Tag: god’s word

So Many Questions. Do We Seek God’s Word for the Answers?

When the picture is dim. Futures look foggy. The ways of man seem right in their own eyes. (Proverbs 14:12).

God’s Holy Word stands alone, unchanged. (Numbers 23:19). 

What do we do?

Do we open His pages?

Do we call on His name? (Romans 10:13).

Do we believe He’s faithful? (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Do we thank Him? Do we give Him praise? (Psalm 148: 13).

Do we have comprehension? (Ephesians 1:13-15).

Are we growing in grace and the knowledge of Him? (2 Peter 3:18).

Who is the Lord? And what is His name? (Exodus 15:3).

His name is Jesus. There is none greater. There is salvation in none other. (Acts 4:12). 

He was, and is, and will always be. (Isaiah 43: 13-25).

There will be a day when all will eyes see. (Philippians 2).

He alone is in control. He is before all things. (Colossians 1:17).

He’s coming again. (Matthew 24:44). 

All eyes will behold, every knee will bow. (Romans 14:11).

God hates lies. God hates evil. (Proverbs 6:16-19, Amos 5:15).  

The enemy of God is the father of lies. (John 8:44).

Satan comes to deceive and  accuse. (Luke 22:31).

Satan seeks to destroy . . . me and you. (John 10:10).

As Moses in the wilderness with a multitude of faithless complainers, against God and His ways. Serpents were sent among all the people. 

The serpents bit. People were afraid.(Numbers 21:4-8).

What happened next?

God instructed Moses. Make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Lift it in the camp. All who look on the bronze serpent will be healed.

What will we choose? Do we look up? Do we look away?

Do we bow today?

Or do we wait for some other day?

 His Word is Love. (1Corinthians 13).

What do we believe?

This is a life or death question. What answer does the Bible give:

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:14-21).

What is sweeter than the grace of God? 

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory! Ephesians 1:13-15, emphasis mine.

If you want to receive Jesus in your life. Simply bow your head and heart and ask His forgiveness for sin. He washes all the past shame and sin away. Then ask Him to fill you with His love. He will flood your heart with His sweet love. Accept His love and forgiveness and ask Him for the Holy Spirit to help you to grow in His grace and knowledge. He is faithful. he will surely do it!

Then tell someone. Tell the whole world that you are a new creation in Christ. And find other believers to grow with in a Bible teaching church.

Rejoice in Him. Worship Him. He alone is able to accomplish all that concerns all who seek Him, today.

In Jesus name, Amen.

The Light in Darkness. Always, God’s Holy Word

Christians must know the LORD and His Word more and more. We must Know HIM to have armor to stand against the schemes of the enemy, and having done all, to stand!

Read the Warnings. God has spoken:

“Don’t be misled;

remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it:

a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!

If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death;

but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life that the Holy Spirit gives him.

And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:7-9).

As Christians, when we’re confronted with a pointed finger telling us we are oppressors, arrogant, ignorant, and defensive because of our faith in the Holy Word of God, we must stand our ground, in love (as the Lord gives us His Spirit, as we continue to walk in His grace and power),

and we must speak our heart’s desire: To please the Lord and to obey His Holy Word. What does God’s Word say?

“Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many” Hebrews 12:13-15.

Also, this is the heart of the Christ follower,

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord” Romans 12: 17-19.

And in this day of debt-free living, as believers in the risen Lord, we are exhorted:

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

(The Day Is Near) And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” Romans 13:8-14.

Thus saith the LORD.

“Today.”

“Today.”

Can we hear the warnings and instruction from the Lord and walk in it?

“Dear Lord, help Your people, God’s people, red, brown, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in Your sight, fill us with Your Spirit that we might glorify You in this noisy, dark world. In Jesus name. Amen”

Together We Pray to God Who Is on the Throne

Because the LORD is Omnipotent in wisdom and power, I invite you to speak aloud His Word back to Him:

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad Psalm 118: 21-24.

Together we pray to the LORD, Creator of heaven and earth His Word:

Listen to (our) my prayer, O God,
    do not ignore (our) my plea;
     hear (us) me and answer (us) me . . . Psalm 55:1.

Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,
    for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
    malice and abuse are within it.
 Destructive forces are at work in the city;
    threats and lies never leave its streets Psalm 55:9-11.

