"He placed His right hand on me a said "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last." Revelations 1:17b
Isn't it awesome! He touches us. Our Creator, Almighty God. He puts His hand on us and reminds us - we have nothing to fear. He IS all we need. He is the First and the Last and everything in between.
In the wee small hours when I can't sleep and the fears and worries crowd in - He is there with His touch. With His gentle words. Oh what a mighty comrfort it is!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Patience
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Have you ever been at the seashore and seen the waters flat and still, a glassy reflection of the heavens, gently pulsating to the tides pulling to an fro, to and fro? I believe it's a picture of this verse. He has the power to calm the seas and tame the storms roiling about our lives. Our part is to be still and know - He is God.
Have you ever been at the seashore and seen the waters flat and still, a glassy reflection of the heavens, gently pulsating to the tides pulling to an fro, to and fro? I believe it's a picture of this verse. He has the power to calm the seas and tame the storms roiling about our lives. Our part is to be still and know - He is God.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Living Water
One day last summer a friend told me she had a dream. We were standing in a line together to go into a place for prayer. She said I stepped out of the line and dove into a swimming pool fully clothed. I got out and dove back in over and over. She tried to get me "back in line" but the Lord told her she needed to do what I was doing.
My eyes filled with tears. I told her that morning I'd been feeling overwhelmed with my work responsibilities. I thought about what I wished I could be doing. When I was 13, my parents had a swimming pool installed. On a hot day, I sometimes had it to myself for a few minutes. I would take a deep breath and I would dive in and just float, revelling in the refreshment of the cool water, the quiet, the weightlessness.
I closed my eyes, remembering the delight of it, and I asked God if I would ever experience such quiet enveloping peace again. Then He reminded me "He leads me besides still water"(Psalm 23:2b). I can sit beside it, wade in slowly or I can dive in. He IS the source of the waters of life. (Rev. 22:1) I can fall into Him and be refreshed.
Her dream which preceded my memories and my question that morning was confirmation of His answer to me. He knew what I needed before I even asked!
What a mighty God we serve. Amen!
My eyes filled with tears. I told her that morning I'd been feeling overwhelmed with my work responsibilities. I thought about what I wished I could be doing. When I was 13, my parents had a swimming pool installed. On a hot day, I sometimes had it to myself for a few minutes. I would take a deep breath and I would dive in and just float, revelling in the refreshment of the cool water, the quiet, the weightlessness.
I closed my eyes, remembering the delight of it, and I asked God if I would ever experience such quiet enveloping peace again. Then He reminded me "He leads me besides still water"(Psalm 23:2b). I can sit beside it, wade in slowly or I can dive in. He IS the source of the waters of life. (Rev. 22:1) I can fall into Him and be refreshed.
Her dream which preceded my memories and my question that morning was confirmation of His answer to me. He knew what I needed before I even asked!
What a mighty God we serve. Amen!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Doing Good
"Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."(Galatians 6:9)
I found myself needing fresh vision and inspiration so I asked God to refresh me. He gave me this verse. It's so easy to become complacent. Sometimes the needs are overwhelming. Sometimes I feel fear and even the ugly self-pity of depression.
Today this verse grabbed me. I am useful for my Lord. I am His hands, His feet, His mouthpiece. But it's up to me to act.
In the sweet little church where my son and I first met Christ, there was a large carved plaque over the door leading out of the church. It said "YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD". It may be closer than that. I determine today that as arise in the morning, as my feet hit the floor I am entering the mission field.
I found myself needing fresh vision and inspiration so I asked God to refresh me. He gave me this verse. It's so easy to become complacent. Sometimes the needs are overwhelming. Sometimes I feel fear and even the ugly self-pity of depression.
Today this verse grabbed me. I am useful for my Lord. I am His hands, His feet, His mouthpiece. But it's up to me to act.
In the sweet little church where my son and I first met Christ, there was a large carved plaque over the door leading out of the church. It said "YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD". It may be closer than that. I determine today that as arise in the morning, as my feet hit the floor I am entering the mission field.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
God's Perspective
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
Years ago we put our house up for sale in Missouri. It seemed a hopeless venture in a tough market. I knew my husband expected me to go back to work once we moved but I prayed - I'd pleaded with God - that I would be able to stay at home at least until my infant daughter started school. For 4 years we tried to sell our home. I was so tired of keeping our home ready for showings. My children's rooms were kept spotless as we stood ready to get out of the way of the realtors at a moment's notice. I prayed and prayed for that "right" buyer. I thought God had forgotten us. After nearly 5 years we sold our home.
