Loved and Protected

Remember how it feels to fall in love? How that person seems to be the only one you see or hear or are even aware of? Falling in love is a phenomenon like no other.

Well, it’s happening to me–again–and this time it’s between me and my God. Day by day He’s revealing Himself to me in ways I have never seen before, letting me know He’s there, letting me see glimpses of His glory that are fresh and new every morning. He’s revealing His heart to me, letting me understand a little better everyday who He really is.

And I’m blown away by it all. In the middle of the worst depression in US history, and the fall of our nation into what looks like rubble, God is raising up something incredible. He’s building a monument in my heart. A monument not made with human hands, or bricks or stone, but a monument to His everlasting love and kindness to me. He’s doing this so I will never again doubt Him.

And He’s proving Himself faithful during a time when provision seems iffy to say the least. I think He wants my spirit to catch hold of the truth, my reality–that God keeps His Word. He never fails. Scripture says it over and over, but it’s a notion I’ve never had to test this way before.

Yesterday I was reading Proverbs 28:27, and saw for the first time the connection between walking in faith, letting go of human fear to grab hold of a supernatural God, and opening my hand to the poor. I think I mentioned it yesterday, but since then the Lord has revealed even more. He showed me that those of us who have prayed and not received, have been praying amiss, as Scripture says.

If we truly grasp how much He loves us and how complete His forgiveness is for us, we will, for the first time be able to open our hand to the poor and those who are hurting, which, in turn, will be a clear and unmistakable testimony to them of the love of God. Especially during times like these, you and I should be the only ones who aren’t fearful, aren’t grasping and hoarding things we need.

God’s supply is endless. Let me say that again. God’s supply is endless, and if we who belong to Him can get this concept down, we will be forever changed. From that point on we will not worry about a thing, but will (and I also mentioned this yesterday), simply respond to every need by saying, “My Dad has it covered. All I have to do is ask.” What a way to live!

I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but can you imagine how wonderful it will be to simply be able to let God handle it all, while you and I simply go about our business as Children of the King, loving people, and telling them about Jesus? And not only that, but ministering to their needs as if we have limitless resources, without a care in the world?

I believe that’s exactly how God wants to operate during this last darkest hour. People who have never had a need before, never been reduced to desperation as they are today, will finally look to Christians for answers.

And if they do what will they see? Will we be among those with answers, or will we be just as fearful and anxious as they are? We don’t have to be. In fact, we dare not allow ourselves to be mired in doubt and grief. This is our moment to shine, my brothers and sisters. If we haven’t got what it takes to be lights in that darkness, who will?

It’s time to let God be God, to take our places as His treasured children, those He finds irresistible. He dotes on us, people. The great and mighty Creator God dotes on you and me, and finds us irresistible. Is anybody out there listening? Will you let this concept transform the way you live, the way you think, and the way you operate? Will you stop fretting and hoarding and worrying about your 401K to realize that your 401K is no more than a tattered and dirty bag with a pittance in it? Your heavenly Father’s riches are endless and they are yours!

When we fret over things like these, we are in essence, saying, “I know what Scripture says, Lord, but I don’t believe I am the apple of your eye. I don’t believe what you’ve said about providing for me, and if you don’t let me keep my tattered and dirty bag, I won’t follow after you anymore. I’ll find another way.”

Can you see how insulting that is to the King of Kings, who bought us back from the clutches of Satan, saved and forgave us, and yearns to complete us in faith? It must break His heart to see how carnal and willful we are, when He loves us with such amazing love.

It’s time to get this right. That’s all there is to it. Will we rise up as the people of God as He intends us to? Or will our love be mere lipservice with nothing to prove its value? It’s time to fish or cut bait, beloved. To put our money where our mouth is, and to fall in love with our wonderful God and be His hand extended! Now is the time, and if we miss this opportunity, we are, among all men, most wretched and miserable, because we will never fulfill our destiny.

This is the moment to draw near to God, to search out the depth of the riches of His incredible love, and let Him finish the work in us. For we were born for such a time as this. Let it not be for nothing.

Because of His great love,

Nancy

I’ve been meditating on the Scripture in 1 John 4:18-19: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love because He first loved us.”