 As for me, I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice . . . Psalm 55:16,17.

 My companion attacks his friends;
    he violates his covenant.
His talk is smooth as butter,
    yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,
    yet they are drawn swords Psalm 55:20,21.

God, who is enthroned from of old,
    who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them,
    because they have no fear of God Psalm 55:19.

We unite in prayer and pour out our complaints to a Living God, Sovereign over all the affairs on the earth:

Your words were found, and (we) I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.

 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers,
Nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone because of Your hand,
For You have filled me with indignation. Jeremiah 15: 16,17.

The LORD spoke in regards to Jeremiah’s cry. What is the LORD saying to me? To you? To US? Let’s speak the Word of God aloud that we might have ears to hear and hearts as soft clay in the potter’s hand, that He might work in us,

 Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return,
Then I will bring you back;
You shall stand before Me;
If you take out the precious from the vile,
You shall be as My mouth . . .

 And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall;
And they will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you;

For I am with you to save you
And deliver you,” says the Lord.
 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked,
And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible” Jeremiah 15: 19-21.

Can we hear the cry of the LORD, “Will you come back to Me?”

Can we hear His voice over the noise, “You’ll be able to extract the precious from the vile.” “Come back to Me. I am able to make all grace abound. I make all things work together for good to those who are the call according to My purpose.”

Together, evening, morning, and at noon we will:

22 Cast (y)our cares on the Lord,

we recite together His faithful Word. We will seek His face forevermore:

. . . He will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked
    into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
    will not live out half their days

But as for me, I trust in you Psalm 55: 22,23.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph. 3: 20).

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Separate for God or Self?

“Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near” Revelation 1:3, Amplified.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Do I believe it? Do you believe it? Why does this matter?

If God’s Word is truth, as Jesus Himself proclaimed in His prayer for those who follow Him in John 17:17, Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth,

then, I must understand there is blessing in hearing and receiving the Book of Revelation along with the entirety of the Bible. This is the revelation of Jesus.

Jesus is the Word. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God Revelation 19:13.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,

full of grace and truth John 1:14-15.

Everyday I need revelation of Jesus Christ. I need to see His glory. How about you?

The Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Am I separated to Him that I might receive His amazing grace, one time for salvation, everyday for light in the midst of a dark world.

Let our hearts sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”

 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 

 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17.

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved . . . “

Am I separated to receive the fullness of His grace? Grace is His unmerited favor on my life. Jesus offers sufficient grace and forgiveness. Am I in a place to receive this?

Happy, blessed, and safe are those who read and hear, who keep these words in our heart, who choose to believe and follow the prophesy. From the first Book of Genesis to the final Book of the Revelation of Jesus.

Where do I stand? Where do you stand. Are we separate unto the Lord?

Can we sing, “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”

What does it mean to be sanctified?

Why would I want to be separated to God? Will He take away my life’s desires? Does fear keep me from receiving God’s love and life eternal through His Son Jesus Christ?

Am I half-hearted or set apart?

Jesus was all in:

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit John 19:28-30.

Jesus gave all when our backs were turned to Him: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

The revelation of Jesus is grace and truth. “And of His fullness we have all received grace for grace.” We receive because he gave us what we didn’t deserve. This makes me want to be on His side, no?

Read in Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828, the definition of sanctify:

SANC’TIFY, verb transitive . . .

1. In a general sense, to cleanse, purify or make holy.

2. To separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use.

God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Genesis 2:3 . . .

5. To cleanse from corruption; to purify from sin; to make holy by detaching the affections from the world and its defilements, and exalting them to a supreme love to God.

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.

John 17:17. Ephesians 5:26 . . .

7. To make free from guilt . . .

8. To secure from violation . . .

To sanctify God, to praise and celebrate him as a holy being; to acknowledge and honor his holy majesty, and to reverence his character and laws. Isaiah 8:13.

God sanctifies himself or his name, by vindicating his honor from the reproaches of the wicked, and manifesting his glory. Ezekiel 36:23.

Is this not safety? In a day where so much expense and time is being spent on safety are we safely set apart to God, the keeper of our souls?

Am I a lost soul? or am I sanctified to the Lord, the One who is able to save us to the uttermost:

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them Hebrews 7:25.

