Weather Predictions May Fail but God's Word Stands

I woke up in the night and as usual I looked out to see how my area of the world was faring. To my surprise and delight I found it was snowing! My surprise was because this is a very late snow. It hasn’t snowed in Arkansas this late in decades. My delight was not because it’s snowing. To be truthful I am totally done with winter and ready to have a springtime that sticks around a while. But yesterday we had a comparison of sorts about the different weather predictions. I was quoting NOAA and another family member was quoting a different weather channel. I felt foolish and a little ridiculous, especially if it didn’t snow at all. I secretly hoped it would snow just a little to prove NOAA was right.

God speaks to my heart: The Word of God is no weather prediction center. It is the way, the truth and the life. It’s all encompassing, ever faithful, right on time. You can count on My Word to deliver for its intended purpose. I AM so wrapped into My Word that the breathing out of it over My world is essential for life and breath of all creation. Not one snowflake floats to the ground that I am unaware of. Not one storm, not one gale, not one flood. It is I the Lord who has made all this and I the Lord will see you through everything, whether the weather is favorable or fearful. My Word and My love are totally connected so that you can trust Me. My Word is My bond. If you need to know what to do in any circumstance of life don’t wish for it. Read My Word and rely on it with your whole heart, mind and soul. This is how you find strength to stand the weather of today and hope to face the future of unstable conditions. You may not be able to count on another thing but you can count on My Word.

Oh beloved, as you are waking up this morning, you may be facing the most insecure times of your life. The weather of your heart may make you want to stay in the bed and you may wish to refuse to greet the day. Don’t languish another moment in fear and dread. Get up, read up and stand up on the Word of God. Align yourself with His Truth. Ask Him if there’s any area that may have a gap between His Truth and your living and let Him teach you how to close that gap. He loves you and you can count on His mercy and grace as you learn to live according to His Word. He will guide you into all Truth for the Holy Spirit of God Himself dwells in believers to give them all they need for living a godly life. Trust His Word today. As sure as the snow is falling, the Word of God is True. It’s the only truth you can trust. God is for you and as you learn to live in the light of His Word you will find yourself in capable hands always, no matter what the weather may predict, no matter what Wall Street says and no matter who is in charge of the Government.

Jesus is Lord over all the Earth and you can count on His Word forever. Recite it daily, refer to it for everything, post it in your home, on your dashboard and bring those Words of life into your heart and mind and soul and live loved, cared for and protected all the days of your life.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.

Isaiah 45:19 I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. NLT

Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

Accept the Truth and Reject the Imposter's Lies

A young man called my office yesterday to ask about the copier we use. He said they had word that the supplies were about to increase in price and now would be a good time to get a case of toner before it happens. I asked him what company he was calling from and immediately he hung up. Imposter. He was actually lying to me to get me to verbally agree to ordering those supplies from a company we don’t do business with. As soon as I asked where he was from he was gone. He was lying and trying to get me to accept it as truth. As soon as I spoke a truth back to him it was over. 

Be careful. There is an imposter out there. He’s disguising himself as truth and he’s so not. He will speak to your fears. He’ll tell you you’re unworthy, useless, throw away and reject. He’ll agree with your negative thoughts about yourself. He will shout yes when you shout ugly. He will clap when you say nobody loves you. He will agree that your prayers are not heard. He will help you live in his lies. He will hand you the lock and let you be the one who locks yourself in to the dungeon of helplessness and hopelessness.

The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. He will attempt to take control of your thought life in three areas: your past, your present and your intercession. If the enemy can get you to believe the lies of your past, your present feelings of unworthiness and that your prayers can’t be answered he has you right where he wants you. Your childhood memories are killed, your hope for your life to have meaning is stolen and your prayers will be destroyed. 

He wants you to believe that you are whatever anyone has ever said about you negatively. He doesn’t want you to move on from your past. He wants you to live in the darkness of your present situation. You may hear a voice inside your head saying you’re too old to change. You may be telling yourself it’s too late, you’ve gone too far or it’s all over for you. Lies, each and every word is a lie. 

You may believe that the one you love and pray for is hopeless. You must learn to accept those who are having issues in their walk with God. But you must learn to reject the lie that they will never change. It’s time to give them to God because His desire for all mankind is that they come to saving faith in Christ. It doesn’t matter what it looks like. God’s plan is for them to be saved, sealed, delivered, set free and living for Him. So keep on praying and reject the lies.

God speaks to our hearts: I have sent Christ to give you life and to give it in abundance, full measure and running over. I want you to be fully informed of the truth, so that you will be a strong believer, full of faith and armed for the day. So today is your day to get stronger. It’s time to reject the lies that you are telling yourself. Quit building the fire for the enemy’s camp. You might have heard these lies and rehearsed them in your mind all your life; but today is the day to set things right. I AM your healer, your purpose, your future, your hope, your truth and your way to live. I bring light onto any situation and will reveal all that needs to be revealed so that you can live a valiant, invincible live for Me. I love you and I have called you out of darkness. I love you and I have made a way for you to live in the light of My Word. No weapon formed against you will prosper. No lie can be your truth as you learn to accept what I say and reject the enemy’s taunts and lies. 

