Category: Provision

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Well Able

There’s an account in the Bible that we all need to apply to our lives. The Israelites were wandering in the desert. Moses sent 12 men to spy out the land God was leading them too.

Ten men came back with reports that there were giants in the land; it was a good land but…there were giants. Two men had a good report, Joshua and Caleb. They said the land was good and they were confident that the Lord would give them victory over the giants.

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 NKJV

However, the people listened to the report of the ten and missed out on the blessing of God.

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf, but He needs us to work with Him.

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work within to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

Father, today I give you my availability so that Your abilities may work in me, through me and for me; You are able!

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Listen & Learn

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. 5 You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” Isaiah 55:3-5 NLT

Ears wide open. Years ago, we heard a preacher use the phrase “Got your catchers on?”. He was talking about the two appendages we have on either side of our head. We actually used this same phrase when we were about to tell our kids something important.

So, get your catchers on.

Yesterday I shared a verse with you that was life changing to me. I had grown up knowing that the Jewish people were God’s chosen. The Lord did so many miracles for them; they were given so many promises. And then one day as I was reading, I saw these verses:

“I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

6 In the same way, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith…13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.‘  14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:5-14 NLT

(at this point let me say, If you haven’t read the book of Galatians, especially chapter 3, this would be an excellent time to read it)

Because of Christ’s death on the cross, we who are Gentiles (not Jews) have come to receive the blessings and promises that God made to them. Amazing!

Why?

“Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” I Samuel 17:46-47 NLT

“The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God…26 ‘I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. 27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:23,26-27 NLT

The show of power and strength that David displayed against Goliath was for one purpose – “the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!” The deliverance of Daniel in the den of lions was a testimony that “He rescues and saves his people”.

Isaiah said God wants to use us to display His love to the people of the world. It’s a promise.

Hear what God is saying. Do you have your catchers on?

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The Price is Paid

For the next few days we will be going through Isaiah 55. It is a wonderful chapter, filled with promises of God for those who love Him.

A couple days back we talked about heart health. I truly believe that one of the biggest worries people have concerns finances. Worried when they don’t have enough and when they are financially prosperous, they worry that they may lose it.

“Is anyone thirsty?  Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.” vs. 1-2 NLT

When God, the Father, first established a relationship with Abraham, the man who would be the father of the nation of Israel, God promised to be his provider.

“Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’…18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:14-18 NLT

Because of our relationship with Christ we have become a descendant of Abraham and the blessings and promises God made to him are also available to us as his descendants. Paul, the Apostle, wrote this:

“Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:14 NLT

The Lord delivered Abraham’s descendants from the bondage of Egypt and He provided for them while they wandered in the desert.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever…For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:1, 9 NLT

One of the first teachings Jesus gave is what many call the Sermon on the Mount. A multitude was following Jesus – they longed to hear what He had to say. So, from the mountainside Jesus delivered this message:

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

and His message continued

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?…So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33 NLT

We are more precious than the birds. When we give our lives to Christ, we become children of God, most high.

Thirsty?

“…Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” John 7:37-39 NLT

Come drink. Our heavenly Father has provided for our needs!

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The Little Things

We’ve been on Paros for a week now. Everyday has been a new experience – fun and beautiful!

When we first arrived, we thought we would be renting a small car, a quad bike or even a scooter to assist us in our site seeing adventures but that one drive from the airport to our hotel was more than enough to convince us that we should stay on foot.

I know our kids were glad we showed wisdom in making that decision. Yesterday was an interesting day to be afoot.

As long as we are in the city center with the shops and restaurants the only traffic is an occasional scooter but more commonly the vendors making deliveries with overladen hand trucks.

We had gone to some shops down by the harbor and were on our way back to the hotel when we saw that a small church in the heart of town had its doors open. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit it. So ornate and brightly painted. Christ is always at the center of these Greek churches and then they also give honor to the saints and priests who have led the community in worship. An amazing place to stop and pray.

