Catching Us

When I woke up this morning I saw a picture in my mind. I am unclear if it was after I woke up or while I was yet asleep. The picture was brief, but it was a picture of God catching me as I was falling. There are many reasons why we as believers can feel like we are falling. We can feel overwhelmed financially, emotionally, or even in our health if we are sick. We can feel like or know that we made a bad choice in a certain situation. God is always there to come to our aid.

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

God is forever on our side. We have only to call out to Him and He takes action. We may have to wait to see the result of our prayers, or we may see them immediately. If we hold on and trust God, we will see Him take action. We can be thankful that God always catches us.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You are the good and mighty Kin of the universe. You alone are worthy of praise and honor. We need Your kingdom here on the earth. We need you here today, now, moving among Your people. Send Your kingdom today amongst us. Send today Your healing, deliverance, and overwhelming abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Thankful For My Quiver

No, I am not talking about some new dance. Today, as I was running around using up the gift cards my kids got me for Father’s Day, I thought how blessed I was to have three grown children that work so hard. Growing up and getting married, I can remember wanting to have 12 kids. Yes, that was the same reaction my wife had. We stopped at three. But what an amazing blessing they are! We do not see eye to eye n everything, especially religion, but so what? God is on my side and loves my kids more than I ever could. All of that works out. What I realized today (though I think I knew it without thinking about it “out loud”) is that my view of children and family ought to be the same as what God thinks. So what does He think? Are there any examples?

Psalms 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5H appy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Here we see the psalmist comparing the right number of children to a full quiver of arrows. So what is a full quiver of arrows? Well, I am not an archer, but I have been told by a friend who was that a full quiver of arrows is 13! So, my number of 12 was not far off.

I am saying all of this to say, “Thank You God for family!”

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. Thank you for Your kingdom coming to this earth. We ask that You forgive us when we think children are a burden rather than a blessing. Please help us to see our children as You see them. Please send us today Your healing, forgiveness, mercy, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Keeping It Simple

We had some strong storms go through here yesterday and last night. This morning as I looked in my back yard I was thankful that none of the tall trees from the forest had fallen into my yard. Several years ago one fell on my house, and that created a mess for a while. As I thought about writing today, I felt the Spirit encouraging me to keep it simple – something to be thankful for, a scripture, and a song. If you would like to join me, think of something that may have just happened in the last 24 hours that you are thankful for and say that out loud to God. Now here is a scripture.

Psalms 96:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
4 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13 Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

As for a song, that I will spare you as I do not sing. But let’s all think of a simple praise song that we might like and know. Let’s take some time today and sing that out loud to God. Maybe on the way to work, at lunch, or perhaps on the drive home instead of listening to the radio, let’s be God’s radio where He can tune in and here His people praise Him.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You today. You along are worthy of our praise. We long for Your physical reign on this earth. Forgive us when we do things or say things that do not follow Your path to getting the kingdom in the earth. Help us to love one another the way You love us. Please send Your abundant healing, mercy, grace, deliverance, and overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Thankful In Victory

My wife and I spoke about cartoons this morning and how they leave the viewers feeling that life always turns out and we will always get through without a scratch. She expressed concern for our daughter thinking that life is like that and that she might not see danger coming as a result. Understanding that these works of art are meant to be light hearted and our daughter has certain special needs, I believe we can still learn something from this. We can learn that there are different situations in life, and these different situations can have very different perspectives. This is especially true when we read the scriptures.

As believers, we can know, understand, and productively use these different perspectives in our lives. The three most common I can think of involve an element of time. Before something happens, while something is happening, and after something happens. This really is one of the repetitive themes of being a believer and getting a victory in our life. When we trust in God, we can know that the promises He has made to us will come to pass in the end. In essence, by faith we have hope to “see” the end from the beginning.

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

This is why we have so many examples in scripture, or at least a part of the reason. We search these things to gain an understanding of who God is that we might build our faith to believe that He will help us. Our part is to but follow Him as best we can. We are to praise Him at all times. This is that repetitive message that David shared so often. He offered songs (psalms) to God before, during, and after the battle. He did this because He spent time with God and knew Him for who He is, not just His acts. We can too. If we give God our time and our praise then we can experience what David experienced. We can walk out our lives from before the battle begins until the sweet taste of victory is like honey on our lips where thank God in the victory, not the battles.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You are majestic above the earth. You are our great Deliverer King. Help us to gain understanding and knowledge of You. Help us when we become afraid and have doubts. Teach us to have faith, trusting in You for our victories. Please rise up in power today, Father, and send us Your miraculous healing for those in need. Please send Your deliverance. And please send Your overflowing abundant provision that all men may know that You alone are the One True God and that You stand for Your people. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Seeing Clearly

Isn’t it interesting how we can sometimes see something over and over and then suddenly, see something totally different when we look? This has happened to many times in many different situations. Somehow it seems to amaze me more when it happens in the scriptures. One example a teacher recently shared with us from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

