Have You Wandered? Look to Jesus for He's Always with You!

Our wanderer, Caleb, has been at it again. As soon as we arrived home from our trip last weekend, we heard the story. Caleb had disappeared and his parents were looking for him everywhere. Finally, it was his mother who found him – down below the house in the woods at the edge of a pond. He was standing there with a stick in the water. Calmly, though you know fear raged through her, she asked him what he was doing.  He replied, “I catch pish.” She noted he was missing a shoe. He said he threw his shoe in the pond to catch a “pish”. She took him in her arms and said that this was very dangerous.  It was then that he looked around and said, “It’s scary”.  He had not noticed anything about his surroundings because he was on a mission to catch fish. We pray often for Caleb, for we know that he has no fear. After all, his name is Caleb! I truly believe he has the spirit of Caleb in the Old Testament. That being a side note, he is a little boy, not yet three and he had gone through the woods to a pond full of snakes in a neighborhood that has seen a bear and packs of coyotes and more! Someone was obviously watching out for him.

We too are on a mission. Every one of us.  For believers, it’s a mission of faith, hope and love. Like Caleb we are fishermen as well. We share the Gospel with others and God reels them in. As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and our hearts fully centered on Him, we won’t notice other things. But get our eyes off Jesus and we find ourselves surrounded with fear, worry, endangerment, despair and more.

Oh beloved! I know, I really do, that times are hard. I know that jobs can play out, groceries can get low and the pickings can be slim. Right now you may have realized that in the scurry for worldly things, you’ve wandered off into the woods of life, looking for the very things you left behind long ago. The Lord says to you this morning, I AM with you. I always look after My own and I keep My eyes on you all the days of your life.  I AM your keeper and I will always call you back to Myself. I AM the one who will readjust your thinking and get you back on track. As long as you look full in My wonderful Face! Your job is to stay as close to Me as possible so that you fully experience the faith, hope and love that I have in full supply for you. 

Run to His Word this morning and read His plans and take them in fresh and new in your heart! He has promised and what He’s promised He will perform! Just look at Jesus and He will get you back safely to where you need to be. He loves you so much that He’s come after you this morning. He’s on your side so much that He’s refused to leave you helpless in the thickets. And this Savior of your soul is worth shouting Blessings and Honor unto His Name! And that’s what it’s all about!

1 Corinthians 13:13  Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

2 Corinthians 5:18  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him.

Psalm 91:13 For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

Psalm 34:5  Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Psalm 119:176  I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands.

Psalm 107:4-9 Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.  “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He rescued them from their distress.  He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.   Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.  For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

The Lord of Heaven's Armies is With You!

An odd thing to note about this year’s Veteran’s Day was the absence of the usual run of War movies on many of the stations. Generally we are able to watch such epic stories of heroism and valor as All’s Quiet on the Western Front, A Bridge Too Far, The Guns of Navarone, Midway, and Sands of Iwo Jima, to name a few. Quietly absent from most channels, these movies and others serve as a reminder of who we are, where we’ve come from, what we’ve survived, how we achieved victory and how to tell the enemy from the good guys.

The old movies about wars America fought show a clear line of demarcation between good and evil. They portrayed many hours spent at the strategic table, calculating the arena and making plans to achieve victory. The enemy too plotted to gain the upper hand. It was a real struggle between the two forces.

A long time ago, a war began in the heavenlies. There had been complete peace up until the first strategic missile was launched at the couple who lived in Eden. That one launch and fatality provided the ammunition to continue the conflict. This war had specific names on the manifest: who was slated to be killed, stolen from and destroyed.  Make no mistake; the enemy on the other side has incredible schemes.  His maneuvers, tactics and desires still exist to this day.

Although we know the end of the war is soon to be played out and we know that the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords will come on the scene and wipe out all who oppose Him, until that dying day our adversary will continue his assault. We just have to be armed and ready for any sign of enemy encroachment on our land, for God has promised the believer that everywhere he or she steps is territory given to them by God Himself.  The only way we can make it is to familiarize ourselves with God’s plans for us in the Word of God, so that having done all we can stand. Unlike the enemy’s plans, God’s plans are awesome in power and available to us always!

