Then She Spoke

“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

God is our provider and he knows what we need. Not only food and water but everything. Just like the sparrow he knows we need certain things to survive and to have a good life. What ever we are concerned about he wants us to run to him. He is not only Jehovah Jirah our provider he is Jehovah Rapha our healer, Jehovah Nissi our banner and protector, Jehovah Shalom our peace, and Jehovah Roha our good shepherd. We may want certain things and God is not a genie just waiting to jump at every request. But he does bless those that are grateful, thankful and whom seek after him with their whole hearts doing what he asks of us in his words. He knows our hearts and our anxious thoughts but he still wants to hear from us. He doesn’t always answer the way we think. His ways are always so much better than ours. Because he knows the beginning from the end. The complete picture and he knows just what will work for each person he creates. He even gives some trials to help us grow stronger. But he will never let you suffer for no good reason and only as long as it takes to accomplish his purposes. But he is there to comfort and help you through hard times. He will give you strength. People we love will all die one day but it can be very hard to let them go. But when you know the Lord it is a blessing to go home to be with God in paradise forever with no more pain or suffering. We can be forever with our loved ones once we get home. I know so many people that have died and are rejoicing in heaven right now and I can’t wait to join them for a great reunion someday soon. I know that I could never make it through this life without my Savior. He is everything to me and his presence is so precious to me. I can’t wait to wake up each morning and say good morning Lord. I like knowing the King of kings is for me and will never leave me or forsake me.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Jesus precious Jesus! Why would the Kings royal son want to give everything he had up to help us helpless wretches. From the beginning of time we have been a mess. Sinners with no good in us. God may have loved what he created but when he decided to give us the free will to choose our own minds it all went downhill. We can’t think for ourselves. We don’t have the capability for it. Things we think are important are so silly. I listened to someone this morning describe how we have come to believe that the only reality now days is how we feel about things. There is no real truth but only that truth which we choose to believe. If we believe we are good, or if we believe we are male or female or whatever, that’s up to us. He sees us as very valuable. Each of us he loves so very much and he wants us to love with the same fervor and respect that he has. He has given up his very life so that we can willingly destroy ours with selfish desires that will most likely destroy us and those around us. God’s truth is the only real truth because before he created everything there was no truth or anything. We have learned a lot about this earth we live in. There are laws of physics that exist that make the world go round and they will always be constant. Rules can be made as we go along but we can’t know if they are correct or not because we don’t have all the answers. We have to assume many things and assumptions can be wrong. And usually are in many situations. Have you ever tried to think what someone else is thinking? There is a million to one chance of being right. But God can know for certain exactly what people think every minute and he still loves them. That is pure love. He wants everyone to accept his free gift of forgiveness so that they can have a good and wonderful life no matter what they have done or thought. Just think of some of the most horrible things people have done and said that you know personally. You can’t comprehend the way some minds think. I mean some people seam easy to forgive but still we can’t forgive sometimes because our minds keep remembering. We relive the hurts over and over. We need to get to know God’s word and his truth. The more we know it the better our relationship with him will be. We need to live by his truth if we want a good life. He does know what works best for us.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15

What a wonderful thought. God is excited for the day we will be together with him in paradise forever. Ever since Adam and Eve ate the apple in the garden of Eden the world has been anything but perfect. We have to put up with trials, problems and death. We have come to fear death but it is just our destiny. God brings some home early just so they miss out on so much suffering and problems. To be in a perfect place where there is only peace and perfection forever. So many people I love have left this life and are now gazing into the face of God. One day we will be reunited with them for eternity. If you do not know the joy of knowing the Lord you have reason to be afraid of death. Because unless you know the love and forgiveness of the Lord you will be separated from all that is good forevermore. Never to have a good day again for eternity.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

God loves every person he has ever made so much and he wants you. All he wants is for you to say I’m sorry, please forgive me for my sins. And he promises to forgive any sin, no matter how bad. And you can be with him forever. I get excited thinking about it. He has told us that no mind can imagine all that he has for us. Even though some people have almost died and visited heaven they only got a glimpse of all it has to offer. It is going to take forever just to discover it all. That’s exciting! But you have to have received your ticket before you die. The forgiveness of your sins because everyone has sinned. No matter how devout or good you think you are it will never be enough for a righteous and Holy God. I don’t want to miss all he has for me.

