Shaky Ground? Run to the Solid Rock!

House Hunters International is one of my favorite shows. It’s almost like watching a travel show, seeing the beauty of other places across the globe. Things are not all the same when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms. American homes are pretty lavish in regards to the size and style of rooms.  It also amazes me that people have a budget for home buying that would make me able to retire comfortably for the rest of my life.  While I love the views and seeing inside homes, when it comes to balconies I have a hard time watching as home searcher and realtor step out to stand so near a sheer drop! 

Houses and apartments built in other centuries certainly must be less than steady! And the view from the high rises in some countries is literally breath taking.  I find myself holding my breath as I watch them lean over and look around! I always want to make sure wherever I am standing is firm and stable. I want solid ground beneath me. I do not feel safe unless I am sure of the platform holding me up.

Sticky situations and difficult days can be like standing on shaky ground.  We find ourselves sick to our stomach or reaching for something to hold onto while our world spins out of control. Often the view is horrendous and we want to step back to where we last felt secure. Often though, security is nowhere to be found.

Oh beloved, are you burdened by the sights in your life? Are you seeking for solace where none can be found? Do you feel as though your life has left you out on a balcony that’s rusted and weakened? Are you, like countless people across this land, wondering where the foundations of our faith have gone? Are you sinking in the sand of regret, fear and sorrow? Perhaps you are at a time of decision and you wonder which House you are going to abide in – the house of flesh or the house of faith? It’s time to turn to the One Solid Foundation left in this world!

Run to the Lord this morning and let Him be your sure foundation!  Let Him be to you a place of refuge and safety for all your needs, your hopes, your dreams and your desires. He alone is your Hope. He alone is your Source of joy, confidence, value, pleasure and peace! In this world you may see turmoil everywhere in the view outside the windows of your life, but in Him, you will find complete safety and a sure dwelling place built firmly on the Rock! Seek out His Word and stand upon it, for it will hold you when nothing else will. It will see you through when all else has fallen and it will keep you all the way to heaven! Oh rejoice, beloved, for He loves you and He’s for you and that’s what really matters.

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.

1 Samuel 15:22  But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

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.

2 Samuel 22:32   For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?

Matthew 7:24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Proverbs 10:29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.

Frustrations? Run to the Lord Who Can Handle it For You.

Not long ago I found myself fuming about something. I can honestly say I don’t remember what it was, but I remember the outcome. It was a week that had been unusually tiring. By Friday, that tiredness was turning into frustration. I really didn’t think I could “get it all done”. I went out to the garage to move something.  And it didn’t want to move. So I moved some other things around. All the time I was talking to myself about my frustration. There was one more small object to move out of the way before I could move the bigger object and get to what I was after. I picked it up and tossed it out of the way. I didn’t become the Hulk, really! But everyone in my family knows that it’s quite dangerous when I throw!  My aim and my pitch never go in the same direction. So this small object hit a box and bounced back. Onto Danny’s motorcycle.  At this point I realized I was being ridiculous and I picked the small object up to move it, not throw it.

That is when I spied it. The tiny nick of paint on the fender of Danny’s motorcycle.

And then I heard the voice of my Lord say,

“Anger always causes damage”.

I know what you’re saying. “What, we’re never supposed to be angry?”  The problem with anger is not that we get angry, but what we do with that anger.  I talked to myself about it instead of the Lord.  I found an object to vent my anger on instead of asking God to remove it from me.  It was my focus that got me into trouble. Rather than focusing on God’s redeeming abilities, I focused on my frustrated weariness. But God in His beautiful loving ways, spoke oh so gently to me. God did not return anger, righteous indignation or punishment on me.  He just walked around the day with me watching over me, hoping to get a moment with me and then at just the right time, He taught me. In love.

Oh beloved! I know for some of you there are things going on in your life that seem insurmountable. You’ve hoped they would go away, but they’re still staring you square in the eye. You’re getting tired and you’re ready to do something about it – in your own strength. But there is One Who has promised to follow you all of your days. He wants to speak the loving truth into your life so that whatever comes you can lean on Him for His strength, His wisdom and His courage to do the right thing no matter what. He says to you, I love you. I’ve got this. I know you can’t handle anymore, so just give it to me. Let me take your frustrations and your fears and turn them into jewels of the faith for you. My exchange system will never cause damage and never bring regrets. But you’ll have to Trust Me. You can, you know, for My Name is Faithful and True. Lean on Me for your support and together we’ll go into the situation and I’ll make things beautiful in their time.

