Writing On Eagles Wings

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” – Psalm 16:11

I remember hearing people say that they could never be a Christian because that meant that their lives would be dull and boring. My assumption was that the “dull and boring” supposedly would happen once sin was not a part of one’s life. This way of thinking is based upon the belief that in order for one’s life to be exciting, it has to be free to engage in sinful activities.

I have been a Christian for a long time, and I have never found my life to be “dull and boring.” In fact, my life has been pretty amazing! I have a husband who has been faithful and true to me for more than forty years. I have been blessed with two children, who brought me great joy in life (as well as a few heartaches now and then). Now they are grown, successful, and have given me three amazing grandchildren to love and cherish. I have had blessed careers, first as a nurse, then a teacher, and now a writer. I have a church family that loves the Lord, and we serve Him together in many different and exciting ministries. I have traveled to many different places in the world, seeing the wonders of God’s creation up close. I’ve seen whales, bears, redwood trees, erupting volcanoes, and majestic waterfalls, to name just a few! I have walked in the footsteps of Jesus, experiencing the wonders of the land of Israel firsthand. I have strolled through the temple mount in Jerusalem, stood on the Mount of Olives, and sailed on the Sea of Galilee. I have been on the grounds of the synagogue in Capernaum where Jesus taught, and I have been swimming in both the Dead Sea and the Red Sea! My life has been anything BUT dull and boring!

I cannot list all the amazing experiences God has blessed me with throughout my life, and these are not anything compared to what God has planned for my future!! One day, He will call me home to heaven where there will be eternal joys of which I cannot even begin to conceive of at this time. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Dull and boring? I think not!

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth every need
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet
I am free, yes, free indeed!
 
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

(from “Joy Unspeakable” by Barney Warren)

“…I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

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There is nothing more exciting than living life with Jesus!

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

As a child, I remember several occasions in which I would be attempting to do something complicated, but without having much success. Stubbornly, when my mother or father offered to help, I would refuse their aid, stating defiantly, “I can do it myself!” I never could. Eventually, I would humbly seek one of my parents for their assistance to complete whatever task was at hand.

Sometimes I am the same way with God. In today’s verse, the disciples lamented to Jesus that there was no way a man could get to heaven, and He basically told them that it was God who provided the way for man to get to heaven. There was no work a man could do that would merit his entrance into the presence of God. It could only happen through Christ Himself.

• Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
• Titus 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

For man to think he can earn his way into heaven is erroneous and prideful. Mankind cannot do anything to make himself “good enough” to go to heaven. Isaiah 64:6 states, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Jesus Himself stated in John 14:6 that there was no other way to God but through Him. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The disciples were right to be concerned, but upon hearing that God had provided the way, they could rejoice knowing that what God had promised, He would do.

One way God said to get to Heaven,
Jesus is the only way.
One way to reach those pearly mansions,
Jesus is the only way.
No other way, no other way,
No other way to go.
One way God said to get to Heaven,
Jesus is the only way.

(from “One Way” – author unknown)

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” – Romans 11:6

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God’s gift of eternal life  in heaven is just a prayer away!

“And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.” – Genesis 9:16

Whenever I see a rainbow, it thrills me! I love to see the spectrum of colors arcing across the sky. Sometimes, I even see a faint double rainbow above the first!

I can only imagine how Noah and his family must have felt when they stepped out of the ark and witnessed the first rainbow in the clouds. How beautifully the colors must have been in a bright blue expanse purified by the rain! And then when God gave His reason for the rainbow, what a moment that must have been. From then on, every time Noah saw a rainbow, he must have marveled at the goodness of God.

These days, it is good to know that I serve a God who keeps His promises! Hundreds of years have passed since Noah saw that first rainbow, and the Lord has always kept His Word. He has never broken one single promise, and because of that, I have the assurance that He never will. Therefore, when I read His promises in the Bible, I know without a doubt they will come to pas

There are so many promises that God has given in the Bible. Here is a sampling of a few that I am reminded of each time I see HIS RAINBOW in the sky.

