Our Times Are in God's Hand

Three years ago today I was in a very different place. I was sitting in a hospital prayerfully waiting for the arrival of a preemie granddaughter. Very premature, we were all praying and holding our breath. It was a very emotional time for all of us. Time stood still as we juggled grandchildren, ministry, friendships and more.

As I was in the waiting room while my daughter was giving birth, I got a call on my cell phone. It was that daughter telling me we had a baby girl, Stella. She was alive but so incredibly tiny. In the natural it didn’t look good. No one would believe a 24 week baby would ever make it. But she did. More than make it, she is now a rootin’ tootin’ handful of love. Three years old, the only remains of her life in the NICU are pictures that astound us more now than they did then. Three years ago we couldn’t even imagine a three year old. Today we are living in the light of what God can do.

Stella has taught me a lot about life and about God.

There are things that happen we can do nothing about. There are things going on that will only be a dim memory one day. There is God who is right in the middle of it all helping us to grow in faith and in Christlikeness. We may not like our present situation, but even in the pain we can grow in grace and knowledge of God. There are times when we are in situations that seem impossible – these are the times we hold onto God the most. He is able.

God speaks to our hearts – to mine and to yours as well. What you are presently in is not where you are going. I AM the God who goes before you. I AM the one who has a plan for your life. I AM the overseer of your destiny. Neither your troubles nor your heartaches – though they be many – I AM greater than this present moment, as fragile as it all may appear. I will take you beyond this day and one day you will look back and see how Great I AM and how special you are to Me. Don’t look back to the former days, but look forward to the future days. Former days are gone – present days may seem shaky – but your future has My Name written all over it. I AM fully aware of every dire circumstance and every fragile moment – but I AM the Lord who watches over you all the days of your life.

Oh beloved, whatever it is God is calling you to it will happen. Whatever you are going through is not forever. God can do exceedingly abundantly beyond all you ever ask or think. Don’t worry if it takes 3 minutes, 3 days, 3 months or 3 years. Your time is in God’s hands. He loves you and He’s for you and that’s what will make your life shine with His glory and cause others to want to live in that same light.

“Lord, I give my life fresh and new to You. I humbly submit every single day and every single situation into Your loving, all knowing hands. It is so good to know that You will take me from the natural and into the supernatural as I trust You. Thank You for being Greater than all my problems and Lord over all my life. Teach me more about You Lord. In Jesus’ Name”

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. NLT

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

Psalm 31:50 My times are in Your hand… NAS

Psalm 139:16-17 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

God Wants to Speak Into Your Life

We were playing with grandkids last night and turned on a little praise music. They started dancing and having a blessed time. Our 6 year old was really into it. In a few minutes he came up to me and said, “This is where, if I was at church, I would pray”. So precious. I told him that we can pray anywhere, anytime. He looked at me and then danced off to the stairway where he knelt on the stairs. I could see him out of the corner of my eye. In a moment, he danced by and said, “I prayed”. I know he was emulating things he’d seen at church and there’s nothing wrong with that. He’s so intuitive.

Aren’t we like that at times? We think we have to be in church to do spiritual things. We save prayer for the service. We find ourselves preoccupied with life during the week We get busy and we just forget. Sunday comes around. Just as when my own children were little and we had to spend many Sunday mornings finding the Sunday shoes, we get busy finding our way to God. The problem is He’s been with us all the time. I wonder, does He walk around hoping we’ll notice Him like our kids and grandkids do us when we get sidetracked?

God speaks to my heart: Precious one, my name is I AM and I am with you right now. I have observed your life and am intimately acquainted with all your plans, your distractions, your hopes, your fears and your joys and tears. I am a present tense God – you don’t have to wait to talk to Me or praise Me or give Me your heart. That still small voice you have been hearing is Me. I am always calling to you to rest in My promises, delight in My precepts and hem your day in Me. I know things can be hard and juggling all that you do makes for busy days and late nights. But I AM. If you will give Me time right now, I will multiply your time for you so that you can prioritize the things that must get done and leave behind the things that don’t need attention. I created light and dark, time and space, so I AM able to manage everything in the universe and beyond. I AM able to help you through it all. When you wait to visit with Me until Sunday you simply rob yourself of the best. Bring Me your troubles today and by Sunday I will lift your spirits so that you can praise Me and live for Me every day of the week.

