God is in the Intensive Care Business

Having spent the past few days in and around the ICU ward of a hospital, I can tell you more about the ins and outs of the ward now that we’ve experienced it.  I can also tell you that folks who are patients in these wards are from all kinds of backgrounds and have varying problems. I can tell you that not one single person had plans to be a patient or a visitor there. And I can tell you that each person is loved by someone. Each person looks completely different and yet they hold these basics in common.

As we walked out of the ward last night, after visiting my brother, who is a patient there, I was ecstatic.  We have faced a dire situation requiring brain surgery and the outcome has been fantastic. After talking for several days about the sickness and knowing how we all felt so helpless and a bit fearful, we are now laughing and thanking God for His blessings of returned health.

While my brother is recovering and will move to a regular room sometime today, I am reminded that God is in the intensive care business.

God wants you to know that He is with you no matter where you are. You are never beyond His reach and never beneath His loving care. He is the Lord of the good times of robust health and He is the God of the hard time, when health is failing or sudden, unexpected times arise. He never leaves His position of Authority and Care. He’s never caught by surprise with the things that want to derail us.  He intensely watches over all of us as the Great Physician and the King of the Universe. When someone asks who my brother’s doctor is, I can tell them his name. But really my brother’s ultimate source of love and care is God Himself. The One who put the stars in orbit and the planets on their rotating cycle is the One who presided over the surgery suite as delicate brain surgery was performed. He is the Same God who oversees the healing of one and the home going of another.

Oh beloved, do you know about the intensive care you receive from the Lord? Do you know how much He loves you? He loves who you are right now. He never says “I love who you will be” or “I will love you when…” but He loves you exactly where you are.  He watches every step you make, and He knows everything that has happened to you. He was with you at birth, He is with you now and He will be with you forever. When you give your heart to Jesus, and allow Him to be the Lord of your life, the Intensive Care is out of this world. You have no guilt about your past, no cares about your present and no fear about your future. It is all in His Loving care and all presided over by His loving hands. No surgeon’s hand is so steady as our God’s hands in all situations of life. He wants you to know that while your situation caught you completely by surprise, He did not arrive on the scene breathless and unprepared. No, beloved, He is always present, all knowing, completely prepared and more than able.

You are in the hands of God and He is worthy to receive your trust. He loves you beyond your wildest imagination and He will always watch over you, guide you, protect you and keep you safe. And when your time on earth is done, He will be there to welcome you into His loving presence forever. Trust Him today, pray for all its worth and be thankful in all circumstances for He Alone is worthy. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s the most intensive care you will ever have all the days of your life.

Psalm 16:8-9  I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts His praises! My body rests in safety.

Psalm 121:1-2, 8 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. NAS

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Where Are You Trying to Find Rest?

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks.  She went for a long walk in the forest.  Pretty soon, she came upon a house.  She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in. After a while she went upstairs to find somewhere to rest. The Papa Bear’s bed was too hard. The Mama Bear’s bed was too soft. But Baby Bear’s bed was just right and she fell fast asleep. When the bears returned they found that someone had eaten their porridge, sat in their chairs and Baby Bear found Goldilocks sleeping in his bed. She was startled and ran out of the house, never to return again.

Such a nice little story of a little girl finding sustenance, comfort and rest in the woods when she really didn’t know what to do or where to go.  But even after she had found the three things that every human being needs and desires, she was still not at home.  She wasn’t one of the bears. She was different. Ultimate rest, eternal comfort and genuine sustenance couldn’t really come from the temporary place she had found.

Life is a lot like a trip into the forest. We don’t know for sure where we are going, what we will encounter or when we will get out. But all along the way we try to find tangible things to hang onto.  We are ever searching for the things that will make us comfortable – we want to feel cozy, relaxed and find relief.  We also want to know that all our needs will be met – provisions, nourishment and necessities of life are our desire. And along with the other needs we as humans have, we want to find rest – that place where we can let down our guard and take a breather from life’s surprises and disturbances.

Just as Goldilocks found that she wasn’t really at home in the Bears’ cabin, we too find that, even when we think we have found just what we wanted, it isn’t really home for us.  Unlike Goldilocks, who left the cabin and found her way home, we often run to the next stop and try again to find our source for all we need in people, places and things.  We too are strangers, aliens in a world that isn’t meant for us. We have a home and it’s beyond this world. As we learn more about our purpose in life, we find that we fit here less and less.  God wants to meet our needs and will, but fortunately for us His desire is that we find them all first and foremost in Christ. Everything we need is promised, along with somewhere to call our real home in heaven one day. We are most blessed, but at times it’s hard because the things of this world don’t really work for us.

