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Pizza Notes of Encouragement for the young and older. Order up 3 slices please:

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We need comfort food today.

Pizza notes are nuggets of truth from God’s Word to help nourish the young, old, and older soul with a energizing hope and everlasting good news.

#1) Pizza Note of Encouragement for Today:

Let’s get healthy in our thinking. We know that bad eating habits will ruin health and vitality of young and old alike, but bad thinking habits do the same.

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When tempted to dwell on bad reports, hurts of others, etc.,

let’s focus on good things. God asks us to do this in Philippians 4:8,

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,  . . . noble, . . . just, . . . pure, lovely, . . .

if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

God wants the best for us. If we have trouble thinking of a good theme, He urges us to taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8-10).

Cast all your cares on Him, 1 Peter 5:7. He’s God, we’re not. Then, look up.

God sets His glory in the heavens and we witness it with sunrise and glorious sunset: In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
    It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course Psalm 19:4,5.

The heavens speak.

The oceans roar.

The mountains boldly stand.

The Bible tells us, as well, that through the praises of children, He establishes strength: From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger Psalm 8:2.

We need to not only believe in the Lord, we were created to worship Him.

Praises to God from the lips of children and infants will silence the enemies of God.

Praises to God, from all the ages in between, . . . changes things, most of all, our outlook, countenance, and hope.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple Psalm 19:7

The decrees of the Lord . . . are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold Psalm 19:9,10.

Taste and see, God cares for each of us. What’s our response?

 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds Psalm 9:1.

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Pizza Note #2
When loss leaves a child without appetite, there is a song, a lullaby, that stirs waters inside: “Jesus loves me this I know . . . “

God loves. He’s a giver. But we live in a broken world.

The enemy of God wants me to think that God only takes away. But that’s not true.

The Bible reminds us that God gave to me, (and every human being on this earth), His only Son, Jesus.
He took my burden of sin, (and the sins of the entire world), upon Himself, and nailed them to the cross.

I believe, that “whosoever believes in Him” never dies.

Let’s believe God greater today, even in heartache, and sing a beloved song: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3:16.

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him John 3:17.

#2) Pizza Note of good news: God’s eye is on you, and me, and everyone.

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We can’t see Him, but He sees us.
He’s spirit. God doesn’t have a body. He’s everywhere, all at the same time. The Bible tells us so.
In Psalm 139, the Bible reminds us that He knows when we sit down, stand, sleep, and He hears our thoughts and our words before we speak them.
God sees and God knows . . . everything. He’s Omniscient.


I hope this Pizza Note makes us hungry to read Psalm 139. Take a few minutes to read aloud and let God’s Word speak.

I didn’t know God when I was young, but I believed in Him because of the natural beauty around me. But I wanted to know Him more. As time went on, I realized I could know Him by reading His Word.
The Bible tells us that His eyes watch us grow before we’re born. He knows everything about us.
God is love. His thoughts towards us are precious.
God can have a one-on-one with me and you, and anyone who seeks Him in spirit and truth Psalm 139.

God isn’t who we make Him to be, He is Who He is.

He’s Holy. He’s righteous in all His ways.
We aren’t. God knows we need help, (He sees and hears everything!) He sent His Son Jesus because He knows we need forgiveness and healing.
Perhaps the prayer at the end will become our morning and evening portion:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:22-24.

The complete Psalm 139:

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
 For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

 I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Flower Gardens

Weeds Again?

I just weeded my garden last week? What’s up with the weeds?

Weeds in the garden are a visual of the battle of mind and heart attitudes within each of us on every given day.

We often work on cleaning things up, and before we know it,

we’re attacked with this, overwhelmed with that, misunderstood, sick in our stomachs, worn out, and . . .

weeds take over. Our heart’s garden reminds us of a nursery rhyme with Mary, Mary quite contrary. If we stay like this, our garden won’t grow.

So, we call out to God.

. . . you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: “Here am I” Isaiah 58:9.“

The Bible shines a light on everything and gives me hope and empowers me to believe:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener John 15:1.

God’s the gardener. I can look to Him for my help. Jesus will guide me, the Holy Spirit will remind me, and I can grow, moving forward.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful John 15:2.

“Cut it out!” Whatever and whenever God convicts, we must cut out the excuses for the thoughts and behavior.

Fear. Pull it out. And add the water of faith, hope, and love for the Lord.