Because I don’t have a good handle on this concept, I’ve asked God to reveal to me the truth of these verses. If perfect love casts out fear, I obviously need to better grasp the notion of “perfect love.”

It helps to be able to visualize tough concepts, which is probably why He always brings me back to the picture of the little child with his dad. As a toddler whose father dotes on him, fixing all his hopes and dreams on that child, the child can be assured that he is treasured and cherished. And when he is confident in the love of his father he can rest, knowing dad will move heaven and earth to care for him. Knowing that means he will need to have no worries whatsoever.

That’s exactly what God does for us. He leans down, inclining His ear, to hear every word we say. And He takes our requests seriously, knowing our very heartcries, and what’s behind them. He never laughs at us or waves us away, or turns His attention away in distraction, to look at something else. His eyes are always on us, watchful and smiling in tenderness. Isn’t that an incredible thought?

And if this is so, and our sins are forgiven, our hurts are healed, and we are made whole by His perfect love, we can live in power and hope, blessing others because we have been blessed. But do we live this way?

As times get harder I believe this lesson is going to be more vital than ever to living as believers. We must not be worried and depressed like those who are in the world. Instead we must simply say, “My Father is in charge. He has what I need, so I’ll just ask Him for it.” It’s really as simple as that. And once we ask, we need to drop the subject, confident that He will work it out without our fear, worry, anxiety, or manipulation. Scripture says worry is futile and changes nothing, so we need to choose to let go of it entirely and instead choose to trust God.

And when we are secure in God’s love, we will know that His supply is endless, so we can open our hand in generosity to others instead of hoarding things for ourselves. I think this will also be an important notion to have fixed in our hearts. There is no lack with God. In fact, I was intrigued to read Proverbs 28:25 and 27 that say this: “He who trusts in the Lord will prosper…He who gives to the poor will never want.” 

The second half of verse 27 says this, however: “But he who shuts his eyes (to the poor) will have many curses.” So from this passage we can surmise that our fear of giving to others when the chips are down will hinder us from receiving God’s blessing. I am blown away by this notion. In essence God is saying, “If you doubt Me, I will give you reason to doubt, but if you trust Me, I will more than fulfill every expectation and every need.” Wow!

Remember that Scripture that says, “You have not because you ask not? Well, perhaps if we’re asking but not receiving, it’s because we’re holding on too tightly out of fear and doubt! What a revelation!

Let’s start living as though our Father is King of Kings, lacks nothing and finds us totally irresistable.

Because of His great love,

Nancy

The struggle for peace often seems endless, doesn’t it? In this life, we have ordinary, everyday stresses, along with life-changing heartaches that seem humanly impossible to cope with.

We also have many ways of dealing with stress. Prescriptions of tranquilizers and antidepressants are being written and filled in ever increasing numbers. Many go shopping to fill the void where peace should be, thinking they’ll feel better, only to realize the bill will arrive in thirty days. Some of us travel, others entertain, sleep more, read, or rent movies to lose themselves and forget their lack of peace. Some go to the extremes of taking street drugs or getting high in some other way.

So where is real peace to be found? Only in the person of Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “He is our peace.”

How can that be? Well, in the beginning God created Adam and Eve with everything they could possibly need, and for a time they lived in utter contentment and peace, secure in their place in God’s divine order. But sin brought a quick end to that sense of security, and we still struggle with that problem today.

Right now it looks like our world is being turned upside down, and it is. But a search of the Bible shows us that this is not the first time such a thing has happened, and whether we believe it or not, it is not taking God by surprise. Nothing ever takes God by surprise. All throughout history kingdoms have fallen, dynasties have crumbled, and it appeared as though it was the end of the world. Yet the people of God were able to find their peace knowing God is not shaken by what happens on earth.

God is sovereign. He has everything under control whether it looks like it or not. In fact, He is the Master orchestra conductor, the one who works the sour notes into the ultimate exquisite concerto where mankind is concerned. And in the end, He is the only place of peace.