Oh beloved, have you been upset because temporary things aren’t bringing permanent satisfaction? Don’t let it upset you – for God is your source for everything! God will give you people to love, plans to fulfill and life to live. He just doesn’t intend for you to find ultimate comfort, rest and nourishment in anyone or anything over Him.  He wants to have first place because it is there that you will learn to be like Him. He will hide your soul in the cleft of the Rock. He will give you a place of quiet rest in His heart. He will lead you beside still waters as only He can restore your soul.  When things are hard, He will cover you with His protective love.  When you don’t know which way to go, He will guide you. Don’t trust in your senses for they can lead you away from God’s purpose. Christ came to free you from the burden of sin it is true. But He released you also from having to make your own way. In Christ there is such freedom to live loved. In Christ the chains that bind you to continually wander have been removed. You can rest in God’s promises, live in Christ’s redemption and walk in Holy Spirit power always.

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can trust Him to watch over you, guide you and direct you all the days of your life. And when this life is over you will have a place of ultimate rest as you dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 62:1  My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. (New International Version)

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

I 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.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.

Isaiah 58:11 And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

You Are Created to do what only You Can Do

As Danny left early one morning for work I noticed a small brown smudge on the storm door.  As we prayed for one another at the door and he walked out he turned and bent down to inspect the smudge.  Turns out it was a little snail! An amazing little creature of God’s earth climbing on the clear glass. He was not afraid nor was he stopping.  He was a living animal, created by God’s pleasure to do what only a snail can do.

We are a lot like that little snail. At times other people we encounter seem only like a smudge. We give little thought to them or their lives. They seem so small to us, so insignificant, so useless. At times we appear as only a smudge. I mean really, we feel useless don’t we? We see ourselves as little slugs with a shell we can recoil into when life gets rough and we tend to recoil a lot. Sometimes people pronounce us as slugs. We are useless to them. We have become just a smudge on their horizon and in their view we are in the way. We may be flicked away like so much dirt.  We may have flicked others away like such a nuisance.

God speaks to my heart:  Things will happen. Little dots of trouble, trials, nuisances will show up in your view along the way. It is only upon closer inspection that you will find My purpose in that smudge.  While you just want to flick your trials away, I want to use them to further My glory in you.  While you too may feel like a snail on glass, you are actually a beautiful creation meant for My purpose alone and I have you steady in My hand as you travel My plan for your life. And even if you are flicked away by people or circumstances, I will not let you be crushed! You will not lose your strength or your covering for I AM your all in all.  Every single time you feel humiliated, harassed or rejected, I AM growing you to be more like Me, so that I can use you in even greater capacity.

Oh beloved, Trust God! Rejoice in what He says about you! Rest in His promises!  And thank Him that you are more than because He is a More Than God!  All things are in His hands, including you and your life and your calling. Don’t despair but look into the Lord’s wonderful face, where the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!

God loves you, and He’s for you and that’s enough to give you purpose and peace.

Isaiah 25:1 O Lord, I will honor and praise Your name, for You are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them.

Psalm 57:2  I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me.

Psalm 70:4 But may all who search for You be filled with joy and gladness in You. May those who love Your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”

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.

God Wants Your Heart First

Marriage can be a wonderful picture of our relationship with Christ. If the marriage, the courtship, the relationship is full of the gifts of the Spirit, it’s easy to return that love.

When Danny asked me out he didn’t call me up and put demands on me. He didn’t order me out with him. He asked and I might say he asked very nicely. Danny’s kindness was a huge draw. He always treated me with tenderness from the beginning.  He was a hunter, a fisherman, a biker and all man. But because he knew how to be nice to me I liked him all the more.

If he’d been harsh or indifferent or demanding I would not have responded so well to him. I don’t like harsh, indifferent and demanding one bit. None of those “virtues” ever makes a person want to obey, toe the mark or submit. None of those qualities draws people, encourages folks or increases trust and fellowship. Rather they cause avoidance.

God is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He is to be worshiped and revered. He calls us to repentance as we give our lives and hearts to Him. But He does not beat us over the head. He does not tell us we’re useless, worthless or unredeemable. We are all that without Him, but He does not bring up our worthlessness and push us to obey with an iron fist.