• H – Heaven
  • Ephesians 2:5-6 – “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
• I – Iniquity Forgiven
  • Exodus 34:7 – “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”
• S – Salvation
  • Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• R – Receive Us
  • John 14:3 – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
• A – Always With Us
  • Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
• I – Inheritance Incorruptible
  • I Peter 1:4-5 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
• N – Needs are met
  
  • Philippians 4:19 – “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
• B – Blessings
  • Proverbs 28:20 – “A faithful man shall abound with blessings…”
• O – Overcome
  • Revelation 3:5 – “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
• W – Wisdom
  • James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

In one promise to Noah, God has promised me everything!

Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
 
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

(from “Standing on the Promises” by Russell Kelso Carter)

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:20-21

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God is faithful to always keep His Word.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

Before Jesus left earth to return to heaven, He gave us a job to do. One verse that records His directive is Mark 16:15. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

There are a myriad of ways a person can share the gospel of Christ. For me, I aspire to share Christ through my novels, my blog, and various ministries at my church. There is nothing that thrills my soul more than leading someone to Christ. However, there is one person that was so challenging to me that I became “weary,” and my efforts to share with her the gospel waned.

I was 12 years old when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. I was so excited about it that I told anyone who would listen to me. My mother was the one I most wanted to tell. She had been raised in Japan as a Shintoist, and I desperately wanted her to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour. I spoke to my mom countless times, explaining as best I could of how Jesus was God’s Son who came to earth to take the punishments for everyone’s sin. I explained how He died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world. I explained about the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection, and I quoted verses like John 3:16 and Romans 10:31. Through all of our discussions (quite one-sided, I might add), my mother listened politely, but she never made a decision to trust Christ.

As I grew into adulthood, our conversations about salvation were less frequent, and truth be told, I had little hope that my mom would ever trust Christ as her Saviour. When my mother was in her 50s, she developed some very serious health issues and was in and out of the hospital. On more than one occasion, she had come close to dying. I was afraid she would die without Christ, and I wrestled with the Holy Spirit as He prompted me repeatedly to share Christ with my mother one more time. I agonized over what to say, afraid that my mom would reject both Jesus and me. Finally, I could resist God no longer.

As I walked into the hospital, I seriously doubted my mom would accept Christ, but I had no rest in my soul, and I knew I wouldn’t have it unless I obeyed God. So, with a deep breath, I entered her room. As always, she was happy to see me, and we initially chatted about trivial things. I was so uncomfortable with what I knew I had to do. I had witnessed to my mom for years without any results. Perhaps part of me was afraid this would be her last chance to accept Christ, and I feared this conversation would end as all the others.

But it wasn’t. This time, when I shared the story of God’s amazing love, my mother listened, and then she made the decision to accept Christ’s forgiveness and trust Him as her Saviour. By the time she had finished her simple prayer for salvation, tears were streaming down both of our faces. Hers were from the realization that she was now a child of God, sins forgiven and would one day live forever with Him in heaven. Mine were from the immense gratitude I had for my Lord, shame at my lack of faith, and awe at how He worked in my mom’s heart. After all these years, He answered my prayer, even when my faith had dwindled to near-non-existence. I was greatly humbled as I remembered Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Why this long story about my mother? Because it took more than 25 years before my mother made her decision for Christ, and it took me just as long to realize that God’s timeline is not the same as mine. If we persevere, we will see results. How do I know this? Because that’s what today’s verse is all about. I experienced it with my mother as well as in other occasions in my life. The Bible tells us that “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Don’t give up on someone just because they don’t respond immediately to your witness for Christ. Keep praying for them; keep showing them Jesus through your own life, and keep believing. We are called to be the laborers for the Lord, but He is the one who is responsible for the harvest. “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2) If you are faithful to your work for Him, He will be faithful to answer.

In His time, in His time
He makes all things beautiful in his time
Lord please show me everyday
As you’re teaching me your way
That you do just what you say in your time
 
In your time, in your time
You make all things beautiful in your time
Lord my life to you I bring
May each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing in your time

(from “In His Time” – author unknown)

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7

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Have you almost given up on someone? Listen carefully. Maybe God is calling you to share Jesus with them one more time.

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” – Psalm 119:114

When I was a young child, there were times when sounds in the middle of the night would  frighten me. I would imagine all sorts of things as the cause, and to protect myself, I would pull the blankets on my bed up over my head. I suppose I hoped that if there was anything to be feared lurking in the shadows, it wouldn’t find me under the covers, and I would be safe.