Think about it. How often have you done something or spent money unnecessarily to find that elusive peace you were seeking? When our spirits are in turmoil, we feel fearful, and our sense of security is threatened. We lash out at each other trying to regain our equilibrium, only upsetting the balance further.

So if we’re counting on our stock portfolios or our jobs, or our looks or our ability to generate income to keep us afloat and secure, it’s time to re-think that notion, because soon everything we’ve held dear will either lose value or become unsellable, put on a shelf indefinitely to collect dust.

And if that happens where will we find peace then? There is no place of peace except in the Person of Jesus Christ. But to attain that peace, you and I are required to come to God with repentant hearts, confessing our sin, exchanging our agenda for His, willing to live for God, perhaps for the very first time, instead of merely living to please ourselves. There’s the rub. We like living for ourselves and having the last word. In fact, as Americans we pride ourselves in doing things our way and we rebell at the idea of being told what to do.

The point here is, our search for peace is hopeless unless we go to the only source of peace, and make our peace with Him.

Today is the day of salvation. The hiding place of peace is found only in Christ, whom Scripture calls our only ”shelter in the time of storm.” So if you’re looking for peace and are ready to give up everything you hold dear to get it, you’ve come to the right place in Christ.

Your mind may try to convince you that you’re giving up everything to get it, but Scripture says we are, in essence, only exchanging filthy rags for a robe of righteousness, and our control for a place in the very family of God.

Isn’t that more than a fair trade? Come to Jesus today. Confess your sins to God, admitting that you can’t save yourself, and asking Him to come into your heart and make you brand new. At that point, the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace, and you will find that long sought-after peace once and for all.

Because of His great love,

Nancy

Do you ever get the sense that you are lost in a vast crowd of humanity, insignificant and alone? At times feelings of loneliness and insigificance can make us feel worthless and depressed as if it doesn’t matter what we do.

And in one sense it’s true that each of us is only one among billions of people who inhabit the earth, which makes it tough to stand out in the crowd. Who really cares whether we live or die, or what happens to us?

Well, God does. That’s the irony of it all. Just consider this. The best way to feel special and distinct from everyone else on the planet is to spend time in God’s Word. Isn’t that amazing?

God Himself goes into great detail to tell us we were created as individuals, distinct from every other person who’s ever been born. Our fingerprints are ours alone. Our DNA is ours alone. If that’s true why is it so hard to feel valuable?

The devil generally works using a “crowd mentality.” He whispers to us that we don’t matter, that we are worthless, and that we have nothing to offer. Haven’t you heard him say that? I have. And when we believe such things we lose sight of the goal that makes living worthwhile.

In accord with that crowd mentality the devil also authored the theory of evolution, (he only used Darwin as a tool), to make us feel that what we do doesn’t matter, because we’re merely animals, who live and die and return to dust.

But God’s Word begs to differ–dramatically. Genesis says God created the world, the animal kingdom, and then man, whom He called “a living soul”–a distinct and new human creation. God created each of us exactly according to a specific design blueprint. Read Psalm 139 and see if that doesn’t argue the concept beautifully. God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that before the foundation of the world He knew us, and that no matter where we run to escape His presence, His eye is upon us. It says He loved us before the beginning of time, and has a place in His heart just for us. It says He knows the numbers of hairs on our head and bottles our tears–we’re that important to Him.

What an incredible concept. From that point on I see myself as not merely a fading face in a crowd but one who is precious, one who belongs, and who can make a difference, because His love changes everything. It does no less than transform me. It alters the landscape of my mind, changing my self concept and giving me hope and joy, knowing I have my own little niche in the very heart of God.

And the fact that He cares what I think, He cares that I hurt, that I have needs, only confirms that love. Do you know that God is actually waiting to hear from us–that His ear is tuned to lean down to listen when we speak? Such a thought overwhelms my mind–the great and mighty Creator, God of the universe, cares about you and me as individuals. It’s an awe-inspiring concept, isn’t it?

We are always on His mind. I find this notion astounding. Truly I do. And yet it motivates me to want to know Him, to want to please and glorify Him, and to shout from the rooftops the truth–that Jesus loves and treasures each of us, and that everyone can feel special knowing they too were created on purpose with a purpose, to love and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ!

