Got Burdens?

I go to the post office for work nearly every day. Some days I only carry an envelope or two. Other days I may have several boxes. On some days the box carrying gets interesting. Between 20 pound soil boxes, light plant sample boxes and envelopes, it gets hard to hold them securely. Sometimes, when trying to open the post office door or put the boxes down, everything goes flying. If I’m not careful my frustrations will fly as my calmness flies out the door as well.

When life is a heavy load of stuff I find that I get more and more frustrated as I try to handle it all myself. God speaks to my heart and reminds me to let Him carry the load and then I can relax as all those things settle in proper order. Can you relate?

I have discovered that I might need to let some things go. How many boxes are you holding? What all are you trying to take care of? Are you barely hanging on? Are things flying wildly away around you? Do you wonder where it will all land and if you will be injured in the process? Hold on – God’s stepping in to give you a hand with all the “stuff” of life. You may be trying to make up your mind to make it on your own, but don’t leave God out of the decisions when you need Him the most. 

God wants you to know that you don’t have to keep juggling things. He wants you to know that life in Him is not always easy but you can handle it if you will give it all to Him. He speaks calming words over your life. The extreme struggle you feel is not from the Lord, but He will use it to get you to look to Him. He knows that often it is only when you are unable to do another thing that you will call out to Him, but He’s been helping you all along. He wants you to look only to Him for help, so that your life is hidden completely in Christ. That kind of life will bring you great peace and you will realize your true worth and value to Him. Juggling on gets you frustrated but walking in the light of the Lord will keep the frenzies and flusters away. 

Oh beloved, it’s never too late to release your overburdened life to God. He has shown you through the Easter promise that He is trustworthy, faithful and true. He has shown you through His Salvation that you are in His hands. He has shown you through His Word that everything you need to know about life and godliness is available to you. It doesn’t matter what other people think or do, it is your destiny to hold onto God and let Him relieve you of unnecessary burdens so you can live loved and walk in peace. The world’s message says busyness is godliness. But godliness comes flooding into us when we let God do the choosing. It is in the quietness of time spent with God that you will find the ability to handle your life’s demands and leave the choices to Him.

God loves you and He’s for you- on this you can rely. Live life and love Him and let Him walk through it with you always.

“Lord thank You for being my Help. Only when my life relies on You do I truly walk in victory and shed the burdens of life. Oh how You love me. You keep wooing me back to You. Today I give my burdens to You to order my life for Your glory and my peace. Amen.”

Psalm 94:19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.

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.

Psalm 124:8 Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Bring Every Need to the Lord

I woke up this morning fully expecting to see at least some white stuff on the ground. But to my surprise there’s no precipitation happening, nor did any happen overnight here. The weather centers keep saying we are going to have bad weather, but it hasn’t materialized yet. I don’t know if I should keep relying on their word or not. Maybe I just can’t trust their word anymore. After all the we...ather forecast hasn’t occurred here, at least not yet. It’s not that I’m disappointed. I just thought they knew what they were talking about. After all they’re experts. They said they know and they’ve given us the word.

There are times when I have prayed and prayed about something. You know, that heart’s desire that is always on my mind and always on my lips. I research the Scriptures and I pray the Word over the situation or the person. I know God’s forecast says the Word is true and the answer will come. But it’s been a while. Do I keep looking out the window of my mind? Do I keep believing the answer is imminent? Or do I give up? Do I stand on the Word of the Expert or do I fold under the circumstances of what my eye sees?

As I am typing this very devotional I am beginning to hear the freezing rain outside my window. The weather officials were right. We are experiencing the answer to their word. I kept watching the news cast and kept looking for the evidence and it is occurring, finally.

Oh beloved. Most everyone prays about something. But you’ve been looking for specific answers to specific prayers. You’ve prayed and prayed and prayed. You’ve looked, watched and wondered. Others may have told you it was foolish to pray that prayer. But you’ve kept on praying. You also keep looking for the evidence of that answer. You’ve prayed in the car, in the bed, at the kitchen stove and in your office.