Remember the hurts? Pull them out. The disappointments? Let them go. The frustrations aren’t worth an inch of our soil.

. . . Break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you Hosea 10:12.

God is worth hearing. God tells us that Jesus is the Vine John 15:5.

Our gardens are cleaned up as we spend time in God’s Word because we are changed by the spade of His Word: You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you John 15:3.

But what has He said?

Let’s be anxious to know these things, before we check out any other news. Then, God promises that our gardens will be full of His amazing fruit of patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.

Isn’t this how God loves us?

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love John 15:9.

I am loved by God the Father, the Creator of everything. He l o v e s me. He l o v e s you.

You and I need to stay in this position.

  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete John 15:10,11.

Fruitful flower gardens? Yes, or no? We each have a choice.

  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command John 15:12-14.

Am I a friend of God?

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you John 15:15.

Let’s choose to know Him more. To be washed in salvation through belief in Jesus, and be cleansed daily by reading and obeying the things God shows us in His Word.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you John 15:16.

“We ask that You help us rip out the weeds of the past and that You water us overflowing with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ Name.”

 This is my command: Love each other.

Let’s see every flower garden as an exhortation to this command: Love each other.

Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate];
Reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness.
Break up your uncultivated ground,
For it is time to seek and search diligently for the Lord [and to long for His blessing]
Until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you Hosea 10:12, AMP.

To God be the glory, great things He forever does!

Honey Bite for Today

1 Timothy 1:7

Take time for a healthy snack of Scripture for today:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and of a sound mind 1 Timothy 1:7.

What am I thinking?

Today, I make the choice to think on a good theme.

Join me?

Let’s water the seeds of faith within our soul and watch us grow in healthy mind and heart with increased hope, joy, and peace.

“Dear Lord, Today I pray to you, and perhaps others join in too, to ask that You would water the seed of faith that we have in our hearts. Increase our faith in You. Help us desire to know You more through our day. Today we give you more time than the weather, the news, and the amount of “likes” on our posts. In Jesus’s Name we pray, Amen.

I need thee every hour
Stay thou nearby
Temptations lose their power
When thou art nigh

I need thee, oh, I need thee
Every hour I need thee
Oh, bless me now, my Savior
I come to thee

I Need Thee Every Hour by Annie S. Hawks, 1872.

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Hymns written long ago, give us prayers to open our heart’s door.

The old hymnal on the shelf. Silent. Closed. Yet, the treasures are stored.

So I opened it today, to a hymn from not tarnished by the present mainstream air.

Do we suffer from guilt and regret? How can we be freed of it’s strangling grip?

We pray.

We pray, one time alone, for salvation of our soul.

Above the noise and our own stubborn plans, can we hear His knock at each of our heart’s door?

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul; Break down every idol; cast out every foe;

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

When the door of our heart is opened to Him, and He forgives all my sin, and yours. He offered His love to the whole world.

He did. He does.

He paid a great price that I might be born again. Not in the flesh, because, I’m still here and alive, but I became born of the Spirit, able to see . . . true Love.

I was no longer blind.

Somebody loves me, and I knew it fully, inside.

I prayed one time for my salvation, but each day for a wash.

My feet become dirty just living in this land. I’m prideful, covetous, naturally selfish and critical. My own stubbornness closes me daily from being free.

Who can help me from all this?

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies, and help me to make a complete sacrifice; I give up myself and whatever I know.

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

An open hymnal, read aloud, prayed from the heart, instructs the mind, refreshes the soul, and increases faith deep down inside.

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat, I wait blessed Lord at Thy crucified feet; by faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow;

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

He gave up His life to pay our great debt. Jesus is able to make all things right.

I must wait in faith. I need believe God now. I can’t trust in my feelings. He is a present help,

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait; come now and within me a new heart create; To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst, “No;”

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. (Whiter Than Snow by James Nicholson 1872).

Let’s speak it alone, right here, right now. Believe God has cleansed and brought us near. He is our Savior who cleanses and renews. Today, everyday, we now make Him Lord.

We must tell someone else what Jesus has just done . . .

for you, for me, . . .

we’ve been washed . . .

completely.

