Letter Thirty-Nine - from God

Letter THIRTY-NINE – from God

Dear Child:

The moment has arrived. You are facing surgery soon. There are a couple of things I want to tell you as you go through this experience.

You have fears. That is natural. Give me your fears.

~I know your name.

~I count the hairs on your head.

~I made your body.

~I instructed your physicians and nurses. What a marvel you are.

I will be with you wherever you go, even through this.

And I’ll be with your friends and family too. I’ll be present with them just as I will be with you.

Today’s medical world is in the best shape it has been in. Man has created some amazing equipment for monitoring, probing, and seeing the human body from all angles.

Trust in your medical providers.

                    Trust in the love of your family and friends.

And above all, trust in me, the God who loves you more than you could ever know.

I am with you every moment. 

God,

P Michael Biggs

Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration 

Letter Thirty-Eight on Trust

 THIRTY-EIGHT on Trust

My Dear Child:

This is a hard letter for me to write, but this is important.

Faith doesn’t come with a guarantee.

If you know much about me, you know I am all about faith. It’s been that way since the beginning.

I told Adam and Eve they could eat of every tree in the garden except for one. I gave them a stern warning to avoid the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. I hoped that they would take it by faith that I meant what I said. That is a dangerous tree and I wanted them to avoid it at all costs.

But they failed the faith test. They chose their own way and took from that tree.

I wanted faith. They wanted selfish desires.

The fruit on that tree looked very enticing, and I knew it would open a door that could never be closed again. I hoped they would take it by faith and obey when I said leave that one alone.

Faith is all about trusting me when you don’t see things clearly or have all the facts. Sometimes I want you to stop, sometimes I want you to lean out, or jump over the edge. You can’t always see the other side, but I want you to have faith in me.

Faith doesn’t come with a guarantee.

I’ll always allow you to make your own choices. If you want to open a forbidden door, you surely may. You won’t always like what’s on the other side, but I’ll let you open it if you choose.

I care and that is precisely why I put up some “Do Not Enter” signs along the way.

I can handle whatever comes your way ... today, tomorrow... forever. Just trust me with a little bit more of your life.

God,

P Michael Biggs 

Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

Letter Thirty-Six - From God

 THIRTY-SIX

My Dear Child:

This is the season of grief in your life. Everyone goes through this at some point and now perhaps it is your time.

I want to say some things to you about this time in your life.

This loss you are experiencing will pass in time. That may be a difficult thought for you, but it is true.

Meanwhile, know this.
I am here. I am with you in the middle of your grief. 

I AM HERE!

I’ve never abandoned you.

Shed tears if you like.
Talk with a trusted friend or advisor. They are there to help you as a part of my plan. Reach out to one if you will.

And hold onto this thought: “Do not fear. I am with you; I am your God, so do not be shaken. I will give you strength and I will help you. You are held by my righteous right hand.”

Your God of Strength,

P Michael Biggs

Hope Encouragement Inspiration

Thoughts on Prayer

 Thoughts on Prayer

And what about prayer?

What is prayer all about and how do you do it properly?

If you’ve ever tried to pray, perhaps you have your stories of struggle, of staying awake until the “amen” and of making a coherent string of thoughts in prayer so that God is pleased with you, and you get a gold star for the day because of your prayer.

Hmmm. Consider this:

“Just patch a few words together 

and don’t try to make them elaborate. 

This isn’t a contest but a doorway 

into thanks, and a silence in which 

another voice may speak.” 

Mary Oliver – Poet

Mary was not a theologian nor a biblical scholar. She was in touch with life in her own way as a poet and writer.

However, I think she was onto something with this quote.

Praying is not a contest to see who can pray the most eloquent thoughts, or the most beautiful phrases or string together the perfect synonyms for creative thoughts on God.

Praying is based on sincerity, humility, and intent of the heart.
I love Mary’s analogy of prayer as a “doorway into thanks”. Simple thanks.

