God, Why Have You Blessed Us?

November 19, 2025November 18, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

You can listen to this post on Refresh Her podcast.

Have you ever looked around and really noticed how much God has blessed you? The homes we have, the material blessings that He gives are all gifts from His loving, generous hands. How can we use them to serve the Lord?

Listen to what the psalmist said – Psalm 67: 1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

This was a request for blessing.

This psalm comes from the Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, where the High Priest of Israel would pronounce this beautiful blessing upon the people.

1 Peter 2:9-10 tells us that all believers are also a priesthood. We offer a priestly service to the world, and we primarily do it through evangelism.

“God be merciful.”
“The best saints and the worst sinners may unite in this petition.” (Spurgeon)
It would be quite a sight to see a guilty criminal before a judge, pleading for mercy, and receiving it – and then asking for a blessing! But God’s love toward us is that great!

And cause His face to shine upon us: To have the glorious, happy face of God shining upon us is the greatest gift we could have. To know that as God looks upon you, He is well pleased – not because of who you are, or what you have done, but because you are in Jesus Christ – there is no greater source of peace and power in life.

Bless us.

Then we read why he is asking this:

That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

The psalmist had a beautiful scope in mind: not just Jerusalem, not just Judea, not just all of Israel, not just all the Middle East, not just all the Mediterranean world, not just his continent or hemisphere, but all the earth.

God wants us to have the same heart and the same vision – for all the earth.

We are blessed in Christ. We have been saved.
Then beyond that, God blesses us in so many other ways with His grace blessings – things He gives that we don’t deserve. It reminds us of His great love for us, but why else does God bless us.

Let me ask you – Why do you have a home? Oh sure, for shelter and rest, but why did God give you the home you’re living in?

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Coasting Into Heaven

September 3, 2025August 29, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

There is so much more information on the Refresh Her podcast. Listen here.

I heard a statement last weekend that I’ve pondered over and over in my mind. Here it is:

God doesn’t want us to just coast into heaven.

Something that coasts has been in motion, then comes to an eventual stop. The comment was made toward senior citizens and was referring to their gradual decline in serving the Lord. They were once busy, but are obviously slowing down. The encouragement was to not come to a complete stop this side of eternity.

As we age, I’m sure it would be easy to think, “I’ve done my share of work (in the church, in Sunday school, VBS, being hospitable, witnessing, etc), it’s my time to be retired and rest.” However, the Lord has something for us to do for Him until He calls us home to heaven. A shut-in, an invalid, a blind person, a person with no mobility or transportation can all serve the Lord. Consider:

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serving

Serving = Sacrifice

August 8, 2025August 6, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

I woke up on the last day of July and realized that not only was it the last day of the month, it was also the last day for Dale and me to serve on summer staff at The Wilds Christian Camp. For the last nine weeks, we have traveled to Brevard, NC to spend Tuesday through Thursday ministering alongside the sponsors – those who bring campers to the campsite.

It’s been an incredible summer of serving, praying, talking, encouraging, but also being strengthened and so blessed in the midst of the busy and very full days.

Many people who learn of our opportunity to serve at The Wilds have said things like, “Well, how did YOU get to do that?!” Or, “Man, you’re living the dream!” If you’ve ever been to The Wilds you understand what they’re saying, and I certainly get it, too. But I would be lying if I said it was always easy. I often felt like an exile. Does that sound strange? Here’s the reason –

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God's character · serving

God’s Gifts To Us This Summer

June 21, 2024June 17, 2024 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Wherever God guides, He provides.

We often read that statement and think immediately of the material provisions God gives, and praise God for those gifts! But God’s provisions for us as we follow Him are multiplied and varied to meet every need – physical, spiritual, and emotional. Let me tell you how I saw Him provide all that for us in Week Two at The Wilds.

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kindness · serving

Withhold Not Good

February 9, 2024January 30, 2024 RefreshHerLeave a comment

One day a dear older man and his wife (I’ll refer to them as Mr. and Mrs. C) from our church stopped in for a short visit. I loved it when they would stop by. They didn’t call. They didn’t announce ahead of time, they just took the risk and drove out to the country, stopped in and rang the bell to see if we were home.

On their stop that day, Mr. C. was seated only momentarily before a twinkle came to his eye and he proceeded to attempt to get up off the sofa.

“I’ll be right back” he said, with his finger extended to make his point.

“I have to go get something.”

He slowly made his way back out to his car, assisted by his cane. Returning minutes later, he walked towards where I was seated and presented me with a little box of chocolates. “Here’s you some chocolate!” he said with a chuckle. I was blown away. This man who had difficulty just making it into the living room in the first place due to the effects of his age, made a special trip back out to his vehicle to retrieve this treasure box for me? I was so touched!

I was not surprised at his kindness; he was known for that – not just by me, but by many others as well. Many times I’ve seen him reach his hand into his suit coat at church, like a magician reaching in to retrieve a rabbit out of a hat, and coming out with a sweet treat to share. This is a special kind of “magic.” It’s the magic of a giving heart.

Who doesn’t love to get a little gift? Proverbs 3:27 is a reminder to me to give. It says,

“Withhold not good to them to whom it is due

when it is in the power thy hand to do it.”

Proverbs 3:27

That verse is a little push to be like Mr. C, who was always looking for ways to share the things he has the power to give. We can all do something for someone else. It’s just about asking the Lord to make us aware of what we could give. I’ve noticed by watching giving people that being a generous person makes your heart large. Mr. C. was just a loving man; so was his wife. I know others who are always on the lookout to do thoughtful gestures, and they, too, have that spirit that just makes you enjoy their company – not because of what they give, but because of their large heart!

If we’re going to be like Mr. C, We need to:

Ask God for wisdom and the heart to be a giver.
Think about who we’re going to be with today.
Prayerfully think about what their needs might be – or just a grace gift you could share.
Obey whatever the Lord brings to your heart!

Need a few suggestions to get you thinking?

You might be the lady who always has a peppermint or chewing gum in your purse to share.
Did you get special Buy one Get One Free offers at the grocery? Share the extra one!
Hand over the magazines or books you’ve read to someone you think would enjoy them.
Keep wrapped candies – Kisses, Werther’s /caramels, Smarties, miniature candy bars, etc. at your front door to give your guests.

May people remember us as folks who have large, giving hearts! A little gift says big things!

What special gift has someone given you that touched your heart?

Refresh your heart and the hearts of others by giving!