Oh beloved. I know it’s not always easy to rise above the past. It’s hard sometimes to listen to God’s truth while you are being rejected, belittled, or ignored. You may feel like unwanted and unwelcome, but God’s truth will pick you up and set you securely on high. You are accepted in the beloved when you give your heart to Christ. It’s time to learn to live loved and reject the enemy’s lies. It will get easier and easier as you begin to apply God’s Word, His Truth, to every area of your life. Instead of hurts and rejection, you will find acceptance to bloom in your heart. And once acceptance has taken root and begins to grow you will find that other situations will become clearer and you will believe God’s truth about you. 

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s the truth you can live in all the days of your life as you live free and loved and cherished. 

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Matthew 4:4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

2 Corinthians 10: 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; KJV

Ephesians 6:12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Button Up Your Overcoat of God's Word

This winter has been colder than usual. The temperatures below freezing have been wicked. And with the wind blowing more than normal, the cold cuts right through you when you’re outside. Without the proper outerwear it’s really rough. It’s hard to enjoy anything when it’s so cold. I guess people could just stay inside and wait for spring. But that’s not living.

Winter comes around every year. Some are worse than others. Troubles come too. Disappointments, discouragements, rejection show up without fail. There can be high electric bills, high tempers and high hopes that get dashed in the cold face of reality. The chill of things going wrong cuts right through our hearts and pretty soon we’re thinking we’ll just quit living. It’s too cold and the winds of adversity reach all the way to the heart.

Fortunately, we believers are made for winter and every other season that comes our way. We can meet the chill and wind head on because God has given us preparation for it all. We’ve been given complete protection from damage when we have to go out and face life that’s not always good. We just can’t go out alone without our covering. But covered by the Word of God and sheltered by the Holy Spirit our hearts stay warm and our lives keep moving even in the harshest of winter times.

Not only that, we can rejoice for we know that while winter may be present spring will return. We have a hope that does not disappoint. We have a Savior who never quits caring. We have a God who has given us all we need and we have the Holy Spirit to remind us whenever we want to quit believing and quit living.

Oh beloved, if you’re facing the cold alone it’s time to return to the Lord and let Him cover you with His Word! If you’re ready to quit and hide from life’s storms, it’s time to remember who you are in Christ. Read all the precious promises. Read the wonderful triumphant assurances. Wear them regally for they are the clothing of royalty. No child of the King is ever meant to go out in the cold without covering. You are blessed, you are chosen, and you are redeemed.

Stop looking at the weather and rehearsing the problems and put on the garment of praise and the covering of Truth! You are not just enduring; you will triumph over this winter time. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can sing His praises and rehearse His promises all the way to heaven’s door.

Psalm 34:1-2 I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Psalm 121:8 The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.

Isaiah 55:12 For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love.

God's Word is Your Greatest Treasure!

We watched an episode of Buried Treasure. Leigh and Leslie Keno, the twin brothers who are often on Antiques Roadshow, travel to different homes to investigate items of interest using cutting-edge technology to determine authenticity, condition and—ultimately—worth. Not every hunt yields a pot of gold. Some people will have treasures, while others will have trash.  The participants are often in need of cash and so episodes share their emotional journeys as well.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And sometimes people literally have a goldmine in their homes and don’t even know it. As in the episode we watched, once authenticated the items of interest often turn out to be worth millions.

While Danny and I probably don’t have a million dollar painting in our home, we do have something that is a real treasure, a goldmine of rarest quality. It is the Word of God. Authenticated by the Holy Spirit, it is full of treasures beyond belief. Often buried in the bookshelf in many homes, it is actually a treasure that is meant to be handled and read and touched and taken in.  

Unlike physical treasures that can be ruined or proven not really worth anything, the Word of God is full of amazing information that will transform your life. Inside the binding you will find answers to marital problems, financial woes, relationship issues, and more. There is treasure for church matters and fellowship information. Reading on you will find everything you need for life and godliness. How to love people, how to appreciate God in the hard times, how to be a success in life and more.  There is hope for the hopeless, help for the helpless, relief for the grieving and forgiveness for the sinner. There is direction for the lost, inspiration for the downtrodden and purpose for everyone who is looking. Inside the pages you will find the way to get real wisdom, find true love and how to get to heaven. Most of all you will find everything you need to know about God, including His names and His essence. It is indeed an authenticated treasure beyond worth when measured against anything this world has to offer. It is genuine, true and perfect for everything anyone will ever need.

Oh beloved, pull out your buried treasure this morning, dust off the cover and read! God is speaking to your heart about your situation and He already prepared the Word for you before the foundation of the world. He knew what you’d be going through and His treasure will tell you what you need to know. God’s Word shows you how to live, how to worship and how to praise Him. It also shows how much He loves you and how wonderful His care for you is.