Hallelujah! What a Savior! Who takes our infirmities and heals our wounds and renews our spirits. All in love, because He promises to love us forever and be with us always. And that’s all that really matters.

Hebrews 10:35-36 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!  Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry (fret or fume) about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Psalm 86:11  Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

All of God's Promises Are True for You!

There was such a huge crowd in Fayetteville this past week-end. Walking together was a big deal too. There were so many people walking up and down the streets that you had to hang on tightly to stay together. Once our hands loosened and I found myself walking across the street alone. I felt a presence behind me and a real chill as I began to worry. Finally, I decided I’d just have to turn around and look. Thankfully Danny was catching up with me and grabbed my hand.  If someone else was following me, they were gone and I was thankful.

There is an enemy of our soul who wants to follow us everywhere we go. He’s called a “roaring lion” and is described as “seeking whom he may devour”. His character is described as crafty, shrewd and devious. He’s also good at being deceitful, falsehearted and lying. While this is not a full description it is sufficient to say he’s up to no good. He’s like the wolf in Red Riding Hood – dressed as grandmother but inside he’s still a wolf. He promises one thing but does another.

There is a Lover of our soul who promises to follow us everywhere we go. His character is Faithful and True.  What He promises He will do. And, all of His promises are exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. We never have to look over our shoulder because goodness and mercy are following us. He is always seeking our good and His glory. He is like no other – He is the King of Glory!

Oh beloved, run to the Word this morning and read: all of God’s promises were written just for you! Learn all His promises, study all His precepts. Know that He is always with you, always for you and always watching out for you. He’ll never lead you wrong and He’ll always make things right for you. Even when the enemy tries to trick, deceive or lie, God is never going to leave you alone. I know it can feel like you are walking alone, it can feel like our soul is in danger and that problems will never cease. But the Lord says to you today Trust Me as I guide you into All Truth. Honor Me as I show you how to walk regardless of the circumstances. Love Me as I have loved you. All of My Kingdom is yours as you are my child – my heir.  Honor Me and I will honor you.

God knows your situation. He’s leading you through each one, He’s following you with blessings and He’s carrying you all the way to heaven! Hallelujah what a Savior, who loves you and is on your side and that’s truly all that matters!

Proverbs 29:25 “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.”

Psalm 95:7  for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today!

Psalm 139:5  You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

It is In the Giving Away that We find Real Joy

To make extra spending money when I was little, my mother crocheted doilies. I’m talking about the huge triple ruffled kind that was stiff starched and prominently displayed all over the house. She crocheted with tiny needles and fine thread. I have the last doily she worked on with the needle and thread attached that she was using.  Some would say that is a silly thing to hold onto. But it’s a visible reminder that regardless our life’s circumstances we should continue to create and enjoy every day.  She crocheted those lovely pieces as though she would be keeping them forever, never lacking in quality no matter that they were going to someone else’s home.  She thoroughly enjoyed the very things she was destined to give away.

Often we humans hold tightly to the things we hold dear. Whether it’s friendship or ministry or family or hobbies or talents.  They’re ours we reason. We don’t share well. We keep things to ourselves. We’re almost miserly with our affections.  Yet it is in the giving away that we find real joy.

Oh beloved, God knows your heart. He knows you want to enjoy the days He’s given you, but you find it hard to release the worry and the fear.  What if you give it all? What if you forgive completely, love whole-heartedly and let Him be first? What if you use up the talents He gave you for others? Run to Him this morning and lay it all at His feet. He will take what you are holding back and exchange it for a treasure trove of beauty in your life that’s meant to be shared, distributed, given away. You can trust Him beloved, because all that you give away and in the measure with which you give it is how He will give back to you. He says you cannot give too much. Even in your lack, if you begin to give you will see amazing things begin to happen.  How blessed are we to be people who can trust Him with everything? He loves you, He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

 Matthew 25:29 For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

Romans 8:32 Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Nothing to Fear When You're Looking into the Father's Eyes

Stella is learning to be a toddler. Sometimes she will take a step or two on her own. But most of the time she likes to hang onto someone’s finger with one hand. She’s little yet, so her mother gets a backache after a while. The other day she held on to a stick that her mother was holding onto. She walked and walked. As soon as she let go of the stick she was down. Her mother would try to let go of the stick and Stella would teeter for a moment and go down again. Some would call that a crutch. I would call that faith.  She knows that the stick is not important but the fact that her mother has the other end, that’s what’s important. She’s not looking at the stick itself for support but into her mother’s eyes.

