In The Hands of God

A Redeemed Life in the Hands of God

Back in the early 30’s my sister was given a Pinocchio marionette. It was quite rare and if our family still had it the worth would be very high. In the 50’s I had a Spanish senorita marionette. She was beautiful and although less priceless than the Pinocchio my sister had, she would be worth something today.  My oldest granddaughter had a dog marionette. It wasn’t worth much in dollars, but as a little girl she loved to play with that.  Three different puppets, three different levels of worth, and loved by three different generations of little girls.

Yet for all the hoopla of the marionettes, not one of the three had anything it could do on its own. Without the strings and the wooden paddle controls a marionette is just a lump of parts. For all the antique price and the rarity of any of them, they are just limp on their own. Each of us as children, from three different generations, managed to get our own strings so tied up and sound around the puppet. I can remember working and working on mine only to get it tangled time after time. I was not good at being a puppeteer. The best I could do was dangle the puppet around for a short time. In my hands and the hands of my sister and my granddaughter, the puppets were mere toys. Only with the touch of the master puppeteer do they truly come to life.

Life has become a tangled mess hasn’t it? You’ve tried to make your life work but things just keep getting wound around. You’ve made a declaration that you can do it all and achieve something in your own power, but the power of your own hand is not enough. The best of us can only achieve so much. The greatest educator, the finest orator, the most magnificent speaker are only using their own talents. Even the greatest become a tangled mess when they are in their own hands. Even the finest of intentions and the greatest and loftiest attempts in the flesh aren’t going to get you where you want to be.

Oh beloved. It’s time to let the Master do His magnificent work. He will take your life and redeem it through the blood of the Lamb. Then He will lovingly remold you into a new creation altogether. He will attach His Spirit into your heart. He will help you in every area of your life. The more you give yourself to Him the more wonderful your life will be. Those who seem so able to perform are not to be envied because you, filled with His Spirit, will outshine them all. Quit looking at overachievers in the flesh and wishing you could be one of them. The flesh profits nothing. Only what is in the hands of God is real. Only a life put in the hands of God will do.

God speaks to my heart and yours: I AM. There is no other. Don’t let your life be wasted by another day of wooden living. Come alive with Me. I love you and I AM for you and that’s what will make all the difference each and every day of your life. Don’t waste another moment slumped in a heap because others have deemed you useless or worthless. You are precious in My sight and that’s what matters. Don’t keep tangling yourself up trying to find value for you are Mine.

God loves you precious one, and He is for you. That’s the way of blessing – letting Him have His way for your whole life. Nothing is more beautiful than a redeemed life in the hands of Almighty God.

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.

Psalm 119:117 Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

Acts 17:25 and human hands can’t serve His needs–for He has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will work out His plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever…

Psalm 103:4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

Have You Researched Your Faith Ancestry?

I think if I had the time I would certainly be a genealogy buff. Because my father was so much older than me I don’t have a lot of information about his family. I’m the youngest child of all his family and all of his ancestors are long gone. As I was searching for information about my grandparents’ marriage I discovered something I didn’t know about my Aunt Paralee’s daughter June. She was a much loved niece and cousin who died in early adulthood leaving behind 3 young children not much younger than me. Anyway, I found that her first name was Helen. That was my mother’s and my sister’s first name. I had no idea that June was a Helen. For a moment I got choked up because I thought mother would like to know that. 

Although genealogy is fun to see where our roots come from, if we live in the past we may just feel sentimental and teary eyed. As believers our roots are now founded in Christ. Family roots are interesting and we all love our ancestors and want to know more about them. But my main focus as a believer is now the ancestry of the faith. My Father in Heaven knows my genealogy well. Even if there were to prove some bad blood in the line, I am secure in the Blood of Christ that has cleansed me from all sin.

God speaks to my heart: It’s okay to take a sentimental journey, but I AM not there. I AM in the present, leading, guiding and directing those who will allow Me to. If you live in the past and concentrate on its memories I will let you. But I AM going forward. Isn’t it time to quit spending all your time reliving things you cannot do anything about? Whether it’s your ancestors or your sins, your problems or your fears, those are covered by Me. You are destined to live a life full and blessed as you move forward with Me. I have called you and that calling may require you to lay aside some things that have been holding you back. It does not matter what the past looks like or what your ancestral tree contains. What matters is that My Spirit is within you to work and accomplish My will through you. 

