Posted on August 31, 2025
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Paul’s Ponder
August 31, 2025
I have dreamed of what I would do for the Lord: Travel to different countries, be insulted, thrown into a pit, preach where ever I am able. Most of these are dreams. I am basically a wuss and clam up when I talk to people one on one who do not know the Lord. Debbie is much better. If I am put upon by others, I will endure, but I do not initiate conflict. Read Hebrews 11:32 - 38. Christians suffer a lot.
How much would you do for Jesus? If God asked you to do something, you knew it was from God, would you do it? I would hope that something so direct and plain, I would do. Except what happened to Isaiah in Isaiah 20:1 - 4:
2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, “Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.” And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.
3 Then the Lord said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, 4 so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt’s shame.
Going around naked for 3 years? “With buttocks bared.” No shoes? My feet are too sensitive. Come on, God. You have got to be kidding. Maybe the laws were different back then and people wandered the street without clothing and it didn’t cause a stir. Un-uhh. Not me. These buttocks will remain covered, thank you. I can’t even stand those gowns you wear at the hospital.
The Lord spoke to him. This wasn’t a display of vanity, nor an adventure in humility for Isaiah. It was a living parable. God had a reason. If the Lord asked me? God always has a purpose. We are his ambassadors. He uses us to rebuke and encourage others. If the Lord asked me? How far would I go? I may never know until asked. Help me Lord, to say “yes” to all you ask of me.
Those uncomfortable situations of talking to strangers about God, may not be so bad after all.
Just Pondering
Posted on August 24, 2025
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Paul's Ponder
August 24, 2025
Debbie and I are in Oregon to attend a farewell party on behalf of Brother Vern Miebach, a former elder of mine and a mentor. He and his wife, Judy, have been an extremely powerful influence in our lives. Vern's death is both heart wrenching and joyous, as being with Jesus has been his constant prayer.
One of the serendipities of this trip was the opportunity to stop and visit with our grown granddaughter (our oldest), Elizabeth. She lives near Redding CA, so we stopped by on the way to visit with her. This was the first time we were able to come to her home and see where she lives. Then she took us for lunch (In-N-Out) and we talked for an hour before we had to get back on the road. You know you have really special grand kids when they take you out! It was a very emotional time for me having watched her grow and now to see her as a beautiful adult, knowing some of the things she has had to endure.
What I do know, is that it wasn't me. May the Lord continue to build this house. May God bless me with a quiver full of wonderful generations who will continue building with the Lord.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to
those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
Just Pondering
Posted on August 10, 2025
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Paul's Ponder
August 10, 2025
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Debbie and I don't have a television. We are currently visiting Debbie's parents in Oklahoma for a short visit to celebrate Debbie's mom finishing her Chemo treatment and her birthday. They watch TV all the time. It is interesting to see commercials for the same product by different venders that espouse different benefits. Somebody has got to be stretching the truth.
I have a problem of being overzealous when trying to promote something. I was especially bad as a young man promoting the Joy Bus Ministry. I was known to say that if you did not help the Joy Bus Ministry, then you didn't love Jesus. It was kind of a "my way or the highway" mentality.
You can see some good in evil, some darkness brings out light, and who doesn't like bittersweet chocolate properly used? There must be a standard. Jesus is that standard. Then we can tell
when one is calling evil good or good evil or puts darkness for light and light for darkness. Then we can tell who makes bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah goes on to condemn those who do such things. Woe to those who do such things. There is a truth, there is good and there is evil. Be not persuaded by the things of this earth or what you see on TV. Jesus is the standard. Trust him.
Just Pondering
Happy 87th Birthday Grandma Lou Lou
Posted on September 29, 2025
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Sweet Sisters,
Before I begin this lesson, I want to share that my Mom saw her oncologist on Thursday. He said she is officially cancer free! Praise God!!! He is sooooooo good!!
Today we will resume our “Fear Not” tour in Genesis. In chapter 45, Joseph has revealed himself to his brothers. Pharaoh tells Joseph to tell his brothers to go home and get their dad and all their families and possessions. Then come back to Egypt and he will give them the best land to dwell in.
The brothers return to their father, Jacob, and tell him that Joseph is still alive. Genesis 45:25-28:
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
What is Jacob’s first reaction?
How do the brothers convince him?
(Note: Jacob is called by two names: Jacob and Israel)
Genesis 32:26-28:
26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Our “fear not” passage is found in Genesis 46:1-4.
So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”
Why do you think Jacob may have been afraid?
What did God promise Jacob?
Genesis 50:7 - 8, 12 - 13:
7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— 8 besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen.
12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: 13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite.
God kept His promise to Jacob that He would bring Jacob back to Canaan. I wonder if part of Jacob’s fear was that he would die in Egypt and be buried in a foreign land? God understood Jacob’s fear and made provisions for it.
