Do The Clouds Stop At The Border?

“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.” Acts 10:34

On one of my husband’s outreaches to Mexico, a 7 year old boy approached him and asked him these questions: “Are you from the United States?” My husband said, “Yes”. The 7 year old boy then asked, “Do the clouds stop at the border?” It was a very cloudy day and in this little boy’s mind, he thought that the clouds stop right at the border and went no further. My husband said, “No, the clouds do not have borders.”

Maybe some of us have the same questions about God but instead it would be said like this: “Does God bless only certain people, certain states, certain countries, etc...”

God does not limit His blessings with borders. The Bible says that God does not show favoritism but accepts from EVERY nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.

In every nation, every kind of person is welcomed. This is precisely what Christ told the apostles in Matthew 28:19 when He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of ALL the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

If you feel God’s blessings have not reached your “borders”, all you may have to do is raise your “security gate” and let Him into your heart.

The Bible is very clear in saying that God accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right. Many times it is us that limit His blessings in our life. Let Him in and allow Him the opportunity to bless you with this promise and reassurance: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

"Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." Psalm 36:5

 

Hey Buddy - Do You Need A Lift?

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” 1 Samuel 2:8

This morning the news shared a story that caught my attention for several reasons. The first is because I am a dog lover ever since my daughter brought our dog “Aussie” home after college. The story featured this headline: Dog Rescued from Dump –First to Climb Mount Everest.

The dog was found abandoned and starving in a dump in India. He was rescued and nursed back to health by his now new owner who fed him a high protein diet. After being nursed back to health, the dog’s new owner took her adorable dog with her to climb Mount Everest. He became the first canine on record to climb Mount Everest after trekking for 10 days – 17,000 feet above sea level.

What was the second reason this story caught my attention? If the kindness of a human, who is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), can have the love and compassion to rescue a weak and starving animal, just imagine what God can do for you!! His name is Love and He is lovingkindness!

You may not be starving and weak or even abandoned, but maybe your present situation seems hopeless. Maybe you cannot see over your circumstances and don’t see a way out of your situation. Be encouraged, there is a God who sees you!!!

In the story about the stray dog, the owner said that as she was walking by, the dog came running towards her. The dog was in a group of many stray dogs but this dog was the only one who came charging towards her. She accepted the dog with open arms in his hungry, weakened and broken condition.

Are you running towards God? His arms are open wide to embrace you and lift you above your circumstances and take you to a place you would have never imagined for yourself. He will nourish and strengthen you back to health - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

It may not be Mount Everest that He will take you to, but it will be a place of peace and joy and a place that for you - will feel like the top of the world!

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18


http://www.youtube.com/v/Pt7OZyBj5Ik?

Conduct

“They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.” Daniel 6:4b

There have been many times in my life when I have been negligent. But every time I read this scripture, it inspires me and challenges me to strive for excellence. This scripture was said about a man named Daniel who trusted and honored God above all others. The way he conducted himself in both his personal life and his business affairs attracted the attention of King Darius the Mede, and Daniel earned a place of respect in King Darius’ kingdom.

Daniel worked diligently and responsibly and was not corrupt or negligent in any of his dealings.

Unfortunately, Daniel made enemies at work for doing a good job as his coworkers became jealous of the attention that he was getting and looked for ways to hold him back and tear him down. However, because he conducted his life with so much integrity, his enemies could not find legitimate charges against him, even though they tried.

To not be negligent means to be mindful, heedful, meticulous, responsible, thoughtful, observant, watchful and forethoughtful. Maybe seeing all of these words at once is too much to take in. Simply put, to be trustworthy and have no negligence in you means you are living life consciously, intentionally and making it your goal to follow Him.

By His grace, let’s strive to have that beautiful quality of integrity – doing the right thing when no one but God is looking.

Daniel was a man who sought the King, the God of all Creation. His dedication to Him, groomed him to be a man that caught the attention of earthly kings.

FATHER, Thank you for giving us Your standard for skillful living. Thank you that it begins with loving You with all of our heart. Thank you for your grace when we miss the mark. Thank you for letting us know that Your mercies are new every morning. In Jesus’ Name – Amen.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Rainy Rain

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you autumn rains because He is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.” Joel 2:23-24

(The autumn rain softened the soil for planting winter wheat. The spring rain caused the grain to swell – ensuring a good harvest.) Commentary

The scripture above is a picture of God’s heart for His children. Just like earthly parents want the best for their children, God, the Author of Love, delights, rejoices and desires to shower, yes, shower His children with blessings.

May I share with you the big picture of when this scripture was spoken? Joel was a prophet of God who was called to encourage God’s people to repentance. Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action. God loves His children even more than we love our children and at the time God’s people had become prosperous and complacent. Taking God for granted, they turned to self-centeredness and sin. In other words, as I heard someone say, “They were more focused on their blessings than on the Blessor.”

I love that God desires to pardon sin and His heart always wants the best for His children. God sent Joel to encourage His people to turn back to God with their entire heart. God offered complete forgiveness and a reward for their change of mind and change of heart. 

God was already planning for their blessing. His desire was for them to turn their hearts back towards Him and be sincere as you they followed Him.

When people turn to God with a sincere heart, God pardons us, and He restores our relationship with Him! God does not promise individual wealth nor is He oppose to it. However, God promises something better: He will meet our deepest needs by loving us, forgiving us and giving us purpose in life!

The first rain is to soften our hearts so that God’s word can be planted. The second rain causes the seed that was planted in our hearts to swell with the joy of the LORD!

May we always be grateful to the Blessor and may He send you abundant showers – both autumn and spring!

Sweet Spot

I have heard that in sports, whether it is baseball, tennis or golf, one of the objectives of the players is to hit the ball on the sweet spot of their bat, racket or golf club in order to maximize the velocity/distance of the ball.

In order to meet this objective, the players must consistently practice to develop a swing that can be repeated when it is needed the most as well as to eliminate any bad habits. For a baseball player, the sweet spot is when he hits the ball with the middle of the barrel section of the bat. For a tennis player or a golfer, the sweet spot is usually at the center of the racket/golf club. This is where the players get the maximum speeds from the ball and if hit in the right direction, the ball goes the furthest.

Do you know that there is a sweet spot with God? The Bible says in Psalm 91:1, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. It means that at the center of your mind and at the center of your heart you will have peace and freedom of fear as you dwell, and trust and rest in His shelter.

The Bible says in Psalm 91:9-10, “If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.” It doesn’t mean you will never have challenges. It simply means that your focus amidst the challenges is not on the trouble but on God and His promises to protect you. Just like a player regardless of whether the player is winning or losing, is focused on “finding”, “seeking” and “striving" for the sweet spot, our focus regardless of what is going on in our lives, should be on entrusting ourselves to Him for His protection and pledging our daily devotion to Him.

Is it your desire to dwell consistently in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty?  To dwell means to keep the attention directed upon God. It means to live as a resident there.

May I encourage you as I encourage myself to try focusing on God by reading and meditating on His Word on a daily basis.  Let’s make it a priority to develop good habits and dwell in the shelter of the Most High. If we do, overtime, we will develop a good habit of meeting God in the most wonderful, delightful, peaceful, sweet spot – both in our minds and in our hearts.

Athletes spend hundreds of hours and hundreds of dollars as they strive to reach that “eureka moment” when they hit at the sweet spot. Our God allows us to have that beautiful sweet spot moment with Him at any time of the day when we choose to open up His living Word and let Him breathe life, hope and peace into us.

“Because she loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name. She will call on Me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her. With long life I will satisfy her and show her my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

Open Hand

"You make a living by what you get...But you make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill

Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting one of these people who live life with an "Open Hand" attitude? They not only share the extra things they have, but they share everything they have.

They are not living with fear thinking that if they give too much, they will not have enough for themselves or their family. On the contrary, they give with joy because they have an inner confidence that our God will supply all of their needs according to Christ’s riches. Their reward in giving is seeing the joy that their generosity brings to the life’s of other people.

Are you one of these people? If you are, may God continue to richly fill your hand so that you can continue to bless others with all liberty!

"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

FATHER, thank you for giving us the example of being a generous giver. You give and give and give to us not because we deserve it, but you give to us because of Your grace. May our lives reflect You and may we remember Your promise in Your Word that says: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) In Jesus’ Name – Amen.

 

Enjoy HIS View

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

I love how God encourages us in His Word! God not only tells us to fear not, but He tells us to not be dismayed. When someone is dismayed it means that one’s courage is broken down completely by sudden danger or trouble. God wants us to be reminded this day that His righteous right hand will uphold us! In other words, God will keep us from sinking!

The most important part of this scripture is to know this: God is with you!

I have attached a video of my oldest daughter's (Natalie) adventure when she skydived six months ago from 13,000 feet. Since Natalie was a young girl, I have consistently seen God release her from her fears and teach her, step by step, to trust Him more with each day that goes by. By His grace, He has developed my daughter to be a courageous daughter of the King and has shown her that He is worthy of ALL her trust! Just as her instructor and her skydived in  tandem, remember that God is always with and for us! 
 
What does God want you to trust Him with? Go ahead and take that leap of faith and enjoy and allow God to show you things from His point of view☺!