Instead His love woos us to complete surrender. The sweetest devotion is between two who love one another without reservation.  God loves us without reservation. And He wants us to love Him the same. When the Lord and a sinner like you and me meet with the grace and faith of the Cross we are overcome.  We are undone.  We realize our own state of affairs and we cry out to Him. And greater than the greatest earthly husband, He sweeps down to our level and scoops us into His arms, the very ones that were spread on the Cross to show His love for us.

Maybe you’ve been rebuffed by someone who should have been kind to you. You may have been in a relationship where there is no freedom to fail or to shine. You may have heard that God is watching you and will get you if you don’t straighten up and fly right. You could be afraid to truly come near to God for you have been afraid He will know the real you and discard you, disown you or worse. Maybe the enemy of your soul has called you out, beat you up and left you without hope. But he is a liar and the father of all lies.

Oh beloved, God does indeed have a plan and He does want your obedience, for His Word says to obey is better than sacrifice. But first He wants your heart. He is wooing you this very moment, speaking His love Words into your heart. His voice is gentle and calm and beckoning. He says to you this morning, I AM your greatest love. I AM your staunchest ally. I AM everything you are not and yet I AM willing to share all of my nature with you. Everything I do I AM doing for love.  When I speak your name into your heart you will never have to fear for I AM always calling you in love.

Won’t you trust Him today? Won’t you give Him your heart and mind? Won’t you stop a moment and quit running from the very One Who loves you beyond all belief? Let Him show you through His Word that He loves you and He’s for you and that beloved is why you can follow Him, obey Him as you live in the light of His Word.

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

Psalm 44:3 They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was Your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from Your face that helped them, for You loved them.

Psalm 80:3 Turn us again to Yourself, O God. Make Your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.

Isaiah 43:1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

Psalm 139:1-6 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

God's Care Plan for you is Out of This World

We’ve had our car serviced a couple of times already. With our 10,000 mile service we got our tires rotated and the oil changed as well as the usual maintenance checkup. Danny discovered when he returned home that the technician had failed to secure the skid plate beneath the car, so it scraped the 70 miles home on the interstate. When he began looking he also discovered that black soot from the dangling part was all over the wheels and the sides of the car. Looking to make sure they had really changed the oil he found oily black fingerprints all over the hood and the door handle.

The shoddy workmanship made for a lack of trust. If they didn’t do that right, what else did they fail to do well? Upon calling them Danny was told that it was an “accident”.  I was reminded of my dad’s words, “accidents don’t just happen, they are created”. We’ve talked with the dealership several times and they will make things right for us. They have promised to.

We were treated very well when we made our purchase. Wined and dined so to speak. It was nice to be treated with respect and dignity. It was nice to have them go the extra mile on our behalf.

But here we are in the maintenance end and find that we’re not so appreciated. It’s quite disappointing to think that we thought we had a relationship with a company that would keep showing the same quality in their maintenance as they did in the sales. I kind of felt like the honeymoon was over and I’m just another number.

Maybe you started out well in a relationship. Lots of promises were made from undying love to unquenchable care. You were wined and dined and treated like royalty. But now that you’re well into the situation you find that there’s not that real care and treatment you thought you would have.  Words are great, but they’re just words. Now you have to live with the consequences. You feel betrayed and uncared for.   It started out great, but in the moments of need you are left without help, without hope, without encouragement.

Oh beloved, the Lord Himself can be trusted! When you enter into the covenant relationship with Him it’s because He gave Himself up for you. But the walk up the hill with your sins on His back isn’t the end of it. His grace, mercy and peace are yours all the way to the grave. They continue on to the resurrection and the life.  They are continually revived for you by His intercession at the Father’s right hand. Not only that, you have a lifetime warranty – the Holy Spirit – who takes up residence, keeps up the maintenance and gives you all the extras that normal life never does. God Himself has signed your everlasting warranty with the Blood of the Lamb! Because He is Perfect Love, He is trustworthy.

God loves you and He’s for you forever and ever, and that’s the best care ever!

Psalm 111:2-4 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them. Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes  us to remember His wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

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

Jude 1:1 This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.

Everything God Does is Done for Love

Our Stella is so funny. She has the cutest mannerisms. I love watching her watch videos on her mother’s phone. She lays it down and then wiggles and turns and puts her face right up to the screen. She watches so intently. Her eyes are wide with excitement and she moves her face so to take it all in. You can tell she loves Peppa Pig especially and she doesn’t want to take her eyes off the cartoon characters.

