It's Time to Stand Back and See!

I love lighthouses. I admired a framed print of a lighthouse before Christmas at a Christian gift and bookstore. Danny and I were in there one day together and as I looked at the picture I wept! It spoke volumes to me. It was a wonderful representation of "God as our refuge and strength" depicting a lighthouse, holding strong against a deluge of white water. A man was standing on the railing and h...e seemed incredibly small compared to the lighthouse and the deluge of water. From close up it looked as though he would surely drown, but no the lighthouse was standing. The store was going out of business, so my hubby sneaked back over there and bought the magnificent item for me! I opened it on Christmas morning and was thrilled!


As I was overtaken by emotion once again, viewing it on the dining room wall, Danny asked me to stand back and look. He said the water that looked so horrendous up close looked like two hands enfolding the lighthouse when you stepped away! I saw that yes, it did indeed look as though someone was holding the lighthouse in his hands.

Maybe you have been under a deluge of trouble. Things are going terribly wrong and you’re not sure how you will ever survive. The floods of life are threatening to take you down and you feel yourself holding your breath with white knuckles. You’ve heard it before, that God is with you, but at this point you feel so terribly alone. You’ve looked so closely at the problems and the hurts and anguish that you cannot see another thing.



Oh beloved! Stand back and see that while you are going through the hardships of life, God is holding you securely in His hands. His love is surrounding you and His delicate care and guidance is giving you strength you never knew. You will not drown! You will not be swept away by life’s present current. The day will come when the floods will recede and the ocean will calm down. Until then, beloved, hang on – to God! He is fighting for you and you are not even going to see the battle. He is holding you and you will not even feel the water.



God is with you – because His Word is His bond. He is always going to love you and always be with you no matter what, so rejoice and relax and rest until the sun shines again.



Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge."



Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.



Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.



Psalm 32:7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

How's Your Story Going?

We were reading a book, Caleb and I, the other night, and he picked the book from my hands and began reading it by himself.  He’d say a little something about a story for each page. Finally he closed the book and said The End.   Most fairy tales and homespun stories are told with the same lines at the end -  “And they lived happily ever after. The End.”

Life’s story has many twists and turns. There are dark days full of terror. There is love found and love lost. There is espionage and intrigue. There are happy days and joyful moments. There is much laughter as well as blinding tears. The plot will thicken and every story contains a nemesis and things to overcome.

The Gospel Story is wonderful news for everyone. No matter what your background, who you know, where you’ve been or your past regrets- the Gospel fits. It is the only thing that spans the gap between us and heaven. No matter who you are or what you look like, it’s tailor made for you – it fits perfectly for everyone.   The Gospel is the incredible bridge between life and death which promises to take us home to be with our Savior forever. It is our happily ever after where the end is just the beginning.

But we have a story to live between the front and back covers of our lives.  For those who know the Lord, we have the Happy Ending sewn up. It’s a done deal – heaven is real and we are waiting for the moment we can step onto the soil of it’s magnificent realm. We will see our Jesus face to face. Whatever else we do, however else we are, we are going to love it! In the meantime, we’ve got to build our story and live our life.  Who is going to get us through and how are we going to survive? It’s a rough world and the twists and turns sometimes get harder and harder.

The Gospel is not just The End, it’s the prologue, it’s the highlights, it’s the plot, it’s the main character and it’s the way we get through! The Gospel is our ticket to heaven but it’s also our reason to live! If God had only given us hope for heaven, it would be enough, but He’s done more for us than many of us realize. He has given us a ticket for the train ride of life as well. 

Oh beloved, God wants you to know this morning that He understands your story. He knows when it’s been hard to resist temptation, He knows when you’ve heard His voice but followed another. He knows  when your weaknesses outweighed His plan for you. He knows the twists and turns and hopes and dreams that you hold in the deepest recesses of your heart. But there’s nothing to fear, for each day the story unfolds of your life with a fresh start! Yesterday doesn’t matter, but Today is a new chapter! Today you can live a higher plane, resist the lower life and become a daring hero or heroine for Him.

Run to His Word this morning, The Greatest Story Ever Told, and read – His Word is your guide, His Gospel is your plot, and The entire Bible is your guideline.  Everything you need for your life, your troubles, your story is found there. Let the Lord write your story and let Him fill your pages with His blessings and glory and honor. For He loves you so much that He made a way for your story to turn out oh so very good because He will be with you until the very End where you and He live happily ever after!

Psalm 48:14 For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death. (NAS)

Psalm 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

Psalm 32:8 The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.

Being Attacked by the Why's of Life?

Some things about kids never change. One of those eternal things is asking  “Why?”  You ask a child to come inside and they will ask why. Tell them to get ready for bed they will ask why. Tell them to put on their coat, and you get a why. Even explaining everyday things like the sun, the moon, the stars – you get a why. Kids just naturally want to know why. My own children asked it all the time and now I hear my grandchildren asking the same question.

We want to know why.  Irritations occur like being cut off in traffic and we hit our hands on the steering wheel and say why.  We have a flat on the way to work and wonder why. It rains and we forget our umbrella and wonder why. Most of our whys are a bit self-centered – just wishing we could have freedom from those little irritations of life that are inevitable.

