Proverbs 17:9 Voice; Those who forgive faults foster love, but those who repeatedly recall them ruin relationships.

Have you ever sat with a friend who constantly rehearses the wounding they’ve received from others? They sing their own, “Somebody done somebody wrong” song, creating new verses each time they tell their story. You try to change the subject, but the song is stuck in their head and they just don’t seem to be able to shake it. We all do it at times, especially when it’s fresh in our minds and the pain in our hearts won’t go away.

I love this verse because it shows there is a flip side; you can foster love instead. That word foster is defined as; to promote the growth or development of; further; encourage, to bring up, raise, or rear; to care for or cherish. It’s all about focus, isn’t it? What you nurture will grow. If you nurture hurt, it will grow and become an ugly albatross, but if you nurture love, it will be a crown of glory to those who wear it.

Philippians 4:8-9 comes to mind and I love it in this translations; “Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy.  Keep to the script: whatever you learned and received and heard and saw in me—do it—and the God of peace will walk with you.” So when we keep our minds on lovely things, the God of peace will walk with us. If we were to memorize these two verses and actually do them, they would change our lives and attitudes.

Lets begin to foster love, not hurt. To find the good in others and not focus on their faults. Change always begins with ‘me’. Me is the only one I have control of. I can change myself but I can’t change others, that is the Holy Spirits job. It’s time to look in the mirror and ask the Holy Spirit to clean house so that the light in us isn’t hindered by filthy glass. We can make a bigger difference by not opening our mouth and just allowing Love to do it’s perfect work.

Father, I have spent too much time rehearsing the bad and not focusing on the good, and it’s clouded my judgement, my thoughts and words. Forgive me. May my focus be more on You and what you’ve done for me, how you’ve set me free, forgiven me and washed me. Oh God, just the thought of your love makes me melt like snow before a fire. One thing you’ve required of me and that is to love. Love you with all my heart and my neighbor as myself. The only way I can love like that is to allow your love to channel through me to others. The more I surrender to you, the more I enable you to work through me. Here I am. May I be an explosion of love that messes up everyone I meet. It’s in Jesus’ Name I ask this. Amen

Psalm 117 Voice; Praise the Eternal, all nations. Raise your voices, all people. For His unfailing love is great, and it is intended for us, and His faithfulness to His promises knows no end. Praise the Eternal!

What a way to start the day! Praising the Lord who is worthy! Raising our voices (at least our inner voices) to worship and give Him praise. You know what? I went through and read this in 14 different translations and it reads just about the same, but as I read it, something just welled up inside of me. Praise isn’t just a nice thing to do, it’s what we were created to do. When you lift up or exalt the name of Jesus, you are placing His name above all other things. Every mountain is brought low and every valley will be lifted. In other words, it puts things in order or perspective.

That second part, “For His unfailing love is great, and it is intended for us,” oh my. His constant, unfailing love is great. How great? It’s higher, deeper and wider than any love we’ve ever known here on earth. It’s not only great but it is intended for us. That word, intended means; to design or mean for a particular purpose, use, recipient, etc. His love was designed or meant specifically for us.

Last but certainly not least, “and His faithfulness to His promises knows no end.” Doesn’t that make you want to jump up, spin around and scream like a little girl (or boy). What a gift! Everything He has promised us, every promise in the Book, knows no end. It just keeps going and going and going, forever and ever, eternally. Get it? Hallelujah! No wonder this Psalm was so short. What more could he say to that?

Father, my heart is overwhelmed with love for you. It’s one thing to have a husband, children, grandchildren and friends who love me, but your love was intentional. You set your sights on me, specifically me. You pursued me like a treasure hunter, sparing nothing, no cost too great, no sacrifice too large to have me. I am yours. Intentionally loved by you and loving you, an exchange of the deepest, most fervent love. I can’t keep this love to myself! I must share it with those who feel unloved, that they may know you as I know you. I set my eyes on you today. Your Kingdom of Love come on the earth as it is in Heaven. It’s in the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen

Isaiah 40:28-31 Voice; Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Eternal, the Everlasting God, The Creator of the whole world, never gets tired or weary. His wisdom is beyond understanding. God strengthens the weary and gives vitality to those worn down by age and care. Young people will get tired; strapping young men will stumble and fall.  But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint.