We as believers have absolutely no reason to ever feel insignificant or worthless if we stand solid on the truth of God’s Word. We are here for a reason, and that reason is to reflect the love of God to those who are dying and going to hell for an eternity that will never end.

So let’s meditate on God’s Word, be transformed by the renewing of our minds and hearts, and tell others that Jesus loves them. You and I may seem insificant in the grand scheme of things, but God begs to differ. In fact, if we don’t get about our Father’s business, we leave a gaping hole in the divine plan of God.

Ask God to make you a living sacrifice, letting your light so shine among men, for in that gigantic crowd, you may be the only light visible in the deepest darkness, one that can be seen for miles around. Let’s live as if it’s so.

Because of His great love,

Nancy

Remember that silly song? My English teacher Mrs. Pope would turn over in her grave if knew how far we’d fallen gramatically.

But the truth is that satisfaction is hard to come by these days. Look at all we have. We are a nation of comparatively wealthy people, many of whom have it all, and yet we are unhappy and complain at the least little inconvenience.

Think about it. We demand perfection in everything and can tolerate nothing less. We buy bigger and better houses because we’re tired of the ones we have, and take trips farther and farther abroad because we’re bored with what’s in our neighborhood. We entertain others because we want to show off what we have, and because we can’t wait to be envied.

Have you listened to the shopping networks’ pitches? The most common line we hear is, “Want others to envy you from clear across the room? Buy this.”

And yet once we buy we find that the satisfaction we expected to feel once we owned it, escapes us. We can spend vast amounts of money, getting away to beautiful places and see amazing and glorious vistas, eating and drinking rare and delicious things, but still the emptiness plagues us and satisfaction eludes us.

We can fill our minds with facts, argue endlessly about things that don’t matter, and even go to school until we’re eighty, obtaining degree after degree, but even that only proves we’re persistent. In the end it does nothing to bring satisfaction.

Remember King Solomon? He had it all, too, and what conclusion did he come to? In the Book of Ecclesiastes he says, “Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.” He was referring to doing and having it all and finding no satisfaction in any of it.

So where can we find satisfaction? Isaiah 55:1 says: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money, come, buy and eat….Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” Verse 6 goes on to say: “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. And let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him.” Another version says, “And He will abundantly pardon.”

Whether we know it or not, we need God. Though we may never admit it, more than anything else we yearn for relationship with One who loves us unconditionally. We need to know we don’t have to prove ourselves in order to be valuable. But where do we find such a thing? In only one place. In the person of Jesus Christ, who traded His deity for suffering and humiliation–for you and me.

Those who have submitted their hearts to Christ and received forgiveness of sin no longer have to strive for satisfaction, because in Him we are filled up to overflowing, even if we never have a dime.

To know He smiles down on us is like warm sun breaking through dark clouds on a chilly day. Can you picture it? And once we turn from things and focus on Him, soaking in His tender love and care, we are filled up and satisfied, perhaps for the very first time.

What a wonderful God we serve, who blesses us with good things, but gives satisfaction for free. It’s just like Him to turn logic on its ear that way, isn’t it? May His great love inspire us to reach for Him instead of things.

Because of His great love,

Nancy 

In Matthew 6, we find some of the most comforting scriptures in the Bible. Especially during the times in which we live. Verse 23 says, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body; what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat, and the body than raiment? For an entire nine verses it goes on to remind us of how our heavenly Father provides for His creation, and it even goes as far as to ask us if we aren’t more important than mere flowers. 

But in Verse 33 and 34 it says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall shall take thought for the things of itself.”

Our God has always thought of everything. Unlike mere men He is not inclined to leave any bases uncovered. Because all things are at His disposal He works out every detail to supply every need. Remember that gospel chorus that says, “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills–I know that He will care for me.”

It’s a simple little song, but speaks volumes about the truth of God’s love for us. And in times like these when things are getting tougher by the day, and we begin to lose hope in the things we’ve always counted on, we need to remember the basics: God loves us. He knows us intimately. He created us before the foundations of the earth, and He knows the way we take. According to Psalm 139 He is intimately acquainted with our inward parts, in other words, what makes us tick. And He finds those of us who belong to Him, irresistable. Isn’t that an exciting thought?