Ann Lamont wrote once that “‘Help’ just might be one of the most profound prayers ever uttered.

When the burdens are heaviest, when the way is darkest, when the mind is cluttered with too much information or not enough of a sense of God, then perhaps “help” is the most appropriate prayer we can pray.

I’ve used that one a few times in my life.

Perhaps you have too.

I have some mulling to do on Mary’s last thought.

“And a silence in which another voice may speak.”

Silence. Isn’t that one of the eight deadly sins of the church? We can’t sit still and silent for too long for fear that half of the congregation will fall asleep.

Ah, what if we use that silence as a true tuning in time? What if God wanted to say something to us and was waiting for us to simmer down, hush up, and quite yakking long enough to whisper an important thought into our minds?

Now, wouldn’t that be something.
That’s the kind of praying to which I can relate. It goes like this.

Come in, with no agenda, no prepared speech (prayer) and no worries about what I am going to say and no fear that I’ll say the wrong thing or leave out someone or something for which I should pray. Whew.

And then, in the stillness, the quiet quieter than quiet, what if God whispered to you and me? What if He started with something simple like, “Hey you. I love you.”

That would really be something.

A real, honest-to-goodness God-moment.

P Michael Biggs

Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

Oh, the Places Where God Has Been with Me

 Oh, the Places Where God Has Been with Me

In October 2017, I had my first-ever angiogram so my cardiologist could look at my heart to discover the blockage and damage that had occurred. I was afraid. My blood pressure was high as I lay on that surgery-room table. And God was with me.

In December 2017 I had open heart surgery resulting in three heart bypasses. God was with me through it all.  As I lay in the surgery prep area the attending nursing staff had to shave the front part of my upper body. I was afraid. I was tearful, and God was with me.

I’ve gone through bankruptcy and wondered if I’d ever repair my credit rating again. God was with me through all of that.

I’ve had love go sideways, and God has been with me.

When the creditors called and wanted to repossess my new Ford Taurus, God was there.

In job changes, in job losses, in the pursuit of career paths, God was there.

In the hard decisions – about careers, homes, cities to live in, whether to move or not, and a dozen other decisions that are tough to make; in every situation, God has been the steady hand, the guiding still-small-voice always looking on and always prompting, always impressing me as to which path to take.

There are some giants that I have admired during my years of living – men and women I have and still do look up to. Billy Graham was one. Here’s what I read one day a few years ago.

God spoke and said, “I don’t need Billy Graham more than I need you.”

What? But I’m not a famous person. I’m a nobody in the grand scheme of things. And yet, God said He needed me just as much as Mr. Graham. How can it be?

I’ve read of numerous accounts in the scriptures of how God has used ‘nobodies’ and made them useful.

Mary was a peasant girl, perhaps fourteen, and God used her to birth the Christ-child.

He used a prostitute or two as examples – one of which was the woman about to be stoned. His words were simple – “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

He used David, a striking, good-looking lad who later committed adultry and then had the woman’s husband killed in battle. That’s a long fall from grace, and David came back and was claimed as, my words, “The apple of God’s eye.”

Peter denied Christ three times and look at the impact he had on Christianity and the spread of the gospel.

Do you see the places where God has been with people down through history? He goes to the depths of the mud and back to bring redemption and grace, forgiveness, and healing. And He gives peace and His presence in the middle of the mundane moments of our lives.

I know what it is like when the presence of God invades an operating room with His peace and settling presence.
I’ve experienced His calm assurance in the middle of trauma, in family crises, in the death of family members, and when in financial need. God has met me in these places, and I am a living witness to His grace, mercy, and peace.

I am nothing special. I’m not famous. I’m not rich or influential, and I don’t own the largest house in the city, and yet, God has been with me in the good and the bad times of life.

And this same grace is available to you, regardless of your name, rank, serial number, bank account balance, skin color, language you speak, or status in society.

