Category: Trust

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Guard Your Heart

The last few days at work my computer and printer have been out of sync. They aren’t operating properly and so the CPU is off to the computer hospital. Repairs will be made and very shortly everything will be functioning correctly again.

Isn’t that the way it is with our lives?

Sometimes we get out of sync and when we do, we don’t operate correctly. It’s important that we get a spiritual update to function properly.

“ My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life. 24 Put false speaking away from you. Put bad talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-26 NLV

Life is not without challenges, problems and battles. If we don’t guard our hearts these things could and will break us.

King David was facing physical armies and this was his prayer:

“ When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:2-3 NLV

Hannah was a woman who had been barren and had endured ridicule and consternation from those around her. She prayed asking the Lord for a child. Her prayer was answered.

“Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart is happy in the Lord. My strength is honored in the Lord. My mouth speaks with strength against those who hate me, because I have joy in Your saving power. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord. For sure, there is no one other than You. There is no rock like our God.” I Samuel 2:1-3 NLV

These are just two of the many in Scripture who guarded their hearts and saw the power of God in their lives.

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. 8 It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NLV

We keep our heart and our mind in sync when we trust the Lord. Our mind says worry, get angry, take short cuts, and even gossip but our heart quickly sends out the message “Trust God”.

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

When our heart is focused on the Lord it causes our will and emotions to function properly. Guard your heart!

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Spa Day

Let me share some of my day with you.

I’ve been waiting for yesterday to come. You see I had a very special appointment. For my 70th birthday my family, kids and grandkids, gave me the one thing I asked for – a spa day!

Oh my, I’ve been looking for to it for weeks. Facial, massage, mani/pedi, the works. Believe it or not, I’ve never been pampered like this. I had imagined how wonderful it would be. My appointment was for 11:30, I was there by 11:15.

I walked in and since no one was at reception to meet me I signed in. I sat there patiently for the next 15 minutes. Finally someone came to the reception desk and asked why I was there. I told them I had an 11:30 appointment. Her next words caused my heart to sink, “I don’t have anyone scheduled at 11:30”.

“Surely, there’s a mistake” I said. “I was called yesterday to confirm my appointment”. After this dialogue she assured me that I was in the wrong. I asked if they had another location and she told me there was another location at least 20 minutes away. (I won’t explain how there is another spa with the same name and they are not affiliated but it’s a thing.)

I left there, almost in tears and called the other location to let them know I would be late and explained what happened. The young woman put me on hold and when she came back she told me that I would probably not get my massage, because I was late, but they could do the facial and the mani/pedi.

Big sigh!

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

Now, it was time to pray. Before any of you think this is too petty to pray about your wrong. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing and to pray about everything. I resolved not to be disappointed if I couldn’t get the massage I had been looking forward too and to keep my attitude pure.

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. 24 Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.” Psalm 139:23-24 ERV

When I arrived, the masseuse was at reception. She understood my frustration and said this has happened before. She had looked at her appointments and would be able to fit me in if we rearranged the order of my services.

Thank you Jesus!

What I’ve conveyed this morning is not some deep Biblical truth, it’s simple. The Lord cares about us and all we do. He’s big enough to heal cancer and also concerned about the small things in our life like a delayed spa appointment.

Plain and simple the key to walking with the Lord is trust.

The more we read His word, the more we will realize the many facets of His character and as we grow in knowledge of our heavenly Father our faith will grow also.

Each day walk with Him, trust Him. He’s even concerned about a spa day!

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Back Ordered

Just recently I went on-line to order a shirt for our anniversary celebration next week. I had found one in town, but it wasn’t in my size. No problem, I thought. I’ll just find the same one on-line and have it in a couple of days.

It wasn’t that simple. The first three sites I went to didn’t have it in my size either. I will tell you I got a little perturbed. The words “back ordered” were not what I was wanting to hear.

In the last couple of years we, as a collective group, have become so accustomed to instant gratification. If you live in a larger city some companies will deliver your item within hours and not days. The rest of us who live a little more rural have come to expect delivery by the next day and two at the very latest.