He finds us irresistable. No matter how old or infirm we become, how we look, how much we weigh or can accomplish, He finds those of us who are completely His–irresistable!

If we keep that in mind we can bask in His great love, feeling His powerful presence around us, and knowing and even picturing how He leans down to listen when we speak to Him.

What an incredible God we serve. May He remind us always of His tender care and constant presence. Let’s practice the presence of the Lord, basking in His love, and being empowered to live each new days as if it were our last. Jesus is coming soon!

Because of His great love,

Nancy

It breaks my heart to see these words disappearing from the walls of our schools, courts, money, and our minds. So who do we trust in?

If it’s money, which I strongly suspect is the truth, it will vanish like a vapor in the wind, with nothing left to show for it, but memories of what used to be.

Are we trusting in armies? Well, our army is now under UN dominion and holds little allegiance to things we used to call dear.

If it’s leadership, we should look elsewhere, because our leadership, except for a few rare brave souls, have sold us down the river for a buck.

So what do we trust in? Well, if we are wise, we will recall what Scripture says: That our God is a jealous God who will not share His glory with anyone else.

Our President says America is not a Christian nation, and as much as those words might ruffle our feathers, in some ways that’s true. In general we are a nation of arrogant and prideful people who have rejected God and think we deserve only the best. But the truth is we are no different than any other people whom God loves and has blessed because they originally took a stand for righteousness and for God. But when any nation rejects God, they also forfeit His blessings. And what seems like well-deserved riches become something that God blows away with a single breath.

So if we have counted on the stock market, our 401K nest eggs, or anything else, we can blame no one but ourselves when it all evaporates, because we have put our trust in temporal things rather than in the Lord.

And when we turn our back on Israel that will be the last straw as far as God is concerned. We are a doomed nation, who’d better hold on, because it’s going to be a rough ride from that moment on.

Those of us who love Jesus Christ, are sold out to Him, and want our lives to count for eternity, need to walk away from the deceit of riches, and the lies of deceitful men, and live as never for Christ with boldness and joy, because time is fleeting and men are dying. And some, during this dark hour, will desperately seek answers that can only be found in Christ.

So let’s be about our Father’s business, ready in season and out of season to share the love of our wonderful Lord, with those who are finally hungering for something that lasts. Praise God that name of Jesus is the answer to every question.

Because of His great love,

Nancy

I’ve often wondered what these words mean. But I’m beginning to understand–to get a glimpse of how God intends His children to live. He wants us to be so consumed with His presence, power, provision and protection–to be so confident in who He is–that nothing else matters.

And when that happens, His peace covers the situation entirely. I had a sudden revelation recently. My Christian walk has, in many ways, been centered around me, rather than centered around the Lord. May God forgive me! I never saw it before, but I see it clearly now. He was in my life, and a very important part of it, not certainly not the end all and be all of my existence. But praise God that’s changing, and He’s being patient, enabling me to understand this concept.

These days my heart melts in His presence, realizing what He gave up for me. That He willingly gave up His deity and kingship to exchange places with humans for my benefit is unthinkable. I certainly wouldn’t have done that for people who would reject me. Would you?

I doubt that any of us would’ve even considered it knowing the outcome. And yet He stepped out of glory to endow us with that same glory, and once we “get it” we go from glory to glory, merely by focusing on Him and His great love for us. If we’re discerning spiritual things in our day we can see things crumbling rapidly around us, and yet as we look up, our hope is greater than ever, our excitment unparalleled because we know He’s coming soon and that before that day we will see His miraculous power revealed before our very eyes.

And that enables us to walk in strength. And not only that but we draw near, gaining strength from His Spirit who carries us when we’re too tired to march on. Isn’t that an amazing word picture? We have our marching orders, and we walk alongside Him, but when we’re weak, weary or discouraged, He lifts and carries us!

As I grow older I need to be carried more than I did before, and that knowledge doesn’t encourage me, but I am encouraged to know that Psalm 28 says He draws near to the needy, the brokenhearted, the wounded and the weary, and carries them when they can’t go on.

