You Are Truly A Work of Art!

“You’re a piece of work!” comes to mind this morning. I’ve heard it on TV. I’ve heard fathers say it their kids. I’m pretty sure Archie Bunker said it to Edith at least once. Exasperated people use phrases such as this to vent their frustrations. I cringe as I remembered my own occasional irritability when mine were young. I didn’t talk to them that way, but there were times I would get tired of the chaos, clutter and cacophony of daily life at home with three young children.  We spent a lot of time outdoors, working in the yard, picking up sticks (I offered a penny a stick as reward!) and riding bicycles, chasing puppies, feeding chickens.  The outdoors made for smoother days as my kiddos worked off their enormous energy stores.

Perhaps you grew up in a home with an unfulfilled mother or an annoyed father or both.  Their anger and bitterness with themselves might have accidentally poured out on you.  Their words linger in the air, long after you are grown, still feeling the hurt and pain. Just as I remember hearing the phrase from long ago, you too may be recalling unintentional or intentional hurts from yesteryear.  Maybe you are the frustrated one and you are having issues as you try to live a life worth living.

Listen to the Lord’s love song to you this morning as He speaks affection into your life. God never gets frustrated with you, ever! He never throws up His hands and says, “done”. He never says you’re hopeless and He will never walk away.  He is the One Who will come and scoop you up when you’ve fallen. He kisses the hurts away with His tender words of care. 

Oh beloved!  You are not a piece of work to Him ever, but rather you are truly a work of art in His sight! You may have looked like a blank canvas when you were born but He is the painter and He gently guided the Colors of Love, Hope, Peace and Comfort onto your canvas as He created you to dwell in beauty and joy! Not only did He create you, He is continuing the canvas of your life!  He will continue His Artwork until you are home and even then you will continue to be a beautiful masterpiece in His Mansion, which is your heavenly home!

Rejoice as you learn to let Him sing love into your life and speak hope into your heart, because He loves you and He’s for you and that makes you priceless!

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God’s masterpiece…

Isaiah 29:16 How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and He is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the One who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The Potter who made me is stupid”?

Isaiah 43:7 Bring all who claim Me as their God, for I have made them for My glory. It was I who created them.

Job 10:10 You guided my conception and formed me in the womb.

Psalm 139:14 Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

What a Day for Decisions! God Will Guide You!

He spied Danny doing bike blessings at a booth during a rally a couple of years ago. The two friends hugged and he asked Danny to go with him to meet a friend. “I’ve been telling her she’s got to meet you!”  He went on to explain that just like Danny had shared Jesus with him at another rally in eastern Arkansas, he now wanted Danny to share Jesus with a friend of his. He just knew that she’d jump at the chance to meet Jesus if she could just hear the truth. 

Danny was introduced to the young woman and they began to talk. Towards the end of the conversation, she explained something profound to Danny: “I believe this is all there is. When you die, you die and that’s it.” Of course Danny shared that we are all eternal beings, and we will spend eternity somewhere ---forever.  By not making a decision, she in fact was deciding her future.

The old biker friend shook his head. He just couldn’t believe someone would hear the Gospel so simply spoken and refuse it.  She went away still trying to convince herself that there is no “afterlife”. We still pray that those seeds planted will produce a harvest of faith in her life when someone else comes along and waters that seed with more Truth.

Our lives are full of decisions. From small decisions we make as children, such as which toy we want for Christmas on to adult decisions that carry bigger responsibility. Some decisions have little if any real consequences. Others, as we get older have monumental outcomes which will turn our lives in one direction or another forever.

Today is another incredible day for decision making.  We are making history like never before. I just pray, and I hope you do too, that God will not be writing our prologue, but that one of us will be writing about the greatest Revival ever seen. Right now we still have a choice; right now we still can make a difference. Today is all we have.

