At Some Point You Will Have to Trust God

My dad was a whole lot of fun. But at the same time he was a no nonsense father. When I asked him for something or permission to go somewhere he would give it fair thought. But once he said no that was it. There was no going further with the discussion. No pleading, begging, whining or cajoling would work on him. It only served to get me in trouble. A no was a no. And that was that.

That’s a real tough thing for a kid who always wants to know “why”. I find that I am still one who wants to know why. I even ask my husband “why”? I don’t mind going, doing, following, I don’t mind a change in direction, but I just love to know why.

Recently I was having a conversation with my Heavenly Father. In fact I had been conversing with Him for days about something. I kept asking Him the same question over and over – “Why?” Each and every day I would ask Him the same thing. No answer would come.

Finally, one morning just a few days ago He responded. I heard Him speak to my heart: “Don’t ever ask Me why again.” And then the Scripture came to mind: “In the fullness of time…”  Okay, I heard my Daddy God and that was that.  Either I would listen to Him and move on or I would continue to ask why and stay upset, wondering, trying to figure out the answer.

This morning during my quiet time I realized that as I had quit asking why I also had quit whining about it. I discovered that the more we ask why, the more we will whine. And the more we whine the more we are stuck in that situation, that problem, that turmoil, that feeling. I realized that why is short for whine!

God speaks to our hearts: At some point in time you will have to trust Me. The situation might get bleak, the days might get dark, the hurts will come and the doubts will fly around your head like a whole lot of gnats. You can swat at the problems, beg Me for answers and whine, whine, whine. But you will have to trust Me. Nothing can happen that I am not aware of. Nothing that surprises you surprises Me at all. No condition of your life is impossible, no situation of peril is unfixable, no power on earth nor power of man can move you from My will for your life – as long as you trust Me.  I AM the Lord. There is no other. It is I Who govern lives, countries, rulers and subjects. You are My child and because you are My child you can rest in My promises, relax in My decisions and rejoice in My direction.  Behold precious child, I AM about to take you beyond yourself. I AM about to move in your life in such a direction that the heavenly host is already singing Hallelujah. Stop asking Me why and start asking Me why not? Lock arms in faith with Me and let Me walk you out of the present familiarity and into the unknown future that I have created just for you.

Oh beloved, leave it all at the Father’s feet. Hang a “No whining” sign on your heart. Open the Book of Love, Peace, Prosperity, Thankfulness and Trust and rehearse His Truth!!! You are more than the sum of your “why’s”. As you leave the why’s behind, you will discover even more intimately how much God loves you and how passionately He is for you.  And then you will discover that God is all that really matters as you travel under His direction, His sovereignty and His authority all the days of your life.

Job 40:2 Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

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

Proverbs 22:19 I am teaching you today--yes, you--so you will trust in the LORD.

Proverbs 8:32 And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow My ways are joyful.

Deuteronomy 13:4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.

Let Go of that Doorknob!

 

Our house is built in such a way that if we’re not careful when we close our door it really slams and it slams loudly! But it seems you can’t be careful enough, because although it’s happened before, I never remember it’s going to slam. So if I grab it quickly it booms as though the entire neighborhood can hear it. Every time it happens I look back at the door and ask myself, “how could that happen?”

I am reminded of a saying that is often used: “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Problem is that some doors sure seem to be slammed. It’s sudden and with no warning it’s jerked from our grasp and banged shut! We didn’t shut the door, but someone did. We didn’t plan it, but someone did. We weren’t looking for open windows but the door is shut nonetheless.

We could keep looking at the door. It’s closed. It’s shut. We could wish we could go back through. We could pray it would reopen. We could whine. We could go get a key and open it back up. We could refuse to let it stay shut. We could remain immovable and continue to stare at the shut door.

But what would happen to the open window? Would it remain there? Would it be available? Would we have to decide between the closed door and the next opening? 