Oh beloved, God wants you to know who you are in Christ and how you are perceived by the Lord. When you know who you are, then you know how you are supposed to live. You destiny has nothing to do with your past regardless of how wonderful or how awful it might have been. Your destiny is wrapped completely in Christ. Let Him take care of today just as He cared for your past. You are a mighty invincible sword of the spirit wielding believer who is going to triumph in all your ways because God has put this in your Blood Bought line of faith. Stop reliving the past and begin looking for opportunities to go forward. No one can stop God’s plan for you, not past mistakes of any kind nor past encounters with those who would like to stop your flow of grace and honor from God. Your life is hid in Christ and it is He who will propel you on to the days of destiny you will walk in.

God loves you and He’s for you. The king of Heaven has called you into His presence. You are chosen, you are covered, you are going forward. Your heavenly genealogy is your strength and your Savior is your guide.

I Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will work out His plans for my life— for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.

Breathe In Breathe Out and Move on With God!

As we were leaving town yesterday, we drove by the old river area where everyone used to go in to swim at a favorite spot. Some would park and walk. Others would drive in. I was surprised at the amount of posted signs along the parking area. One right after another I would say there were at least 10 POSTED –NO TRESPASSING signs in bright yellow.  People have protested and been very unhappy that you can’t go to the riverside from that spot anymore.  Regardless of how they feel, it’s off limits. People could still stop there and park, but with the signs glaringly reminding them of the situation, they would just be more and more frustrated.

God spoke to my heart as we passed by. There are places and situations where we used to have free entry. We could come and go and were part of the scene. We had fun and the view was great. We were enjoying it all when the posted signs were put up. We can get frustrated. We can get up a petition to change it. We can prove our point that it’s unfair. We can also sit right there and stare at what we once had, but none of that matters. We are no longer welcome. We don’t have the freedom there anymore. We can cry and lament and go on and on, but that open door is closed now.

Regardless of who put the signs up, God ultimately has the say. No man can do anything except God allows it. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s time to move on. But the wonderful thing about it all is that if God has shut one door, He is opening another. You have not been banned from God’s love, God’s mercy or God’s plan. No indeed. It’s time to get closer to the Lord and let Him speak His plans into your heart. It’s time to renew your fellowship with Him so that you can hear clearly for your next place of entry. For although man may bar the way, God is the only King. He is Sovereign and He alone closes and opens doors.  He is Omniscient and He alone is completely informed and aware of the present situation and your future is secure with Him.

Oh beloved, reach out to the Lord this morning. Tell Him you’re ready to move on with Him. Your situation seems hopeless, but He is your God of Hope. He’s your Abba Father and He knows best.  Even if the present things do not change, you can go forward with high hopes and great expectations. God says to you this morning Move On.  He’s not saying go back, He’s saying go forward. He’s not saying done with you. He’s saying beloved, we’re done with that. He’s not saying He has no use for you anymore. He’s saying better places of entry and stronger times of spiritual influence are coming your way. As long as you stay focused on the Lord instead of the posted signs you will still see the glory of the Lord as you humble yourself and rely on Him alone. He is worthy to worship and honor and obey.  He is faithful, trustworthy and reliable in every circumstance.

He loves you and He’s for you, so it’s for your best that you let Him lead, give Him your heart, mind and soul and move on with Him.

Joshua 22:5 But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.

Romans 11:33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.  “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Psalm 31:3  For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.

Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Psalm 83:18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.

Romans 11:36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.

Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Look Beyond the View of Now to the New

With the time change and with my habit of getting up early, I found myself wide awake and full of energy quite early yesterday morning. My husband was sleeping in, so I decided to get in the car and go for a sunrise drive. I didn’t go far but I meandered around the nearby country roads to see what I could see. The deer were out here and there. The fog that settled across meadows and ponds was lifting and the sun began to creep over the horizon. As the sun got higher the leaves became more brilliant in their fall colors. It was a gorgeous morning. I drove past a couple of places I’ve always thought would be beautiful for a home site.