We all have things we enjoy. Some of those things are especially wonderful. Like entertaining grandkids of course. Watching a volleyball game or a football game’s halftime show when someone you love is playing in the band. Watching the crowd to catch a glimpse of that special someone. Watching the clock waiting for a date (yes, I remember that far back).

The things we love are the things we keep a close watch on. The people we care the most about are under our watchful eye at all times. Those we love we care for. They are fed, clothed, kept clean and healthy. They are also given first place over our own cravings, desires and hopes.

Those things we cherish we keep clean and dusted and whatever else is needed. The best, most memorable items are on top shelves, behind beveled glass and in cabinets. No one leaves their jewels and loved ones out on the lawn in the dark. We never walk away from those we truly treasure, no matter what.

God loves us. He has kept His watchful eye on us throughout our entire lives. In fact, He watched over us before we were even formed into a baby. He cherishes us. He cares for us. He delights in us. We are on the top shelf. We don’t deserve it and we didn’t earn it, but there we are anyway. He keeps us cared for and never walks away. He won’t quit us, He won’t sell us, He won’t give us away and He won’t throw us away. We are cherished and loved.

You may be going through a time in your life where you aren’t sure if anyone really loves you. You’re talked over, walked over and pushed over. You’re ignored and reviled. You feel like you’ve been thrown out in the dark and someone locked the door in your face. Others may have quit you – even those you yourself cherished. Someone you thought really cared may have sold you out. You’ve tried to be a good person, be loveable, be kind and generous and yet it’s all been thrown back in your face. You’re about to walk away and lick your wounds and live as an outcast the rest of your life.

Oh beloved, run to the Book of Love this morning and read! You are valuable, you are valued, you are adored and precious. He says to you this morning, don’t believe the lie. Rather, look into My Word and read what I say and believe! And when you believe Me, when you live in the light of My Word, you will bloom where you’re planted, blossom more beautifully than the lilies of the field and rejoice, live and be blessed in My Love. You have nothing to worry about even when others walk away. I AM the one you can call on even if you’re all alone. I AM the one who gave you life and that more abundantly.

Everything God does for you He does for love. He will watch over you, guide you, protect you all the days of your life because He loves you and He’s for you and on that you can rely.

Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (NIV)

Psalm 109:31 For He stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.

Matthew 6:27-29 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Psalm 121:5-6 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

Jude 1:1 am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.

I AM that I AM Has Wonderful Plans for You!

I remember from most of my teacher friends that lesson plans are a real bone of contention. I don’t understand what all is involved but yesterday I noticed a friend posted on social media that she had lost a thousand pound weight – lesson plans were done for a class she’s taking at college! I also have a friend who has been sharing information about estate planning, especially for those who don’t have the finances to pay a lawyer or an estate planner. This will be a real help for many people.

Even with gardening and crop farming, there has to be a plan. You’ve got to know when to plant, what to plant, how much to plant and how to care for what you’ve planted. Without the proper plan all you can do is throw out seeds and hope something happens. It’s haphazard at best and going to be a waste of time and money.

From teachers to farmers, everyone has to make plans. We all need plans to create, organize and enjoy our lives.  We need plans to spend, save and pay our bills. We need plans to even have a great vacation or wedding or other exciting and fun event in our lives. A good marriage requires planning, even after the I Do’s.  Finding time alone is important to plan for couples with young children. Planning is required to have success in any area of life.

Planning for our spiritual life must be done as well. Unless we follow God’s plan, we have little hope to produce fruit in our lives or grow in faith and knowledge. If we don’t begin at the beginning, with His plan for salvation, we will never be able to make any other lasting plans. But with the foundational work done by the Lord Himself, we can build and make plans that will be for His glory and our good. God not only gave us a plan for eternal life, He has given us plans for godliness and abundant living.   

Maybe you are having a hard time seeing God’s plan through the tears, through the fears, through the hard knocks of life. Maybe you had plans and they were good, but they’ve fallen by the wayside or someone ruined them for you. You can hold fast to God in spite of these things, because God Himself is your Life and Estate Planner! His plans never fail, though we seem to be at others’ mercy many times, we are never out of His abundant care, as long as we hold onto God’s eternal, unchangeable, immutable plans.