God speaks to my heart: Oh precious one. In My realm one door must be closed before another can open. It’s in that closed door time of life that you will feel vacated, left out, unsure and useless. But if you will trust Me when one door closes, I will open another door for you – this one will be better than the one before because I AM the door. And because I AM who I AM, the door I open can never be closed by any other person on earth. Nothing in all creation can stop my plans for you except you. My will is that you Trust Me, that you wait on Me and that you keep in the Word and rest in My promises. I have the very best in mind for you, even when things look so impossible. Even when you may feel shut out. Ultimately I AM the only one who can close the door and ultimately I AM the only one who can open the window of opportunity where you belong. This time of waiting is a time of preparation and together we will go forth in My glory, My will and My promises.

Oh beloved, hold onto the promises of God and let go of the door knob! Even though you can’t see what’s ahead, you are destined for God’s open door of blessings when you realize that He loves you and He’s for you and He goes ahead to prepare the way for you! Don’t mourn the closed doors of life, rather rejoice in the open doors you cannot see for that’s where the Lord is and that’s where you want to be – with the Lord underneath His care and presence, walking in His anointing and following Him always!

Joshua 22:5 …Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.

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

John 10:9 I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

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.

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 Knows Your Best Route

Before we even go out for our trips on the motorcycle, Danny checks the fluid levels, the tire pressure and the brakes.  Once we get on he adjusts things for the best view and for wind, bug and road hazard protection. He also adjusts his wind wings so that if it’s cool we have less wind blowing on our legs and if it’s hot he opens them up so we get more air movement.

The side view mirrors are adjusted so that he, the driver, can see the best.  Because he adjusts them for himself, I can’t see out of them. I am the rider. I don’t really need to see in the mirrors. I just put my life in the hands of the driver and let him do the adjusting. I just have to relax and let him do what’s best.  If I try to adjust the mirrors for me I’m doing what only the driver should do. 

In life we just can’t see it all before us or behind us.  We don’t know what’s looming ahead and we don’t know what’s going on in the background. But God does. He is the One who has it all under His watchful care and we can trust Him. Even when we can’t see the road ahead or feel His presence behind us, He is there.

Sometimes our circumstances seem to be working against us. We try to adjust everything to get where we want. Yet we are met with frustration and disappointment.  Then the veil is removed and we’re allowed to see the reason behind the trust. His timing, His road, His care, His plan – nothing about us except riding behind Him and letting Him lead.

Oh beloved, are you wrangling the situation you are in? Are you trying to readjust things that God is in charge of? Are you thinking you have to do something in order to be where you want to be or do what you want to do? God knows your circumstances and He knows you want to have your way, enjoy your life and rearrange every little detail. But if you will trust Him, the way, your life and the details will not only be more enjoyable, it will all turn out for your good and His glory! Put it all in God’s hands – your life and your plans – and watch as He unfolds the beautiful story before your very eyes.

When you look at your life of faith and trust you will indeed see that God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth letting Him adjust your life always!

Psalm 32: 8 I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Proverbs 16: 9 A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Deuteronomy 32:4  The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

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

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.

Drop Every Restraint and Take Every Chance with God!

Our 3 year old grandson, Caleb loves to play on my phone. When I enter the room he walks up to me with the sweetest face and says, “I want to pay you pone”. Sometimes I let him. Other times the battery is too low. Occasionally I will try to get something from him in exchange. “Okay, if you give me a kiss!” Rarely do I get one of those. But sometimes when I say, “Okay, give me a hug” he’s willing to make the exchange.  Other times he just says “hmph!” folds his arms and walks away. He weighs the give-and-take in the balance and just can’t let go even though he desperately wants to play a game on my phone. We’re both disappointed. Me, because I really wanted that hug or kiss and I so wanted to bless him. Caleb - because he really wanted to receive the blessing of getting to play on my phone.