You may have been considered someone’s trash, but beloved, you are God’s rarest treasure! He has authenticated your worth before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. Christ knew you were in need of a way to find your true worth so He went to the cross, suffered the shame, carried your burdens and sins all the way to Calvary. Then He stepped into the grave and three days later rose from the dead so that you too could rise to newness of life! No man can put a price on you for you are priceless. No one can say you are worthless because you have been set aside to show forth the praises of God, who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. God’s plans for you are wonderful and blessed and you are treasured always. You, beloved, are chosen and redeemed and a beautiful object, precious to your heavenly Father in Christ.

Read your greatest treasure, God’s Word, find your message and believe it! You can go to the bank on what God says about you and on what His plans are for you.  Amazingly you can share this treasure trove with others and still have all you will ever need.

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth more than any treasure this world has to offer as you live in the light of His Word.

Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Isaiah 33:6 And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Matthew 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.

How Do You Deal with the Impacts of Life?

Back in the day most car insurance companies had a natural disaster ruling. For Arkansas this applied to hitting a deer on the highway. You can’t help where a deer jumps out at you. Many people have had terrible accidents while swerving to miss those deer, or any animal that comes into the highway in front of them.

I remember the time I was riding with Diona and Blake in her car. He was very little. We were crossing a bridge near the house and a huge buck jumped out right in front of us. She grabbed the steering wheel and held on with both hands. Boom! That deer hit the front of the car. There was a lot of damage to the car to be sure. But we were safe. Because my daughter held her ground and didn’t swerve as a reaction to the oncoming animal, the impact was rather light for us in the car. Had she swerved we would have surely hit the bridge abutment or gone off into the deep ravine on either side of the bridge.  Thankfully she had insurance and her car was fixed. She reacted correctly and we inside the car were fine.

Life is full of things that we aren’t expecting. We can be going along enjoying our life when suddenly out of nowhere we are hit with disaster.  Our first inclination is to swerve! We don’t want the impact. We don’t want to be involved in the situation at all. We want to avoid it at all costs. While we don’t get to choose everything that happens to us, we do get to choose how to react to it. If we can just remember that God is going before us, then we know ultimately He sees the entire situation and what is happening to us. We can then hang on, knowing the impact won’t affect us inside. The outward man may feel crushed or totaled but the inward person will rest in the promises of God.

What do we do then, when out of nowhere we get disastrous news? What happens when we’re hit with rejection or sorrow or dishonor or pain? What happens when we’re lied about or lied to? What if someone isn’t a person of their word and we’re involved in a collision between the truth and a lie?

Oh beloved, you hang on! Hold your ground against the onslaught of the enemy. Hang tight to God’s Word no matter what you are seeing with your natural eyes. Your heart may say you’re done for, but the Word of God says no weapon formed against you will prosper.  Your eyes will deceive you. But God’s Word is true. All the Bible, God breathed from beginning to end, is there for your comfort and safety. It is your insurance policy against damage you cannot overcome. Without God you are sure to swerve and land in the ditch. You may then think you are finally safe, but you’re not. Only by holding onto God and going through the situation will you find yourself unscathed.

The Word of God is your history lesson on how to deal with impacts of life. From the three men in the fiery furnace to Joseph, Gideon, Ruth, Habakkuk and all the others in Hebrews’ roll call of faith, we see God’s hand over the lives of those in disaster.  They stood fast and did not waver at God’s promises, and so can you beloved!  Lean in close to God’s Word, spend time in communication with the Lord and hang on! You will make it through and be blessed beyond measure as you see that no disaster meant to grieve you or get you off your road of faith will succeed. You are a winner and you don’t have to veer off from anything knowing that God loves you and He’s for you no matter what comes your way.

Psalm 91:5-6 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.   Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

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 26:1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the Lord without wavering and I shall not slide. AMP

Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

Philippians 3:16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. NLT

Philippians 4:7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

You Don't Have to Hide in the Graveyard

A few days ago I felt God speaking to my spirit. “You were never meant to live among the sepulchers.” I almost called someone thinking it might be an encouragement for them. But now I believe it’s a message God is speaking to each of us. 

The flu and bronchitis along with some type of stomach virus has been going around our community. While we all want to stay well, if you move around in town, go to church, visit with friends, eat at a restaurant or go to the store you’re liable to catch something. Unfortunately viruses are everywhere. The only alternative is to stay home, hunker down and don’t let anyone even breathe on you. And who can do that? Who wants to?

If you’re going to have a life you’re going to be exposed to some of the less happy things that go on in your life. Viruses of rejection, animosity, dismissal, humiliation, and more are all over the place. The only way we can remain untouched by any of these things is to stay in our own world, become a hermit and don’t even let one person get close to you.

Christ offers us life and even goes on to say we’ll have life more abundantly. So how do we deal with the viruses of life? How do we react to the hurts and fears and worries and rejections that we are inevitably going to be exposed to? If we live a full life, then we know it’s going to happen. Sometimes we react as though Christ Himself is our virus. We may follow Him with our whole heart, but then something in life goes wrong and we can’t find the way to overcome it. Instead of remaining in Christ and sticking close to Him we can become discouraged and keep our distance, even from our Savior.