Oh beloved, run to the Author and Finisher of your faith! Let Him direct your decisions beginning fresh and new today! He cares about your past, so much that He made a way to redeem each and every one of your sorrows and wrong decisions. He cares about your present so much that He is eager to lead, guide and direct your every move today. He cares about your future so much that He’s made a way for you to live with Him forever. Not only that, He’s made a way today for you to live so there are no more regrets!

Thank Him this morning for His incredible gift of choosing you!  Thank Him too that you can now choose to walk in the light of His Word and live as an overcomer, victorious and confident in Him! What a Savior, what a Friend, what a King!

2 Timothy 1:12 I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of his return.

Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

Psalm 34:22  But the LORD will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

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.”

Ephesians 1:7-8 He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

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.

Hearing a Broken Record? Run to the Lord's Album of Love!

Back in the day, old records sometimes “skipped”. This would play the same part of the song over and over again until someone stomped on the floor or went over to gently tap the player. Because of that a saying was born, “like a broken record”.  Although the record wasn’t truly broken (it was usually caused by debris or a scratch on the vinyl) it was used to refer to one who continually repeats the same statement with little variation, if any.

If we’re not careful we’ll find ourselves behaving like broken records. We’ll play the same mistakes over and over in our heads. We’ll replay the hurts, the problems, the rejections over and over again. The enemy of our soul is the maker of the broken record.  He wants us to play them because as long as we play broken records we can’t hear God’s loving Truth play. 

The repair for broken records is to clean the debris of lies we keep hearing from the surface. Sometimes it takes a thorough cleaning to get into the nooks and crannies of our lives. Once cleaned by the Lord, we can hear God’s Truth clearly.

Oh beloved! Stop playing broken records this morning! They don’t bring harmony into your life and they aren’t from the Lord! His gifts are beautiful music to our ears. They lift us up, they never put us down. The amazing thing about the Lord’s music is that even when listened to over and over again, it’s always sweet and encouraging and uplifting. Even when we fail, His music renews our spirits daily. Even when we walk through the valleys of life His Words are full of love.

Run to His Album of Blessings this morning! Go there first, before you begin to hear those old broken records. Let His Love Songs drown out the enemy’s lying lyrics, for God loves you always, no matter what! He’s for you forever, regardless of your past. His plans for you are a sweet melody to your spirit as His Spirit fills your life with His good things! Rejoice in Him this morning as you listen only to Him!

Psalm 85:8  I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for He speaks peace to his faithful people...

Judges 5:3  “Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you mighty rulers! For I will sing to the LORD. I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Psalm 104:33  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

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

Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let God Speak His Love Song into Your Life

I was really blessed to have parents who were older. One of the many great reasons is the love of music they instilled in me and the kinds of music I was exposed to. In the early 60’s my dad won a Christmas gift from a local furniture store in Nashville Arkansas. It was a portable record player and stand along with his choice of 20 albums! He and my mom enjoyed picking out something for each of us.

Big band was my dad’s favorite. Among his favorite songs was, “All of Me”.  This morning the words and tune to that song have come to my mind.

“All of me, why not take all of me. Can’t you see that I’m no good without you?” It’s a love song of course. You’ll find out if you google it, but the first few lyrics keep playing in my mind.  I can hear my Lord beckoning me to give myself completely to Him. He’s speaking words of love this morning, and I want to respond: “All of me, Lord. Please take all of me.  Can’t you see I’m truly no good without You?”

It’s a beautiful morning and for most of us it’s a day that we don’t have to rush out and get busy right away. If you’re like me you may be lingering over a cup of coffee, savoring the quiet before the week-end rush of busy-ness.  Do you hear Him calling ever so quietly?