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds.” John 12:24

What farmers finally realized is that if they hold onto seeds they will rot and die. You have to sow that seed into the ground and trust that it will reap a harvest. There needs to be the right conditions for it to grow. The sun needs to shine on it. It needs to rain so it is watered. The soil needs to be prepared ahead of time to give the seed nutrients to grow. Just like that seed, if we want to grow in our lives the way God wants us to grow, we need to die to some things. Die to our desires and wants. Our hearts need to be prepared to receive the knowledge God wants us to learn. The son shines down on us and he has already done the difficult work. But he is still interceding for us all the time. The Holy Spirit comes along side of us giving us knowledge, power, strength, comfort, counsel, guidance and anointing. We still need to do our part. Read the Bible, pray, fellowship with other believers, attend church regularly, and to praise and worship God. It also helps to be truly grateful and thankful for all that we have been freely given. But you need to deny yourself. Sinful desires from your past life will damage the seed growing inside of you. You need to follow the commandments of God in his word. You need to learn to speak differently. With respect and love, and letting no unhealthy word come out of your mouth. The Holy Spirit has come to dwell in us and we are no longer our own. We are the temple of God. This is an amazing and beautiful temple. He is not with us for a week or two, he intends to never leave, ever. Everything you do and everywhere you go he is with you. People like to think they can act however they like, it’s their life. Who is it hurting? Well it’s hurting and grieving the Spirit. And every time you sin it’s like slapping Christ in the face and asking him to die all over again. We need to be the bigger man, so to speak, and admit when we are wrong and turn from our wicked behavior.

“Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

The world is full of wonders, so many that we will never discover them all. The world is a very amazing and varied place. How could anyone think that it just evolved from nothing? People know that there is someone bigger and greater than themselves. They may not want to think about it. Someone that might control them and make them do things against their wishes. We all want a great life. We think we know what will make us happy. But by not investigating the possibilities you are missing out on some pretty amazing and wonderful things. The God of this universe is a very loving God and he wants what is best for each of us. We are his children and as a father he wants to bless and protect his children. I don’t know this just because I’ve read his words. But there is proof all around if you know what you’re looking for. We are all sinners, nobody is perfect, but God. We don’t deserve his love but he still loves us. Because he created love. There is evil in this world and it’s always lurking around. I, on the other hand, want this advantage he’s offering. He offers so many gifts and perks for coming to him for forgiveness and living for him. Jesus, his son, came to earth to show us how to live and have an abundant life. He willingly died so you could live forever with him. But you have to believe he died for you too, even if you have done some things that you think he could never forgive. There is nothing he won’t forgive. And when he does he forgets them never to bring them up, period. Then he gives the first of many gifts, the Holy Spirit. He will teach you, guide you, comfort you, and strengthen you for everything you need to do. He gives you grace and mercy enough for every day. He shows favor to you and all the great things he has for you and when you mess up, and you will, he forgives you all over again. The more you get to know him, he gives fruit to help you grow more like himself. Love, joy, peace, patience, endurance, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self -control. His joy is not like anything you have ever known. You can have joy when things are rough and problems come because you know that he is always in control and always wants your best. You really want to look into this further because you don’t have forever and you don’t want to wait too long because his offer is no good once you die. You never know when that might be. You do not want to miss all he has for you either.

“The Spirit gives life; The flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life.” John 6:63

I can remember when I was living in sin and my eyes were blinded. I wanted to do what I thought was fun. To live my life. But now my eyes are opened to the precious presence of Jesus in my life. I have never known a more abundant life. You know what? It’s only going to get so much better. I see miracles all around me and it is so amazing. I look at people and see what they say is exciting and I just have to laugh. If they only knew what real freedom looked like. The worst day of pain and trials with Jesus is so much better than the best day without Jesus. I live in a care home because my stroke took so much from me. My body seems to be slipping farther and farther away each day as I age. Lately I have been dealing with nerve pain in my legs but at night when I can’t sleep because of the pain I find myself just singing praises. Or just thinking about his exciting blessings in my life. Last night I watched my oldest granddaughter graduate from high school. I can remember that right after my stroke she was born. I have lived in this nursing home for almost 18 years. I can still remember her crawling around on my floors and playing with playdoh. I almost didn’t have a chance at grandchildren if I had died from my stroke. But God has blessed me so much. I have a huge family here at my home and although it is hard watching people loose their memory or dying I love the people here. But having someone who loves me so much and accepts me just as I am is great. I will still screw up and make mistakes but I have already been forgiven for them. What love! This makes every breath worth taking and doing everything I can to have more of him. Every day I am trying to think of what will make him smile and what more I can do for him. I love to read. I guess that came from my mom the librarian. But I really love reading about God and learning more about him. I am going through the Bible so slowly now that I want to know what he’s telling me about every chapter I read. Some are of prophecies and can be a little confusing but I will keep reading the same chapter till I hear something from God. Even when they are just names or details I see something and am amazed at what I learn. Nothing is boring or repetitious when you are seeking diligently. God’s word is truly alive and you will always see something new.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

