago. We were back in Iowa and little did I know that the day after writing this I would be in the hospital fighting my most painful battle. It was important for me to read this and see where my heart was that day.

and so it goes…

Each day I am thankful that God has allowed me to share His word with you. I don’t know where I would be without the Father’s love or His wonderful love letter, His Word! In fact, I don’t even want to think about what my life would be without Him.

God’s Word has brought  forgiveness of sins, health to my body, peace to my soul, healing for my children, enrichment to my marriage, wisdom when my human intellect was lacking, protection in physical and emotional storms and safety in the face of danger. God’s promises have let me know that He would always supply and He always has. But I do have to tell you, it hasn’t always been this way. I lived a defeated life for a long time until I saw in God’s word that He had made provision for more than eternal life and that He wanted me to live victoriously while I was here on earth.

All of God’s promises are the same. His Word is for everyone but we don’t all see the same results. Why? We must appropriate what God has given us; simply put we must believe it regardless of how we feel or what circumstances tell us we should believe.

There have been days that I wake up and don’t feel very saved; my salvation isn’t founded on my feelings, it’s based on God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. There are days that I wake up and may not feel healed but I am because it’s based on God’s promise and Jesus’ sacrifice.

The circumstances told Jesus and his disciples there wasn’t enough lunch to feed 5000 men with five loaves and two fish but the blessing of God flowed and there was more than enough.

The circumstances said to the apostles all hope was gone and they should hide after the crucifixion but the power of God was released through His Word and resurrection came! The medical world said nothing could be done for the woman with the issue of blood but just one touch brought healing to her body. Yes, the word of God changes our circumstances when we believe; it’s called faith! Not faith in ourselves, but faith in God’s unchanging, unfailing love.

Let the words of David’s Psalm be real in your life today.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the LORD, “You are my place of safety, my fortress, My God, I trust in you.” 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases.
4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. 5 You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day. 6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
7 A thousand people may fall dead at your side or ten thousand right beside you, but nothing bad will happen to you! 8 All you will have to do is watch, and you will see that the wicked are punished. 9 You trust in the LORD for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety. 10 So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home.
11 He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock. 13 You will have power to trample on lions and poisonous snakes. 14 The Lord says, “If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help.
15 When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91 ERV

These are the words that I had going through my heart laying in the back of the ambulance. These are the words I focused on in the emergency room and these are the words that gave me strength and brought me home safely.

These words were my love letter from the Father and I placed my confidence in Him.

What are circumstances telling you? Are they demanding you give up and quit? Do they say you’ll never recover?

Read your circumstances the words of love that you have on your end table or in your computer. Read them God’s promises – they never fail.

The Bible truly is a love letter for all time!

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Rain Brings Life

 Here in Arizona it’s monsoon season. This is our rainy time of year. The time when the desert comes to life!

From mid-June to mid-September we are blessed with the sounds and smell of rain. The earthen water tanks fill to overflowing, the cacti drink in this precious moisture and the smell of the desert after the rain is indescribable.

Sometimes it comes with flashes of lightning, crashing thunder and strong winds. The lightning storms are truly something to behold. The birds take flight and relish the refreshing waters.

We love it!

To be perfectly honest, I used to be bothered by the thunder and lightning. I hated to have it come in the middle of the night. I always enjoyed the rain but the sounds of the storm were disconcerting. Over time I have learned to be at peace in the midst of the storm, I have learned to trust. (Sounds like practical application of yesterday’s blog.) Anyway…this morning I want to share with you some Scriptures on peace.

Sitting here this morning, I have the doors and windows open. The air is cool, the birds are singing and the dawn is breaking. How beautiful it is to sit in the quiet of the morning and let the Lord speak to my heart.

Peace is an internal condition – there have always been wars or conflict; but peace is the sense of well being in our souls – peace that passes understanding because it goes beyond the natural way of thinking to a place of trust and rest in God and His goodness.

“The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ” Isaiah 55:10-12 NLV

Just like rain causes the seeds to sprout and grass to grow, God’s word causes peace and joy to grow in our lives. God’s word, like a seed, planted in our hearts will bring a harvest.

“May all the children-to-come fear You as long as the sun and the moon last. 6 May He come down like rain upon the cut grass, like rain that waters the earth. 7 In His days may all go well with those who are right and good. And may there be much peace until the moon is no more.” Psalm 72:5-7 NLV

Enjoy the rain today. Before you know it, you will also be enjoying the harvest!

 

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Loaded Up or Weighed Down

Which would you rather be, loaded up or weighed down? I would much rather be loaded up.

Saw this image this morning and I had to laugh. How did they do that?

