A Weekly Walk in the Word

Philippians 4:4-7  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

How do you rejoice when your world is falling apart? When you receive one piece of bad news after another?

I have had one of those weeks….  God’s ways are not the ways of this world. When I want to scream, God tells me not to worry, and remain calm. WHAT?!  This is so much easier to say than to live. So, I will move forward with gentleness as I draw near to God in prayer. Because I am not strong enough to carry the weight of the world, but God is!

This week and always, may God grant you peace which transcends all understanding as we rejoice in His love for us.

Ephesians 6:1-4  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor our father and mother” -which is the first commandment with a promise- “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. You all have an incredibly important job. Thank you for all you do for your families and for God’s family.

At one of my first jobs, a coworker’s oven had quit working. She asked me who I would call for repair work. I remember thinking that was the silliest question ever. Of course I would call my dad. He can fix anything. Doesn’t everyone call their dad when things go wrong?

I have been blessed with the most amazing dad. Not only is he handy, but there is nothing he wouldn’t do for me or my three sisters. He has always been there for me.

I have also been blessed with the most amazing heavenly father. He is there for me when things go wrong, and cheering me on when things go right. He will never leave me.

Take time today to thank your dad and your heavenly father for all the love and support they give you.

Happy Father’s Day Dad – you truly are the best!

John 21:5-11 Jesus called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. then the disciples who Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

The men in the boat listened to Jesus. Not only did they listen to Jesus, they acted on what Jesus instructed them to do. As crazy as it was, they dropped their nets to the other side of the boat. Their small act of obedience landed them a net overflowing with fish.

In her book The Magnolia Story Joanna Gaines heard God say, “If you trust me with your dreams, I will take them further than you could have ever imagined.”

What is God asking of you? There is no need to fear. When you step out in obedience, God will provide more than you could have ever imagined.

Genesis 9:13-16  I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth.

Minnesota received a much needed rain last week. Following the rain, came an amazing full rainbow that covered the evening sky with its brilliant colors! The internet was flooded with pictures of this beautiful rainbow.

God made a promise to Noah and to all people many years ago to never flood the earth to destroy all life. It will rain and it will flood, but not to the extent of Noah’s flood. God will stop the rains before the waters raise to that level. And then, He will send a rainbow as a reminder of His covenant.

You will experience rainy seasons in your life. Your circumstances may become dark and cloudy. Be patient as you trust God’s timing. He will send a rainbow of light back into your life.

The next time you see a rainbow. Instead of looking down for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, look up to the creator. The one who placed the rainbow in the sky as a covenant of love between you and Him.

Matthew 24:6-8  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of the birth pains.

Do you know anyone currently serving in the military? Say a prayer of protection for them.

Do you know anyone who previously served in the military? Say a prayer of praise for their service to our country.

Do you know anyone who lost their life while serving in the military? Say a prayer for their family as they live every day with that loss.

God is in control. Even during the ugly parts of life – war, famines and earthquakes – God is in control. His plan is bigger than we can understand, which is why He warns us of the ugly. War is necessary at times, but oh so ugly and hard to understand. Every person who serves is a part of God’s plan.

Thank you for your service.

Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

This weekend I found my Grandma Grace’s bible given to her in 1921 by her Sunday School teacher, along with “Het Boek Der Psalmen. Which was her book of Psalm written to music – in Dutch. What a treasure!

Summertime gets busy with weddings, graduations, vacations, yard work, and the extra cleaning from the dirt that gets dragged in the house. With all that happens in the summer, it is easy to take a vacation from God’s word. But, that would be a huge mistake.

God’s word has been lighting paths for years. It’s message is as relevant today as it was when my grandma was reading it in 1921.

What will God reveal in his word to you this week?

Luke 1:13-15  Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Yesterday was the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Which is said to be “the greatest two minutes in sports”. The field was open to 20 horses, with a purse of $2 million. People from all over the world were placing bets on their favorite horse in hopes of winning big money. As the bugler announces the beginning of the race, the anticipation grows. Who will be this year’s big winner?

As you run your race in life, know that God has placed a high wager on you. He placed his son, Jesus into this cruel world to run along side you. You don’t know where your race will take you or how it will end, but find comfort in knowing that you are not running alone. I am placing my bet on you this week! When you run life’s race with Jesus, you will be a winner as you cross the finish line to cheers of thousands who have gone before you.

1 Corinthians 3:10-12  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

It is building season in the Midwest. Houses are popping up faster than the perennials in my flower beds. I have always dreamed of building a new house, but all of the decisions associated with that process overwhelm me. I tend to be drawn to the older homes and the process of restoring those beauties back to their original grandeur. No matter the age or style of the home you choose, they all begin with a foundation. A solid foundation is crucial in any building project.

The foundation of your faith life is Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone and architect of your faith. What materials will you use to build your Christian life on the foundation that has been set for you? You aren’t going to want to cut any corners in this build. Be deliberate and choose well. You are God’s temple. Build it wisely!

2 Corinthians 5:17  When anyone is joined to Christ, he is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

Today we celebrate Earth Day throughout our nation. A week ago, we had 14 inches of snow on the ground. It felt like spring and warmer weather would never arrive in Minnesota. Today, most of the snow has melted and I am discovering green plants popping through the dirt everywhere in my yard.

God is good!

Just when you are about to give up, Christ shows up. He is alive! He can be seen in the green spring plants, in the hug of a friend, in the smile of a stranger, in the helping hand of a neighbor.

Celebrate Earth Day by helping others to see Christ is alive and at work here on earth.