Oh beloved, Jesus loves you! He not only gave His life for you, He is making intercession – praying for you – always – at the Father’s throne in heaven. There is much you need to know about life – about your life – and there is much He needs to hear from you. This wondrous love that God has for you in Christ is enough to give Him charge over every single day, over your day to day life. Time spent with God divides sorrows and multiplies blessings. There is nothing too small to ask Him for help. There is nothing too big that He cannot move. He gives rest to you when you are weary and faith to you when you are unsure of decisions that must be made. His ways are best. Today is your best day to seek His face, read His Word and live in the light of His glory and grace.

This love God has for you is like no other. His care for you is beyond belief. Go ahead and share your life with Him. Give Him your day today and talk to Him about everything. You’ll be amazed at how your burdens will lighten and your day will go better. His plans for your life include Him and it begins today and you can rejoice in Him always!

Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Isaiah 25:1 O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.

Matthew 6:32-33 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. NLT

Psalm 63:6-8 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

No Panic in Heaven Even When You Feel Stuck

Our youngest granddaughter Stella does not like her car seat.  She’s a bit of a Houdini and can wriggle herself out of anything less than a fully buckled in contraption.  Given a long enough ride in the car and she will begin to maneuver to get loose. “I stuck!” she will declare quite loudly. Lots of noise is made as well. Grunting, groaning and more declarations of her situation. It’s cute to us but she’s serious in that once she’s had enough we all know she’s had enough. She has no problem expressing herself, especially when she’s “stuck”.  Same thing happens when she’s trying to dislodge a toy from the toy box. “Stuck!” she loudly proclaims until she manages to pull the right toy loose from the pile inside the box.  Relief comes when Stella is freed from being “stuck”. Sometimes the situation gets so desperate for her that you can hear panic rising in her voice. “S T U C K!” Someone generally tries to come to her aide in those situations, either by calming her down or by helping her get the toy released. If you know anything about Stella’s story you know she has plenty of help – nobody lets her fret for long!

I think about times in my own life when I have felt “stuck”.  You know the times.  When we feel bound by life’s situations and circumstances we are like Stella – we begin to lament, often loudly, “I’m stuck!” We’re strapped in and feel like we’re in the longest, roughest ride of our lives. It’s hard to feel anything but the pressure of the straps of life. We can’t do the driving, we can’t choose the road, we can’t take a deep breath. We cannot get relief and we don’t know if relief will ever come. Are we destined to live stuck? Are we never going to get out of the situation and walk away?

Other times we are trying to get hold of things we want. They don’t seem to want to dislodge so we can take possession of them. We groan and struggle and huff and puff. Still that thing we think we must have is stuck. We continue to work and plan and beg and plead – just because we want it. Maybe we’ve been told we could have it so we’re trying to make it happen. Frustration, consternation, impatience and fury come to our assistance but they are no help at all.  Will we ever take hold of it? Will that prize ever come from beneath the pile holding it down so we can possess it? We find ourselves in a panic and that just makes things worse.

God speaks to my heart: My precious child. There is no panic in heaven. When you are stuck in the situation you don’t like and you are fretting and pleading and trying to force your way out, I am there. Nothing that comes into your life causes panic in the Kingdom. While you may be surprised at the sudden trap of trouble, trial or testing, I cannot be caught by surprise. While you are in a panic I am fulfilling My purpose in you. It is a teachable moment for you as you learn to let panic go and allow My peace to enter in.  In due time I will loosen the hold of the momentary light afflictions you are going through and you will feel free again. Don’t try to make things happen on your own – you’ll just stay frustrated. Relax your hold on even those things that are promises you have received. In due season you will reap everything I have for you. In time, the thing that seems so elusive, the promise that hasn’t come forth will be released to you.  You can trust Me in the meantime and relax for it is peace that will guard your heart and your mind so that you can quit being frustrated. I AM that I AM. No panic, just peace. No fuming, just faith. Look to Me when you feel you can’t go another moment and I will carry you through to the better day. I am loosening the hold life has on you little by little. Although it’s imperceptible to you, one day you will see just how truly free you really are in Me.

