Category: Relationship

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A Refreshing Glass of Cold Water

Here in the desert it is hot! I mean really hot, 116 degrees hot!!

Nothing cuts your thirst on one of these extremely hot days like a cold glass of water. Nothing!

So when the Bible talks to us about being rewarded for giving a cup of water to someone I know how valuable a gesture like that can be!

Today I want to talk to you about little kindnesses like these. In the Bible we see time and again where the Scriptures say “He was moved with compassion” or “His loving kindness”.

Loving-kindness in action is when the waitress brings us the wrong meal and we don’t go off on her but instead we are kind in our words and sincere in our appreciation for her hard work.

It’s when we show patience at the grocery store with the cashier when she has just been cussed out by the client before. Or when our child hasn’t cleaned up the yard or taken out the trash like we’ve told them and we find out  they were wounded by a friend or embarrassed by a teacher and they were just too distracted to get it done.

All of these are practical examples of loving kindness. Recently I had two people tell me how much what I had done for them meant to them. Truthfully, I really didn’t feel I had done anything special – nothing big, nothing grand. I had just come along side when they were feeling overwhelmed and helped out. No biggee…but it was to them.

Jesus says giving cups of  water is something that will be rewarded!

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet, just because that person is a prophet, will be given the same reward as a prophet. Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person. 42 And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:40-42 CEV

Now I know some will look at these verses and focus on the reward but I really think what Jesus is trying to get us to see is that nothing, no matter how small, goes unnoticed to the Father when we are reaching out in love. Extending loving-kindness to those around us is an example of the Christ that lives in us.

A few years back I spent about a week in the hospital. When I came home I wasn’t able to do much for another week or so. Some sweet ladies brought me cups of cool water. One neighbor came over each morning to take our dog for a walk and she did my ironing. Another neighbor cooked enough extra each night for Dave to enjoy a nice dinner; she did my laundry and grocery shopping. These acts of love were priceless!

“Are you strong because you belong to Christ? Does His love comfort you? Do you have joy by being as one in sharing the Holy Spirit? Do you have loving-kindness and pity for each other? 2 Then give me true joy by thinking the same thoughts. Keep having the same love. Be as one in thoughts and actions. 3 Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself. ” Philippians 2:1-3 NLV

I’m asking the Father to make me more aware of those that need a cup of cold water today. I want the world to see my Father through me!

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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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Circle of Influence

Each one of us has a sphere of influence. Each one of us has a specific purpose that God has called us to.

Joshua’s calling was to replace Moses and lead the children of Israel into the promised land. What a daunting task! But God made him a promise and spoke words of encouragement into his life.

What has God called you to do? Does it seem overwhelming and near impossible? Then these words to Joshua are for you too. If God has called you to do something, then He will also empower you for the task.

Replace Joshua’s name with yours and meditate on God’s promise to you today.

“Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land. 7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9 CEV

Be strong, be brave! I am with you – what better promises could you have.

Let’s look at some of the regular people in the Bible. People who weren’t the lead players but without their involvement the story would have greatly changed.

We always hear about Noah but without the help of his three sons I doubt the ark would have ever been built.  Then there’s the Egyptian servant girl who went down into the Nile River and retrieved Moses from the bulrushes. Hers was a vital mission but menial.

Consider the innkeeper who allowed Joseph and Mary to stay in the stable. He is only briefly mentioned but his role was paramount. Do you remember anyone who has ever given a message on the owner of the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Or what about the carpenter who constructed the cross?

All of these people had very important roles to fulfill but gained no notoriety.

What role have you been called to fill?

I once received a phone call from a very gifted singer. Years ago she had been on the worship team in our church. She sang like an angel. People would be spell bound as she sang. She was anointed.

She was frustrated because it seemed that all the avenues to her having a recording made were blocked. She said to me “I just want to use this gift God has given me”.  She was working as a nanny at the time.

Here is what I found myself saying. If you use your voice to sing to the little children in your care and the Holy Spirit uses your songs to impact them, who’s to say that they don’t grow up to become the next Billy Graham and change the world for Christ. Whatever you are doing, do it for the Lord.

“ Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:16-17 ERV

When Joshua was a young man I don’t think he knew that he would become Moses replacement. He just did what he was good at and the Lord moved him in to the right place.

I used to think that it would be great if I could teach God’s word to large crowds. I love to teach – I know it’s what I’m called to do. However, I have never filled a large auditorium, much less a stadium. But I am happy with the circle of influence that I have among my family, my friends and through this blog and social media.