Oh beloved, it’s a love song you are hearing! A song from the One who is so in love with you! How do I know? Because He created you just for Himself!  Before the foundation of the world He knew you. He has a marvelous plan for your life – and it includes Him! Won’t you take a moment and settle in your heart once and for all that you’ve given yourself totally to Him? Let Him speak His love song into your life and watch as that love grows into dependence, confidence, commitment and more! He says this morning, “I love you! I have loved you always. I always will love you.  My desire is that you follow me with your whole heart so that I can keep you safe and close at My side.  My side – which was pierced for you! You are not truly mine until you are totally mine.  I am not truly yours until I AM totally your focus for your life. 

Run to the Word of Love this morning and read! He loves you, His plan for your life is being laid out as you read and His desire is for your holiness to be a result of the love that He has initiated. He not only makes things right, He adjusts those things that have been hurtful or unkind or unjust and works them altogether for His glory in you!  Just ask Him to take all of you and rejoice as He shows you the wonderful life of fulfillment He has just for you!

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

1 Peter 1:2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and is Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.

Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Psalm 63:3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!

Isaiah 49:15-16 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?  But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands.

Prone to Wander? Fix Your Eyes on Him!

Little Caleb is a wanderer. He comes by it quite naturally. After all his mother was quite the traveler. Mrs. Maureen Stephens of Blevins named her “the wanderer”. She called over to a friend’s house one day after peering out her window to see my little darling standing in the highway. Yep.

Just a few nights ago, Caleb was brought back into his house at dark. He’d been out trying to play with his big brother and new found neighborhood friends. He was barefoot! His shoes had been left somewhere in the creek bed in our back yard. He wasn’t a bit unhappy about the loss of shoes even though it was quite cold out. His parents tell him often, “come back here”, “no no”, “get back in the house”… I found him yesterday standing outside on the porch when I left to go back to my house – no one including me had a clue he’d stepped outside.

We too are prone to wander in many ways. We let our mind wander to the regrets of the past and sometimes to fears of the future and if we’re not careful we’ll be out in the middle of the highway convinced that the old enemy of my soul is about to run me over! We watch too many home remodel shows and find our minds wandering to remodels and redo’s and re-fixes! We’ll have spent tons of money in our mind and find ourselves quite unhappy. Then we remember God’s Word and we’re back inside the comfort of His life for us.

So many things make us want to wander. The love of life, the desire for more, the curiosity of what all is out there. How blessed we are to know that our Father God calls us back to Himself each and every day.

Oh beloved, today as you wipe the sleep from your eyes, rejoice! Your Father God is the One Who is waking you up! He’s said today is another day in His marvelous plan for you. Stay very close to Him! He will always lead you, always guide you and always bring you out safely! Don’t wander and don’t wonder – stay close! The greatest antidote for wandering hearts is thankfulness! Thank Him this morning that He loves you! Thank Him that He will come after you to bring you back to safety! Thank Him that His plan for you is good and that He is always going to guide you if you let Him because He’s on your side!  

1 Chronicles 21:13 “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

Psalm 119:67  I used to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your word.

Psalm 119:175-176 Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.  I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands.

1 Peter 2:25  Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Psalm 61:2  From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

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

Discouraged? Saturate Your Life with the Word

While I love to have my teeth cleaned and feel the smooth polished surfaces, I do not like more invasive effects.  But it was time to have some things taken care of. So I went to a wonderful local Christian dentist who we’ve known for quite a few years. He’s kind, generous and fun to be around! Nevertheless, needles and all that aren’t my favorite. The doc numbed my mouth and left me to get completely ready. I even had a color tv and remote control at my disposal.  After a few minutes, he came in with his assistant, another friend, and began to work. He had told me if I felt anything to speak up.  In fact I did feel something and he quickly saturated my mouth with more medication.  Before long the procedure was over and I could get out of the chair and go home. I was thankful once again for relief. I had not realized how much it was hurting until it was fixed.  I had evidently been dealing with it on an ongoing basis. I gave thanks to the Lord again for the relief.

Oh beloved, is there something giving you agony? Have you held it in so long that you have forgotten what genuine relief is like? Perhaps you have thought it was normal to be in pain, have misery or deal with the ache of a broken heart.

