Category: Devotions/Letters

God Talk with Kids #2

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me”? Jeremiah 32:17,27.

When you are young, you’re always learning and growing. We should always keep learning and growing even if we’re 90 years old!

Do you like to draw and put things together?

Do you like to ride a bike? Learning is an adventure.

And what about books and learning to read?

We love books. They take us to other places.

Can dogs sit and read with you or join you in your Lego or train play?

No way. They’re animals. They can’t learn to read.

In the Bible, the first Book is called Genesis, we can read that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

God is all-powerful. He’s all-knowing. He’s Everywhere at one time. “My God is So big, so strong, and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do, for you.” This is true. Do you know this?

We learn this from our Bibles. It is truly Good News for all who will believe.

God created animals and man on the 6th day. But Adam, (the first man) and Eve, (the first woman), the Bible tells us were created

In His own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them Genesis 1:27.

The image of God? What makes us different than the animals? As we already mentioned, we can build with Legos or read a book. We know that animals can’t join us in these things, except to get in the middle of it all and make a mess of it all.

We have eyes that can see, but we know an eagle can see much better than people. How about our noses? We love to smell pizza or homemade bread, but dogs can smell amazingly better than people.

What about our hearing? Well, it is found that the moth hears best of all created creatures, as well as the elephant. This makes sense because Elephants have huge ears, but moths? Yes, they hear the sound best of all the creatures.

But think about the human hand. Think of all the things you can do with your hands. Talk about them for a bit.

When we think of amazing hands, the Bible is a huge Book that reveals the greatest of hands, unlike any other. God’s hands. And God let us see His hands, even though we can’t see God,

God gave His only Son to us. He came from heaven to earth to show us God’s ways, to walk the earth with us. Do you know who I’m talking about?

Yes, Jesus came to earth to heal and to touch hurting people, but most importantly,

Jesus came to willingly pay a debt we owed. Do we owe a debt?

Yes, on the first 2 pages of the Bible, we learn the glorious beginnings of the creation of everything including Adam and Eve, (Genesis 1 & 2).

And God created all the beautiful plants for the animals and Adam and Eve to eat. In fact, they could eat from every tree in the garden,

except one. Or they would die. All the fruit is good for food, except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. You can read it in the Bible:

But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die Genesis 2:16-17.

But Eve was right there by the One Tree.

And who else was there? A serpent.

He asked Eve, “Did God really say you can’t eat from this tree?

Yes, God did say. But Eve didn’t know God’s Word well, and she was tricked by the serpent and she ate the forbidden fruit. And then, Adam outright disobeyed what God had told him and he ate too. (Read Genesis 3 for this complete story).

Then Adam and Eve realized, they were naked and they were ashamed. They never were ashamed before. They didn’t know they were naked. But now they do. And they hid from God.

Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat? Genesis 3:11.

Adam and Eve had covered themselves in some itchy leaves.

But God covered them. With the skins of an innocent animal, He covered their nakedness.

Right here in Genesis, the first Book of the Bible, God’s Word, we see a picture of Jesus and how He paid a debt and “covered” our sin. He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” How do we know?

The Bible tells us so: John the Baptist in the New Testament, when he saw Jesus coming, said, Behold the Lamb of God!

Yes, He is more than a covering for the disobedience, shame, and guilt we all have. He paid our “Sin debt” in full.

Jesus willingly gave His life. He stretched out His hands for you and me. For everyone who will believe in Him, (an invitation to every person on this planet) will receive from the glorious hands of God, Eternal life. Life now and forevermore.

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

For God did not send His Son into the world the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him John 3:16 & 17.

Jesus is the Lamb of God who died in our place. He is God the Son. He didn’t stay dead. He rose again on the third day. This is the good news. There’s so much to learn in our Bibles.

Now we can better understand verse 2 of Jesus Loves Me:

Jesus loves me, He who died. Heaven’s gate to open wide. He will wash away my sin. Let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

Faith is believing. Believing God.

If you don’t have faith, ask God to give you a willing heart to receive His invitation of love and grace.

Also found on Toni & Kids Sing Bible Youtube.