You’ve also stood on the Word of God and prayed that over the loved one or the situation. You can be assured that not one of those prayers is prayed in vain. God hears every single prayer. While the answer must always be left in His hands, (how can we make it happen ourselves?) we have assurance that if we keep seeking, keep asking and keep knocking He will eventually open that door to the answer. Don’t think your prayers are insignificant, unimportant or useless.

Unlike the weather officials, who sometimes do get the weather outlook wrong, God’s Word can always be trusted. Keep bringing all your needs to the Lord for He never ignores you. Keep seeking His face for that wayward spouse or child or parent for His desire is that all should come to the knowledge of God and live for Jesus. Keep praying the Scriptures over it all and watch. Let God encourage you when everyone around you says it’s useless.

Keep knocking on the door of God’s heart for He loves you and He’s for you and He promises that He will withhold no good thing from you as you seek Him earnestly in faith.

Psalm 69:13 But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.

Luke 11:9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

1 Kings 8:28 Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today;

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Dance with the One Who Loves You!

In the 50’s and 60’s Arthur and Kathryn Murray, famous dance teachers, danced across the television screen.  I was a very little girl and so loved to watch them, especially when they did the last waltz together for that week’s show. Each step was carefully executed with ease and grace. There are still Arthur Murray Dance Studios around, although the Murrays are no longer with us.  I know, I know,  I’m dating myself.

I have danced a lot of dances over the years. As a pre-teen there were some pretty crazy dances including the swim, the pony, the frug, the twist. Those dances were designed to do a lot of jumping and twisting and even if you had a partner you danced more independently. There have always been the waltzes that couple dances together. The only way to dance the beautiful waltzes is to let one partner lead. That partner is in control of the dance and you. You follow their step and whirl around the floor in perfect unison.

As I think back to that old show and those dance teachers of yesteryear, God speaks. I’ve had complete strangers want to come up to dance with me. They always want to take the lead. There’s been depression.  Disappointment, which shows up just as my expectations are not met.  Discouragement which likes to dance me around me life and show me all the messes and problems. Fear is another partner who tried to take the lead, trying to convince me I can’t move because it. All the partners of the world have come to the dance floor vying for my affections, trying to control my every step, managing to distract me for a time.

But one day there was One who came to the floor of my heart and life and asked to take me on the dance of my life. He instructed me that it would be like no other dance, it would be perfectly executed and I’d never miss a step with Him.

When you dance with the Lord everything changes! There’s no room for other dancers. They may try to come to the forefront, to get you off the mark, but they can’t as long as you hold tightly with the One Who loves you like no other. His dance is complete – it contains all the moves that you and I will ever need, dear heart, to dance through life.  His perfection is apparent as He keeps us smoothly waltzing across dangers, behind fears, over depression and on to new horizons of love, joy, peace, and more, oh so much more!

Who have you allowed to dance with you? Are you reeling from the effects of being in the arms of sorrow, depression, hurts, anger, fear, dejection, unforgiveness and more? They were enjoyable at first, but then you realized you are taken captive, in their snare.  Are you numb from the moves, but feel unable to change?

Oh beloved, Rejoice, for the King of Kings and Lord of Lord desires to enter the dance floor of your heart and wipe the place clean of competitors. He will take you by the hand, lead you into His presence, keep your heart and mind secure. He will remove all other distractions and give you the strength to keep on dancing with Him.

If you will focus on Him Alone, and let Him lead, He will love you, watch over you, guide you and protect you through the dance floor of life and keep you safe all the way to heaven where you’ll live with Him forever. Now that’s worth dancing in fields of grace with the One and Only all the rest of your days!

Lamentations 3:22-25 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;   therefore, I will hope in Him!”  The Lord is good to those who depend on Him…

Deuteronomy 13:4 You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.

Psalm 121:3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Psalm 62:7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

Do You Know Him as Your Beloved Lord?