Run to the Lord this morning and let Him saturate you with His Word! It permeates every area of your life – from your mind to your body to your spirit – until all you feel is the joy of His presence! Let Him show you all the promises that are meant to cure broken hearts or broken spirits! He loves you extravagantly! He watches over you continually! Truly He is the Great Physician Who will touch you and make you whole again!

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 107:20 He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. (AMP)

Psalm 42:5,6 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God.

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 103:5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!  AMP

Feeling Sluggish in Faith? Ask for a System Restore!

I left work Friday a little frustrated with technology.  It’s hard to imagine that one small change in a network could wreak such havoc on everyone, but it can.  One computer “died” so I replaced it with another one we had.  Suddenly neither of the network printers could be used by anyone. It was as though they’d never been there.  By Monday evening, we finally had the host computer and one other networked computer able to use the printers. In the meantime I had gone to a website looking for the recliner Danny wanted for Christmas and found a lovely present – a lovely fake anti virus malware infection! I turned my computer off and went home.

This morning as I turned on my computer I was expecting more trouble. Then I remembered one of the state office computer techs saying that if one could get to system restore, then that virus malware could be defeated. I tried it before my computer finished booting up and yes, thankfully I was able to restore the computer to last Saturday and my crisis was nipped in the bud!

System restore is a greatly needed item for humankind as well.  Even those of us who have given our lives to Christ can get malware running in the background.  The Word says it best - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – these things can overtake us. As they do, we find our spirit life running slower and slower, bogged down by earthly things that tend to catch us and hold us captive.  We still may attend church, may join, and may get very involved, but all the time that “stuff” is running in the background.  We find that we must go to our Manufacturer for a full system restore, daily, to keep the virus of our flesh at bay. 

Oh beloved, maybe you have been feeling a little sluggish lately. Everything seems fine, but you just don’t seem to feel the thrill of faith anymore. Or you’ve let your mind wander to things that aren’t of faith.  Run to God’s Word, the Ultimate Technology and let Him give you a system restore! He loves you so much that the Holy Spirit will do this for you without fussing or fuming or lecturing you! He’ll just take you in His arms and revive your spirit. In turn, you will begin to feel revived in your body and mind as well! Oh thank Him this morning that His Restoration is instant and His promises are all True! He is your Maker, so He is your Guide and your Sustainer all the days of your life! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

I John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Psalm 13:3 Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.

Lamentations 3:23 Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Busy Day Ahead? God Can Make it Magnificent!

I gave my son a ride to work and as we were coming into town we were both talking about what it would be like not to have to work every day. I talked about how my retirement fund is growing but not enough for me to retire yet. Jason agreed that it would be nice, some days just to stay home. And then we spied him. The middle aged man who rides a bicycle to work and home, about 5 miles, every single day. Rain or shine.  Cold or hot. He gets on that bicycle and goes to the restaurant and washes dishes and busses tables.  As I saw the bicycle man I said, “never mind”. And my son said, “yeah”.   We both knew and God had spoken. Attitudes adjusted.

When I got home that day, there was a small padded envelope on the couch. Danny asked me to open it and I realized it was probably the necklace I had ordered online.  I was so excited to see it! I opened the padded envelope and pulled out the contents.  It was indeed the necklace and I quickly wrapped it around my neck twice.  I touched the necklace to my chest and was choked with tears. I had “surfed the net” looking for one thing and came upon a website of a young woman, a YOUNG woman from America who had heard God call her to Uganda. She runs a home and helps feed children daily.  Her website says they “help to educate and empower the people of Uganda with God’s love”.  The beads are magnificent, oh they are just made of magazine pages and wire and small plastic spacers, but they are magnificent! By buying that string of multi colored beads, there are little children in Uganda who will go to bed with a full belly.  The mothers in Uganda make the beads by hand. So each time I wear this necklace I will be reminded of many things, not the least of which is to pray for the people of Uganda, especially the mothers.