I rolled over to look at the clock this morning and it was early, even for me, but I heard an invitation to come and sit with the Savior. There was no way I was going back to sleep when I could spend time with the one who knows me, hears me and understands me. What a gift He is to me. I quickly made my coffee and protein drinks for Walt and I, then came out to my office and fired up the computer, logged onto biblegateway.com and this verse came to mind. I pulled it up and went through reading it in various translations but somehow, felt this one was perfect.

“God strengthens the weary and gives vitality to those worn down by age and care.” Yeah, that’s me. I may be worn down by age and care, but I cast my care on Him because He cares for me and why should I carry something I was never meant to? So I will run! Never winded, never weary! I will walk and never tire or faint. 

Spending time with Jesus is the best way to feel the wind beneath my wings as I soar to dizzying heights with Him. To see from His vantage point where all the things I face are so very small. I say about my Lord, He is my place of safety, a fort to me, my God! I trust in Him. All knowing, all wise, problem solver, provider, visionary, peace, strength, love and grace. I can’t imagine my life without Him, not for one day or one moment.

Father, you are my past, my present and my future, the greatest gift I’ve ever received is You. To have intimate fellowship with you each and everyday is something I look forward to so much. You know what is on my mind and in my heart without me mentioning a word. You’ve already gone ahead and made provision for every need I will ever have. You are all knowing and all powerful. Every opposition must bow to you and the greatness of your Name. When I think of you, my heart flutters like a teenage crush. I am undone by the depths of Your great love. Thank you for this day and for the plans that are unfolding for me and my children. It’s with a grateful heart I surrender it all in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Isaiah 55:6-11 ERV; The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts. 

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground. Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 

I hear a cry going out from someones heart this morning, “Why, God? Why haven’t you heard me? Why haven’t you answered? Where are you? I’ve called out and you’ve turned a deaf ear to me. Why, God!” The truth is, each and everyone of us have said these words. We’ve all been in a position of desperation, where we needed a miracle. Can I just encourage you this morning?

God is well aware of what you’re facing. He sees your deadline outside of your timeline and knows the end of things from the beginning. When you feel overwhelmed by what you’re facing, perhaps you’re facing the wrong direction. Turn your face toward God and instead of telling Him what you need, remind him of your seed. ‘What are you talking about, Sandy?’ Look at the scripture above again. Do you see where He says, “Rain and snow fall from the sky….”, God is trying to show you something in that passage so read it again.

You see, every time you plant a seed (the Word of God), God sends what’s needed to cause that seed to grow. As you meditate on His promises and speak them over your situation, it HAS to respond. The very next thing He says is; “In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Your situation MUST respond to the Word of God. It’s not His will for anyone to perish. It’s not His will for anyone to suffer lack or loss. It’s not His will for anyone to be sick. If He said it, He HAS to do it. I didn’t make this up, He said it, so He must respond to His Word.

May I add one more thing? Thank you, I’m going to anyway! You cannot speak His Word in fear, but must speak it in Faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” That doesn’t mean using your shallow relationship with God just when you need it like some magic trick. No, it means you must KNOW God, have intimate fellowship with Him. In other words, you’re not going your merry way doing your own thing and then, bam, bad doctors report, run to God for your miracle. 

Think about it for a moment, will you? If you won the lottery today, people you barely know would try to become your friend just to use you to get some of your wealth. It’s a wise person who recognizes this, right? Yet we do this to God. There comes a point in all of our lives when we realize this isn’t a game. This is for real! If we’ve asked Jesus to be Lord (master) of our lives, it’s time to lay down our way and go with His way. He promised it, therefore He will do it. Now praise Him and thank Him for you now know the answer is on the way!