We live near the border and every weekend we see trucks loaded high with items that are being taken to Mexico. Some of the loads are very precarious and appear to be dangerously stacked.

But back to today’s thought…this cart is loaded up!

When we are weighed down it’s a burden. Too much to carry can be exhausting! Juggling family, work, finances, studies, daily commutes, and health issues can be overwhelming. That is why we are told to “cast all our care” on Jesus because “he cares for you (us)”.

He not only takes what’s weighing us down but look what else He does for us.

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!” Psalm 68:19 NKJV

Daily the Lord loads us with benefits (blessings). I want us to look at some of the blessings that we take for granted. You know I am a firm believer in having a grateful heart. I look for things to say thank you for.

“I will praise you, my God and King,  and always honor your name.
2 I will praise you each day and always honor your name. 3 You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand.” Psalm 145:1-3 CEV

The little things, the small blessings each day, when added together load us up.

Good coffee  – Quiet mornings – Birds singing – Beautiful sunrises – Cool breezes – Shade – Dishwasher – Air Conditioning – Reliable vehicle – Safe daily commute – Warm blanket – Flowers in bloom –

The last few mornings I have had such a grateful heart for my good coffee.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the little things. The bigger benefits such as health, home, food, clothing, loved ones, work, seem to come to mind easily.

Moses told the children of Israel that the Lord would cause blessings to run them down and overtake them when they obeyed His word.

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3 ERV

It goes on to say…blessed with children…blessed with livestock (prosperity)…blessed with food…blessed coming in and going out…blessed with victory over our enemies…blessed in our barns…blessed in lands…blessed in everything we put our hands to do…blessed with rain…blessed in all our work… (verses 4-14)

King David, the shepherd, said that when the Lord is our shepherd we have rest, peace, protection, direction, overflow, goodness, mercy and an eternal home.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3   he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 ERV

Don’t be weighed down. Take time to look at all the ways you have been loaded up. Make your own list.

Thank the Lord for His many benefits.

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—”          Psalm 103:1-2 ERV

 

 

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God Provides

We have a friend who is a wonderful silversmith. Several years ago he made me a ring and a pendant. Before he finished the pendant he asked me what my favorite Bible verse was. I told him Numbers 23:19. When I received the pendant and the ring in the mail he had inscribed the back of the pendant with Numbers 23:19. A constant reminder.

This morning I needed to be reminded again of that verse.

“God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind.
When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.” Numbers 23:19 CJB

I needed to remember that! When God makes a promise He always keeps it. He doesn’t lie – He can’t lie!! If God ever lied he would no longer be perfect and so He would no longer be God.

Every page of the Bible is filled with promise. God gave His word so we would know His purpose and plan for us. He wants us to depend on him.

A few weeks back I told you about the friendship that Abraham and God shared. God made him a promise that he would have a son. Then when Isaac was about 12 or 13 the Lord asked Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice.

Abraham got up early in the morning and started his travel to the land of Moriah. It was a three day journey. It was Abraham, Isaac, and his servants. Isaac saw the wood and the fire needed for making the sacrifice but there was no lamb. So Isaac asked his father about it. Here is Abraham’s answer.

“7-8 Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”

“My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” Genesis 22:7-8 CEV

Abraham had every confidence in the Lord. The Lord had blessed him with a son and so he could trust the Lord with his son’s life.  God doesn’t lie and He keeps his promise.

When they got to the place on the mountain where they were to build the altar Abraham laid the wood and then he placed his son on it. Here is what God said:

“ But the Lord’s angel shouted from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am!” he answered.

12 “Don’t hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son.

14 Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.”                Genesis 22:11-14 CEV

That was an extreme situation but Abraham knew he was serving a God who always provides.

King David said in Psalm 23 that the Lord provides so much that “my cup runs over”.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4 that God supplies all he needed.

Jesus said in John 10 that He came to give us abundant life, life that is overflowing.

Oh yes, all these promises came flooding in today when I began to focus on that one verse, Numbers 23:19. It is impossible for God to lie and since that is true all the rest of God’s Word is true as well.

Have you began to doubt that God is going to keep a promise He made to you? It seems it has taken so long and you’re getting weary during the wait. Hold on!  God doesn’t lie.

God will provide!

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Remember the Egyptians

Sounds like a title for a movie, doesn’t it? Remember the Titans, Facing the Giants, Rudy – all of these movies were based on true stories, true circumstances and true victories.

I wonder what the movie writers would do with the children of Israel being held captive in Egypt. I know that years ago they cast Charlton Heston as Moses but what would the remake look like.

The casting call may read something like this. Needed: those who have felt oppressed, hopeless, overcome. If you have been looking for a way out of horrendous circumstances you’ll be perfect.