Oh beloved, as you begin to perform the small things you may be asked to do this day, remember always that you are loved, you are cared for and your life can have purpose.  Whether it’s riding a bicycle to work or making beads to help feed your children, everything we do can be done for Christ. All we have to do is open our morning and give it to Him.  Run to His glorious Words of love and read: all His promises have your name written on them. He dances over you with joy and He speaks sweet words into your heart as His desire is to give you what you never knew you even needed. And look around as you return thanks to Him. For He is worthy of your praise, of your adoration, of your entire heart turned towards Him. Can you hear Him this morning as He sings over you?  It is truly a good day with the Lord now isn’t it?

Proverbs 16:3  Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. AMP

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

I Peter 1:3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). AMP

Psalm 67:3 Let the peoples praise You [turn away from their idols] and give thanks to You, O God; let all the peoples praise and give thanks to You. AMP

 

(photo used with permission from Amazima Ministries/Kelsey Harrison Photography)

God's Love For You Endures No Matter What!

There’s an old joke about the husband and wife, married many years. One morning the wife says to her husband who is busy reading the paper, “You never tell me you love me”. To which the husband replies, “I told you the day we got married.  If anything changes I’ll let you know” as he resumes reading the paper.  Obviously he was content with that. Obviously she was not.

There are some things we need to hear over and over. A statement from the heart about love is one of them. Kids thrive on it. Adults respond to it. Even pets enjoy the master saying in baby dog talk, “I wuv you!”

There are some things we need to know are true no matter what else goes on in our lives. One of the greatest things to know, to cherish in your heart, regardless of what life throws at you is that God Loves You! He says it often. He speaks it into your heart every chance He gets.

His True love is not indifferent. It is not apathetic, unresponsive or unconcerned. God’s love takes you personally. His nature is love, so that everything about you is loved. And everything about Him speaks love to you. 

I know we live in a world where apathy is rampant and forever is impossible! But God is True! And His Word shows His feelings about you! Although He is not bound by His feelings, He certainly feels incredible perfect love for you.  Love created you before you were known in your mother’s womb. Love made a way for you when Christ went to the cross. Love gives you purpose and freedom to be all that He intends for you to be! Love comes after you when you go astray. Love steps in to guard you when other things try to distract you.  Love is perfection that covers your imperfections.

Oh beloved!  Rejoice this morning as you talk with the Love of your life! He’s always on your side, always with you and always speaks in Love! Take His Love Story for you from the bookshelf this morning and read! All of His love songs were written for you! Daily He says “I love you!” and daily He yearns for your response for His love is active! His love will take you through the pain, the sorrow, the mourning and give you a fresh start every single day. Although His love is forever and it never changes, He still speaks it into your life always! The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords is your Jehovah –Nissi, your Banner of Love!

Exodus 17:154 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

Psalm 121:5  The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

Isaiah 52:12  You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.

Psalm 69:16  Answer my prayers, O LORD, for Your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for Your mercy is so plentiful.

Psalm 136:1-3    Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.

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

Feeling Rejected? Never Fear God will Always Be With You!

Danny and I were sharing things about our life with friends last week. He said, “We would have gotten married immediately if she’d been more than 16!”  It blessed my heart to know that he felt that way.  Those words were spoken because of love. The love he has for me is different from banana nut bread love or sci-fi movie love. He loves both of those! But he LOVES me.  I am set apart from any other love he has. He took me as his own and I took his name as mine.  He made a home and brought me to it.  Everything he owned became mine too. There was no question.  He never said, “no that’s mine” or “you can’t have that” or “don’t touch it”.  Rather he gave it all freely to me.  Because he loves me , he’s never taken one thing back.  Still freely given.  To this day. As he said that day so long ago, “From this day forward…” To experience true love, real love, is quite amazing. To know that a person would give themselves so completely to you is astounding. I didn’t bring a dowry, I didn’t own a thing. I had nothing to bring into the marriage but me and yet that was enough for Danny.  

