Step by step with Him

Bring home Your children Lord!

Heal the brokenhearted Father God!

Gather the outcasts Lord!

These are just a few of the sentences in Psalm 147 that hit my heart and soul today.

I have used italics to highlight this specific scripture that brought hope and peace to me today.

Declare the words intertwined with the scripture in this blog. The word of God is a living, active spiritual weapon of warfare. Use it and know that God is with you.

“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! How beautiful it is when we sing our praises to the beautiful God, for praise makes you lovely before him and brings him great delight! Yahweh builds up Jerusalem; he gathers up the outcasts and brings them home. He heals the wounds of every shattered heart.

You know the stars by name Lord, just as you know each of us by name.

You are infinite and You are all knowing God!

He sets his stars in place, calling them all by their names. How great is our God! There’s absolutely nothing his power cannot accomplish, and he has infinite understanding of everything.

You, Lord, support and strengthen the humble. The ungodly will be brought down. Give us boldness to take each step.

Yahweh supports and strengthens the humble, but the ungodly will be brought down to the dust. Sing out with songs of thanksgiving to the Lord! Let’s sing our praises with melodies overflowing! He fills the sky with clouds, sending showers to water the earth so that the grass springs up on the mountain fields and the earth produces food for man. All the birds and beasts who cry with hunger to him are fed from his hands.

Our strength comes from You Lord, when we believe in you and Your Promises.

His people don’t find security in strong horses, for horsepower is nothing to him. Manpower is even less impressive! Yahweh shows favor to those who fear him, those who wait for his tender embrace. Jerusalem, praise the Lord! Zion, worship your God! For he has strengthened the authority of your gates.

You are the giver of peace, You send swift messengers to help on our behalf.

He even blesses you with more children. He’s the one who brings peace to your borders, feeding you the most excellent of fare. He sends out his orders throughout the world; his words run as swift messengers, bringing them to pass. He blankets the earth with glistening snow, painting the landscape with frost. Sleet and hail fall from the sky, causing waters to freeze before winter’s icy blast.

You paint the landscape with frost and beauty as You do for each of us, created in Your image.

Then he speaks his word and it all melts away; as the warm spring winds blow, the streams begin to flow.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭1‬-‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

With Your Word there is peace despite our circumstance, YOU Lord are faithful!

We need to pray for our families, communities and the world. There is no other place of mighty intercession and the strength of our Creator God than on our knees. Let us pay attention to the plank in our own eye, and give the offenses to God! We all need to repent of our human nature in unforgiveness. We must love God and love others.

Iveth Luna has an amazing supportive song, Just like Jesus! For some reason I am unable to post it here, look it up online. It was not a coincidence that it came upon my playlist.

Ladies and gentleman, take the Word of God and be bold in claiming its Powerful message. Go with God into each step. He is with you.

Father God, we praise you regardless of our circumstances. we want you to be just like Jesus. Sing to the One who made you.

Photo credit Mary Mesikapp

Lighthouse in a Storm

If our minds are racing with anxiety, worry, or fear, it is hard to hear the Voice of God! Between our personal lives, news reels, community unrest, wars and conflict, we feel overwhelmed.

The enemy of our soul wants to keep us in racing thoughts, anxiety, worry and fear. When we stay in that mindset, we are like a gerbil on a wheel. Ruminating on those unhealthy emotions leads to being stuck and cycling like the gerbil into more distress.

Joshua 23:8-11 AMP
[8] But you are to cling to the LORD your God, just as you have done to this day. [9] For the LORD has driven out great and mighty nations from before you; and as for you, no man has been able to stand [in opposition] before you to this day. [10] One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who is fighting for you, just as He promised you. [11] So be very careful and watchful of yourselves to love the LORD your God.

We must break the cycle of rumination, we can only accomplish this transformation when we submit to His authority. He awaits our step into relationship; clinging to the Lord who wants to renew our minds for a wonderful future.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Life brings crashing waves of conflict, storm clouds build into a deluge of crushing rain that seems like a curtain of darkness. The oppression may be overwhelming and yet there is a Light in the darkness. Like a lighthouse on the rocky shore, Jesus is the beacon of hope, wisdom and peace.