If you’re  a good cook, woodworker,  musician, business administrator, internet genius, policeman, fire fighter, nurse, homemaker, mom or dad – you have a circle of influence that no one else can fill.

Take the words the Lord gave Joshua and go for it!

Be strong, be brave. Don’t be afraid. The Lord goes everywhere with you!

 

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Good Deeds Can Change A Life

The truth in the title of this morning’s blog is overwhelming! Good deeds can change a life, will change a life, and more than likely the life that will be changed is ours!

I am going to pose a question  that I have asked myself.

When you are doing something nice for someone, do you ever hear “they probably won’t appreciate this anyway” going off in your head? If so, you’re not alone. I have dealt with that for years and have had to come face to face with my answer.

Definitely a motive check-up. I Corinthians 13, “the love chapter” tells us that if we martyr ourselves and it isn’t motivated by love then it profits us nothing. “I’m giving all my time to do this or that and no one will really appreciate it anyway – no one is going to know how hard I worked, how I gave up sleep, how much it cost me to do this nice thing”. All these are wrong motives!

I spend nearly every day reading these verses from Colossians 3. I find they keep me focused for everyday life. I don’t try to live a “good” life because I have too; I truly want my life to reflect God’s goodness and love.

“You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. 3 Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 4 Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory…

8 But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. 9 Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10 Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.” Colossians 3:1-11 CEV

Years ago I would do things for people  to get them to like or accept me. What a destructive force that can be! I was so insecure in who I was that I needed constant confirmation from others that I was lovable. Then I heard a wonderful godly woman, Dale Evans Rogers, speak in our college chapel service about God’s love, His unconditional love, and it got through.

Knowing that God loves me, really loves me, is the only acceptance that I need.  I went from doing things for people to get them to like and accept me to doing the same things because I really loved those people and I wanted them to know they were loved and appreciated. A complete 180 degree change in motivation.

So when this thought sprang up “they probably won’t even appreciate this”, and my response back was  “I appreciate them and I want them to know that they are special” the question of motive was answered.

Seems when we are tired and under stress that our motives come into question. Satan knows when we are weak and he tries to kick us when we’re down. He’s such a creep – he did the same to Jesus. After a 40 day fast he tempted Jesus with food,  “IF you are the son of God, turn these stones to bread”. His tactics with us will be the same, recognize them and  walk in the same strength and victory that Jesus did.

Today, face the challenges and make your motivation one of love without expecting anything in return. I take it very seriously when I hear others begin to speak badly about people. I know what it’s like to be talked about and I also know what it’s like to have the Lord correct me for that. I want to give the same kind of love to others that Jesus has given to me.

“I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.
8 Love will never end.” I Corinthians 13:3-8 CEV

Doing one good deed for others may change their life. It will change our life too!

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A Blank Page

Each morning is a blank page and our words and actions are the ink.

How will we fill it?

We have become so accustomed to the advancements of the computer than some have forgotten what it was like before we had a delete button. If we made a mistake with our writing our only choices were to cross out the mistake or get a clean sheet and start over.

I remember how long it took me to write my term paper when I was a Senior in High School. Painstakingly working on the final paper, making sure every word was spelled correctly and the punctuation was right. It had to be perfect…

I am so thankful that the Lord makes allowances for our mistakes. In fact, with each sunrise He gives us new mercy for the day.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need;  I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Since the Lord is faithful to us, we should extend the same mercy to those around us. We are not only filling our own page but we will be writing on the page of others.

” Intelligent people choose their words carefully. Those who know what they are doing remain calm. 28 Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.” Proverbs 17:27-28 ERV

Today we have the opportunity to add value to our life and those around us.

“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12 Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11-12

We have probably all seen images of redacted government reports,  the ones where the pages are filled with blacked out information and comments. We don’t want our life’s pages looking like that. Instead we fill our pages with kindness.

“Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.

14 Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. 15 When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. 16 Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

17 If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. 18 Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:13-118 CEV

Let’s choose our words wisely today and if we aren’t sure what to say, say nothing at all.

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How Much is ALL

Not all of our time in West Glacier was spent working. We did take one day and travel through Glacier National Park. We went on Going to the Sun Road, saw St. Maries Lake and Many Glacier. We stopped at Many Glacier for lunch. The view from the deck of the Lodge was amazing. It was impossible to take in all the beauty.

I kept thinking God made ALL of this. He made if for our enjoyment. All of His creation tells of His glory.

ALL – is an absolute – not some, not part – not by special selection but ALL. The Bible has much to say about all. God loves ALL of us.

