Never Too Old To Be Used By God, Genesis 18:11, 13-14

Buddy turned 14 on August 21st (his adoption day). However, Silky terriers can live up to 18-19 years, so I am praying God grants me another 5 years with him. His value to me does not depend upon his age or usefulness as I love him unconditionally just as he loves me. (Crazy dog.)

American culture highly values youth rather than the wisdom that comes with experience. As a result, Christians can be ensnared by the lies of Satan and our ungodly culture into believing that their usefulness to God depends upon their age.

However, God did not call Moses to lead the ancient Israelites out of slavery in Egypt till he was 80 years old. His brother, Aaron, became the first anointed priest of the Levites in his old age. Joshua was likely 80 (Joshua 14:7), and Caleb 85, when they led the ancient Israelites into the Promised Land.

Also, on several occasions, God told Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, that, despite his advanced age, he would have descendants so numerous that they couldn’t be counted (Genesis 15:5). Abraham was 75 when God first promised and his wife, 65 years old.

24 years later, when Abraham was 99 years old, God appeared and reaffirmed His promise that his aged wife, Sarah, would bear a child. She didn’t believe Him. Unfortunately for her, God doesn’t miss anything and called her out for her unbelief.

“Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing…And the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Shall I indeed bear a child when I am so old?” Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’”—Genesis 18:11, 13-14

Most importantly, God promised Adam and Eve that One would come Who would crush the head of the serpent who had tricked them into disobeying God. This child would come from the lineage of the Child of Promise, Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah.

Now, do you think Satan wanted the Messiah to be born and destroy his evil control over humanity?After waiting years for God to keep His promise for an heir, and believing that she was too old to conceive, Sarah persuaded Abraham into following the cultural mores and gave her maid to him to have sex with. A child was conceived, Ishmael, but that was not God’s plan for the lineage of Christ. Abraham had to wait till he was 100 years old, and his wife 90, before Isaac was born.

Do you think that Satan wants you to succeed in bringing God’s plans for your life to fruition? He’s going to do his diabolical best to convince you that you’re too old to accomplish great things for God. He’s going to pull every trick out of his stinking bag to discourage you into believing that it’s too late.

But if God can use elderly Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, Abraham and Sarah to accomplish His will, He can, and will, use you too.

If you’ll only believe.

And step out in faith, trusting Jesus will help you to achieve it.

“And Jesus said to him, ‘If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.’”—Mark 9:23

God bless you.

From Dawn and Buddy

PS. Go get ‘em, tiger!

***

You’re never too old—and it’s never too late—to invite God into your life. Young or old, He loves you. You were created in His image and He desires to fellowship with you—forever. As long as you are alive, you can repent of your sins and let Jesus rule your heart. A thief was crucified with Jesus. At first he joined the other thief in mocking Christ, then repented and dared to ask Jesus to “remember me when You come into Your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” Jesus accepted His dying confession of faith and promised the thief that he would join Him “in Paradise (Luke 23:43).”

The thief was dying and could do absolutely nothing to serve God with his life. His one act was to repent and show faith in Christ. We can do absolutely NOTHING to earn a place in heaven. No one is good enough to meet God’s standard of perfection (Matthew 5:48) except Jesus, God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23). Since Jesus had no sin to be punished for, He was able to take the punishment for sin others committed. As a result, God can give you righteousness as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) because someone already earned it for you by dying on the Cross, shedding His blood.

He took your sin on the Cross. But God doesn’t force anyone to follow Him. Just as He permitted Adam and Eve to reject Him, He permits you to choose to reject or accept His authority in your life. It’s up to you.

If you’d like to enter into relationship with God, please repeat the below:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that Jesus died for my sins and was resurrected from the grave, proving that He is God. Forgive my sins. I call on Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ, amen.

If you sincerely prayed, congratulations, you are born again. You either just had a supernatural experience with the Holy Spirit or will come to a gradual awareness of His presence in your inner being.

Just as your body needs food to survive, your spirit, your soul, needs spiritual food, which is the Bible. Please begin reading it every day. I suggest starting with the book of Matthew as it’s easy to understand. But since the Bible is a supernatural book, please also ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand.

Also, please start attending a Bible-based church or Bible study. If that’s not possible right now, these are my three favorite ministries and they also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.BasicGospel.net, http://www.LTW.org and http://www.InTouch.org.

And please remember to talk to God daily. He loves to hear from you. When you pray, you open up a channel of communication with the Creator of the universe.

God bless you. Buddy and I will see you in heaven.

Everyone In God’s Kingdom Is Important, Amos 7:14-15

My pal.

I was delighted yesterday when two different men declared that Buddy was a handsome boy and very sweet. In my eyes, Buddy is the most adorable and perfect dog.

Is he? Because he’s my best pal, I believe that he is the cutest dog ever and no one can convince me otherwise.