We’re like that with God sometimes.  He speaks to our heart about moving out or moving on or simply letting Him choose the road we need to take. It’s just a little east of our comfort zone. We look at the request from God, we look at the desires of the heart, we look to Him and we look at ourselves. It’s just too much to give.  We weight it all out and find ourselves walking away after deciding the exchange is too costly.  It’s a huge disappointment for us – for we who are in the household of faith ought to be more willing to let go.  Not sure if it’s a disappointment to God, for He knows all about us and He already knows what we’ll choose. But He has to wonder why His children don’t just give the hug and receive the blessing!

Unlike Caleb, who is simply thinking with his mind, we are able to pray about our decisions and look at them from a spiritual aspect. If we let ourselves see with the eyes of the Lord, then we’ll say sure to God and move with Him!

Caleb will outgrow his toddler thinking. He will grow out of being so shy and unsure of the consequences of letting someone have a hug or a kiss. As children of the Lord, I hope we outgrow our restraint with God.

Oh beloved, I pray for you today! I pray that you will see the Lord and run to Him willingly and give Him your whole heart! I pray that you will not hold back one piece of yourself from Him. I pray that as you give yourself entirely to Him you will see all the amazing blessings that come from a willing heart. I pray that you will measure carefully what God is asking of you and do it with all your might!  I pray that as He speaks to you, you will listen with the ears of faith and see with the eyes of trust and hold out your whole life with the hands of service. I pray that you will feel the hug of His amazing love and hear the joy in His heart as you give it all to Him.

I want to encourage you to drop every fear, worry, concern and control and take every chance that God presents to you. I know in your heart you want to receive every blessing, every mission, and every plan from God. You’ll have to drop your guard in order to receive completely from the Lord. But I’ll let you in on a little secret – it’s more than worth it!  Why? Because God loves you and He’s for you and that’s where the real blessings are received.

 

2 Samuel 7:28 For You are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Psalm 119:32 I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing. (Amplified)

2 Chronicles 25:2 He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.

1 Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

 

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

Are You on a Tightrope Walk of Faith?

I ran over to my daughters’ house Sunday night to watch the tightrope walk of Nik Wallenda across the Grand Canyon. For a person who is afraid of heights I found it quite harrowing to watch. I’ve also been to the Grand Canyon and what you see on tv pales in comparison to what you see in real life: so much more magnificent, deep and windy than you can imagine.




The Flying Wallendas began as a circus act of daredevil stunt performers, most known for performing high wire acts without a safety net for nearly a century. Most of us baby boomers watched them often on television. Not all of the Wallenda family performers survived their “talent”. Several of them fell to their deaths while executing various walks. Still, you just have to admire people who appear to do death defying acts.



As the most recent family member to attempt a walk across the Grand Canyon, this trip was a little different. There was a preacher praying with the family before he began his walk. Then, all during the walk across Nik prayed and talked with the Lord and spoke to the wind and the movement in the high wire. Obviously his faith was beyond his natural talent. It would have to be. Because even the best of daredevils can’t stop a fall once it’s begun. Mere talent never got anyone anywhere. But talent plus faith or even faith without talent – that’s something God can work with and we can survive with.



Most of us have experienced some type of tightrope adventure. We start out on level ground, walking surefooted and solid. Then something comes along and we find ourselves holding on for our lives. We go from sure ground to nothing beneath us! It’s harrowing. We experience sickness and don’t know if we’ll make it. We experience rejection and wonder what we’ve done. We experience sorrow, fear, surprises, and all the while we know the next gust of trouble will thoroughly blow us away in the tempest. We don’t know how to hold on, move on or remain standing. We might begin to think the trouble is so severe that letting go would be the answer.



Oh beloved, you may be in the tightrope walk of your life! You may have been thrown into it by circumstances you couldn’t control. But it’s no surprise to the Lord and it’s not meant to blow you away! It’s really a walk of faith when you put yourself in God’s hands. You are not out there alone, you are not left without a safety net and you are not going to fall! God speaks to your heart this morning and says Have Courage! I AM with you! Have Faith! I AM on your side! Have peace! I will go before you! Have rest! I AM the everlasting hands underneath your entire life! Walk through it with Me, walk on with Me, grow bolder, rest in faith, grow in grace and knowledge, while you overcome with Me!



