Our Navigator

I did some reading this week about the North Star.  Polaris is the northern pole star,  known as the North Star.  While other stars' positions in the sky change throughout the night, as they rotate around the poles, the pole star’s position remains fixed. This makes the North Star especially useful in navigation: it is a dependable indicator of the direction toward the North Pole.  Although modern technology doesn’t make this star as vital as it was in ancient times, we all know that sometimes technology encounters a glitch ….and if you really need to know in what direction you are moving the North Star always points North towards the North Pole.
So what you say?  It dawned on me that we often find ourselves looking to many resources for direction in our lives.  Yet, we are blessed with a fixed, accurate guide to always point us in the right direction.  GOD IS TRULY OUR PERSONAL NAVIGATOR.  We never have to wonder about which way to go… about what direction will lead us toward happiness, purpose, peace, and confidence of moving in the right direction.  This thought took me to PROVERBS 3.
The key verses in this chapter are verses 5-6,

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

God has given His Word to guide in every detail of life so that the life we live is led by His truth. If we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He who is faithful has promised to direct our paths.  God has given us such a wonderful assurance of guidance into a way of righteous living! 
Here are some reminders about how we are to receive the Lord’s direction: (vv. 1-12)
1) Learn God’s truth through His Word. Seek Him and His direction through Bible study and prayer.  It’s good for us to remind ourselves that we are not smarter than God!

Psalm 25:4 (NLT)  Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.

2) Receive His direction by consistent obedience to His Word and His Will.

Deuteronomy 5:33 (NLT)  Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

 3) Share God’s blessings with others…Proverbs 3:9 (MSG) Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best.  Giving is heart preparation for God’s directions in our lives.

4) Accept and learn from God’s discipline. Submitting to His discipline is submitting to His work in our lives to conform us to the image of Christ.  God’s involvement in our lives will never point us away from Jesus.
5) Trust God….don’t try to fit His Word – His Way – His Will into “what makes sense” in this world. 
Our Navigator – Our Personal North Star is readily available always!

Proverbs 3:5-7 (MSG)
⁵ Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. ⁶ Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. ⁷ Don't assume that you know it all. Run to GOD!...

Joyfully,
Yvonne

What Is God's Concern?

It is not that we should not bring our small concerns to God – there is nothing too small or too large to bring to God in prayer, but sooner or later we must ask God what is his concern in the world.

A Working Definition

 What is a Christian?
A mind through which Christ Thinks.
A voice through which Christ Speaks.
A Hand through which Christ Helps.
A Heart through which Christ Loves.





Let's think about the life each of us is living this week.

LESSONS FROM GOD

I am reflecting this morning on a very personal lesson God has taught me.  You see, one of the hardest things for me in my life is that neither one of our sons live close to us.  It makes me lonely and yes, jealous of my friends. I have to pray about this OFTEN, take my word for it.  But enough, this is about a lesson learned and a heart full of praise and a closeness to God this morning that is worth it all!!

This morning I was “whining” to God about missing living close by any of my family when I had a clear understanding of my whole situation.  This is exactly what my parents felt!  Ralph and I have served in many different states and churches over the 44 years of our marriage while my parents always lived in Florida.  They too were separated from daughters and grandchildren; they too didn’t get to attend church with family; they too didn’t get to spend little holidays – like Memorial Day – with family….and the list goes on. Never once did I hear my godly parents “whine” or bemoan our absence. What I always heard was how they were looking after a neighbor; praying for us; going to a church function…you get the picture!  That truth just dawned on me (and you’re probably thinking, really?) This morning I was inspired and comforted by the picture God gave me of my own parents living in the exact position I live in.

Let me share some insights I gleaned from the Lord this morning.

  ~   God continues to teach me.  I love the fact that God teaches me about truths and Scriptures I have known and heard before – but He applies them to the life I am now leading! Thank you Holy Spirit!!

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

~     Life situations are shared.  I’m not the only one who feels and experiences lonely situations in life.  This understanding lessens the loneliness and jealousy – “It’s not just me” is comforting and God knows that.  And guess what, I am reminded that we live in a fallen world that does separate and isolate at times.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
¹¹ Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

~    God does not give me more than I can handle.