I hope you know even better how Jesus really, truly loves you, especially you.

God Time with Children #1

Help for parents, grandparents, elementary school teachers, and more to talk to kids about God, His Word, and the Gospel message.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14.

What Does God Say About Children?

A small team of ours at present goes into the public schools for an Afterschool Good News Club.

A little kindergartener came into the room and the first words out of her mouth were, “I love God!”

Spending time with children is healthy and good for us all. We watch their joy, confidence, and curiosity. It makes us happy. It’s as if they sense God loves them before anyone tells them. The Bible tells us,

We all need to become like children and believe in God’s love. If you’re a child, be thankful to God! All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace on your children Isaiah 54:13.

Young children and old alike learn and know well one particular song by the time they’re 2. Can you guess what that song might be?

Yes, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

Take a minute and sing this favorite song. Think of these words. Do you believe this is true?

To believe takes faith. Children have faith from an early age.

Jesus spoke of children and their faith in the Bible,

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 18:1-3.

I want to enter the kingdom of heaven, do you? We must be as a child. Why does Jesus say this? And what does this mean?

Because children believe Jesus loves them. This they know. The Bible tells them so! Children have faith. They believe in God. And they love to sing, Jesus loves me! These elementary things are the foundation that keeps our “house” steady and secure.

Here is something God wants us to know about children:

“Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
    He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates” Psalm 127: 3-5.

This is God’s Word. Parents and children are encouraged by it. Children are important. To God, especially!

It’s good to look in the Bible to find out what God says about something. God’s Word might be quite different from the attitudes and opinions of others.

Let’s continue to sing the old favorite song:  “Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me.”

Do you and I believe this? We know we are weak at times, but do we believe God is strong?

This makes me think about another foundational favorite “little kids” song: “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do. For you!”

We should never outgrow needing to think about how great and strong our God is. As adults, our troubles and trials become so large we forget God.

God is strong and mighty, He is God the Creator of the world and everything in it. He is Spirit. He’s everywhere at every minute of the day.

 Faith is believing in God. He is and can do impossible things, the Bible tells us so.  

I faced a very scary and life-threatening sickness, and God reminded me, that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith.

Yes, to believe God is faith. I asked everyone I knew to pray. We asked the mighty and powerful God to heal me completely, in Jesus’ name. It wasn’t overnight, but He did impossible things. He guided me in His word, He directed me, and He healed me!

Jesus loves us, and this we must know. The Bible will help us grow. It’s God’s love letter of hope and rescue for all His children, young and old.

Ella sang this for me. I think it’s a great way to end our 1st God talk. And I added Created to praise Him as well.

It reminds us, we are His special creation. Knit in our mother’s womb, created to praise Him. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Happiness and joy are being like a child to know that very well!

See you next time.

SONG: My God is so Big.

My God is So Big Toni & Kids Acoustic Bible Songs
Created to Praise Him: Toni & Kids Sing Bible

Has a “fiery trial come on you?”

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” 1 Peter 4:12,13.

I’m surprised. Perhaps you’re experiencing a great trial as well. Our minds are in a battle to focus on faith in God, our physical bodies are taxed beyond understanding. But God is greater than anything we can face.

“My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do!” I pray God enables us to stand in faith and not enter fear.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind” 2nd Timothy 1:7.

Join me to fight this battle on our knees.

What is our comfort in this time? Psalm 119:50 tells us, “Your Word has given me life.”

I share an hour’s worth of prayer to meditate on so we can think on “things above, not on things of the earth,” and because we have believed in Jesus, and have “died” to this world, “our life is now hidden with Christ in God” Colossians 3:3. 

Together, today, all who are in great trial, we choose to:

“Therefore humble (y)ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

casting all (y)our care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:7-8.

But God is greter. We will seek His presence and choose to think on His truth.

“This is the voctory that overcomes the world, even our faith” 1 John 5″4.

Jesus alone is our peace. Our hope. Our everything.

Let’s keep our minds in a safe place, “rejoiocing in hope, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 & 17.

Prayers for our souls to take comfort when our heart is overwhelmed

Satan Trembles Before the Spirit’s Might!