Oh beloved, replace that frown with praise! God is with you in your situation. God is working it all out for your good and His glory. God is changing things for you so that you will learn to walk free in Him, no matter what happens.  He loves you and He’s for you so you can rest in His promises for the rest of your life, free as a believer in Christ! Ultimately His goal is that you become more and more like Him. Relax, rejoice and remain – abide in Him and watch as He turns things around just for you.

I Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Having Trouble Keeping Your Eyes on the Lord?

 

Chameleons are one of the most interesting creatures God ever created. Most recognized for their ability to change colors depending on their surroundings, it’s amazing how they can go from deep green when on leaves to mottled brown when they’re on limbs or on the ground.

But the most fascinating thing to me about chameleons is their eyes. They can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects simultaneously; their eyes move independently from each other. They can focus on two entirely different things at one time. This would probably be really helpful if they were looking for food and watching for predators.

God created humankind to have eyes that focus together. For us to have to look in two different directions would be hard, even chaotic. Our minds would continually try to decide what we were going to concentrate on.

God speaks to my heart. In order for us to focus on God we must keep our eyes on God. We cannot afford to look in two different directions. But truth be told, often we do just that. We look to the Lord for answers, but we are also looking at our problems, our troubles, our hurts, our fears and more. We have divided eyesight, which causes a divided heart. And a divided heart causes our faith to falter.

Have you been struggling with your vision? Have you tried to focus on the truth and at the same time keep looking to the problem? Have you tried walking in truth and yet you want to fix the problem yourself? Are you dizzy from the chaos of a divided heart and mind? For that which you focus on is where your heart and mind surely are. God’s Word says you will get through it, go beyond it or grow in it. But your eyes keep straying to the problem at hand.

Oh beloved, do you hear God whispering His love songs into your ear? He says to you this morning, beloved, look to Me. I AM the Lord. There is no other. I AM with you in your circumstances and I AM here to take you out of the chaos and mess and into My heart. In My heart there is peace in the midst of the storm, water in the midst of the drought, and warmth in the midst of the cold harsh realities of life. If you will put your eyes on Me, I will take you beyond the mundane to the magnificent. I will show you My abundance for you in your lack. I will give you My strength instead of your weakness.

Look to the Lord, concentrate on Him, give every situation to Him. When you focus solely on Him, not only do the problems get solved, you will experience His peace and joy.

God loves you, beloved, and He’s for you and that’s what really matters every day of your life.

Psalm 123:1 I lift my eyes to You, O God, enthroned in heaven.

Psalm 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He is gracious to us.

2 Samuel 22:31 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.

Jeremiah 32:27 I AM the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

Out on a Ledge?

I’ve never stood on a ledge of a tall building. You’re not likely to ever see me there. But there are plenty of movies, old and new, that showcase the hero on the ledge. The wind is whipping his clothes and the police are usually below, “Don’t jump!” they holler. Others are trying to get up to the roof of the building to grab the victim before he can fall to his death.

There’s often someone who has the credentials to attempt to talk the victim down. The hope is to get him to climb off the ledge to the roof or into the window to safety.

He’s a victim because he believes there’s no other way to get notice, to be heard or to prove His point. He’s been run up a tree like a cat and he’s ready to lose it all. He probably feels that he has lost it already. Talking the victim down makes for success- he’s saved, they’re relieved and the story ends on a good note.