The scripture I had not seen clearly before is verse four. The Rock followed them. It is my understanding that Hebrew tradition is the rock that Moses struck for water in the desert followed them when they moved! This is yet another of the miracles that God did in providing for His people then. And that Rock spiritually was Jesus. When we see all the many signs like this, and the Feasts of the Lord, it is becomes more clear that God is a miraculous God, always there for us! We can forever give thanks to Him for watching over us.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You alone are the one to whom glory is to be given. You alone are worthy of all honor and praise. Forgive us Father, for we are but men, and do things that men do. Help us to walk in Your ways, and commit ourselves holy unto You. Send us today Your healing, deliverance, and provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Our God Provides

It can be the little things in life that we never expect. My daughter has wanted me to build her a playhouse in our back yard. We found plans on the internet that showed how to build one from recycled materials like wooden pallets and she was excited. I had a hard time trying to figure out where to get some old pallets. These days most companies recycle them. My wife and I prayed for the resources to get the materials, but I had not thought about it much in the last week. Then at work today where I am helping a company get organized, I asked if they had some. They directed me to an area where they said they did. Not only did they have pallets, they had whole boxes built with plywood sides that are five feet tall! I just laughed to myself thinking about how God always provides. It reminded me of a scripture that I think of often.

Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God provides for everything we need. The materials for the playhouse seem like a small thing. Yet, Our Father even is providing these small things to make my daughter happy! I am thankful that we have a Father that even cares for the little things like the desires of a child, just to see the joy on her face.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. Thank You for thinking of even the small things. Thank You for considering the desires of my daughter for something as simple as a playhouse as something worth providing. You truly are a perfect Father. Please forgive us when we mess up. Please send us today the healing, deliverance, and the overwhelming provision You promise to provide. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Thankfulness At Day’s End

Today I wrote at the end of the day. Looking back, I can see that God was with me every step of the way. I thought it would be good to share this from the perspective of reflection. I am in awe of how God weaves every moment we experience into our reality we call a day. Our responsibility is just to include Him from the moment we wake till the moment we fall asleep. We do that through prayer, praise, and just committing ourselves to be aware that God is with us. David spoke of this often.

Psalms 63:1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

When we get together with God, from beginning to en of each day, we experience the shadow of His wing. We can be thankful that our God has cared for us one more day.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You, Most High King. Thank You for caring for us, for not giving up. You alone are worthy of our praise. Forgive us when we forget You. Please send us Your healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) Name. Amen.

Every Need

This morning as I was looking out my window I reflected on how big our God is and on how He never stops doing good for His people. God loves every person, regardless of their current condition. It must be that God sees us not for who we are, but for who we can be. Last night I watched a movie about a famous person that had a big drinking problem. Eventually he turned his life around by surrendering to God, and God healed him of his drinking problem. He ended up back with his family after twelve years, and there life was good. The story was fiction, but the part about God was not. He really does see us as those people that we will be, and every step of the way is there to help us reach that image He has of us. As I was reading this morning, I read a scripture that David wrote that talks about this very thing.

Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

John also wrote of this, speaking about how we will be changes when Jesus returns, as well as how we change now.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Today, I am thankful that my God is with us, with me. I am thankful that His plan is forever, just as His love and mercy are forever. Today, we can move toward being better with His help, and that is a lot to be thankful for in this life.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. We struggle. We struggle almost daily, and we fall almost daily. Please forgive us for falling. Please always pick us up. We know You will. We thank You for being that kind of Father, better than any of us. We need You. We need Your help. Please send today, deliverance, healing, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

With Us Forever

It is difficult for me to imagine how big our God is, or even more so how big His heart is. The fact that He loved us before we were born, sent His son to die for us, and never turns His back on us makes me speechless really. No matter what He love us and gives us His truth.

2 John 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

We can always count on God for His mercy, truth, and grace. It gives me joy even in troubled times to know that we can count on Him. It makes me want to sing His praises with thanksgiving. It makes me want to just say thank you and lift up my hands to Him. He is our loving Father.

Prayer
Father, we thank You and exalt You as the Most High King. Thank You for being there for us. Thank You for Your wisdom and truth. Forgive us our sins and also those that sin against us. We ask Father that You be our strong defender, healer, and provider today Father. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Thankful For Compassion

Today as I was considering about writing about giving thanks to God, it became difficult to narrow it down. He does so much for us that at times, well, it is overwhelming to think about it all. As I began to read through some scriptures I noticed how many there are that talk about God and His compassion toward us. One in particular really touched me because it seemed to hit on so many of the things that God does.

Psalms 111:1 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

This psalm was a blessing because I could easily identify with the desire to praise God and to thank Him. It was moving for me to see once again that God’s covenant with us is forever, and that we will praise Him forever. These are really simple thoughts, most likely, but I think our God appreciates the simple. Praise God.

Prayer
Father, We praise and exalt You. Thank You for always being our defense. Thank You for always being willing to forgive us when we ask. Thank You for Your righteousness, mercy, truth, and compassion toward us. Please send us that understanding today, and send us Your healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.