“Lo Satan trembles and gives place

Before the Spirit’s might!

The power of reconcilable grace

Puts all his demons to flight.

His kingdom falls, and his spells and charms

By Jesus are o’erthrown,

The Spirit wields victorious arms,

And holds the field alone.

– Author Unknown

God is on the throne. Yesterday, today, and forever:

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” Acts 9: 1-9, emphasis mine.

GOD is on the throne.

This Saul, who breathed out threats and set out to destroy “believer’s in Christ” was met by none other than Jesus Himself.

“O Spirit of the Lord, prepare
All the round earth her God to meet;
Breathe thou abroad like morning air,
Till hearts of stone begin to beat.

Baptize the nations; far and nigh
The triumphs of the cross record;
The Name of Jesus glorify,
Till every kindred call him Lord” (Original Trinity Hymnal, #253, Mendon).

“Dear Lord, give us more and more grace to “trust You more.” You alone are worthy. You alone are able. We believe. Help our unbelief! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Just One Light Then Two, then Gloriously New!

What the world needs now . . .

Have you ever been to a “Candlelight Service?” The darkened room is changed by one lit candle. The light is then shared with another, then another.

Within a minute, the darkness is overcome by the light that continues to expand to transform the atmosphere into glorious!

Any description is shallow and flat, as a picture’s view of the ocean’s edge or a two-dimensional firework display.

To be present and witness the absence of light then the growing glow of illumination is like “seeing” Love with the eyes and all the senses.

Immediately, the heart is touched by the solution. “Yes, what the world needs now is Love.”

Child-like faith is ignited. Hearts melt. Eyes witness darkness to light. Hope shines in the atmosphere.

The true and living God is our only hope.

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” Genesis 1:2,3.

God’s Word sparks faith. Faith is sight to God’s grace poured out in the light.

The voice of Jesus is heard in each open heart. Without a sound, only expanding light.

“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God” Mark 10:27, NLT.

First, the darkness.

But one lit candle speaks: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord,” Luke 2:11.

And the reminder:

But, “He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem” Isaiah 53:3.

Jesus suffered and died.

For me. He took all my sin, failure, and guilt on the cross and suffered my punishment.

But as light fills the room, the nature of God sings: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness” Psalm 103:8.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.

The expanding light is as a voice we can hear, “I am the light of the world” John 8:12.

God’s Word is illuminated to all who are open to His Spirit, “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen” Matthew 28:6.

The dark atmosphere transformed to light gives the opportunity and choice to respond,

“Yes, Lord, God. I receive Your light, Your love, Your grace, Your life. Your kingdom come into my life today. Take my hard, selfish heart and give me a new soft and tender heart. Transform me. I desperately need You!”

In Jesus’ name, our hope and light of the world.

Tonirypkema Bible Songs 1. Thanks, Irelyn and Graham!

Let the Children Lead and Encourage Us:

The Kanagy girls sing My Psalm 139.

When we struggle in thought, may we think on this good theme today, and let the sound of young voices stir up strength in our weakness. Listen and hear. Receive God’s word to turn your water pots to joy: 

O LORD you search me and know me. You know when I sit down and I rise. These thoughts are wonderful for me.                                                                                 They are high, as glorious as the sky. 
You search out my path and you know where I sleep; You know even the words on my tongue. Where can I go from your Spirit, you are there! Your right-hand holds me. You're there.  
On you, I wait and pray. Your Word I hear and praise. Jesus. Jesus. Your Word I hear and I praise. 
Where can I run from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you're there. If I take morning wings to the farthest sea, your hand shall lead me . . . The darkness cannot hide from you!
If I say, "Surely, the darkness shall fall on me." Even the night will shine as day around me. The darkness and the light are both alike to you.
On you, I wait and pray. Your Word I hear and praise. Jesus. Jesus. Your Word I hear and I praise. 
How precious are all your thoughts towards me, if I could count them they're more than the sand. Search me O God, know my heart. Turn me to you. Lead me in the way of truth. 
On you, I wait and pray. Your Word I hear and praise. Jesus. Jesus. Your Word I hear and I praise. Jesus. Jesus . . . 
Draw near to me, I pray. 
(Paraphrase of Psalm 139 by Toni Rypkema).

