Never Alone: God With Us

Do you have a favorite Psalm?

I actually have two – Psalms 23 and 139.

Psalm 23 by King David is short enough to memorize, and yet, in just six verses, we have powerful and reassuring truths that comfort countless believers to this day.

The Psalm begins this way:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want . . .¹

He is our shepherd and we are the Savior’s sheep.

Never alone

If you know anything about sheep, they’re very dependent animals.

They need the guidance of a shepherd to help keep them safe.

Like sheep, we too can easily be led astray without our Shepherd to guide us.

We may feel confident in our own strength, but it’s only through Jesus that we can have eternal life.

Never Alone in Every Storm of Life

During the April – May springtime storm season this year in Texas – no kidding, it seemed like every single day we were facing tornado weather.

One of those nights my husband wasn’t home yet, and a bad storm was approaching.

Nonstop TV weather alerts warned our area that a developing tornado was heading right for our county.

I hate tornadoes.

I remember during my reporter days interviewing a family who lost their mother during a dangerous tornado. I’ve never forgotten the emotional pain in their eyes.

Whenever I see that little red triangular-shaped icon on the TV map aiming for our county, I go into storm prep mode.

I’m leashing dogs, gathering important papers etc., and preparing to head to the shelter just in case.

The soothing words of Psalm 23 came to me in that rush to prepare.

Over and over, I recited the entire Psalm out loud.

It seemed like an eternity until my husband got home.

By the grace of God, our particular area was spared from the tornado.

But, even if it we didn’t have a good outcome, there was comfort in knowing that we’re never alone through life’s storms.

God has not promised to bring peace to every storm, but He has promised to give us peace through any storm if we will trust Him to take care of us. – got questions.org.²

Psalm 23 – We Are Never Alone

Trust in Jesus and find refuge.

It’s no wonder that Psalm 23 with its powerful message has inspired countless songwriters over the years.

Speaking of which, have you heard the song, “Not Alone” by Christian vocalist Meredith Joy Keller?

As of this writing, the song’s debut on YouTube has garnered over 40,000 views so far.

This is a great song and I’m happy to share!

Every note speaks to the heart.

Please enjoy.

# # #

²Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”? n.d., para. 7. Web. Accessed June 30, 2024. Retrieved from Peace, be still

Our Exceptional God

It’s A Baby!

Usually when a TV commercial comes on, my husband and I grab the remote to quickly scan past it.

In my humble opinion, many commercials these days just aren’t interesting, inspiring, or funny anymore.

But recently we saw one that captured our attention.

I have to give props to Focus On the Family for this one.

Thank you Focus On The Family for focusing on an important issue in our day.

The commercial, “It’s A Baby!”, speaks for itself.

Every one of us, born and unborn, is made in God’s image.

We’re special to God.

This isn’t a political matter, it’s a God issue.

In this beloved verse from Psalm 139, the author confirms God’s creative power and sovereignty over all things.

It’s A Baby – Children Are a Gift From the Lord

How about some positive news from corporate America?

Recently I read an article about a company that now offers a “baby bonus” for its employees – $5000 for any employee who will have, or adopt a baby.

My prayer is that more companies will follow suit, or come up with their own incentives to protect innocent lives in expectant families.

That’s the kind of news that gives me hope for corporate America after all.

Also, if you’re a mom-to-be struggling with some issues and wanting someone to talk to, you can call 1-800-A-Family.

You are not alone.

# # #

Our Exceptional God

Three Encouraging Bible Verses

June 14, 2022 Gracie

Finding Hope in Three Encouraging Bible Verses

Do you have a special time of day when you read your Bible?

For me, the best time is right when I wake up.

I love the peace and quiet of the morning.

Often, I’m up between the hours of 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.

Granted, my PJ’s are still on and my bed hair could frighten children, but God doesn’t care.

He delights when we study His Word and worship Him.

There are so many passages in Scripture to treasure, but I wanted to share three encouraging Bible verses that speak to my heart.

Finding Hope in Three Encouraging Bible Verses

When I came to a saving faith in Christ and started reading my Bible at age 30, my whole perspective on life changed.

No longer did my faith take a backseat and I earnestly sought how I could use my God-given skills to glorify Him.

In this often dangerous world that we live in, His Word is the shining light that cuts through this present darkness and lights the way to our eternal victory through Jesus.

This universal calamity we’re all witnessing is temporary.

Delight in God Because He Delights in Us

Psalm 18 is a Psalm of David.

From what we read in the pages of this amazing scripture, God brought David out of the depths of despair into a life marked by humility and gratitude.

The verses end with “. . . because He delighted in me.”

¹⁸They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
But the Lord was my support.
¹⁹He also brought me out into an open place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me. – Psalm 18:18-19, (NASB).

Today’s world is consumed with distractions, temptations of the flesh, and fear.

It’s enough to grieve the heart of every Christian.

But, God hasn’t gone anywhere.

He loves us and delights in us as our Heavenly Father. That is the beauty of His character – we are still His children.

We fail Him daily and yet He still loves and delights in us. Someday we will be with Him in Heaven.

Talk about encouragement!

One of the reasons I named this blog “Delight-in-God” in the first place is because, as Christians, we know that He delights in us and wants us all to come to repentance in Him.

God Is Our Strength

The following verse in 2 Corinthians is a great example for us of the Apostle Paul’s complete trust in God, no matter how challenging and dangerous his daily circumstances were.

Remember that Paul was beaten, stoned, and thrown in prison several times for preaching the gospel.

2 Corinthians 12:10

I have to admit when I first became a Christian and read those words from Paul, it was a shocker.

How can anyone “delight” in persecutions? Is this for real?

Of course when you’re being persecuted, your first reaction might be sadness or anger . . . but delight?