I know that you may have experienced rejection at the hand of one you loved, or the hand of a family member, a boss or a spiritual leader. Rejection hits at the core of our being. It says to the one who is rejected, you are not good enough, you are a problem, you caused this…and more. You may be dealing with the rejection of a friend who you thought would be there forever. Rejection can come in the form of denial, denunciation or dismissal. It can come privately or publicly.  Rejection could be recent and feeling like a fresh cut needing stitches or it could be a festering wound from childhood.  You may find sorrow in the rejection but you can find joy in the fact that you are betrothed to the One Who will never leave you or forsake you!

Oh beloved, how God loves you! He has called you to be His own. He has set you apart for His purpose.  He has a Home reserved just for you and He will take you there. In the meantime your home is His heart! Everything, yes, everything is yours, In Him. His Word is full of the blessings of the bride of Christ. As a bride you have been made complete, you are given the keys to the Kingdom and your future is totally secure.   Run to His Word and read your Marriage Certificate! It’s signed and sealed by the Blood of the Lamb! No force on earth can block it, no spirit in the air can quench it and no foe can defeat it! Halleujah to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Isaiah 54:5 “For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.

Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Ezekial 16:60 Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

Ephesians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Psalm 118:29  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever

Psalm 94:14 The LORD will not reject His people;  He will not abandon His special possession.

Don't Sweep It Under the Rug - Give it to the Lord

Blake announced to his mother that Monday was his last day of school.  He no longer wants to go. She asked him to elaborate. He asked her if she remembered him telling her he missed her during nap time the first week? She said she remembered and then he said, “I don’t want to miss you again”.  They had a great time spending 4 days at Iron Mountain CMA Campground.  Out of his usual routine he wasn’t sure he wanted to return to the daily grind.

Again on Tuesday he reminded her that he was finished with school. Nap time bothers him. He says that’s when he misses her the most.  I told his mother that it was probably because it got quiet.  In the rush of playing, working and eating, there’s no time to think about missing his mother or any other problems he has.

We’re like that aren’t we? We have issues. So we get busy. There, like sweeping dirt under the rug, it’s gone again.  We have a problem so we get busier. We’re reminded of hurts, so we try our best to avoid that hurtful thought.  That mound of dirt underneath the rug of our lives gets larger and larger until we can long longer stuff it down, or beat it away. But in the quiet we are forced to review the things that bother us.

Oh beloved, God is speaking into your life this morning and He says Don’t fear the past, the troubles, those things which disappoint, discourage or depress you – I have gone with you.  Don’t fear the present, I am now with you and I will stay with you. There’s no need to fear what’s yet to come for I have gone ahead of you to give you hope and a future.  I AM your spiritual antidote for what ails your heart. I care more about your heart condition than you can imagine and I will heal it for you!

Run to the Lord this morning and open His Book of Healing! Remember always that this amazing book, written by the hand of the One Who loves you and put the stars in orbit, contains everything you need for your past, for your present and for your future! His love and His mercy have come to give you a fresh start for your day and a fresh anointing for your ministry. It’s time to let the Lord have every problem and move on with Him as He gives you His ministry of reconciliation as He reconciles you to Him. He loves you with total abandon and He’s for you forever and that’s truly all that really matters!

Psalm 119:28  I weep with sorrow; encourage me by Your word.

Psalm 119:172  Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

John 17:17 Make them holy by Your Truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth.

Isaiah 58:8  “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

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.

Psalm 118:15  Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!

Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

In the Dark? God Wants to Light Your Way!

I woke up in the night to find that the electricity is off in our neighborhood. It’s dark out! Not even a street light has been left on. Diona texted me to see if I was awake. She said Blake woke up crying because it was so dark. Pitch black is hard to deal with any time. Fortunately for us, the power has returned just now and we can move on.