Coming from the church back to the city center we were walking, in the road with other tourists, when a couple of motor bikes came up behind us. We stepped to the side and around the bend from the other direction came a small car. There was hardly room enough for the motorbikes and the car. As the little car past us both the elderly woman driving and her equally senior husband were making the sign of the Cross.

We couldn’t help but laugh. But then we said there was no way we would get out in that traffic without praying either. It’s always best to have the Lord’s guidance in difficult situations.

“You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.” Psalm 143:10 CEV

Sometimes we forget to involve the Lord in the small parts of our day. It’s in those little things that we often see the largest miracles.

I remember the days when money was tight – very tight. We had two small children to feed and often no more than $20-30 for the groceries that week. I would pray over the grocery list asking the Lord to direct me in my shopping. I asked Him to multiple my “loaves and fishes”. Once I got to the store, I would find that most all of the things on my list were on “sale”. Two for the price of one. BOGO.

“Lord direct my path to the right store and to the right products”. He did and we ate well.

As a young shepherd, King David, learned how to lead and how to be led. He trusted the Lord in the same simple way that His Good Shepherd led him.

“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.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

The couple in that little car with be a reminder to always trust the Lord in circumstances that seem hard to navigate. It’s like I’ve told you before, the Lord will give us examples of trusting Him with our everyday lives if we just look for them. It’s in the little things!

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Living the Dream/Plan

Those of you who know me know that Dave and I have been living with a particular dream for about five years now.

We’ve never been on an exotic vacation, in fact, we’ve only been on a handful of actual vacations. But one warm summer day, we came across a series of travel videos on the islands of Greece. I had never seen such beautiful turquoise water, it was breathtaking, literally. The quaint towns, the local residents and those iconic, white-washed buildings with blue doors drew me in.

Greece has over 200 hundred inhabited islands, rich in history. They also have a Biblical connection. The Apostle Paul, Titus, Barnabus and Luke traveled there bringing the message of Jesus to the uttermost parts of their world. John, the apostle, was exiled to the island of Patmos and it was there he received and wrote the Book of Revelation.

And we will be leaving for Greece on Friday.

“You are now children of God because you have put your trust in Christ Jesus. 27 All of you who have been baptized to show you belong to Christ have become like Christ. 28 God does not see you as a Jew or as a Greek. He does not see you as a servant or as a person free to work. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you have become the true children of Abraham. What God promised to him is now yours.” Galatians 3:26-29 NLV

One in Christ!

Wherever we are, whatever we do, God wants us to be focused on who we are in Christ and to experience unity with like-minded followers of Christ. One of our plans is to attend a Greek Orthodox service and join in their worship of the Lord.

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-2 NLV

We will be gone most of September. I plan on sharing the adventure with you, but I don’t know if that will be every day. We ask for your prayers as we travel, this will be our first international flight.

We know we will enjoy the people, the food, the beauty and we are thankful to be going on such a wonderful journey. Ten years ago, I would have never thought we would experience anything like this but here we are ready to pack our suitcases and be on our way.

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NLV

One thing I’ve come to know is that each day is an adventure with the Father just waiting to unfold!

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Thorns

A couple weeks back Dave was walking across our big area rug when he stepped on some prickly pear needles. If you notice in the picture, they grow in a small cluster.

He was able to get one out by himself and then he told me he needed my help to remove another one. I had him sit down, I got the tweezers and slowly applied pressure to remove it.

All better!

But not really, a week or so later he was still complaining about his heel being sore. I looked at his foot again and saw a small dark spot but I couldn’t get to it. The skin on his heel was so calloused. Even though he had soaked his foot I was unable to get to it. Honestly, I figured it would work itself out.

While we were on vacation, we did lots of walking. Some days he complained that it was sore but for the most part he walked on, relatively unhindered. We had teased that Kym, a nurse, should do “surgery” but then we forgot about it again…until yesterday.

Dave was favoring his foot so much that he had a hard time walking. More soaking – and then I remembered the little electric foot file I have. Long story short, I was able to remove a good deal of the callous, exposing the end of another cactus needle and it popped out.