God speaks to our hearts: You weren’t meant to live among the sepulchers. The tombs, the graves, the crypts are no place for a believer. The graveyard holds no living thing, but you can’t live there either – not really. That’s not living. Don’t shy away from life. Your life and the abundance of it with Me is not over. I AM with you. I AM your shield and your shade. When the sun of adversity is beating down and you feel sick about it all, I AM there. My promises and My antidote are your only cure. My Word will vaccinate you against the ill effects of things that come your way so that you can live abundantly and victoriously no matter what you are exposed to. Walk with Me and let Me go before you into all you have to face. There are good times and productive days ahead. There will be disappointments, but there will be delights as well. I will give you the power to overcome, to forgive, and to be immune even to things that hurt your heart and mind. I AM your only way through and I AM with you always, even to the end of your life.

Oh beloved, there is a way to overcome the viruses of life! God never means for you to be a recluse and keep your distance from life. He has every remedy for what ails you. Yes, you will hurt, yes, there will be pain. Yes, there will be loss. But Christ is always with you. Even when you are trying to coil up and recuse yourself from life He is making intercession for you at the right hand of the Father. Not only is intercession being made, but a way through the whole encounter is being made. Don’t stop living just because times are hard. Don’t settle for hiding in the cemetery. Don’t stop praising the Lord. Don’t stop walking forward, even when you feel you are in a fog or the fight of your life. God has a handle on everything you’re going through. He intends for you to walk through it all. God loves you and He’s for you and His answers are your answers for the best of your life.

Psalm 106:24 Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe in His word.

Psalm 57:7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!

Isaiah 26:3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

2 Samuel 22:3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.

I John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

Time to DeClutter and Be Set Free

We’ve been doing a lot of cleaning and clearing out of stuff. The most recent cleaning out was in what we refer to as the “toy room”. It’s one of our bedrooms, but it holds the toy box from my childhood brimming full of toys collected over the years. We had been putting other boxes in there during the holidays and it was chock full of things we didn’t need or don’t use daily. So he cleared it out. He left only the things that were essential to us. Everything else was either thrown out or boxed away in a storage room.

It’s easy to be a pack rat. All you have to do is put something in a corner. Then you put something on top of that thing and then before you know it there’s a whole pile of stuff and you don’t even remember what’s on the bottom anymore. Not useful, but piled up just the same. We can become so focused on the useless that we get bogged down in dealing with it all.

What is it your life is cluttered up with? What do you keep walking through, tripping over and finding again and again?  Lots of things tend to bog us down and mess up our lives.  We all recognize them. Unrealistic expectations. Unforgiveness. Bitterness. Sorrow. Past regrets. Future fears. Unbelief. Half truths. Unmet hopes. Broken dreams. Broken hearts. Broken promises.

God’s Word gives us great instructions on cleaning out the clutter in our lives. He will help us keep the stuff we really need and identify the things that must go, so that we can be more productive and we can move about freely going wherever he sends us. With the clutter gone we can enjoy what is important. With the way clear we can see God’s plan and go with it.

Oh beloved, are you bogged down this morning? Are you trying to reshuffle the mess of life? Are you hiding the things in the corner of your mind that you don’t know how to get rid of? Are you still enjoying replaying old records and rehearsing old grudges? You may have believed the lie that you had to hang onto this stuff in case someone tried to hurt you again. You may have built a huge pile of remembrances of things that are threatening to fall on you like a boulder from the top of the mountain. Let it go. Box up the sorrow and shame and throw it out. Pack up your mistakes and give them the boot. Forgive everyone and watch as that stuff just floats to the curb, never to return inside your heart.  Memories? Some of them will probably have to go as well. Good memories can even bog us down if we live in them instead of living in today. But bad memories can totally obstruct our travel into what God’s best is for us.

Whatever does not agree with God’s Word has got to go. It may look good but it will tarnish and become a real nuisance in the long run. Remember, you want to be free to go where He sends you, love those He allows to cross your path and live in the light of His glory and grace. Real freedom doesn’t come with stuff, it comes with the lightening of the load, the cleaning out of the heart and the refreshment of new starts.

God loves you and He’s for you. That’s why you can trust Him to assist you to dispose of those things that are hindering your view of His Truth.  A life free of entanglements is your best way to live as you trust Him and allow Him to make all things new for you.

Hebrews 3:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God's messenger and High Priest.

Philippians 4:8  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. ( Amplified)

Go Ahead! Pick Every Ornament from the Lord's Tree!

Our littlest granddaughter loves to pick ornaments from our tree. She will stand and look and fidget and talk and then plop one has been taken in her sweet little hands. Of course this gets a rash of no no’s and don’t do that’s! To which she responds in her baby talk “but I want that!” Sometimes we miss the picking and find an ornament in the kitchen floor or behind a chair later when she’s gone. Just like all children, she loves the shiny baubles and unusual delights hanging. We have lots of lights on our tree as well so all the ornaments shine.

While we like our trees to be merry and bright representations of Christmas in our hearts, we really like the tree to stay full of the things we put on its boughs. Imagine people coming into our homes and going to the tree to pick an ornament and take it with them. Why we’d have nothing left. Our tree would be bare. The things we cherish the most would be gone.