This instant society has fed the monster of selfishness that hides within.

This morning the Lord showed me something about Himself. His gifts and blessings are never on backorder, never out of stock.

“Ask, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NLV

I was asking for strength, clarity of thought and wisdom. There is no lack of any of these in the heavenly warehouse.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength.” Isaiah 40:28-29 NLV

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV

“ If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:5 NLV

When the Father tells us to ask for something, He expects us to ask. Not selflessly but from a sincere heart of dependence upon Him and His word. Jesus said his purpose was to bring abundant life to us who believe.

“The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

There’s also never a shortage of God’s love – it endures forever, His mercy never comes to an end, His peace flows like a river and His goodness extends to a thousand generations. His word will never pass away.

“ If you love Me, you will do what I say. 16 Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him. It does not see Him or know Him. You know Him because He lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NLV

The Father’s delivery system is infinitely better than FedEx, UPS, USPS and Amazon. He delivers from His heart to us via the Holy Spirit. The Father’s love and character are never on backorder.

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Troubled Times

You may think that I am going to share some rich insight this morning on the situations and circumstances that we are facing in our nation and our world today but that isn’t my focus.

Each generation and millennia have had their own share of crises, disasters and unrest.

Jesus lived in a troubled world. The governmental rule was anti-God. The Romans, who ruled over the nation of Israel, preached Caesar as god and his word as infallible. They were living in political slavery when Jesus was born.

I find it interesting that God the Father didn’t use Jesus to rescue the Jews from the Romans in a similar way that he used Moses to rescue the Jews from the Egyptians. Jesus didn’t come to save just one nation. He came to bring reconciliation, peace and freedom to all who would believe.

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about God’s kingdom. He healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. 36 Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless—like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. 37 Jesus said to his followers, ‘There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. 38 God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help gather his harvest.’” Matthew 9:35 – 38 ERV

Jesus was about His Father’s business – a worldwide harvest.

But the corruption of the government was always on Jesus disciples’ minds. They heard Jesus preach; they saw the miracles. In fact, they did miracles themselves but still they wondered when Jesus would take control and change things. Here are Jesus’ last words to his disciples.

“While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?’ 7Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.'” Acts 1:6-8 ERV

Today, many are asking the same thing. When Lord are you going to do something about political unrest and corruption? Things are not good that is for certain.

Jesus’ answer to us is the same one He gave the disciples. Don’t worry about the political situation and those in power. Leave that up to the Father. Instead, take the message of my salvation to those in your world.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV

In troubled times we can run to the Father, we can put our hope in Him.

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Take A Break

It may seem silly to be talking about taking a break first thing in the morning but hear me out.

Getting up and focusing on the Lord is break-fast for the spirit. Through the night our bodies have rested, our minds have released the pressures of the day before and the Spirit of God has restored our souls.

Making time to praise the Lord for His goodness engages our spirit with His and brings us to a place of strength and direction.

None of us know what the day will have in store. Oh, we may have an idea or a plan of things we want to accomplish but there will always be some unexpected interruption or distraction we weren’t expecting. Where do we find the strength and the grace to face those, will we have the answer for the day’s questions?

If we begin our day breaking from our own thoughts and seeking His, we will certainly be on the right track.

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLV

I find the best thing I can do is trust the Lord to lead me. There are times throughout the day when I hear myself say, “I’m just not sure what I should do” and that’s when I know it’s time for a break. A praise break – because the Father knows what my next step should be and He has the answers to all my questions.

“Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 9 He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 ERV

“Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 22 Offer sacrifices of thanks to him. Sing with joy about all that he has done.” Psalm 107:21-22 ERV

“ I have better understanding than all my teachers because I think about Your Law. 100 I have a better understanding than those who are old because I obey Your Word.” Psalm 119:99-100 NLV

Throughout the day take a break from the concerns and worries of your day. Take a break and spend time listening to the Father. Take a break and thank Him for His endless love.