We serve an awesome God. We really do. He feels the very pains we feel, the hurts we encounter, the struggles we face, and in those situations, He strengthens us, heals us, and cheers us on toward the goal.

Jesus is coming soon, so let’s not be weary in well doing, but draw near to Him–for that’s where our strength lies, and we’re going to need Him more than ever!

Because of His great love,

Nancy

It’s been one of those weeks. An old friend died of cancer and was buried yesterday, and it’s been weighing heavy on my mind. She was a woman of incredible faith, and I had to wonder, “Lord, why did you take her when she was such a powerhouse, especially when we need those kind of saints to help us make it until the end?” But the Lord reminded me that with or without her and others like her, He would sustain us until the end if we hold onto Him.

And on a recently won fourplex rebuild after a fire, a huge blessing for his team of construction workers, my husband was ordered to stop work, because government officials who own the aging/disabled complex say the bidding process was done improperly. We have a great deal of money tied up in this project, and it’s frightening to think he may not be paid for it. And again the Lord said, “Trust Me. I will make a way.” So we’re believing God will work it out as only He can.

To top it off I haven’t been feeling well, and I have B&B guests coming today. So I’ve been soaking in the love of God to sustain me, and I marvel over and over that no matter what’s going on around me, His love is ever present and sweeter as the days go by. I weep every time I realize His incredible sacrifice for a sinner like me.

And just now I received an email from my friend, Kenyan pastor/evangelist Gideon Mudenyo, the man I mentioned before. I’ve been trying to send finances so they can buy corn and rice to feed people who have absolutely no food and are dying everywhere of starvation. Gideon said he had been praying for us, and the Lord told him we were being tested on every side, but not to falter in faith, because God would bring us through victorious and bless us abundantly. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous. Today I will send money, because once again, they are out of food.

Only God could orchestrate such a thing–one person doing such a small thing, (like giving that cup of cold water), that He is blessing so amazingly on the other end. Who am I that God should want to use me? That’s always my question.

Yet I am reminded over and over that all through Scripture God used individuals who probably felt the same way I do. What a marvelous God we serve! Scripture says He knows the way of the righteous, and that promise reassures me when the ups and downs seem particularly precipitous and frightening.

My prayer is: “Lord, make me a blessing. I have nothing to offer you but myself, so let your servant hear and obey, with a heart for those you love. Pour out on your people, Lord, for who have we in heaven, but You? And let Your light so shine before men that they may see Your face in us.”

Because of His great love,

Nancy

As I mentioned yesterday I’ve always known the old wounds from my past were a hindrance to living for God, but I had never heard anyone address that subject until two days ago.

It’s clear that no matter what kind of intellectual abilities we have, if we have been wounded, we are hindered from living in the freedom God intends for us. And the interesting thing is, I’ve seen people who are apparently free from past wounds, and they have the ability to love unconditionally.

Apparently feeling the impact of God’s total and unconditional love allows human beings the opportunity to put behind us those things we used to be, essentially wiping the slate clean and giving us a brand new start.

That’s what I want for my life, which is why I decided to try “soaking,” which I also mentioned yesterday. I crawled in bed, not to sleep but to bask in the amazing love of my Father, and to feel His presence around me. And it was an incredible experience. It’s not like I heard anything earth-shaking in my spirit, but I did feel His presence in a powerful way. And though I have many busy days ahead I plan to soak as often as I can, to give Him time to speak and heal, and me to honor Him as I should with no expectations except to tell Him I love Him.

I have asked Him to use this time to reassure me, to help shatter the fear of the future that remains from the generational spirits in my maternal family line, because in my head I know God will take care of everything. But in my flesh I struggle to let go of that old fear.

I am getting more and more excited, believing He will somehow answer my prayer asking for souls. Lots of souls who are ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, our wonderful Savior.

I believe we as Christians have scarcely scratched the surface, doing what it takes to know God, but as we choose to seek and follow after Him, He promises He will draw near and reveal Himself in powerful ways.

The sky isn’t even the limit when it comes to our Father’s love. Let’s draw near and mine the depth of our Father’s love while it’s called today.

Because of His great love,

Nancy