Whiter Than Snow by James Nicholson 1872:

 G
1  Lord Je-sus, I    long to   be   per-fect -ly  whole;
2  Lord Je-sus, look down from Thy  throne in the skies,
3  Lord Je-sus, for  this I    most hum-bly   en -treat 
4  Lord Je-sus, Thou se - est  I    pa -tient-ly  wait;

  (G)        Em    D    G    (G9 G) D     (D6    D)   G
1  I  want   Thee  for -ev  - er to live   in    my   soul;
2  And help  me    to   make  a  com-plete sac - ri - fice;
3  I  wait,  bless-ed   Lord, at Thy cru - ci  - fied feet;
4  Come now, and   with-in    me a   new   heart cre -ate;

  (G)            G/B  C                              G
1  Break down ev-ery  idol,   cast    out    ev'ry    foe:
2  I  give  up   my - self    and    whatever    I    know
3  By faith, for my   cleans-ing, I  see  Thy  blood  flow;
4  To those who  have sought Thee, Thou never saidst "No;"

  (G)                          D    Em7/D D    G
   Now wash me, and I shall be whit-er    than snow.


Chorus:
   D                 Em          C    G
   Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow;
  (G)                          D    Em7/D D    G
   Now wash me, and I shall be whit-er    than snow.

Full of Joy? Guaranteed, after spending time with the Lord.

The rains that come before sunny spring days can make life feel cold, stagnant, and grey. But, we know this will pass and the sun will shine. We must wait, without fret.

We can trust in the Lord.

The sun is hidden behind the clouds, but we know it’s there, continuing it’s daily course:

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth Psalm 19:4-6.

The clouds and rains are good for the ground. The seed is broken and soon will sprout. We can trust in God, and grow in Him, if we spend time in His word each day:

The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul Psalm 19:7.

How can we know if we don’t take time to seek God? We need refreshing of the soul—whether we are young or old.

We must first consider, am I His child? Ask Him to fill your life. Receive His Son, His forgiveness, His hope. In Jesus’ Name, thank Him for new life.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple Psalm 19:7.

Worthy of our trust, the Bible says of God’s Word. Wisdom from God will fill our simple minds.

Yes, and we can know that God hears our prayers. The Bible tells us so, time and again. When we call on His name, He is Faithful and True.

The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart Psalm 19:8.

Taking time for what’s good and right. The Word of God will give joy to our heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes Psalm 19:8.

The sun shines in our heart as we witness the goodness of God. 

God does the work. We must trust, know Him more and more, and seek to obey. The seed of love will grow. 

As we adore Him, the hymn proclaims: “Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

Speak aloud old words of praise and our hearts are refreshed as sun that appears after a rain.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous Psalm 19:9.

We can trust our God. He is right in all He does. We must seek Him when we are tempted and afraid. He is only a prayer away.

Our faithful God, the Light of the Lord, abides in our praises. Let’s speak Henry J van Dyke’s words of praise:

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.

Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.

(Tell me, if the peace of God touched your heart as it did mine, speaking aloud God’s hymns and Psalms!)

Am I His Child? Can I know?

Promise of rest.

Promise of peace.

If we have no strength to hold on to anything. God promises to hold His children through the storm.

Who is a child of the Lord? Are all people born?

The Bible instructs us to hear. His Word says, to those who believe in His name He gives rights.

He gives the right to become His child: Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12.

What name? Who? What’s going on in our spirit? Does it fight and war against God, or is it broken and ready to hear it?

The name?

Jesus.

Who is He? Spend time walking with Him in the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

In today’s world we can listen audibly to the Word of God. Instead of popular music, the choice can be made to hear the music of God’s love.

Ask Him to help you understand. Pray to God. Ask Him to show you Himself in His Word.

Do you think God will answer a prayer like that? Ask, seek, knock. He instructs open, willing hearts:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened, Matthew 7:7,8.

What’s the Father in heaven like?

The Bible tells us all:

 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matthew 7:10,11. 

Ask God. Seek His face.

“What’s the importance of the Bible?” Let God help you know:

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name, John 20:31.

The Lord Himself will reveal His truth. Ask His Spirit to help you understand. He will show you the Way.

When we believe in Jesus, He comes in and heals, forgives, and lifts our guilt by the power of His blood. The atoning sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross, sets us free from our past and great losses.

The promises of God are our gain. We believe Jesus. We become His child.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life1 John 5:13.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him 1 John 5:13-15.1

 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. 1 John 5: 19,20.

And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

We can know that we are children of God.

God, our Father in heaven, knows that we are healthy and blessed when we walk according to His ways and rest:

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 1 John 2:3.

  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did, 1 John 2:5,6.