I know you may be waking up this morning feeling totally in the dark. You’ve been hit with a power outage and you can’t see when it’s ever going to lighten up. Darkness seems to loom all around you and you grope to find the way. You try to make sense of the situation you’re in but it’s hard to when you’re hurting and reeling in the dark.

Oh beloved, run to the Lord, the Father of Lights! There is no shadow or turning in Him for He is the Light of the World! Yes, hard times can come on us as surprisingly as a power outage, but with the Lord as our light we never have to experience true loss of power! Our power for living is found in Him! He is the source of all answers to life’s dark times and He is the restorer of our power when things go dark. He not only goes with us, He lights the way so that even the darkness is dispelled before us. He says to you this morning Give Me your darkness – those areas of your life that make no sense or that you cannot control – I will make them as bright daytime for you as you lean closer and closer to My Light. I will never leave you in the dark or forsake you as you try to walk through those hard places. I AM trustworthy faithful and true. You are my beloved and I AM your Lord. One day you will see what I already know – that your good and My Glory are the outcome of every situation of life for you are Mine.

Run to His Word and see! All His promises are yours for you are bought with a price and cared for by the Creator of the Universe! Rejoice in Him regardless of the dark and wait in peace until the light returns! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that matters!

I John 1:5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all.

Job 12:22 He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; He brings light to the deepest gloom.

Psalm 18:28 You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.

Psalm 112:4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

Isaiah 49:9 I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be My sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.

John 12:46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark.

Pest Problems? Let Christ Be Your Remedy

When we returned home from the CMA Rally last week, we found that we had ants on the kitchen cabinets, lady bugs on the ceilings and moths were hanging here and there.  There was also a big spider web in the corner of the living room. Pests had taken up residence while we were gone!  We left our home locked and safe, yet intruders had gotten in.  It took some doing, but we got the ants under control, vacuumed the lady bugs and swiped the cobwebs from the corners.  We could have left them alone and let nature take its course, but we’d have had a bigger problem on our hands.  Even though we had mounds of clothes to wash and loads of camping equipment to put away, we took care of those little problems first.  Pests come when we least expect them. Even at camp, although our camper was snug and our zipper stayed closed, as we closed our camper up, we found a black widow spider crawling right at the doorway. 

Are you living with the pests of life? Regrets meeting you at every doorway? Are there cobwebs of sorrow lurking in the corners of your mind? Thoughts of unrealized hopes could be hanging from the ceiling of your life.  Fears dance across the counters on a daily basis. Every time you try to wipe them away they reappear as though you’ve done nothing about them!

Oh beloved, run to the Lord! He has the best Pest Control Guidebook in the universe! He has a remedy for every problem you’ve encountered in the past. What’s more, His control takes care of the present and the future! His Word limits the greatest enemy of your heart, the devil, and makes your life sound, sealed and delivered! His love for you is limitless, His care for you is round the clock and His plans for your future are laid out for you to receive! Let Him be all that He is for you and rejoice as He reminds you daily that you are loved and He is with you forever!

Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. (NAS)

Psalm 104:34 May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

Proverbs 19:23 Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

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.

God is On Your Side and He Adores You!

 

My father was an independent man. He left home at age 16 and joined the Navy. He visited home occasionally but never returned to stay. I was born when he was 56 years old. He had traveled the world and showed up in the drug store of the Driscoll Hotel in Corpus Christi Texas where my mother worked.  He swept the 41 year old woman off her feet and the rest is history.  Not all of my father’s history was good. Looking deeper into the layers of his life you’ll find a father who was distant and unforgiving.  My father’s mother died after giving birth to him. My grandfather held it against him all of his life.  One of his most sorrowful moments as a child was when, in anger, his father hit him in the head with a well pulley. My father was out for days and the family wasn’t sure if he’d survive. But survive he did. His grandmother protected him while she was alive but eventually she died and he was left to fend for himself. As soon as he could he escaped.