Oh beloved! Are you tired of the struggle? Are you huddled in a corner with your arms over your head, hoping that the last round of mortar fired will cease? Do you feel shell shocked, worn out, completely ready to give up and give in? Run back to God’s Word and see! You are more than a conqueror, you will be completely victorious, you are walking in the light of His Word and you are able to stand against the enemy of your soul.  The enemy is not the winner, you are. Through Christ’s power and love we can walk in triumph. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies loves you! The Lord of Heaven and Earth is on your side! He will fight for you and He will see you through to complete Victory because of His great love! Shout to the Lord this morning and thank Him for His unspeakable gift!

Psalm 130:6  I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 68:35  You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!

Psalm 66:3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.

Isaiah 40:10  See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and He rules with a mighty arm. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Typos Ruining Your Story? Let God Provide!

The last two days of devotionals have been written from my phone. There were a few typos as I attempted to bring the Word from God. Normally on a computer there’s spell check and grammar check – both great tools to help you out as you type. The screen you see at a computer is so much larger than the one on a phone. So large that you can see your mistakes easier as well. I don’t like typos found after it’s too late.




There are two immutable facts that can’t be denied: there will be typos in life and God’s Word contains absolutely no typos! Given the fact that we’re human beings we can be sure mistakes will happen in our lives. Given the fact that God is God, we can be sure that His Word is faultless! How can we, fault filled humans reconcile our lives with God, the Perfect One?



Oh beloved, run to God’s Word and pour yourself out to Him. Give Him all your errors and failings! He will never turn you away! For every mistake you make He has the way of correction! For every hurt you’ve received He has the balm of Gilead. For every troubled moment in life He has the Fountain of living water that washes away those hurts. He is your answer to anything, everything and all things! He loves you without reservation! He’s for you no matter what! And He says I AM your God, your Father, your Deliverer, your Healer and your Friend! That’s worth saying Hallelujah to the King of Kings!



Hebrews 2:14-16 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; He came to help the descendants of Abraham.



Psalm 103:3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.



2 Samuel 22:31 “God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.



1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord remains forever. And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.



2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

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.

So Many Choices! Your Delight is in the Lord!

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

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

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

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

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

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

James 1:17  Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

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

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

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

 

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

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

Hard Places? Trust Him!

As I woke up from election night I looked at Danny’s minister’s license and ordination papers in their frames on the wall.  I recall many years of seeking God and following His plan. Along the way there were always people trying to tell Danny what to do and how to do it. But Danny always listened to God. And when God led him to be ordained it was right.

Those papers belong to Danny and they are a symbol of his walk with God.  They are also a symbol of God’s work in Danny’s life.  He is ordained to preach the Gospel.  Nowhere in those papers will you see that Danny is ordained to call elections, participate in campaigns, or sell motorcycles. His role is preacher, teacher, leader of the Gospel. Nothing else, nothing less, nothing more.

This election has some of us reeling.  The signs of the times are plainly written on the walls of history and are being written anew in our futures. Neither Danny nor I crusaded for either candidate, even though we had our druthers.  But that’s not our focus, that’s not our platform.

The Gospel is our only Hope. The Gospel is our only pledge. Though the walls of my home will eventually crumble, and those papers may be lost, the call to preach the Gospel will be there always. I pray this morning as you begin to pick up the pieces of whatever you are going through, that you always remember that Christ is in you and that He is your hope of glory. Share Christ, share love, share Truth. For we are His speakers to a lost and dying world.  We are His standard to a nation and a world that wants to bury the Truth of the Gospel.

Oh beloved, Run to His Word this morning and find His Truth and live it! Learn it well for you will never walk in the light of His Word unless you take it in! Study to be sanctioned of God. Let His Word be your certificate on the wall of your heart so that no matter what comes you will be able to stand - In Christ alone. His love for you will carry you through the good times and the bad, the pleasant places and the hard spots, the joys and the sorrows.  As long as you live in the light of His Word you will be safe regardless of your circumstances or whoever is elected because you will be able to say He’s on your side. And absolutely without a shadow of a doubt this is truly, truly  all that really matters.

Galatians 1:11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning.

Matthew 24:14  And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Luke 22:35  Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied.

Ephesians 3:7  By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

Philippians 1:27 [ Live as Citizens of Heaven ] Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

1 Peter 1:23  for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

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.