Ever feel like you’re out on the ledge? Life is tough. Things are not going well. Nobody’s listening. Nobody cares. You’ve tried to work through it, meditate on it, look past it and make yourself forget. But the troubles, the trials, the situations of life keep coming. People disappoint you, jobs don’t last, health fails, love wanes, bills increase. Answers don’t come. Help doesn’t come. And now you’re out on a ledge and you don’t know what to do. Friends can talk to you but they don’t know what you’re feeling. The bank can give you a loan, but you don’t get permanent relief. Doctors know what they’re doing, but no promises are written in stone. It’s tough, it’s rough and it’s just about to the point where it’s not worth it.

But in steps One Who has the credentials. The One Who breathed the stars and set the planets in orbit is stepping into the scene. The Lord Jesus Himself is there. Everything changes when He steps into the situation, when He walks on the water of your situation.  For He has been sent on assignment just for you.

What you and I cannot hope to do, beloved, He can do. He won’t talk you down, but He will talk you through. And that’s amazing. Because He’s an amazing God, He enters into every problem, every trial, every hurt, every fear and calms the raging storm.  

Listen beloved, I know you are in the storm of your life. The diagnosis, the prognosis, the bank account, the rejection letter, the impossible are all whipping around you as you stand on the ledge. I know it’s hard and I know it’s scary. But I also know the Savior and He is able to take every single thing that’s going on in your life and talk you through it. He’ll not only talk you through it, He’s coming out on the ledge with you to walk you through it.

Oh beloved, whatever it is this morning that has taken your breath away or knocked the wind from your sails, run to the Father of Lights, for there’s no shadow or shifting with Him. He changes not, His compassions fail not. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. Your life may feel like shifting sand, your heart may be in the shadows of fear or regret or uselessness, but God never changes.

He will take your situation and take you by the hand and walk you through the darkness and back into the light. All the while He will talk to you in love songs of devotion and tender, loving care. He will get you through this and your feet will again be on solid ground. Why? Because He is God, He is Abba Father, He is I AM and He is love. Trust Him today and walk securely in His presence and listen to His voice for it is always calming, peaceful and True. Oh how He loves you, oh how He cares and that’s the solid ground of your life all the way to eternity.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Mark 4:39 When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

 

Do You Know Him as Your Beloved Lord?

Danny and I are pretty busy. Many times we are going in different directions to get everything done. After all these years I know what he thinks and how he feels about things so I can anticipate his needs to a great extent. If we’re going on a trip I know what he likes to carry so I pack things for him. He knows me as well. He knows I like to carry too much stuff so he anticipates needing more room.

We didn’t know each other so well in the beginning. But we loved each other so we studied one another to find out how to please each other not just ourselves. I assumed I knew how to cook but you know I had to really learn how to make a meal taste good. I had to find out that we didn’t always like the same food. Although I knew Danny, I found out so much more about him when we got married and we shared everything together. We surprised each other about some things, we adjusted other things and together we learned to know another better. We found that dating was great, but being married was wonderful. I found that to know Danny was to love him and I’ve always been blessed with the trust in his faithfulness, loyalty and truth.

People think they know God. You hear all kinds of things about Him. I grew up seeing Him as a benevolent old man who could get you if you crossed Him. My father called Him the “old man upstairs” so I had that picture of Him as well. But I kept thinking He was with me and watched over me. I called on Him often for help and for security. Others think of God as a distant aloof being. Yes, God created the world or something, but He pretty much leaves us alone to do our own thing. Some people fear God, others disdain Him. Some live with incredible guilt regarding Him and others blame Him for everything. He seemed nice to me, but I just didn’t know much about Him.

When we are born again, we begin a covenant relationship with the Lord. Kind of like a marriage. We begin to live with the Lord – He comes to make His home in our hearts. Unlike human marriage, which can have a rocky start as people don’t know much about one another, this union is perfect because God Himself laid it all out for us. The Bible is our marriage manual. Through it we can learn everything we need to know about the Lord God, about Jesus and about the Holy Spirit.

There is an enemy to this marriage and his name is Satan. He doesn’t want you and I to know about God. He will do everything He can to keep us from reading the Word, learning about God and living in the light of all that’s contained within those most beautiful pages. 