You are loved and graced with the presence of God, who watches over you. He never sleeps. He never takes His eyes off you. He never takes a vacation, and He cares for you oh, so much.

One of the strong Bible verses that has stood the test of time in my life is Joshua 1:9.

“Be not afraid nor dismayed, for I the Lord your God

will be with you wherever you go!”

That is indeed an encouraging word for today.

Internet Church

P Michael Biggs 

Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

God Doesn't Have Stubby Arms

God Doesn’t Have Stubby Arms

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 Internet Church

In what situation do you find yourself today? No matter where you are, God’s arms can reach you and lift you up.

This is ONE strong and encouraging thought.

~Are you soaking in an alcoholic stupor? God can reach you.
~Are you so in debt you can’t find a way out? Call out to God.
~Are you in relationship conflict with someone? Let God help you with a remedy.

Regardless of the human predicament in which we find ourselves, God is still able to reach out to us and bring deliverance and help in our time of need.

I was reminded of this verse last week when a close friend of ours came for a visit. Leanne had been studying this particular verse in her women’s Bible Study group.

And the Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” Numbers 11:23

This concept of God is a strong part of my own personal God-concept. However, remember this important part of the equation. We have to call out to God for help and we have our own part to play in this work of deliverance.

That is, perhaps, the part we sometimes want to skip over, and yet it is true. Are you and I willing to do our part along with God reaching down to do His part?

At present, I am recovering from having my toes amputated on my left foot. At the seven-week mark I am doing well, and it is because God is reaching out to me AND I am doing the smart thing of eating better, bringing my

medical numbers down into proper range, losing weight and moving about as my scars and body allows. No one can do that for me except me.

I’ve recovered from divorce. Of course I felt God’s presence with me in those dark moments, however, I had to do my part and do the acts of recover from those painful experiences. I had to read books, talk with trusted advisors, and set my mind on a future with hope in the middle of the pit in which I found myself. And God’s arms were continually reaching down to me and pulling me along.

I hope you are finding God’s arms to be long enough for whatever predicament you face in these days.

He truly does have strong and long arms!

Internet Church Blog Site

P Michael Biggs Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

Sometimes We Think God Is Sick

 Sometimes We Think God Is Sick

Sometimes we think God is sick. I read differing news feeds and social media posts and I sense fear and angst, despair and a great lack of hope. It is as if we have come to believe in the fallibility of God.

I suppose I hear voices that cry out ... God, are you sick?
Are you on your death bed?
Can you still work in this day and time? Do you care about us?

Are you still in the miracle business? Are you with us, still?

My word for all of us today ...
Don’t despair.
Have faith.
He (God) neither slumbers nor sleeps.

He may not answer our prayers, our calls and our cries of desperation the very minute we cry out, but take heart, He hears and sees every need, every situation and every crisis that rears its ugly head all over this planet.

God, in His time, will act in ways that are in keeping with his nature and His timing. Remember, He is master of the MASTER CLOCK.

The greatest Bible verse I could ever offer is this:

“Be not afraid nor dismayed, for I the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Remember, this is a promise, not for deliverance from, but sustainability through all circumstances.

Let your faith find its footing in this promise.

Internet Church Blog Site

P Michael Biggs Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

A Few Reminders about God

A Few Reminders about God

~If I forget to say my prayers before I go to sleep, God still watches over me. If I forget to call on Him in time of trouble, He still is near.

~If I stray from the path on which I know to go, He still goes with me and He is near.

~If I make a wrong decision or two, God stays nearby. I sense His guiding hand even in the middle of my bad moves.

~If I forget to say “Thank You,” God still moves on my behalf and protects me.

For my God is grace, and His grace is greater than any sin I commit.

P Michael Biggs

Internet Church Blogsite

Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

Letter Thirty-Four from God

Letter Thirty-Four

August 30, 2020

THIRTY-FOUR

Dear Child:

You are my child.  I cherish you.  I value you.