“God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same. 23 All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:22-24ERV

The righteousness of God, right standing with God, is for ALL and to ALL who will believe because there is no one who has his own righteousness. We have ALL sinned. Our salvation is not predicated on how good we are, our social standing, our financial statement, our academic degrees, political party or our natural citizenship. It is ONLY based on what Jesus did to bring salvation to ALL. Our part is to receive the gift.

More ALL verses to contemplate today.
” Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:8-10

All God’s fullness of power and deity are in Christ and when we are in Christ we are complete in Him. He invests His fullness in to our lives as well. That’s just too good to be true you might say. Read this:

” and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. 18 I pray that you and all of God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep.[19 I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:17-19 CEV

When we understand the love of God by experience, His true unconditional love, we will be filled with ALL God’s fulness! Amazing!! Amazing grace in giving us freely this gift. The Gospel message really is the nearly too good to be true news!! The Apostle Paul prayed that we would know this fullness of God’s love.

He also gave us a few other absolute “ALL” verses.
” I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13

” I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! ” Philippians 4:19

If you haven’t accepted God’s free gift of grace that brings salvation, all you have to do is accept it with a sincere heart because it’s available to ALL.

” The Lord is not slow about keeping His promise as some people think. He is waiting for you. The Lord does not want any person to be punished forever. He wants all people to be sorry for their sins and turn from them.” II Peter 3:9

Be ALL God created you to be!

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Life is a Camping Trip

When our kids were younger we did quite a bit of camping. It was relaxing, fun and inexpensive. We weren’t one of those families that pulled in to the campground in our RV but instead we tent camped.

It was a nice tent and as comfortable as a tent could be but still it was a tent.

I had my camping boxes that went on every trip. Each box had all the necessities prepacked. The only thing we really needed to think about was filling the ice chest with the refrigerated food and drinks. We could be ready to go in less than an hour’s time.

We had some fun times; oh, we had the soggy ones too. First time out in the new tent we had forgotten to seal the seams so we got also as much rain in the tent as out. Then there were adventures of wild animals, canoe trips, floating the river and the one time we brought everything but the tent. I know…but it happened.

And no matter how much fun we had and how beautiful the camp site it was always nice to come home. A comfortable bed, dry clothes, and a warm shower. Awwww.

In my reading today the Apostle Paul is talking about tent camping.

“We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever. 2 But now we are tired of this body. We want God to give us our heavenly home. 3 It will clothe us and we will not be naked. 4 While we live in this tent, we have burdens and so we complain. I don’t mean that we want to remove this tent, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be covered with life. 5 This is what God himself made us for. And he has given us the Spirit as the first payment to guarantee the life to come.

6 So we always have confidence. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see. 8 So I say that we have confidence. And we really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord. 9 Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.”
II Corinthians 5:1-9 ERV

Life on this earth is like camping in a tent. It’s an adventure but not as comfortable as Home. Going home is something to look forward too with great anticipation!

But while we’re in the tent we need to enjoy our surroundings.

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Beyond Imagination

We have been at Glacier Park the last few days. We are enjoying time with friends.

It’s a working vacation and we have been able to enjoy some of the beauty of creation. Imagine God’s joy in creating such a beautiful place!

I want to talk to you for a few minutes about using our imagination. If you’ve ever been to Glacier you must admit that it is simply gorgeous.

What if the things that God imagined and created were only in black and white or drab gray or green. No Grand Canyon, no Glacier Park, no beautiful red cardinals or blue jays. Gone would be the brightly colored flowers and trees that blossom. The sunrise and set of each day would be nothing to enjoy.

Oh but they aren’t. Thank God for his amazing imagination!

The Lord wants us to be creative and use our imaginations as well. In fact, He has told us that His promises and blessings to us go beyond what we can image, beyond anything that we could ask or think.

Are  you living in that kind of blessing? Sometimes – sometimes I am just so overwhelmed by what God has done – it’s beyond my imagination.

Is your life filled with things that are beyond your ability; beyond your ability to even think or imagine? Would you like it to be? There’s a key element that must be present for this type of blessing to overflow into your circumstances.

What you ask? Simple. The power of God!

“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 3:20-21 ERV

Why would He do this you may ask? So that He can receive the glory for the good that He pours out on your life!

God the Father has always wanted to have His goodness and love known in the earth because as the Apostle Paul wrote it is the goodness of God that draws men to relationship with Him (repentance).

When Jesus walked this earth and healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers, spoke with love and compassion to those who were hurting, people were drawn to Him. For the first time in their lives they saw unconditional love!

That unconditional love changed people. The tax collector gave back money to everyone he had cheated; the demon possessed were restored to their right minds; the prostitute left her way of life and followed Jesus. The disciples gave up their livelihood to follow this man. The thief on the cross defended him with his dying breath!