An amazing scripture Mark 4:35-41, shares how the disciples ( Jesus chosen friends on earth) were on the boat with Jesus who fell asleep, as a storm rose. They became fearful and awakened Him. Even though they walked with Jesus on earth, they let fear rule over trust in Jesus.

Mark 4:39- 41 NLT
39] When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. [40] Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [41] The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

We serve an amazing God who equips His children for life including stormy times. If you don’t know Jesus yet, today change that mindset.

Because He wants to be in relationship with you and bring His supernatural peace and wisdom. No matter the storm, “Peace be still”! He brings the calm.

Mark 4:39 NKJV
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Proverbs 14:30 MSG
A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

“Sound Mind”, by Melissa and Jonathon Helser, is my go-to worship song when I feel the cycle of worry or fear attempt to attach itself to my mind.

Sound Mind- Melissa Helser

Our Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, fights for us as He has promised in His Word. Cling to Him, our Lord and God! Be steadfast in seeking Him! The battle of the mind is escalating and yet those who are steadfast with Him will have victory, as will their children. Seek Him no other idol will save or bring peace. He is the God of all peace, Jehovah Shalom!

Do not become weary in doing good, He rewards those who keep His commandments. He is faithful and just to finish the work He started in us and in those we love. Glory to God!!!

Praise the Lord that he gives us a sound mind at these times! The sound mind over the spirit of fear. Go with God!

2 Thessalonians 3:13,16,18 NLT
As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. [16] Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. [18] May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Have you invited Jesus into your heart? Now is the perfect time. Pray this sinner’s prayer found at Gotquestions.com.

God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen.”

This is a reblog from May2024. One year later, the words in this blog post are even more relevant. Stick to the Creator God who knows all things and awaits your voice in relationship. Jesus is the only way to truth, peace and hope.

Photo credit by Pexels.com

Three little pigs

I’ve been pondering the children’s story, “Three Little Pigs” in the past few weeks. Initially, I would think to myself, “it’s a children’s story so how could it affect me at my age”? But then I was thinking about the story within the story.

Here we have three little pigs, all trying to figure out how to build their houses in such a way that they are noticed and protected. Each pig chooses a certain material product to bring structure to their home.

One pig chooses straw to build his home and feels pretty proud about himself that it will be a solid place for him to live. The second pig built his house on sticks.

The third pig built his house from bricks and it took much longer for him to establish his home. The other two pigs thought he was pretty stupid and actually probably laughed at him for taking the time and putting in the extra effort for his home.

Then, we have the big bad wolf, a selfish, mean character who just wants to taunt and eat the pigs. Is this no different than the devil or the evil spirits that tend to try to direct our lives?

You see the big bad wolf is almost like those negative headspace words or those people are telling us that we should live like the world or, the idol that can entrap us whether or not it’s comparison trapping or whether it’s materialism, gets us so much in debt. The voice in our head that wants us to feel despair and hopeless.

The first two pigs freak out and their houses are destroyed as the big wolf ultimately blows down two houses. The third pig ends up being actually the one with a house built in bricks, kind of like the foundation of living our lives with God,the foundation in the rock.

There’s an amazing similarity between scripture:

Matthew 7:21-29 NLT
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [22] On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ [23] But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ [24] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. [27] When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” [28] When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29] for he taught with real authority-quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

We can establish ourselves with a relationship with Jesus, who is the rock can take time because we have to put our own selfish thoughts aside while we take time to get to know the one who made us. And in the end, the foundation established on the rock Jesus ends up being the most solid foundation we could ever find.

The third pig actually is the wisest because he use the tools of wisdom and strength to make his fortress strong. We need to choose Jesus for the same future.

So today when you’re pondering about life and choices and where you place your trust and who you get your wisdom from, it’s my hope that maybe you reconsider the story of the three little pigs. It’s relevant story for people of any age.

Build your home and your heart and your mind and your soul on the solid foundation of the rock of Jesus. The time and effort you put into that will affect the steps of your life. And in the end, just like that third pig, it will be worth it. You’ll be living, with more peace, more wisdom, and the rock, Jesus, will give you the wisdom for every step you take.