When we finally made it to Prescott I enrolled in real estate school(which all those years on the market had prepared me for). I passed my class and as I awaited receipt of my license by mail, I prepared my daughter for kindergarten. My license finally arrived - dated August 22, 1981. My son's 10th birthday. My daughter's first day of school! God answered both of my prayers for the right buyer and that I stay with my children until they were both in school) according to His perfect timing. And one I hadn't thought to ask for. He prepared me with career training.
If we listen to the world we will hear: "we deserve a break", "we're worth it" and "just do it"! But the Word teaches that when we put ourselves aside, we get a glimpse of God's eternal plan. When we get the focus off ourselves- our trials, our failures, our suffering - when we remember "it's not about me" - the Holy Spirit becomes clearer and brighter. And not only are we buoyed by the joy and peace that replaces our self centeredness. But others are drawn to the hope that is in us.
Are you experiencing a trial? Is there a decision that's out of your control? Are you watching the suffering of a loved one? Have you experienced rejection? Have you lost your job? Are the bills piling up? Are you feeling discouraged? Do health issues have you feeling fearful? Take heart - God is still on His throne. There is nowhere where He is not. Whatever we face, He knows. He knows how this experience will be used for your good and His glory for those who know Him. Looking back, I am grateful that my ways are not His ways.
Years ago we put our house up for sale in Missouri. It seemed a hopeless venture in a tough market. I knew my husband expected me to go back to work once we moved but I prayed - I'd pleaded with God - that I would be able to stay at home at least until my infant daughter started school. For 4 years we tried to sell our home. I was so tired of keeping our home ready for showings. My children's rooms were kept spotless as we stood ready to get out of the way of the realtors at a moment's notice. I prayed and prayed for that "right" buyer. I thought God had forgotten us. After nearly 5 years we sold our home.
When we finally made it to Prescott I enrolled in real estate school(which all those years on the market had prepared me for). I passed my class and as I awaited receipt of my license by mail, I prepared my daughter for kindergarten. My license finally arrived - dated August 22, 1981. My son's 10th birthday. My daughter's first day of school! God answered both of my prayers for the right buyer and that I stay with my children until they were both in school) according to His perfect timing. And one I hadn't thought to ask for. He prepared me with career training.
If we listen to the world we will hear: "we deserve a break", "we're worth it" and "just do it"! But the Word teaches that when we put ourselves aside, we get a glimpse of God's eternal plan. When we get the focus off ourselves- our trials, our failures, our suffering - when we remember "it's not about me" - the Holy Spirit becomes clearer and brighter. And not only are we buoyed by the joy and peace that replaces our self centeredness. But others are drawn to the hope that is in us.
Are you experiencing a trial? Is there a decision that's out of your control? Are you watching the suffering of a loved one? Have you experienced rejection? Have you lost your job? Are the bills piling up? Are you feeling discouraged? Do health issues have you feeling fearful? Take heart - God is still on His throne. There is nowhere where He is not. Whatever we face, He knows. He knows how this experience will be used for your good and His glory for those who know Him. Looking back, I am grateful that my ways are not His ways.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Follow Jesus
Jesus said: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 Ask Father today to give you the faith to take up your cross and follow Him. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" Matthew 16:25-26a
Is He calling you deeper into Himself?
Follow me and I will make you,
Make you speak my words with power,
Make you vessels of My mercy,
Make you helpful every hour.
Follow Me and I will make you.....
Make you what you cannot be -
Make you loving, trustful, godly,
Make you even just like Me.
I used to delight in the way my daughter followed me around the house. I called her my little shadow. She desired nothing more than to stick close to me - watching me, asking questions and just being wherever I was. It's such a picture of how we are to follow Jesus - watching Him, questioning Him and sharing our thoughts, seeking His opinion and just being close to him.
Father, may each of us draw close and follow You. Increase our faith and fill us with the simple trust of a child to follow. You....to want only to walk in Your shadow.
Is He calling you deeper into Himself?
Follow me and I will make you,
Make you speak my words with power,
Make you vessels of My mercy,
Make you helpful every hour.
Follow Me and I will make you.....
Make you what you cannot be -
Make you loving, trustful, godly,
Make you even just like Me.
I used to delight in the way my daughter followed me around the house. I called her my little shadow. She desired nothing more than to stick close to me - watching me, asking questions and just being wherever I was. It's such a picture of how we are to follow Jesus - watching Him, questioning Him and sharing our thoughts, seeking His opinion and just being close to him.
