4 Reasons to Take God at His Word

You have my word.

Whether or not we keep our word defines our character and showcases our integrity or its lack.

Yet, birthed in a flesh suit, we often fail to follow through. Or, we bail. And people break promises to us—even repeat offenders.

While humans struggle in this department, not the Lord. God keeps His word and never contradicts His character.

We gain valuable insight about God’s word-keeping ability in Numbers 22-24.

Take God at His Word

A little of the storyline. Balaam and Balak serve as the key players (I know, not names in our current book of baby names). Balaam, a diviner of oracles, spoke God’s words to others. Balak, the son of Moab’s king, who also reigned as king, sent for Balaam’s “services” with an intriguing offer.

Because here’s the situation. On the way to Canaan, the Israelites camped (had a lay over) in the land of Moab. Troubled that the Israelites outnumbered his people, and how God helped them defeat other nations, the king devised a plan.

Balak offered Balaam a nice reward if he spoke a curse over the children of Israel. “…for I know that he whom you bless is blessed and he whom you curse is cursed” (Numbers 22:6b). 

But, Balak soon realized a sobering truth. Balaam responded, “…I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me” (Numbers 22:8b). 

Change: Alter Ourselves Vs. God’s Altar

Often, we attempt to alter ourselves and our circumstances in our own power. But, what if instead of striving to alter ourselves, we went to the Lord’s altar?

Alter versus Altar

The Old and New Testaments describe physical altars built by humans for various practices. 

Likewise, we may attend a church that provides an altar—a place for prayer. While this is an opportunity to call upon the Lord during corporate gatherings, there’s an unseen altar just as powerful. 

And maybe even more life-changing. An altar with the purpose to really alter us.

Because the term altar is symbolic of God’s presence.

Throughout God’s Word, we find many altars. Yet, during my research for this post, most altars fell in two main categories.

Altars to and for God 

An altar to God: for His glory and purposes, for spiritual healing, and for the Lord to help His people.

20 Memorable Quotes to Boost Our Love

Ah, love is in the air. Yes, it’s love month. And a time we celebrate memorable love. But, most of us wish to boost the love in our lives.

Because God never intended love to fall flat or feel thin. 

Maybe we desire to boost our love for a spouse.

Perhaps, love seems rushed or less-than in some of our closest relationships.

Or, all of us, married and single, need a boost in the truth about love.

So, consider how we boost love for soul-mates, family, friends, and the One who calls us Beloved. 

Love boosted. Love supercharged. And love supersized.

Therefore, I complied this list of memorable and amazing love-quotes. Words reminding our heart: how real love looks, what true love does, and why authentic love matters.

And words in an effort to boost our affections where we need it the most.

Words to Boost Our Love 

1.) “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Fear Not: Most Repeated Bible Phrase

I’m so excited to introduce a guest blogger, Beckie Lindsey.

Beckie and I met online in a Christian writers Facebook group. Then I had the privilege to meet Beckie in person at a writers conference a few years ago.

I’ve read both released books in her series, Beauties from Ashes. So, I must tell you that she’s a gifted author with a heart for Jesus and His people.

I know this post will encourage you as it continues our theme on fear.

Welcome, Beckie.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. 

Joshua 1:7-9 NIV

Fear Not: When the Future is Uncertain

Our family of five gathered for prayer around Kevin, the oldest sibling. After 21 years, it was our last night together under one roof. Kevin was leaving the next morning for basic training in the United States Air Force.

Fearful in What-ifs or Fearless in Christ

Fearful or fearless? The choice is ours. 

Fear stalks us. And when we least expect it, fear grabs us in the darkness with a relentless grip, refusing to let go or loosen its hold. Fearful sets in as our uninvited companion. 

Fearful Lives in What-ifs

Fear lives in the what-ifs plaguing our mind. Fear is our worst nightmare, sleepless nights refuse us any rest. 

Instead, fear whispers the worst-case scenarios to our heart. Afraid of the unknown, it wrestles with our spirit pinning us in a position of panic. 

Fear sets in. I know it all too well. And I’m betting so do you. 

Fearful Messes With Our Wellness

Fear always messes with our emotional and spiritual wellness.

It happens when we face surgery like my friend, Laura. Or, when cancer pays a visit to us or a family member. When our child is bullied or a bully in our own path lurks nearby. Or, if our child lost her way and we fear for her well-being. 

Likewise, with job loss, financial woes or fill in the blank with your fear—fearful terrorizes.

I am Loved: The Bible Tells Me So

The Bible tells me so. 

It’s high time we celebrate stories of love, rescue, and redemption.