I hope you enjoy this song from Lauren Daigle, Love Like This, it’s been a song that has impacted me years ago. And today when I heard it again, it reminded me of the importance of the love we get from our Father God. We haven’t done anything to deserve His love, and yet Jesus freely gives unconditional love, wisdom for life, and grace in the midst of our messes. May God richly bless your day.

Love like this— Lauren Daigle

Pexels photo credit

Mighty Army

His goodness is at hand, do not become weary, He will provide, we are His daughters ( from the Complete Jewish Bible).

No matter what it looks like with our eyes, God is faithful! And this scripture, Psalm 68:10-12 was such a blessing to me today.

Between the hurricanes of North Carolina, and the fires of California, distractions, a bound of earthly tragedy.

Our hope must come from God alone. No matter what our eyes may see, I am a daughter of the King and so are you. Or perhaps you are a son of the King. The king is Jesus!

James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

So pray for our nation, and for those who are in the midst of tragedy. In this world, we have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world, and it gives us the ability to rise above any tragedy when we are His child and walking as His children.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Self-sufficient: Rest is possible

Are you tired? Do you need rest? Are you striving for peace but feel like an ADHD human, unable to be still? Is your task list overwhelming each day?

Hebrews 4:1-7,11-16 NLT
God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

You can access the only One who can prepare your rest. That was Gods plan, in the beginning, to have an amazing loving relationship with His son and daughter, Adam and Eve. But the sin of pride, took both humans created in His image from the garden of Eden, there was a consequence. They didn’t listen to God to stay away from the tree of knowledge.

2] For this good news-that God has prepared this rest-has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. [3] For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,'” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.

4] We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” [5] But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.” [6] So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.

God gave another chance through David, but even though he was a man after Gods own heart, he sinned in an adulterous relationship and murdered a man.

Hardened hearts make it hard to follow God. Unfortunately, this is the same problem in our lives.

7] So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

God wants to give us rest, we must follow His ways, because He knows what is best for us, He loves us. David did not have the luxury of a Bible to follow the wisdom of God. I’m grateful we can learn from the lives before us. Choices, mistakes, consequences, unconditional love, Grace, mercy, forgiveness are shown in the stories written in scripture.

11] So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

We all fall from perfection as humans, but God gives us His Word which is all powerful, it cuts between soul and spirit and exposes our fleshy nature.

12] For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. [13] Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Even knowing we are created in the Image of God and with sinful potential, God sent His Son, Jesus as the bridge for our relationship with our Father God. What an amazing gift of grace, freely given to us, His children. Jesus is the High Priest of heaven.

14] So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. [15] This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Don’t be afraid to bend your knee and ask Jesus to be the authority in your life. He loves you so much that He died a sinners death on the cross. We need Him.

16] So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

So are you weary, tired of doing life alone? Call out to Jesus, allow Him to transform your life.

Jesus talked to His Father in scripture about being willing to help His children. Our burdens can be so exhausting, but Jesus wants to help you carry the load and bring you wisdom from God.

Matthew 11:27-30 NLT
“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” [28] Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

When my kids were little someone exposed me to Scripture Lullabies, a wonderful musical artist that combines scripture and music. “I will never leave you” is one of my favorites. You don’t need to be an infant to enjoy this song and the truth of God’s love that is unconditional for each of us.

I will never leave you Scripture Lullabies

We truly can’t do life alone. Being self sufficient has an endpoint. Let Jesus carry you!

Photo credit by Mary Mesikapp

Stars

Coming soon to the heavens and nighttime skies near you, cosmic connection of planets in a row. I can’t wait to see this amazing light show.

According to earthsky.org , “in January 2025 there are four bright planets – and two faint planets – in the evening sky. Yup. They’re arrayed in a line across the sky”. Many other astronomy experts including NASA, support this premise.

I’m not sure about you, but I sure hope in my state, the clouds will not obscure an opportunity to view this amazing site of planets and stars.

The Creator God, Himself spoke all things into existence, scripture supports this truth.

Psalm 33:4-9 NLT
For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. [5] He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. [6] The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.

Even Genesis, the first book of the Bible describes, God made the lands and the seas.

Psalm 33: [7] He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. [8] Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. [9] For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.

Just as God made the heavens and earth, the skies and the stars, God made you, Perfect in His image for great purpose.