“Give me revelation,” we pray in this dark day. We need to know truth. Let’s read aloud the Amplified version of His grace upon grace for those who choose Him today:

Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever]

and Who was [continually existing in the past]

and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth.

To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)— 

and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

 Behold, He is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see Him,

even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath]. 

So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 1: 4-7.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”Revelation 1:8.

Separated to God? Yes!

Let’s proclaim together: “I will be careful and safe, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Today, we ask to be cleansed and emptied of ourselves and filled with the Spirit of God, that we might have lives that bear much fruit. That God’s love and joy and peace would permeate from our lives because we choose to be separate to Him.

That we might have patience in all things. That we might have the fullness of self-control and gentleness.

We ask for a filling of His Spirit over and again. That we would be faithful to read and hear the revelation of Jesus Christ through the entirety of His Word.

He has given us a new song. Today we will choose to make music in our heart to the Lord.

Let’s continually give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His love, He has made glad, me, you, and those we are around!

PS: If you’ve never asked the Lord Jesus in your life, . . . do it now.

Simply bow your head and talk to Him. Ask forgiveness for your stubbornness and hardness of heart. Ask Him to wash, cleanse, and purify.

He will. He will sanctify you.

Ask the Lord to fill You with His Spirit and understanding in His Word, in the revelation of Jesus.

He will. He looses the stronghold of every chain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And tell someone that you have opened your heart to Love.

Where is Love?

Constant Love is Found in Jesus
The sweet love of Jesus is genuine and steadfast, enduring forever through all things. And the meaning of the word “all” is ALL!

Where is love?

“If God is love, where is He?” Some might be asking.

“This is so elementary. I don’t have time for this,” some might be thinking.

But perhaps, it’s in simplicity that God paints His pictures of love everyday.

If we open our eyes, we can see love in everything.

Color, design, majesty, in each leaf and flower. We are awed by each morning’s sun.

We understand the need from protection from danger. We blink before something might touch our eye.

Simplicity is found in much complexity.

A Designer? Many of us agree, “Yes. I believe in God.”

Many believe shallow thoughts that the Bible is only a religious book. Fluffy, fairy-tale like, with a long set of rules.

God’s Word is far from soft and fluffy, especially in its definition of love.

God’s creation went his own way, deceived by the snake, disobedient to God’s instruction way back in the beginning, Genesis 3.

The prophet Isaiah sums it up like this,

“All we like sheep have gone astray . . .”

no longer under the protective care of the Shepherd, we, stubborn sheep go our own way and then are overcome by pestilence and fear.

Hatred.

Pain.

Darkness. Every day. More and more.

Where is love?

Over 2000 years ago, on a hill called Calvary, Jesus took all our filthiness, cruelty, stubbornness, envy, pride, hatred, and murders and was nailed to the cross. He willingly left the glory of heaven to come down to us.

He took all our sin on Himself.

That’s what love is.

“Who has believed our report? . . . He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him” Isaiah 53: 1-3.

God. Loves. The world. He sees. He knows. He never slumbers.

Do we cry out for His presence?

“God so loved the world that He . . . “

gave. . .

His only Son, . . .

for me. For you.

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-6.

Love offers freedom, healing, the power of . . .

forgiveness and new Life.

Love is not like the natural man, ever.

Only God is perfect love. And He took all our failure on Himself and He offers His love to us, today, no matter what we’ve done.

The Bible tells us so:

Love is very patient and He’s kind.

Love’s not irritable,

or rude.

Love doesn’t demand His own way.

He’s never jealous or envious.

Love is never selfish, boastful or proud.

Do we hold grudges?

God’s love does not.

God’s love hardly notices when others do it wrong.

Love is never glad about injustice!

But, Love rejoices whenever truth wins out.

Love came down and was, and is loyal at a great cost.

Love always believes the best about people.

Love hopes the best for all.

He says, “I’ve been waiting for you. You are such a treasure to Me. You are Mine.”

He cleanses and heals our broken and darkened hearts. He shines light to repair all damage done. He makes all things new when we invite Love in.

Do we resist God’s love? . . . still?

Isn’t it time?

His love never fails.

Never.

(Taken from 1 Corinthians 13, Living Bible with emphasis added).

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” James 4:8.

Do you feel the Lord touch your heart today?

Talk to Him. He’s been calling You by name.