I woke up the other morning with an unusual thought in my mind, “I need to watch the Bible Project’s YouTube video on the book of Amos.” Now, I have never actively desired to read that Old Testament book of the Bible nor even remembered what it was about. However, recalling that God may choose to speak to me through the Holy Spirit in my nonconscious mind when asleep: “I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night (Psalm 16:7),” I flipped on YouTube and watched the video.

“So what is it that I’m supposed to glean from this message?” I prayed after watching the excellently animated cartoon about a man who warned about God’s pending judgment.

Now there are many books in the Old Testament warning about doom and gloom and God’s wrath, so what was important about this particular book? I believe the message God wanted me to consider is found in Amos 7:14-15:

“Then Amos replied to Amaziah, ‘I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, “Go prophesy to My people Israel.”’”

God doesn’t use just “special” people to proclaim His Word, to warn about the pending judgment, to encourage or rebuke, or to invite people into His kingdom of love. I/We sometimes think because I/we haven’t gone to Bible college or been confirmed as a pastor, I/we aren’t qualified to minister to other people.

But the Apostle Peter in his first letter, declares that all of God’s people are chosen to serve in His kingdom: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).”

Everyone has a unique style, interest, training or station in life, but God calls each of us to be a “priest” to declare how marvelous it is to dwell in His kingdom of light, to be saved from God’s wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) and to come alive spiritually, to no longer be “dead in your trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1),” incomplete as a person. Every single born again believer is precious in God’s sight (Psalm 116:13) and is called to proclaim His message of redemptive love.

So when you begin to doubt whether your voice is important, please remember that every light, no matter how tiny, can dispel darkness.

And millions of tiny little lights can shine brightly together.

If God can call forth a fig farmer and herdsman to rebuke and warn a nation, he can certainly use me and you to declare His love and holiness.

We may not be used to rebuke Presidents or nations, but every soul is important to Him: Every one of us can be used by Jesus to touch someone’s life. God wants everyone to repent and live in eternity with Him (Ezekiel 33:11).

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

PS. Pray for wisdom so that you’re speaking the truth. Try not to go beyond what you know is true so that you don’t unintentionally mislead someone.

***

The Lord spoke through the prophet Ezekiel (preached 592-571 BC) declaring that, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out (Ezekiel 34:11.” Jesus declared that He was the Great Shepherd Who came to seek His lost sheep and give them eternal life (John 10:1-33). He was threatened with stoning and eventually murdered “for blasphemy: and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God (John 10:33).”

Many so-called educated experts falsely claim that Jesus didn’t declare Himself to be God, but the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are filled with references to Jesus being worshipped and declaring His equality with the Father, as being the great I AM, the Shepherd that Isaiah and Ezekiel prophesied would come.

The 12 apostles were ordinary people, not political leaders or religious elites, but they recognized who Jesus was: God in the flesh, “the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).”

God does not extend His invitation to enter His kingdom and enjoy eternal life and happiness with Him to only a “special”, select few. His invitation is extended to anyone who is willing to admit that they are a sinner and need His guidance to define what is right and wrong, the best way to live.

If you’re willing to repent of your sins and acknowledge that Jesus is God, Who loves you so much that He died on a cross to pay the punishment your sin deserves, please repeat the below:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Your Son to seek and save the lost. I am lost, wandering in the darkness of my sins but want eternal life that You graciously give as a gift. Please forgive my sin. I invite Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. I humbly ask the Holy Spirit to come into my life. I give my life to You. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you prayed that prayer with sincerity, congratulations, you are born again. The Holy Spirit will make His presence known to you gradually or you may have just experienced a supernatural event. As your body needs food to work properly, so your soul needs spiritual food to function well. The Bible is a supernatural book that feeds your soul. Please read it every day. I suggest you start with the New Testament Book of Matthew as it’s easy to understand. Always ask the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding.

And please join a Bible-based church or study group to grow in your faith. If that’s not possible right now, these are my three favorite ministries which also have apps for your convenience: http://www.BasicGospel.net, http://www.LTW.org and http://www.InTouch.org.

And please pray to the Father in the name of Jesus daily. He loves to hear from you as you are made in His image (Genesis 1:26) and are a precious child. Your soul is of utmost valuable to Him.

If You’re A Butterfly, Why Aren’t You Flying? 2 Corinthians 5:17

My adorable pal

I dropped the leash this afternoon and allowed Buddy to run down my staircase instead of yanking on me, risking a fall. Apparently he was feeling spunky from just surviving his weekly bath and kept running off around the corner of the building while I excitedly called his name and attempted to catch up to him. Fortunately some landscapers were taking down a large tree and one of them caught and held Buddy’s leash when he stopped to investigate—then decorate—one of the branches laying on the ground. I gratefully, and profusely, thanked the worker.