 

God’s desire is full disclosure – He shows us everything we need for life and godliness. Satan’s desire is to keep us in the dark, so that we don’t trust the Lord. And if we don’t trust Him we’ll find the relationship of our faith weak and distant.

The One who placed the stars and planets in orbit, the One who gave the earth its axis and set it securely in the heavens is the same One who loves you deeply and provides all your needs. He wants you to know everything about Himself, including His never ending love! God knows that if you get to know Him you will love him more. The more you read about Him the more you will learn to trust Him. The more you trust Him the more you will let Him be your leader, your guide and your friend. Every single word of love and care was written with you in mind.

Oh beloved, run to the Book of Love this morning and read about your relationship with the Lord Himself. This amazing love relationship He desires for you is beyond belief! He loves to bless you with every spiritual blessing as you reach out to know Him better. He loves you eternally – the great I AM – and He is for you always to save you, to keep you, to deliver you and to take you home with Him. Now that’s worth loving Him, knowing Him and trusting Him forever.

Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (God’s) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Deuteronomy 33:3 Indeed, He loves the people; All Your holy ones are in Your hand, And they followed in Your steps; Everyone receives of Your words.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 31:14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”

Need Directions? Follow Christ!

Back in the early 70’s my dad often went to the VA hospital in Little Rock. It was the old one on Roosevelt Rd.  One time I took my friend Teri with me. We were barely 16. We dropped my dad off at the hospital for a checkup and proceeded to go downtown to window shop.  We even went into a wedding shop and tried on wedding gowns! I laugh about that now, what nutty things we did.  Mostly harmless, but loads of fun!

The problem with going downtown was the one way streets.  We didn’t really know what we were doing and I was driving. I found myself going the wrong way! Thankfully there wasn’t a lot of oncoming traffic! One man rolled down his window as he met me and warned me.  We got back in the right direction and drove on. It was a close call.

Throughout the years I’ve had plenty of times to discover I was going the wrong way.  Being young you just think you can do it all, have it all and make life conform to your way. Driving a car into oncoming traffic can cause a serious accident. So can going your own way headlong into life.

I traveled my own road for quite a while. It was all about me and it was lined with great ideas and lots of wants. One day I met Someone who told me I was going the wrong way. Jesus loved me enough to roll down His window from heaven and show me the way.  He didn’t just holler at me and say “you idiot!” or “you’re gonna be sorry!”  No, He stopped and got out of His vehicle and waved me down with a banner of love. He left the splendor of His home and went out on the road of life looking for me!  He kept on looking until He found me, then He called me and now He guides me. Occasionally, I might get my direction mixed up and again He will correct me and get me turned around and headed in the right direction. 

While there are many roads that lead to many different places, there is only one road that leads to life. That road is a one way road.  For life and that more abundantly, you have to get on His Road and travel by His guidance. There will be dangers, toils and snares along the way. The road is not always pretty, doesn’t always go smoothly and can travel through dark areas. But this Road will lead to everlasting life in Heaven with Him. 

Not only will He keep you going in the right direction, He will use you to point others to the Way. He will use you to speak His Truth IN LOVE, so that they can go the right way too!

Oh beloved, have you heard the sound of the Lord calling you? Are you headed in the right direction? If you’ve put your trust in Him, then you can let Him turn you around when needed and adjust your life so that light shines ahead in the darkest of nights. He may tell you to turn around, but He always speaks with love. He may ask you to travel with Him, away from all that is familiar, but He will always be with you. His love is His vehicle to call you, to save you, to keep you, to guide you and to get you safely home. And that’s all that really matters.

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

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

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). Amplified

Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

Don't Feel LIke Singing? Then Rejoice in Him!

Some of our past Christmas photos aren’t so hot. LOL! Old cameras or film left in a drawer for too long make for foggy results. Sometimes the kiddos wouldn’t stay still so we’ve got phantoms running through the picture! We were celebrating and having the best time, but you wouldn’t know it by the photos.  Then there are the shots with heads cut off, the missing person picture shots and the not so flattering results! The photos may look chaotic even when the actual event was serene and wonderful!  The view from our eyes may be beautiful, colorful and rich, but cameras don’t always return what we see with our hearts. Yet photos will continue to be taken so that we can somehow capture the few great moments of love and laughter! These photos serve as memories of the celebration we had!