Oh beloved, God has a wonderful plan for your life! Open His plan book, the Word of God, this morning and read about His plans. Read again how He has plans to prosper you, give you hope, give you a future and bless you with joy and peace, faithfulness and forgiveness. When God speaks to you He says, I AM your Planner, I AM your Guide, I AM your Answer to every situation of life! You can trust ME because I AM that I AM and I will guide you, bless you, forgive you, redirect you, redeem you, uphold you, care for you all the days of your life. And when I AM ready to take you home, I AM the One who will welcome you in to My Father’s House. You have nothing to fear and nothing to dread for as you follow Me, I will protect and deliver you from every messy plan that others try to give you and wipe them from your heart, replacing them once again with My plans. I love you and I am always for you and that’s a plan worth following!

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

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

Jude 1:1-2 This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.  May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.

God's Fingerprint is on Your Life

The funeral for Danny’s aunt was held in North Central Baptist Church. The men who officiated at the funeral knew his aunt quite well.  The man who sang was one of Danny’s childhood friends.  All three men talked, through tears of grief, of growing up under her guidance in that very church.

The pastor talked about Uncle James pastoring the church for so many years. They were instrumental, Danny’s aunt and uncle, in building the new sanctuary (now 20 years old). They talked of her tireless efforts to help build the building, teach the Sunday School class and feed the grieving at oh so many funerals. They also spoke of her reminding them to live for the Lord and how they each wanted to do better just to please her. They spoke over and over about her love for them, for their children and now their children’s children. Her dedication to the Lord left them grieving even more at their loss.  

As one speaker put it, “Her fingerprints are everywhere in this church.”

We loved her and we knew a lot about her. After all, she was Danny’s aunt. But I don’t think any of us knew the exact scope of her inspiration and spiritual fingerprints on all who knew her.  She was a friend to sinners, a mother to those who needed mothering and a helper to her husband and daughter and congregation.  She did everything with love and tender care.

Not everyone has a person in their life who was such an inspiration. It could be that some folks grow up without the spiritual influence of a loved one. Not everyone lives their whole life within the shadow of the church walls.  There are times when grief is overwhelming and no one knows life’s hurts and trials. You may be thinking that God must have loved her a lot; God must have loved her church family a lot to let them have her in their life.  You may be wishing for just such an influence.

Oh beloved, there is One whose fingerprints are everywhere in your life! From the foundation of the world you were cared about. Before you were conceived you were planned! Before you were born, every issue of your life had its resolution. Even in the times when your birth family was less than it should have been, the Lord Himself was tending your life! He wants to remind you this morning, He speaks from His heart as He woos you, I love you – your name is graven on My hands. Your life is hidden in Me. Your past is paid for, your present is secure and your future is with Me! I love you and I am always with you, He calls out again. He speaks Truth into your heart and His plan is that you should live your entire life with His fingerprints on every aspect of your life!

If you will let Him, He will take the things that are less than great to remember and put them away. He will replace your hard times with His tender mercy. He will remove your guilt and give you grace to make it in times of need. He will move you from ordinary to extraordinary so that when it’s all said and done and life here is over you will be welcomed to your real home in glory! And that’s worth living for Him!

Colossians 1:27-28 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

I Peter 4:2 You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.

Matthew 6:25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

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.

2 Peter 1:4 And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Will Your Foundation Stand?

Watching home makeover and home building shows is enlightening.  I mean, we just see a house, we love how it’s made and we want it. Some of us like different nuances of a house – modern, country, log cabin, rustic. But we all like houses. And we are all builders.

One thing that pops up on these shows continually is foundation issues. From Holmes on Homes to This Old House, each one of the hosts looks closely at the foundation to see if there’s a problem. Without a solid foundation, even the best of homes will have problems.

For homes older than 100 years, it is especially important to make sure it’s right from the bottom up.  Sometimes it has to be partially torn out and rebuilt to make the strength needed. Sometimes new homes have been made poorly in part because the builder didn’t care or made shortcuts that compromised the integrity.  These have to be shored up and redone, so that the beautiful new home stays standing in the rain, in the drought and the winds of time.

A sure foundation is the part of every believer’s life. Without the proper start, there’s nothing to build your faith on. Without the proper construction, there’s nowhere to stand. And without the proper builder, there’s really a trust issue. We cannot hope to live life to it’s fullest without making Christ our foundation. He is our solid rock and all other ground truly is sinking sand. We cannot hope to make it in this world and finish triumphant without making the Word of God our go to manual for all our life’s plans.

Oh beloved, God wants to be the Builder of your foundation! He has to be the chief cornerstone of all you build on in your household of faith. He’s the strength beneath you, the firm ground you walk on and the trustworthy finisher for all of your life. His love compels Him to guide you, direct you, and keep you safe in all that you do.  His love is outlandish! So much love He has for you that He will be there for you when your life is crumbling, when your heart is breaking, when your zeal is lagging and when your life is ending. He even took care of your heavenly home – making a home for you in glory that will stand forever!