Some of our why’s come when hard things enter our lives. Someone rejects us and we want to know why. We get passed over for a job and we ask why.  Young kids rebel and grown kids don’t live the way they were raised and again we wonder why.  A spouse walks away, a friend betrays you, someone passes way and again the why’s come up. These why’s are heartfelt – the pain is strong and we cry out to the heavens for some sort of explanation.

We blame ourselves with why’s as well.  Why did I do that? Why don’t they like me? Why have I gotten into this mess? If we only look to ourselves and our circumstances we’ll be done in. Eventually something irritating will happen to everyone. Eventually, something hard and extremely hurtful will enter into our world. If we just look to ourselves, to our own devices, we can become bitter, angry, frustrated, depressed, dejected and doomed.

Oh beloved, this morning you may be surrounded with the why’s of life. You may be blaming yourself, blaming others, blaming fate. You’ve grown tired of the struggle and you’re ready to pitch in the towel. You know you messed up. You know you deserve better. You know that you’re the only one in this hard, rough place with no sign of help.

But beloved! You can make it! Because God Himself is with you! For the believer, even in hard times, even in frustrating moments, even in rejection and fear and longings of the heart no one sees – God is with you! When you put your trust in the Name of Jesus Christ for your salvation, you can be sure that while you don’t see immediate reasons for life’s hardships, you can know that God is with you! Why? Because His Word is His Bond. His Cross is His reason. His empty grave is His proof. God loves you. He loves you when you mess up and wonder why. He loves you when friends quit you, spouses pass away, jobs play out and money gets tight. He loves you when your children disappoint you, when life gives you lemons, when no one else comes to your assistance. And because He loves you, beloved one, He is with you always – He will never leave you, He will never quit you, He will never turn away. He is with you on the side of the road when you have a flat, He is with you at the hospital bed when you have a loved one going home with Him. He is with you!

Rejoice this morning that you are loved and treasured and valued beyond any other creation. Rejoice that He knows your name and your days are written in His loving hand. Rejoice that all the why’s are not important because you know WHO is with you all the days of your life!

1 John 4:9 God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.

Psalm 42:11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.

Prayer is the Ultimate Anti-Spyware

Over the week-end my computer got very slow. Even typing and using the word processor program got laborious. I did a system restore and that didn’t accomplish a thing. I also downloaded new spyware applications and got rid of a few spy programs that were hidden in the system. I finally changed the batteries in the wireless keyboard and mouse. It seemed to work a little better, but who knows which change made the difference? It wasn’t fast enough though. Finally I resorted to what I should have done first – I prayed! Yes, I prayed for me and my computer. I asked God to help because He knows the computer is important to me and I am important to Him. 

Pray for a computer you say? Pray for yourself? Yes! If you’re like me your time is valuable and short. There are many things vying for every hour of the day and if one thing runs down it all comes to a halt. So I prayed.  Spyware abounds everywhere. The enemy of our souls wants nothing better than to derail and dislodge our walk with God.  First he attempts to distract us with pressing events and issues. If that doesn’t work he’ll try to disarm and disengage us. His spyware is very sophisticated – so much so that we often don’t even see it until we’re bogged down with rage or fear or worry or frustration.  

Prayer is the ultimate anti spyware. Through prayer we can do a thorough system restore. We can go back to our Father and restore the things we left behind while we were getting busier and busier.  Praying His Word dislodges bad programming that threatens our hearts and minds.  We need time talking with the Lord to restore our spiritual batteries and make our hearts stronger and more effective. Prayer for ourselves is the first line of defense-as we pray for God to restore us and renew us, He gives us a clean heart and fresh mind for the day ahead. As we ask God for the very things we have tried to fix ourselves, He gives us His design for repair and we find ourselves feeling rejuvenated and better able to hear from the Lord.

Oh beloved, are you having a hard time hearing from the Lord? Has your heart been loaded with weariness, guilt, insecurity, comparison, and perfectionism? Are you wondering what’s going to happen next? The Lord knows your weaknesses; He knows the enemy’s first line of attack to your system. He knows you personally! And because He knows you, He has a plan to thwart the enemy’s plans. When you seek Him first, for yourself, your loved ones, your life and your plans He will steer you in the right direction! He will speak love words over your entire being, so that you will be so filled with His love that nothing else can come in! He will speak His care over your life so that you will be so filled with the knowledge of His mercy and grace that nothing can come in to bog your life back down!

Oh how He loves you! Wherever you are and whatever situation you find yourself in, God is with you and as you turn your heart to Him in prayer He will do whatever it takes to restore you so that you can praise, honor and glorify Him!

Psalm 5:2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but You.

Psalm 142:5 Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Isaiah 55:6  Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

God Wants to Make All Things New!

One of my new favorite home remodel shows is Rehab Addict, where host takes a house that was ready for the wrecking ball and restores it to its former glory.  She sees in an old delapidated shell what could be.  Hundreds of people drive by old abandoned homes and wonder about them. She buys them and doesn’t remodel them – she restores them!  Her desire is to see a home as it was, before time and the elements did such a number on them. 