I am an adult now, yet sometimes odd noises in the darkness of night make me pause, and my heart quickens just a bit as I ponder what it could be. I no longer hide under the blankets on my bed. Instead, I seek solace from another safe haven. I rely on verses of the Bible that I have memorized over the years. Some are Scriptures that I learned as a child in Sunday school, while others are verses that I have come across as recently as the past week.

God’s Word is truly a refuge for me. Whether I run to the Bible because I am fearful of my safety, apprehensive of situations I cannot control, or feel the oppression of forces in the spiritual realm, I know that the Scriptures will provide all I need to feel safe and secure. Why?  Because they reassure me of how much God loves me and promises to care for me.

Here are just a few fearful circumstances and some of the verses upon which I depend for inner peace.

• Nighttime Noises
  • Psalm 4:8 – “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
• Health Issues
  • 2 Corinthians 12: 8 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
• Financial Woes
  • Philippians 4:19 – “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
• Personal Direction
  • Psalm 23:3 – “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
• Spiritual Understanding
  • Psalm 119:130 – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
• Uncertainty of the future
  • Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD< thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

The Bible tells us that we need not allow fear to overwhelm us because God is always with us, and He never fails us. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) No matter what the future holds, we can be assured that God Himself holds tomorrow in His hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead
 
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

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As a child, I ran to my father whenever I was afraid. As an adult, I run to my heavenly Father, who is faithful to love and protect me.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

In what or whom do you place your trust? Some people place their trust in money or education or people. There are many other things that one’s trust can be place into, and here are a few examples and the problems with putting one’s trust in them.

Science – People have put their trust in science for centuries. One of the beliefs that science supported was the concept of spontaneous generation. This belief, that life could begin “just because” was upheld by scientists for hundreds of years. It was proven to be false. When I was in high school, science taught me about the nine planets in our solar system. Today, there are only eight. Hmm… how many planets are there really? Trusting science has been proven to be undependable.

Government – There was a time when people believed the government was nearly infallible. Decisions were made for the good of the people and the nation. Today, there is conflict between those very people that have been elected to represent us. What one political faction believes is right one day, the next day they vehemently oppose it. Political figures are known for speaking falsehoods, and many times it is merely to promote their own agendas. Placing one’s trust in the government is not the wisest thing to do.

Money – Many people place their trust in the economy. Clearly, those in 1929 had grossly misjudged where to put their trust as they faced the onset of global depression when the stock market crashed. Today, the value of the dollar vacillates daily. There is no guarantee that the money you have today will be worth anything tomorrow.

Misplaced trust can spell disaster for individuals. So in whom or what should our trust be placed? Trust should be placed in that which has proven itself to be trustworthy. There is only one sure place to put our trust. That is in God.

Throughout all time, God has never lied. He has never had to rewrite His Word due to an error. He has never misrepresented Himself. Here are just a few verses in the Bible that tell us why God is trustworthy.

• Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
• Psalm 33:4 – “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”
• Psalm 18:30 – “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
• John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
• John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

There are many other verses in the Scriptures that speak of God’s trustworthiness. He has always kept His Word, and He always speaks truth because He is truth. God is the only One in whom you can and should place your complete trust.

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

(from “Trusting Jesus” by Edgar Page)

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” –  2 Samuel 22:31

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Putting your trust in God will never disappoint you!

“O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.” – Nehemiah 1:11

Every so often, a little self-examination is a good thing. It helps identify areas of strength as well as areas of weakness. Today, I’ve chose to examine my prayer life. Prayer is my lifeline to God; it is what keeps me connected to Him in a very real and personal way. My communication with Him is essential to our relationship, so taking time to evaluate the viability of my prayer life is critical. To do this, I must  assess myself according to what the Bible establishes as the criteria for sincere and effective prayer. By asking questions of myself and honestly answering them, I will get a good picture of where I stand (or kneel) in regard to prayer.