Father, I thank you that you know the thing I have need of and you know the deadline as well. Nothing is impossible with you! You tend to always show up and show off with last minute deliverance. If I ever had any doubt of this, all I have to do is read your Word. The Red Sea, Lazarus, Jesus in the tomb, there is simply nothing you cannot do. Whatever I face is an anthill to you. Surely you are well able to deliver me from the very thing the enemy would try to convince me will be my end. It’s not over until YOU say it’s over and I know you have great plans for me. I trust you. I will always trust you. I can’t help but trust you, because I know you and you love me. I lift up my eyes to behold your face and the beauty of your grace. It’s in the name of your wonderful son, Jesus. Amen

Revelation 3:20 NLT; “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

I remember the days when I had a family to get ready for school and work every morning. Hectic doesn’t begin to describe my life back then! I had to get up a half our earlier just to get myself ready, then fix the family breakfast, make sure I had something out for dinner, fix lunches (sometimes done the night before), get the girls up (calling several times!), shoot, fitting devotions in there somewhere was utterly impossible, or so I thought. My 10 minutes in the shower became my devotion time. I just didn’t want to start my day without being thankful, without hearing His sweet voice.

Did you hear the Holy Spirit knocking on the door of your heart this morning? Did you hear his invitation to break the Bread of Life with you? Each and everyday, He stands waiting for you, hoping that today will be the day when you spend a few minutes, enjoying fellowship with Him. Find time to fit Him in today. Even if it’s the drive to work, the time it takes you to shower, make time for Him today. If you have time to check in on Facebook, you have time to check in with God. If you don’t change the way you always do things, you’ll never get anything else then what you already have.

Father, today I’m answering the door. I invite your presence into my day. Come sit at the island while I prepare breakfast for the kids. Stand with me while I fix my hair, put on my makeup and brush my teeth. My whole purpose for living is you, so please talk with me! Share with me the things that will help me make it through my day, things I may need to help someone else out today. As I meditate on Your Word, the Word I have hidden in my heart, I place a hedge of protection about myself and my family. I thank you that you give your angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. Thank you that our steps are ordered by you and that you take great delight in the plans you have for us. I give you all the glory, the honor and praise for you alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The commitment we make to love doesn’t just belong in a marriage. It begins when we receive the love of God in our hearts. This should be our measuring stick in the way we treat everyone, especially those in our own homes. Sadly, we forget to honor and love the ones closest to us, the ones we are most familiar with first. True love isn’t found in movies or books, but found in the face of our creator.

I Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG:

^3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the kind of love that keeps going to the end? Love that keeps on forgiving, keeps on giving, keeps on honoring and respecting regardless of how one is treated? We can all have that kind of love. The reason it’s not seen often is because people always look for a way out, an escape clause in their contract. Once you become a Christian, your spirit is married to Gods Spirit. You do what’s best for Him and His Kingdom, not what’s best for you. You trust Him to provide everything you need for life. It’s a commitment He will never break with you or be unfaithful to you. Are you willing to make that same commitment to Him?

My flesh is committed to Walt as my husband for life. His spirit is committed to God and my spirit is committed to God. We still struggle at times placing each others needs over our own, but we constantly strive to reflect Gods love in our marriage. I’m far less perfect then Walt, but he patiently loves me, honoring me as queen of his home. What a gracious man God has given me. It wasn’t always that way, but I committed to love like Jesus so that he would someday love me as Jesus does.