I have put within you all kinds of talents and abilities.  You have barely scraped the surface of all that you could be.  It’s all inside of you, and you own it free and clear. 

Every inclination, every longing, every desire, and every spurt of an idea that you have or have ever had is a part of you because of the way I put you together.  I want to help you turn those possibilities into viable ideas to better mankind.

It’s been that way from the beginning. 

Lean in and let me whisper in your ear. 

I love you!

Got that?

I love you.  You are a masterpiece on the verge of greatness.

When I see you, I see a future with hope. 

I am already so proud of you.

Your loving God!

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters

Letter Thirty-Three from God

THIRTY-THREE

My Dear Child:

 

I want to correct a misconception some people have about me.  I have been painted by some as being severe and harsh.  Some people fear me so much that they think I am unapproachable. 

 

That breaks my heart.

 

My one wish for you is that you would come near.  Crawl up into my strong arms and share your hopes and dreams, your angst and disappointments.

 

One of my key messages to mankind is this: “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy hearted.  I will give you an unbelievable rest.”

 

My house is big and my rooms are large.  I have plenty of room for you. 

 

Don’t stay outside.  Come on in the house.

 

Pull up a chair by the fireplace.

 

Come to Papa.

 

 

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

 

 

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters

 

God and Life in These Days

God and Life in These Days

I don’t like much of what is happening in our world today. 

On my bad days, I am prone to flail my arms, curse, get mad or angry, and want to cut people off from my social media feeds.

And sometimes, on these bad days, I tend to forget where God stands in all of this.  Do you relate?

Well, this morning, here is what my spirit is sensing that God is say to all of us. Perhaps you, also, can gain a new footing and a good word of encouragement.

God is saying this …

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you and help you,

I will hold you up with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:1-2
“Do not fear; I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you on fire.

Hebrews 13:5

I will never leave you … I will never forsake you.

Psalm 121:2-4

My help comes from the Lord,

The one who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

He who watches over you will never

Slumber. He who keeps Israel

never slumbers nor sleeps.

Isaiah 59:1

Be aware, the Lord’s reach is not short,

that he cannot save; nor is His ear

closed to your cries and concerns.

Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous;

Do not fear nor be dismayed,

For the Lord your God is with you

Wherever you go.

My friend, hold fast to the promises of God. 

A final word:  In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we read this … “God’s power shows up best in weak people.”  Max Lucado says “God might be looking more for empty vessels than for strong muscles.”

Internet Church Blog Site

P Michael Biggs

Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration

Letter Twenty-Four ~ From God

TWENTY-FOUR

Dear Child:

Your door is closed tightly.  The windows are shut to keep me out.  I miss you.

I’m out here waiting for you, but I won’t barge into spaces and places where I’m not invited.  I’ll respect your space if that is really what you want.

I want to talk with you.  I have an idea or two to help you through this time in your life. 

But I won’t barge in. 

Have you forgotten some of the things we’ve discussed in days gone by?

I love you.

I’ll watch over you, always.

I’ll be there when you ask for me.

I’ll guide you through the mud and murk.

I’ll give extra strength on the toughest days.

I’ll never leave your nor forsake you.

Take a peek outside.

See my sunshine?

Hear the birds chirping happily?

See that butterfly as it zips passed your window.

I note all things in my creation. 

I made note of you at your first whimper.

I hear your anguish.

I catch your tears.

I’ll whisper in your ear. 

Hear that?  I’m calling your name. 

Open the door to your heart and I’ll come near. 

Every time.

God

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters

Letter Twenty~Three

LETTER TWENTY-THREE

  

Dear Child:

Your thoughts are on money today.  I know it’s tough making ends meet.

What you want me to say is “I’m sending you a stash of cash and it’s coming soon.”

Yes, sometimes I’ve done that for individuals.  I’ve sent sacks of groceries.  I’ve paid the mortgage anonymously for some. 