Jesus is the Light and Savior of the world. He came and filled the tree of our lives full of wonderful things. Priceless treasures we can’t hope to have in our own meager means. Each facet of His life holds wonder and awe. From the cross to the grave to heaven – He made the choice to give Himself away so that we could have it all. And now He daily presents those things to us as ornaments hang on the tree.

But the difference is, He says go ahead pick. Choose each ornament. Take it home with you. Live with it. Display it. Shine it. Wear it. But not just on your sweater, wear it in y our heart. Everything God has for us is an object of the heart, for our good and for His glory. It shines, oh how it shines – each and every gifted ornament that’s supposed to be worn by a believer.

What do we see on the tree of life that Jesus has decorated so beautifully? We see Salvation – choose it first, for unless you have that, the other ornaments won’t even budge from the limbs. Choose reconciliation. That’s one of the most beautiful ornaments of the Christian – for it reconciles us to God and it reconciles us with others. Sanctification is another lovely jewel – we must pick it for that’s our key to becoming heavenly minded. Then there are the other wonders of the life in Christ: love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and more. There is mercy and forgiveness and righteousness as well! There is purpose – and oh how we all long to live a life of purpose.

No child of God ever has to live in want of any of the beautiful things God has. Even when life around you seems sorrowful, weary or lackluster, the ornaments of the Christian life will warm your heart and keep your mind on Him no matter what.

Oh beloved, go ahead! Run and pick every ornament God has from His tree of life! It’s all yours for the taking. No holding back. No waiting in line. No wondering if you’ll be scolded. Everything is freely given and never runs out.   Open up God’s book of love and see what all He has waiting for you, just for the taking to the heart that belongs fully to Him. While sorrow, sadness and pain can be a huge part of the holiday season, Christ is the reason for Christmas and Christmas can be enjoyed fully with awe and wonder as we look to the One Who loves us unconditionally and watches over us with uninterrupted care.

Jesus desires that your arms and heart are full of His wonder and His joy as you live in the light of His Word.

Romans 6:23b …the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption…

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

Read the Best Christmas Catalog Ever!!!!!

Our Christmas tree only has one package beneath it. I have a few more things bought but haven’t had time to wrap them. I still have some shopping to do. While I love buying presents and the look on loved ones’ faces when they open the presents, it does take a lot of time and planning to get everyone something they really want.

By the time you get my age you know that people don’t always get exactly what they want for Christmas every single year. That’s okay. Because by the time you’re my age you also know that the most important gifts are not the packages under the tree. 

It’s a wonderful thing to realize that Jesus paid for everything we will ever need. And we can have the best Christmas ever no matter what. He lived and died and rose again to secure the most wonderful gifts for us. Yes, He made a way for us to live eternally in heaven but oh there’s so much more.

Reach under the tree and see what all is there for you.  There’s all the joy you will ever need, enough to get you through the saddest moments, that abiding joy is yours. Then there’s the peace that passes all understanding – it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. There’s a full package of the love of God and. Keep looking and unwrap every gift from God – don’t leave a thing unopened for you need all the gifts God has for you to make it in this world, to excel as a believer and to triumph over anything the enemy throws at you. Every blessing God has is yours – every promise God spoke is for you. It’s as though you can buy anything in the store and keep it forever – straight from the storehouse of God’s Word!

Oh beloved, run to God's Word and read it, for it contains more promises of gifts from the Giver of Life than any Christmas catalog ever designed.  And don’t let your heart worry over what might not be, but instead concentrate on the gifts of God that belong to you in Christ Jesus. See how wonderfully blessed you are? Look beyond the temporal to the eternal and rejoice that Christ is indeed Lord of Christmas and Lord of all.  He loves you and He’s for you and that’s a gift no one can take from you no matter what. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life.

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 119:111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart.

So Many Choices to Make!

We went on a Christmas tree hunt yesterday. It was the first time for Danny and I to walk through a field of trees in search of the perfect one. It was hard. Our 6 year old grandson said he didn’t like it because there were so many choices. He said you pick one and then you see another one. You think you make the right choice and then you change your mind. He really did like it, but I understand. As a first timer I found that they all looked beautiful. But upon closer inspection there were flaws that didn’t meet our standards. We didn’t even know we had standards until we were met with the choices. Acres and acres of trees and still we wanted to look farther.  After the tree was cut we took it to the tree farmer who placed it on a shaking platform to get all the dead needles and debris out of the tree. That machine looked like it would tear the tree up, but it made it look much better. We were glad we didn’t take all the loose material home with us to shake out on our floor.

Blake was right – it was hard to make the final choice and stick with it. We did have a great time, but we laughed about the commitment to the tree – was it the right one? Didn’t we like the one on row 25 on the furthest acreage? On and on we all laughed.

We are a country full of people who have relished the many choices we have. Unlike other countries that have very little choices, we can even linger in decision making when it comes to simple things like the many brands and styles of cheeses, paper towels and band-aids. Simple things have become more complicated because of the choices.