As we begin the year 2025, meditate on the fact a new year brings great new possibilities. Forget 2024 , looking back at the mistakes or challenges, but look forward in 2025. God will be working in your life if you let Him guide.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

It is not where you start, but where you finish that matters the most. You are His Masterpiece. Trust Him ( God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) by receiving His free gift of grace and mercy.

Change the trajectory of your life. Stop listening to the lies of the enemy.

James 4:6-10 NLT
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [7] So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

What is described in James 4: 8 -10, is an explanation of repentance and surrendering your life to God.

9] Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

God has good plans, a hope and a future. But we must seek Him wholly for He is holy!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [12] In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Welcome in a new life 2025. Time is wasting. Time is now!

Photo credit by pixels.com

Horses and faith : Doing life

We have an eight year old gelding and a 25-year-old gelding, observing their relationship over the past six weeks has brought me amazing insights into many things emotional and spiritual.

Horses are the most amazing animals. They’re huge and could be scary to some people. Yet they are able to calm humans who have had trauma or need emotional support.

Horses are mentioned throughout scripture. God must have loved horses, He made them with a sense of understanding human emotion. I have experienced this personally and I know many therapeutic horse riding facilities exist because of the horse/ human connection which calms people.

Horses are animals who love relationship and yet they also love time alone. When one horse is tired and chooses to lay down the other horse stands at attention and is on duty against predators.They have each other‘s back basically.

It reminds me of our relationship with God, our Jesus! Jesus wants to be in relationship with us as people created in His image. He, Jesus, at times, would step aside and be with God ( as at Gethsamane) and yet Jesus, also loved community. Jesus is our protector and our comfort.

Just as a horse doesn’t prefer being alone we don’t prefer being alone. There needs to be a herd leader in a horses pasture. There needs to be a leader in our walk with Jesus, and it can’t be us.

Psalm 59:16-17 NLT
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. [17] O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

The leader of the herd is the one that the others follow for safety and for survival. The leader of the herd provides a wall of protection against others who may want to hurt.

Is Jesus not an amazing refuge, our leader and shelter for us in stormy and challenging times? Yet our relationship with Jesus can bring peace and happiness when we spend time in His presence. Horses are no different, they bring similar calming emotion.

As I watched our gelding horses share a drink of fresh water, I thought how much more happiness I have in sharing life with Jesus. His living water brings refreshment, restoration and fills me with liquid joy.

Psalm 16:11 AMP
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Just as horses need a herd, we need a community of faith to sharpen us in truth and bring His wisdom.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

My fellow Christian’s friends in life, in community and on this blog community bring a joy and love that reflects the love of Jesus to me!

I am grateful to all the amazing interconnections by my God that encourage and nurture daily life.

Psalm 20:7 AMP
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, But we will remember and trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Broken yet set free

Did you know your broken pieces can be used to bring glory to God? Did you know that Jesus came to set you free?

2 Corinthians 4:5-10 NLT
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Did you know none of us has it all together? Did you know you don’t have to walk alone? Did you know the One who created you is your Father God? Did you know even if a human father has not been the best example you still have a Creator Father whose spark was at your conception? He longs to have relationship with you, however, He will not force this relationship, He gives you free will to choose Him.

Did you know our broken pieces can be used for amazing things? Each of us has a story to tell of our life and the faithfulness of God. The devil would want us to give up. But God wants us to trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

We can experience the joy of a relationship with Jesus. His peace happens when we reach out to our Creator God.

Did you know there is a triune God? The triune God : our Creator; God the Father, His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!

We get to experience Him when we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior! When we repent of our stupid human sins and let Him direct our lives, our broken pieces are put back together for His glory to shine through our lives.

[8] We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. [9] We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. [10] Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

His amazing grace is available, and His mercy requires your submission; heart, mind and soul to His plans.

Do you want to be set free of the brokenness and be used for His God given purpose? We are not promised a smooth life after we ask Jesus into it, however, we are promised He will not abandon us. Our faith in Him brings endurance and hope regardless of the trial.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

The song “Broken vessels” by Taya and Hillsong powerfully impacted me today!

Broken Vessels Hillsong Worship

What are you holding onto that has become an idol but cannot save you? Material things will not last. But faith in Jesus is eternal and can change the trajectory of not only your life but the lives of generations to come.

