Faith Foundation, Week #1

Our grandboy at the Gnome Village
Coosa River farm




"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)

When this little fellow was in his mama's womb, the doctor gave him a 10% chance of survival, but the Lord told his daddy, "This time next year you will have a son."

What is faith, beloved? Read Hebrews 11:1 King James Version and fill in the blanks:

"Now faith is the _________ (reality) of things hoped for, the ___________ of things not seen."

Faith is not blind. Faith in Jesus Christ is built on personal encounter and 66 books of evidence called the Bible.

What did God ask Noah to believe that he could not see? Read Genesis chapter 6.

1. God would send _______ to flood the earth.

2. God would _________ the earth.

3. God would _________ Noah and his family.

How did Noah respond?  He _________ God and ________ in faith.

What is God asking you to believe that you cannot see?

How will you respond?

Hide 2 Corinthians 5:7 in your heart: "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Answers: substance, evidence, rain, destroy, protect, believed, obeyed, (personal answers)

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Today's the Day

The best small group in the whole, wide world

"So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious jewel...The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.  (Revelation 21:10-21)

Today's the day of the first session of my small group in the winter/spring semester. I am SO excited! 

Each of the twelve weeks ahead, we'll learn a memory verse, and as a surprise, each week, the girls get a colorful bead to add to a silver-wire bracelet. At the end of the semester, they'll have a twelve-bead, faith bracelet - symbolic of their Scriptural foundation of faith to stand on, especially in hard time. (No, I didn't spoil the surprise. My 20-somethings don't read this blog.)

Wanna grow in faith with us, beloved? Stay tuned! I'll post the memory verses and simple Bible studies each Wednesday, starting tomorrow.

"Those who love Your [Word] have great peace and do not stumble." (Psalm 119:165)

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Victory

My superman




"Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

I had quite the big head yesterday when I beat Superman 21 to 7 in a game of ping-pong... until I discovered that he was playing left-handed!

~

In his letter to Romans, the Apostle Paul encouraged fellow Christ followers that the things they suffered currently were nothing compared to the glory that Christ would reveal to them later. For God truly causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Therefore, troubles, persecution, hunger, danger, or even threat of death - despite all these things - overwhelming victory is yours through Jesus Christ who loves you! And absolutely nothing can separate you from His love.

So, today, beloved, go forth in Jesus' name and have yourself a victorious day with the Lord.

"We have all eternity to tell of victories won for Christ, but we have only a few hours before sunset in which to win them." 

~ Johnathan Goforth ~

O victory in Jesus, 

My Savior, forever,

He sought me and bout me

With His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him,

And all my love is due Him,

He plunged me to victory

Beneath the cleansing flood. 1

1 VICTORY IN JESUS. E. M. Bartlett, 1939.

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A Great Fight

L-R Delana, me, Carolyn, and Ann
Armor of God friends, 1990s

"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad - for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world." (1 Peter 4:12-13)

I've learned to expect a fight with the devil the week before Bible studies begin, and this semester is no exception. Yesterday, by God's grace, I won the battle with a UTI and scratchy throat. Today, I'm fighting a belly ache, upset tummy, and cell phone on the blink.

Today's encouragement for us, beloved, comes from Pastor Deron Spoo's The Good Book: "What great fight do you face today? Ask God not only for a good outcome; ask Him to also produce a more confident character in you through that experience."

"Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials." ~ Smith Wigglesworth, early twentieth-century pastor.

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Plan A

"Doc" Gnome
Coosa River Farm treehouse

"O LORD, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone!" (Jeremiah 17:14)

Early this morning, when I sensed a UTI brewing, my first thought was: I don't want to go to the doctor with all the flu and sicknesses going around. Who can I call to get a prescription?

At the 21 Days of Prayer service, Pastor Dino Rizzo told the story from Luke chapter eight of the disciples frantically waking Jesus in a violent storm. "When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then He asked them, 'Where is your faith?" Later, when their boat reached Gerasenes across the lake from Galilee, a man possessed by demons came out to meet Jesus, and Jesus healed him.

