Gems with LoReign's Daughter

David reminds us that even when we are surrounded by adversity and feel the pressures of opposition and despair, Yahweh’s rod and staff comfort us (Psalm 23:4). The rod of God’s correction and the staff of his protection bring guidance, protection, and provision…reassuring us of His presence with us and of our relationship with Him and His children.  Sometimes we get so ruffled by circumstances that we forget our position. We forget that we, as believers in Christ Jesus’s deity, rule, and redemptive power, are hidden in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 1:27; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 4:13). The only way our circumstances could get to us was by going through Jesus.  Whatever we are experiencing, God allowed it. It had to go through God’s vetting and to get His approval before it even touched our lives. All things bow to God. Yes, even "that"! He is the Sovereign Ruler.  While God did not send the tragedy or painful circumstance, He allowed it with certain promises:...

2 Corinthians 9:8-10 reminds us that God gives seed to the sower. This scripture is speaking about giving money to support the kingdom's work on earth. However, we can apply this Godly principle to other areas of life. God supplies the seed and increases. God gives us what He expects us to sow.  The gift, the talent, the idea, the act of service all come from God to be poured out for His glory. In the pouring out, He multiplies. He gives the supply and causes it to multiply.  He requires us to offer it up before Him, to pour it out. He requires us to obey Him. Not to bury the talent, the gift, the act of service or love.  God never asks us to give what He hasn’t already given to us. We see this in several passages: Abraham with Issac (Genesis 22) Moses with the staff (Exodus 4) Elijah under juniper tree (1 Kings 19) Shunammite woman with oil and empty vessels (2 Kings 4:8-37) David defeats Goliath (1 Samuel 17) Disciples with the nets, fish, and loaves of bread (Luke 5: 4...

Our nature, our natural inclinations, our wants, and our dispositions are not, naturally, God’s way or God’s purposes for us. While God created us with purpose in mind and allows us to be born into this world, from His reign of sovereignty, He gives us all free will to choose His ways or not.  Consider this: The cutest little toddler is often opposed to sharing his or her toys. Maybe a child’s nature is to hoard or to resist generosity. The well-behaved teenager is often struggling with identity and may do unusual things to "fit in". Maybe a teenager’s nature is to rebel. The high-functioning adult is often stressed. Maybe an adult’s nature is to feel burdened by responsibilities. The seasoned senior often relives yesteryear. Maybe an elderly person’s nature is to revel in past glories or wallow in the regret of yesterday's mishaps. My point is that human nature is variable. Human nature is self-centered. Human nature prefers pleasure to discomfort. Human nature indicate...

The Lord God carried Ezekiel to the valley of dry bones in the spirit. The Lord God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, to speak to them. Yet, this begs the question: How can dry bones hear? Ezekiel 37: 1-14 This scripture represents the revival of the whole house of Israel, the spiritual revival of the nation. It points to the resurrection and reunification of Israel and their covenant with Jesus Christ.  However, there are spiritual implications to the text for Gentiles, like us, too.  The physical is subject to the spiritual. No moment, no event, no person, no object is devoid of spiritual influence.  The atoms, particles, substances that constitute what we physically experience with our senses (see, smell, taste, touch, hear) have to respond to the Creator because there are Word particles in them. They were created by the Word and respond to the Word. God said “Let there be…” and there was. From nothingness came creation.  Everything that is, was crea...

Does it seem like time is moving more quickly than before? It sure feels like that to me. Yesterday, I was celebrating the new year with family. Today, we are a few weeks shy of 2026, Lord willing. The earth spun faster this summer than before.  Let us learn to number our days, stewarding our time, gifts, and resources with wisdom and faithfulness. (Psalm 90:12).  Let us be good stewards of the time that God has given us to fulfill purpose in the earth. (Matthew 25:14-30).

Friends share common interests. My mother used to say that birds of a feather flock together.  We are known by the company we keep. Our character, beliefs, and the position of our hearts are revealed by our behaviors and habits. To be a friend of God, we must represent Him, be like Him, die to our unregenerate ways, be transformed, and renewed to be like His nature.  Let us reflect on these truths: Jesus said we’re friends of God if we obey His Word. (John 15:14) James 4:4 reminds us that we cannot be a friend God while also being a friend to sin.  The Word of God prunes us so that we might bear more fruit to God, if we allow Him to do so. We can’t bear fruit apart from being united with Jesus Christ.  The fruit we bear is to love one another. No greater love has one shown that to lay down His life for a friend. (Mark 12:31) Let us lay down our lives to live for God. (John 15: 13) Or, we can choose to turn away from the Truth. (John 8:42-47)