So, as a child of God, we must seek to know Him greatly that we might live our lives for Him completely.

Need Rest. Got Jesus?

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust” Palm 91:1,2.

A secret place of rest, “yes.” That is what we desire.

Right here, right now, no matter the circumstance, no matter the geography, we can place our heart and mind in a position of praise to the El Elyon-the Most High God.

Paul and Silas were attacked for being servants of the Most High God. They were ordered to be stripped, beaten, and severely flogged and then thrown into prison. (Acts 16:23,24.) These were not happy circumstances for believers in the true and living God.

How can this encourage us? How can this bring rest? Have you heard what happened to Paul and Silas?

These were ordinary men, like you and me, but perhaps not ordinary in their faith and lifestyle: . . . the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.  The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” Acts 16: 24-31.

Do we dwell in a place of praise? There’s a difference if we do. There’s a difference in our moment to moment response. There’s times of faltering and discouragement, yes, but when we live a lifestyle of faith and worship, as Paul and Silas, we be changed.

The chains break off. The jail is opened. And our witness can be genuine and fruitful. Even if we find ourselves in difficult times.

Can we say, “The Lord is my refuge?”

Psalm 91 feeds new courage and hope within our souls:

If we make the Most High our dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

But that doesn’t mean the trials won’t come. Paul and Silas were beaten and put in jail.

What it does mean is, we call on the Most High God and praise Him for His Love, and He changes things.

How do we have a lifestyle of praise? We must fight our battles with faith in our heart. Faith comes by reading (aloud) God’s living Word.

Today, right now, I mean what I say, for you and me both, every day, we must read aloud, straight from His Word.

Ask Jesus in. Ask the Spirit to minister deep within.

Like a musician who plays, we will read what His Word says:

 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?a

Has it not been toldb you from the beginning

Have you not understoodd since the earth was founded?e

 He sits enthronedfabove the circle of the earth,

and its people are like grasshoppers.g

He stretches out the heavensh like a canopy,i

and spreads them out like a tentj to live in.k

 He brings princes to naught

and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.m

 No sooner are they planted,

no sooner are they sown,

no sooner do they take rootn in the ground,

then he blowso on them and they wither,p

and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.q

 “To whom will you compare me?r

Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.s

 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:t

Who createdu all these?

He who brings out the starry hostv one by one

and calls forth each of them by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,w

not one of them is missing.x

 Why do you complain, Jacob?

Why do you say, Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord;

my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know?

Have you not heard?z

The Lord is the everlastinga God,

the Creatorb of the ends of the earth.c

He will not grow tired or weary,d

and his understanding no one can fathom.e He gives strengthf to the wearyg

and increases the power of the weak.

 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young menh stumble and fall;i

 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.k

They will soar on wings like eagles;l

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:21-31.

God’s ministering Spirit. God’s precious Word. All glorious.

If you don’t know Jesus, He’s a prayer away.

After you’ve asked Him to come in, receive forgiveness and grace, and he will give you the power to offer it to all that you meet.

He is God. He is able to help our souls soar on wings like eagles where ever our bodies might be.

Amen. Please tell someone if you’ve received Jesus for the first time.

Angels rejoice in heaven.

And your soul receives . . . rest.

Garden Lessons #1

A garden is a field of promise.

For the promise of fruit to come, there must be good soil, rain, and sun.

This is Gardening 101.

When the gardener begins to clean up the land, he quickly finds, there’s an enemy in the sand.

If that enemy is allowed to stay, the whole area will decay.

Weeds and poisonous plants must go. If they are left to survive, the fruit simply won’t arrive.

Spot them quick. Pull them early, so they don’t take over and make the good seed sick!

These weeds have a plan to cause distress.

We must root them out, and tend to the plants of promise.

There are “weeds” of fear and discontent. Weeds of arrogance. Weeds of sin and hatred. Weeds of care-less-ness. All of God’s created people have sin in their heart. (1) We are weak, and unable to root it out.

God alone is able to take it from us and make our lives new. Only God, through Jesus His Son is able to bring change, and an everlasting one.

On our own, we become frustrated and discouraged. But God, the Master Gardener provided Jesus on the cross. He sends His Holy Spirit to remind us He’s able to cleanse us.

What is fruit? What are weeds? Can the Bible help us to grow to discern between good and bad seeds?