As I looked at one of my favorite places to build a home, I noticed that the view went on forever. Since it was on a small hill the trees acres away framed the blue sky perfectly. One of those places where someone always says “I could sit on the porch and just take in the view forever”.

But I also thought that unless you own the view as well, with all those beautiful trees, you can’t be sure that it will stay the same. Whoever owns the adjoining pastures and woodlands is in charge of that so it’s subject to change.

Change comes. You put down roots, you work heartily as unto the Lord, you live life well and you enjoy the view. Things are good and you are satisfied. In fact you are quite content. Why would anyone ever change their venue, go somewhere else or sell out?

God speaks to my heart: My precious child. Unless you own all you can see, what you are doing, where you are going, you can’t be assured that it will remain the same. I own it all – the earth is mine and everything in it – including you. I spoke and the beauty of the world came into existence. I spoke and you came into existence. I knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. I knew the views you would enjoy, the places you would feel comfortable and the joys you would feel while looking at My creation. You cannot own it all, and you cannot make it stay the same forever, no matter how much you enjoy it. So you will have to trust Me to make each step of the life of your faith beautiful in its own way. Don’t be so attached to people, places, views and things. For I am going to take you beyond your comfort zone, out of your favorite view and into My realm of service. You will have to learn to enjoy the now, and be prepared for the new. But I promise, each and every step will be wonderful as you learn to trust Me more and more. You once lived in the valley and now I am taking you to greater heights. Don’t fear the road upward, for new heights are just what you need to thrive in the Holy Spirit. Don’t wish for the old view in the valley, don’t desire to go back. I am not a God who was, I AM that I AM. Each day with me holds a new view of beauty and life and purpose. Together, as you hold onto Me and let Me choose the path, you will grow in the grace and knowledge of Me. The splendor of letting Me choose your new view is something you could never experience in your own flesh.  Even if you must go through hard places to get to the summit, I am with you and I will teach you and show you and take you beyond yourself.

Oh beloved, hang on! You thought change was coming, in fact you’ve experienced quite a few changes. Everything in your life is transient as you turn your focus from the view to the View Maker. He loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth letting Him choose the changes as you follow Him with all of your heart.

Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Psalm 31:15 …my times are in Your hands…

Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Let God Shift Your Plans for His Best

I had forgotten something at my office the other night and didn’t realize it until 9:30 pm. I asked my daughter living across the street if she wanted to go with me. She agreed and I even let her drive my car. I don’t see well at night, so it was a big help!

As she pushed the start button and then looked at the gear knob, she stopped for a moment. “This car is backwards! You should have to pull it down to go backwards and push it up to go forwards.” We laughed about it as we pulled out of my driveway.

This morning I was thinking about how the drive of faith can be a lot like the gears in a car. Sometimes it seems we are going backwards when we’re really going forward. A change in gears is often seen as a setback or a wrong direction. We don’t like change. We don’t want to change gears, change houses, change directions or change our plans. We’re creatures of familiarity. We like feeling at home, settling in and remaining for the long haul.

But just like buying a new car and having to learn the nuances of it, we too must keep our faith fresh and new. We must say yes to God no matter where He puts us. We must drive away into the unknown, sometimes without knowing where we’re heading, and trust Him to teach us how to go there. We can sit and fumble with the direction of our life, just like my daughter fumbled with the gear shift, or we can say “Lord, teach me”. We can’t keep driving the new direction with our old plan for it will not work in the same way. We must leave behind what we loved in order to find His best for us.

God speaks to our hearts: You’ve been driving in the same direction and it’s been good. You know the ropes, you know the plans, you know the talk. But you are now faced with an entirely new plan. I know you’re unsure of the new because you were so familiar with the old – comfortable, good at it and willing to stay the course no matter what. But I AM taking you out of your comfort zone and into a new thing. No one took your plans away because I AM in charge of your life – every single detail. So even if it looks like you have been left stranded on the side of the road without a vehicle to drive forward, you have Me. Even if the change was unexpected, unwarranted or unbelievable, I AM guiding you. And I will put you on firm footing and get you right where I want you. You may feel like you’ve been set back, put in reverse or sitting idle, but as you look at Me instead of the circumstances you will see that I AM the one who is driving you forward and keeping you right in the center of my will. No thought of man, no scheme of flesh, no plan of the enemy can get you off course as you let Me steer you into new horizons and over new ground.  It may seem uncomfortable at first, but when you see where I am taking you, you will love it for it is My will that over rides any gear you feel stuck in.