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
 you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:1-3 MSG

When your heart is troubled and your mind is overwhelmed, take a break and have your soul restored.

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What’s Important?

In yesterday’s blog we met Hannah who had experienced great sorrow because of the natural circumstances of infertility. Today we will see the sorrow of a man who has everything.

The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus replied that he should sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Now don’t take this as a condemnation of wealth, it’s not. Jesus just knew that the man’s riches meant more to him than a relationship with Christ. Scripture says this man left Jesus and he was filled with sorrow.

“Then Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go now and sell your property and give the money away to the poor—you will have riches in Heaven. Then come and follow me!’

22 When the young man heard that he turned away crestfallen, for he was very wealthy.

23-24 Then Jesus remarked to his disciples, ‘Believe me, a rich man will find it very difficult to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, I repeat, a camel could more easily squeeze through the eye of a needle than a rich man get into the kingdom of God!’

25 The disciples were simply amazed to hear this, and said, ‘Then who can possibly be saved?’

26 Jesus looked steadily at them and replied, ‘Humanly speaking it is impossible; but with God anything is possible!’

27 At this Peter exclaimed, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What is that going to be worth to us?’

28-30 ‘Believe me,’ said Jesus, ‘when I tell you that in the next world, when the Son of Man shall sit down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and become judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. Every man who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mother or children or land for my sake will receive it all back many times over, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first now will be last then—and the last first!’” Matthew 19:21-30 Phillips

Peter and the other disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus; they had left their businesses to follow Christ, so this comment concerned them. Jesus reassured them that since they had left all to follow Him, they had a proper perspective of their possessions. Their commitment to Christ was their top priority. If the rich young ruler had trusted Jesus’ call to leave all and follow Him, he too would have had a place among the disciples.

Hannah brought her sorrow to the Lord and left with a sense of purpose and joy. The young ruler came to Jesus with his accomplishments and success and went away in sorrow. The difference between these two was trust. One trusted personal accomplishments and one trusted God.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT

God isn’t out to ruin our lives, He wants to complete it!

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Crystal Clear Clarity

Allow me one more teaching on focus.

When I was ten or eleven my mom realized I was having trouble seeing clearly. I had to sit close to the tv, my nose was almost always on the page of my piano lesson and my grades were falling in school. She took me to the optometrist and sure enough, I was near-sighted. Glasses became my closest friend.

Although I was an embarrassed six grader, I could see clearly. Things were in focus. I hope you are beginning to understand that God’s word brings focus and clarity to our lives.

“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

These verses make me think of the eye exams where the optician says “tell me when this object is in focus”. Then they flip the lens one way or the other until the image before my eyes is clear.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, like the verse says, we gain a clarity of spiritual vision that we previously lacked.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:1-3 MSG

Are you looking up today? Are you looking beyond yourself and finding God’s directive on how you should function today? It’s easy to get discouraged and even depressed with all the world’s happenings and Jesus knew that these days and times we are living in would be taxing to our mental peace at the very least, so He gave us this command.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

Looking “around” at all that’s occurring on the earth causes heart failure and fear. Looking up makes things crystal clear – our redemption is near!

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Looking Up

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time over the past weeks talking about our focus or having God’s kind of thinking. This morning I want to start a segment on “looking up”. Again, it has to do with our focus – what are we looking at or where do we put our trust?

Have you ever noticed when someone is depressed or insecure that they rarely look up? They don’t want to make eye contact, it’s a defense mechanism. And when a child has done something wrong, they find it hard to look you in the eye. Looking up, looking into someone’s face seems to make us vulnerable.

However, King David knew that in looking up he would find help.

“Many are saying of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ 3 But You, O Lord, are a covering around me, my shining-greatness, and the One Who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice. And He answered me from His holy mountain. 5 I lay down and slept, and I woke up again, for the Lord keeps me safe.” Psalm 3:2-5 NLV

God is the One who lifts our head.

Have you ever had one of your children or grandchildren come to ask you something but they wouldn’t look up? I have, and when that happened, I gently took their head in my hands and lifted their face so we could see eye to eye. I wanted them to see my love, I wanted to be able to wipe away their tears. I wanted them to know they were safe with me.