I once read that sometimes God has to bring us to our knees for us to realize our need to trust Him, no matter what.

This is a constant lesson I need to remind myself in my very human desire to make a bad situation better quickly.

Jesus is the perfect divine example of endurance through suffering.

It may feel like we’re struggling with a mountain of issues, but we are not alone.

As I grow older and look back on the past challenging circumstances in my own life, I realize that my prayers for perseverance to cope with those situations and move forward were answered.

He Knows You and Me By Name

He knows our names

Our God – God of the entire universe knows you and me by name.

He knew you before you were even born . . . He saw you being born!

He sees you in a crowd, standing in line, sleeping . . . everywhere.

And, He looks upon you as His child, worthy of redemption and salvation through His Son – that blessed gift of grace when what we really deserve is death for our sins.)

Jesus wants to have a relationship with us.

What do you do when you love someone?

You think about them – a lot and all the time.

Lord, You have searched me and known me.
²You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far away.
³You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways. – Psalm 139:1-3, (NASB).

He knows us better than we know ourselves and, for that, we should be grateful.

Better Place, Divine Grace

I hope you’ve enjoyed these three encouraging Bible verses that I’ve shared.

There are many more that capture my heart that I’ll share at another time.

I’m grateful that God chose me and I rejoice with you that He chose you – my brother and sister in Christ.

As much as I love the many wonderful things that have happened (and will happen) in the rest of this life, I know that Heaven is going to be so much better.

# # #

Our Exceptional God

When God Made You

February 12, 2020 Gracie

A Little Cut Here, A Little Cut There

One of my favorite Christmas presents ever is my Cricut Explore Air 2.

Oh, I love that machine!

It took some trial and error, but now that I’ve gotten the hang of it, I’m always thinking about my next creative project.

Here’s one of my first attempts mixing a couple of different free patterns in the Cricut library.

design beginnings

Not bad for a first-timer!

It amazes me how you can design your own patterns too.

Simply adjust the measurements and plug in the extra elements, and the machine blades know exactly what to do.

The cuts are sharp and intricate, even around the most delicate designs.

That’s a smart machine!

But there’s something missing.

This machine can’t just operate on its own. It needs an operator.

God Doesn’t Need Instructions

How devaluing that the world wants us to think we derived from ape ancestors.

You were created by God.

He didn’t need instructions, special blades, a smart machine, measurements or a theorist/geologist telling Him how we should evolve.

The King of Kings created you and me from the beginning.

Do you realize yet how magnificent God is?

The beauty of our anatomy and how everything works together as He planned reflects His glory. We had nothing to do with it.

When God made you

In this oft-quoted verse from the Davidic Psalm 139, the psalmist praises God’s providential design of the human body.

¹⁴I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14, (NASB).¹

When God Made You

Just how amazing is the human body?

Check this out…

God's design

Only God can do this!

He is Sovereign and worthy of all our praise.

Do we approach Him with the reverence He deserves?

# # #

² Jerry Bergman, PH.D. quotation, courtesy of the Institute For Creation Research. “Mankind – – The Pinnacle of God’s Creation.” 7-1-84, para. 7. Web. Accessed 6 February, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.icr.org/article/mankind-pinnacle-gods-creation/

Our Exceptional God

When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

March 27, 2019 Gracie

Ordinary People

Do you have the good looks of a high fashion model?

The vocal talent of an American Idol?

Or, the superhuman strength of the world’s greatest bodybuilder?

Yea, me neither.

I guess by those standards, people like myself would be considered “ordinary.”

Do I Really Matter To God?

You matter to God

The word “ordinary” can have a negative connotation, kind of like you’re a “vanilla” instead of a ”Rocky Road.”

Let’s face it – being “ordinary” isn’t flashy.

But, you know what?

What the world considers “ordinary,” for a Christian, becomes extraordinary.

Do you know why?

Because God Himself, Who created you from the beginning, thinks you matter.

He created you, didn’t He?

Please consider this.

Your life matters to God and He has a purpose for it.

Wherever you are . . . right now . . . in your life.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:15-16, (ESV).

I Matter, But What’s Next?

We’re here on this earth to glorify God.

Not just on Sunday.

Your economic status, good looks, athletic ability, talent – those are all fine and good, but none of those have anything to do with your effectiveness for the Kingdom

Unless . . . you’re open about your faith when you’re receiving all of those accolades.

So what can we “ordinary” people bring to the table?

Bring your ordinary self and your heart for God.

Bring your prayerful heart and your willingness to reach out to others

and tell them about Jesus.

When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

Recently, I read a memorable quote from Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest America that addresses this very thing.

God isn’t looking for talented people, gifted people, or handsome people. I’m not saying that He won’t use those people. But God is looking for available people, and He can do a lot with a little. He can do extraordinary things through very ordinary people. God uses ordinary people to change the world. – Greg Laurie, Harvest Devotion.

Please be encouraged. You may not always see the results of your faith-sharing, but in Heaven you will know.

Pray for those opportunities.

Not that long ago, I had one of those unexpected and grace-filled opportunities. It came right out of the blue. I was able to share my faith and testimony, uninterrupted, with someone. It was a powerful moment and I’ll never forget it.

I know the Holy Spirit will take it from there with this dear person . . . in God’s providential timing.

Call On Jesus

Friends – you are not ordinary in the eyes of God.

We have work to do!

Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Nicole Mullen, performed a song several years ago that comes to mind. When I first heard it, I was drawn to the encouraging lyrics and the pretty melody.

###

** Quotation from Pastor Greg Laurie, Bible teacher, pastor, and author. From Harvest.org, “Ordinarily Useful.” Online Devotion. Accessed March 24, 2019. https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/ordinarily-useful/

Our Exceptional God

1 2 »