Powerful stories of when loss turned to gain; when darkness turned to light; when true hope won over hopeless, and when over-comers sung their victory song.

And we celebrate the moments when those of us who felt unlovable, realized how much God loves us.

We thought love thrived in shiny things and people. But God loves misfits who need a Savior.

Love we lost, we gained through Christ.

What people made fake about love, God made true in His deep and wide and high love.

Real love brought us out of the darkness and into God’s marvelous light. We found hope for true love in the kind of love that goes to the cross.

If you know my story, then you know I felt unlovable for years. For more of my story, watch the short storyline video at the end of my home page.

Maybe, like me, at some point you questioned if anyone really loves you. But the greatest love story every told is also our love story if we know Jesus.

So, we put to rest, once and for all, any doubt about God’s love. Then we quit wasting another minute believing something about love God never said.

How? Because the Bible tells me so. Therefore, to believe and know the truth about real love, we must look to Scripture.

1.) I am loved. 

6 Ways to Look More Like Jesus

Who do we look like? Were we the spitting image of our mother or father at birth, as a child, or now?

Maybe there’s a resemblance to both our parents or not to either one. Perhaps people tell us we look like someone else.

As a twin, my sister is always someone I resemble.

Besides physical attributes, there’s another way we resemble someone—in character.

To look more and more like Jesus is one of the most important aspects of Christianity. But if we miss this, we miss the purest meaning for CHRISTian.

Yet, how do Christians look like Christ? After our spiritual birth, is there a way to really grow to resemble Jesus?

In Matthew 6, Christ seizes an opportunity to teach His disciples and listeners how to pray. While the prayer, line-by-line, is beautiful and powerful. There’s other discoveries in the text.

It showcases who God is. And we uncover the mission of Jesus. Still further, it reveals how to look more like Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s Prayer

Spiritual Arthritis: A Test and Known Cure

Light shone through the panel, highlighting the x-rays and problems of my lower back.

You see, sporting flip flops while jumping to worship songs (and the Hokey Pokey), alongside 1500 students, proved harmful to my adult body. And add a friendly competition on the conference stage with other youth directors when I out jumped them all.

So, three days later, my back went out. I needed help just to walk.

Thus, I required complete dependence on my family.

Yet, I waited until the second episode to see an orthopedic doctor. And he showed me an anatomy model of the sacroiliac joint.

My injury tore away cartilage from these joints that connect the spine to each side of the pelvis.

The space between bones of the joint narrow or rub against each other…arthritis.

That was seven years ago. Today, I still deal with the back issue and a few more joints where arthritis set up residence in other areas of my body.

Types of arthritis affect all ages, even children. Though the condition is more common in aging people. It not only causes pain, but may also be debilitating through swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and permanent damage. Treatments include activities to strengthen surrounding muscles, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, and hot-cold therapy. (arthritis.org)

But, another form of the condition exists—spiritual arthritis. 

Spiritual Arthritis

Hello New Year: 3 Things That Really Matter

Hello New Year.

There’s a few things you need to know.

Resolutions? No, none. While I believe resolve and changes are honorable, not a fan of making and trying to keep them.

One word? No, not that either. Although many of my amazing friends choose a word each year, I never jump in.

But…

A Scripture? Yes, count me in! I know those who pick a Bible verse for every new year. And though I never participated, the Lord led me to a Scripture this year.

First, I soul-searched and reflected over the previous 12 months. Next, I took a long, hard look at ministry, spiritual growth, life visions and missions.

Then, I prayed over how I hoped my life looked this same time next year…with 12 calendar pages turned.

This process led me to Acts 17:28a; my verse for 2019. It contains 3 things that really matter.

In him we live and move and have our being.

(1.)  Live in God.

The Magic of Christmas or the Awe of Christ

A letter from Santa keeps the Christmas magic alive!

Scrolling through email, a subject line caught my attention. “Great Christmas Gift Idea: Letters from Santa.”

It piqued my interest enough to take a further look.

Instead of our kiddos writing out a wish-list for Santa, then begging us to make sure it arrives at the North Pole before Christmas. Santa sends a personalized letter to our children.

The company’s website, complete with sample ideas and pictures, promises an authentic-looking letter from Santa.

It arrives at our front door in an envelope stamped from the North Pole.

Christmas Magic

So, we send the company whatever information we choose, but they suggest: name, age, relatives, name of best friend, hometown, etc. And a parent can add special achievements, acts of kindness, or good behavior for Santa to mention.

I guess a confirmation the child made Santa’s Nice List.The site assures this gift will keep the magic alive for Christmas.

Yet, this gift idea caused me to reflect. As God’s child, I hope to keep Christmas alive in another way.