Look up.

I had someone tell me recently that it seemed their prayer time was filled with a laundry list of things they needed God to do but not much time to really talk to the Lord and listen for His voice. Once again, King David knew what that was like.

“Hear my words, O Lord. Think about my crying. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God. For I pray to you. 3 In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my prayers before You and will look up.” Psalm 5:1-3

The impact of David’s statement is that he said he looks up to God for a reply. In another version of this verse it says, “Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.(CEV)”

Looking up – looking to God for what we need is essential. Waiting for Him to reply is vital. He tells us to come boldly to Him for help and He will give it.

We won’t find the answers we need on the news or the talk shows. We will find the answers that have stood the test of time and have never failed when we look up. I can’t give you the specific answers for your questions, but God can – there’s not an issue that we will face in life that isn’t addressed in God’s word.

Trust the Holy Spirit to direct you as you read. Take time to talk with God each morning but more importantly take time to look up and wait for the answer.

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Well, Then…

O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!!

End of sentence, end of paragraph, end of story! To keep our peace, we MUST keep our focus – God is good. So far this year the Lord has had me share on His amazing grace, His unconditional love, the power of His word and now, on His peace.

“Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5:17-19 ERV

It took me a while to understand the verses written above. Growing up I would hear verses like this, and it would be followed with a comment like “we just never know what God’s going to do so we have to be thankful for whatever it comes our way”. No! Rape, murder, divorce, financial devastation, cancer – no, I don’t have to be thankful for those.

But, I do need to be thankful that no matter what comes I have Jesus in my life and greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I can be thankful because this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. I can and will be thankful because Jesus said, in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 NLT

Focus, Kristi, focus.

When my life is in Christ Jesus, it doesn’t matter what comes my way, I can give thanks knowing that I won’t be going through it alone. God, the Father, has sent the Holy Spirit to guide me through successfully.

“14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 NLT

Yes!

Now this is what I can be thankful for. I can be at peace because my mind is stayed on the Father and on the truth that He is good. It is God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who empowers me each day, reminding me that I have been adopted and my Father has caused me to inherit His nature and His blessings.

Jesus is my example. He faced hard times – persecutions, riotous mobs, hunger, betrayal, a cross but He was victorious!

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

Well, then…since the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead now lives in us, we can be at peace and trust the Father in every circumstance. God is good!

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Oh What A Beautiful Morning

Do you dread early morning? I’ve had a good laugh many times with friends who have told me “I only thought 4 o’clock came once a day, I didn’t know it came in the morning too”.

Of course, they were kidding but I do understand that many people are not early risers. Dave and I always have been, it’s only now that we are enjoying sleeping a little later – by that I mean sleeping until 4:30 or 5.

There’s just something about the morning – the day is fresh and the first glow of dawn hitting the fields and the mountains is amazing. The musical Oklahoma has a song “O What A Beautiful Morning”. That’s the way I feel about the start of each day.

“There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow
There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow
The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye
And it looks like it’s climbing clear up to the sky
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’
Oh, what a beautiful day
I’ve got a beautiful feeling
Everything’s going my way”

To me, morning is the best time of day. It’s quiet and in that quiet I find peace in the Father’s presence. It’s time to hear from the heart of God and also a time to tell Him of my concerns and then thank Him for handling everything that concerns me.

Then I can go out into my day worry free with a heart filled with thanksgiving.

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are. 3 I enjoy praising your name to the music of harps, 4 because everything you do makes me happy,  and I sing joyful songs.” Psalm 92:1-4 CEV

There are no harps playing in my living room but there is the song of the birds outside the window and most mornings there is a praise song or two running through my mind. God, our Father, is good and loving. There’s no place I would rather be than in His presence.

“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. 8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:7-8 NLT

I hope you have enough time this morning to spend time in the Father’s presence. It truly is the best way to start the day…oh, what a beautiful morning!

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