God loves you and He’s for you and that, beloved, is all the safety net you will ever need!



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



Psalm 11:1 I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!



Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I will sing about Your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about Your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.



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



Psalm 91:2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.

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

God Speaks and You Can Count On Him!

I find life lessons in the most interesting places. Kind of like looking for a pair of glasses or your favorite jeans. You know you had them, but you just are amazed at where you finally find them!


When looking at the first dealership, we test drove a car on a Saturday and then let them give us a price. We had really only meant to look. I am not an impulse buyer of big things!

 As we sat at the desk with the salesman telling us our bottom price after telling us what he’d give us for our old car, I asked if we could have the paperwork to look over on the week-end. I explained that we just don’t make any final decisions without praying about it and we would let them know what we were going to do on Monday.

He stepped away for a moment and in came another man – the sales manager I believe. He began “encouraging” us to buy now. We shared our faith and said we’d have to pray. The price of our trade in went up $1,000! We shook our heads. Up another thousand! Red faced by now, he mentioned something about “If Jesus was giving me a good deal, I’d take it!” Another thousand was put on the table for our OLD car. Did I mention it was an OLD car with right at 200K miles on it? We’re up to $4,000 as a trade in!

No one but me knew, but there’s a headphone in my ear. I hear my beloved Speaker saying, ever so softly, “Are you going to let that buy your prayer time?” I am standing here with my precious husband, who wants to get me in a newer car, between two salesmen, one who is just plain angry by now and my Lord speaks to me. I felt that I was in a casino! The bets were being laid down – how high would they go? When would I be bought?

I also felt a chill in my spirit and the impulse to run! As we repeated that we’d have to take the deal and pray about it, red faced man told us if we left that day the deal was off. He went on to tell us that 85% of the people who walk out never return. We told them we weren’t like anyone they’d ever met.

I’m not saying that every time you buy a car or go to the store or stop in traffic that God is going to give you an object lesson, but He might. There are times that, regardless of the deal, we have to make a choice. For you see, beloved, God loves you. And because He loves you He will guide you through all the hard times and even through the good things, so that you will be blessed and He will be glorified.

Oh beloved, have you ever made a stand for God and been met with a thousand reasons not to remain standing? Maybe you’re going through this right now. You were thinking of giving in, going on or letting go and this morning you’re here reading about God speaking. He does speak to His people – maybe not an audible voice, but He could. Maybe not directly, but He can. He speaks through His Word and you can be sure that you should follow the Scriptures in everything you do. Every day is a choice we make whether to live in the light of His Word or live by our own wits. Rejoice today that you can let God lead you from a good deal to the best because He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters!

1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Job 33:14-15 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”

Psalm 130:5 I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.

Matthew 4:4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

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.

Blessings Come When We Let God Do the Rebuilding!

I came home from work Tuesday and the wall between our den and living room was half removed. By the next day it was totally gone!  We’ve been talking about it for some time.  We needed more room for gathering.  When our kids were dating it was great to have two living areas, but now with a large extended family and fellowship opportunities, we needed more room for sitting together.

I was so impressed!  My husband, an excellent carpenter among his many talents, has done an outstanding job.  Each day when I’ve come home, more work has been done and things are pretty neat and clean.  Come to find out, he’s cleaning up after himself as he goes. But tearing down a wall requires a mess.  Sometimes you find a bigger mess when you tear into it than it looks on the surface.  Regardless of what you find, you have to get through the mess before you can see the results. 

