Joy Of The Lord

"Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,

and send some to those who have nothing prepared.

This day is holy to our Lord.

Do not grieve,

for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

The church I attend is having a bake sale this Sunday to raise money for the new downstairs bathrooms. I love to bake, so I am donating cookies. Since Valentines Day is coming up I put my cookies in these pretty boxes I found at the dollar store. These cookies have been a favourite of my sons while growing up. They are called Best-Ever English Tea Cookies. They are not super sweet, but are very addictive. I love them too! especially with a good cup of hot tea. The recipe is below:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Cream butter and sugar thoroughly. Add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla. Add sifted dry ingredients, using enough flour to make a soft, creamy dough that can be flattened in hands and maintain its shape.
Roll out on lightly floured board with floured rolling pin and cut into shapes. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sprinkle with granulated sugar before baking. If desired, change flavour by using lemon extract or grated lemon or orange rind.

I hope my cookies bring joy to some people's hearts on the Lord's day. I know I had joy in making them.

I Will Not Be Shaken

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With Him at my right hand,

I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

Slaves Of Their Own Appetite

If a church fails to grow or declines in membership, church members will many times resort to scapegoating as a way to deflect attention away from the true conflict and the sinfulness of their own hearts. Blaming others only causes dissensions and hindrances in the body of Christ. We are deceived if we give consideration to the smooth and flattering speech of these people because they are nothing more than slaves of their own appetites.

"Now I urge you, brethren,

keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances

 contrary to the teaching which you learned,

and turn away from them.

For such men are slaves,

not of our Lord Christ

but of their own appetites;

and by their smooth and flattering speech

they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

Romans 6:17 (NIV)

Even A Dog's Tooth

Last month, I took my two dogs to the veterinarian clinic to have their immunization shots. When the veterinarian checked my dogs' teeth, she told me that my Yorkie needed to have a tooth pulled because he had two teeth in one spot where he should have only one, which can cause gum infection. She also told me the cost for the tooth extraction would be anywhere between $350 to $1000. I was horrified at the possible price and to the veterinarian's annoyance, I told her I would think about it,

I did think about it afterwards---for a few minutes that is, and decided rationally not to. Instead, I prayed to God about my Yorkie's tooth and then tried to wiggle it loose. Unfortunately, it wouldn't even budge.

Then three weeks later when I was brushing the dog's teeth, to my surprise the tooth moved. I squealed with great delight and so did my Yorkie, but with displeasure when I tried to wiggle it some more. I then excitedly yelled out to everyone in the household about what God had done. A few days later the tooth fell out. Praise God! He even extracts a dog's tooth. And without charge!

"Don't worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank Him for all He has done."

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

The Bible Is Our Shining Star

"When they had heard the king,

they departed; and, lo,

the star, which they saw in the east,

went before them, til it came

and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced

with exceeding great joy."

Matthew 2:9-10 (NIV)

New Hope Kids on Wednesday nights are learning about Jesus. This week they will learn about the Bethlehem star. And just like the light of the star showed the wise men how to find Jesus hundreds of years ago, so does the light of God's Word show us how to find Jesus today.

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path."

Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

The Bible is our shining star! Let us rejoice with exceeding great joy when we read God's Word just as the wise men did when they saw and followed their star.

From This Time Forth And Forevermore

As the sun set on the prairies this evening, revealing the glory and majesty of God, may His Name be blessed from this time forth and for evermore. 

"Blessed be the Name of the Lord

from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same

the Lord's Name is to be praised."

Psalm 113:2-3 (NIV)

Never Skipped A Heart Beat

In the Bible King Darius was easily persuaded by his administrators and satraps to issue a decree which stated that anyone who prayed to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to King Darius, will be thrown into the lions' den.

Daniel, a true servant of God, disobeyed the King's decree to obey God. He was willing to sacrifice his life rather than sacrifice his relationship with God. Daniel never even skipped a day or even a heart beat. As soon as the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem and got down on his knees to pray, giving thanks to his God, just as he had always done before.