I am so thankful that our gracious Lord in His perfect love knows me so well. He knows exactly what I can handle and never allows more than that to touch me.  My life circumstances – yes, including being far away from family, are always in His powerful and mighty hand!

Psalm 66:9 (NLT)  Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Isaiah 62:3 (NLT)  The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see— a splendid crown in the hand of God.

~    Remember your heritage.

I was so blessed to grow up in a Christian home – I need to remember all the lessons I learned about living as a believer.  God touched my life and called me into my ministry through the lessons I learned about Him as a child and teen.  My prayer is that I continue to remember those lessons especially during this season of my life – a season that both of my parents faithfully lived.

2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)  I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

~    There is no distance between me and God.

He is with me! The Holy Spirit keeps me connected to my Lord wherever I am and whatever I am feeling. Life circumstances do not separate me from my Almighty Father God. One of the things I cherish about the Gospel of Matthew is that the beginning of the chapter (1:23) and the end of the chapter assure me of this truth: GOD IS WITH ME!

Matthew 28:20b (NLT)  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

When the going was tough, Paul had a special visit from the Lord: Acts 18:9-10 (NLT)
…“Don’t be afraid! …For I am with you … Those same words from God continue to minister to me and lift me up. Because of His presence in me I am able to live with hope and confidence.

Now, I realize that these lessons I recognized this morning are probably not profound for you, but I wanted to share this with you because I want you to continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and let Him continue to teach you about life and living it under His guidance and perfect love - season after season.

Psalm 34:8 (NLT) Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

SEEK HIM

I find that my mind so quickly becomes entangled in thoughts that are so far away from God….makes me wonder why He puts up with me.  But, that’s when I am reminded that God is perfect love and He never moves away from me.  He is as close to me as my heartbeat and life-giving breath. GOD’S PERFECT LOVE IS ACTIVE -  He continually beckons, warns, and comforts. HE GIVES US HIMSELF!!  And, He gives us the freedom to choose all that He has to give us – it is up to each of us what we receive from Him.

Psalm 105:3-4 (NLT)
³ Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
⁴ Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.

This verse makes me very mindful of the fact that I am to continually seek the Lord – and not just on special occasions, but DAILY!!   What exactly does SEEK God mean?  We are talking about consistently seeking God…not just occasionally but diligently, earnestly, and carefully.  We are looking for God to know Him better, love Him more, and follow Him obediently. 

Several Scriptures teach us basic truths about seeking God.

One : God Rewards Those Who Seek Him

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

The book, Everyday Expressions Found in the Bible, explains this concept well:

It means to seek out God; to diligently seek to find Him and to follow Him. God does not reward the sleepy-eyed, complacent, non-thinker, half-interested, worldly-minded, pleasure seeker. God rewards those who diligently seek to know and follow Him. The idea is that we must be in earnest and persevere and endure to the end. What is the reward to those who diligently seek God? It is the same reward given to Abel and Enoch: righteousness and God's care in this life and deliverance from death unto eternal life.

Two : Jesus Assures Us We Will Find God…When We Sincerely Look

Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

 Three verbs should be a part of our search to know God better and better: ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK.  Why do these verbs work? Because our loving God answers our searching hearts; His great desire is to meet our needs.  If we are not finding God perhaps it is because we are not looking for Him with our whole being…. Ask yourself, Is finding God – knowing Him better and better – is that on my spiritual “bucket list”?

Three : Seeking God Takes Purposeful Effort Especially During Difficult Times

Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

This word from the Lord was given to the Children of Israel when they were in exile.  What is God teaching us?  Simple truth is that when circumstances are not the way we planned them – they are not easy – there seems to be no end in sight…that is when we are to give our whole hearts towards finding God and knowing that He is Sovereign and in control. Once we take that step our understanding of His love and our faith-walk with Him are deepened and joy is overwhelming!

Four : Seeking God Is Easier Than It Sounds… BECAUSE HE IS SO CLOSE 

Acts 17:27 (MSG)
²⁷ so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near.

Our God is not a distant God.  He is our personal, intimate God. His desire is for us to KNOW HIM!