Maybe you’re feeling the effects of neglect. You just don’t fit in anymore, if ever. You’re tired and worn out from the trials, the concerns, the worries, the fears and more. You made mistake after mistake and now you’re in a hovel and a heap.  You’d like to start all over again, but how is it possible? You’ve gone too far and you feel like the disrepair shows to everyone around you. You may have been knocked down physically, spiritually or emotionally. All you want to do is walk away and give up. But in your heart of hearts, you keep thinking that maybe, just maybe there’s hope – that somehow life could be new again. You’ve tried changing things – from jobs to cars to makeup, but still you feel done in and hopeless. Someone may have hung a demolition sign on you – declaring you insufficient and unredeemable.

Oh beloved, hold on! God says you are so prized and so loved that He will give you more than a fresh coat of paint.  He wants to do more for you than just make things better. He wants to make all things new! He loves you so much that He left heaven just to rescue you from satan’s demolition crew. He cares about you so much that He knew you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. He’s always on your side, even when it feels like no one is for you. He’s always working things out for your good, even when you feel downhearted.  He’s always going to watch over you and protect you all the days of your life. Neither the beating of the sun nor the drenching of floods will destroy you for God Himself is your foundation! He is the architect and the builder of your entire life! You can be assured that any discussion of your worthlessness is simply the enemy speaking lies. You are worth it, you are loved and there is something yet for you to do, so rejoice and let God continue to remake your life all the way to heaven!

Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants.

Proverbs 10:25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

Exodus 15:13 With Your unfailing love You lead the people You have redeemed. In Your might, You guide them to Your sacred home.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 40:5 O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

It May be Time for a Makeover

I love the extreme makeover shows. From the homes they build for needy families to the show where they take the woman’s closet and completely revamp her wardrobe and hairstyle. I think it’s fun! Makeovers are always enjoyable.  The home makeover show whisks the family away and then proceeds to remove what they lived in and create a completely new home – full of wonderful delights and things tailor made just for them. If a family member has a particular need or disability they build things with that in mind – just for them.  Each home they create would not work for every family, but it’s perfect for the intended ones. The only criterion is that the person or family has to be willing to give up what they have for what they get – not really knowing what they are going to receive. 

Are you wondering what it would be like to have a complete makeover? Are you looking around you and wondering how things got in the mess they are in? Wishing you could have a do-over or go back and get things right? Maybe you feel that you didn’t deserve to be where you are, but you’re there nonetheless.  Little things that needed to be fixed were left unattended and now you’ve got something that needs a complete makeover – your marriage, your home, your family, your finances, your heart, your spirit, your thoughts, your dreams, your hopes.

Oh beloved, there is One Who wants to give you an extreme makeover! He is the founding Father of makeovers! He is the One who can take anything and everything that is a mess in your natural life and create a completely new life! He is waiting in the wings for you to say to Him that it’s okay – you give yourself completely to His hands so that He can do what only He can do! You may be thinking that it’s a scary proposition to let God demolish what was yours and replace it with what is His, but you need to put that fear down. Look around you again and see – your mess is His opportunity! He not only can, He WILL make all things new for you and when He’s done it will be beyond your wildest imagination!

Give Him the keys to your heart this morning and let Him make it His home! Give Him the deed to your life and let Him make it brand new! No one has ever been disappointed with His results! Your foundation may have been shaky and turning to rubble, but the Lord’s foundation remains forever!  He loves you beloved and He’s always for you, so He can be trusted to do what you’ve only dreamed could be done!

Revelation 21:5 And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."

Isaiah 43:19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Jeremiah 31:4 Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel!  Again you will take up your tambourines, And go forth to the dances of the merrymakers

Have You Got Good Reception This Morning?

Remember how we used to get different channels on our TV?  We laugh and point to our kids! Danny would say, “Melody put it on Channel 4”. She’d jump up and turn the knob to 4.  When I was a kid I would go out on the porch to turn the antenna for my dad, so his ballgames would come in clearer.  Occasionally the wires would come loose from the antennae and someone would have to release the pole and lower it in order to get those wires reattached. Sometimes a wind would come through and knock that antenna winding, so that someone would have to go outside and untangle things to get reception back.

Nowadays, the satellite installer has to make sure the satellite receiver is pointed in the right direction for you to receive the channels you purchase.  Without the satellite pointed to the source, you get nothing on the screen.

The same principle applies to the believer. As a spiritual receiver we must operate in line with the Word of God to receive.  Without our lining up with the Word of God, we receive nothing. My dad’s sports events wouldn’t come in if the antenna was on the ground. You wouldn’t see my kids hold the knob in their hands and expect the channels to change. Even with the remote controls we all now use, they too must be pointed in the right direction to receive.

You may have been trying to receive from the Lord, but find yourself getting nothing. Without turning to God you won’t get much reception, if anything. Eventually the signal will grow weaker and weaker. Hearing from God is your source of all you need, so turning your life towards His ways and His Word is what you need. You cannot turn His Words around to fit your needs, you have to turn your whole heart to Him to hear clearly and see His will.

Oh beloved, run to the One Who has all you need to receive! Seek His Face for only His Face will do! All other channels will give a distorted view of life and God.  But God’s Word will set you free, give you new life, make you what you can’t be on your own and set you securely on high! You will hear Him speaking love words clearly and you will hear Him saying, This is the way – walk in it! What wondrous love is this that the King of the Universe loves you and has made a way for you hear from Him!  He knows your troubles and trials, He knows your hurts and anxieties, He knows your dreams and hopes – He knows everything about you and His Word is a direct line to Him. Let Him speak Truth and Mercy into your heart today, for His ways are magnificent and His love is eternal.  Always and forever, no matter what, God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth looking to Him for everything!

Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Zechariah 1:3 Therefore, say to the people, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.'

Proverbs 2:1-5 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure My commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.

Psalm 27:8 When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."

It's Time to Start Walking!

Walking is one of the best “exercises” a person can do. There is even an extension program called “Walk Across Arkansas” where people can log in their miles and minutes as a team. Teamwork helps tremendously. Just the idea that you have someone by your side through the walk time makes for more fun and fellowship! Walking, any way you look at it, is beneficial to the mind the spirit and the body.

Historically walking was the main mode of transportation before the invention of buggies and the taming of horses. Later on, with the onset of automobiles, people began going places with the quickest transportation. But walking is still the most heart healthy way to go. Take a walk and see- you will find the sights and sounds that are unseen while in a car. From birds to blooms, everywhere you look you see God’s beauty and smell the wonderful aroma of the world He created for you and me!

Our lives are full of blessings – more than we can contain.  God gives us everything we need to enjoy the life we have, to endure the storms that come our way and to make it all the way to heaven. Without God and His blessings, we might make it to heaven, but this life with its hills and valleys, would be hard to endure.

Today is your day to start walking! It’s time to get up and walk in the blessings God has for you! Are you worrying about your past? God wants you to walk in His forgiveness. Are you struggling with your faith? God wants you to walk in His Truth. Are you worrying about your family members, your children, your grandchildren? God wants you to walk in His precepts, for He will answer your prayers in His time. You may feel alone, abandoned, unworthy, discarded or worse. But God says Walk tall in all that I AM for you! You may have nothing on your own, but God’s Word says that God chooses the foolish and base things of this world to confound the wise! Rejoice! You are a Faith Walker because Jesus rose again to give you faith and He loves you forever – even making intercession for you eternally in heaven with the Father!

Psalm 119:44 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to Your commandments.

Deuteronomy 26:17 You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in His ways, and to obey His decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything He tells you.

Psalm 56:13 For You have rescued me from death; You have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in Your presence, O God, in Your life-giving light.

Psalm 89:15  Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight--

Today is Double Portion Day!

Someone mentioned double portions in a post yesterday and God brought to mind elementary school camp, which was so much fun and a great blessing as a kid. I loved camp at Lake Tyler! The massive cedar paneled dining hall and the scrumptious biscuits with honey and butter were just wonderful. You’d go through the line to get your meal and they’d ladle each portion carefully on your plate. You didn’t get to go back through the line, but your tray was so full that nobody needed seconds!  Holiday plates are wonderful too! When I was a girl the men ate from platters! Their plates would be so full and brimming over the edge – as they ate all the wonderful delicacies saved especially for holidays. We kids had our special plates too and there was always a table for just desserts. I have photos my mother took of my two nephews standing on their little tiptoes trying to get a piece of cake or pie from that table!

We’d sit around and enjoy those family meals, including Sunday dinners, with the adults talking and the kids giggling and nudging one another under the table! Our little dog, Tinkerbell, even got in on the festivities. She’d sit underneath the table and tap one lap after another for a morsel from the huge spread!  Everyone enjoyed double portions and laughed as they tasted all the desserts, candies and cookies. Those times were not for diets, but for fellowship. And our fellowships were awesome!

Maybe you miss the old days. Perhaps you feel that you don’t have enough of the good things anymore. You once ate at the table until you were full and felt so satisfied. But life has crept in and the little troubles have overtaken the big joys. You hold back – from enjoying - blessing, banqueting, fellowshipping and more. You feel you must refrain – you’ve either done too wrong, gone too far or can’t believe God anymore.  It could be that a loved one has disappointed you or betrayed you. You can’t possibly see how God would want you at His table anymore.

Oh beloved! You need to know today that a double portion is yours! A double portion of His love, a double portion of His grace, a double portion of His mercy! What are you lacking? Where is your weakness? A double portion is yours for the asking! Hungry for God , for the way it was? He says to you today, Come back to Me for I have a double portion awaiting those who turn to Me.  He will NOT turn you away, you may come to the banqueting room over and over again! Feasting on His Manna makes for healthy hearts, healthy minds and healthy spirits!

Don’t hold back today, but run to the King of Kings and let Him serve you all the riches of His Kingdom. Give your heart fully to Him and watch as you Open His Menu Book and See – no prices listed- for His choicest foods are available at no cost to you! It may look like the world’s menu is the better deal, but it always costs you more than you want to pay and never fulfills your longing heart.  Everything in His Menu Book is readable and understandable for you, His child. It’s all yours! For the Lord of Heaven and Earth is your Double Portion always!

He loves you beloved, forever! And He’s going to keep you spiritually fed and well cared for all the days of your life!

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Psalm 31:19 How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (NAS)

Psalm 24:5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. KJV

Have All Your Keys With You Today?

The littlest grandson was having a conversation with his mother. He'd seen his daddy with a set of keys.  The conversation went something like this, “Daddy has keys” to which momma said, yes, Daddy has keys. “Momma has keys” and again she said yes, Momma has keys. Then he said, “Jesus has keys”.  Yes, again, his mother agreed, Jesus has keys.

