Be Still and Know

All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that a man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Every morning I head for the gym at 6:30 am and work out until just before 8:00. A few people have asked my why so early but it just works if I begin my day with a good workout. This has been my practice for the last 15 years or more. Paying attention to the body is important, especially as we grow older.

And, every morning I awake at 5:00 am for bible study and prayer. Why? I know that paying attention to my spiritual life is even more important! Talking with God, study of His Word and worship help me stay in tune with my Heavenly Father, and allows me to grow my faith and spiritual life.

You see, like physical health, spiritual health needs our attention and should be a priority. We know that if we never exercise, our bodies will become unhealthy. We will physically suffer and pain is never fun!

I have found the best way to stay in spiritual shape is a daily prayer life and a time of study. I realize every day I need this spiritual work out! Time with Him gives me confidence to go about my day, knowing He is there to guide and direct my every step.

The coming summer months may mean vacation times, and we then may find ourselves taking vacations from our workouts. Therefore, this is a reminder to keep your body in good shape, and, always remember your spiritual health by praying, reading the Word and making Worship an important practice! REMEMBER: Our Heavenly Father never takes a vacation from us!

Father, today I want to give this day over to You.  I want to please You – I want to be the daughter who loves and obeys.  I want to be the kind of mother You would have me be – to love and cherish these You have given in my care.  And I want to share this love with at least one other person today.

 

I pray for righteousness in this nation – I pray for a nation that honors and gives glory to the King of Kings! I pray for a nation I can trust my children to grow up in and raise families devoted to You.

 

I pray each one of my children would be close to each other and help each other grow in grace.  I pray they love one another and always call to mind Your words:  Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34.  I pray this reminds them that all people placed in their lives are worthy of these words.

 

May they all live in homes filled with love, peace, grace and Your mercy. And to always remember that love, Only Your love resides there.

 

May our children and their children always want to love and serve You.  May they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.  Amen

 

She saw King David leaping and dancing in the sight of the Lord. 2 Samuel 6:16c

We in the Christian Church may all worship differently. I have known people who sit quietly, undisturbed by anything going on around them and worship the Lord. Some sing very loudly and as their worship continues, they seem to get even louder! Some worship with tears flowing. And some dance and sing joyfully before the Lord! At times, we may be very prayerful and at other times we may be the dancers. Styles of worship also seem to vary from denominations and age groups.

Is one style of worship more correct than another? Some may think so, but I know God is the one who sees hearts. If you have ever been uncomfortable with those who are the dancers and leapers, remember King David and how God called him a man after His own heart! I for one have probably been all three at times, but today I consider worship is freedom to release my heart and thankfulness to the Lord!

There are those in the church today that criticize the worship of others. I know that when we are raised to express ourselves maybe more quietly, any other style may seem uncomfortable. But please remember this dancing King and how God has seen His worship. And He has called us to enjoy our time of praise and worship and respect the styles and hearts of others.

So today, I will dance and sing. Today you may be kneeling. Today I am free to jump and shout. Today you may have flowing tears. And today, you and I will be free from ever judging another believer’s style of worship!

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. John 11:25

In a world of destruction, war and hate, this Easter day has a powerful message for all. It brings a message of hope. The message of hope brings love, peace and life. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. If we understand the message of hope and believe, our lives too will be filled with His love and life. And we can be at peace, even in the midst of world chaos!

I have a story – yes, we all have a story, but our story will end with our last breath on earth if we do not grasp His life and take hold. For the story of Jesus did not end on earth. Jesus rose from the grave – for death had no hold on Him! And because He lives, we too can have eternal life with Him and the Father.

The Easter message is yes, one of Hope. It is a message of hope for this world. Hatred does not have to torment our lives. We look to Him and have the confidence that His resurrection will bring so much more than this world could ever promise. So, look up my friends and rejoice this Easter Season and every day!

Jesus is alive, Jesus is hope forever more!

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ the Lord. Colossians 3:1-3

When we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives, we embrace and put on a new identity. We then put on the virtues of Christ and live accordingly. We are told in Colossians 3:11 that Christ is all in all. So, we clothe ourselves with His virtues, with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We forgive any grievances against us and above all, we put on love.

Living our identity in Christ becomes our priority. How do we accomplish such a task when there is distraction and we face the schemes of the enemy almost on a daily basis? First of all, we let the peace of God rule in our hearts. In Christ Jesus, we were called the word says to peace. We can have this peace if we let His word “dwell richly in us. We are to use His word and the peace it brings to teach others about the life He gives.

So, when anger rises up in us, we declare aloud His peace. When temptation hits, we can stand on His word. When our old ways try to creep in to our lives again, we can shout His name and his name rules.

And finally, we choose to do everything in His name and give thanks always to God. Take the Word of God and post it everywhere you can – on bathroom mirrors, the refrigerator, the front and back doors and even in our cars to remind us daily that our identity is and will always be in Christ!

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

Throughout this past year I have been so worried about our country. Our America is at unrest. This is not an unrest coming from outside but from within our own borders. Our peace is threatened it seems daily. What will happen in the future of our country is a question in everyone’s mind whether we are democrat or republican. Will democracy continue or will we be a society that embraces socialism? The answer to this (and so many other questions) does not lie in the hands of man, but in the hands of Almighty God through the Lord Jesus.