Do you remember a time when you felt completely helpless or oppressed, almost like you were a slave and had no rights of your own? The circumstances in your life were far from good and you couldn’t see things making a positive turn.

I’m sure that’s the way the Israelites must have felt in Egypt.  Years and years in slavery. Conditions getting worse and worse. Even when their God appointed leader, Moses, showed up, things got worse. They were still making bricks and now they had to contend with a pharaoh that was ticked off by the plagues.

To add further to their oppression Pharaoh commanded that they must gather their own straw for making bricks.

“That same day the king gave orders to his slave bosses and to the men directly in charge of the Israelite slaves. He told them:

7 Don’t give the slaves any more straw to put in their bricks. Force them to find their own straw wherever they can, 8 but they must make the same number of bricks as before. They are lazy, or else they would not beg me to let them go and sacrifice to their God. 9 Make them work so hard that they won’t have time to listen to these lies.” Exodus 5:6-9 CEV

Well, they survived their brick making duties, lived above the plagues, experienced the first Passover and then fled Egypt.

Now they are in the wilderness, headed for the Promised Land and Moses gives them this instruction.

“Don’t say in your heart, ‘These nations are stronger than we are. How can we force them out?’ 18 You must not be afraid of them. You must remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all the people of Egypt. 19 You saw the great troubles he gave them and the amazing things he did. You saw the Lord use his great power and strength to bring you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will use that same power against all the people you fear.” Deuteronomy 7:17-19  ERV

Remember the Egyptians!!!

I encourage you today – remember your Egyptians! God is still in control – He is still all powerful, all loving and His hand of protection and provision continue to reach out to you today.

“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,[e] 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

Remember the Egyptians!  They were no match for God.

The Lord fought for the Israelites and He is fighting for us. He loves us so deeply.

Remember the Egyptians!

All their horses, swords and skill were no match for the power of God.

Take heart, God is on your side!

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Licking the Spoon Good

Are you like me and love to cook? I so enjoy being in the kitchen whether it’s making a meal or baking a dessert or cinnamon rolls?

I remember when the kids were little. They would get a spoon to lick or a pinch of dough. I think they enjoyed it as much as I did.

But it wasn’t a “once” only taste. Each and every time I was baking they asked for a taste. Licking the spoon was a favorite kitchen activity for me, the kids, Dave and then the grandkids.

That’s the way I feel about God’s goodness. I know I use Psalm 34 frequently in my teachings but it’s one of those chapters that are “lick the spoon” good. I can almost taste the sweet compassion and tenderness of the Lord.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8

So here is an open invitation to experience the goodness of God. David says “Taste and see”! God is inviting us to sample his character. Just a little taste, try a little and you’ll like it. Once we’ve tasted of the Lord we’ll keep coming back for more.

“I will praise the LORD at all times. I will never stop singing his praises. 2 Humble people, listen and be happy, while I brag about the LORD. 3 Praise the LORD with me. Let us honor his name.
4 I went to the LORD for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. 5 If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. 6 As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the LORD, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles. 7 The LORD’s angel builds a camp around his followers, and he protects them. 8 Give the LORD a chance to show you how good he is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on him!” Psalm 34:1-8 ERV

God is asking us to let Him work in our lives and promising that we will find Him faithful. He’s saying we can trust my goodness – it will deliver us for “all” our fears – I will be there to protect and provide.

What is it that causes fear in our life? The thought of financial ruin, physical disease, losing a family member, fear of natural disasters? Go to the Lord and He will protect, deliver, set your heart at ease and we don’t have to be ashamed in asking for His help. He wants to show we just how good He is!

“Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:9-10 ERV

Grab a spoon. Taste and See!

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No Sack Lunch for Me

Did you take a sack lunch to school? I did from time to time but our youngest daughter loved taking a sack lunch every day.

While filling a brown paper bag with a few favorite foods is nice, it certainly doesn’t please the palate like a gourmet meal or a lavish banquet.

I do remember sharing this story with you before but it came to mind again this morning. When we first moved here we frequented a local Mexican restaurant. The food is wonderful.

Something cute happened while we were there and as I lay awake thinking about it this morning the Lord turned it into a life lesson for me. Let me share…

Just as we arrived a family came in and sat at the next table. As they sat their waiting for the waitress to bring their drinks I noticed the little girl  brought in a sack from Wendy’s. As her parents ordered and enjoyed their chips and salsa, the little girl reached into the sack and took out her Frosty, fries and burger. I thought, how cute!

But now the life lesson. The Father has called us all to a banquet.