Danny and I are pretty busy. Many times we are going in different directions to get everything done. After all these years I know what he thinks and how he feels about things so I can anticipate his needs to a great extent. If we’re going on a trip I know what he likes to carry so I pack things for him. He knows me as well. He knows I like to carry too much stuff so he anticipates needing more room.

We didn’t know each other so well in the beginning. But we loved each other so we studied one another to find out how to please each other not just ourselves. I assumed I knew how to cook but you know I had to really learn how to make a meal taste good. I had to find out that we didn’t always like the same food. Although I knew Danny, I found out so much more about him when we got married and we shared everything together. We surprised each other about some things, we adjusted other things and together we learned to know another better. We found that dating was great, but being married was wonderful. I found that to know Danny was to love him and I’ve always been blessed with the trust in his faithfulness, loyalty and truth.

People think they know God. You hear all kinds of things about Him. I grew up seeing Him as a benevolent old man who could get you if you crossed Him. My father called Him the “old man upstairs” so I had that picture of Him as well. But I kept thinking He was with me and watched over me. I called on Him often for help and for security. Others think of God as a distant aloof being. Yes, God created the world or something, but He pretty much leaves us alone to do our own thing. Some people fear God, others disdain Him. Some live with incredible guilt regarding Him and others blame Him for everything. He seemed nice to me, but I just didn’t know much about Him.

When we are born again, we begin a covenant relationship with the Lord. Kind of like a marriage. We begin to live with the Lord – He comes to make His home in our hearts. Unlike human marriage, which can have a rocky start as people don’t know much about one another, this union is perfect because God Himself laid it all out for us. The Bible is our marriage manual. Through it we can learn everything we need to know about the Lord God, about Jesus and about the Holy Spirit.

There is an enemy to this marriage and his name is Satan. He doesn’t want you and I to know about God. He will do everything He can to keep us from reading the Word, learning about God and living in the light of all that’s contained within those most beautiful pages. 

 

God’s desire is full disclosure – He shows us everything we need for life and godliness. Satan’s desire is to keep us in the dark, so that we don’t trust the Lord. And if we don’t trust Him we’ll find the relationship of our faith weak and distant.

The One who placed the stars and planets in orbit, the One who gave the earth its axis and set it securely in the heavens is the same One who loves you deeply and provides all your needs. He wants you to know everything about Himself, including His never ending love! God knows that if you get to know Him you will love him more. The more you read about Him the more you will learn to trust Him. The more you trust Him the more you will let Him be your leader, your guide and your friend. Every single word of love and care was written with you in mind.

Oh beloved, run to the Book of Love this morning and read about your relationship with the Lord Himself. This amazing love relationship He desires for you is beyond belief! He loves to bless you with every spiritual blessing as you reach out to know Him better. He loves you eternally – the great I AM – and He is for you always to save you, to keep you, to deliver you and to take you home with Him. Now that’s worth loving Him, knowing Him and trusting Him forever.

Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (God’s) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Deuteronomy 33:3 Indeed, He loves the people; All Your holy ones are in Your hand, And they followed in Your steps; Everyone receives of Your words.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 31:14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”

Mondays Not Mundane When God is With Us

It’s Monday.  For some it feels like back to the salt mine. Put your nose to the grindstone.  It’s just something you’ve gotta do. Often the American worker wakes up in their mid years and wonder how they got where they are.  There must be more than this may be muttered under the breath as each one after another goes to their vehicle and climbs in for the drive to the office or the plant.  Everyone starts out feeling so good about work and getting ahead. Yet after so many years, the clock punching can get old and the back goes out more than they do.

Life can be really monotonous.  It’s so repetitive in day to day life. No matter how many dishes you do, there’s always dishes to do. No matter how many clothes you wash or meals you prepare there’s always more.  Work, housework, repairs, bills, etc. Is this really it you may be asking yourself this morning.

It is what it is.  Unless…what if our destiny is not in our own hands? What if we don’t go to work alone? What if our paycheck is a gift? What if the money we have and the life we live belongs to someone else rather than just to us?