Where would we be without keys?  I’ve misplaced mine before, haven’t you? I’ve gotten to work a couple of times and found that I arrived without my office key. Thankfully the office across the hall from me has a key to my office as well.  Every key is for a certain purpose. It’s not possible to use a car key to open the mailbox at work.  The office keys won’t get me into my house.  The house key won’t unlock my display cabinet at home and so on.  Every key has its own target and cannot be used for anything else.  We can be locked out of our car, our office, our home, our shop, our garage and more. Without the right key for the right door, we are totally locked out. We cannot get in.

Jesus has keys, Caleb said. Yes, He does. He holds the key to heaven and he took away the keys to hell. But it’s more than that – Jesus IS the key! He is the KEY to everything we need. Through Him heaven is unlocked and we can know we will make it through the door.  Through Him the Bible is unlocked and we can know the will of the Father and understand the great mysteries of all that He says and all that He is. We are able to follow His instructions and live a life of assurance. He is the key to forgiveness. He’s the key to love, faith, purpose, redemption, regeneration, new life, devotion, direction and oh so much more! With most keys you get one purpose, but with Jesus, He is the key that unlocks EVERYTHING for life and godliness – life here on earth, so that we can live in the light of His love having purpose and success beyond our wildest imaginations. Not only that we can know His direction and plan so that we can follow Him wholly and always.

Are you struggling with the key to life this morning? Are you feeling locked out and left alone? Maybe you were promised things that never materialized – love, dedication, fidelity, care.   Perhaps you have come to the end of your own plans and you’re weary of it all and ready to start fresh. You may be facing a hard battle, a sickness or a trial. Maybe you have hopes and dreams, you want God to use you and your heart longs to minister and do the things that Jesus did.  Let Jesus meet you at the door of your heart! He will let you in for He is your Key!

Oh beloved, run to the Lord this morning and enter in! Enter into His loving care, His incredible riches and His faithful Word! He loves you for He is Love! He’s for you – for He is your Strong Tower! He will never turn you away, for He is the Key to all of this life’s needs and blessings as well as the key to heaven’s gates and glory. Pick up His book of Keys and read – every single door you need opened is there for you to find and learn and enjoy! He holds back not one key from His beloved and offers them freely at His feet. Try the lock and see – He will answer you when you call and you can rest in His promises and live in the light of His Word! What a blessed life oh beloved, to be a child of the Master of the Keys!

 

Deuteronomy 30:20  You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life.…

Proverbs 4:13 Take hold of My instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

Revelation 1:18 [Jesus said] I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.

Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Hebrews 13:21 may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.

Luke 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

Keep Those Weeds At Bay!

You can tell spring is approaching by the occasional buds popping out on warm days and the jonquils beginning to bloom. There are also the errant weeds trying to take over the yard. Funny isn’t it that weeds are the first to green up.  They encroach into every area they can. From the climbers to the bloomers, weeds love to grow. Even in the garden plots. Last year’s weed free garden becomes this year’s weed laden beds. What you did to remove, prevent and dislodge last spring’s weeds doesn’t apply to this year’s crop of nuisances.  Your flower beds may have been pristine to the onlooker, but you or your lawn service know what it took to get it that way.  It was a continual removal of anything that doesn’t belong in the landscape. 

It only takes a few days for new weeds to appear and attempt to take over.  Even in homes that are well established and have had landscaping and gardens for many years it must be continual. Watch a home where the family has gone and it sits idle. It’s not long before small trees pop up in flower beds and huge thistles push through the soil in the gardens. What looks beautiful and brings a bounty of flowers and vegetables becomes an eyesore and quits producing within a few weeks without constant care.

Our lives are like this. We come to the Lord and we get a clean slate, but without constant care, the weeds of life begin encroaching on our fresh new soil. The weeds of the past -  those habits and desires we left at the altar of our hearts when we came to the Lord - they want to return. The weeds of the present -  fresh hurts, new problems, unresolved situations -   will come in and take over quickly. The weeds of the future – fears, indecision, ignorance, angers- may lie dormant, but unless we keep them at bay they too will bound through the soils, sooner or later marring the landscape of our lives.

Oh beloved, God has a wonderful plan for your life! He is the specialist in weed control and He freely gives you everything needed to keep the landscape of your life pristine and presentable! How do others seem to be so full of joy and peace, you may ask? Because they spend plenty of time working the ground of their hearts. You too, beloved, must work your fallow ground – it is imperative that you fill your mind and heart with God’s loving Words! It is the ultimate weed killer! Without God’s Word, implanted firmly into your heart – the enemy of our souls can come in and ruin things. He will try to sow discord, animosity, fear, sin and more. It is a continual, daily event that you spend time with the Lord to fill your heart and mind with His words so that the weed producer cannot fill you with untruths and half-truths! Time with God will produce much fruit – love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control and these things will root out the weeds that may try to steal God’s place in your heart!

Rejoice that God Himself wants to speak into your life! Everything you and I need is found in His Word. If you let Him, He will make your life and beautiful living example of His watchful care, His eternal love and His rich blessings!  Spend plenty of time with your Savior – let other things go, but do not neglect your time with Him! The rewards are out of this world!

Hosea 10:12 I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,  and you will harvest a crop of love.  Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come  and shower righteousness upon you.’

Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Psalm 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. KJV

When Our Fears Meet King Fearless Everything Changes

 

The Wizard of Oz had some very interesting characters. My favorite was the lion. He was a very unusual lion in that he lacked courage. I’ve had dreams over the years about lions. In every dream they were ferocious and fearless. I’ve watched lots of shows about lions and never once have I seen a lion backing down from about anything. Movies depict them as a intrepid foe and a crafty stalker.

But here we have a cowardly lion. He jumps at his own shadow. He hates to face obstacles. He is reticent and reclusive. He needs lots of help from friends and lots of encouragement as well. When faced with a problem he starts whining instead of roaring! You have to feel so sorry for the creature.  His kind is considered “king of the jungle” and yet this lion felt like anything but a king!

In his desire to be more than he is, to get rid of his cowardice, he follows along with a group to the Land of Oz. He’s not sure, but he’s hoping that what he’s heard about this magnificent place will help him.  All along the way the lion and the other characters meet up with obstacles, terrors, dangers and enemies.   He is so full of his own fears that he doesn’t even realize that he is overcoming obstacles and facing uncertainties all along the way.

I understand the lion.  He’s supposed to be one thing, but he keeps seeing himself as much less than he is. He’s afraid and unsure of himself. Even though the nature books tell all about lions and their courage and fierceness, he has neither.  Maybe you can relate.  Are you lacking courage? Are you having a hard time facing things that come into your life? Maybe it’s rejection, unforgiveness,  unresolved relationships or the uncertainties of life itself. Our world is full of dangers and dread. As the movie line goes, we’re not in Kansas anymore.

Oh beloved, it’s time to run to the reassurance of the King of Kings! Everything we lack – absolutely everything – He is! Everything we fear – He conquers! Everything we’re weak in – He’s Courageous!  Maybe you don’t know it yet, but you are an overcomer, you are victorious, and everything, every single thing you need for life and godliness is found in Him! If you will let yourself trust Him, He will take you beyond your own mortal weaknesses and set you apart for Himself! He will make your way secure, your sight full of faith and your life full of His glory. For He loves you and He’s able to save you not only from the penalty of sin, but from yourself! The God of the Universe is Fearless and Able to make all grace abound to you – so that in all things you will have the courage and fortitude of a child of the Most High God. Look back and see – you have come a long way and He has taken every step with you! Look forward and see – He will go ahead of you to get you where you need to be. Look up, for He is your Redemption and Your Place of Safety. He loves you, oh beloved, and He’s for you, His child, and that is all that really matters!

I Peter 5:7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (AMP)

Deuteronomy 31:6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

He Speaks Blessings if You Take the Time

I enjoy getting up early. Before the sun begins to peak through the tops of the trees and all is quiet. Especially when it’s a work day – I enjoy the quiet time before the hustle and bustle of getting ready, driving to town and opening my office. 

Danny was off a few days during in December, since his work hours were used up. He did a lot of things around the house and I was excited to see the outcome. He also slept in. I’m reminded that when we were dating I was an early bird even then. Sometimes he’d sleep till noon on week-ends and I could hardly wait for him to wake up and call me.

As I left the house one morning, he slept in longer than usual. I hated to go to work without time with him.  I realized that I wanted and needed more time with my sweetheart! Sometimes his job will have him going at 4:00 in the morning! Other times we find that we may be going in opposite directions and time together is at a premium. Still I want time with him! It blesses me to watch him read his Bible and ponder God’s will. To share together God’s Word and what He’s saying to both of us is a real joy. It’s really special to sip coffee together and relish the silence of early morning. It’s also a great time to share personal tidbits from the previous day.  My day goes better when I’ve had time with the love of my life. No distractions, no phone calls, just the two of us. I find that spending time with him makes me more ready and willing to meet the day’s demands. He is a calming influence and a blessing to my heart. He’s my best friend.

Are your day’s events swirling around you like an out of tune band? Are you feeling out of sorts and unable or unwilling to cope with the goings on all around you? Are you meeting the same problems and still having the same issues? Feeling discouraged or unfulfilled? Even unappreciated or rejected? Maybe you’re working yourself into a rut, and wondering why you never feel rested and relaxed. Maybe others’ demands on your life put you at odds with your personal needs.

Oh beloved! Take a moment and rest in His Presence! He’s the One Who always has time for you. He’s the One Who never sleeps, never takes His eyes off of you and always has something wonderful to share with you, if you’ll just take the time. He is your calm before the storm, your peace in the midst of chaos and your staunchest ally. He truly is the very best Friend you could ever have. Take just a moment and sit quietly as you listen. Do you hear Him? He’s speaking love words over you, He’s speaking blessings into your heart and mind and He’s speaking love, joy, and peace into your life! Isn’t it wonderful to just rest in all that He is. Isn’t it wonderful to know that He loves you outrageously and He’s for you eternally. Now that’s worth stopping to enjoy!

John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 119:147 I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

Have you Struggled with Your Value Lately?

When Danny and I met, he often wore a suede jacket with leather fringe. I really liked that jacket, but Danny loved it. He had bought it on a trip to Mexico. After a while he hardly ever wore it, so it was relegated to the back of the closet.  We’d been married probably 10 years when I decided to put that old coat in a yard sale. Someone scooped it up right away. 