"Now when Daniel learned

that the decree had been published,

he went home to his upstairs room

where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.

Three times a day he got down

on his knees and prayed,

giving thanks to his God,

just as he had done before."

Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

Daniel knew it was better loose all his worldly privileges, than to loose God.

Serve God Continually

In the Bible, Daniel refused to do bow down to man when he was asked to do something that would go against his relationship with God.

"So the king gave the order,

and they brought Daniel

and threw him into the lions' den.

The king said to Daniel,

'May your God,

whom you serve continually,

rescue you!'"

Daniel 6:16 (NIV)

Like Daniel, we are to serve God continually. If we are faithful in serving God, God will be faithful to us and meet all our needs, even closing the mouths of hungry lions.

Created To Worship, Not To Be Worshipped

We were created by God to worship Him.

"Let everything that has breath
praise the Lord."
Psalm 150:6 (NIV)

We were not created by God to be worshiped or worship other gods.

"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,

and worshiped and served created things

rather than the Creator---

who is forever praised. Amen."

Romans 1:25 (NIV)

If we go against what we were created to do, we will fall and live in misery. God is our Creator and we are His creation. Therefore, we will never be happy living a life contrary to our Maker's purpose. We are created to glorify and praise God's Name forever for He is the only One worthy of all our praise! 

Daniel in the Bible knew this and the children on Sunday will learn this principle.

"For the Scriptures say, 

'You must worship the Lord your God

 and serve only Him.'" 

Matthew 4:16

Jesus Is Not Only The Way, But Also The Truth

The children tonight at New Hope Kids will paint background for the picture of three silhouetted crosses and the verse.

"Jesus answered,

 'I am the Way and the Truth

and the Life. 

No one comes to the Father

except through Me'"

John 14:6 (NIV)

Many Christians today make their own path to God the Father, but Jesus is the only way. His truths in God's Word will direct our paths, but few Christians take heed. They accept Jesus as the way, but not His Word as the absolute Truth. So, they make up their own rules to follow and as a result, they will forfeit Life.

Focus On The Least, Not The Most

Many of today's churches are designed and operated to fulfill the will of man instead of the will of God.

"Be very careful, then, how you live —

not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity,

because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be foolish,

but understand what the Lord's will is."

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

In these churches, money speaks and commands, and the leaders listen and obey — even when they know in their hearts it displeases God and goes against His Word. The god of these church leaders is money. They want growth to further their own kingdom, not God's. Their focus is on the those who have the most, instead of those who have the least, doing for themselves, rather than doing for God. In these churches, God is not in control; the affluent members of the congregation are.

"He will reply,

'Truly I tell you,

whatever you did not do

for one of the least of these,

you did not do for me.'"

Matthew 25:45 (NIV)

We need to keep our eyes on God!

Come And Worship Him Only

The three most common complaints a pastor gets are: (1) the worship is too long; (2) the sermon is too long; and; (3) the music style is displeasing.

These complaints reveal the hearts of people, and God is not in their hearts. Instead other things have taken the place of God because they no longer desire to truly worship and serve Him.

Jesus answered, 

"It is written:

'Worship the Lord your God

and serve Him only.'"

Luke 4:8 (NIV)

They do not bow down and knee before the Lord their Maker. They want others to bow down before them.

"Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

Psalm 95:6 (NIV)

They worship God falsely. They do not worship Him in the Spirit and in truth.

"God is spirit,

and His worshipers 

must worship in the Spirit

and in truth."

John 4:24 (NIV)

If we truly love God, spending time in His presence at home or in church can never be too long. The music style and the surroundings becomes irrelevant.

I Would Not Be A Servant Of Christ

"The Lord is my rock."

Psalm 18:2

If a person is trying to win the approval of people and not God, he/she is no longer a servant of Christ. His/her foundation, once built on God, will weaken and sadly he/she will come tumbling down.

"Am I now trying to win

 the approval of human beings,

or of God?

Or am I trying to please people?

If I were still trying to please people,

I would not be a servant of Christ."

Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Hear God's Word And Act Upon Them

"Therefore everyone who hears these words

of Mine and acts on them,

may be compared to a wise man

who built his house on the rock.

And the rain fell, and the floods came,

and the winds blew and slammed against

that house; and yet it did not fall,

for it had been founded on the rock.

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and

does not act on them, will be like a foolish man

who built his house on the sand.

The rain fell, and the floods came,

and the winds blew and slammed against that house;

and it fell — and great was its fall."

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

If the majority of the people in a church are unwise and do not act upon the Word of God, not only will their individual lives collapse, the church itself will collapse, because it is built on sand and not on the Rock. The members of a church can pray and fast for growth and revival, but if their Christian walk does not match the character of God, the ministry of the church will not succeed spiritually. And one day it will come tumbling down.

Here are a few examples of what I see occurring in many churches today:

• Constant use of God's Name in vain (Adding the words "Oh my" do not change the negative impact this expression has on God's Spirit).
• Brutal words spoken to others (Many times they are harsh, spoken in anger, sarcastic, selfish and vain).
• Negative statements about spouses (This reveals the lack of love and respect spouses have for each other).
• Demeaning children (Yelling at them, or threatening to give them away when they do something wrong harms a child just as much as physical abuse).
• Indifference to the needs of others (These people often seek out others to meet their needs, but give no consideration to the needs of others).
• Women who do not dress modestly (Including those on the stage).

Like A Gate Locked With Bars

This is a castle-like home near where we were staying in Bigfork, Montana. It is up for sale and my son Matthew loved the style of it.

As Christians we are told by God we must (not should) forgive those who have offended us.

"Make allowance for each other's faults,

and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you,

so you must forgive others."

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

We are also told to not offend others either.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, 

anger, harsh words, and slander,

as well as all types of evil behaviour.

Instead, be kind to each other,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

just as God through Christ 

has forgiven you."

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

The Bible says an offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

"An offended friend 

is harder to win back

than a fortified city.

Arguments separate friends

like a gate

locked with bars."

Proverbs 18:19 (NLT)

Many close friendships, family relationships and marriages have been destroyed because of offenses and unforgiveness. Let us readily forgive and be careful not to offend. In churches, we hear much about forgiving, but very little about offending.

Never Lack In Zeal

Last night at New Hope Kids, we gained two more children! It is always exciting when God gives us more children for us to minister God's love and teach His truths to. In serving the Lord, we must never lack in zeal, but always keep our spiritual fervor.

"Never be lacking in zeal,

but keep your spiritual fervor,

serving the Lord."

Romans 12:11 (NIV)

Go On To Other Towns As Well

Bigfork, Montana is a wonderful small town located at the mouth of Swan River.

The town has a population of only about 1,500 people.

The First Nations people known as the Salish first occupied the land,, and the name Bigfork is derived from the Salish name for the area.

Bigfork is surrounded by majestic mountains.

It hugs the sparkling blue bay of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

Today, tourism and cherry orchards support the economy.

I love visiting new places and meeting new people. Jesus must have too because He told His disciples not to go back home, but to go on with Him to other towns as well, so they could share His love, miraculous power, and saving knowledge to people living else where.

"But Jesus replied,

'We must go on to other towns as well,

and I will preach to them, too.

That is why I came.'"

Mark 1:38 (NIV)

Everywhere Brian and I travel to we make friends, and hopefully leave a testimony of God's love and goodness.

Seeing Clearly

"But those who fail to develop in this way

are shortsighted or blind,

forgetting that they have been cleansed

from their old sins."

2 Peter 1:9 (NLT)

Those who profess to know Christ Jesus in words, but not in actions are just as shortsighted and blind as the world. They forget that they have been cleansed from their old sins, and given by God, not only His grace, but His divine power to live a life of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.

God Stirs Up The Nest

An empty eagle's nest in Bigfork, Montana

"He found him in a desert land,

and in the howling waste of a wilderness;

He encircled him, He cared for him,

He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.

Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,

that hovers over its young,

He spread His wings and caught them,

He carried them on His pinions."

Deuteronomy 32:10-11 (NIV)

The Bible depicts God's care for us like an eagle cares for her young. Jesus Christ bore our sins in His own body on the Cross. He stirs up the nest so that we will leave Satan's bondage, and be free to soar above the world and the things of it. 

How To Give To The Lord

"But a Samaritan, who was on a journey,

camp upon him; and when he saw him,

he felt compassion, and came to him

and bandaged up his wounds,

pouring oil and wine on them;

and he put him on his own beast,

and brought him to an inn and took care of him."

Luke 10:33-34 (NIV)

This morning I taught the children "The Good Samaritan Story". I told the children a Samaritan was the least likely person to help the dying Jewish man lying beside the road because Samaritans and Jews were despised enemies. However, in this story that Jesus told, it was a Samaritan who had the compassion to help a stranger despite his ethnicity.

I think in heaven, we will be shocked as to who will be rewarded the most because it will be those who give in secret, help others when no one is looking, and volunteer to do menial jobs.

"One who is gracious to a poor man

lends to the Lord,

and He will repay him for his good deeds."

Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

Fictitious, But Realistic And Prophetic

Jesus told a fictitious story in the Bible about a Jewish man who was attacked and robbed by bandits on the way to Jericho. In this story a Priest and then a Levite walked passed the dying man, but both refused to help him.

"Jesus replied and said, 

'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho,

and fell among robbers, and they stripped him

and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.

And by chance a priest was going down on that road,

and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place

and saw him, passed by on the other side.'"

 Luke 10:30-32 (NIV)

Why did Jesus choose a Priest and a Levite to be the self-centered and heartless ones? Was He being sarcastic? No, of course not. Jesus was simply being realistic. It was a major problem in those days. If it was a minor one, Jesus wouldn't have drawn attention to it.

Jesus was also being prophetic because things have not changed today. There are many pastors and church leaders today who are also apathetic and self-seeking. They are more concerned about money, their church building, numbers, and power than they are over the lost, aching, and dying souls who are lying along the side of the road waiting desperately for someone to come by and help them. It is heart-breaking. I don't understand why so many pastors and church leaders are so blinded.

Praying And Reading The Scriptures Like Jesus

Going off track.

There are many people in church today who pray and read the Scriptures like a Pharisee, rather than like Christ Jesus. On the outward, they seem very spiritual, but as you get to know them, you sadly realize they are far from being Christ-like. Their lives are a mess and they are blinded by their own spirituality. Publicly they seem to have amazing faith, but inwardly, they live in misery and pain. Their prayers are unanswered, their hearts are broken, and their dreams shattered. Why? Because their goal is not to be like Christ Jesus, but to use Christ for their own benefit. They obey many of God's rules, like tithing, but they do it to be blessed by Him, rather than to bless Him. God is not so concerned with what people do or the words they say, but what makes their hearts beat. Do their hearts beat for God? Or do they beat for something or someone else?

The Bible tells us that in everything we do we are to live a life filled with love, following the example Jesus Christ set for us. We have everything we need! We are His dear children and He loves us! If we do like Jesus---offer ourselves to God as a sacrifice and concentrate on being a pleasing aroma to Him, our prayers will be answered. We will be blessed! We will be happy!

"Imitate God,

therefore, in everything you do,

because you are His dear children.

Live a life filled with love,

following the example of Christ.

He loved us 

and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us,

a pleasing aroma to God."

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

Light Of Morning At Sunrise

What is God like? He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning.

"He is like the light of morning at sunrise

on a cloudless morning."

2 Samuel 23:4 (NIV)

Take Refuge

Chattering in a tree in the forests of Whitefish Montana was a brown-black squirrel. A black or brown-black squirrel is a melanistic variety of the Eastern Grey Squirrel.

Apparently, these darker squirrels are much more tolerant to the cold than greys.

The forest is a squirrel's refuge. The squirrel is glad. Our refuge is God. Let us too be glad and rejoice for God spreads His protection over us. We just have to love Him.

"But let all who take refuge in You be glad;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread Your protection over them

that those who love Your Name

may rejoice in You."

Psalm 5:11 (NIV)

Much More Valuable

When Brian, I, and our sons were hiking in a mature forest near Whitefish, Montana, we spotted this plump woodpecker tapping vigorously on the tree trunk. He was obviously looking for insects living in the crevices of the bark. In the picture you can see several holes the woodpecker has made.

There are 180 species of woodpeckers worldwide, but only 12 are found in the United States. The one pictured above is a male Hairy Woodpecker.

It is amazing how God feeds all the different types of birds in the world, and created each type with special abilities to feed. The woodpecker for example has a strong, pointed beak that acts like a chisel and a crowbar to remove bark and find hidden insects. Woodpeckers also have very long barbed tongues with a glue-like substance on the tip for extracting the insects. Their skulls are reinforced and their brains are tightly cushioned to handle the constant impact of their pecking.

And just think, if God cares and provides for all the creatures on the earth that He has created, how much more does He care and will provide for us!

"Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap

or store away in barns,

and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

After God's Heart

Are some pastors today more concerned about increasing their empire or God's Kingdom? Do they care about people's hearts or their pocket books? How does a pastor's heart beat? In synchronization with God's? Or has the lust of money and desire for power drawn their hearts far away from Him? Are pastors shepherds or are they controllers? Do they lead the people with knowledge and understanding of God's Word or with manipulations of His Word?

"Then I will give you shepherds 

after My own heart,

who will lead you

with knowledge and understanding."

Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)

In other words, how do pastors use the pulpit? To fulfill their own personal goals and desires or to fulfill God's great commission as stated below?

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 

'All authority in heaven and on earth

has been given to Me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the Name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything

I have commanded you.'"

Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV)

In Montana, we were so surprised to see these signs posted everywhere. These signs were a constant reminder to the people of what matters most to God.

It Was Very Good

While we were waiting for our snowmobiles, my sons got bored, so they built the snowman Olaf from the Disney movie Frozen.

My sons get their creative spirit from God.

"God saw all that He had made,

and it was very good."

Genesis 1:31 (NIV)

The Mystery Of Ice

"From whose womb comes the ice?

Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens."

Job 38:29 (NIV)

There is really little that we know? Many things still transcend our utmost power of thoughts.

Peace To This House

"When you enter a house,

first say, 'Peace to this house.'"

Luke 10:5 (NIV)

Before we left Bigfork, Montana, I took pictures of the inside of our two cabins. They were peaceful dwellings the seven days we stayed there. (Each leather couch turned into a queen-size bed.)

These cabins became our homes the week we stayed in Bigfork. There was sadness in my heart when it was time to leave them.

For Giving Grateful Praise

On the way back home, we decided to choose a different route than the one we took going to Big Fork, Montana. This other route took us through Glacier National Park. As we quietly viewed the splendor of God's majesty in this beautiful park, our hearts were filled with thanksgiving to God for all His blessings during our family winter fun!

 "Shout for joy, all the earth!" 

Psalm 66:1 (NIV)

"Sing for joy to God our strength,

shout aloud to the God of Jacob!" 

Psalm 81:1 (NIV)

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."

Psalm 95:1 (NIV)

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music."

Psalm 98:4 (NIV)

"For giving grateful praise.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."

Psalm 100:1 (NIV)

Breaching A Dam

This morning we drove to view the eleventh tallest dam in United States, the Hungry Horse Dam.

This dam is 171.9 meters tall and 736.4 meters wide.

We were able to walk across the top of the dam and view the river valley below.

Hungry Horse Dam was built in 1953.

It took five years to build.

The dam was built on the Flathead River, creating a very scenic reservoir.

This crane was built for the dam, which can roll along the top.

It is interesting that the Bible  compares starting a quarrel to breaking a dam. It is better to drop the matter before allowing the floodgates to open.

"Starting a quarrel 

is like breaching a dam

so drop the matter

before a dispute breaks out."

Proverbs 17:14 (NIV)