Your Mondays may have been mundane, but when you apply God’s Word to every day of the week, it’s bound to be Sunday in your heart! Every good gift you have is given to you by Him! Every opportunity to see another Monday is a gift as well. Every paycheck handed to you each payday is a present straight from the Throne Room, giving you opportunities to make it in this world.

Oh beloved, run to the Master Employer and read what He has to say about you! He loves you so much that He has given you something to live for beyond the everyday! Everything you have has been given you by the Lord!  Let Him love you and show you that your destiny is in His hands, not your own! Even if you’ve gotten to a bad spot where there’s more money than paycheck, run to Him! He not only gives you grace to make it, He is able to make a way where there is no way. Love the Lord and let Him show you how to be more than a worker, to be a light in the darkness wherever He has allowed you to be.

Oh how He loves you! Oh how He has plans for you! Oh how He will take your Monday and make it more than glorious because you are walking with the King! You don’t have to be anxious or downtrodden, for you are a servant of the Most High God! Seek His face, work as though He were your boss and thank Him for everything He gives you to do! Seek Him if you need help with your bills, your troubles, your fears. He is always with you! You are blessed, you are walking through the hard places into His loving care and your destiny is secure in Christ!

Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Proverbs 3:26 for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Isaiah 29:19 The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Deuteronomy 24:14 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. NAS

Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

When Storms Come Get Ready to Report!

As I watch the Weather Channel, I am amazed that those reporters will stand outside to report, even in the gales of hurricanes! As the storm approaches they begin to find it harder and harder to stand.  The wind and the rain beat against them with all the forces of nature. Hats are blown off and jackets are flapping. But those reporters, having been given the task of informing the public, make their stand. No matter what, they hold their ground through it all.   

They could walk away. They could focus on the storm and say it’s not worth it. They could become afraid of the bad weather.  They could get mad at the station manager for giving them that dangerous assignment.  Or, they could remember their calling and hold their ground. 

Are you thinking about walking away this morning? Where is your focus? On the storm? Are you focusing on your wants and your feelings?  Are you losing your footing and thinking that enough is enough? Whatever your feelings, whatever storm is raging in your life, God is with you!  No storm lasts forever, but God’s people do. 

Oh beloved when the storms of life are raging, stand with the Lord! Stand under His wings, kneel in the shadow of His Name and hold on for your life! When the storm subsides, not only will you be standing, you will have something wonderful to report to the people! God reigns! God’s Word is True! He will see you through. You will be reporting that the storm you went through could not overtake you, the flood you walked through could not drown you, the momentary light afflictions could not get you off your mark! Because God loves you and He’s for you, no matter your circumstances, no matter the weather, that’s all that really matters.

Isaiah 4:6 It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain.

Isaiah 25:4 But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall

Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

1 Chronicles 16:8  Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done.

God is On Your Side and He Adores You!

 

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

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

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

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

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

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

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

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

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

Rescued to Live Loved Forever!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are You Struggling With Changes? Hide in the Shelter of His Word!

With the arrival of good rain and under 100 degree temps some of my flowers are blooming again.  Among them are what my mother called surprise lilies. You know the red spider looking flowers that produce first then the leaves later.  One stood alone and apparently was not going to open all the way. The rise and fall of temps must have stunted it. It looked like a surprise lily, it was the same color, but never produced a full flower.

Have there been lots of changes lately? Are you struggling with issues as the heat of the day pounds your life? Maybe you’re experiencing the chill of loneliness, misunderstandings or depression.  You want to bloom where you’re planted but the atmosphere is in upheaval and you’re wondering when things will settle down.

Oh beloved, run to the One Who is sun for growth and shade for rest! The Lord has everything you need for Christian growth and His ways will help you produce beauty in your life!  Beneath His tender watch and care you will bloom completely and produce fruit for generations as you trust Him, listen to Him and let Him guide you.  He loves you and He’s on your side as He helps you grow in grace and the knowledge of Himself!

Psalm 84:11 NAS For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  

Psalm 48:14  For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die.

John 15:4  Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.

Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

2 Peter 1:2  May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.