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.

Matthew 7:25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. (NAS)

John 14:2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

Psalm 37:18 Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.

Wondering When This Roller Coaster Will End?

The Tail of the Dragon is one of those highways that motorcycle enthusiasts love to ride. This highway is in North Carolina and it has 318 curves in 11 miles.  You can read all about it on the internet, but I can tell you it’s true because I’ve experienced it on the back of a Goldwing!  Before we traveled east with friends, my daughters said I couldn’t do that road, so of course I had to! I sent them both postcards from the store at the end of the run.

I’d like to tell you it was awesome, but from my viewpoint, it was harrowing! You literally meet yourself coming and going. It’s up an incline turn back on a hairpin curve and back again over and over and over.  There’s also regular traffic coming and going. You meet vehicles on your side of the road because the curves are so narrow. You’ll probably also see sites where bikers didn’t make a curve. I kept my eyes closed most of the time and hugged as close as possible to my husband as he traversed the snaky miles with delight.  I prefer smooth roads with sweeping turns occasionally.  Not my hubby, he likes the curves. I can tell you that after riding a motorcycle with him for 41 years (dating on motorcycles included) I have never ridden with anyone else on a motorcycle and I trust him completely. He’s never let me down.  There have been times I’ve not handled the ride well at all, but he still keeps inviting me to ride with him.  He has proved himself as trustworthy and I know I’m safe with him always. He takes good care of me on the ride, whether it’s easy roads or hard.  I wouldn’t always choose the roads he chooses, but I trust him so I go with him.

For the most part life can be pretty calm. We travel through the ins and outs and make pretty good time. We look ahead and the view is lovely and there are hardly any curves at all. Other times we are given a harder road to travel. Twisties and mountains intertwine and without some relief, we are ready to quit. We try our best to close our eyes in the hard times but it doesn’t help.  We can’t see that the road will smooth out ahead because we’re in the middle of the hard part, so that’s all we can concentrate on.

Are you in a hard place of life right now? Are you wondering when this roller coaster is going to end? You went to bed tired and needy and you woke up with no relief in sight. Weariness has settled in and you just don’t think you can keep going. You wish you could go back to the easy days of carefree living and calm roads. Now you’re stuck – it’s harrowing and you see no end.

Oh beloved, quit looking at the curves and the mountains and the terrain! Don’t stare at the drop offs and the cliffs! Look rather at the One who is carrying you through it all. God is with you! He is not only allowing you to go through the hard roads, He is the One who is seeing you through to the other side! It’s only a short ride, but you’ve grown tired. Lean on Him! He’s trustworthy and true – He will prove Himself capable again and again. Trust Him! He loves you. Seek His face only! He’s for you.  You may never get to the end of the ride and say that was great, but you will say You got me through!

God is with you, even when you seem to be alone. God is carrying you, even when you feel you’ve got to traverse the mountains of adversity, sorrow or fear alone.  You are never alone, beloved, and the hard roads never last forever. Rejoice in Him! Hang on to Him! He’ll never leave you or forsake you, He’ll never let you down.  You can trust Him always, for His name is Love and His character is your security. Rely on others, you might not make it. Rely on yourself and it won’t go well. But rely on the Lord and you’ll always be safe! Don’t get your eyes of the Savior for He’s never taken His eyes off of you.

Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Psalm 48:14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.

Psalm 121:1, 8  I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

I Corinthians 1:9 God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today is Double Portion Day!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings Come in Trusting God For Everything

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heights to Conquer? You Don't Have to Go it Alone!

One of the things I noticed while we were visiting the Vicksburg National Park was how many stairs there were. Lots of stairs at many of the monuments. But we came to one tall round building with a gold eagle perched atop and I just stared.  I thought about those flights of stairs and I just told Danny I would let him go look. I don't like stairs and I don't like heights, so when faced with thirty feet of rising granite, I just didn't want to go.  So I stood at the sidewalk below admiring my husband who, at 64, still takes stairs in his stride. I would let him go for both of us. He can look at the interior and admire the view from up there for me, too.

Trouble with that is my husband is also an encourager! As soon as he went inside the round building, he began exclaiming, "Oh wow!" and "You gotta see this!" He came back outside and shouted down that I had to climb the stairs for this.  Of course even in my trepidation, I started up, gingerly holding onto whatever I could. I called out to him, "You have to meet me halfway. I hate stairs!"