For those of us who persevered we will win. This life is a battle and it is a race and we need to do our part and never give up or give in. That is harder than it sounds but with Christ doing most of the work, it’s doable. God created us in his image on purpose and for a purpose. We are meant to be his image living and breathing on this earth. The greatest thing we can do is to love like he taught us to. Loving him first and then loving others more than ourselves. When you love someone you want what is best for them. I know how much I look forward to one day going to heaven and seeing Jesus face to face. But what about all those that don’t know him? It should be my desire to see them going to heaven with me. My job is to love them into heaven. Not everyone will accept that they are sinners going to die in their sins. But I do know that they desire unconditional and pure love. And this is the kind of love that Christ offers. To come as they are and just accept his free gift of life. So many people are facing hurts and abuse and depression and a negative mindset. They don’t believe a Holy God could want anything to do with them. Telling people about God, the one who loves them, is scary. We feel we will be rejected and ridiculed for being naive. But they really need to know the truth and there is a 50/50 chance that they will accept it. Maybe not right then but eventually. If you don’t say anything they are dying and you didn’t even try. If you are loving others and trying to meet their needs that will help but they could be hurting inside. The suicide rate is increasing with sin. There is a hopelessness that is rampant in this world and there is only one way to cure it. Jesus was given the keys to death, hell, and the grave. He has all the power. When he cleans you, you are whiter than snow. I know that when the sun shines on freshly fallen snow it can be blindingly bright. People need to know that he died for them also. That it is free if they will only believe. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 There is a glorious place waiting for us over yonder. A place that we can never fully imagine. No more evil, period. For eternity, and that’s a long time. So make sure you invite as many as you can to go with you.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

Fear is not having trust. God is so worthy of all our trust. After living this life for sixty plus years I’ve seen God take care of me time and time again. If you have doubts you just need to spend more time with God in prayer and reading his words. FEAR is just False Evidence Appearing Real. We can not know the future. Only God knows the future and he is in complete control of it. And I know he is very good. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us to have a full and abundant life. How many times :in the Bible does it say, “Fear not.” But to pray without ceasing and to be thankful. Especially for freedom from fear. God has our hands in his hands and he will always see us through. When I am loving him with my whole being and seeking to do the work he has for me. He has promised to do everything for my best interests. Not what I think is best. But what he knows is best for me. There are so many reasons why trials might be good for me. But the bottom line is that he will not let me suffer any longer than necessary and it has to have a purpose. I know Satan just wants to see me suffer, period. But God! He has the final say. How will he twist this to have his perfect outcome? There are so many variables. Because he is not only worried about me, but in everyone whose lives come in contact with mine. He is also concerned about them. His primary and ultimate goal is to bring everyone into heaven with him. Where he will allow someone to come to the end of themselves where they cry out to God in desperation. Such as I did when I had my stroke. People will come to a place where they need something bigger than themselves. Someone who will deliver them from their problems and mistakes. When we realize that we just don’t have all the answers. That is where he has been leading us all along. Our finite minds like to think that we are in control of our lives. And that we have all the answers but we are deceived. Satan will play that up every chance he gets because when we take control we make mistakes that make matters worse for us. When we want what satisfies for the moment like drugs, sex, and over indulging. They give false satisfaction. And afterwards we are worse off. So let the one who truly does have control do what he does the very best.

“My heart, O God, is steadfast: my heart is steadfast, I will see and make music.” Psalm 57:7

God has been working on an amazing symphony ever since the world was created. It is a masterpiece that would make Mozart and Bach jealous. He has a score all set up for everyone he created. We don’t always play the notes he set up but that just makes the music a little more dramatic and unique. Like when someone murders or abuses someone else. Or even when we do something bad that we are not proud of and we wonder how God could still love us and accept us. He does and he uses that to make the music even richer. There are so many instruments that man has created over the years. We have a Musical Instrument Museum here in Phoenix and I have visited a few times. It is so large that I still haven’t seen it all. And they probably still don’t have all the instruments ever created. Think about the aborigines around the world in remote locations. And even home made instruments that different people have come up with. God doesn’t do anything halfway. He is only perfection. Everyone is designed and created on purpose and for a special purpose. He is loving us in to who we will be. I mean look at the life I was raised in, a loving Christian home where we believed that if the church was open we were there. I still rebelled and decided that I wanted my way when I was older. I had to have a stroke to actually wake me up and start seeing God. It wasn’t til I was hurting and crying out to God that the lights went on. I know someone that God was drawing to himself that ran the other way and joined the army. But God kept them safe and eventually drew them back. Like I said our notes aren’t always pretty but God can make something beautiful out of our mess and still use it in his masterpiece. It may seem like a real mess to us but maybe God is working on someone else right in the middle of what we see as a mess. His ways are not always our ways but he does know just what will work on each of his creations. He will use anything to make it happen. This little instrument is just so glad to be used by God. I may be bent and dented but he is still using me.