I know the past can be hard to overcome. You may have been too sheltered and find it hard to deal with life. You may have been abused physically, emotionally or verbally.   You might never have been told that God even existed, much less that He loves you and has a marvelous plan for your life. You may have turned your back on your raising because it was just not good. Just as my father became independent, you too may have vowed “I don’t need anyone”. 

Oh beloved, it’s time to escape! Escape to the One Who can heal you of all scars, protect you from all harm and see you through all troubles!  His Name is Abba Father and He knew your name before you were born! His plan for you began before the world was formed.  Although life can be harsh, trials and tests can appear for a while, you have nothing to fear for your Father God is watching over you.  Your independence will not get you where you really want to go, for without the Lord of Heaven and Earth guiding your steps you will continue to fall short.  Let Him love you today! Let Him heal you in every way! Let Him hold you close as He whispers to you: I AM the Lord Who heals you and I will take whatever happened in your past and turn it out for your good and My Glory! All you have to do is give Me the opportunity by turning it all over to Me. I love you and I AM on your side and that’s all that really matters, in the past, right now and in the future!

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.

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Exodus 6:7 I will claim you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I AM the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.

Psalm 75:3 When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I AM the one who keeps its foundations firm.

Isaiah 45:3 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I AM the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

Isaiah 57:19  bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the LORD, who heals them.

Rescued to Live Loved Forever!

My grandchildren love super heroes! There are so many to watch. Movies to cartoons have the characters that come to the rescue, help the distressed and deliver the captives.  They also do their best to destroy the bad guys.  Super heroes have infinite power and unstoppable strengths.  They are awesome and available for any situation.  It’s great to have a few movies and shows left where there is a definite bad guy and definite good guy.  The lines have been blurred in our society so that no one is very bad or very good. 

My brother was my first super hero.  He has always been a blessing to me, but as a child I looked up to him for protection and hugs.  He was tall, handsome and strong. Although he was 13 years older than me, he always took time for his little sister.  He made a snowman for me when we had a rare Houston snow, brought me a doll for Christmas when he was in the Navy and we continue to love one another whenever we get the chance.  We talk often and well, he’s just “super”!

Super heroes abound in the world of faith as well. From Billy Sunday to Billy Graham and Smith Wigglesworth to Beth Moore, there are super heroes for any personality or problem.  I find myself reading quotes from them occasionally and finding great solace in their words.

I think though that brothers (and sisters) in Christ are the greatest super heroes. Those folks who stay by your side, speak love and encouragement into your life and walk beside you when times are hard.  They are average citizens by birth but giants of the faith by re-birth.  They hang in there, they are approachable and they stick with you when others walk away or speak negatively.

Oh beloved, I pray this morning that you have super hero friends in faith! But above all I pray that you know that Christ Himself is our perfect Super Hero! He will always be with you. He can always be trusted. His ways are perfect for any way you find yourself in – whether it’s the way of pain, suffering, discouragement, or abandonment. You may be kicked to the curb, left to the wolves, placed in the trash or told you are unwanted.  But the King of Kings says you are made perfect, have a new start, generously loved, greatly needed, always remembered and eternally cared for. An ordinary king might consider you beneath himself, but not Our King! He left the Throne of Heaven to grant you ultimate Victory! Rejoice this morning that you live loved forever! Rejoice that you are part of His Kingdom! Rejoice that you are never alone! His plans for you are wonderful and as you cling closer to Him, His plan will unfold before you! Oh what a Savior, oh what a friend!

Isaiah 42:13 The LORD will march forth like a mighty Hero; He will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout His battle cry and crush all His enemies.

Acts 2:25 King David said this about Him: ‘I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

Romans 10:12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him.

Psalm 109:21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD, for the sake of Your own reputation! Rescue me because You are so Faithful and Good.

Psalm 68:4 Sing praises to God and to His name! Sing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD— rejoice in His presence!