The word of God says that when we have embraced life with Jesus and follow His word we find peace. The peace that comes from a life with God is the reassurance that He is in control. This peace can never be duplicated by the world or anything in it!

I have found this peace does not always come immediately. I have to learn to let go and give this worry and unrest to Him. This takes courage to let go and give Him these worries, but He tells us He will take care of our tomorrows. 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.

Starting today, I will continue to pray and ask Him to help me let go. I will ask Him to allow me to release these cares and worries over to Him.

What about you? Are you having these same worries? If so, then continue to pray with me and ask for His control. And then let the Peace of God rule in your hearts through Christ Jesus!

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16

I’m sure everyone will agree there is way too much division in our country today! It is Democrats vs Republicans, one race vs another, and disagreements between the younger and older generations.

And there is also division among Christians: Armenian vs Calvinist, acceptance of and talking in tongues are just such examples. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul appeals to the people to agree with one another and that there by no divisions among them, but that they be perfectly united in mind and thought.

The Bible clearly tells us in Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Division does not change that verse of God’s Word. Division does not change the fact that he made us one body through Jesus Christ and the life He gave on the cross. Division does not nullify the Word of God. Division only separates and divides and causes confusion in the body of Christ!

So what difference does it make if I speak in tongues and you do not? What difference does it make if I attend a church who identifies as Armenian or Calvinist if…and I say if we all agree that our salvation comes from Jesus Christ? If I believe I belong to Christ and you believe you belong to Christ, then why do we have differences that divide us?

Time is passing by and the enemy knows his time is short. He is out to persuade you and me that God’s Word does not hold true. Soon he will have many believing there has to be another way – his tactics are clear, to steal, kill and destroy each believer in Christ!

So, my friends, be of good cheer and embrace one another. Our unity is in Christ and if we hold hands and hearts across the divisive lines, even those groups in the world will begin to notice. Maybe just maybe we can begin to bring the unity, love and fellowship God is calling for!

John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”.

Every morning here in Maui, I take a long walk along the beach. The mornings are fresh and beautiful and there is much to see and experience! One thing I have always loved are the Palm Trees. I love their long green fronds at the top swaying in the wind, and their long trunks as well. I find myself taking more pictures of these trees than anything!

I have noticed many Palm Tree trunks are curved and appear to be learning toward the ocean. I thought it was for nourishment from the water, but they are actually reaching for another life source, the light.

This little fact makes me laugh with joy! For where does our life source come from but the Son Himself! I can name many things I may need to survive, but Jesus is the Way, the truth and the life! He will direct us toward anything else we need in life.

Isn’t it funny how I learn so much from a leaning Palm Tree in Maui? The walk, the ocean, and the refreshing breeze here are wonderful and I love them all. But my heart will forever remember this little lesson of the leaning, the curved Palm Tree.

The next time you are near the ocean, enjoy a morning walk with coffee, a prayer and a Palm Tree. For their presence will always bring to mind the life source of your heart, Jesus!

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples. John 13:34,35

Jesus gives a new commandment here – just one – plain and simple. Love one another as I have loved you. Sounds easy enough when you just have one new commandment to follow.
So, I ask you: how many people are in your life – maybe just in your immediate family? Your co-workers? No, maybe it isn’t just that simple. But I can tell you it is just that important!

Why is it that important? Jesus tells us why – because by this they will know you are My disciples. Everyone will know we belong to Jesus.

No, loving all people is not that easy – but Jesus would never have told us to if He knew we could not do it. None of us are perfect people and I venture to say that loving everyone in our lives will never come easy. But I know this is a commandment from the one who loves me and has given up everything for me. Can I at least try? Can I open my heart a little more today and tomorrow to include that one person who isn’t the easiest to love?

The one and only one I can trust perfectly and completely is Jesus. And if others know we are His disciples – that we belong to Him, then maybe just maybe they can learn to trust the love I share with them. Love – the gift that demands more – the gift that will last and last and the gift that begs to be given away. That’s what He gives and that what He asks us to give.

Today, I will share that love with just one more person and tomorrow I will do the same. I will continue to share His love – His simple perfect love!

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Isaiah 5:20,21

Years ago, slavery was legal and as a nation, we were able to rise up against this evil law and defeat it! Since then, we have had hope for our nation. I never thought we would ever face such an enemy as this again, for our country was founded on Godly principles. But God has been kicked out of most everything here today – our schools, our government and some are even declaring we are no longer a nation under God. I for one, still had hope for us until recently.

Now we are faced with abortion, my friends and this has gone way too far! I was not okay when they decided to abort babies before a heartbeat was detected. Then they came up with abortion up to 20 weeks and took it even further by saying abortion was legal up to the day of delivery. Now this governor of Virginia is advocating for abortion even as a baby is being born!

Slavery yes is not freedom and I am grateful for this turn around! But neither is the murder of babies a road to freedom. God gives life and life abundantly. We take life, call it a woman’s choice. I can only tell you that this will put our nation back in bondage – bondage to the evil it represents. Please, pray with me for a nation that celebrates life and freedom once again. And speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves!

We speak for all people, black, white, young and old! Freedom and life – a life given by God and to be enjoyed by all!