Are you living with walls? You may have been thinking that those walls are protecting you, when all the time they are really closing you in – from life, liberty, joy, adventure and more.  You may have even come to cherish those walls because they seem to comfort and protect you. But in order to live life fully and have room to live for Jesus with your whole heart, those walls need to come down.  You may have heard Jesus discussing it with you and you know it needs doing, but it’s hard – it’s a mess.  Someone will have to clean up. 

Oh beloved, the Master Carpenter Himself is your guide!  If He’s speaking to your heart today to tear down walls, then it’s time.  For the Lord Himself has a rebuilding in mind!  He never desires to tear us up, but to build us up!  His plans for you are so incredibly out of this world!  Let Him speak His truth into your life and watch as He rebuilds the hurtful and sorrowful walls in your life, as He takes down the places that are holding you in. It may look like a mess as you stand and observe, but it will be beautiful!  Once you get the freedom you so richly deserve, you will have a greater view of His creation and your life in Him! 

Run to His Word this morning and give it all to Him!  He is the Carpenter, He knows what needs to be done and He promises that all He does will be done for your good and His glory!  Trust Him and let Him have full reign! He will clean up the mess and produce in you an awesome life you only dreamed of!  He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters!

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.

Proverbs 8:32 And so, my children, listen to Me, for all who follow My ways are joyful.

Isaiah 55:9  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Psalm 28:7  The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Hebrews 10:35  So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

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

Give That Misidentified Problem to Him!

Because I work in an agriculture office, you just never know what people will bring in for us to identify. It could be a twig, a leaf, or a bug. Sometimes what they bring is alive, other times it’s dead. They’ll walk in with a bottle or a bat and say, “What do you think it is?” After careful consideration and the occasional perusal of an insect or plant book, one of the agents will identify it. Sometimes it has to be sent to the plant labor the entomology specialist in our state office. Final diagnosis can be made once a person in authority has seen it.

As humans, we see a lot of “stuff” come into our lives. Often it’s just a small speck on the screen and we are able to quash it quickly and move on. Other times something huge makes its way into our lives or minds and we have problems identifying it. Lots of times we misdiagnose it. We fail to run it through the Book of Identification and we let the concern about it run rampant in our minds as we worry, fume, fear and become depressed over it. If we’re not careful we’ll let that little speck multiply until we’re overrun with it. Finally we have to call in an expert who can truly classify it and give us control measures or tell us that it’s not really a problem.

Oh beloved! What are you holding in your hand this morning? What have you been turning over and over, looking and trying to figure it all out? Are you concerned that it’s poisonous or going to make you sick or create some disaster in your life? Are you worried about the outcome or how to get rid of it? Maybe you’ve misdiagnosed it and you think it’s all disaster.

Run to the Book of Identification and let God figure it all out for you. He will correctly identify it as you ask Him, “What do You think it is?” As you let God look into the things you have tried to “handle” on your own, He will not only give you a right verdict, He will make all things work together for your good! No matter what you’re going through, He is the Expert and He is aware of all things, so only He can make correct analysis. You may be convinced you have seen disappointment but He sees His appointment, you may be seeing disaster and He’s seeing His answer. Trust Him today to look through eyes of pure love, evaluate your life through the microscope of His Truth and to properly dispose of the hurts, issues and misdiagnosis of your whole life. This Great Physician you can rely on, no matter what and you can leave those bugs and problems in His hands for He will surely work them all out for your good and His glory!

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God!

Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 77:13-14 Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.

2 Samuel 22:4 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while He is near.

Psalm 119:50 Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Search for the LORD and for His strength; continually seek Him

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

You Can Trust God When You're "Done"

Children’s Hospital was the location for two year old Caleb’s procedure last week.  They were not looking forward to him being put to sleep. It also concerned them because he has separation anxiety – he never wants to be away from his mother.  Diona said that after she told the nurses that, they brought Caleb a little pink medicine and sure enough it did the trick! He began to relax and no longer care what was going on. They wheeled him away on the gurney without incident and put him to sleep.