What was the dynamic force that changed and has changed million of lives through the ages? Love! God’s amazing love.

Each one of these people I mentioned above saw their lives changed by the power of God working through them, doing exceedingly above all they could ask or think. They had a grasp of God’s love.

Now look at the verses just prior to the 2 I have already used above.

“So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 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.” Ephesians 3:14-20 ERV

In knowing God, being in right relationship with Him, He strengthens us in faith and love. The love of God is so great that it’s impossible to understand with the human mind. The only way to truly understand it is to experience it!

When we begin to experience that love, His compassion, His UNCONDITIONAL love and see that He accepts us as we are; knowing that we can’t earn it or deserve it, we begin to grow in understanding of its depth, its height, its width and its length. God’s love knows no bounds!

And once we begin to know, truly know, the love of God we will experience the power of God working in us and through us for His glory!

Take some time today to meditate on God’s love for you and you will see the circumstances of your life begin to change!

His power will work in you!!

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Absolutely True

Each morning when I wake up I say “Lord, speak to me. Father, speak through me.” No, I’m not vain enough to believe that every word I say or write is from the Lord – but that is my goal. The Lord has been dealing with me on absolutes.


You remember High School Math & Science – some things are absolutes.

The same holds true with God’s word and yet we often miss them because of their simplicity. The word “The” often links to an absolute; so for the next few days I want us to look at a few Scriptures that are absolutely true, whether we choose to believe them or not.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

THE way, THE truth, THE life – not a way, a truth or a life.

In coming to Jesus and having Him take us to THE Father we have his promise of being on the right way, having truth and life.

I read something a friend wrote the day about Jesus being THE WAY. It stuck with me. Imagine you are trying to call a friend. You put in the number and when it connects it’s the wrong person.  Embarrassed, you say, “I must have dial the wrong number. Is this xxx-xxxx?” To which the person on the other end says no, this is xxx-xxxy.

You’ve dialed incorrectly. 

There is one way, “the” way, to reach heaven.  It isn’t by our good intentions, living an honorable life, being well versed in world philosophy. No, there is only “the” way.

God’s Word is absolute. Everything else will eventually fail. I choose to stand with the Word as my firm foundation. 

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

Focus on THE today.

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Satisfied With Long Life

Today’s my birthday and I am praising the Lord for the life He has blessed me with!

I am twice or three times older than some who know me and to others I’m a youngster. Mom will be 95 this year and to her I’m still just a kid.

This morning my Bible reading took me Psalm 91, Proverbs 3 and Colossians 3. I would like to share with you a few verses that jumped out at me.

“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 91:15-16 ERV

These verses, in fact all of Psalm 91, have been source of strength for me most of my life. Calling on the Lord in times of trouble has kept me in a place of peace more times than I can count. I have seen Him deliver me and my loved ones from dangerous situations. How I praise Him for his power to save.

Another translation of verse says we will be satisfied with long life. I like that. Satisfied, no regrets, living to our full potential.

Solomon tells us  all through the book of Proverbs that we should seek wisdom, search for it because wisdom is a valuable treasure. This is the instruction I found in chapter 3 this morning.

“In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor. 17 Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along. 18 Wisdom is a life-giving tree, the source of happiness for all who hold on to her. 19 By his wisdom and knowledge the Lord created heaven and earth. 20 By his understanding he let the ocean break loose and clouds release the rain.

21 My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind. 22 They will help you to live  a long and beautiful life.
23 You will walk safely and never stumble; 24  you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly. 25 So don’t be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil. 26 You can be sure that the Lord will protect you from harm.” Proverbs 3: 16-26 CEV

WOW! What wonderful blessings there are to us for living a life of wisdom and not foolishness.  Common sense and sound judgement need to be our guide in everything we do and there is no place, no place at all that we will find true wisdom other than the Word of God.

It’s amazing that the Lord is looking to give us a long life. He isn’t trying to destroy us or shorten our life, He wants to see that we are fulfilled and safe.

Then I got to Colossians 3 and this is some of what I read there.

“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of ” Colossians 3:12-17 CEV

Once again I find the message that God loves me! It’s like He was sending me a birthday greeting. He loves me and wants my life to be filled with peace, gratitude and wisdom. I take the promises and instruction for the Bible as if they were written just for me.

The Scriptures are like sweet birthday cake and I get to share a slice with each of you.

Thank you Father  for the gift of long life, lived in wisdom, seasoned with peace, joy and love.

 

 

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