Here are Words from Galatians 5:19-21.ERV,

The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: committing sexual sin, being morally bad, doing all kinds of shameful things, 

 worshiping false gods, taking part in witchcraft, hating people, causing trouble, being jealous, angry or selfish, causing people to argue and divide into separate groups, 

 being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom. 

God’s Word is rough. Like pulling of poisonous plants. But they must go. Or, we are left with pain, and trouble wherever it continues to grow.

Can we find fruit? Not without God. We must first ask Him to cleanse us, then He provides for all good:

 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do.   Galatians 5:22-25. 

We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.  Galatians 5:26.

Fruit, through Him. God’s power within. He gives us His Spirit.

He does the work when we make Jesus, LORD.

Fruitful plants. Rejoicing lives. All because God, He’s able to do all things.

(1) Romans 3:23

Watercolor credit: Grace Rypkema

#4 God Reveal: 7 Reasons to Believe God Created

Today I take time to look at creation, to be open to hear a Word that was spoken.

Not by men and their gathered thoughts, but by God sprinkled throughout His 66 Books.

Faith is the key, I must confess. We need faith to receive what the Bible does tell. But it takes faith in the wisdom of man to believe every word the public arena does sell.

We hear the world’s message loud and clear, but for the children’s sake, should we stop, and at least, take some time to hear?

What does the Bible say? Do we know? Will we be as a Berean back in ancient days? It is told they had open minds, to listen eagerly, and to search for answers day . . . after. . . day. (1)

Let’s open the Book and view the wonder of God’s love on display:

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3. 

This living Book, The Bible was written for you and me, and for ever it will be. (2)

God understands the difficulty to trust and believe. He gives His Word and waits as we receive:

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell . . . ;
 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform . . .
 Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?
 In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10. 

Oh, would it not be amazing to stop and ask our animal friends.

God is gentle, kind, patient, and true. His glorious creation is His daily gift to human-kind, the whole earth through.

You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased, Revelation 4:11, this is the Master Artist’s creation.

Psalm 95:4-5,In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

God’s Word is Living. Ask Him. He gives grace to understand!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1. How vast is His expanse. How grand is His Hand. He deserves praise each day for the warmth of the sun.

God loves. He speaks each day through His creation.

How many are your works, Lord!
    In wisdom you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures, Psalm 104:24. 

 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17.

Is the Word not powerful and glorious? Ask God to reveal Himself and give you understanding!

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse, Romans 1:20. 

These are seven Scriptures that gently speak of God the Creator of everything. Are we curious and hungry for more? The Bible has answers for more, and plenty!

Take time to follow God in His Word. He will give you peace. He is the LORD.

(1) And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth, Acts 17:11.

(2) Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens, Psalm 119:89.


Hope for 2020. Where does our help come from?

https://seekthingsabove.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/4595177604_49db06e213.jpg

As our world enters a new decade, 2020, do we often feel like pilgrims in a foreign place?

Do our heart’s long for a homeland of peace and truth? Stepping up to hope for our upcoming year is found in our own personal, active worship to the LORD.

I won’t use the word god, because in this day, as in the Bible days, there were many gods among the people.

In ancient Israel, the people would travel in companies up to Jerusalem three times a year to worship the LORD, YHWH. They would sing pilgrim’s songs, marching songs to the true, eternal God, defined as the Creator of heaven and earth.

The songs are recorded for us in the Psalms of ascent.

The early steps of the journey, step by step, began with a company of singers proclaiming their heart.

Tell me, does your heart not cry out these phrases?

I took my troubles to the Lord;
    I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
 Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
    and from all deceitful people . . .
 

How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
    It pains me to live in distant Kedar.
 I am tired of living
    among people who hate peace.
 I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war! Psalm 120 NLT.

But as Christmas decorations get put away, in this new year of 2020, we must be diligent to keep our Jesus in full view, for this world is a battle zone.

“I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war!”

Many words are spoken by the people and leaders around. But only God knows the heart of man.

Some words have been shoved aside because they’re offensive, but when someone has an invasive cancer, the attack is often bitter treatments. Our world is sick with a cancer.

The original word of this particular sickness, (which needs to be resurrected to make sense of this upside down world) is . . . sin.

The heart of people, all people, is deceitful. We are all prone to war in our minds. All have sin. (Romans 3:23).

None of us escape this condition, but thanks to the Lord, He gave us Jesus.

Where does our help come from?

Did we not sing the song this Christmas?

“Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim:
“Christ is born in . . .

our hearts today?

Hail the Heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Yes, we must lift our eyes and worship aloud. The heaven-born Prince of peace abides in a heart of praise. Do we need peace? Do we need light?

We must receive this Prince of Peace. We must believe He loves us and came to heal each of us individually.

This new year can we put sound to the words? Do we dare sing aloud the never aging words of hymns and psalms. We must receive in order to . . . receive:


Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

We live in a world that needs help, . . . one person at a time. Help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121.

The wise men came to worship the New-born King. Do we take time to worship Him. Do we go out of our way to give Him praise? This is a New Year. We will answer,

“Yes!”

“Thank You Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You Lord, for making me whole. Thank You Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

God’s provision of the Babe come down to later die on the cross that Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled.”

We say, “Amen. Let it be in me.”

Jesus is our gift for each day of this new year.

Let’s worship the Prince of Peace, in the assembly of the congregation, stepping up with community that we might live with renewed courage every waking day.

Speak, sing, mumble, grown, to the LORD it’s glorious if it’s praise and adoration to Him, the Creator of heaven, earth, and the incredible life we see.

Our help comes from the LORD.

Yes, we lift up our voices exalt His great Name:

 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever Psalm 121.

“Praise be to our God, the Maker of heaven and earth, forever.”

 Hark the Herald Angels Sing. 1739, Hymns and Sacred Poems, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.



#2 God Reveal: God’s Ocean Deep Love

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! Romans 11:33, New Living Translation.

Oh, but to seek and to search and to know God and His love more and more is to find soul changing discovery and answers through His amazing creation.

The Bible tells us, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, Jeremiah 29:13.

Isn’t Love what we’re all searching for? God says, when we seek Him (His Love), with all our heart, we will find Him.

Samuel Trevor Francis wrote of God’s deep love in a hymn from 1875,

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of Thy love, Leading onward, leading homeward, To my glorious rest above!(O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus).

Like an ocean, deep and vast, God’s love is like the current surrounding those who step in, and walk deeper, deeper still. Those who desire, know Him more. God is love.

God’s love is a Person. We learned that from Reveal #1. God Sent His Son for us because we needed a Rescuer from our sin. We all have sin. The Bible uses the word “all” have sin, (Rom. 3:23).

There are not “good” people and “bad” people, NO! There are “all” people. The Bible says, we’ve all turned from God. We are one people,

in need of Love.

Perhaps the ocean is a good picture for us all. Do we stand on the shore without getting our feet wet? Are we satisfied to simply look from afar? There is a great separation.

Or do we take steps into the water, to walk deeper still.

Do we walk in depth to our knees? To our neck?

Risking loss of our own balance, our own sure step, that we might speak as the hymn from our heart past our lips: O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! 

Even to those who don’t know Him now. God is love. He waits that they might know He is love.

The moment something happens in our heart and we agree with God that we need a Savior, the moment that we invite Him to come in our lives, He washes away the guilt. All of it, completely.

He comes in. Erases the past. He releases the fear. He gives us hope to start over anew. God gives us a song, Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of Thy love, Leading onward, . . .

This is the unsearchable mercy and grace of God, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation, read it aloud for yourself often (and someone else, very soon. Emphasis added). . .

(God’s) Love is patient and (God’s love is) kind. ( God’s) Love is not jealous, (God’s love is never) boastful or proud or rude.

(God’s love) . . . does not demand its own way. (God’s love) . . . is not irritable, and . . .

it keeps no record of being wronged. 

(God’s love) . . . does not rejoice about injustice . . .

but (God’s love) rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

(God’s) Love never gives up, (on anyone),

never loses faith, (in anyone),

(God’s love) is always hopeful,

(God’s love) . . . endures through every circumstance.

God’s love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8.

There is nothing human about God’s love. His ways are not like ours. God’s love doesn’t depend on us. God is love.

Agape.

Unconditional.

Other’s centered love.

It’s alive on its own. God’s love is, “I love you.”

It’s like an ocean saying, “Come on in!”

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Love of every love the best! ‘Tis an ocean full of blessing, ‘Tis a haven giving rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me, And it lifts me up to glory, For it lifts me up to Thee!

This new day, let’s say together, “I’m diving in!”

And sing from our hearts, this age old hymn: O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, Changeth never, never more!

How He watches o’er His loved ones, Died to call them all His own, How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, Samuel Trevor Francis, 1875.

Joy comes with the decision to praise!

Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above. 