“16 Jesus said to him, “A man gave a big dinner. He invited many people. 17 When it was time to eat, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come. The food is ready.’ 18 But all the guests said they could not come. Each one made an excuse…’ 21 “So the servant returned and told his master what happened. The master was angry. He said, ‘Hurry! Go into the streets and alleys of the town. Bring me the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 “Later, the servant said to him, ‘Master, I did what you told me to do, but we still have places for more people.’ 23 The master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and country roads. Tell the people there to come. I want my house to be full!” Luke 14:16-23 ERV

The Father doesn’t want our excuses as to why we can’t come and He doesn’t want us bringing our own lunch. He wants to lavish on us the things He has prepared for us.

He wants us to realize that He has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He wants us to know that He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places; He wants us to accept that He has made us priests and kings, we are a royal priesthood, a peculiar (unique) people.

So many times we come to the Father’s table with our own provision – Abraham and Sarah had God’s promise for a son but they made their own provision and Esau was born. Not a good thing…

We have allowed the tradition of religion to tell us that we can’t or shouldn’t expect God to bless us or to provide – excuses – we aren’t worthy or “God helps those who help themselves” and the focus gets placed on us and not on Him.

Our efforts are like bringing a sack lunch to a banquet!

We begin thinking like the prodigal son who said “the servants in my father’s house are eating well, I’ll just go be a servant”. But our Father doesn’t want servants, He wants sons!

He wants us to experience the joy of our salvation – the great and precious promises that He has provided for us through the death of His Son!

Maybe this life lesson was just for me. Maybe you’ve never come to the Father’s table with provisions of your own making but if you have, let me encourage you to drop your sack lunch in the receptacle at the door and come eat freely at the table the Father has prepared for you.

“My soul, praise the LORD! Every part of me, praise his holy name!
2 My soul, praise the LORD and never forget how kind he is! 3 He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses. 4 He saves us from the grave, and he gives us love and compassion. 5 He gives us plenty of good things. He makes us young again, like an eagle that grows new feathers. 6 The LORD does what is fair. He brings justice to all who have been hurt by others. 7 He taught his laws to Moses. He let Israel see the powerful things he can do. 8 The LORD is kind and merciful. He is patient and full of love.” Psalm 103:1-8 ERV

The table of God’s plenty has been set and the food prepared. Come, eat and be filled with His goodness.

 

 

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Keep Your Eyes Open

While I was cleaning the other day I started thinking about the term “enlighten”.

So I looked up the origin of the word. It comes from the late 14th century, “to remove the dimness or blindness (usually figurative) from one’s eyes or heart”.

Three references in Scripture came to mind. I want to look at those verses this morning.

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, giving new strength to the soul. The Law He has made known is sure, making the child-like wise. 8 The Laws of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The Word of the Lord is pure, giving light (enlightening) to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The Lord is always true and right in how He judges. ” Psalm 19:7-9 NLV

God’s word enlightens or removes the dimness from our lives. It gives us the ability to see things clearer. It gives us understanding where there has been confusion.

I like the expression “keep your eyes open”. It means we are alert and attentive. Looking at things clearly and with precision. When our kids were little we lived in an area with lots of rattlesnakes. We would tell them to keep their eyes open when they were out playing or walking through the alfalfa field. We also told our grandchildren the same thing when we were driving through Yellowstone. We wanted them to be looking for wildlife.  We wanted them to be alert!

God’s word will do that for us. It keeps us alerted to the situations around us;  protecting us from harm, revealing to us the strength that we have and giving us wisdom.

We all learn from what we take in visually. Have you ever noticed how a infant is always looking and learning from their surroundings? Our little granddaughter is almost a year old and she doesn’t miss a thing. She can be playing with her favorite toy, intent on what she’s doing and still see when someone enters across the room.

We also learn spiritually from what we see. When the Lord delivered the Jews from Egypt they were told to remember what the Lord had done for them. They were to instruct their children so that they would know how good God had been to them.

“ You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.” Deuteronomy 4:9 CEV

They were to enlighten their children to the goodness of God.

The Apostle Paul wanted all of us to be enlightened also. He had experienced God’s goodness, His grace and His mercy. This is a prayer he prayed for the Christians at the church in Ephesus and it applies to us as well.

“I pray that God will open your minds (enlightened) to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious. 19 And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power 20 he used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:18-20 ERV

I’ve been reading these verses nearly everyday for the past 30 years. Go back up and read them again. Maybe out loud so you can hear them.

I want to know the blessings that God has for me now, here on earth and in heaven to come. I want to know His power, the power that He has provided me for daily life.

I desire to keep my eyes open so that I can see all that God has done and is doing in my life.

My prayer is that you too, keep your eyes open!

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