Relief!

I bet you’re wondering how all this applies to this morning’s devotional thought.

“…let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. 2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor…3 If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience…”Hebrews 12:1-3 TLB

There are so many things in life trying to slow us down, trip us up and/or cripple us in our daily walks. Things like fear, anger, worry, jealousy, heartache, envy, disappointment, low self-esteem. I’m sure you can come up with your own list of things that have tried to destroy your walk with the Lord, things that have discouraged you and tried to get you to quit.

Keep your eyes on Jesus!

We can become so discouraged that we allow our hearts to callous over. Just like Dave’s heel, that tough exterior keeps us from getting to the root of the problem. Left unattended the pain grew worse but when we allow God’s word to scrape away the surface, the thorn is exposed and can be removed. Healing begins.

“God’s word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.” Hebrews 4:12 CEV

Perhaps you’re trying to avoid dealing with some “sore” spots today. You’ve been wounded by life’s thorns. Isn’t it time to let the Lord help you remove them, so they are no longer a hindrance?

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Outside the Box

Do you have a tendency to compartmentalize your life? Family, work, health, friends, finances, social activities? Do things have to be kept in their own little box, not touching or interfering? Like vegetables on a dinner plate, don’t let them blend.

Some people do that with the Lord.

It’s ok for Him to have their Sunday and even occasionally, when times are tough, to be brought into the areas of career or life’s passions but they aren’t ready to allow Him to permeate all the areas of their life.

I found an interesting assessment of the Lord in the book of I Kings. Benhadad had attacked King Ahab of Samaria. The Israelites had gone to aid in the fight. King Benhadad was defeated and look what he was told by his advisers.

“King Ben-Hadad’s officers said to him, ‘The gods of Israel are mountain gods. We fought in a mountain area, so the Israelites won. If we fight them on level ground, we will win.'” I Kings 20:23 ERV

Our God won’t be limited. He won’t be kept in a box. This was the Lord’s reply to their limiting of His involvement.

“A man of God came to the king of Israel with this message: ‘The Lord said, ‘The people of Aram said that I, the Lord, am a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys. So I will let you defeat this great army. Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!’” I Kings 20:28 ERV

The same holds true in our lives. God wants to be involved in every aspect. He has the knowledge, the plan and the power to bring us through in victory.

He wants us to depend upon Him for everything, not just the things we think are too big for us to handle on our own. I’ve learned that trusting the Lord with all I do has a better result.

“ All these good things will come upon you if you will obey the Lord your God. 3 Good will come to you in the city, and good will come to you in the country. 4 Good will come to your children, and the fruit of your ground, and the young of your animals. Your cattle and flock will have many young ones. 5 Good will come to your basket and your bread pan. 6 Good will come to you when you come in, and when you go out.” Deuteronomy 28:2-6 NLV

When we farmed alfalfa, we prayed over the crops and the weather. When we travel, we pray for safety on the roads both in the city and the country. We believe the Father to be involved in our home life and our work life – coming in and going out. Our Father wants to be the leading participant in our life’s story.

My question is this, where have we limited God? Isn’t it time to let Him have it all? Learn to live outside the box, “Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!’”

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Added Strength

The older I get I have to face the fact that I don’t have as much strength as I used too. It’s hard to admit something like that because I would be the first to jump in on hard tasks and stay with it until the project was done.

Now I take time to rest.

This morning I was really encouraged by a verse I have known and quoted for years.

“My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. 10 Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 CEV

Paul knew about being stretched beyond his natural strength. It seems everywhere he went there were people who wanted to imprison him, mistreat him and even kill him. He would overcome in one situation only to face another one.

God gave him amazing insight and he shared it with us.

It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through a tough time. If we begin to look to closely at the situation it will begin to seem overwhelming. It’s important to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The children of Egypt saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation. Paul saw persecution and God saw an opportunity to show up with strength and provision.

Do you see things as hopeless, do you see defeat?

