No Government Shut Down with Jesus Ever!

 

Danny cousin and her husband have wanted to visit the Grand Canyon for many years. They left home Saturday to head that way in their motorhome.  This morning he sent out word that the Grand Canyon has been “shut down”. They will not be able to visit it, at least not today. 

Many places across the country will be shut down today. Non-essential employees are staying home, on furlough, without pay, until something gives. Beautiful parks all across our nation will stand idle while decisions are made regarding the fate of our economy.

The Grand Canyon and other magnificent national parks could be viewed without man’s help.  But they’ll remain closed to the public.  Travelers all across the nation are at the doorway of their destination, wondering what they are going to do. They’ve spent their time, money and energy to make the trip but they’re stopped in their tracks this morning.

God speaks to my heart:  While the national government has shut down site seeing, our Lord has opened to us a vast world of spiritual living that no man can shut down.  We are most blessed indeed that neither government, nor weather, nor enemies, nor troubles can shut God out of our lives. We have free access, not assisted by another person on earth. We can live in the light of His Word, walk in the light of His precepts and enjoy the beauty of His holiness every single day. If we have given our hearts to Jesus and accepted His gift of salvation, we have a lifetime pass to everything God has for us. Not only do we have an open road to blessings, we have an open road to obedience. God made a way for us, permanently as a child of God, to live for Jesus!

Maybe you are looking at the miserable circumstances of our government this morning. Look away from the troubles and trials and worry and fear and look to Jesus! He has a plan for redemption, a plan for regeneration, a plan for renewal and every plan is thought out with you in mind.  Whatever your needs, His response to those needs is ever ready and always available.  Although the earthly government has shut down access to many things, God has given you free access to all of His promises and given you free choice to live in the light of those promises. You may have barriers today to some earthly things, but your access is free to all of God through Christ.   

Oh beloved, God wants to remind you this morning:  Don’t walk in defeat today, but walk in My precepts.  Turn your heart away from the world and turn your heart to Me. Don’t look at the circumstances of this day but look to Me. I am your Sustainer, I will give you everything you really need no matter what things look like. Don’t look at the value of the world, but look to Me. I AM your source of value and I have redeemed you. You are worth more than mere diamonds, silver and gold to Me. Don’t walk after man’s promises, for they will all fail. But look to My Promises for each and every one is meant for you and available to you. Don’t walk in the light of the world for it will not make you happy, will not give you joy and ultimately won’t save you from life’s troubles. Look to Me for I AM your Savior, Your Protector, Your Provider and more.  I AM that I AM and your rest and hope is found solely in Me.

Run to His Word this morning and open it freely. Read of it thoroughly. Ask God to enlighten your heart and mind to take it all in. Then ask Him to teach you how to live it out and walk in the most beautiful territory ever seen – God’s will. He will always allow you to walk humbly with Him because He loves you and He calls you beloved.   Drop the worries, the fears, the troubles and the trials and grab His hand in renewed dedication and He will guide you all the rest of your days. Oh what a Savior, Oh what a King, Oh what Agape Love and care!

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Jeremiah 31:33 "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

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

Look Away From Your Troubles!

As we rode into town the other night there were 4 large deer crossing up ahead. It was hard to make out the animals except that their eyes were brightly shining in our headlights. They had stopped in the middle of the road staring straight our way. You could say they had that “deer caught in the headlights” look. As we got closer they picked up their pace and trotted into a friend’s yard. If they’d not gotten their eyes off of us, we’d have run over them. If they had panicked in confusion and run back into the highway it would have been a disaster. But they looked away from us and found refuge in the trees off the road.

I’ve had that look before. I’ve been stopped dead in my tracks and been caught so off guard by circumstances I was not expecting. Sad to say we can be totally mesmerized by problems, illness, heartbreak, anger, resentment, fear and more. We become frozen in time and blinded by it all. If we’re not careful we’ll be run over by the incident that was merely a passing situation. But because we were caught in the blinding light it can cause us to become victims.

Maybe you’ve got that look right now. There are so many things that can cause us to slip into depression, despair and pain. You’ve gotten a bad report and that’s all you can focus on. You’ve heard sorrowful news about someone you love and you’re done in. You think God has left you, people have left you and love has left, so you just want to lower your head and let life run you in the ground. I know it’s hard, I know it’s almost unbearable. I also know the Lord. And His promises are higher than your lowest moment, brighter than the darkest hour and safer than the oncoming troubles.

Oh beloved, Look away! Look away from the troubles that have you caught square in their path. Look instead to the Lord! That’s His hand motioning you to come to Him. That’s His Spirit that is wooing you to listen. That is His safety that is calling you to forget what you’ve been staring at and look into His Wonderful Face! He will either take you out of the situation altogether or stand in the gap for you through it all.  He can be trusted! He can be believed! He is more than a Savior, He’s your friend! Because He loves you like no other, He can be trusted more than circumstances, people, places or things! Hallelujah! What a Lord!

Psalm 59:17 O my Strength, to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

Psalm 123:2 We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.

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.

Psalm 34:19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Micah 7:7 As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me

Step into God's Presence and Enjoy His Love

With one daughter living right across the street, I get to say bye to Blake every morning before he heads to school.  Yesterday morning as I was watching for him to get in the truck with his dad, I saw a jeep driving by and slowing down. It dawned on me that it was my son! I got choked up because I hadn’t seen him in a quite a few days and we hadn’t had a chance to talk either. I just whispered to myself, “My son, my son”. He came in for just a moment with his buddy and I got a really good hug! Although it was only a quick visit, I was thankful for that little bit of time to see him in person.  I love my kids a lot, so seeing any one of them even for a bit is good to my heart.  I have high hopes and great desires for my adult children, but I love them just the way they are – unconditionally. I would never withhold my love from them even if I didn’t see them for long spells.  They are my children. 

As he and his buddy drove away, I thought to myself, is that how the Lord feels? When His kids spend weeks doing their own thing or being busy with life.  Then to take a moment to open His Word and feast at His table.  Does He get excited to fellowship with his children? You bet He does! He loves His “kids” more than I love my own and that’s something. 

I also wonder at how refreshed I feel when I step into the presence the One Who loves me unconditionally. When I take time to talk with the Lord, and get His perspective on my life and feel His loving and tender care surround me.  

I know how busy life can get, I know how the bills must be paid and the jobs have to get done. I know that it’s easy to fall into worry, fear, guilt, and more. We find ourselves worn out, done in and feeling low. We wonder how we got this way and so we down an energy drink or a power bar and try to hurry on.

Oh beloved, won’t you stop for a moment and bask in the presence of the One Who not only loves you completely and with no hesitation, but cares for you eternally - more than His own life? He went to the cross for you, He descended into the grave for you, He rolled the stone away for you and He’s coming again for you!  Step into His Word and feel His arms around you as the cares of this world melt away in the light of His glory and grace!

Psalm 123:1-2 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.  We keep looking to the Lord our God for His mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

Micah 7:7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Psalm 37:7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

So Many Choices! Your Delight is in the Lord!

While at Bikes Blues and BBQ we discovered a new love! It’s a magnificent yogurt place! You walk in and find fountain after fountain of flavors in the wall, all lined up.  Grab a paper cup and begin creating your concoction. After you have picked all the flavors you might want, you head towards the checkout where you will find add-ons galore! From Flavor buds to candy pieces to bites of other confectionary, it’s amazing! Of course at the checkout, if you’re not careful, as we were NOT, it might cost you $12.00 for two small containers of the amazing elixir.

Life is a lot like walking into an ice cream store - so much to choose from, so many ways to go and so many combinations to life. If we’re not careful we will over spend for that which does not satisfy. We consume all our hearts’ desire and then can still be left only with an empty pocketbook and an empty heart.  Although it seemed so good at the time, it may not have been what we wanted at all.

Oh beloved, are you wondering where your life has gone? Are you reeling from all the choices you made without consulting the One Who gave you life? There’s still time to look to the Lord. He says to you today, I love you! And because I love you I have a plan for your life. And because I have a plan for your life I will guide you and direct you the best way. If you will trust Me and give the everyday things to Me, I can make a beautiful creation out of it all.   Your life covered by My Spirit will always be worth the cost of letting Me lead you, for you will always end up where you need to be, making right choices, living right living and returning the love I have for you.

Go ahead and step into the store of His treasures – The Word of God! Nothing is held back from you beloved! Nothing is too expensive for you to procure for it is free to the one who seeks, free to the one who asks. God loves you and because of that He loves you give you every good and perfect gift! He’s for you and because of that He will watch over you all the days of your life. Now that’s something to live for!

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

Isaiah 55:1-3 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?  Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.  “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

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.

Psalm 27:4  The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 103:5  He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

 

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

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