We learn in this passage, that when we obey God, even when we are afraid, God will make a way to help us deal with our fear.
We learn in the first chapter of Exodus that the generations that came after Jacob thrived in the land of Egypt. But a time came when Egypt had a new king who did not know Joseph’s story. He saw the Israelites as a threat and so he made them into slaves. God raises Moses up to go before Pharaoh and win the freedom of the Israelites.
As the Israelites are fleeing from Egypt, we come to our next “fear not” passage on our tour; Exodus 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Why are the Israelites afraid?
What does God tell them to do?
What does God say they will see?
What does God promise He will do?
In Genesis 14:14, we see the words “be still”. This phrase does not mean don’t move. It means stop struggling and worrying. Surrender your anxieties to God. Trust that He is in control and that He will fight for you.
I love Exodus 14:15 - 16.
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
God says (Debbie’s translation): Why are you standing there freaking out? DO SOMETHING! Get moving!!! How many times has God had to tell us the same thing?
The next stop on our tour takes us to the book of Leviticus. I want to look at 26:3 - 8.
3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.
6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.
This passage is about what God will do if His people do what?
“Afraid” is found in verse 6. Why do they not need to be afraid?
He continues to promise to take care of them in verses 11 - 13.
11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Where does God say He will dwell?
Where will He walk?
What promise does God make in verse 12?
The secret to a good relationship with God is to trust and obey.
Let’s move on to the book of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 20:1 - 4, Moses tells God’s people how they are to prepare to go to war.
When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
What four things does Moses tell them that God does not want them to do?
Why?
What will the Lord your God give them?
Do you think this would be a good battle plan for us?
In Deuteronomy 31, Moses is giving his farewell address to the children of Israel and Joshua. Moses begins by reminding the children of Israel that God has helped them and brought them to where they are at this time. Our “do not fear” passage is in verse 6 of Deuteronomy 31.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Why are they not to be afraid?
What promise does Moses make about God?
Moses then addresses Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:7 - 8.
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
What does Moses tell Joshua to do?
Why?
What promise does Moses make about God?
What is Joshua not to do?
Sweet Sisters, our God does not change. The promises He made to the children of Israel, He made to us. Our God goes before us. He is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He fights for us. We need not be afraid.
TRUST GOD
OBEY GOD
WAIT ON GOD
Debbie
Posted on May 4, 2025
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Sweet Sisters,
James begins the next section in Chapter 1 with a discussion concerning temptation.
James 1:13 - 15:
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Let’s start with a definition of temptation. Oxford Language defines temptation as “the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.”
The Bible definition could be defined as: The incitement or enticement to act in disobedience to God’s will, often involving the world, the flesh, or the devil.
“The flesh” is defined as: human desires.
We learn a couple of things concerning temptation in this passage.
1. God does not tempt us. While God does not tempt people to sin, He may allow trials and situations that test our faith and reveal our character. Even then, the Bible promises that God will provide a way to deal with temptation.
I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
2. Temptation is a process. James describes four steps to this process. What are they?
Notice that just being tempted is not a sin. It is allowing yourself to be “dragged away” and following through with the temptation that it becomes a sin. As we learned in I Corinthians, God always provides a way to deal with temptation if we are willing to pause long enough to look for it.
As James moves into what he wants to say next, I wish he would have begun the passage with the words, “on the contrary”.
James 1:16-17
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
The God who created the sun, moon and stars, which are the sources of light on earth, is the same God who gives us every good and perfect gift.
Have you ever noticed that when you are surrounded by light there are no shadows? Shadows change our perspective. Because God is full of light, there are no shadows with Him. He is always the same.
I have a question for you. If “all good and perfect gifts come from above, can they come from any other source?
James continues to talk about gifts in James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Do you see what the gift is?
What is the “word of truth”?
Could the word of truth be the Good News of Jesus? The message of God’s grace and love that brings about redemption?
I learned something new about “first fruits”. They were the first agricultural produce of a season. They were dedicated to God in the belief that God would provide more.
Remember, James is writing to the early church who are experiencing displacement, poverty and persecution. He compares them to the first fruits of a harvest. James is encouraging them to have faith that the harvest will continue. They are not alone.
I think we all should post James 1:19-20 where we can see it often.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
There is an old saying, “God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we talk.” The relationship in my life would go so much better if I truly listened to people and then carefully spoke.
How do we truly listen?
How do we carefully speak?
If we make both of these concepts an integral part of our lives, anger would be less of a problem. Listening gives us the ability to understand. When we understand, we control our anger better.
Let’s read James 1:21 out of God’s Word Translation.
So get rid of all immoral behavior and all the wicked things you do. Humbly accept the word that God has placed in you. This word can save you.