Our hearts take snapshots as well. Most of the time our memory shots are wonderful! Parents laughing with each other, husbands sneaking bites of specialty cooked delicacies, children sneaking candy canes off the tree. Looking through our hearts’ picture album may bring more precious memories of cousins and Santa and presents and more.

For some though, the images aren’t so great. This year may be a time of mourning for recent loss or a time of sorrow because of current discord. Things don’t always go well in families. People don’t always behave and not everyone is sweetness and light. Troubles abound, even at Christmas, even during celebrations. Spouses walk away, loved ones go to heaven and children don’t act like “their raising”!

Our photos may indeed reveal that our lives can be a lot like a shabby chic Christmas! Lots of things going on, lots of different textures and styles all jumbled together.  If you only look through the lens of the camera you may find more shabby than chic.

All things in my life aren’t like I want them and I bet it’s the same with you.  I’m going to celebrate anyway! I’ll celebrate the joys because they are gifts from God. I’ll celebrate in spite of the hurts because they are stepping stones to stronger faith! I’ll celebrate regardless of the disappointments because they are the path to His appointments! I’ll celebrate even in my loss because I count it all loss to gain Christ! 

Oh beloved, do you hear the sounds of rejoicing in the background of your life? It’s Father God and His Heavenly Host rejoicing and celebrating! They are rejoicing in you! They are celebrating your life! For you are an overcomer, you are victorious, you are the joy of Almighty God’s heart! Celebrate with the Lord Himself for He says to you this morning “Look up! It’s time to rejoice in Me. I AM your celebration, I AM your cause for singing, I AM your reason for living.  I have loved you forever and My plans for you are to celebrate all that you are In Me.  Look at My Photo Album, the Word of God, and see how I feel about you, see how I plan good things for you and see how I can take all the smiles, the tears, the laughter and the mourning and put it altogether for your good and My Glory! I AM your answer to today’s problems, I AM your reason for bright hopes for tomorrow. Only Trust Me – for I AM your God and there is none like Me. I Love you and I AM on your side always, from Christmas to the end of the age.

Psalm 135:3  Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; celebrate His lovely name with music.

1 Chronicles 16:10  Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD.

Psalm 33:21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.

Psalm 68:3  But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.

Isaiah 29:19  The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Habakkuk 3:18  yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Romans 12:12  Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Philippians 4:4  Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Got Burdens? Let Jesus Lift Them From You!

My friend Kathy raises donkeys. They are magnificent! I know you’re thinking, donkeys? Magnificent? But these are no ordinary donkeys. They have special papers and names. They are a breed fit for the show ring. Most donkeys are considered mere beasts of burden. From old cowboy movies to modern day pack rides, you see donkeys everywhere. I will tell you I didn’t know that donkeys could be so beautiful and do so much!

When we come to Jesus we are mere beasts of burden. We carry such a weight on us. All of our sins, mistakes, hurts, pains, troubles, trials, disappointments, discouragements. It’s heavy and we can barely walk. The Lord Himself takes our burdens from us! We are free to be His creation, fit for Him to show His glorious praises! Sometimes we come to church looking for freedom and we find more burdens – religion, duties, condemnation and more. But Jesus never gives us more burdens! He loves us so much that He frees us to come and go from His pleasant pastures. As we lean on Him He removes our burdens ever so delicately.

Oh beloved, today is the day you can let God release your burdens for you. He says to you today, I AM the one who has taken your burdens all the way to Calvary and beyond. I AM your burden bearer. I AM your load lightener. If you will just give me your burdens, hand them over to me, I AM able to make you a magnificent example of my love and care! I will always take perfect care of you, I will always display My love for you and I will openly bless you with all the good things that are found in Me.  

Run to His Word and see this morning! See what He says about you! You may feel ordinary, but you are extraordinary as you read His Word and see your papers – His Word tells you everything you need to know about the pedigree of your spiritual lineage. You are loved and you are cared for and you are free to be all that you were ever meant to be! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters!