Yet in spite of all these choices we still have a hard time making the commitment to live with our selection.  We are rich indeed in the fact that we can make our own choices about everything from Christmas trees to vocation. And yet for all our choices we still have a hard time making commitments to the choices. Satan knows our weakness so he subtly comes in with “a better idea” or gives us little hints of discontent in what we have. He’ll even send people into our lives to prove that we could have something better. We find ourselves either coveting another’s life or wishing our own perfectly good life away. We long to enter the field of choices and change what we have.

Just like looking at Christmas trees, we have to give our wants and wishes a thorough examination. What might appear as a great tree could have a very crooked trunk or a bad side without many limbs. So too we must look thoroughly at what our eyes relish to make sure we don’t end up with something we never really wanted in the first place. 

The only way a believer can make the right choice, the absolutely perfect choice in God’s estimation is to take everything to prayer and filter it through the shaking of the Word. Unless we are willing to give God the final choice, to let Him choose the best things for our lives, we will be destined to always look back and wonder if we could have done something better.  Without God’s guidance and waiting for Him to answer our prayers with His best we are destined to live without making a real commitment, even if we’ve made vows to complete what we started.

Oh beloved, run to God’s Word this morning and read: all that glitters isn’t gold and all that looks bright and promising isn’t always a good thing. But God speaks to our hearts and He always speaks the best things. Trust Him. Wait on Him. Then make your vows before Him and complete your commitments. Even when things look impossible or love grows cold or other things look better – in the light of God’s love for you and your commitment to Him first, you’ll find that what you already have is enough. You’ll also find that He gives His finest to His own. He can be trusted to make the right choices for you. Even when others make poor choices around you and you have to live with their decisions and their lack of commitment, God is committed to you always. He is so committed to your best and His glory that He will take care of you even when things go wrong. You’ll never be a victim as long as you put your trust in His choices. You can’t worry and wonder why when others make poor choices concerning your life, but you can rest in God’s promises for you no matter what.

Rejoice! Rejoice in your freedom to let God choose. Rejoice in His wonderful plan for your life. Rejoice that a Savior has come to make all things news and bless us with His marvelous plan of grace, faith and salvation. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth letting Him guide you into His wonderful choices for everything you will ever really need.

Proverbs 2:11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

Jeremiah 39:18 Because you trusted Me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken.

Ephesians 3:17 Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Job 23:11 For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed His ways and not turned aside.

Psalm 18:30 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.

Flames of Faith Overtake the Chill

It’s cold outside this morning. I mean really cold. This is the coldest day of the season so far. When I arrived home yesterday evening I was chilled to the bone. Just this small cold snap reminds me that I don’t like winter’s temps. I wondered if I’d ever feel warm again. But I’m warm inside my house. My hubby built a nice roaring fire in the fireplace yesterday afternoon and it is still full of embers that are still keeping the house warm.  I may have to go out in the cold momentarily but I know that when I return it will still be warm inside.

There are times in our lives when it’s just cold. The chill of adversity has us shivering. The plummeting temperatures of trails, hurts and pain has us wondering if we’ll ever be warm again.  Will we ever feel the warmth of true friendship when others seem to walk away so easily? Will we know the flame of true love when we can’t seem to hang onto it? Will adversity keep battering away its high winds on the walls of our hearts and minds? People may try to warm us, make us feel better or console us, but we must find our way out of the chill in our hearts ourselves, so that we can stay warm and secure no matter what.

Oh beloved, rejoice!  God has kept the home fires burning! He is the fire of your warmth for days and nights like this. He is beckoning you to come in out of the elements and warm up to His love and His truth. Regardless of the conditions that surround you, He is your shelter in the storm. You don’t have to remain at the mercy of the howling winds of circumstances, for you are covered by His loving care.   You are never alone, never left out in the cold and never forced to remain distant from the Lord. No matter what, God is with you. No matter what, He will take you in. No matter what, He will cause spring to come again to your heart and the chill of today’s trials will melt in the light of His glory and grace.

Quit rehearsing the problems and begin to rehearse God’s Word over your problems. The flames of faith will overtake the chill and you will find that, even in the midst of it all, God’s love will warm you, God’s word will cover you and His peace will blanket you all the days of your life.

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

Psalm 31:20 You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues.

Isaiah 12:2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 84:10a A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!

2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

The Warmth of God's Truth Warms the Winter Seasons

Seasons come and seasons go. I love early fall the best. It’s the chilly warmth and the brilliant colors that just send me. I wouldn’t mind having a 6 month fall. Maybe add a few months of spring in there for the newness it brings, but skip winter and summer. However if I was in charge of the seasons we’d all be in trouble. No spring means no planting season. No summer means no growing season. No ...winter means no dormant season. And without the other three seasons fall would probably become monotonously long. Imagine having to rake leaves for 6 months!

We have to plan ahead for changing seasons, because they will come whether we greet them or not. Not formulating a plan for each season doesn’t change a thing, but it will leave us feeling unprepared, helpless and forlorn. Winter probably needs the most preparation for it is stark and uninviting and oh so cold.