“Thou art near.” Help us remember this.

“Thou art near; yes, Lord, I feel it, . . .

Oh, but we don’t feel Him near at times. So, we keep reading as if reaching for the lifeguard’s rescue buoy.

“Thou art near where’er I move, And though sense would fain conceal it, Faith oft whispers it to love.

When our mind swirls with thoughts that pull us down, devotions to God, hymns, spiritual songs, and Scripture act as a lifeguard that has put out a float.

This poem was found in my Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible. The reading on page 256 was highlighted with Scripture: “Thou shalt guide me with they counsel.”

The devotional of 1 Samuel 23 tells of David, banished from worship, persecuted in his own country, with King Saul of Israel out to kill him. But enemies of his homeland came to invade. Should he fight and protect the people?

“David enquired of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 23:2, “And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

His men were afraid.

“Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand” 1 Samueal 23:4.

Who did David listen to? The fearful men or the LORD? David turned to God for his direction.

Today, we all need counsel from the Lord, but the voice of men is loud. Will we pray? Will we be still to listen. Each of these are doing hard things!

“Dear Lord, guide us with Your counsel. Help us through the darkness of this day. Enlighten our path, show us Your way!”

As Holy comfort, this old poem sings:

Then, my soul, since God doth love thee, Faint not, droop not, do not fear; Though his heaven is high above thee, He himself is ever near!”

He will hear the prayers of His people. He will answer. Do we know the Lord? His character, His name? We’re as sheep, we forget so quickly. We need old phrases to call faith back again:

Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art;
That, that alone, can be my soul’s true rest;
Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart,
And stills the tempest of my tossing breast.

It is Thy perfect love that casts out fear;
I know the voice that speaks the It is I,
And in these well-known words of heavenly cheer
I hear the joy that bids each sorrow fly. By the Lord’s Love by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889).

Let’s promise ourselves to make God’s Word well known. That we might rise above anything that comes to steal His peace from our hearts and minds.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever Psalm 73:25,26.

May a prayer written over a hundred years ago be fresh on our lips today:

’Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God,
That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song;
Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod;
Leaning on Thee, in weakness I am strong.

More of Thyself, Oh, show me, hour by hour;
More of Thy glory, O my God and Lord;
More of Thyself in all Thy grace and power;
More of Thy love and truth, Incarnate Word.

In Jesus’ name. Amen, and amen.

Who is praying with me?

A Snapshot of God’s Abounding Love

The King of King has proposed to His Bride. He stopped the world from busy-ness for a short time.
He presented His ring and asked,

“Will you be Mine?”

I had to take a snapshot of this heavenly image so the picture would impress daily the Lord’s point of view.

So, as I wake this new morning, knowing He sees and knows all my flaws, . . .

I rise with my heart taking hold of His hand, and my feet hit the floor as I think, “Lord, I do.”

“Lord, I’m amazed by You. How can You love me just as I am?”

“I AM WHO I AM, Jehovah God is My name. I am love. I love everyone. For all eternity I am the same.

I AM The LORD, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

There is no Love greater. I AM the LORD. Faithful and True is My name.

But to all who receive Me and believe on Me, I give right to welcome into My family.
Will you be Mine? Today, and for all eternity? It doesn’t matter how you feel. My love is above all Love, “I will betroth you to Me.”

Hosea 2:20, Exodus 3:14, 1 John 4:7-12, and John 1:12, This is My Word. I love you, still.

With each step you take, on this day forward, will you be . . .”
“Yes Lord, I will!

You wore a crown of thorns so I can someday wear a crown of gold. I worship You with a thankful heart. I am Yours.

Here is my hand, I receive Your Love. I am thankful forever that You promise to keep me and hold, . . .

To keep me and hold. You, my Love have promised to never, ever,
let go.”

(And this is my Thanksgiving prayer, that I show off my “ring” in every remaining song I sing. Who will say, “Amen, and pray to join me?!)
Happy, Happy, Thanksgiving.

Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”

1John 4:7-12, Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is from God,

and whoever loves has been born of God

and knows God.  

Anyone who does not love does not know God,

because God is love. 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us,

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through him. 

 In this is love, 

not that we have loved God but that he loved us

and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

  Beloved, if God so loved us,

we also ought to love one another. 

