All the nations...

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20


For whatever reason, I found out that this blog goes all over the world and is read in so many places that I never realized...I don't know who is reading it or for what reason...but, I hope that it is speaking to hearts that are softened to the Word of God, hearts that are open and that through these simple blogs, people are encouraged, built up, and brought to the throne of the grace of Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the counsel of the Holy Spirit...

Everyone has a story, a path which leads through this life we are granted on earth...I am blessed to be able to write some of mine...but I also have a responsibility before God to share the Word of Life...

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
2 Timothy 1:9

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...Romans 3:23
We have all done wrong...actions, words, thoughts..Jesus was perfect and came to save us from those sins...

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord...Romans 6:23
A gift...we didn't earn it and we can't  buy it or work for it...

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

And God desires that none should perish ...
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal 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

And the "whoever" is all of us...the nations, the world of humanity...Jesus came to save...because God loves us...and has loved us while we were sinners...He is faithful and just..

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Each of us needs to accept this gift of salvation...I can't do it for another and someone else can't do it for me...this is a personal choice we face...

Thank YOU God for your unmeasurable gift...Jesus Christ who came as a baby, grew, ministered, was crucified, died and rose again for the world, that each might believe and live...your miracles, your provision, your love...yourself, your living Word...your Holy Spirit...

Through it all...

Through it all....

There is an old praise song, "through it all" written by Andrae Crouch, released in 1993...25 years ago...we sang it, hummed it, wandered through the words as life happened...at times, wondering if we were going to make it ...through it all...taking one day at a time...relishing the life at times and despairing as well when it seemed like the darkness was going to overtake us ...

Events, high or low, built into our  lives a deeper faith if we chose or weariness of going on...our choice...bitter or better...

Saints through ages had the same choices, enduring hardships or giving up...

There have been times, when we were knocked to the ground or lifted to the heights...just as former saints...some wrote about it that we might have hope to carry on...

Thank YOU that these words have endured through the generations...Your Word to us, encouraging in the rough times, as well as the good...You are life ...

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. 

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job 1:20-22 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6 

“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness —

Habakkuk 2:4 

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. 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. 

Christ Jesus who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved 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.

Romans 8:31-39 

And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

Hebrews 10:38

Hebrews 11

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5 

ANDRAE CROUCH

Through It All Lyrics

I've had many tears and sorrows,

I've had questions for tomorrow,

there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.

But in every situation,

God gave me blessed consolation,

that my trials come to only make me strong.

Chorus:

Through it all,

through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God

Chorus2:

Through it all,

through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

Verse 2:

I've been to lots of places,

I've seen a lot of faces,

there's been times I felt so all alone.

But in my lonely hours,

yes, those precious lonely hours,

Jesus lets me know that I was His own!

Chorus

Verse 3:

I thank God for the mountains,

and I thank Him for the valleys,

I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

For if I'd never had a problem,

I wouldn't know that he could solve them,

I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Sent from my iPad

An old friend ....

An Old friend...

Awakening suddenly, I recalled my dream about an old friend, Stormy.

I had been dreaming about Stormy, but in a context that was I was perplexed where in the world did my mind come up with such a scenario...many friends were trying to escape from something, we were hiding, waiting for the perfect time to escape...but my horse of my growing up years came, pulling a wagon in which we were to ride...we boarded, she pulled us up this  long hill and then died... What a downer...

Stormy had been raised by my dad on the ranch were he worked...I rode her from kindergarten through third grade...she was trustworthy, faithful and such a good worker and pet...
then we moved, my father taking another job in a different part of the state...Stormy stayed on at the ranch where she belonged..

On day when I was in my teens, my dad got a phone call asking if he would like to have Stormy as they were retiring her due to cataracts...he said a resounding "yes!". So he and I drove our old truck with racks on the sides to go get her...what a sight we were...Stormy had goggles on, watching over the old wooden racks as we drove the 500 hundred miles to her new home and retirement...
we rode many miles together even though she could only see out of one eye...she was still trusting, faithful and a great pet... Now she was trusting us to take care of her...but she trusted us to ride her where she wouldn't stumble...then one day, she laid down and died...is was a downer day...

And here was this dream 50 years later where she starred as our rescuer ...and still gave her life...

Where had that come from? I don't know...but it was fun to remember those days of riding with the wind, either when I was really young or a teen...special times with my dad herding cattle, having a special horse friend, riding as a teen with other friends...most gone now ...God has been good along the path He gave me...thank YOU...