The translation is much easier for me to understand.
I find it interesting that James is writing to believers. As believers, we are still “works in process”. We still need to be intentional about the way we live.
How do we do this?
James gives us some helpful advice concerning this concept in James 1:22-25.
22 Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. 23 If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say.
James describes two different scenarios. What are they?
In James 1:26-27 James defines religion.
26 If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.
What do truly religious people do?
How does James say God defines true religion?
I see two concepts. What are they?
It sounds like James is quoting from the prophet Micah, when Micah wrote in Micah 6:8 what God required of His people.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Paul addresses this lifestyle in Romans 12:12-13 (ESV)
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Sweet Sisters, if we want to honor God, our focus needs to be not just “talking the talk” but “walking the walk”.
We will begin James 2 in our next lesson.
TRUST GOD
OBEY GOD
WAIT ON GOD
Debbie
Posted on December 3, 2023
Masters of the Storm
In times of need we may call out to God asking ‘to be taken out of the storm’. We may later reconsider and ask God to ‘calm the storm’, or we may request that He be with us 'in the storm’. Storms are inevitable! Jesus told His disciples that they would receive many blessings ‘with persecutions’ (storms). Paul understood what He meant and said that through trials and temptations that ‘we persevere’. James, the brother of Jesus, said we should ‘count it all joy’ in our trials, and Peter added that we should embrace our suffering in the name of Jesus Christ.
God knows what is needed before people ask, and that He responds when asked. God wants what is best for all people. While Jesus was in the midst of His own storm; facing crucifixion, He relied on God and prayed ‘not My will but Thine’. Parents know that children need godly discipline—Jesus subjected Himself to His parents. Some may not appreciate discipline and may only recognize it’s value later in life—God disciplines those He loves.
God gave Adam and Eve ‘Paradise’; free of storms—they were unappreciative. Today, it is a common practice to ask God for blessings and to live ‘storm free’. Few ask to be challenged or disciplined. All people are given the choice to choose the wide road or the narrow road, the hard road or the easy road. God, our Heavenly Father, places storms in our lives to strengthen us, not to defeat us! As Christians, we delight in our struggles for ‘the joy set before us’. Overcoming a difficult task is exhilarating! Instead of asking God to remove unwanted obstacles let’s ask for the strength to endure and become ‘masters of the storm’. Peter
Peter's Message
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Posted on November 5, 2023
Jesus is called ‘The Lamb of God’. He is also known as Light, Love, Lord, and Lion (of Judah). Creation is a reflection of Jesus; the Creator, made with precision and with purpose. Nothing created is without value or significance.
Jesus is also known as ‘The Good Shepherd.’ He is the shepherd of His sheep and the perfect sacrifice for them. Shepherds are held in high esteem; willing to defend their flock against all predators and willing to stay awake and on guard through the night. Shepherds care for the entire flock, risking their lives for the 99 and one that is lost. Sheep have a special place in the hearts of shepherds who often care for them as their children. Shepherds know how to protect their flock with their lives.
People have taken lambs into their hearts as some do domestic pets. To require of a shepherd that a first born lamb, in full health, be used as a sacrifice is to demand the very best. It is a sacrifice for the shepherd and lamb! Jesus willingly became a sacrifice and went to His death with ‘joy set before Him’, as did God, the Father, make a sacrifice for His ‘love of the world’. He gave His only begotten Son. Mary, Jesus earthy mother, was with Him at His death, suffering silently. Both God the Father and Son purposed to save mankind at the right time and manner—they willingly gave the very best of themselves and heaven. Peter
Peter's Message
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Posted on October 1, 2023
Moses, a servant of God, was chosen by God to deliver His law in what is known as the Ten Commandments, and to set them as God’s standard for His people, Israel. There are two sections: respect for God and respect for fellow man. Many more commands given through Moses have formed the basis of Jewish religious law through the centuries.
Jesus, the Son of God, was chosen by God to speak His words for all people; all nations of the world. Jesus, the Word of God, stated, ‘My words will judge you in the last day’. Jesus has many attributes and is known by several well known titles: He is Christ the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, High Priest and Advocate, Great Shepherd and Prince of Peace.
Jesus’ word is God’s Christian standard. On earth, all nations have requirements for all citizens that are accepted as legal and right. By what standard-of-law, then, does God require for entrance into heaven? The Greatest Command Jesus spoke is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-30).
Jesus showed His love for all people by His willingness to forgive sin. Forgiveness is His gift and response to repentance. Jesus is our righteous judge and advocate, and we will appear before His judgment-seat (II Corinthians 5:10, I John 2:1). By His words, eternal life is given to all who hear and believe—these do not come into judgment (John 5:24). Peter