Although Buddy was running toward the golf course, rather toward the main road, I have seen coyotes roaming the grounds during the daytime, also large raptors and an occasional owl. Buddy would be no match for these creatures—nor a speeding golf ball that goes astray. (I saw two wayward golf balls during our subsequent walk, far afield of the course.)

You have to wonder if God created the caterpillar to demonstrate to us how significant the change is in a person’s soul when they give their lives to Christ. Just as the caterpillar emerges from its cocoon totally transformed, so the soul of a person is totally renewed—born again—by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

As Apostle Paul described it in his second letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:17): “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” NASB. Other versions translate the original Greek as “creation” rather than “creature”.

We were created to fly like a butterfly, to fly free in the power of the Holy Spirit by God’s grace and in His love. But oftentimes we find ourselves with broken wings or crawling around on the ground.

The problem is, as Walter Martin said in his sermon “Spiritual Warfare,” we’re often unaware that we changed sides in a war when we came to Christ. God “rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 2:13-14).”

We are no longer caterpillars, members of Satan’s army and kingdom, but have become butterflies, free to fly in God’s grace, love and liberty.

But Satan doesn’t like to lose soldiers. Even though we are no longer members of his demonic realm, he wants to keep us living in the old ways, in the darkness of our former sins, instead of serving God and walking in love and truth.

Apostle Paul describes our spiritual life a wrestling match (original Greek) or a struggle in Ephesians 6:12. (Paul was apparently fond of sports as he often used sports allusions in his letters.) That suggests hand-to-hand combat with evil. If we are not alert to the devil’s schemes, we can be deceived into believing, or doing, wrong.

We can often forget that we live in enemy territory, that we’re walking a “narrow” path that “leads to life” while the majority of people around us are walking a “broad” path “that leads to destruction” (Matthew 7:13-14). We have the world (culture), flesh (our own sinful desires and thoughts) and Satan warring against our desires and attempts to do, and think, what is right.

We can forget that we are butterflies and get the mud of sin and discouragement caked on our wings, weighing us down and causing us to fall to the ground or flutter about erratically.

Jesus warned His followers to “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).”

The Apostle Peter described Satan as: “Your adversary, the devil, (who) prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).”

Wrestling match, adversary, roaring lion: Sounds like we have quite a struggle in life, doesn’t it? So much happens in life to discourage us and then we have to deal with our own failings and other people’s sins against us, making our lives more difficult.

But remember, there is another mighty lion, the Lion of Judah, who defeated Satan, sin and death at the Cross for us. Jesus, God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23), died for our sins and crushed our enemy. We have been given spiritual weapons to enter into the victory our King has won for us.

We can “resist (Satan) firm in our faith (1 Peter 5:9)”, pray for deliverance from temptation and evil (Matthew 6:13), and discern the difference between right and wrong, what God’s will is, by reading the Bible (Philippians 1:9). Thankfulness, singing praises to God, and the encouragement and godly advice of Christians can also help us shake that mud off of our wings.

Please remember: If you get the cake of mud on your wings, don’t give in to sin and discouragement. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).” Don’t run away from God. He loves His children. Confess your sin to God and ask Him, in the name of Jesus, to give you the power to repent. Accept God’s forgiveness, don’t wallow in the mud of guilt, and start flying again.

PS. There are consequences to sin. “Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Galatians 6:7)”. And God will discipline His children for their own good so that they’ll get back onto the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3, Revelation 3:19). (I’ve been spanked and it hurts.) So don’t take sin lightly. God doesn’t want His children living in bondage to Satan and sin, or harming themselves or others, but walking in the liberty of His love. Consequences are an act of love from God, so that we won’t keep straying off His path and reap the whirlwind.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

Sorry to tell you but the Bible teaches that there is no neutral territory: You’re either walking the path of life with Jesus or the path of destruction with Satan. Jesus claimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6).” Now you are free to choose to believe what Jesus said or not. God doesn’t force anyone to love or believe Him. He wants us to freely choose to recognize that we cannot live life without Him. He wants our love and trust to be freely given.

If you are ready to declare that you’d like to follow the path our Good Shepherd Jesus is leading, please pray the below:

Dear Holy Father, I’m sorry for my sin. Please forgive me. I want to walk Your path and not this world’s path. Teach me right from wrong. I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations: You are now a child of the Living God. But just as our bodies need daily food to be healthy, so our souls need spiritual food to be healthy. Please start reading the Bible, as it’s your soul food. I recommend starting with the book of Matthew, as it’s easy to understand. And always ask the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding as you read, so that you’re acknowledging your dependence on Him.

Also, you cannot stand alone in this spiritual battle: the lions separate and go after the lone zebra. You must fellowship with other born again Christians at church or a Bible study. If that’s not possible right now, these are my three favorite ministries: http://www.LTW.org, http://www.InTouch.org and http://www.BasicGospel.net. And please ask God to guard you from legalism, to keep you walking and learning about His grace through faith, which is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God bless you.