Oh beloved, stop stripping gears over changed plans! God is with you, God is Sovereign and God has His plan for you! Get in gear with the Lord and ride on with Him! It’s a tailor made journey, with all the right gears, the right vehicle and the right mode. You can trust Him because He loves you and He’s for you – no matter what– He is with you all the days of your life.

Genesis 19:16 When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the LORD was merciful.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Amplified)

Psalm 33:11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.

Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.

Are You Aiming in the Right Direction?

There's a family rumor going around about me. And it's true.  You see I cannot throw. I cannot hit whatever it is I'm aiming at. I mean it. Put a baseball in my hand and someone's going to get hurt. Give me a baggo and I'm going to whacko somebody, something, anything but the target. It's true because you see, I even shot a bathtub once. No kidding.  But that’s a whole other story.

Anyway, I just never seem to hit what I'm aiming for. It's impossible. Now, occasionally, if I don't look closely and kind of look away from the target I'm more likely to hit it just by sheer accident. But trying dead on, nope, not gonna happen.

Through life, we all have targets to hit.  Some of them are : learning to read, tying our shoes, riding a bicycle, jumping rope, singing on key. You know, kid's stuff.  Then there are the more grown up targets: graduate from high school, go to college, get married, have kids, get a job, save money, drive a car, travel, make something of yourself, get ahead, plan for the future. On and on. There are many goals you can pursue as a grownup.

For all of us there is a really huge target we have to aim for and achieve - finding purpose in life. It's more than a job and a car and stuff. It's what you really want deep down and you know you won't be happy if you aim for less.  It's not hard to hit this target, unless you leave out the most important factor - God. You see, each one of us has a purpose we were put on earth to achieve- a target of sorts - and that is to find our reason for living which is found right in the middle of the Cross.

Wow, what a target!  If we aim for anything else, we might still look successful and have other things, but we'll end up with a misspent life and misspent everything else. But when we aim for God's target - belief in Christ and living for Him - we have it made!

Have you taken a good look at the targets in your life lately?  Maybe you’ve been missing them more than hitting them. Maybe you tried desperately to get it right, shoot straight and get rewarded. Still you've gotten 4th place, honorable mention and nothing. You keep aiming for better things but the same old troubles keep creeping in, messing with your eyesight, getting your aim out of kilter and making the target oh so hard to see. It could be that others have encouraged you to get your eyes off Jesus. The hurts, the fears, the disappointments can be really distracting even when you’re trying to aim for the best.

Oh beloved, run to the Master of the Target this morning! With life in Christ you'll achieve a bull's eye all the time. Even when your aim seems off you can lay down your abilities and disabilities and lay your head on the Lord's loving shoulder. He'll redeem your plans, fix your aim and help you get back on target.  Isn't it wonderful to know that you aren't out there trying to aim alone and shoot from the hip?  This wonderful life with the Lord will cause you to lay down your past, pick up your goals and move on with Him. His ways are so much better than your ways. His plans are so much more on target than yours are.  God knows you and He's been planning your life with Him for eternity. He knows everything, including your misspent opportunities, your misappropriated blessings and your missed targets.  Give your heart and life to Him today fresh and new, and watch as He changes your entire focus and causes you to win for Him in the aims and goals of life.

God loves you and He's for you and those two blessings are His aim for your life forever!

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Psalm 33:18 But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love.

Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Psalm 119:32 I will pursue Your commands, for You expand my understanding.

Feeling Weighed Down? Give Your Cares to Him!

My children always loved collecting rocks from the area we vacationed. Every once in a while I’ll find a small pebble or a couple of rocks in a box. There’s a big collection that our son saved in a box out in the shop and it is heavy.  I guess you could call them memory stones.  I was cleaning out my car last week and found another rock – it looks like the grandkids now want to collect them. 