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

Making the choice to read aloud words penned by Henry van Dyke in 1907, allowing the strings of my vocal chords to vibrate the waters within my flesh,

I am changed.

Not completely at first, but my spirit is lifted from the hard, stale place it was, to a new and lifted height.

Only moments ago, my earthly thoughts had me overwhelmed,

But the melody of Beethoven and the rich poem add a breath and flight to my night terrors and fright.

“Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away.” Yes, Dear Lord, Almighty God of heaven, only You have supernatural power to do this for me.

Jesus, You willingly shed Your blood for me.”

The words I struggle to pray are enclosed in this glorious hymn,

Just for me! God is an intimate God.

I am brought to a place to give Him praise:

All the works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays; Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise . . .

Thou art giving and forgiving. Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!

The daily battle to go astray and forget to put off fret and put on a garment of praise.

My daily battles bring defeat when I become a victim of life’s circumstance. Confused, critical, provoked, and faith-less.

But God:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” Psalm 46:1.
 
God’s word invokes praise. 
Praise, increases faith.
Increased faith brings victory and rest.
 

Mortals join the mighty chorus, Which the Morning Stars began. Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife; Joyful music lifts us sunward, In the triumph song of life.

Yes, let’s be changed from sadness and doubt. Let’s believe God’s promises and by a filling of His glorious Spirit, let’s shine bright.

Joyful, adoring our Christ Who saved our self destructive, anxious, sinful life.

He makes us gloriously new!

First Things, Along the Way

A look out the window or a walk out the door and a word about creation can be simple as a breath. But what’s simple might not be easy, especially when it comes to talk about the Lord.

There are so many words that have evolved through time. Opinions, books, nature shows, and more, but there is a Word of power, life, and truth,

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, (1) . . . 

This Word is said to be living and able to transform death to life.

And today, for those who have faith, as we walk out the door, with young or with older, as we experience troubles and pressures on every side,

we can overcome darkness by speaking of the Light.

We can reveal or remind that in the beginning the earth was a formless mess. Empty and dark, told in the second verse of God’s Holy Book. God didn’t leave us alone in despair, in the same verse it continues,

and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (2)

Good news was present in the dark, formless story. And the Spirit of God moves over our empty, dark hearts as well.

God is here. God was there. God’s Spirit is moving over the waters of our being, this moment, as well.

And God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.”(3)

God moves first. God’s Word of power changes things.

God saw that the light was good. (4)

Safety, peace, warmth, pleasure, and glory are given by God through His Word. “Let there be light.”

We agree with God when we say true Light is good.

And he separated the light from the darkness. (5)

God’s Word proclaims.

We need to know that we’re all separated from God. Each of us has a dark, empty, and cold heart.

We’re all selfish, insecure, and impatient, naturally.

The kids understand, they know, they see, how easy it is to want to hide, and fear, and want their own way. Adults might want to look the other way.

But we can share our story of beginnings, when our darkness of heart was touched by the Light.

No one can debate the story we have inside.

In the beginning, when we received God’s Word. Power was given. A new creation was born. God the giver of Light came to shine in our empty, formless life.

Jesus the Man took hold of my sin and the guilt all died, with Him.  He breathed His last, on the cross. After three long nights, He rose again.

It’s time to share the stories to this generation today.

Many books could be written throughout the history of man, if each new creation in God told how he was touched by the Light, and it was no longer night.

God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (6)

Is your heart burning within you? Has darkness the guilt of night seen it’s final hour?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.

God has given His Son for you and me.

He who believes and receives Jesus today, becomes a new creation. Today can be — your very first day.

While it is day, join me in reminding others of the true Light?

 

 

(1) Genesis 1:1

(2) Genesis 1:2

(3) Genesis 1:3

(4) Genesis 1:4

(5) Genesis 1:4

(6)Genesis 1:5

 

 

Hard to be Thankful? Think about God!

(Today, I bring a change of focus to my blog. I pray that my studies help to  encourage everyday communication about God with others and especially children. Let’s know Him more. Love Him greater, and be able to share Him daily. Toni)

Today, we, adults and children, need to put on our tables a  cornucopia of sorts. Or at least imagine that we do, so we can talk about God. He’s like a cornucopia.

A cornucopia speaks of abundance. It’s horn-shaped object that overflows with fruits and nuts, odd gourds, and ears of corn.