As we meditate on God’s rich truths and allow the children to lead us to praise. We will continually choose to “Look up!”

This is a powerful and profoundly deep exhortation for the day we live.

Jesus told us in His Word, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” Luke 21: 10,11, NIV.

Jesus exhorts, “. . . bear testimony of me . . . make up your mind not to worry . . . I will give you words and wisdom ” Luke 21: 13-15.

“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity . . . At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” Luke 21: 25-26.

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption is drawing near” Luke 21:27,28.

There is no darkness in the LORD.

He is faithful, He will surely do all He says He will do.

“Jesus. Jesus. Your Word I hear and I praise!”

Bless us, dear Lord with increased faith to be an encouragement today.

(Please let me know if you’ve been encouraged by the voices of children and the power of God’s Word. Thanks! Toni)

“Make me sing!” Kids can help!

As a children’s worship leader for many years, I’ve experienced the arms crossed, “Make me sing,” attitude at the start of a children’s church hour.

Oh, yeah. Children are our best teachers. They are a picture of our own hearts at times.

“It’s not a good time to sing,” we convince ourselves, “there’s too much to worry, I mean, be concerned about right now!”

God is good to keep me in a place to keep a song in the hearts of kids. He knows, this “older kid” needs to keep a “good song” on my mind at all times. I can go out of tune mighty quick.

The Lord tells us to pray and not lose heart. But there are times we would rather cross our arms in the front of our chest than pray!

Jesus helped us with our prayers by giving us, what we call, the Lord’s Prayer.

I wrote a Lord’s prayer with a bit of a Lalala of the struggle to keep praising in my Lalala Lord’s Prayer. Kids sing this and make my heart pray and hope and remember the “Lalala” through the “dum dum dum” of the day!

Who’s struggling to find the song today? Give these kids a 2-minute listen. To meditate on the deep truths in the Lord’s prayer brings healing and hope.

Let me know if you did. I hope you have a hope-filled prayer song on your heart for the day:

We are being fed our daily bread, singin’ “lalalalala la!”

“Stay Safe.”

“Stay safe!” Multiple urgent warnings, minute upon minute reporting, and hour upon hour projections come our way when satellite images prove a storm is near.

Plans are made to prepare.

Well, there’s a storm on the horizon. Haven’t you heard?

Are you in search of proof? A visual image?

The Bible recorded a “test” for Jesus when the religious leaders asked Him for a “sign from heaven.”

Jesus answered,
“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Jesus, not so “mild and meek,” continued,

 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” 

Jesus then left them and went away (Matthew 16:2-4).

The sign of Jonah? (Does this indicate the Bible account is actual and not a fairy tale. This is the only sign we get, according to Jesus.)

I see five pictures in this “sign of Jonah,”

Five Pictures:

  1. Jonah disobeys God and runs in the opposite direction. (We all have disobeyed God and run in the opposite direction, Romans 3:23).
  2. Jonah’s rescue: A great storm and realization. “Throw me overboard,” cried Jonah. (When we “see” our waywardness brought a storm.)
  3. God’s grace and salvation is given through a very large fish who swallows Jonah. (“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is . . . )
  4. Three days of revelation for Jonah to bring about repentance. God gave life to Jonah, undeserved, unearned favor. (“. . . the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:23.)
  5. Regurgitated resurrection life in Jonah and a call to obey God for hope and peace!

We see 1. A storm. 2. A gracious whale. 3. Hot revelations and repentance. 4. A resurrected life.

This is all we get, minus the gracious whale. Instead, when we believe, we’re received and accepted by a gracious Lord Jesus.

He’s the only safe place for you and me and all the people of the world, today. Jesus, He’s the Rock we can stand on. He never changes.

To be saved, or un-saved, this is the “safe” question:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” Matthew 7:24-27, NIV.

There’s a storm coming. Make wise plans. God’s report is 100% accurate!

International Day of Prayer

Calligraphy by tonirypkema.com

Does nature speak louder these days? Loud thunder, close crashes of lightning? Outrageous sunsets and glorious sunrises? Do the birds sing in multitudes of praises in the morning?