I really liked this picture of father and son flexing their muscles. It’s an image of proper perspective. I know the son probably thinks he’s strong and he can handle things on his own but once he sees dad’s muscles, he realizes that it’s better to get help from someone who loves him and has the greater strength.

“ Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:13 CEV

What the Lord revealed to Paul was he wasn’t on his own. Neither are we. We have the Father’s promise to never leave us or abandon us. Jesus told his disciples to “ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find”.

“ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.” Ephesians 6:10-11 CEV

What has you feeling weak and disabled this morning? Let the Lord give you what you need to be strong.

Remember, Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection and that same power, resurrection power has been placed within us.

“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 28:7-8 ERV

No matter the obstacle, no matter the circumstance, our Father will be there to give us the added strength we need!

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What’s Missing?

When you get up in the morning do you feel things are missing in your life? Or do you get up with a smile on your lips and a song in your heart knowing that life is good?

Too often we are focused on the wrong things – what we need, what we want, what we don’t have. Instead, we should be seeing what we have been given – it’s definitely more than enough.

“ I always thank my God for you because of the grace that he has given you through Christ Jesus. 5 In him you have been blessed in every way. You have been blessed in all your speaking and all your knowledge. 6 This proves that what we told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every gift from God while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to come again. 8 He will keep you strong until the end so that on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes, you will be free from all blame. 9 God is faithful. He is the one who has chosen you to share life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Corinthians 1:4-9

Did you see that – God is faithful!

We have every gift from God, now, while you wait. Heaven will be glorious, but God has a plan while we’re here. These verses were written by the Apostle Paul, but Peter said the same thing.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4

We have been given EVERYTHING we need – we have been given the Father’s great and precious promises!

If Peter and Paul aren’t credible enough, let’s look at what John has to say on the subject.

“So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. 17 If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus. 18 Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear.” I John 4:16-18 ERV

In this world we are like Jesus! I didn’t say that, the Apostle John did. Jesus had the promises of God and lived by them and expected to see God’s word work in His life. He lived a life of love – loved by the Father and loving the Father. There was no fear in Him. We have the same promises; we have the same Father’s love and so we can live in this world with the same power and blessing.

That pie, with the missing piece, should serve as a reminder of the “goodness of God” that we have already enjoyed. It should also be an indication that there is more than enough left to nourish us each day.

When we let the Scripture be our source of authority it will overrule our circumstances and fill our days with His power.

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Time to Smile

The little guy in this image made me smile!

Three words went through my mind this morning as I was praying about what to share – rested, refreshed, relaxed. And then I found this little lamb and he was the embodiment of all three.

Have you ever had the opportunity to watch sheep while they are grazing in a field?

I have. In fact, it used to be a regular outing when our oldest was just a year old. I would put her in her stroller and we would go across the road to a fenced field that was being grazed off. She loved watching the ewes and the lambs.

They would make her giggle that little child giggle that seems to come from her toes all the way up her body and bubble out her mouth. I can still hear it.

A lush green field. The lambs, close to their mothers, would eat until their bellies were filled and then they would romp and play. Moments later they would be sprawled out in the grass, just like this one, sleeping soundly.

King David, who had been a shepherd, must have experienced scenes like this thousands of times and drawing from his experience and memories he penned Psalm 23.

“Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures,
he leads me by quiet water,
3 he restores my inner person.
He guides me in right paths
for the sake of his own name.
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster; for you are with me;
your rod and staff reassure me.

5 You prepare a table for me,
even as my enemies watch;
you anoint my head with oil
from an overflowing cup.

6 Goodness and grace will pursue me
every day of my life;
and I will live in the house of Adonai
for years and years to come.” Psalm 23 CJB

Rested, refreshed, relaxed…even in the presence of our enemies!

Has life had you going in circles? Too many activities/responsibilities and not enough time?

The Lord has a green pasture and a lush patch of grass just waiting for us to come lay down and take our rest. Stretch out and enjoy His presence!

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