Just as the natural seasons of the world around us come and go, so do seasons of life. When we are born again we find ourselves tiptoeing through the easy season. It’s spring in our hearts because everything is brand new! Relationships, stories, books, movies, the Bible, church – all take on a new meaning because we have been made new. We see Christ in everything and we’re loving it! Then summer comes and the heat of everyday causes us to learn to drink in the cool refreshment of His Word more and more. We begin to rely on His sustenance and refreshing more. With the advent of fall, we find that thankfulness is the way to bring out the color of life around us. It’s a season of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of God’s provision for the year. We are warmed on the crisp cool evenings of change by His absolute faithfulness.

Then winter arrives. We danced through spring, we refreshed ourselves through summer and we learned thankfulness in the fall. But now, winter has arrived and all is stark. Where did the beauty and color and fun go? Winters of life have nothing to do with age, for winter comes to all. We can’t decide when a winter season will come into our lives but we can prepare for it. And if we’ve been gleaning from His word during the growing season and giving thanks during the bountiful season then when winter comes we are more prepared to let God’s sustaining presence get us through. He will wrap us in His blanket of love, warm us with His Word of Truth, carry us through the deep snows that surely come to everyone’s life – sorrow, mourning, depression, rejection, division, ridicule, scorn, and more.

God speaks to my heart: Oh precious child. It’s difficult for you to see the merit in the changing seasons of life, but I AM here. I AM with you through every season. I am especially close in the winters of life. When you see no growth, no warmth, no purpose, no sun – I am with you. I am your prayer partner, your fellow believer, your hope for the hopelessness and your warmth for the long nights of oppression, uncertainty and dread. I am that I am. Without winter you would have a wonderful life but it is in the winters of your days that you realize the depth of my love, my care and my guidance the most. Winters, when you are stuck inside with the problems, the pain and the trials, those are the days you learn to abide in Me. As you rest in My promises, held most dear in the dreary times of life, I will show you the hidden springtime of the heart that gives you refreshment. I will give you the hidden forage of the Word to sustain you when nothing else will give you nourishment. I will remind you that even though you must walk through this winter, you don’t have to walk alone. When spring returns, and it will, you’ll have new knowledge of My unshakable presence all the days of your life. And having endured the winter season you will be stronger, more prepared and ready to share more about Me with others.

Oh beloved, run to His Word and let God meet your needs in Christ! Sow the Word now, harvest the Truth and pack it away for winter. You can pull out the plentiful yield every time you need it. You don’t have to go hungry when the hurts are huge and the nights are long. Every promise is for you. Every verse is preparation for the season you are going through. Every chapter is written with you in mind.

He loves you and He’s for you and that’s what will get you through all the seasons of life and make you stronger for the days ahead.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Jeremiah 15:16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.

Psalm 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.

Psalm 119:50 Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Time to Go Mining for the Depths of God's Word

We watched a show yesterday afternoon about prospecting for gemstones. It was pretty exciting to watch them dig and dig through what seemed like only rocks and dirt just to observe their excitement upon finding the “mother lode”. One moment they’d be lamenting their loss and wouldn’t know how they’d recover their expenses. But with one more turn of the spade they’d spy a trophy stone. From pauper to riches!

I told Danny that maybe we could take a month off and go digging ourselves! Thousands of dollars a day was a nice salary for digging. We both laughed. Mostly because Danny has worked pretty hard all his life and he recognized just what they were doing. They weren’t sifting through nice garden soil. No, they were sledge hammering rocks and using a pick ax to dismantle large boulders. One scene showed one of the partners laying on his back holding a huge boulder up with his feet so the other fellow could reach underneath for stones!

Their work netted great results for them. But it was work. And although we watched a 30 minute program with all the highlights, we didn’t have time to watch their entire search. It could have been days, months or years they spent looking for just what they really needed. Surface work would never have netted the prize. It took digging and time and more digging. Searching for true riches can be a lifelong endeavor.

We believers are miners of sorts. We have riches that we often never even try to mine for. We want the easy pickings, the things that are on the surface. We want salvation and justification and a pain free life. We want all the things we can have from Christ. But we aren’t really into sacrificing our time, our finances, our plans for His direction.

But the most beautiful and priceless gifts of the Spirit are found much deeper in our Christian life. If we are going to have all that Christ has provided for us we’re going to have to work for it. We’re going to have to take the time to dig for it. Often we never bother until we are truly in the arid places of life. Those are our most profound moments – those times we realize we must have more of Jesus to get us through it all. We see it as a desert time, but God sees it as a time of mining for His jewels. We get upset and worried and troubled about it all, but God sees it as the perfect opportunity to let Him increase in our lives.

God speaks to our hearts: Precious child. You have been so content to take the easy road. But your heart has been yearning for more of Me. It’s time for you to follow me into the mountains as together we will learn to mine for pure gold and precious stones. Every precious jewel found in Me is available to you but they are not found in the meadows, in the casual, in the easy places. Time spent with Me is where you reap your greatest reward. In My presence you will find everything you’ve ever wanted and oh, so much more! In My Presence you will find rare jewels of the life of faith: abiding peace, everlasting joy, contentment, gratitude, wisdom, perseverance and hope, among others. Everything you need is found in Me as you spend time with Me digging deeper in sacrifice of your own plans.