After Danny got home that evening I shared with him what all I had sold.  When I mentioned the leather jacket he was unhappy.  I guess because he hadn’t worn it in a long time I just didn’t think it meant anything to him.  I was frantic that I had gotten rid of it. I remembered that guys in commercials got hot under the collar when the old fraternity jacket or bowling shirt was thrown away.  Fortunately for both of us I was friends with the purchaser.  I called her and asked if she would mind selling me back the jacket, which she did.  That old coat is long gone now, but that day I was able to restore something of value to my husband.

We are quick to check out the value of things. We watch antiques shows on television, hoping to spy something that we too might have hidden away in a closet. Sometimes we cringe as we hear the value man has placed on an old piece of history. Who does the deciding anyway? What makes one picture so valuable and another totally valueless? 

Ever look at yourself and feel that you are worthless? Maybe you were told that one time and it has stuck with you all these years.  Someone may have told you that you were priceless and yet in the end, they dropped you like so much junk. You still feel it, you may still believe it, as you hear the words casually said at the time. Feelings have a way of creating our world. Instead of rising above it, we often bend beneath it. After all, you may think,  if they think I’m no good, of no value or rubbish, then it must be true.  We live with a lie because we allowed someone else to devalue us. 

Oh beloved, God says to you this morning, you are of incredible value! You are a one of a kind, priceless jewel to the Lord! When God looks at you He sees something special that no one else may see. He calls you by name! You are His! There may be labels on you that try to put you down but God’s labels cover it all – Redeemed, Precious, Beloved.  Rejoice with Him this morning that your worth is determined by God and not by man. Those who count will know this and those who don’t know it don’t count. Run to His Word and find all the magnificent things God thinks about you.  Even if you are struggling with labels you want to remove, give those things to God and let Him remove them for you! He is able to make all things new, including you! Oh how He loves you, beyond your wildest imagination! And oh how He is with you, making you more than you were and all that you can be in Him! Now that’s worth praising His Name!

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 43:4 … you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake He made Christ to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become endued with the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

Psalm 107:2  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary.

Romans 9:25 As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"

It's Your Greatest Love Story!

Today is a celebration of love day. All over the country people are paying respects to those they love. From tiny little paper cards in Kindergarten to a dozen roses and boxes of chocolates, everyone has the opportunity to feel special and loved on this one day alone.  I usually get a little tickled because if I wait too long to get that special card for my beloved, all the husband cards are about gone! But still, it’s a great day to celebrate love and to give something special to one who means so much to you.

The only problem with Valentine’s Day is the some folks get left totally out of the whole love thing. It costs money so the ones who have to count every penny would just as soon leave it alone.  It costs time so the ones who are overcommitted find very little time to get a card for anyone.  It costs feelings for it’s really hard to buy a card or get flowers or give a heartfelt gift to someone when you’re holding things against them.

I’ve been on the receiving end of roses, candy, cards and more! I still have a dozen roses in a long white box in my cedar chest! No kidding!  I’ve kept them for 40 years because I love the one who gave them to me.

I’ve also been on the receiving end of unforgiveness and rejection. No love lost there. I’ve had problems and issues and dealings with unloving, critical, harsh and unforgiving people. I’ve also wanted to be unloving, critical, harsh and unforgiving.  I’ve even had problems forgiving myself. Can you relate beloved?

But every time I look at situations that are out of my control and hurts that make me want to cringe and climb into the closet of life to stay there forever, I look into the mirror. There I see Christ. I see my hurts and rejection taken on by Him as He stood in Pilate’s court while those who had promised to love Him forever cried, “Crucify!”  And I see Him walking up the Calvary’s hill, dragging my sins all the way- such a heavy load.  There in the mirror of His Word I see hope – hope for me, hope for those I love, hope for the unlovable, hope for the lost – as Christ Himself rose again! I can forgive, I can be forgiven, I can walk in newness of life as His mercies are renewed every morning!

Oh beloved, open up your heart and run to the only One Who will ever love you unconditionally, without reservation. He holds none of your mistakes against you; He holds back nothing of His nature, His love, His compassion, His forgiveness from you. Because He is Love! And because He is Love, He will be with you forever, even unto the end of the age! Not only that, but He will help you forgive, heal you of your hurts, give you everything you need and get you through it all.

Hide your soul in the depths of His love this morning! Read the greatest Love story ever written, contained in God’s Word for it’s all about you and the Savior! Hold His Words close to your heart and dance with your Beloved in fields of Grace! And have a blessed, blessed day in Jesus!

 

Ephesians 2:4-5  But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ. (Amplified Bible)

I John 4:9-11 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

Romans 5:2-5 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Under His Wings is Your Refuge

I have always loved chickens. From the time as a little girl watching my uncle feed them to being an adult and having a few of my own.  A friend of my parents gave my kids a bantam hen and rooster back in the day.  The hen had a passel of chicks. She and the rooster were black as coal and the baby chicks were too. They were fun to watch and fun to listen to. She had different voices for different events. Often you could hear her cooing quietly. At that sound they would run up to her and gather under her wings. She took incredible care of those babes of hers.