In closing, we are to seek…look for, search for, hunt for, ask for…. God with our whole… entire, complete, total, undivided, entire self. The wonderful part is that it is so easy to do because God through Jesus Christ is very near and available to be known…

Recognized, identified, acknowledged, accepted as our personal God.

Joyfully,

Yvonne

Moment by Moment

I’m getting ready to take a road trip with my sister Barbie….got me to thinking about my “road trip” with God. 

  Our spiritual journeys are lived moment by moment, not day by day or even week by week – Leslie Williams

Moment by moment…  My goal is to continue on a joyful journey with the Lord each day by being mindful of how I am living my moments.

We can choose to focus on certain practices that make our journey both fruitful and full of abundant joy:

One – Regularly recognize that Our God is a JOYFUL GOD!

Rejoicing and focusing on this wonderful trait of God’s brings such joy into your journey with Him. Zephaniah 3:17 (NCV)
¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you. “

God delights in you and breaks out into song when He thinks about you! That’s hard to believe, isn’t it? I love how the Living Bible paraphrases this verse: “Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song.”

God’s joy can be transmitted directly to us by His Holy Spirit who lives within us. That’s exactly what Nehemiah discovered in Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) … for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Two – Constantly Enjoy the Character of God

Throughout your day, focus on the holiness and awesomeness of God.  Praise and acknowledge His nature, His character traits, and His loving kindness.

Psalm 66:1-3 (NLT)  Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! ² Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. ³ Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! …

Psalm 28:7 (NLT) The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Three –Repeatedly Release Your Problems to the Lord

Christian joy …the kind that allows your “road trip” to be smooth in spite of any bumps along the way – comes from responding to the continual presence of God Himself in your life circumstances.

James 1:2 (NLT)Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Four–Remain Close to Jesus

On our Christian journey Jesus is our “GPS” – don’t try to travel without Him.

John 15:4 (NLT) Remain in me, and I will remain in you…

Remaining (abiding) in Christ means to stay in close fellowship with Him so that His life can work in and through us.  This involves the Word of God, Confession of Sin, Obedience, Prayer, and a Constant Awareness of His Presence…we participate in all of these because we love Him.

If we focus on these four things moment by moment I can guarantee the journey we are taking will be an unforgettable, abundant one.

Moment by Moment

By Gideon’s Army
I've come to realize that I need You
I can't make it on my own
Now I'm feelin' so much better, Lord
Knowin' You're with me 'til we're home
Moment by moment
I am tryin' to be true
Moment by moment
I am trustin' in You
Well, I know that You live inside me, Lord
And You give me power I've never known
And You and I will climb those mountains together
If my hope is in You alone

Joyfully,

Yvonne

HE IS RISEN

In five days we will celebrate Easter Sunday – Resurrection Sunday!  What a joy!

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT)
³ I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
⁴ He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

As we prepare to celebrate this coming Sunday, let me remind you of some important things I plan to celebrate this Easter Sunday:

1)  The cross as a symbol of power and resurrection – it is no longer only a reminder of bloody execution. The cross is now a reminder of love and forgiveness – of unconditional love and mercy – of perfect love and eternal life  – of God’s love that  provides a way of reconciliation and restoration..

2)  The burial tomb…  a mark of hope… that we no longer have to fear death – because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can rejoice that physical death for believers is where real living begins.

Dale Evans once said, "I spent most of my life searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Then I finally found it at the foot of the cross."

Luke 24:1-7 (NKJV)
¹ Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
² But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
³ Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
⁴ And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
⁵ Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
⁶ He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
⁷ saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' "

3)True Life -  Rich, abundant living that does not depend on daily circumstances. Jesus said,

John 10:10b (NKJV)
…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 12:46 (NLT)
⁴⁶ I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

Even if our lives on this earth are filled with pain, loneliness, sorrow, disappointment, frustration, and yes, failure…we are able to go on because of the strength and confidence that comes through Jesus and His resurrection power in our lives.

4) The powerful plan of a loving God – We know the message of Easter – that soldiers, and liars, and stones, and plots, and denials can never stop the plan of God.  God’s plan of salvation has been accomplished and nothing can stop it from moving forward.

John 3:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Easter is truly a day to remember – a day for celebration! 

He is Lord, He is Lord
He has risen from the dead
And He is Lord,
Every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

Joyfully,

Yvonne