• Colossians 4:2 – “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”
  • Do I devote myself to prayer? Is it a priority in my life?
• Acts 6:4 – “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
  • How much attention to do give to prayer? How much thought is behind the words I speak? Is it rote or heartfelt?
• James 4:2 – “…yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”
  • Is prayer essential to me? Do I view prayer as a vital part of my Christian walk? Do I depend upon God to meet my needs, or do I depend upon myself?
• Romans 12:12 – “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
  • Do I pray regardless of the situation? In good times or bad times, do I pray equally?
• James 1:6 – “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
  • Do I trust God will respond to my prayers? Do I have the faith of a mustard seed?
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
  • Am I in an attitude of prayer throughout the day? Am I able to converse with God no matter the place or time?
• Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
  • Do I really believe God will answer me?
• 1 John 5:14-15 – “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
  • Do I pray according to His will? Do I have faith knowing God will, not just believing that God can?
• 1 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
  • Do I recognize to whom I am praying? Is my heart humble before my Creator?
• John 14:13 – “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
  • Do I remember that my access to God comes only through His Son, Jesus?
• Hebrews 13:15 – “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
  • Do I remember to thank God for all He has done for me?

The answers generated by these questions help me target areas of weakness in my prayer life. With His help, I will become a strong and effective prayer warrior, having the faith to go before my Father in heaven with anything and everything on my heart, knowing He will answer according to His perfect will.

Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor,
As a shield today?

O how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day;
So when life seems dark and dreary,
Don’t forget to pray.

(from “Did You Think to Pray?” by Mary A. Kidder and William O. Perkins)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6

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Prayer touches the heart of God.

“Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” – Jeremiah 32:17

I suppose my prayer life is about the same as anyone else’s. And like many people, my prayers are often filled with requests for God to act in various ways. Prayers for healing, spiritual direction, financial needs, revival in our nation, friends and family, and lost loved ones often monopolize my time in prayer.  However, every now and then, my prayers are so vastly different that I wonder if these exceptions in my prayer life should be my norm.

The other day as I prayed, the enormity of who God is and who I am, overwhelmed me. My heart was filled with such immense gratitude that the Creator of the universe, the One who designed the intricacies of the cell, the Lord who spoke everything into existence would care about me. All I could do was praise Him and thank Him for His goodness toward me.

I realize that I am a sinner; I understand that I am unworthy, etc., but for whatever reason, at that moment, I REALLY was impacted with my unworthiness before the only One who is worthy. Immediately, my heart was filled with an overflowing gratitude. Gratitude that God Himself found something worthwhile in me and reached out to save me from my unworthiness and my sinful state by sending His Son, Jesus, to be my Saviour. All I wanted to do was offer a prayer filled with worship and praise!

And then, my innermost being began to question, “Why?” Why care for me when He knew exactly how my life would be played out? Why did He bother creating me? He knew I would disappoint Him time after time, yet… He chose to create me! Why?

In the overall scheme of things, I am really not very different from the average person. I am not “up there” with individuals that have inspired me in my Christian life. Women like Corrie ten Boom or Elisabeth Elliot. Please do not mistake this for a lack of understanding about how we are all the same in the eyes of God. I totally get that, but in terms of service, my acts, while important, are not the same in the eyes of my flawed humanity as those of Fanny Crosby or Amy Carmichael. I know I do things that please God, and I understand that He values my service to Him. In those areas of service to which I believe God has called me, I have tried to be faithful and do my best for Him, hoping that one day, I will hear Him say, “Well done.”

Yet, the question my heart continues to cry out is “Why?” Why does God continue to work on me as an individual? He knows all my faults, my flaws, and even my moments of disobedience and rebellion. Why does He keep on working on me?

I believe the answer can be found in verses like Jeremiah 1:5, which tells us, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” and Jeremiah 31:3, which states, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

I cannot conceive of that kind of love. It is completely incomprehensible to me. But it does answer the question of “Why?” Accepting God’s love doesn’t mean I have to know anything more than what He tells me through His Word. I don’t have to know the reasons why He loves me; I just have to believe He does. And I do. He proved it at Calvary. That’s good enough for me.

From now on, when I pray, it will be with a much more worshipful heart and a grateful spirit!

Let’s just praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let’s just lift our hands to heaven
And praise the Lord
Let’s just praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let’s just lift our hands to heaven
And praise the Lord!

(from “Let’s Just Praise the Lord” by Bill and Gloria Gaither)

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” – Revelation 4:11

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May my prayers always be filled with praise and worship to the Lord!