One day we had a dangerous visitor.   I was in the house and I heard a hawk calling nearby.  I looked out the window as the mother hen began cackling loudly and running everywhere!  I raced outside to run the hawk off and found only the mother hen.  It appeared that every one of her babies was lost to the hawk’s wily abilities.  I was just sad as I returned inside the house to finish up whatever chore I was involved in.

Sometime later I was sitting at the window resting and watching the beautiful woods in our back yard. I could hear the mother hen still talking softly from underneath the back porch.  I guessed she was missing her babies as much as I was. Suddenly baby chicks appeared from nowhere!  They popped out from under the thick bed of leaves at the back of the yard.  They ran over to their mother, who once again gathered them up under her wings and spoke soft mother hen talk to them.

I was amazed. That mother hen had instructed her babies to hide! And when time had passed and the danger was gone, she called them out from the safety of the leaves. What looked like a disaster was simply the love of a mother protecting her babies.

Oh beloved, are you having a hard time? Are you wondering how you got in trouble, got left out alone, got in danger or worse? Are you wondering if you will ever feel protected, safe and secure again? Maybe you’re sure that no one will ever rescue you or keep you safe. God sees your life and He knows every detail, from the mistakes you make to the transgressions that come against you. He is the One Who has kept you all these years and He is the One Who will see you safely home! Trust Him this morning, for under His wings is your refuge. Look to His Word as your guidance for under His Banner is your safety. Because of His incredible love for you He will never fail you or forsake you and on that alone you can rely!

Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.

1 Samuel 2:9 He will protect His faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.

Psalm 138:7 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.

Blessings Come in Trusting God For Everything

You know it is amazing how much kids are alike. If they get something they don’t need or aren’t supposed to have, the minute mom or dad checks it out, their little hands go behind their backs. Somehow they think holding the object behind them will keep the parents from seeing it.  “Let me see” is usually followed by two little fists holding even tighter to the object. Often the fists must be pried open to get the unwanted object out of their hands. For some reason, the more they shouldn’t have the object, the tighter they hold it! Running is usually involved as well! As they get older they get a little better at hiding things, but parents just know.  Amazingly most all children are alike – they just want to hide what they shouldn’t be holding onto.  We parents get the object away and usually pat them on the head and remind them that it’s a “no no”. Sometimes as children get older, they begin having tantrums when the object is taken from them. But a strong parent will not heed the gesture and do what’s right for the child in spite of their objections.

I find myself holding on firmly as well. It’s not always something outright bad, but the implications of holding so tightly to things makes us look more to the object than to the focus we should have.  Almost daily I find that my Father is asking me what’s in my hands. As I relinquish the object of my affections into His hands, He reminds me that He knows best. There are times that I want to hold onto my grasp and try to argue with Him.  But my Heavenly Father has my best interests at the heart of all He does.

Oh beloved, what are you trying to hide from the Father? What are you holding onto? It may be a child, a spouse, a friend, a possession, or misbehavior. He may be asking you to move up, move out or move on.  As you relinquish that most favored treasured thing to Him, He promises that it’s for your best.    Beloved, God knows your heart and He knows what you hold precious. All He asks is that you come to Him with open hands and an open heart.  Let Him choose what you can hold onto; when you give it all to Him, He will either return it later or replace it with something better.

You can be sure that your Father God can be trusted. While you may not always agree with Him and you may not always see why, trusting in Him and letting Him take care of you makes for blessings beyond your wildest imagination!  Give Him your heart! He died for you.  Give Him your possessions!  He gave them to you to use for Kingdom glory.  Give Him your love and affection! He loves you beyond your belief and He has promised to care for you all the days of your life.

Jude 1:24-25 To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

Let God Remind You Who You Are!

There are lots of rumors that get circulated over the internet and through social media. Often the same story gets reinvented every few years and pops up again and again.  The rumors usually revolve around things we consider important.  Children, politics and health are three of the major rumor mills.  It is very important to keep informed of current events, but not everything we read on the internet is true.  One of the best ways to check out rumors is to go to snopes.com With a simple check, you can know instantly if a story circulating is true or not. It shows on their page a huge green TRUE or a huge red FALSE.  Lots of rumors presented as true turn out to be false.  Sometimes there is just a little bit of truth mixed in with the false. It’s still false. 

Don’t you wish a huge TRUE or FALSE could just pop up every time you hear something? Wouldn’t that be great? How simple would it be to know instantly what is right and wrong or true and false? It would solve a lot of problems and keep hurtful things from being believed.

What are you believing this morning?  Do you know how to handle the truth and how to put away the false? Maybe you’ve heard that you’re worthless or useless.  Perhaps you’ve been rejected, mistreated or misled. You’ve tried to do better, get over it and move on. But you secretly believe what someone else has told you. You may have been labeled as a problem, a reject, or worse.  You may have been told that your past is your Truth but God says differently. Your past has been overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and you can be sure that God is changing you and redeeming every area of your life.

Oh beloved, run to the Word of God and check it out! When you read God’s Word you are seeing His Truth and are able to reject the False.  God knows your heart and He has wonderful plans for you. He calls you beloved, even when you don’t feel loved.  He calls you cared for, even when you feel oh so lonely.   I pray this morning that as you take in His Word, open it up and read it – you will be reminded of who  you are in Christ.  God loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters!

 

Romans 9:25 As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'" (NAS)

I Peter 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Ephesians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.