Oh beloved, run to the Lord this morning and ask Him to take you mining through His Word! God loves you and He’s for you, so that all you have to do is spend plenty of time with Him to have a rich and rewarding life. Let other things go, but don’t neglect your life In Christ, for that’s what really matters and that’s where you will find your true calling as you follow after Him.

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

Feeling Uprooted? Stay Rooted in Christ!

Quite a few years ago my boss brought a plant to his office. It was one from his grandmother’s funeral. All these years he’s had that plant in his office. A couple of years ago he decided to divide it as the plant was getting huge! These divided plants were repotted and set in various offices including one in mine.  Slowly these plants began to show signs of stress. Leaves were blackening and some of the transplants were not even growing.  He decided to take the sick plants out of the soil and see what he could find.  To our surprise some of them had very few roots, others had huge tubers instead of healthy roots. To the ones that had little roots, He gently tugged them from the soil, dug his hands into the container and moved the soil around and got it loosened. Then he returned those plants to the soil. To the ones who had huge tubers he scraped the sides of those “knots” and made a way for better roots to grow. One held such a huge tuber that he cut that one in half.  All were placed back in the pots and watered well. 

Without the care of a gardener those plants would have continued their decline and eventually shriveled up and died. Without someone going to their aid, for they could not fix themselves, the end was inevitable. They would have been thrown onto the compost pile. But by the hand of the gardener they will now thrive and grow and produce more than they ever have. 

God speaks to my heart: Oh child of Mine. I know you feel that your life has been pulled up by the roots.  You were content with your surroundings; you were fine with your place. It all looked so good. Yes, there were little problems here and there but you saw yourself as sitting pretty. But you see, my beloved one, I want you to flourish.  I want your roots to grow deeper and your life to grow stronger. I want your heart to be readjusted as often as needed so that you see My purpose beyond your conditions.  You can trust Me, even when things seem to crumble away from you, even when the earth beneath you seems to give way.  You can quit struggling within yourself with those around you because I AM the one who holds you securely and sets you just where I want you. Do not despair for  only I AM the one who moves you, changes you, blesses you and encourages you.  I AM your gardener and My ways are not your ways, but you can rejoice in the changes for they will turn out for your betterment and My glory. And as I tend the garden of your heart, I want you to let your roots grow deeper in Me for that is how your life will truly flourish and you will display all My glory through your life.

Oh beloved, trust God! Let His Truth grow in your heart so that your roots will grow in Him. You can rest in God’s loving hands. He alone is sovereign. He alone is king. He alone is able to readjust your life and even in the pain He alone will make it all good for He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

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.

Psalm 92:12 -14 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.  For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit;  they will remain vital and green.

Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Wherever You Go - Pack God's Word

We’re traveling this weekend. We’ve traveled a lot over the nearly 40 years of marriage. Some trips were overnighters, some were just day trips. In more recent years we’ve taken a couple of long trips.  No matter where we go or what we are doing, I am bound to leave something important at home.  This time it was a simple bottle of shampoo, easily rectified by visiting yet another of those “discount centers” we all know and love. 

Life itself is a lot like travel. You go places. You see sights. You live dreams. You meet folks. You experience high mountains, you travel through desert valleys. There are dangers along the way. There are surprises and wonders as well.

Most trips are of great value and have lasting wonderful memories. The trip into marriage I especially like! Then there’s parenthood (yes it has ups and downs, but it’s good).  Milestones are met with joy. Surprises turn out to be blessings. 

Some travels are nothing you’d ever ask for on your own. There’s the travel through sickness, loss, bewilderment, rejection, pain, fear. Those kinds of trips you never plan for and you never want to take again.

But with every road we travel, each of us can, if we prepare, take the important things with us. We do not have to leave anything we need behind.  For the traveler who is in Christ, it’s all provided for, even before we need it. The Lord Himself is our Trip Planner and our Travel Advisor. He will tell us which road to take, where to turn around and how to get to our destination.

But He’s more wonderful than that. He provides the essentials in the trip itself. We have been given a full supply of strength for the journey, hope for the road, joy for transportation.  He lavishes us with love and peace, so that when the going gets tough, we can remain calm and keep our eyes on the road ahead.

Are you traveling today? Are you going down a well known road or are you traveling unfamiliar territory? Maybe you picked wrong or someone sent you the wrong direction. Either way, God is providing the way for you. He’s given you fresh light for the dark road, sure signs for the unknown road and promises to give you the desire to go on when all looks wrong.

Oh beloved! God has provided everything for you! He’s made declarations in His Word that you can repeat so that you don’t lose heart.  The enemy may have thrown his own plans right in your face to distort the windshield of your heart, but God is providing clear insight for living as you drive through the mistaken information into His Truth.  You will be able to pull out your travel bag of the Word and see that God says 

He loves you and He has wonderful plans for you and He’s carrying you beyond the trip at hand.  His destination for you is success and victory. Nothing else will do.

Refer often to His Book of Love, your roadmap for the trip, for the essentials to take with you and for your refreshment. He’ll always be with you to guide you because He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.

Psalm 25:5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.