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1

Instructions...

Instructions...

Reading my way again through the Old Testament, I love it when passages fit together, though written years apart...what was applicable centuries ago is just as current today...the Word spoken to the ancients is as modern as each generation...

God's Word is for all times...all people...

To be passed down by speaking, actions, teaching...
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

When our children were small, we taught as best we could...we tried to instill that love of the Word, wisdom...and then came a time when each had to choose their own ways, seek personally what paths they would take...we had to let go and let God work personally in each of their lives...we had done what we could for the children lent to us....God is such a better teacher...His wisdom surpasses all...

Thank YOU, that You love our children and their children with an infinite depth...that You teach with wisdom that surpasses all...that You have a plan and a path for each...we can release them into your loving hands(not that we really had that much control that we thought we did)... You blessedly control all things...help me to pray wisely for each as you lovingly work in their lives...


These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Psalm 119

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown. "
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:1-27

Designers...provisions...

Designers....provision...

Reading through  Exodus 36+, I was again amazed at the plans that God had for these people to design His tabernacle...he had people already in place to design and execute his plans for this huge project...

Not only that, the Egyptians gave to the project as the Israelites left Egypt which the Israelites gave until there was a call to stop giving...the provisions were there...poles of acacia wood, gold for coverings, linen for weavings...stones for decoration...goat hair for fabric, skins, bronze, talents...all was provided before hand...for a project they didn't know they were going to do....

Looking back over the years, I can see where God has done exactly the same thing in my life, put various people in place for a specific event of project...provided the materials, the funds or ideas or all of it to be executed as He directed...it brings about a measure of trust that He will continue to do so in the future...it may look different, be for different circumstances, whatever, but the plan is still there...provided and designed ...if I will listen and be obedient to the call..

Nehemiah had it, Boaz's extra grain, the Kings' gifts to Joseph and Mary....provisions for a journey or project...each supplied at just the right time to the right people...thank YOU...

Exodus 36-38

Don't waste the abundance...the broken pieces...the crumbs...

Don't waste the abundance ....the broken pieces...the crumbs...

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Mark 6:39-44

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Mark 7:24-30

Reading the first passage, the collection of the broken pieces of bread and fish left from feeding the five thousand, I was struck with the thought of not even wasting the abundance...or the broken pieces...they were important...
These scraps started out as five whole loaves and two fish, fed so many, and still there were leftovers...but, then the disciples collected the broken pieces....no waste...

But, then the narrative of the Grecian woman followed in Mark shortly after...she was not part of the nation of Isreal, the chosen people...but she believed that Jesus could heal her daughter...she wanted those "crumbs or leftovers" from the "table" of Jesus' healing presence...she had the faith....how she must have praised him when she went home to find her daughter well...I imagine that someday we will see her...

Jesus came to the Jews, but he also came for the world  that all might be saved...he fed them, came to them first, they were his chosen people from Abraham on...nations were to be blessed from him...the sands of the sea, uncountable blessed...he came for the broken, the sin filled, mankind as well...His abundance is our gift...

Thank YOU for your abundance that was not wasted ....the broken is important to You...the crumbs fed the world ...and we have been blessed...


(I wonder what happened to those baskets of leftovers, one for each disciple, tribe....hummmm)

Psalm 90...

Psalm 90...

Psalm 90 has been attributed to the writings of Moses. In the chronological Bible it comes after the people have rebelled against the sightings of the promised land and listened to the 10 men who say there is no way they can take the land promised....even though Caleb and Joshua say they can...the people are crying for a new leader to take them back to Egypt where they are willing to be enslaved again...they have seen the hand of God give daily bread, water, dry the sea to cross, the building of the tabernacle...and now they want to return, not to enter the promised land...

Can you imagine getting to heaven's entrance and decide to go back to earth and all of its tribulations?...choosing another leader after having the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort, Jesus as a savior, God as a father and turning back???

I admit, daily decisions for me pose that question...whom will I follow???

Thank YOU for your Holy Word...written down for my perusal...spoken into my heart ...help me not to look back, but forward to your promised riches not getting cAught in the day to day doubts...


Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:14-17 NIV

 Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God —how long do we have to wait?— and treat your servants with kindness for a change. Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long. Make up for the bad times with some good times; we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime. Let your servants see what you’re best at— the ways you rule and bless your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!
Psalm 90:12 - 17 MSG