It’s known as a “horn of plenty” of different shapes, colors, and flavors overflowing. We need to remind ourselves and those around us, and especially the kids, to get our eyes up and our ears ready.

We must “blow the horn of plenty” so to speak of God’s multi-shaped, colored, and flavored shades of provision and love.

He said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.

In thinking about only one aspect of His creation we become awed.

Without light, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the many shades of color and beauty around us.   God gave us a spectrum of color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet all within His glorious light.

We have so much to be thankful for. Especially that God is light.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5.

What great news this is. Light of the world has come.

We live in a world with much darkness.

We know this in our hearts.

The kids need to know that we all have the desire to do wrong. To want to lie about eating the cookie. To want to cheat on the job being done.

Temptation is a part of all of our days. There are not good people and bad people. All people have sin.

Sin came before Chapter 3 in the Bible. You turn the first page, and can read the fall of man. Man disobeyed God. (Gen. 3). We have a problem. All of us do!

But we can choose God. We can be hungry, just like reaching for some of the fruits and nuts in the cornucopia we can reach to know Him more, to love Him more.

Seekers of God. Find.

When we want to know God, He tells us about His Son. Jesus died for all the sins of the world. When we believe on His Son, God hands us His sweet Salvation.

Salvation through Jesus takes our dark hearts and cleanses them clean for all eternity.

Drawing near to God brings God near to us. Maybe we can make a rainbow of color to remember a cornucopia of gifts God gives.

Red, can be for God’s love through Jesus, His Son whose blood was shed on the cross.

Orange can be for God’s joy.

Yellow the color of mercy can help us have peace.

Green can be a color for growing in happiness as the Good News transforms.

Blue, the color of the glorious sky can remind us of God’s gift through believing in Jesus: Eternal life,.

And Violet can remind us of royal thoughts that come from continual help and filling of the Holy Spirit.

Thankfulness comes when we take time to think of our colorful riches from God.

A cornucopia of color and abundance fills us up with riches that never change. A spectrum of love, joy, peace, and growing happiness in eternal life, as the Holy Spirit helps us remember, time and again.

Think on a good theme this thanksgiving, and talk of a “horn of plenty” of glorious colors  that His light brings.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! . . .
For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed].
To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen” Romans 11:33-36, Amplified.

“Dear Lord help us talk about you more and more in our everyday lives.”

In Jesus name,

Amen.

 

A Repeated Song of Thanks and Love, from mom

A giver of gifts, not my specialty.

Empty wallet, distant feet, words that struggle to leave my heart to speak.

For each of my children, if you could take an imaginary ride through my veins, you would witness my mind reciting thankful strains,

a heart bulging with inexpressible love,

and through each vessel, your name resounding in your mama’s blood.

My child, you are knit to me.

With lack, and loss, and struggles, and pains, I seek to think on an abundant theme:

God the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit—God is love.

He’s the Beginning, He’s the End. He saved me, remade me, fills me new, time and time again.

He’s my “same old” song on my one-stringed guitar. He’s my note that hammers and slides, with added harmonics.

The bread, His body, broken for me, the blood that was shed on Calvary, He bid me to come to His Table one day, that I might leave with Him every guilt and every stain.

The Table is where I gave Him my all.

He faithfully re-created me. He told me, “I will not let you fall.”

Following His grace notes, He’s added more strings.

God is blessed with family. The struggle for unity, harmony,  and joy each one knows.

I give you Jesus. He’s the wine never ending, the Bread, the beauty a Rose.

The invitation comes from the King of all Kings. His word is true, He’s hope. He’s life. He’s deliverance. He’s rest.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–” (1)

Jesus is the name above every name. He never changes, never leaves, He forgives, He believes, . . .

in you.

Always.

He is faithful. Of Him only, this is true.

He’s your keeper, your healer. He breaks down every wall. He’s present. He’s patient.  He’s  power, and  peace.

He was spat on, beat, abused. He was hated.  He knows your every thought, good, bad, and weighted. He accepts you. He’s perfect,

so the best gift I could ever give to you my daughters and sons, (apart from the first birth, many years ago), I can offer you Jesus, for a new birth, right now, right here,

that daily we can share His world together with new eyes and new ears, and we grow in His grace and His knowledge for all eternity’s years.

Talk to Him now, read His word daily. Love floods in like a symphony’s song . . .

I love you forever, my sons and daughters, oh, but He loves you most, more than any other,

for now and forever,

I am a thankful mom.

(1) John 1:12