Learning this life of faith can have its ups and downs.  We try to hang onto people, things, dreams, money and more.  We look at each one and if it fails or we lose our handle on it, we find ourselves down again. But when we look at the Lord, hold tightly to Him and let Him hold all our possessions for us, we walk confidently as our eyes are on Him.

Oh beloved, look into your Father’s eyes. Concentrate on Him alone for He is the one who gave you new birth and will carry you through to the end. He promises that nothing will separate you from His love, that all things will work together for good and that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Hang on tightly to His Word for that is His Nature. He means what He says and when He says I love you and I’ve got you He means it! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

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 112:7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 12:2 a We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Romans 8:28  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Running Out of Steam? Let Christ Be Your Strength

I rented a commercial carpet cleaner the other day.  I was skeptical but I thought I’d try it. I have to admit I was pretty amazed at the results - at least with the cleaning of the carpet. What I didn’t like was the weariness from lifting gallons of hot water and pulling a heavy machine along the carpet. Back and forth. Lift and shift.  The commercial says this machine is “screaming mad at dirt”. But I say it was screaming mad at me! 

The next morning I found achy muscles and a sore back. I had to move very slowly! But the carpet looks great! After the wrestling match I may wait until more muscle is around to attempt this. I have to admit though, I am rather proud of the way things turned out.  I was wanting to give up, go to bed and hope for the best but I persevered.  As I pat myself on the back I am reminded that right about midnight I was panting and ready to quit.  And asking God to give me supernatural strength.  So it was the Lord who came through on my behalf.  I asked, He provided and I was able to finish the job.

Oh beloved, you may be running out of steam. Your last ounce of strength may be more empty than full.  The Lord hears your cries and He is answering each call on your behalf. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Let Him take over and pull you through to victory.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that just as we admit we can do no more, He steps in and says, “but you can, through Me!” He loves to reward you through your diligence to seek Him in your trials, efforts and pain. Yay God! Yay you! One day He will put His arm around your shoulder and together you will observe the blessings that come after the work is done! What wondrous love is this to know the Creator of Heaven and Earth has your best in mind.  He loves you and He's there for you always!

Psalm 42:8  But each day the LORD pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Psalm 121:2  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

Isaiah 40:29  He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 59:1 Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call.

2 Corinthians 12:9  Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

A Cloud of Witnesses!

The nursery and produce stand in Caddo Valley has a line of scarecrows out front. They really aren’t scary at all, they are lovely. Each one is a different size, gender, style. They all just make me want to smile! No they make me want to laugh out loud! This row of greeters standing there reminded me of the words in the Bible, “So great a cloud of witnesses”.  Until I saw this lineup I always thought merely of those witnesses as people who remind us that even when times are hard we can make it.  And it’s true. But there’s more. They are not merely bystanders holding up their previous experience. They are cheerleaders! They are shouting, through the Word of God, “you are MORE THAN a conqueror!” You are “victorious”! They are waving wildly the banners of God’s Love Song to you and me. Not just that either…The cloud spoken of says to me they are actively involved, kicking up dust, making a scene!  In this world of compromise and quiet we are meant to kick up our heels and shout it to the rooftops “He’s for us! He loves us! No power in hell, no trouble on earth, Nothing, Nothing, Absolutely Nothing, can separate us from His loving care!”

Oh beloved, do you hear the cheers? Do you hear the accolades, the commendations, the congratulations? God and His heavenly host, along with the host of believers who have gone before us are shouting with joy to you this day: You can do it! You can make it! You are beautiful! You are loved! You are not alone! You win!

I know things can be hard, people can be mean, and finances can be lean. Cars need filling, children need clothing. People check out and life can get frazzled. But God is oh so much more than the things you are dealing with! He’s not only aware, He’s actively involved and He truly cares. This morning, while the night is still hanging on and the sun hasn’t slipped all the way to your window, give it all to Him. He’s got your life covered in His amazing grace and He loves you wonderfully! And, truly that’s all that really matters.

Psalm 149:4 “For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”

Psalm 97:1 The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad!

Zephaniah 3:17   For the Lord your God is living among you! He is a mighty savior! He will take delight in you with gladness! With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs!

Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us!