As millions of people are displaced and “not at home,” and noises of confusion are all around,

God is God. And He speaks.

Today, for this ‘national” day of prayer, let’s pray internationally and wholeheartedly.

God has a plan. He’s on the throne.

“Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth” Psalm 124.

Here are some more scriptures to encourage us in our prayers:

“Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” Luke 18:1.

Jesus then told a story of an unjust judge who cared not—for God or man. A widow “kept coming,” time and time again, “Grant me justice against my adversary!”

Over and over again, the widow would come, to plead with the judge for justice. Exasperated by her persistence, the judge granted her request so she wouldn’t “bother” and come back to “attack” him.

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?

Will he keep putting them off? 

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 7-9.

Will Jesus find me with faith on this earth, today?

Also, God has told us in His Word:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls . . .
 
 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity, Psalm 122: 6-9.

My attitude towards Israel matters to God, (period.)

Is our faith in God genuine? Let’s pray we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for His friends.

Today, let’s become “friends” with Jesus, spend time with Him, and His Word, and agree with the Lord and His Word.

If today is the day you choose to receive His forgiveness and salvation, pray He come to dwell in the rooms of your heart and make you a new creation in Christ:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Finally, I share the voices of children singing the Lord’s Prayer. Upbeat and sparkling as the stars in the night sky. Let’s pray with hope and joy because Jesus loves all the little children—

and all the children of the world. He promises salvation and life to all who call and believe in His name, . . . today.

If this is you, please tell me or someone close to you, today is the “first day of the rest of your life,” in Christ!

Pray this Prayer / Music by tonirypkema.com

“The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace,” Doxology. (Amen, amen.)

His Eye Is on the Sparrow, I Must Know

Today I share an old pizza note as comfort and hope to any who chooses to “bite into” its goodness:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6784-scaled.jpg
And, resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fears, (His Eye Is on the Sparrow, (Songwriters: Gene Bartlett / Charles Gabriel / C.D. Martin).

God sees. God knows.

We. Need. To know. The “One Who” can do all things, especially—to love me. Unconditionally. Right now!

Immediately.

When I think of the trials humans across the world face today, especially the children, . . . we need to remember “Love.”

Oh, how we forget and wander off from this love of God. We forget, “God doesn’t see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God looks at my heart. But, my heart “ain’t pretty” on the inside, if I’m honest. God knows the thoughts I have and the words I think before I speak them! Psalm 139 tells me about this.

But God. Yes, He sees. He knows I need Him.

He knows we all need Him.

I’ve received His love for salvation. Many years ago, I received Jesus in my life, but I still live in this body of flesh. In this world, life is broken and the sharp edges of “flesh” HURT!

Jesus Himself told us we would face “tribulation,” but to be of “good cheer” because He has “overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)

God’s Word is a “present help in times of trouble” to those who believe, initially for salvation, and step by step through the thorns of life.

God’s Word, is breathed and inspired by “Love” Himself, (because God is love, 1 John 4:8). He never changes. He loves through the ages!

Do I trust in Christ?

My path may be cluttered with lots of directions, opinions, ideas, hurts, and rough edges. Everybody’s path is.

We must know Him more:

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven, heaven, and home,


When, when Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He;
Oh, oh-oh, his eye is on the sparrow.

And I know, I know He watches over me.

This is how I can have inner joy. When I see His face and grace over me in each present moment:

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” Psalm 16:11.

God brings my song back! He’s with me, loves me, and won’t give up on me, no matter what:
I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free (free free free)

For His eye, his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know, I know He watches over me.

When Jesus is my portion. My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. (Songwriters: Gene Bartlett / Charles Gabriel / C.D. Martin.)

Do I believe this? Am I His?

Has He sealed me with His Holy Spirit?

Yes, I believe!

Talk to God and let Him in, too.

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; . . .

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west Isaiah 43:1-5.

Yes, I believe. His eye is on this sparrow.