 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another,

God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

John 1:12, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Revelation 19:11-21, Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 

 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems,

and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood,

and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, 

were following him on white horses. 

 From his mouth comes a sharp sword

 with which to strike down the nations,

and he will rule them with a rod of iron.

 He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Romans 11:33, Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

And to the Word, powerful and rich, we speak in an audible voice, “Amen.”

No matter what, Jesus loves.

(When we sit to eat a meal, we hope to satisfy and fulfill. Today, many face great struggles and hard times. Perhaps we might read aloud to a child at our table, or, better yet, become that comforted child as we remember God through a weave of rhyme.

God News is needed to help enrich our day with food from His Word that is wholesome, sweet, trustworthy, and good.)

 

We can’t see God. We can’t hear His voice. But maybe we can, when we stop to be still and come away from the noise.

When times are filled with sunshine and laughter, it’s easy to praise God with joy inside.

But, when loss comes, or great sadness within, where can we go to start breathing again?

One vision will hold you and me at such times:

Imagine Jesus showing you His nail pierced hands. Yes, holding out His outreached arms, with marks from His scars. It’s so hard to understand.

Jesus has scars. He has suffered all we have, the same. And more.

He is able to know how you feel, He is Lord.

He was nailed to the cross, for you and for me. He was willing to suffer. And today, He says, “I love you. Do you believe?”

God speaks. Not audibly, of course, but He desires to comfort. He’s  near when we call.

God spoke out loud, one day of Jesus His Son. His voice came with sound, straight down from heaven:

“You are my Son and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”  This is what the Bible tells us in Mark 1:11.

God spoke again, at another time from a cloud, “This is my Son, and I love him. Obey him!”

The Bible tells us this in Mark 9:7.

We can see that God loves his Son.

But God, the Creator, the One in control, even though we don’t understand all that’s happening, and our feelings are low,

God gave His only Son to pay for our sin. Those marks on His hands are proof we’re forgiven.

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you . . .” Jesus tells us in John 15:9. These words should be repeated aloud at least three times.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I love you. God loved His Son so very much, but here He’s saying, with that same love, He loves us.

This is His remedy for sad times of loss.

No matter what, Jesus loves.

No matter what’s happened, He asks that we ” . . . remain in my love.”

“Now remain in my love,” This is Jesus giving us a job to do.

This is God’s remedy. This is how it’s done.

We remain close, giving God our pain and sorrows. And He comforts us. He carries us today.

And we can comfort someone else in their hard day, tomorrow.

He’s got a good plan for all who believe.

His scars healed. And  He will help ours heal also.

“Help us dear Jesus, always remember Your great love. Help us stay close and read Your word, so we can hear Your voice and grow.

In Jesus name,

Amen.”

 

 

 

God News / A Golden Start

In God’s Word in Deuteronomy 11:18-20, we are encouraged:

 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 

 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates . . .

So, I set out to write devotions to help families talk to their kids about good news, which I call God News. I hope these little devotions help in bringing up discussion. Let me know if they add content to your conversations.

Toni

A golden start, we will have with God News for Kids. We will talk of golden things.

Gold is a precious metal hidden away within the dirt and rock.

The stories go, that men sought out gold with shovels,  a lot of sweat, and eyes and heart filled with hopes for a great find.

“Gold diggers” they were called from the wild West, looking for treasure to make them rich.

Well, what happens when dig out the letter “L” from the word “gold?”

What do you find?

G-O-D.

Yes, You find “God.”
Is finding God like finding gold?

We can find God by reading the Bible, His Word:

The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.

(Psalm 19:9b-10).

More desirable than gold, even the finest gold?

“God’s laws? What does all that mean? Are they just rules and stuff like that?” You might be asking.

If they are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold, then God’s laws must be precious, and pure, and of great cost.

Yes they are, and Psalm 119 in the Bible tells us:

Joyful are those who obey his laws
    and search for him with all their hearts, (Psalm 119:2).

How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word, (Psalm 119:9).

Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through your word.
 Reassure me of your promise,
    made to those who fear you, (Psalm 119:37,38).

I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments, (Psalm 119:45).

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

Gold is the Word of God. Pure and bright, and even more—for our path, a light:

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path, (Psalm 119:105).

God is golden and His Word is a treasure. Kids, Let’s pray that we begin to “Love His law, (His Word, His promises, His stories, Old Testament, and New).

That we might have this promise from Psalm 1:

But they (who) delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do, Psalm 1:2,3.

Now this is gold. Yes, and Amen.

Delighting, or being happy to spend time with the Lord in His Word helps us have lives that are like trees full of fruit!

Man’s word. God’s Word.

Justice?

Peace?

The media of this day is filled with . . . words, words, and endless words of man. Our hearts feel oppression of lies, cruelty, hate. Confusion comes and every evil thing.

The Bible says, “if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” James 3:14-16.

This describes our day. People are confused. Out-of-order is the loud message of many people with microphones of this day.

We are restless.

Those who believe God is greater than all this, pray.

We seek His Word. Be amazed as He speaks in  Isaiah 29:

Woe to those . . .
who do their work in darkness and think,
    “Who sees us? Who will know?”
 You turn things upside down,
    as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
    “You did not make me”?
Can the pot say to the potter,
    “You know nothing”? . . .

Professional people today are ruthless with each other, they are mockers of good. They, “with a word make someone out to be guilty, . . . with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice” Isaiah 29:13-21.

But believers in an Almighty God Who sees and knows, pray.

We ask God to encourage our hearts. We read His Word and He is faithful to speak and comfort:

“Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
    no longer will their faces grow pale.
 When they see among them their children,
    the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
    they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
    and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
    those who complain will accept instruction” Isaiah 29:22-24.

These are words of hope.

The Word of God is filled with woes and stories hard to understand, but the spirit of man is fed and encouraged when the Spirit of God is invited in.

“Lord, give us hearts soft and ears open to receive and understand Your Word:”

“People of Zion, . . . you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.  Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more;

with your own eyes you will see them.

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful . . .  The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted” Isaiah 30:19-26.

“Speak, Lord. Your servants are hungry for Your Word. We have read.

Show us our attitudes that must go.

Reveal to us Your ways, unlike ours.

We wait and believe You are able to accomplish all that You say to Your people who believe.

Help our unbelief!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.”

 

Word Weavers International. A Wonderful World of Word Wrestling to Bring God’s Way and Glory Back into Light

Has God put on your heart to write? And specifically, to the glory of God?  If the answer is yes, check to see if there is a local Word Weavers chapter in your area.

There is in mine.
I love the name, “Word Weavers.” However, for me, (and perhaps you), preparing for the casual meetings to gather with local writers with a piece of no more than 1500 words, “Word Wrestler” is a more appropriate name.

Word Weavers will inspire, instruct, and encourage. No one goes home crying. However, you might feel the need to go home and wrestle.

After our time together with “cold-sandwich” critique, (meaning, after your piece is read), words are spoken of what’s “sweet,” then they get to the “meat” and a bit of “let us” too, with some wrapping up without leaving you pickled.

Word Weavers is community. It provides homework, produces commitment, and offers a calendar of opportunity.
Check out to see if there’s a local Word Weavers in your area. What was the purpose for my little “commercial?”

Well, if it be true that we are created in the image of God, and it’s apparent that something’s terribly wrong. And blaming God or others doesn’t bring constructive change.

Then those who treasure the Word breathed by Him, must take courage and declare God’s glory with their pen-or their keys, or etc. (You know what I mean.)

What if it’s true that we’re in the “last days?” And the warnings of God were never read because of man’s rage?
Let’s do it. Let’s write. God Himself has stirred us up.
If there be but one Door. (1) (Which often angers men and brings out their worst.) Let’s proclaim what’s written, and give God back His voice. Then those who take a minute to read, . . .
might find themselves transformed by a “renewing” of the mind.(2)
“His will be done, not yours, not mine.
Do you have a story that brings glory to God? A novel. Fiction, non-fiction, devotions. Poetry, Children’s stories and picture books too. Word Weavers will welcome you in a world of “weaving” and “wrestling” for some.
Join us.
Let’s write.
And enjoy a “cold-sandwich” or two.
In obedience and courage, we will proclaim light.
God gives us choice. (A great love-gift from Him.)
But, it’s time to persuade man to turn back to God, because “as in the days of Noah,” the door was closed tight.
I’ll end my rough poetry with Matthew 24. And I hope I’ve encouraged you to enter a Word Weaver’s door:
 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,but only the Father.
 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.
That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? . . .“(3)
Faithful and wise?
Food for thought, for you and me, always.
I hope to see you at the next local Word Weaver’s meeting.
 (1) John 10
(2) Romans 12:2
(3) Matthew 24: 36-46

True Riches: Faith in God through Jesus His Son

Earthly riches we see and often desire. And once acquired, there is almost always, the let down: “Is that all there is?”

But Jesus, who came to be Savior, was also the unparalleled Teacher. He, Wisdom came down and spoke to ears that would hear:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21.

The heavenly treasure of faith in God through Jesus His Son is higher and deeper, richer and forever. “Blessed—happy, fortunate, prosperous and enviable—is the man . . . whose delight and desire are . . .

What comes next? What’s this key to happiness? What makes a man “fortunate?”

What is possessed by the man or woman who is “prosperous and enviable?”
The possession of the glorious key to open the closed-door of Peace is faith in God through Jesus His Son.

Lasting. Forever. Promises enduring:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God,” Romans 5:1,2.

This sounds rich. This rings glorious, but can we understand what it all means?”
“Give us faith. Help us understand the glory of God!” We pray. And . . .
He does.
Having faith to call out to God and pray, the Bible says, is all pleasing:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him,” Hebrews 11:6.

Heavenly riches, heavenly rewards—this is what I desire. You and me alike?
Just as if I have never sinned, my Jesus sees me now. Faith in what He did for me on the cross is the beginning of riches and glory and hope for all eternity for me, and you, and anyone who believes.

The Bible says it. The Bible is truth.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him,” Proverbs 30:5.

Let us sing in our hearts, even in the midst of sorrow and loss, praises to God, because God will build in us a character that counts:

“Faith God, in Your Son who suffered and died. We stand at the foot of the cross and ask for help that we may at this time,

“glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.
 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 5:3-5.

To the One whose name is “Faithful and True,” (Revelation 19:11), no matter what happens, help us remember time and again, that the greatest of riches is faith and trust in You. Thank You for giving us the key of faith to unlock the door of Peace with each breath we take.

Amen, and Amen. Shall we continually say, “Let it be, and to Your glory. Let it be.

Blessed is the man whose, “delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity], Psalm 1, Amplified.”

Believing. In God. According to His Word, indeed reaps True riches. Lasting. Forever.

Before God parts the Red Sea, Just Keep Singing of God’s Victory

It was time for a new song. A new attitude. Of Faith and belief.

This happened to be the very beginnings of a New Year.

Those who came to the Sanctuary, for the first mid-week service of the New Year, of praise and pronouncing truth from God’s Word, heard the Pastor ask,

“What do you hear God speaking to you for this coming year?” Then he offered to share the mike.

Everyone was thinking, and some came forward to speak. I heard not audibly, mind you, but impressed upon my heart,

“Sing God’s victory song, before the victory.”
“Before I part the Red Sea, sing praises to My name.”

The starting is easy, it’s the persevering that’s tough. As the old saying goes, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that counts.”

My thoughts often raced at an accelerated pace, filled with new courage, but then Fear came running to trip up the steps. But God is greater, each step of the way, my mind would gird up thoughts: “Guard your heart.

Guard your mind.

Guard your tongue. And then, God’s gentle Spirit would remind,  ‘The battle’s Mine:'”

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

The Word of God directs continually.

By February, only weeks after my “mountaintop moment,” I felt the crashing of waves and fear enveloped me.

The fight to praise was overcome by fretfulness.

God prepares us ahead of time, giving the remedy to stand and succeed.  Do you feel as me? Do you face a giant sea of circumstance? That always shouts out, “There is no chance!”

Then an army comes: Fatigue, Fear, Failure, and chariots of Doubt and Depression at my heart’s door. Their main goal is to defeat and destroy.

What is God’s plan for us? We must keep His plan in view and continue to walk in victory. The Battle is rough and we grow weak. Yes, the Lord watches us be as the disciple’s story in Mark 4:35:

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Can we remember to sing the victory song at such a time as this?

Oh, how sad to look as the disciples in my trials. Forgetting that God is on the boat with me. God’s Word is the remedy that I need.

“Lord Jesus, help me read, and receive, and let Your Word transform me. How I fail and become faint-hearted and forget that You care. I forget that You see. I forget that You are with me. My thoughts become circumstancial only, . . .
instead of praising Your Name, trusting fully.

Mark 4:39, Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
I am thankful that His voice sounds compassionate to my heart. Perhaps today, you and I can make a fresh new start.

Let us hear His voice, Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:10.
Let get back on the horse again. Let us give God praise for being gentle and kind, and though we may stumble, we will not fall, “for the LORD upholds us with his hand.” Psalm 37:24.

Let us lift His Victorious name in the midst of our storm, and watch Him deliver us from all harm. Amen, He is able.
Amen. He loves.

Together we will worship and lift up His Glorious name. “Jesus, we thank You for Your love everlasting.”

When my God seems small . . .

When my God seems small, I need to stop. To behold. To take time. To look and read.

Then the Bible reminds me:

I Am that I Am.

The Creator. Provider. King of all Kings.
I Am in the heavens, the oceans, the grass, and the air. I AM Spirit. Evidence of Me is seen everywhere.

I Am Father. I Am Son. I Am Holy Spirit, Elohim.

I Am one God, but three. I Am great mystery.

Do you doubt? Are you confused?

I Am greater than any darkness that surrounds.

I Am God Almighty. I Am God Most High.

Open My Book, that you might be touched by My Light.

Are you cold? Encompassed by darkness and sharp, noisy sounds?  Or is it  a silence that follows you around?

I Am the Light of the world. I warm the heart. From death to life. I Am able to revive.

Believe Me now. Is there still delay? My grace is sufficient to be all you need, to bring a new start. I Am Who I say. I Am faithful.

I Am forever the same.

Are you hungry?

I Am the Bread of Life.

Come to Me and devour My Word. My Word is True.

I promise comfort and deliverance.

Ask, seek, and knock. I Am the Door, Come to Me. I will open.

I will answer you.
You are more than body. I gave you spirit inside.

Call My name,. . .

“Jesus.”

I Am here.

I am Immanuel, “God with us,” the Christ Child.

I Am a present help in trouble, I Am by your side.

Faith is believing.

Faith breaks through this moment of time.

I Am able to turn water . . .to wine.

I Am spiritual Bread.

Spiritual Light.

Spiritual day to help you endure your night.

I will sustain you, strengthen you, help you and hold. Believe Me?
This moment. Be Still and Behold.

I Am the good Shepherd. I gave my life for my sheep. I can see you. I hear all of your cries. Let deep cry to deep.

Faith believes I AM the Way. I AM the Truth. Faith is experiencing time and time again, that  I Am life. I Am the Resurrection.

I Am the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning the end. I Am gracious,
compassionate, slow to anger, . . .

I no longer call you servant. I now call you, friend.

This, and so much more than you can comprehend, this is,
Who I Am.

“And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:14).

“I am the bread of life.He who comes to Me shall never hunger” (John 6:35).

“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”), (Matthew 1:23).

“I am the door” (John 10:9).

“I am the true vine” (John 15:1).

 
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

“I am the resurrection and the life”(John 11:25).

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you,” (John 15:15).

This is the way, walk in it.

Moving furiously to draw me away, from You, O God, I cry.

Distractions and needless attractions and vices move to catch my eye.

And what about Fear, who continuously lurks nearby?

And Doubt, his best friend who endlessly tempts me to trust only in me, myself, and I?

What a whirlwind of destruction and deception and such. In circles, ever appearing—giant waves of human-ness!

But God, He’s the same. There is none like Him.
He’s able.

His mercy has no end.

He loves not like men.

But I forget . . . unless His Word is on my table!

The stories, the history, God’s provision, the songs. God proclaims salvation from the beginning. His heart . . . so longs:

But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said,

“Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea.

“Silence!” He commanded.

“Be still!”

And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.

“Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:37-40, tells a story for me, and you? “Do you still have no faith? . . . Why are you so afraid?” 

“Forgive me O God. May I continually seek Your unfailing aid. Give me an ear to hear Your voice in the morning. May I, in awe and wonder, faith-fully  obey.
And may I remember You and Your powerful Word. May I not forget, time and time again, that You are ever with me, that You are,
my Lord.”

 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more;

with your own eyes you will see them. 

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, . . .

“This is the way; walk in it,” Isaiah 30:20,21.

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