Looking For Peace In The Wrong Places, John 14:27

Buddy sleeping in the hotel.

Buddy recently accompanied me on an eight day road trip. At home he sometimes sleeps by my feet if he’s on the bed with me. But normally he spends the night in his various dog beds scattered throughout our home.

However, on the last day of our trip, Buddy not only slept on the bed with me, he actually snuggled up against my chest, something he has never done before. He had been sleeping in his bed under the bathroom counter but in the middle of the night felt a need to be near me. Apparently he wanted to feel secure. I was very happy to accommodate him.

I know several Christians who have stormy lives but are not seeking the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), so they continue to feel angry or anxious. Jesus told His followers that: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”—John 14:27

Jesus never promised His followers an easy life (John 16:33). But He promised to GIVE us peace despite our circumstances by trusting in His love for us and His omnipotent power. But it’s only found in Him, the King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega, the One Who was murdered and rose again from the dead, conquering death.

Jesus emphasized that His peace is different from what the world (the culture of humankind) offers.

The Apostle Paul warned: “See to it that no one takes you CAPTIVE through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”—Colossians 2:8-9

When you look to the world system for your spiritual answers, you will find tribulation, anxiety, captivity to fear. You will become enslaved to false teachings or addictions that cannot bring peace. When you seek the Lord’s presence and advice, you’ll find the Peace Giver.

Reassurance that He’s in control, despite your circumstances, can bring joy. “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all (Psalm 103:19).” Mature Christians have usually learned to trust God in all circumstances.

Much human psychology is not based on Biblical principles. Karl Jung, for example, had a spirit guide named Philemon who helped him form his philosophies. He even believed he might be in danger of becoming demonically possessed in his later life.

I know two people who are currently in counseling: one has a Christian counselor and the other is working with a governmental agency. Can you guess which person is handling life far better? The first is looking to the Lord, the latter is relying on a human being, who has sometimes been unavailable when greatly needed, and is becoming increasingly angry and moody.

I am not advocating that you should never seek counsel. We often cannot discern our own errors as our hearts are “more deceitful than all else and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)” But the counsel needs to be based on God’s word, not worldly wisdom, concocted by sinful humanity.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 16:25).”

People try to find peace through alcohol, drugs, shopping, food, entertainment, meditation, etc but they can never get enough to keep those anxious or negative thoughts permanently at bay. They will always return because peace is a gift from God Himself. It is not earned or purchased, but freely given to those who seek Him. I think we’ve all met people who are tied to their shrinks with an umbilical cord that they cannot severe, and seemingly never become emotionally healthy.

For years I was stressed out on the job and suffered nine of years severe insomnia that no doctor could solve. The best cure I discovered for my anxious thoughts was to take a walk during lunchtime and pray through Psalm 23 to the Lord. My anxiety level always plummeted after taking time to pray because I was focused on the Lord and His loving care for me, not on my problems. (Please see my post on praying through Psalm 23.)

So, in summary, to find true peace, seek the Prince of Peace by reading His word, the Bible, praying in the name of Jesus, and seeking counsel, if necessary, from godly people who are basing their judgments on God’s wisdom, not man’s.

May your heart be at peace in these troubled times.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

PS. If you are deeply troubled, seek godly help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. But be sure they’re loving people who truly care about your welfare. Never be ashamed to admit you are struggling. I am not a medical doctor so this advice is not a substitute for medical care. I had an aunt who suffered from a chemical imbalance that caused depression. Don’t let pride get in the way of any assistance you need. No one is perfect; everyone needs help at times.

***

It’s impossible to hear God’s voice of comfort if your sin has separated you from His presence. God is perfectly holy and cannot tolerate sin, which can also be described as not acting in love. Are you ready to enter into a relationship with the Creator of the Universe? If so, please pray the following:

Dear Heavenly Father, Please forgive my sin. I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. Be my loving Shepherd, my Father, my best friend, my Mighty Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and my comforter. Thank you in Jesus’ holy name, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations. You are a born again child of God. You either just experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit entering into your spirit or will slowly come to an awareness of His presence. Please read the Bible as it’s your spiritual food; just as your body needs healthy food daily, so your soul needs to feed on the Bread of Life. I recommend starting with the book of Matthew as it’s easy to understand. Always ask the Holy Spirit to guide you when you read as it’s a supernatural book.

Also, please find a Bible-based church or Bible study. If that’s not possible right now, I recommend these three ministries which are my favorites: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way), http://www.InTouch.org and http://www.BasicGospel.net. All three also have apps for your convenience.

God bless you as you grow in a knowledge of God and His peace. Buddy and I will see you in heaven. I trust that the Lord will continue to work in your life.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).”