I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me, no god was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.
I, even I, am the Lord,
    and apart from me, there is no savior.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

This is how I “know” Love. By drawing near to Him and believing His eye is on me. On you. On all the children who cry out to Him.

Let the children who believe in Jesus sing:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!

Children Are Our Help to Know How to Walk in God’s Light

Children . . .

Wiggly.

Messy.

Noisy.

Precious. Trusting. Dependent.

Little children love God. They sing they skip, they love.

But, they go their own way.

Children need guidance.

God’s Word.

This is our help.

We all need God right now. His Word is our most essential food, today.

God didn’t leave us here on our own to figure everything out ourselves. He gave us His Word. His Spirit. He invites us to receive His Spirit.

What do we choose, today?

Jesus told those who choose to believe in Him,

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. 

Because I live, you also will live. 

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” John 14: 18-20.

What is “that day?”

The day we believe in Jesus by faith,

Faith opens our blind eyes. Belief in Jesus softens our hard hearts toward God and the truth in His Word.

We see the light of Christ and hear His voice. Until that day, we walk in our own strength, in the direction we think is right.

Jesus tells us plainly,

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” John 14:21.

Jesus. Will we, “be as children,” and hear?

“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 

Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me“John 14:23,24.

Children hear and believe. We need to learn from the children, today:

Heartfelt prayer is like a phone call to Jesus.

He hears His name. He answers your call.

Draw near to Him. Today. He will direct your steps in His light, moment by moment.

Step. By step. As a child holding the hand of their heavenly Abba.

Let these children sing some insight, today.

Please share the Soundcloud link to families who might need a God song to keep them focused in this dark day. There is light.

In Jesus, today.

(Thank you Irelyn, Emma Reese, Arden, Fred, and Devin for the great singing on my Follow the Light song!)

TODAY: When Words to Pray Cannot be Found, Believers Pray the Psalms & Hymns: Psalms 11 & A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Dear God, together in heart and unified in mind, we pray aloud Your Word, we speak Your truth back to You. Hear our desperate prayers and cries:

Psalm 11

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple

 To the choirmaster. Of David.

  In the Lord I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

   for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

they have fitted their arrow to the string

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

   if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

  The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord’s throne is in heaven;

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

  The Lord tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

   Let him rain coals on the wicked;

fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

   For the Lord is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face Psalm 11.

Today is the day to turn to Jesus, Lord God, Savior. He is the One who saves. He is Redeemer.

Today is the day to call on His name, God of heaven and earth. His dwelling place is in a heart who praises Him in spirit and truth.

Today can be the first day of the rest of your eternal life when you call on the name of Jesus.

Who will join me today, to gather in heart, unified, to praise and march on with Martin Luther’s hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God from 1529:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He.
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers
Not thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill,
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever. ( A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Martin Luther, 1529.)

Who will agree our hearts are changed and infused with increased faith and hope by taking time to speak God’s Word and an old hymn?

“Dear Lord, help us walk in Your truth and allow You to be our strength and our song throughout this entire day,

in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Put on Praise
Today we speak together in psalms and hymns and we are changed by God’s indwelling Spirit

If you are not sure you have ever received Jesus’ love and salvation, simply talk with Him now. Pour out your heart to Him. Let Him take your sin and failure and receive His forgiveness and power to new life in Christ. Tell someone you have become a new creation in Christ today. (2 Corinthians 5:17.)

I share children’s voices ringing in God’s truth of becoming a new creation with “Everything New” by the Kanagy girls:

The Day I Was Diagnosed With Cancer

After my cancer diagnosis, I began to write. This is from August 17, 2010. I’m thankful to be alive and give praise to the Lord today.

His Word helped keep me . . . this day . . . thankful. And He brought the help I needed with each and every moment, through my anger, my doubts, my fears, my sickness . . . He did.

On the day I found out I was to face a cancer battle, this was the Word of the Lord to me.

I hope this will be an encouragement to anyone going through some difficult times:

Bible Journal Along the way

Date: August 17, 2010

Today I was diagnosed with an invasive lobular, 5×7 cm- estrogen positive cancer tumor of the breast.

I have breast cancer.