Father, thank you for your deep abiding love for us, in that while we were still sinners, still haters, still selfish, you went through with your great plan to redeem us, to buy us back from our slavery to sin. Like the old song, “No one ever cared for me like Jesus. There’s no other friend so kind as He. No one else can take the sin and darkness from me. Oh how much He cares for me.” This day, I commit to show that same care and compassion to those you place in my path. Help me to not judge them guilty, but see them loved as you love them. It’s in Jesus Name I pray. Amen

February 14th is coming soon. It’s the day when love is celebrated, but it’s a special day for Walt and I. We will celebrate our 39th anniversary this day. I thank God everyday for my Valentine, but I’m especially aware that we would never have made it to this point had it not been for the love of God. He changed our hearts toward each other when we decided to take on this challenge of unselfish love. So this is for you, babe. A tribute to our deep abiding love for one another and our desire to see others transformed by the same.

I Corinthians 13:1-3 ERV; I may speak in different languages, whether human or even of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal.  I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing.  I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love.

This chapter is commonly called the ‘Love Chapter’ and is often spoken at weddings. Walt and I usually begin our marriage counseling by having the couple read this together daily and discuss with each other whether these verses are true of them. I’d like to first point out a strong truth in this passage; Love is the foundational principle in life as a Christian. Everything we do must be done in love because God, our creator and King is Love. If we don’t understand love or know the value of it, we will never understand or know the value of each other. Love is the key to a victorious life as a Christian. Not faith, although without faith you cannot please God. Verse 13 says; And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

A lawyer asked Jesus which of the commandments were the most important, Matthew 22:37-40; Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command.  And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Well then, this should be fundamental for all Christians, the first thing we study, the first thing we learn to practice; LOVE. 

I’ve heard Christians use these first verses as an argument that ‘tongues’ have passed away and that ‘prophesies’ have ceased. No, Paul didn’t say that at all. He simply said that the value of these things, though important, if not done with the overwhelming, selfless, deep abiding love of God, they have no meaning at all. As Christians, we shouldn’t be challenged to love, it’s part of our new nature. If the blood of Jesus flows through our veins, then our DNA makeup will be LOVE. We may not like the sin, it may grieve our hearts as it does God, but this kind of love, it covers a multitude of sin.

Father, you loved us so much that you sent Jesus to die in our place. You sacrificed your only son so that He could be the firstborn of many. I’m one of those you love. My heart is so overwhelmed with love for you and you keep pouring more into me, so much that you’ve caused it to spill over onto others around me. This love can’t be manufactured into a stuffed toy or a heart shaped necklace. It can’t be purchased at the store with a credit card. This love is deep and abiding. It’s value can’t be measured and the only way to get more of it is to give it away. I want to explode love all over everyone today. I want to change my corner of the world with the love you freely give to me. It’s in Jesus Name and for Your glory. Amen

Proverbs 6:2, “You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.” Matthew 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Have you ever felt the need to carry a roll of duct tape with you everywhere you go? Not so much for others, but for yourself? I have. Sometimes the need to speak my mind is overwhelming, but instead I should just haul out the tape and put it over my mouth. SERIOUSLY! There is one way too avoid trouble in this area though; KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Once I turn on the faucet, it’s hard to stop it. I’m aware of the problem and have prayed about the problem, but at some point, I must take control of my tongue and cut it off at the pass.

Trust me, I’m better then I used to be. I shudder to think of the many friends I left wounded and bleeding as I barreled through life. If you’re one of them, I hope you will forgive me! Funny how simply spending time with the Lord and meditating on His Word and ways can make such a significant change in the way I speak. Thinking right thoughts, seeing others the way Jesus sees them, loving them with the same love Jesus did, learning compassion and most of all, showing others the grace that I needed the most.

Let’s not forget the most important key in all of this; allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify your tongue by praying in your heavenly prayer language. Jude 1:20-21 says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” So what I read here is that praying in the Holy Spirit (tongues) builds your faith, keeps you in love and helps you be merciful. That’s powerful! I do this ALOT, but I need to do it more!

Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Without Him, we couldn’t understand the deep treasures of your Word. Thank you Holy Spirit, for sanctifying our tongue and giving us discernment so that we may walk in victory over every evil plan of our adversary. Put a watchful guard over our lips so that we might not sin against you today. Most of all, purify our hearts because out of our hearts, our mouth speaks and that’s just where we need change the most. May our heart be a wellspring of praise, blessing you and those that try our patience today. We really do want to reflect your love, so help us to see You when we look at others because You created them and love them. It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Psalm 34:1; I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.

The dictionary defines the word continually as; very often; at regular or frequent intervals; habitually. Without cessation or intermission; unceasingly; always. Can you even imagine that? Some of haven’t praised God in a long time. Oh, when something amazing happens, we might get all excited and say, Hallelujah, but this is a far cry from continually. I believe that this isn’t only what we speak, it’s what we think, or the perpetual motion of our thoughts.

I awoke this morning with a song on my heart. It goes like this; “If God has been so good to you, you ought to praise Him. If God has been so good to you, you ought to praise Him. If God has been so good to you, you ought to stand up on your feet, and praise and magnify the Lord for He’s the one who set you free. Praise Him! Praise Him!” It made my mind immediately go into overdrive. I began to think about all God has done in my life and I got excited. I began to thank Him for goodness and mercy that follow me all the days of my life. A big smile broke out on my face and let my heart know that He’s always been faithful.

Continually. Regardless of what we see going on in the world. Regardless of what we’re experiencing in the natural. Regardless of the highs or lows, the ups or downs, the good or bad, we have made up our mind to praise Him. Oh, I don’t know about you, but I know what happens when you praise the Lord in the middle of your darkest night. God comes on the scene and flips the light switch, allowing you to see things as He does, from the point of victory. We are children of the Most High God, that’s gotta make you excited.

Oh Father! I worship you with everything that’s in me. I’m so excited for the plans you have for me. Plans to prosper me and give me good success. You have tipped the scales for me. Every blessing belongs to me! You’re not content to simply give me enough but you overwhelm me with more than enough, every good and perfect gift comes from you. When I chose to make you Lord of my life, you promised to accompany me through every trial, every temptation, every impossible situation. You have turned it all around for me! You turned my mourning into dancing, my crying into joyous praise. You’ve placed a song in my heart that never stops. I don’t wait for Sunday to worship you, I worship you everyday of my life. All praise and honor and glory are yours forever. Amen

I like to go over the scriptures that were used in Sundays messages on Monday morning. It allows me to think on what was said and it allows the Holy Spirit to show me more. I encourage you to do the same. Allow the message on Sunday to feed you all week long. Yesterday, as our pastor continued his message on Encounters, we read about the story in Luke 24:13-32, commonly known as the road to Emmaus.

Verses 13-17 GNT; On that same day two of Jesus’ followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,  and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened.  As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them;  they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him.  Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?”

This seems to be a depiction of the church today; they’ve been following Jesus for a long time, they talk about him, but wouldn’t recognize him if he were to appear out of nowhere, joining their conversation. It wasn’t until Jesus sat and broke bread together that he revealed himself to them. We can know Jesus in our heads, but until we open our hearts to him, allowing him to do his perfect work in us, we will not really know him.

This morning, you have the distinct pleasure to break bread with Jesus. That doesn’t mean just opening your bible and reading a few verses, closing it and going on your way. It means to sit with Jesus and talk with him, inviting him into your day, asking for wisdom and discernment in every decision you must make. Opening yourself to be His hands and voice to those around you who need His intervention, who need an encounter with Jesus.

Father, I don’t ever want to briefly encounter you and rush away. I don’t want to leave you in my office after I finish my devotions, I want to carry you with me, your Spirit in me, my hope, my confidence. May you fill me to overflowing so that everyone I meet has encountered you. May it leave a residue on them that creates a hunger after relationship with you. May the Word I have planted in my heart, bring forth an abundant harvest for your Kingdom. As I go about my daily business, may I be sensitive to your Spirit. As Jesus said, “I must be about my Father’s business!”, may that also ring out in my heart today. It’s in Jesus’ Name I ask this. Amen