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.

Psalm 146:8  The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly.

Ephesians 6:10 For we are God’s masterpiece…

Genesis 49:25  May the God of your father help you; may the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, and blessings of the watery depths below, and blessings of the breasts and womb.

Psalm 16:5  LORD, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

Dangers Abound! But God is Greater!

A rattlesnake, 2 tarantulas and a scorpion have been found in areas across the CMA Campground. Our little Caleb picked up a stick by our campsite and got stung by a wasp. Sounds like a dangerous place to be! There are hidden dangers as well – old stump holes, piles of leaves, potholes and more.

If we concentrated on the dangers we’d just pick up camp and go home. Why take the chance? Go find a safe place and hide out there. The only problem with this thinking is the same risks are found at home. All I have to do is look around and see: spiders in the corners, wasps on the eaves and snakes in the grass. I can spend all my time looking for these and more. No matter what I do, dangers still abound.

Oh beloved, what are you concentrating on? If you concentrate only on troubles and seek to avoid them, you will be frustrated and sleepless. But if you will look to the Lord and seek His face these barriers will no longer seem so big. Rather, God will increase your faith and make your way less fraught with concern. He says to you this morning Turn your eyes on Me. Yes,there are dangers lurking everywhere but I AM over all and I AM your source of safety for all your spiritual, emotional and physical life. I AM the One who sets your feet upon the Rock and gives you sure footing throughout your life so that you can live for Me free of the fears that keep others from moving on to higher things. Your heart and your soul belong to Me so let Me teach you how to be fearless and overcome!

Run to His Word today and read for it is the Ultimate Safety Manual! God loves you perfectly and watches over you continually. His plan for you is magnificent as you turn your eyes away from worldly cares and look full in His Wonderful Face!

2 Samuel 22:3  my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.

Job 11:18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.

Psalm 16:9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Ezekiel 34:31 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”

Mirror Mirror - Reflecting His Glory!

They’ve remade Snow White into a full length feature film. It’s just a little different from the original animated movie of the 30’s. The phrase, “Mirror, mirror on the wall…” comes to mind as the story revolves around the issues with Snow White's vain and wicked stepmother, the Queen, who feared that one day Snow White's beauty would surpass her own. Each day, the Queen consulted her magic mirror asking, "Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?" As long as the Mirror answered, "You are the fairest one of all", Snow White was safe from her stepmother's cruel jealousy.   Every day the spirit says that the Queen is the fairest, and she is content, until the mirror informs her that Snow White has finally become the fairest in the land. Then the trouble really begins as the wicked hearted Queen begins to formulate plans for Snow White’s demise.  The Queen is hard hearted, jealous and self-centered. 

It is in the looking to ourselves for our worth that we find trouble. Just as the Queen consulted the mirror on the wall for her needs, we too may look in the mirror to see if we’re good enough, the best, most important. If we don’t deal with those issues, we may become obsessed with ourselves, absorbed with our own positions, and begin to see others as a rivalry.  The only way to deal with jealousy and selfish ambition is to look into the mirror of God’s Word as hear Him say “I AM the fairest of them all”.

Oh beloved, what do you see in the mirror? Your shortcomings, your problems, your ambitions?  Maybe there’s one who has given your heart such problems and you just want to walk away. Look again! See the mirror of His Word as He speaks life into your heart. He says to you this morning Look to Me for your worth! Look into the Mirror of my Word and see it’s all about My love for you and My plans for your life.  You are unique and no other can take your place, but all are welcome at My Table. Walk closely with Me and learn My ways so that you can begin to reflect Me not only in the mirror but in your life. Trust Me to work out issues in your life.  I love you more than you can imagine and I have a marvelous plan for you!

Just as Snow White triumphed in her innate goodness, so too we, who live according to His Word and for His glory will walk in triumph! God bless you as you seek to reflect Him Alone!

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

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

Psalm 119:5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees!

Colossians 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.