The procedure was done quickly and when he began waking up Diona and Eddie were able to go back to the recovery room.  They found Caleb trying to wake up. It took a few minutes but sure enough he got wide awake.  Then he began to attempt pulling out his iv and taking off the oxygen from his nose. Then he wanted loose from the oxygen monitor on his toe! He kept saying “socks” and “shoes”.  He repeatedly said “Done!” He was done with it and he was ready to leave.  “Done.”

Oh beloved, are you done? Are you tired of the situation and ready to just throw your hands up and say “Done”?  You’ve prayed, you’ve hoped, you’ve relaxed, you’ve recited Scripture and yet things are a tangled mess.  You’re tied up in knots and you’re ready to just walk away.  You feel you’ve given it enough time and now it’s just time to go. You’re disappointed, concerned and worn out. 

Run to the Word and drink freely of His Truth! It will calm your nerves, cure your fears and keep you hanging in there until the situation is over.  God says to you this morning that He can untie those knots and release you from the tangles if you’ll just give it all to Him. He says, I Know what you’re going through and I AM with you! While circumstances seem hopeless, with Me nothing is ever hopeless. 

Trust in the Lord and let Him love you to victory. He will go before you and lead you where you need to go. He will also keep you while you’re on the gurney of life! No separation anxiety with the Lord for He loves you and He’s always with you and that’s all that matters!

Psalm 40:3  He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 91:14  The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My Name.

Psalm 59:9  You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.

Isaiah 30:18 So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.

Jeremiah 14:22  Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, You are the one, O LORD our God! Only You can do such things. So we will wait for You to help us.

Praise God for Fleas? He Has a Purpose for Everything

If you haven’t read the book The Hiding Place I would encourage you to do so. It’s the story of the struggles of a young woman and her family during the holocaust.  Corrie Ten Boom and her sister suffered terribly in the concentration camps where her father and sister subsequently died. Corrie alone survived to be set free. She went on to write her story and speak across the continents on, of all things, God’s love.  One of the stories in her book stands out to me. Corrie and her sister were Christians and they loved to share the Bible with others, even while in prison.  The guard would come into the barracks and regularly harass and do terrible things to the women. But the barracks that Corrie and her sister were in was full of fleas.  They were horrible! Corrie regularly complained about them.  Her sister Betsie finally had an answer as Betsie suggested they give thanks to God for the fleas. Although Corrie was astonished at this idea she soon realized her sister was right.  Because of the fleas, the guards would not come into their area. This gave them free opportunity to share Christ with the women there.  Those women, in such foul circumstances, were drawn to the Bible studies as though it was all they had, and indeed it truly was.  Through those fleas, God protected the women from abuse and harassment.  Dozens of desperate women were free to hear the comforting, hope-giving Word of God.  Through those fleas, God protected the women from much worse things and made sure they had their deepest, truest needs met.

We all have “fleas” in our lives. Those things that seem to cause such hardship, harassment and trouble.  We have the choice in our circumstances to curse God for them or to give thanks to Him in them. While hard things do happen and trials do come, we can rejoice regardless of our circumstances. It is only in giving each thing to God and seeing Him work in spite of them that we find both peace and purpose.

Oh beloved, are you tired of cursing your situation? Are you finding that you are tired and worn out from concentrating only on those “fleas”?  The Lord speaks to you this morning and He says, through His Word, “Give me thanks in all things” for I inhabit your praises. I love you son, I love you daughter and I can use each circumstance to let you highlight my glory and spread the Gospel to all.  I have a purpose for your life and it is good. If you will trust Me today I will take the “fleas” of your life and turn them into stepping stones for your ministry.  Trust Me. I have you by the hand and I will relieve you of your burdens as you thank Me!

Run to Him this morning and give thanks! He loves you and He’s for you and He wants to use you to share Himself with others and that’s all that really matters!

I Thessalonians 5:18  Amplified   Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Psalm 100:4  Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Ephesians 5:20  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.