His grace saved the wretch in me. He comes to bring you a new life with Him. Don’t let the enemy take what God has planned for you. He will use the broken places and seal the cracks into an amazing masterpiece of His creation; you are loved, chosen, made in His image.

God wants to be your everything. Call out His Name, Jesus!

“Jesus, I need you, please forgive me of my sins, I repent and turn from anything that has blocked my relationship with you. I want to know You,Jesus! I fix my eyes on You and teach me Your ways. Thank you for loving me! I give you permission to direct my life. Thank you for giving me a new life with you! I choose you, Jesus, in You Name, Amen!”

He has better plans for you, let Him direct your life. Seek your Creator Today!!

Hey grapes…He is the Vine.

Fall harvest brings an abundant crop of grapes soon to be crushed and processed to wine. This photograph is breathtaking and shows a vineyard ready to be harvested. Solid soil, abundant rain and water through irrigation, delicate care and time produce an earthly blessing.

John 15:1-10 MSG
“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. [4] “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

We are created in the Image of God for great purposes. At our conception, the spark of light shows God is there. He is the Vine, we are the branches as in a vineyard. We need Him to guide our lives.

John 15:5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is-when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. [9-10] “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done-kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

God wants to be an integral part of our life. He loves you, period! He wants to fill us with His wisdom to guide and protect His precious child. In the case of this photo of grapes ready to harvest, my dear friend explained that when the grapes are ripened, birds, coyotes, fox and rabbits will steal the finished product before wine can be produced. ( It is not much different for each of us, there are distractions and others who don’t want you to achieve God’s purposes). The white pouches in the photo of grapes are a protection from the potential loss of this valued crop.

We are no different to our Vinedresser, Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. He gives us free will to take the umbrella protection of His love and use the wisdom to bring a productive purpose filled life. We have the potential for great things, however, we must bend our knee and turn our will over to the One who made us, God.

I love the simplicity in His love. I have been reading an awesome book, Finding God’s Life for my will. Here is an excerpt:

I love how Mike Donehey, Author of “Finding God’s life for My will” and musical artist with Tenth Ave. North explained this concept. We need to find God’s Life for our will.

We need to let God transform the broken parts of our life, we need Him. He moves toward us in love.

The power to transform us is in Him!

He is the Vine and we must allow Him to tend our lives as a farmer tends the grapes in a vineyard. You are His treasure. Let Him bring His solid ground wisdom ( He is the Rock), may you allow Him to pour His Living Water into the cracked places. The time is today to make an eternal change. May you find peace and purpose as you let Him transform your life today.

Harvest

There’s something about the fall that brings about a sense of deeper purpose. I live in an area where there’s lots of harvesting whether it’s corn or alfalfa or wheat.

It’s a time of moving forward. It’s a time for the farmers to see the fruit of their labor in the production of those crops: corn, alfalfa, wheat, and even sugar beets. These crops are needed for so many different things. They are needed for sustaining life on the food chain.

The Lord created our earth, its crops in the beginning and forever. Our God provides us with what we need for life. Our God provides people with the capacity to share their gifts in farming and ranching for the benefit of His people.

Luke 10 remind us, the harvest is great, and the workers are few.

Luke 10:2 NLT
These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.

This message is true of farmers/ranchers and also, of those who share the message of love and Jesus with others. It is because of our love for Jesus that we share not in judgment but because we are called by God to love like Him.

Sometimes, I find myself on a two lane country road, slowly following a huge tractor, harvest truck or other farming heavy equipment. I am learning not to fuss about the delay in my journey. It gives me a moment to pause and consider the work of a farmer/ rancher raising livestock. It’s hard work, lots of time committed.

The next time you’re on a farming two lane road and wanting to pass a farmer and a tractor or a huge truck that’s bringing crops to be weighed for use give those guys a smile and be patient.

We also have to remember the importance of guarding ourselves from the stuff we value. The simplicity of farming and ranching cannot be under estimated.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 AMP
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction, [13] and [we ask that you appreciate them and] hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work [on your behalf]. Live in peace with one another.

A farmer and ranchers work blesses all of us. Thank you God for your provision and for them.