 

Down my valiant husband came, to hold my hand, encourage me upward and tell me I could do this. All the while I was thinking to myself, just keep your eyes on the stairs. Don’t look down and don’t look around.  I was also sure I didn't want to think about the climb back down!

 

Once inside the building, I was astonished! Yes, it was well worth the fear, the stumbling, and the mumbling.  I spoke and my voice echoed in ricochets off the granite walls. Up above, about 6 stories was a huge opening where the sky could pour its light into the dark dampness. Every soldier from that state had his name proudly stamped in brass along the walls. Nothing else was inside.

 

As we stepped back out into the air, I was also astonished at the magnificent view! We could see the entire battlefield below - both sides with their now immovable cannons. From this outlook, we could truly grasp the vastness of it all and how beautiful this area was. 

I breathed quickly, grabbed hubby's hand and we walked back down together.  Only this time it was lighter steps I took because my fears had given way to beauty.

 Oh beloved, are you looking at something you're not sure you can conquer? Are you faced with an insurmountable task and wondering if you really want to do it?  Rejoice!  God has gone before you! He has trudged those stairs, covered that task and overcome that fear. Even when no one is there to hold your hand, God will hold you securely. You are never alone, you never have to face adversity or trouble  without help. He will always be with you, and He will always hold your hand.  And when you've overcome and He shows you the view, you will weep for joy as you realize just how wonderful your God really is! 

 You can be sure that whether you are in the valley or facing the high places, He loves you and He's for you and that's all that really matters.

 2 Samuel 2:33-34  God is my strong fortress, and He makes my way perfect.   He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.

Psalm 121:1-2 I look up to the mountains -- does my help come from there?  My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth!  He will not let you stumble and fall; the One who watches over you will not sleep.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV

Psalm 63:7 Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

It's Time to Rise and Shine!

“Rise and Shine” is a phrase I heard often as a child. My dad would wake me up every morning singing reveille and saying those words.  As a little girl, I was delighted to be woken up that way. As I grew into my teen years I admit it bugged me. What I wouldn’t give to hear my daddy say those things to me again.  After I married and had children, it’s a song my kids learned in Sunday School. “Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory!”   It was peppy and fun with gestures to go along with it.

After reading a friend’s post about the frustrations of working on a new computer that would not cooperate, I realized that it’s a rough world out there and we don’t even have to leave the house! Life can be so frustrating. The world says it’s walking in “freedom” yet chaos is everywhere. There’s very little commitment, hardly any standards and what used to be normal is viewed as weird. Life has indeed gotten topsy turvy, in a state of utter disorder and confusion. Often it’s hard to get up in the morning and to turn on the tv means hearing news about wars, murders, disasters and more. Rarely do we wake up to hear anything that will bring joy or peace or comfort.

So how do we do it? How do we live in the light when all around us is falling apart? How do we present the Truth in light of such wrong thinking? Where do we go to find peace in a world in such uproar? Can we find joy in the midst of darkness? Can we make ends meet in a world that wants more and more and more from us? What about our rights? What about our future? Who cares if we’re going off  a fiscal cliff or a spiritual cliff? Can we hang on, can we survive, can we overcome?

Oh beloved, it’s time to “Rise and shine and give God the glory!”  It’s time to wake up in the morning and praise the One Who gave you everything for life and godliness, in spite of the sorrow that hits you square in the face, the gloom and concern that wakes you up, in spite of the hurts and regrets and unfulfilled dreams. For God’s Word is your only source of hope, not just in bad times, but in good times as well. God knows you and He has promised many things to you. And His promises are not left at the altar, but rather His promises walk you down the aisle, carry you throughout your life and stay with you all the way to heaven! When the world is tearing you down, God promises to lift you above it. When people are walking away, God has promised to stay the course with you. When sorrows hit, God has promised to give you joy unspeakable and full of glory.  

I know. When you’re in the midst of the troubles, it’s hard to believe, but God loves you. I know it’s difficult some days to get out of bed, but God is the One Who wakes you up each day.  And, if God Himself is waking you up, then that’s a sure sign that He has a plan for the day, regardless of the headlines, the hurts, the fears or the concerns.   Just follow Him.  Just live by His Word. Just trust in the Only One Who loves you unconditionally and will never leave you or forsake you.

If you follow the Lord, live in the light of His Word and seek His face, everything else will work out. It might be messy along the way, but His will for your life will be completed. Hangeth thou in there, beloved!