In my heart, I heard Jesus asking, "Jill, where is your faith? Come to Me. Ask Me to heal you."

I prayed.

My Phillip prayed.

My friend, Debora, prayed.

UTI symptoms have subsided.

O Lord, I'm sorry that I made You "Plan B." Train me to make You "Plan A" for each and every need everyday. My praises are for You alone!

Is Jesus your Plan A, beloved?

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He Takes Care of Me

My superman and me
2015

"I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you." (Isaiah 46:4)


5:41 a.m. text: "I'm at church. Just locked my keys in the car." (sad face)

6:23 a.m., my Phillip sat down beside me - with my keys. (happy face)

My man takes care of me.

~

In the 46th chapter of Isaiah, the prophet describes Bel and Nebo, the little "g" gods of Babylon, being hauled away on ox carts. 

"The poor beasts stagger under the weight," writes Isaiah. "Both the idols and their owners are bowed down because the gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. So they go off to captivity together."

Then Yahweh, the big "G" God of Israel, speaks:

"Listen to Me, all you [people]. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age."

There is a God in heaven, beloved. In the Old Testament, His name is Yahweh. In the New Testament, His name is Jesus. And He takes care of those who know and love Him. Do you know Jesus?

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Cause and Effect

My family 2016

"But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and  His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them." (Psalm 103:17)

The universal law of cause and effect states that for every effect there is a definite cause, likewise for every cause there is a definite effect.

In a Psalm of David, the King proclaimed God's law of cause and effect: your behavior not only dramatically effects your own life, but also the children after you. 

Cause: Fear of the LORD (live in awe of God) and obey Him.

Effect: God's lovingkindness and righteousness upon you and your children and your grandchildren.

Wanna have a powerfully positive effect on following generations? Fear the Lord and obey His commandments. It's the law.

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Near Him

Coosa River Farm

"What joy for those You choose to bring near, those who live in Your holy courts." (Psalm 65:4)

On Saturday at the farm, my Phillip  poured a cement floor in the greenhouse near the garden. On Sunday after church, he stopped at J & J Junk and bought a little, cane chair and wire bookshelf. 

Now on windy, brrr-chilly days, I can sit all warm and cozy near him while he prepares the raised-bed garden for spring planting.

On a cross 2,000 years ago, Jesus died in your place, beloved, so that on every day of eternity, you can live in perfect love, peace, and joy near Him. 

"If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am." (John 14:2-3)

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Have You Met Jehovah Jireh?

"God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son," Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. (Genesis 22:8)


Because Amazon Prime's two-day delivery promise flubbed when I ordered Hannah Anderson's Humble Roots last week, this week, I'm reading Deron Spoo's The Good Book instead. In chapter five, Spoo writes:

"The Hebrew phrase for 'The Lord Will Provide' is Jehovah Jireh - a name for God well known to those who have experienced His provision in their own times of need."

Abraham and Isaac met Jehovah Jireh in the land of Moriah when God stuck a ram in the bushes to replace Isaac on the altar of sacrifice. Years ago, My Phillip and I met Jehovah Jireh when a failed land and timber business left just a few dollars in the bank, but God kept a roof over our heads and food on the table for five.

Some pretty remarkable things happened after we met Jehovah Jireh:

• We lost all confidence in self-sufficiency.
• We gained deep trust in God, His financial commandments, and His generous provision.
• Tithes and offerings to our Lord and Savior became an honor and privilege rather than a burden or dreaded duty. 

In a place of financial desperation, beloved? I'd like for you to meet my God, Jehovah Jireh, and I'd like to encourage you to obey His financial commandments (Malachi 3:8-10). When you do, "this same God who takes care of me will supply your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen." (Philippians 4:19)

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Behind the Smiles

Mama's 80th birthday, April 21, 2000
L-R: Mama, me, my Ben, niece Virginia, brother Mark, niece Alyson

"But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength...He rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into His heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen." (2 Timothy 4:17-18)

This bitter-cold week, my Phillip has been transferring old, home-movie VHS tapes to our computer cloud. Amongst the sweet memories is my dear mother's 80th birthday party. When a past recollection surfaced that behind my smile that day was a mama in turmoil over her teenager's shenanigans, pain tried to grip my soul again.

Thanksgiving, however, came to the rescue. 

Lord Jesus, as I look back toward the mountains of days gone by, thank You for the journey - the blessed heights and Your deliverances from the low valleys of humiliation.  

Painful memories of the past haunting you, beloved? Give thanks and praise to Jesus, the Great Shepherd, who carries you through the valleys!  

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A Light Unto My Path

McCormick Creek State Park
(Photo by our Rebecca)

"Your word is lamp to my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Fall 2003, our Ben was a student at Jeff State Community College in Birmingham and hadn't played football in 2 year when he told his dad, "I think I can still kick. I'm gonna practice and tryout for a scholarship." Three months later, he tried out at Tusculum College and when the head football coach offered him a scholarship, he panicked and called home.

Ben: "Mama, what should I do?"

Me: "What's God saying?"

Ben: "I don't know."

Me: "What's the last thing He told you?"

Ben: "Make the most of every opportunity and try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to do" (Ephesians 5:16-17).

Me: "I think you've got His answer. Go for it!"

We serve a talking God, beloved. Are you paying attention?

"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)

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Be Still and Know

McCormick's Creek 
Owen County, Indiana
(photo by our Rebecca)



"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

For Christmas, our amazing son-in-law gave Rebecca a 2-night retreat with God at McCormick's Creek State Park. The past couple of days, a stomach bug has me homebound. Two polar-opposite scenarios. Two large opportunities to be still and know that God is God.

Life have you stilled, beloved? Look up. Listen. Know God.

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is holy

Be still Oh restless soul of mine

Bow before the Prince of Peace

Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is faithful

Consider all that He has done

Stand in awe and be amazed

And know that He will never change

Be still

Be still and know that He is God...

Be still

Be speechless

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is our Father

Come and rest your head upon His breast

Listen to the rhythm of

His unfailing heart of love

Beating for His little ones

Calling each of us to come

Be still

Be still 1

1 BE STILL AND KNOW. Steven Curtis Chapman, 1999.

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Place of Safety

2 of our dear kiddos
Ben and Rebecca

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety." (Psalm 18:2)

Because she's a great sister and loves her brothers, over the Christmas holidays, Rebecca got up before the crack of dawn and went deer hunting with brother Ben. In the dark of the night, they heard a deep-throated "purring" right behind their ground blind...

Coosa River Farm bobcat

Ben said that at once his mind switched from hunting mode to protect my sister!

The day the LORD rescued David from Saul and all his enemies, David sang:

I love you, LORD;

you are my strength...

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and He saved me from my enemies.

Enemy breathing down your neck, beloved? Call on Jesus - the Lord who reaches down from heaven, draws you out of deep waters, and rescues you from a powerful enemy too strong for you.

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Deadline

My family
Fort Morgan Beach 2017

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live ad to this or that." (James 4:14-15)

This morning, my publisher texted that he needs the finished manuscript, illustrations, and cover design for Seabound by mid-March, which pushes the student cover-art competition deadline up from March 1st to February 12th. That's one month from today. The clock's ticking, students!

Beloved, "don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." 

~ Benjamin Franklin ~

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Elsewhere

Waterside Inn
Sanibel Island, Florida

"Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, 'Are you also going to leave?' Peter replied, 'Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:67-69)

For Christmas, my sweet Phillip gave me a trip to elsewhere:  Sanibel Island, one of our favorite romanic-getaway spots.

At today's Day #5 prayer service for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Pastor Mark Pettus challenged followers of Jesus Christ to stand steadfast in dependence on God and to examine ourselves to see if there's any area of life that we're looking elsewhere than Jesus for help, hope, contentment, or joy.

Nothing satisfies like Jesus,

Bread of life to mortals given;

May His presence now refresh us

Like the morning dew from heaven!

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus

Take the world, but give me Jesus,

To satisfy with ev'ry blessing,

His love and peace my soul possessing;

To all beside, my heart replies:

There's naught but Jesus satisfies! 1

Prayer service online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

1 NOTHING SATISFIES BUT JESUS, Lelia (Mrs. C. H.) Morris (1862-1929).

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One Generation

"One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts...and will sing joyfully of Your righteousness." (Psalm 145:4,7)

This morning, at the Day #4 prayer service of 21 Days of Prayer, the live feed from the main campus froze during worship, but the Highlands College students at our Greystone campus kept right on singing to Jesus whose greatness is unsearchable.

Beautiful moment.

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" (Psalm 150:6)

Prayer service online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Follow Me

a tiger and a bear
A.K.A. the grandboys




Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed Him." (Matthew 4:19-20)

On the grandboys' first hiking adventure last Saturday at Moss Rock Preserve, they had to learn to follow Granddaddy on the marked trail and not run off in any direction they pleased.

At 21 Days of Prayer this morning, Pastor Dino Rizzo encouraged believers to fully surrender to Jesus and follow Him by:

• Choosing humility,
• Choosing repentence,
• And choosing God's will over our own.

The Lord Jesus is your Shepherd, beloved, fully surrender to Him and follow Him down paths of righteousness for His name's sake and your well-bring.

Prayer service available online at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Gratitude, Commitment, Dependence

My Phillip and me
September 10, 1977

"O My people...make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on Me when you are in trouble..." (Psalm 50:14-15)

Just as gratitude for, commitment to, and dependence upon one another are vital for a healthy marriage, so are gratitude, commitment, and dependence upon God necessary in an intimate relationship with Jesus.

View Pastor Chris Hodges, day #2 of 21 Days of Prayer at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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A Royal Invitation

grandboys




"Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3)


You are hereby cordially invited

into the presence of

the Most High God,

King of kings,

Lord of lords

for

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

~

This 7th Day of January

through the 27th,

2018 A.D.

Anno Domini,

The Year of Our Lord.

Prayer services online daily at:

www.churchofthehighlands.com

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Blowin' in the Wind

three-year-old grandboy

"Be on the alert, stand firm, act like a man, be strong." 

(Acs 16:13)

Aunt Rebecca: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Three-year-old grandboy: "A man."

~

Bob Dylan, in his 1962 song: "Blowin' in the Wind," wrote:

"How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man...

The answer, my friend,

Is Blown' in the Wind,

The answer is Blowin' in the Wind."

Although a Grammy-award-winning hit for Peter, Paul, and Mary's 1964 recording of Bob Dylan's popular folk song, the Biblical Peter, Paul, and Mary could beg to differ. 

The answer to manhood, my friend, is most assuredly not blown' in the wind; real manhood is clearly defined in the Bible:

[God] has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you? To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk the roads of life humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

It's time we grow up, beloved!

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The Rest of the Story

grandboy, granddaddy, and granddog

"But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me." (Psalm 3:3-5) 

Last week, I blogged that our family get-together sat on hold because a flu-like virus had spread at our son-in-law's family gathering. The end of the story...

The Lord stayed the "plague." 

Sick ones recovered. 

Well ones escaped unscathed.

All our kids and grands enjoyed a few days of good fellowship, fun, food, and football - TOGETHER.

(And, yes, the sour-cream-chocolate-chip pound cake was finally baked and every last crumb was eaten.)

All praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, the protective shield who answers prayers!

Happy and healthy New Year to you, beloved! May you live 2018 in the shelter of the Most High and find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. May you declare: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him.

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