Free Indeed

 

"Peaches"
Periwinkle Park
Sanibel Island

"Christ has set us free to enjoy our freedom. So remain strong in the faith. Don't let the chains of slavery hold you again." (Galatians 5:1)

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reiterated that believers have freedom because of their rebirth through the Savior's work of salvation — a free gift of God's grace. Therefore, do not take on again the chains of law and self-works as means of acceptance before God. 

Jesus said, "You will know the truth. And the truth will set you free." (John 8:32). Jesus is the the truth. (John 14:6) Abide in Him, beloved, and enjoy freedom purchased by His blood.

"[God] is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins." (Ephesians 1:7)

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If I, Then He

 

"If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD am your healer." (Exodus 15:26)

On this path called life . . .  

If I never let loyalty and kindness leave me — write them on my heart, then I will find favor with both God and people. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

If I trust in the LORD with all my heart, do not depend on my own understanding, and seek God's will in all I do, then He will show me which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

If I'm not impressed with my own wisdom, but fear the LORD and turn away from evil, then I will have healing for my body and strength for my bones. (Proverbs 3:6-7)

If I honor the LORD with my wealth and with the best part of everything I produce, then He will fill my barns with grain, and my vats will overflow. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

And, beloved, if you will, too, then He will for you.

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Every Eye

 

sunset Sanibel Island

"Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see Him — even those who pierced Him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for Him. Yes! Amen!" (Revelation 1:7)

On any given day, every eye of the world sees the light of the sun. One day, every eye of the world will see the Light of the Son coming with the clouds of heaven.

Beloved, may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow . . . May He make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all His holy people. Amen! (1 Thess. 3:12-13)

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Indescribable Gift

 

"Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words." (2 Corinthians 9:15)

A treasured gift awaited me when we got home from Florida last night. The note read:

Hi Jill,

I ran across this afghan in the cedar chest, and I thought of you. My mom Evie Powers crocheted it so many years ago. Maybe you can use it when you go camping this fall. Enjoy.

God bless,

Marie

My dear friend, Marie, is 93. The handmade afghan is special; but as a gift from a 93-year-old friend, it's is a treasure. And the fact that her mother made it makes it priceless!

In His second letter to the Corinthians, Paul thanked God for a gift too wonderful for words. The gift? The person and work of Christ — God's indescribable gift. Beloved, have you thanked God for Jesus today?

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Missing Verse

 

Periwinkle Park Camp
Sanibel Island

"He Himself will deliver you from the hunter's net, from the destructive plague." (Psalm 91:3)

When praying Psalm 91 over our family, I always forget a verse — verse three. So today, I'm rehearsing it over and over and over again. Wanna memorize it with me, beloved?

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God's Glory On the Horizon

Sanibel Island sunset

"God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon . . . That's how God's word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith." (Psalm 19:6 The Message)

And all God's people said, "Amen!"

 

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Remembering

 

Sanibel Island

". . . I remember you, I think of you through the watches of the night." (Psalm 63:6)

This week, my Phillip and I are on Sanibel Island remembering our first date 50 years ago.

Today, I'm remembering my sweet Mama on her 101st birthday.

When David was in the Desert of Judah, he remembered God:

"You, God, are my God,

earnestly I seek You;

I thirst for You,

my whole being longs for You,

in dry and parched land

where there is no water . . .

Because Your love is better then life,

my lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I live,

and in Your name I will lift up my hands . . .

On my bed I remember You;

I think of You through the watches of the night.

Because You are my help,

I sing in the shadow of Your wings."

(Psalm 63:1-6)

In a desert, beloved? Remember Jesus. Glorify Him. Praise Him. Sing in the shadow of His wings. And may the Lord turn your parched desert into a cool-watered garden.

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When Children Pray

 

Clear Creek Christian School

"Is anyone among you sick? . . . the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up . . . " (James 5:14-15)

This school picture appears typical — students, teachers, a building. What's happening in the picture, however, is exceptional. The students and teachers were praying for their principal, who was having serious surgery today. 

The doctor was very pleased with the outcome and what he said would take a miracle to happen happened. Thank You, Lord Jesus, and thank You for praying, faith-filled children.

Do you have child-like faith in Almighty God, beloved?

Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew18:3)

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Today's Chuckle

 

"A merry heart does good like medicine."  ~ Proverbs 17:22

From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere. ~ Dr. Seuss

He that is of merry heart has a continual feast. ~ Proverbs 15:15

A good laugh is sunshine in the house. ~ William Thackeray

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~ Phyllis Diller

As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul. ~ Jewish Proverb

The joy of the Lord is your strength. ~ Nehemiah 8:10)

Smile, beloved, it increases your face value. ~ unknown

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Trust

 

Mama and Daddy
1980s?

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

Now that's what I call trust — stepping into a small aircraft piloted by your husband with a smile on your face.

Beloved, our peace of mind is in direct proportion to our trust in the Lord Almighty. Jesus, take the wheel!

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Beautiful Things

my Ben, grandboys, and friends

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8 The Message)

Grandkids

Butterflies

Fishing

Wildflowers

Lightning bugs

Summer nights

Ocean waves

Hummingbirds

Holding hands

Sunsets

Waterfalls

Jesus

Just a few beautiful things for you to think about today. Have a blessed day with Jesus, beloved.

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Taste and See

 

Grandboys

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8)

According to the Moody Bible Commentary, the invitation in Psalm 34:8, in poetical terms, is to experience the goodness of the Lord. 

Beloved, my prayer is that you will experience God's goodness today, tomorrow, and in all your days to come. 

For "the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry." (Psalm 34:15)

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By Design

 

cover designer
(my Ben)

"See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." (Hebrews 8:5)

My son, Ben, has designed all but two of my book covers. Yesterday, I was fascinated watching him finalize The Window at Willow Springs cover.

The Bible is a book of design. In Genesis 1 and 2, the heavens and earth are created by God's design. In Genesis chapter 6, the ark is built according to God's detailed design. In Exodus, the tabernacle is intricately constructed according to God's heavenly design. Psalm 39, tells us that you and I were designed and made by the very hands of God.

In all that we do, beloved, let us seek God and His design.

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What Heaven's Like

Rocky, Mark, and me
Christmas 1963

"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. And they sang a new song . . . " (Revelation 5:8-9)

From soon-to-be-released The Window at Willow Springs:

The living room glowed in Christmas-tree and fire light. Mark and I sprawled on the floor with our heads stuck under the tree, looking up through the branches. It smelled like a pine forest.

Rocky walked by. “What are y’all doing?”

“Looking at the lights,” Mark said.

I scooted closer to Mark. “Come see, Rocky.”

He dropped down beside us, and we stared at the green, red, blue, and gold twinkles. The fire hissed in the fireplace.

I twirled a foil star. “Is this what heaven’s like?” 

“Whatcha mean?” Rocky asked.

“Safe and happy and beautiful with the people you love?”

He looked at me and then back at the tree. “Yeah, I think so.”

     

". . . You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation . . . Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice:

The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!

I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say:

Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

(Revelation 5:9-14)

And that, beloved, is what heaven's like.

 

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