In the evening, I opened my Bible to one of my favorite verses so I could see it on the page:

Jeremiah 33:3, Call unto Me and I will answer, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not of.

So, I decided to go off my Bible schedule and read Jeremiah today.

While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time:

“This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name:

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33:1-3.

The Bible tells us that “the word of the LORD came to him a second time.” I’m encouraged. Jeremiah heard these words not once, but twice, from the Creator of the Universe, the Most High God, the LORD:

“Call to me and I will answer you. . .”

“I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

My ears are open. It seems in great affliction, the heart is ready to hear. I kept reading:

For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword in the fight with the Babylonians . . .

“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security” Jeremiah 33:4-6.

This was the Word of God to Jeremiah concerning Judah and Israel, but on a day when you find out you have cancer and you open God’s Word . . .

it speaks of a tearing down against an enemy!

This is good news to my heart. My soul can breathe.

I can trust God. If He can do this for Judah and Israel, I can believe God to heal me.

I need faith for this battle. The Word of God will help increase my faith. 

“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”

“Dear Lord, I call to You. Show me great and mighty things through this trial. Give me understanding to Your Word. Help me believe! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

“Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD. 12

I am a survivor. The Lord has done great things for me, and I praise Him each day for life today.

Please let me know if you are going through a great trial so I can be praying for you.

Thanks,

Toni

The Time is Now to Turn to the King, Psalm 128

tonirypkema.com

The king had a gold statue made and set up in the middle of the large city. Every leader and official of the province gathered for its dedication.

A loud voice announced, “People of all nations, races, and languages! You will hear the sound of the trumpets, followed by the playing of . . . lyres, and harps; and then all the other instruments will join in.

As soon as the music starts, you are to bow down and worship the gold statue the king has set up” (Daniel 3, GNBUK).

The warning for anyone in rebellion to the king’s order would immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.

What if this was you or me in this situation? Would we fear the king or the King of Kings who gave His command through Moses?

Fear of the king would bring people to bow down and worship the statue.

What is the command of the King of all kings given through Moses?

Those who knew this King’s command had a decision to make.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remembered the Word of the Lord,

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

“You shall have no other gods before me . . . You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, . . . showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20: 2-6).

“And so, as soon as (the people) heard the sound of the instruments, the people of all the nations, races, and languages bowed down and worshipped the gold statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. “

It was told the king, “There are some Jews whom you put in charge of the province of Babylon — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — who are disobeying Your Majesty’s orders. They do not worship your god or bow down to the statue you set up.”

Daniel 3:4-18 proclaims the ancient story: The king “flew into a rage and ordered the three men to be brought before him.” They were given another chance to bow to the statue, or, “you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

The king asked a very good question to the three, “Do you think there is any god who can save you?”

This day is now. Who is our king, or King? Of whom do we worship and bow?

“Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you” Psalm 128.

Do we know this King of Love? Do we know His Son? Who is this King of glory? Higher than all kings of the earth, what is His nature? His character whom we should trust?

“The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth . . . ” (Exodus 34:6,7). Do we know this King the Bible proclaims?

Let’s take a look at king Nebuchadnezzar:

He “. . . lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. And he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up, fully dressed — shirts, robes, caps, and all — and threw them into the blazing furnace.”

What character did the king of the day possess? “My rule or the fire?”

What is the character of the King of Kings?

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD (Psalm 128).

Let’s witness in Daniel 3 the actions of the King above all kings:

The king asked, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the blazing furnace?”

They answered, “Yes, we did, Your Majesty.”

“Then why do I see four men walking about in the fire?” he asked.

“They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt — and the fourth one looks like an angel.”

Is not the King of Kings faithful to His Word always? Has the LORD promised,

“I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13: 5, AMP.

Do we know the Lord as these three men? Their position was as Psalm 118:6, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

The Lord loves each of us. However, we’re ALL separated from Him because of our sin. Yes, every single person in the world.

That is why He loved us so much to give us His Son, and to all who believe on Him, everlasting life is given from this time and forevermore.

Do we fear the LORD, Jesus? Turn to Him today, He is not only “Faithful and True,” . . . It is also said of Jesus,

“And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” Revelation 19:16.