Father, may each of us draw close and follow You. Increase our faith and fill us with the simple trust of a child to follow. You....to want only to walk in Your shadow.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Multitaskaholic - an Aside
True confessions. Okay, I admit it. I am a multitasking maniac.
I work a Soduku while I'm brushing my teeth.
Talking on the phone and driving is automatic. In fact there are a great multitude of possibilities when driving. All long distance driving includes books on tape for me. Who has time to read?
Actually, I read myself to sleep every night! While listening to sleep music of course. Did I mention I have several books going at once. I never used to! I've was a one-at-a-time book reader forever. There's just so much to read!
I listen to talk radio while I'm getting dressed every morning.
And I don't know what I'd do without my Blackberry - it enables me to read and respond to email, review contracts and juggle my calendar all while enjoying a relaxing ballgame with my husband.
In fact, today's world of automation from electric toothbrushes to PDAs (personal data assistants for those of you who are blessedly unaware) screams multitask! And I gleefully hollar back YESSIREE! After all how can we expect to have our cake and eat it too unless we are juggling two or more balls at a time?
The truth is - doing just one-thing-at-a-time has come to feel like a colossal waste of time to me. How can slowing down ever become an option when I can't get it all done now despite my high level multitasking skills?
I work a Soduku while I'm brushing my teeth.
Talking on the phone and driving is automatic. In fact there are a great multitude of possibilities when driving. All long distance driving includes books on tape for me. Who has time to read?
Actually, I read myself to sleep every night! While listening to sleep music of course. Did I mention I have several books going at once. I never used to! I've was a one-at-a-time book reader forever. There's just so much to read!
I listen to talk radio while I'm getting dressed every morning.
And I don't know what I'd do without my Blackberry - it enables me to read and respond to email, review contracts and juggle my calendar all while enjoying a relaxing ballgame with my husband.
In fact, today's world of automation from electric toothbrushes to PDAs (personal data assistants for those of you who are blessedly unaware) screams multitask! And I gleefully hollar back YESSIREE! After all how can we expect to have our cake and eat it too unless we are juggling two or more balls at a time?
The truth is - doing just one-thing-at-a-time has come to feel like a colossal waste of time to me. How can slowing down ever become an option when I can't get it all done now despite my high level multitasking skills?
Rest
Jesus said: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27.
It's so easy in this fast pace, multi-tasking world to get caught up in the busy-ness of life. In an age of two-income families, it's nearly impossible to set aside an entire day of rest. And yet God commanded it and He did so for our own benefit! On our day off - we find ourselves doing housecleaning, yard work, running the kids around, catching up on email or any of a myriad of activities. When is the last time you took a whole day and did nothing?
The Pharisees went too far so that cooking(though even the cook deserves a break) or even picking an apple off a tree was considered work. But we have taken it too far the other way. We are consumed with guilt when we do find that rare time with nothing scheduled. God Himself ordained it! One day of guilt-free rest! Take a nap, take a walk, read a book, go on a pic-nic. One day of rest to do......absolutely......nothing!
God made the Sabbath - a day of rest - just for you, His beloved. One day to stop and smell the roses!
It's so easy in this fast pace, multi-tasking world to get caught up in the busy-ness of life. In an age of two-income families, it's nearly impossible to set aside an entire day of rest. And yet God commanded it and He did so for our own benefit! On our day off - we find ourselves doing housecleaning, yard work, running the kids around, catching up on email or any of a myriad of activities. When is the last time you took a whole day and did nothing?
The Pharisees went too far so that cooking(though even the cook deserves a break) or even picking an apple off a tree was considered work. But we have taken it too far the other way. We are consumed with guilt when we do find that rare time with nothing scheduled. God Himself ordained it! One day of guilt-free rest! Take a nap, take a walk, read a book, go on a pic-nic. One day of rest to do......absolutely......nothing!
God made the Sabbath - a day of rest - just for you, His beloved. One day to stop and smell the roses!
Worry
Don't Worry
As problems piled up like mountains around us this week, my husband and I talked, planned and projected how to deal with one in particular. It's interesting because this one problem was only a potential problem. Indeed, it was very likely that nothing would come of our concerns. Yet we devoted hours to strategizing over this "what if".