We gather memory rocks don’t we? Not all the stones are from pleasant places.  Some are picked up along with hurts, discouragement or sorrow.  Some are thrown at us.  We catch each one and keep them so that we don’t forget who hurt us.  The  unkind word, the impatient response, the indifferent or ignoring disregard from those we trusted.  We go home and empty our pockets of the stones and think we’re done with it.  We place them away in the closet of our heart. But let another hurtful word or an unkind gesture come our way and out comes our collection. We add to and look it all over and it becomes oh so heavy.

We cannot avoid hurts. We cannot control how others treat us, how we might be ignored or undervalued or overlooked.  We may want the best in a relationship and yet the other party wants nothing to do with us. People walk away, lie about your life and wipe their hands of us. If we gather each hurtful or hard memory up in a collection, pretty soon we’re harboring a heavy load.  We could become so enthralled with our collection that’s all we concentrate on.

But if we give those stones of remembrance to the Lord and ask Him to help us, He will lessen the hurt and take our burden from us. We were never meant to carry this load. It’s heavy and weighs us down. If unchecked, it will actually sideline us and keep us from moving forward.  God in His mercy will turn that pile of hurts, disappointments, unforgiveness, or rejection into an altar of love. If we turn those stones over in our hearts and give them to Him, the burden will be lifted as we forgive and move on. Our hearts feel better, our load is lighter and we’re filled with His mercy to go higher with Him.

Oh beloved, God loves you! He has a wonderful plan for you life! He says to discard the rocks and follow Him! His plan is oh so sweet and His desire is oh so outrageous for you! He will carry you higher than you’ve ever been and the view from the heights of His mercy and love is beautiful! Run to Him this morning and show Him your burdens, share the truth about each memory stone and let Him heal your hurts!  He loves you so much that He will discard them for you and walk with you all the days of your life! Hurts may still come, but you won’t have to load yourself down for God walks before you and His angels surround you. What an amazing Savior!

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

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.

Let God Speak His Love Song into Your Life

I was really blessed to have parents who were older. One of the many great reasons is the love of music they instilled in me and the kinds of music I was exposed to. In the early 60’s my dad won a Christmas gift from a local furniture store in Nashville Arkansas. It was a portable record player and stand along with his choice of 20 albums! He and my mom enjoyed picking out something for each of us.

Big band was my dad’s favorite. Among his favorite songs was, “All of Me”.  This morning the words and tune to that song have come to my mind.

“All of me, why not take all of me. Can’t you see that I’m no good without you?” It’s a love song of course. You’ll find out if you google it, but the first few lyrics keep playing in my mind.  I can hear my Lord beckoning me to give myself completely to Him. He’s speaking words of love this morning, and I want to respond: “All of me, Lord. Please take all of me.  Can’t you see I’m truly no good without You?”

It’s a beautiful morning and for most of us it’s a day that we don’t have to rush out and get busy right away. If you’re like me you may be lingering over a cup of coffee, savoring the quiet before the week-end rush of busy-ness.  Do you hear Him calling ever so quietly?

Oh beloved, it’s a love song you are hearing! A song from the One who is so in love with you! How do I know? Because He created you just for Himself!  Before the foundation of the world He knew you. He has a marvelous plan for your life – and it includes Him! Won’t you take a moment and settle in your heart once and for all that you’ve given yourself totally to Him? Let Him speak His love song into your life and watch as that love grows into dependence, confidence, commitment and more! He says this morning, “I love you! I have loved you always. I always will love you.  My desire is that you follow me with your whole heart so that I can keep you safe and close at My side.  My side – which was pierced for you! You are not truly mine until you are totally mine.  I am not truly yours until I AM totally your focus for your life. 

Run to the Word of Love this morning and read! He loves you, His plan for your life is being laid out as you read and His desire is for your holiness to be a result of the love that He has initiated. He not only makes things right, He adjusts those things that have been hurtful or unkind or unjust and works them altogether for His glory in you!  Just ask Him to take all of you and rejoice as He shows you the wonderful life of fulfillment He has just for you!

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

1 Peter 1:2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and is Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.

Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Psalm 63:3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!

Isaiah 49:15-16 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?  But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands.