A Weekly Walk in the Word

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.

Have you ever been on vacation or traveling for work and at the end of your trip, all you want is to be home? To sleep in your own bed?  Eat a home cooked meal?  To be with your family?

This week I will be launching my blog from an airport. Minnesota has been hit with yet another snow storm causing my flight home to be delayed twice. I long to be home.

I also long to be home with my Heavenly Father. This world seems to be spinning out of control. But I know that in my father’s house there is peace. There is comfort. There I will be home.  I will arrive in God’s perfect timing without any delays!

James 5:13  Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

It is spring. The robins have arrived! I counted 18 of them in our backyard this morning. The sight of these red breasted plump birds roosting in the trees is really something to see. But, even better is the song they sing. Walking onto our deck at sunrise with my cup of coffee is like walking into a concert hall. Each of the robins and every other bird in the neighborhood is singing as they move freely from one tree to another. Who knew a creature this small could sing so loudly!

It is spring. The robins have arrived! But, the spring weather has not yet arrived. It is ten degrees outside, snow on the ground with a forecast of six inches of snow this afternoon. Not ideal weather for a bird who has just moved north to nest and lay her eggs. Still, she sings a song.

We can all learn a lot from the birds in my backyard. The next time your life is not ideal, instead of grumbling, sing a song of praise. God is with you, always!

Luke 24:1-8  On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead” He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

Where are you looking to find the living Lord Jesus?

He is risen.

He is risen indeed.

Alleluia!

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the word are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Lions capture most of their prey through the element of surprise. A lion will patiently hide in a thicket until the expecting prey passes by….. then they pounce. If the prey senses the lion laying low ready to pounce….. then they flee and the lion will go away hungry. Most prey can out run a lion.

Peter warns of a lion waiting in the thicket to devour you. But, if you are alert and sense the lion lingering near, you can run. Run to the open arms of Jesus who will protect you from the devil’s tactics.