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. NAS

Psalm 43:3 Send out Your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You live.

John 15:11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do You Know the Love that Will Not Let You Go?

Last night as I was texting back and forth with a friend about God’s magnificent wonderful love for her, for me, for us, an old hymn came to my mind. “Oh love that will not let me go!” 

As I heard those words sung into my heart I saw my father and me at the train station in San Antonio Texas in the 60’s.  He had traveled the world over and seen so many things, rode so many trains, taken so many flights. While living in Tyler he decided he wanted to take me on a “real” train ride. So we left Tyler together and traveled all the way to San Antonio, via observation car and had a meal as well from a dining car. I don’t know if you can even experience this type of train trip anymore. It was fantastic! But what comes to mind as I ponder the words to this song is my father himself.

He was a big man, 6’2” and 270 pounds. The station in San Antonio was huge! Many trains going and coming on many tracks. But my father held my hand and kept me so safe! I felt so dwarfed by the sights and sounds of the station and even by my father! But I knew as my father held my hand I was totally kept safe in this crazy place full of hustle and bustle. I was holding his hand all the time, but I can assure you, my father was holding on the tightest. Nothing would have caused him to let go of me.

Oh beloved, this morning as you are waking up, I hope that you know how incredibly loved you are by the Father! I hope you know that regardless of your circumstances, the ones that dwarf you as you look at them, you will  know that the Lord has you by His hand – this hand that says – I will not let you go! I will not let you be harmed! I will not sleep or slumber or leave you! Ever. Others may fall away, others may quit and give up and say enough, but not Me, for I AM perfect love! I AM the One who will lead you forever! I AM the One who has sealed you by My love. Trust Me and together we will make it all the way to heaven! I have you always in the palm of my hand. Oh beloved, you see it is not your hand that has Mine but My hand that has yours and I will never ever let go!

So that beloved, we can sing with the choirs of heaven and earth, “Oh love that will not let me Go! I rest my weary soul in Thee!”  

Psalm 94:14 For the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Psalm 56:4  By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me? (NAS)

Psalm 3:5  I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.

Psalm 107:8  Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.

Getting Ready for the Day? Don't Forget to Eat!

For many folks, today Is the first day back at school and work after the Christmas holidays. That means that you have to get up earlier, dress differently and prepare for more than what you find to do around the house. When we rush around and find ourselves behind, like I am this morning, we may accidentally leave something behind that we needed.  If I leave off earrings, it’s no big deal, but there are other things that are very important, especially in the life of a believer.  For God’s children, we just dress differently.

If we’re not prepared for the day, then we won’t know how to behave, how to respond or how to walk.  It’s really important for us to see what God says about us, what God says about our day and what God says about our value and our importance in this world we live in. 

Have you checked in the mirror of God’s Word? Are you about to run out of the house without getting fed? Are you thinking that there’s just not time to sit quietly a moment? He wants to be with you to fellowship and make your day start off right. He wants to guard your mind, watch over your day and keep you safe throughout the week so that you will be strong and courageous.  He knows you are thirsty and hungry and running on empty. And without spending time with Him you will remain that way.

Oh beloved, You are of such incredible value to the Lord! He is waiting to speak Truth and Love into your life.  He says to you this morning, Don’t forget to put on the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of heaviness!  Just take a moment to praise God that you woke up, got up and have somewhere to go to be a part of this great world He so graciously created.  He says to seek Him first, so that all  the things you need will be added to you.  He says to let Him love you and speak sweet words of spiritual nourishment into your life.  He knows that the days can be rough, the obstacles can be many, but for the believer, and that’s you beloved, you who have put your trust in His Holy Name, life can be wonderful no matter the circumstances.  It’s just that you can’t leave God out and expect to have the blessings of Him! Without time spend with the One Who loves you and knows you and has wonderful plans for you, you cannot make it in this world.

Run to the Word – take just a bite if that’s all you have time for! But know that that small morsel of spiritual food will help your day go smoother, your heart beat stronger and your life feel sweeter.  Not only that, but that small bite of the Word will cause you to desire a bigger helping tomorrow! And the more you feed on His Word, beloved, the more you will know Him. And the more you know Him the more you will love Him and live for the glory of His Name!  You are loved by the One Who makes the sun come up this morning! You are cared for by the One Who sets the stars in the skies! Now that’s worth praising His name!

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, NAS

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Psalm 63:5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy.

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ…