Mid-Week Message - He Will Always Be There

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."  Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

What do you do when your world falls apart?  When friends turn their backs and family no longer wish to be your allies?  When the money in the bank dries up and your health takes a turn for the worse?  When your possessions cease to bring pleasure and you find yourself alone with nothing but the clothes on your back and the thoughts in your head?  

Nothing is for certain in this world.  Sometimes, crops just don't produce and you are left with bills to pay and needs to fulfill.  So you scrounge for other sources of provision, hoping that you run across a solution.  Maybe you have friends or family to reach out to.  Or maybe, when you ask for help, you find they are in the same situation or they just don't want to be bothered.  Great pain comes from the feeling of abandonment and in those times that is what we feel.  

In my years of walking with the Lord, I have come to understand one important thing.  No matter what I am going through, no matter what I am feeling, no matter how difficult life is or how weary I get, He is the One that will always be there.  Nothing on this earth will last forever.  We do not have the assurance of a paycheck at the end of the week, or the promise that there will always be another person to stand with us when problems arise.  But, we have the solemn promise of our Savior that He will never leave us or forsake us.  

Romans 8:38-39 tells 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."  

No matter what happens or how difficult the days become, there will always be one place to turn.  We can take His hand and let Him lead us through.  God bless. 

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, Precious Lord
Lead me home  

MId-Week Message - Built By the Master Artist

 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now  you have received mercy."  1 Peter 2:9-10  (NIV)  

As the school secretary for a new Christian school, it was important to me that the students there had their memories to look back upon just as they would in a public school via a school yearbook.  I enlisted the help of parents and teachers to take pictures throughout the school year, then, in the spring, I took those pictures in all the formats that I received them, and compiled them into a yearbook.  It was a lot of work as I had never handled such a large scale production before and I did it all alone.  It was also fun doing it alone because everyone, students and staff alike, were able to have fun discovering what was in them when we had our signing party.  The theme and title of the book for the first year was "Brick Upon Brick."  

Just as with building blocks or Legos, our lives come together one step, or brick, at a time.  I am not an artist, but those who are have told me that they follow the ideas that are in their heads.  If something doesn't work, they make changes, but before any work of art takes shape, the initial mark or stroke or lump of clay has to come first.  

If you are familiar with 1 Peter 2, then you know the verses that precede the ones I have chosen today speak of the cornerstone.  I did some reading about why a cornerstone is important in a masonry building.  That stone orients the entire creation.  It is the first stone laid and sets the direction.  Before it is laid, a lot of very careful planning is done so that there is no mistake made.  After that, one brick is laid upon another until the façade is complete.  

Just like in a building, our lives need a cornerstone.  We need a strong foundation that supports and directs us.  In scripture, Jesus is that Cornerstone.  When we receive Him as our Savior and Lord, align ourselves with Him and follow His teachings, then the spiritual "bricks" come together.  Our Father knows which "bricks" to allow into our lives to form us into the people that He has created us to be.  Just as an exquisite work of art begins with one stroke of a paintbrush, so He begins with one cell and continues building physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually until we become His masterpiece.  We may not be able to see what is happening, but the Master Artist is sure and confident in what He is creating.

I have been following several things that are happening in the lives of friends and family that would at first cause me to question why.  Sometimes it seems that some of those who live their lives most sincerely for the Lord experience hardships that are dumbfounding.  Perhaps you or your family are encountering times of difficulty or suffering as well.  My encouragement to you would be the assurance that there is One in charge who is fully aware of the burden you have been given to carry.  He doesn't ask you to carry it alone rather He desires that you turn to Him and ask for His help.  I cannot tell you why you are encountering this trying time, but I do believe that He will use it for His glory and to strengthen you.  Stay close to the Creator.  He knows what He is doing.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - Everything is Possible

"Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matthew 19:26 (NLT)

Several years ago, the students at the school where I was working had a "jog-a-fun".  This was a yearly fundraiser that brought in funds for items the school would not otherwise be able to afford, such as sports equipment.  Students obtained sponsors that would pay a chosen amount per lap that the student was able to run within a given time.  I will never forget one young boy.  He was not particularly athletically inclined but he wanted so much to run many laps and help his school.  As I watched him, I could tell that he was saying something.  As I moved closer I heard him repeat over and over, "With God, all things are possible."  

It seems that each day is a marathon that must be run.  We get out of bed and encounter the same issues and problems that we had the day before plus whatever new occurrences the day might bring.  If you're like me you find yourself wondering how much more you can humanly manage.  Maybe you have a grouchy boss who is never satisfied.  You may have financial worries that you feel you will never be able to surmount.  Health problems might plague you with bad reports that never seem to end.  Whatever your specific life brings can be overwhelming and lead you to a feeling of utter defeat.  

Just today I was speaking with a friend that felt she had ruined the potential for a job she really wanted because she had water marks on the front of her jacket and didn't notice.  She was horrified and worried that she would be judged by that rather than her skills and abilities.  Even though her interview had gone extremely well, she made up her mind that she had lost the possibility of being hired and sank into despair.  As I tried to console and encourage her these words from Zechariah came to mind, "Not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord."  You see she had spent much time in prayer over this opportunity.  She had repeatedly asked for the Lord to be in control.  When she found the water marks though, she completely forgot about asking Him to orchestrate the day.  I asked her this, "Who was in charge of this day?  Were you or was the Lord?"  

When we ask the Father to take the reins of the situations in our lives, we need to trust that He hears and honors our request.  When we read scripture we see Him accomplish the impossible over and over again.  Seas parting, donkeys talking, people being raised from the dead, healings, and water turning into wine are just a few examples.  My question is this, if God sent His Son Jesus to save our souls, if He went to that extreme to show us how deeply He loves us, why would we ever think that He would be unable to take care of the big things in our lives?  He is Almighty God.  Our mountains are His anthills.  There is nothing too difficult, too complicated, too worrisome or impossible for Him to handle.  

Are you praying about something that is overpowering you?  Are you asking God to take control and to solve a problem?  Then I have a couple of suggestions.  Number one, once you ask Him to take control, lay the problem at His feet and walk away.  Number two, trust Him.  If you care about it, He cares about it and He will never abandon you.  Once He takes control, you can be assured that a solution is coming.  Keep your eyes and ears open because you don't want to miss anything that He might do and keep your heart and mind in the Word and believe.  He is able when we are not.  God bless you. 

Mid-Week Message - Eagle Lesson

 "..but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

What a wonderful verse!  So much hope!  Often quoted, it is clung to in times of difficulty.  And well it should be.  It turns our thoughts upward and reminds us that it is the Lord that will renew our strength.  We get so tired here.  Life is hard.  Some days it seems that around every corner is another hurtle that must be conquered and we wonder each time how we are going to make our way over it.  

I love that we are given the example of an eagle.  Majestic in appearance, eagles are admired for their beauty, grace and strength.  But did you ever wonder how the eagle would describe life?  As wild animals they must face the elements of nature every minute of their lives.  They must toil for each morsel of food, fight for territory, defend their nests and their young and defend themselves against predators if and when they are encountered.  To me, this sounds like a hard life. 

There is so much more to these beautiful birds than what we see as spectators.   That the scriptures use them to give us hope is quite meaningful.  If I were to add my own paraphrase, this verse would go something like this, "..those who hope in the Creator God, will renew their strength and be able to carry on just like the eagle soars even when its day has been full of toil and woe; they will run and not grow weary because the Lord will continue to strengthen them through each and every painful step and they will walk in confidence, leaning on Him to keep them on their feet."  

What is wearing you down today?  I urge you to look up and to grab the hand of the Almighty.  Allow Him to use the examples in nature to reassure you that He is in control.  For, if He can be the wind beneath the wings of a weary eagle, then just think what He can and will do for us.  God bless you. 

Mid-Week Message - Focus on Him

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Philippians 4:8  (ESV)   

There is war between Ukraine and Russia.

The Queen of England has died and a new King named.

Violence is becoming more rampant as the criminals find that they won't be punished.

Inflation continues to rise and the national deficit continues to increase.  

As companies worry about recessions, some are beginning to lay off employees and halt hiring.  

All this and more.  Such is the state of the world and nation.  We find that it is difficult to concentrate on the good things in life when we are constantly bombarded with news that things seem to be getting worse.  Five minutes of the local news can make your head swim as you work to take in the evil that seems to be prevailing.  Worry filled, sleepless nights occur more often as we wonder how to make ends meet and how to keep our children safe.  

Is peace to be found anywhere at all?  

God, through His Word, has told us that the condition of the world we live in will grow worse as the time of the second coming of Jesus draws nearer.  John 16:33 tells us, "...In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."  

Notice that He doesn't say he WILL overcome the world, but that he HAS overcome the world.  The book of Revelation tells us how the battle between good and evil will end.  This is a war where there is no doubt of the outcome.  Jesus wins!  

We have to keep in mind that where we are now is not where we will be eternally.  If we have repented of our sins and received Jesus into our lives as our Savior and Lord, then we have the promise of eternity with Him, where there is no war, inflation, death, sadness or difficulties of any kind.  

I think that is why today's verse tells us where our focus should be. "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  

Jesus is all these things.  Our focus should remain on Him and our trust be placed in Him because He has already overcome all the troubles we face.  With earthly eyes it is impossible to see how He will get us through it all but He has promised to do so and because He is Truth, we can have faith that He will do as He has said.  

Fear not.  Concentrate on Him and peace will follow.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Help For the Weary

 "Have you not heard?  Have you never understood?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of his understanding."  Isaiah 40:28  (NLT)

Life.  Day in, day out.  One responsibility after another.  This child sick, this bill over due.  Fear of what the doctor is going to say.  Afraid to ask what else could go wrong because you just might find out.  

Been there?  Are you there now?  We all know the weariness of carrying one worry after another.  Everyone has experienced sleepless nights that lead into those days of just putting one foot before the other to keep going.  

For me, three consecutive years come to mind immediately.  In 2007 I was helping to take care of my parents.  I had moved them from east Texas to be near me after my father had suffered a heart attack.  He was my mother's caregiver.  She had been in poor health for many years so it was imperative that they be where someone could help them.  They had been there for a couple of years, then in November of that year, my father got up one morning and passed away in his chair.  Now my mother was my responsibility to see after.  

In 2008 the economy was suffering.  Layoffs were occurring throughout many industries.  One of those effected was my husband.  He called me one day at work and told me he had just been laid off.  The income, and insurance, that we counted on would be gone when his severance package ended.  

In 2009 he continued to seek employment, I continued working and taking care of my mother, and we continued to raise our teenage daughter.  Then in September I got a call from the rehab center where mother had gone to gain some strength that they had found her dead on the floor in the middle of the night.  

I'm sure every person reading has gone through their own times when they wondered how they were going to keep moving.  The weights upon the shoulders grow heavier and heavier until you think for sure you will break.  But somehow, one breath leads to another and living goes on.   

Today's verse is such a reassurance.  We can turn to the One who never grows weak or weary.  Our Creator has always known what joys and hardships we would face in our lives and He already knows what it will take to get us through them.  He doesn't promise us easy lives, but He does promise us that we will not walk our roads without Him by our side.  And it sure does help when we can slide our tired hands into His and allow Him to take the lead.  

I know many who are suffering right now.  I am praying for several who are ill, grieving, battling depression, looking for jobs or are swimming in unceasing tears.  I don't have a magic wand to make all the troubles cease.  But, I know the great I Am, who has all power and can bring rest where it is needed.  

My encouragement is to turn to the Peace-giver.  Go to the foot of the cross and cry out for help.  He never slumbers or sleeps and is never to busy to listen.  There you will find hope and help for carrying your burdens.  

May His mercy and grace be abundant and your heart find relief.  

Mid-Week Message - Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

 "Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me."  John 14:1  (NLT)

Turn on the news.  Read a newspaper.  What do you see?  Heartwarming stories on the front page?  Acts of kindness and goodwill?   Article after article that encourage hope?  No.  Far from it.  We read about shootings, robberies and murders.  We get information on new taxations, inflation and the power grab of the government.  We are left with doubts about our safety and our future.  

Can you relate?  The last two years especially have been filled with one crisis after another.  Anxiety grows as we attempt to cope with the issues in our own personal lives coupled with the ever-changing world around us.  We stress over our children's education and whether we can trust what they are being taught.  We worry over decreasing paychecks and increasing bills.  In addition, we have health problems, relationship difficulties, depression and questions about the direction this world is headed and what our offspring will have to confront as they grow older.

I joke about asking Santa Claus for a magic wand for Christmas.  Unfortunately there isn't any such thing but I wish there was sometimes.  Just think how handy it would be to wave that wand and make problems dissolve.  Snobbish co-worker?  Easy fix.  Just wave the wand and that person will be the nicest one on earth.  I wonder if any of us could be trusted with such power.  Probably not.  

Thankfully, we do not need magic wands and we do not have to rely on ourselves in times of struggle or woe.  We serve  Almighty God who sits on His throne and oversees all that happens on this orb in space.  He created the world and He created each of us.  There is never a time when He is unaware of what is occurring in any of our lives.  He sees the big and the small and cares about each and every moment.  No matter what we encounter, He is there with us to direct our paths, to have His hand on our shoulder to reassure us that we are not alone.

There are days when we wonder why we should continue in this life.  We see fruitlessness, despair, and hardship.   It seems that there is no turning around for this world as we watch deceit in our leadership and the downfall of moral character.  

So where is our hope?  Right where it has always been.  Jesus came that we can have life and have it more abundantly.  He tells us in John 16:33, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."   

Beloved, this world was not created to be eternal, but we were.  We know through Scripture that one day this planet will be destroyed but, if we have placed our faith and trust in the Lord, then we will be with Him forever.  There is our hope.  We may not be able to see it with our eyes, or hear it with our ears, but we can rest in the Truth and He will enable us to calm our anxious hearts 

My prayers are with each of you as you navigate your way through what each day presents.  I urge you to fix your eyes upon Jesus, spend time with Him in reading your Bible and in prayer and allow Him to encourage you when you begin to worry about the future.  He is in control and the battle has already been won.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - The Struggle of Life

"For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!"  Romans 8:18 (AMP)

My mother's father was a carpenter.  So was her step-father.  They could create some of the most beautiful pieces of furniture and cabinetry that could be imagined.  They both excelled at their craft.  And both were missing part of one finger.  My father's father was a jack-of-all-trades.  He took work when and where he could.  I don't know as much about him as I would like to.  He passed away before I was born.  All of them had something in common and that is that they all realized that life wasn't easy.  It took hard work to earn a dollar and if the economy took a downturn, and it did in a massive way, then those dollars dried up.  

Both of my parents' families struggled in life.  It was a hard road for them.  I have told the story before of how my father moved out on his own when he was nine years old.  As I was growing up I would watch him over-buy canned food.  He wasn't a hoarder, he just liked to have extra.  When I asked him why, his reply was, "I've been hungry before and I'm never going to be again."  That was very revealing about his childhood.  Because of what my parents went through, they were determined that, at the very least, their children would never know hunger.  And we didn't.  We may have gone without some other items, but food was never one of them.  

Life is difficult in one way or another for almost everyone.  I can't speak from the vantage point of the very rich because I have never had a lot of money to spare.  I'm sure they have their own hardships though. My family seemed only to have enough money to make it through what was directly in front of us.  If something big came up, Daddy would go to the credit union and borrow what was needed and paid it back as quickly as he could.  My husband has told me similar stories about his father.  They did what they had to do to take care of what had been entrusted to them but never really experienced any ease in life.  When my father retired, he was looking forward to relaxing some but life had other plans.  My mother's health began to fail and he had to take care of her.  Had he been able to choose, he would have preferred the work he did before retirement.  As toilsome as it was, it was simpler than being a caregiver.  

What is your family's story?  Depending on how old you are, it will differ, but the basic elements will probably still be there.  Hard work to earn a living.  Dealing with financial issues, emergencies, catastrophes of one kind or another, lack of work, illnesses.  These are just a few of the issues we encounter.  Somewhere in the family tree are those who have experienced the turmoil of living.  Find them.  Study them.  What helped them through?  

The Apostle Paul was used by God to write some of the most beautiful and profound scriptures in the Bible.  He was a man of deep faith and completely dedicated to following and serving the Lord.  He was a tent maker by trade so he knew what it meant to work for wages to support himself.  When we read about his life we learn how rough it was for him as a servant of the Almighty.  He was shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, whipped, hungry, thirsty, robbed. All during his travels for the Gospel.  How did he make it through?  He trusted his Father.  And he knew that Heaven was coming at which time the struggles would no longer exist and he could bask in the glory of the great I Am.  

The troubles we have today are temporary.  Though they feel as though they will last forever, everything has an ending.  A job will be found.  Bills will be paid.  Illnesses will either be healed on earth or healed in Heaven.  Nothing lasts forever here on earth. We can make it through whatever we face, just as those who came before us did, by focusing on the promise that God will always take care of His own.  He will provide for our needs as He said He will do.  Our job is to walk close to Him and not give up.  He will give us the strength for the next steps, as he did for Paul, if we will ask Him to do so.  

I am so glad that I know how my predecessors lived and the trials they experienced.  It is a reminder that the Lord has always walked with my family and an assurance that He will do the same with me no matter how hard or tiring my days get.  I would love to hear the story of your family and how they made it through all they experienced.  History is a gift.  This week I pray that you will keep your hand firmly in His and that you will ask Him for strength whenever you need it.  God bless you.

Mid-Week Message - Just Breathe

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”   “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”   Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

This has been a trying year for my family and I know it has for many others as well.  It seems that 2018, at least for us, is a year of great testing.  We have been through situations that we could never have imagined, both personally and as a family, and learned more about how far we can be stretched than is even conceivable.  We have cried rivers of tears as we have worked to attempt to figure out why we are undergoing such hardship.  I promise you that the Lord has heard the word "why" from our lips and hearts more times than can be counted.  

I am sure that each person reading this today has experienced similar times.  Sometimes it seems as if the twister has come and carried us away to Oz where we spend our time just working to get back to some sense of normal life.  As we travel down whatever serves as our own personal yellow-brick road, we find ourselves even more lost that we were when we started out and just hope that the flying monkeys don't appear.  Although this reference may contain a bit of humor, we all know that there is nothing funny about lives being turned upside-down with no hint of an ending.  

There are many positives that have come from this difficult time.  We have grown closer to each other because we are the only ones that truly understand all that has happened.  It isn't the way I would choose to have my marriage strengthened, but I will praise God for it.  We have also spiritually searched ourselves as we have been put in the position of having the Lord and only the Lord to hang onto.  Through the stress and uncertainty of each day we have had the assurance that He is with us and will never abandon us.  That has provided the hope that has helped us to carry on. 

When my husband was in the hospital earlier this year, a very wise woman told him that he needed to learn to sit in a chair, close his eyes and just breathe.  That reminds me of the scripture that I chose for today.  Martha was all in a dither trying to make everything just right while Mary chose to sit at the feet of her Savior.  Jesus said that Mary had chosen correctly.  Which of the sisters was the most peaceful?  Mary was because she was near her Savior, listening to His words.  

What is life like in your house today? Are you stressed with too much to do?  Are you dealing with deadlines, sickness, financial difficulties, or any of a multitude of other problems that have caused you to feel that you are beyond what you can handle?  I know that feeling so well.  What we need to do is to learn how to sit with Jesus, listen for His voice and breathe.  Nothing in this world is more important than our relationship with Him.  It is the only one that is eternal.  These trials will end eventually.  All things do.  We have His promise that He will never leave us and that when we are weak, He is strong.  So, loosen your grip on the here and now, find a quiet place to sit with Him, and just breathe.  God bless you.

God in Time of Need

Everyone goes through situations that really try his or her faith. Whether it is financial, medical or spiritual, you struggle, cry or get angry and then you ask God for help. No matter what the situation is, God is there and you can go to His throne with confidence and ask Him for help.

Look at what Hebrews 4:16 has to say to God's children, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

That grace is freely given to you by our gracious God. His grace is completely sufficient for you and will sustain you through all of your problems and troubles. You must remain faithful even when times get tough. I know that it is difficult to do, but rest assured that God listens and provides for His children.

God will always provide you with a way. 

Never Give Up!

Throughout history, there are stories about soldiers in desperate situations. In those situations, the soldiers seemed to have only one thing left to do. Give up and surrender. It would be reasonable and it would be an act that no one would question. However, the soldiers decide to stand their ground and fight. Surrender, for them, was not an option to consider.

We, as Christians, fight every single day against temptation. Each day is a struggle. There are days when our faith is challenged due to illness or financial problems. No matter what we face, we have to remain firm in our faith and steadfast in our devotion to our Heavenly Father. By remaining faithful and righteous in the eyes of the Lord, we know that God will deliver us from the troubles that we face.

In my own life, I have faced many struggles and snares. Each seemed more difficult than the last. There have been times when my strength has all but left me and I am just too tired to go on. I, too, want to surrender and give up. It is at those very moments when I lift my hands up to the Lord and pray. I ask Him for the strength to go on and to be victorious. You can rest assured that God will deliver you.

In Psalm 34, David recounts his experience with Abimelek and how God delivered him. David states that he prayed to God and He listened to him. God delivered David from all of his troubles. There is a very important word that we should take note of. The word is "all". God will deliver us from "all" of our troubles. David later states that an angel of God will act as a guard and that angel will surround and defend him. You could not ask for a more. An angel sent to watch over you and protect you.

Verse 19 tells us that the righteous will face many troubles, but God will rescue them each time. 

So, when you are faced with troubles, do not give up. Hold steadfast to your faith and call to God. He will hear you and rescue you.

The righteous person faces many troubles,

but the lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19 (NLT)