But what I want you to hear from me most of all is this;

When the bills mount up ...

When the rent payment is late ...

When you lose your job …

I am still with you.  I still love you.  I always watch over you.

You are resourceful.  You are capable.  There are answers and I’m guiding you to them, even now. 

Don’t despair.  I haven’t abandoned you. 

I’m here.

Together, we can make your future brighter and better.

Your God Who Always Watches,

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters

Letter Number Twenty-One from God

 Letter Number Twenty-One

Dear Child:

Many have questions about their future.  You do too.  That’s normal, after all.  Life seems so uncertain, doesn’t it? 

Today we have earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorist’s threats, economic collapse, bank accounts being depleted, jobs being pulled out from under us, vicious viral breakouts.  When does it all end?

Some have questioned whether I even exist or if I’ve left the room. 

I’m still here.  I’m looking down on you right this moment.  I still have a future with hope mapped out for you. 

You’ve just lost sight of me in all the rubble of confusion and doubt that you are under. 

I’m here.  Look up.  Brush away the dust cloud. 

Here’s something I put into the ancient scriptures a long time ago.  Ready?

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says God.  Plans for your welfare, to give you a future with hope.”  You’ll find that in Jeremiah 29:11 if you want to look it up.

A future with hope.  That’s true.

Remember, I own the cattle on a thousand hills.  I notice when a sparrow falls to the ground.  I clothe the lilies and tulips, and I keep an eye on you.

I am God!

When you think about your future, just know that I’m here now and I’m leading you to your future.  Take my hand. 

God,

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters

Letter Number Twenty ~ from God

Letter Twenty

  

Dear Child:

I am a specialist.  Did you know that?  My specialty today is mending a broken heart.  Come in.  Sit down.  Now, tell me where it hurts.

You are in pain.  That’s okay.  Pain tells us we are alive.  I worry most when there is no pain.  Then maybe it’s too late.

But today, today, I see your pain. I know what caused it.  I can’t change the situation.  That would be meddling and I don’t meddle.  That would mean I revoke my number one rule and that is “your power to choose.”

But I can help you with your choices.  First of all, lay out all the reasons and nature of your broken heart. 

Disappoint with others?

Human frailties?

Not having your own way?

Relationship difficulties?

I know all about these heartbreaks.

Spell it out.  Don’t hold back.  I can handle anything.

Once you’ve spread it all out, let’s examine each piece. 

I’m here.  I’ll catch your tears.  I hear your sobs.  Rest in my embrace.

God

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters

Letter Number Sixteen ~ from God

Letter Sixteen

Dear Child:

Why do you compare yourself to others?  You still don’t get it.  I love you, uniquely you?

I don’t care about your IQ.  I care about you.  You have a kind heart, a gentle spirit.  That is what I love about you. 

IQ only measures one aspect of a person.  I care about the total person. 

Really, the only thing you should concentrate on is “Am I doing my best with what I have?”

I have never demanded that a person be the smartest, the most creative, the most beautiful, or the most credentialed. 

I do care that you develop and build upon the talents you started with.  Do you remember the story of the people given talents? 

One was given five talents and turned them into ten

One was given two talents and turned them into four

One was given one talent and buried it.  What a waste.

If I had really wanted only the best followers, do you think I would have entrusted my messages down through the ages to the common men and women I’ve used?  I could have easily chosen rulers, monarchs, kings and the rich to carry my thoughts forward.

Instead, I have used fishermen, sinners, poor itinerant preachers, a prostitute, and a King who had an affair to carry my message.  I use all kinds of people.

So, forget your IQ.  Forget your failures. 

Come to me, with all your skills and ills, all of your successes and failures.  I am the one who declares you worthy. 

You are my choice.  You are a worthy candidate for my grace and love.

I can use a person like you.

God

  

One-Hundred Letters from God,

Offering Hope~Encourgement~Inspiration

P Michael Biggs

From my book – The Letters