The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

Tell someone, (or me) if today is the day you gave your life to the KING of KINGS!

tonirypkema.com

“Those Who Sow in Tears Shall Reap in Joy” (Psalm 126, Song of Ascent)

There are times when God seems cruel and distant. Circumstances, trials, loss can speak confusion, doubt, and fear in our lives, yet God in His Word, ministers life and hope to all who hear His voice and receive His love.  

He gives understanding and wisdom to His ways in His Word, (Proverbs 2:6). Instead of being cruel, we learn and experience,  

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient . . . not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9. 

Here at Advent, approaching the day we celebrate the birth of our Immanuel, we seek Him and cry out as the hymn cries:  

“O come, O come, Immanuel, 
and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here 
until the Son of God appear” (Translator: J. M. Neale). 
 

Today, in our pilgrimage through the Song of Ascents, as the children of Irael journeyed up to Jerusalem to take time to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness and deliverance, we look at Psalm 126,  

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, 

we were like those who dream. 

Israel was held captive seventy years in Babylon. But throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we see the stubbornness of His people, disobedience and pride which brought about punishment under evil rulers.  

And we also witness throughout Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st and 2nd Samuel, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and more, the great faithfulness of a gracious and compassionate God. 

The Lord is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy, forgiving iniquity and sin . . . (Exodus 34:6,7). 

However, all sin must be punished. The land of Israel had no Sabbath year rest for a total of seventy years. 

God warned the people. They were held captive exactly 70 years. His land had rest. The people? They remembered.  

Psalm 137 is a song in their anguish:  

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept 
    when we remembered Zion. 
 There on the poplars 
    we hung our harps, 
 for there our captors asked us for songs, 
    our tormentors demanded songs of joy; 
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 

How can we sing the songs of the Lord 
    while in a foreign land? 
 If I forget you, Jerusalem, 
    may my right hand forget its skill . . . Psalm 137:1-5. 

And God is faithful and true to His Word:  

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, 

and our tongue with shouts of joy; 

then they said among the nations, 

“The Lord has done great things for them.” 

   The Lord has done great things for us; 

we are glad Psalm 126:1-3. 

Time in God’s Word gives answers, understanding, and comfort through the “Why’s” and the dark days.  

“Dear Lord, we’re broken-hearted. We suffer great loss. Affliction. Trial.  

You give warning in Your Word. You give promises. You are faithful to them both.  

You are both merciful and just.  

You are both Holy yet forgiving. There is none like You.  

You are drawing all people to You and Your great name-sometimes through  

Help us to hear You every day, the warnings, 

“If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God, then the Lord will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions (Deuteronomy 28:58). 

Help us remember Your promises as well. 

Help us have ears to hear and hearts to understand You and Your ways and Your love:  “We love him, because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19.  

 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, 

like streams in the Negeb! 

 Those who sow in tears 

shall reap with shouts of joy! 

 He who goes out weeping, 

bearing the seed for sowing, 

shall come home with shouts of joy, 

bringing his sheaves with him Psalm 126. 

“Dear Lord, we weep, but we look up and rejoice in You.  

You never abandon Your people. We need Your law written on our hearts, yes, You accomplished all we could never do.  

We can never be right, just, true, in and of ourselves.  

The arrival of the Messiah was what the people were looking forward to. We are looking to You, our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth!” 

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, 

whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;  

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:1-3, NKJV.  

“Yes Lord, help us acknowledge You in all our days, in all our decisions.  

Though we may “walk in the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for You are with us” (Psalm 23).  

Help us trust You, the faithful and gracious Lord to be our hope this day and forevermore. You, Jesus, dwell in my heart, and the hearts of all who believe on You: 

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:3). 

Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy . . . The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad Psalm 126. Watercolor by Grace Rypkema / Legacy Studio 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain

 Those who sow in tears 
Shall reap in joy. 
He who continually goes forth weeping, 
Bearing seed for sowing, 
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, 
Bringing his sheaves with him Psalm 126. 

Let us climb this mountain rejoicing: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel (O Come, O Come, Immanuel Translator: J. M. Neale (1851).