There were numerous other things that required our attention but we'd become so consumed with this one - fretting, planning and rethinking our plan. In effect, not only did we waste our time, we were completely robbed of our peace. I found this verse calling to me: Jesus said "Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:34
Do you ever find yourself worrying over things that have not yet happened? I'm not speaking of things that may require advance preparation but something that is not yet an issue. Anyone who has stayed up waiting for their teenager to come home and played out all their deepest fears will know what I mean. Or perhaps you've waited for test results and worried what they might bring. Whatever the outcome, what good did your worrying add? Not one iota.
Worry is a stumbling block to peace. When we learn to trust all our tomorrows to Him, the result is a deep secure peace. He alone knows what our future will bring and He will be there with us whatever comes. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways ackowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
God Bless You this week!
As problems piled up like mountains around us this week, my husband and I talked, planned and projected how to deal with one in particular. It's interesting because this one problem was only a potential problem. Indeed, it was very likely that nothing would come of our concerns. Yet we devoted hours to strategizing over this "what if".
There were numerous other things that required our attention but we'd become so consumed with this one - fretting, planning and rethinking our plan. In effect, not only did we waste our time, we were completely robbed of our peace. I found this verse calling to me: Jesus said "Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:34
Do you ever find yourself worrying over things that have not yet happened? I'm not speaking of things that may require advance preparation but something that is not yet an issue. Anyone who has stayed up waiting for their teenager to come home and played out all their deepest fears will know what I mean. Or perhaps you've waited for test results and worried what they might bring. Whatever the outcome, what good did your worrying add? Not one iota.
Worry is a stumbling block to peace. When we learn to trust all our tomorrows to Him, the result is a deep secure peace. He alone knows what our future will bring and He will be there with us whatever comes. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways ackowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
God Bless You this week!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Love Never Fails
What are the traits you most admire? Faithfulness, conviction, strength mixed with compassion, selflessness, passion. Those were traits that described my father.
When I was sixteen, my boyfriend broke up with me and I was devastated. I felt as if I'd lost everything in my little world and the tears wouldn't stop. My mother tried to console me telling me I was too young to be with one boy - there would be other boyfriends. But my father groaned with me. He felt my pain in a personal way and longed to fill that void. He called me from work and invited me out to dinner. He took me to a fancy restaurant all by myself. He assured me I was beautiful and cherished and loved. And though my heartache continued for a little while, I've never forgotten the assurance of my father's love for me.
How much more does our heavenly father love us. No matter what trial, what great loss, what suffering - He is always there for us -He goes before us and walks beside us. He feels our pain personally and longs to fill the void it leaves.
Joshua 1:5b says "I will not fail you or forsake you". The word for "will not" in the original text is emphatic - it means never never ever ever. What a beautiful picture of our Father's great love for us.
He will never never ever ever fail or forsake us! Assuredly not!
When I was sixteen, my boyfriend broke up with me and I was devastated. I felt as if I'd lost everything in my little world and the tears wouldn't stop. My mother tried to console me telling me I was too young to be with one boy - there would be other boyfriends. But my father groaned with me. He felt my pain in a personal way and longed to fill that void. He called me from work and invited me out to dinner. He took me to a fancy restaurant all by myself. He assured me I was beautiful and cherished and loved. And though my heartache continued for a little while, I've never forgotten the assurance of my father's love for me.
How much more does our heavenly father love us. No matter what trial, what great loss, what suffering - He is always there for us -He goes before us and walks beside us. He feels our pain personally and longs to fill the void it leaves.
Joshua 1:5b says "I will not fail you or forsake you". The word for "will not" in the original text is emphatic - it means never never ever ever. What a beautiful picture of our Father's great love for us.
He will never never ever ever fail or forsake us! Assuredly not!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Steadfast
"When they hurled their insults at him,...did not retaliate....Instead, he entrusted Himself to Him Who judges justly" 1 Peter 2:23
Thank you Lord that You alone know the hearts of men. "Judge not, lest you be judged." When the accuser of the brethren comes to our door, may we be reminded of our security in You. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what You would show us.
With humility, I raise my shield of faith and proclaim "Blessed be Your name! "
Thank you Lord that You alone know the hearts of men. "Judge not, lest you be judged." When the accuser of the brethren comes to our door, may we be reminded of our security in You. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what You would show us.
With humility, I raise my shield of faith and proclaim "Blessed be Your name! "
Monday, August 13, 2007
God's Promises
"He has given us his very great and precious promises." 2Peter 1:4
When a shipbuilder erects a boat, does he do so only to keep it on the scaffolding? No, he builds it to sail the seas and to weather the storms. In fact, if he does not think of strong winds and hurricanes as he builds it, he is a poor shipbuilder.
In the same way, when God made you a believer, He meant to test you. And when He gave you promises and asked You to trust them, He made His promises suitable for times of storms and high seas. Do you believe that some of His promises are counterfeit, similar to a life vest that looks good in the store but is of no use in the sea?
We have all seen swords that are beautiful but are useless in war, or shoes made for decoration but not for walking. Yet God's shoes are made of iron and brass, and we can walk all the way to heaven in them, without ever wearing them out. And we could swim the Atlantic a thousand times in His life vest, with no fear of ever sinking. His Word is meant to be tried and tested.
There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to publicly profess Him and then not use Him. He loves for us to make use of Him, for His covenant blessings are not simply meant to be looked at but should be appropriated. Our Lord Jesus has been given to us for our present use. Are you making use of Him aas you should?
O beloved, I plead with you not to treat God's promises as something to be displayed in a museum but to use them as everyday sources of comfort. And whenever you have time of need, trust the Lord. ------Charles H. Spurgeon
I pray that you KNOW His promises!
When a shipbuilder erects a boat, does he do so only to keep it on the scaffolding? No, he builds it to sail the seas and to weather the storms. In fact, if he does not think of strong winds and hurricanes as he builds it, he is a poor shipbuilder.
In the same way, when God made you a believer, He meant to test you. And when He gave you promises and asked You to trust them, He made His promises suitable for times of storms and high seas. Do you believe that some of His promises are counterfeit, similar to a life vest that looks good in the store but is of no use in the sea?
We have all seen swords that are beautiful but are useless in war, or shoes made for decoration but not for walking. Yet God's shoes are made of iron and brass, and we can walk all the way to heaven in them, without ever wearing them out. And we could swim the Atlantic a thousand times in His life vest, with no fear of ever sinking. His Word is meant to be tried and tested.
There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to publicly profess Him and then not use Him. He loves for us to make use of Him, for His covenant blessings are not simply meant to be looked at but should be appropriated. Our Lord Jesus has been given to us for our present use. Are you making use of Him aas you should?
O beloved, I plead with you not to treat God's promises as something to be displayed in a museum but to use them as everyday sources of comfort. And whenever you have time of need, trust the Lord. ------Charles H. Spurgeon
I pray that you KNOW His promises!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Our Job Description
"You are manifestly an epistle of Christ...written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." 2 Corinthians 3:3
I was reminded this week-end by my son, of our need for humility. If we are to be your letters sent forth for others to read through us, we need humble hearts. If others are to see in us how to live with joy in trials, peace with our circumstances, patience as we wait upon You and hope in Your promises.....help us to set aside our own agendas and live what we believe.
"It is a sobering thought to picture myself as the only communication of Your truth they might receive today. It makes me wonder what kind of example I am. Further, I don't really have a choice. If people know I believe in You, they will take their readings about how faith works in the down-to-earth application in everyday living." L. J. Ogilvie
Lord, make us sensitive to Your still small voice this week and mindful that we ARE Your "letter" to those You put in our paths this week.
I was reminded this week-end by my son, of our need for humility. If we are to be your letters sent forth for others to read through us, we need humble hearts. If others are to see in us how to live with joy in trials, peace with our circumstances, patience as we wait upon You and hope in Your promises.....help us to set aside our own agendas and live what we believe.
"It is a sobering thought to picture myself as the only communication of Your truth they might receive today. It makes me wonder what kind of example I am. Further, I don't really have a choice. If people know I believe in You, they will take their readings about how faith works in the down-to-earth application in everyday living." L. J. Ogilvie
Lord, make us sensitive to Your still small voice this week and mindful that we ARE Your "letter" to those You put in our paths this week.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
A Challenge
"What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?" Romans 3:3
Unbelief continually asks, "How can this be possible?" It is always full of "how's," yet faith needs only one great answer--GOD! No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she is praying. (From 'Streams...')
Lord, forgive us our unbelief! Increase our faith and empower our prayers to align with Your will. We ask for a glimpse of Your divine hand upon our lives as we submit every area of our lives to You.
Protect us from false teachings and strengthen our discernment of Your Truth in this misguided world.
Unbelief continually asks, "How can this be possible?" It is always full of "how's," yet faith needs only one great answer--GOD! No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she is praying. (From 'Streams...')
Lord, forgive us our unbelief! Increase our faith and empower our prayers to align with Your will. We ask for a glimpse of Your divine hand upon our lives as we submit every area of our lives to You.
Protect us from false teachings and strengthen our discernment of Your Truth in this misguided world.
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