Devotions | My Journey of Faith: Recent Episodes
My Journey of Faith
The Lord is teaching me. He often does. As He teaches me, He doesn’t give me the whole lesson in one lump sum but rather gently shows it to me in bits and pieces so it’s easier for me to understand.
This time He is teaching more about prayer. He hears our prayers. But more than just hearing our prayers, He desires our prayers. It pleases Him when we pray and talk to Him. He desires a relationship with each one of His children.Consider, if you will, the subject of prayer. First of all, it is our privilege to pray:
*Prayer is a “realistic work” something we can do anytime—in the hospital, in prison, on battlefield, in the palace, in a shack, and literally anywhere.
*We are part of the practical, realistic part of the battle between God and Satan. Satan desires to destroy our witness as Christians. He desires that we never have the strength or power to pray as it weakens his battle against us. We are doing an active work on God’s side in the spiritual battle against Satan. So pray hard!
*Prayer is a warm, close communication with the living God—we need it, God desires it.
*Prayer is so important that God has given us many intercessors:
Jesus intercedes for us: The last thing Jesus did before He was arrested was pray for His children/His followers including you and me. See John 17:1-26
John 17:19-21 “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed…20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
The Holy Spirit Intercedes for us: The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we cannot utter a prayer because we are grieving or just simply don’t know the words to say:
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The Saints intercede for us: We are to pray for each other. Our prayers make a difference and can move the heart of God.
Psalm 86:6-7 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
Psalm 66:19-20 But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me.
The Saints (saved sinners) are commanded to pray for each other:
1 Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
James 5:13, 15, 16 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise… 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
1 Tim 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people.
When you think of prayer, remember your responsibility to pray. Pray for others as they most certainly are praying for you.
In my quiet time this morning, Father showed me this devotion about prayer from “Come Away My Beloved” by Frances J Roberts:
“But I say to you, that for those who walk in Me, and for those who are encircled by the intercessory prayers of My children, I will make of the suffering, yes, I will make of the trials a stepping stone to future blessing.”
“Encircled by the intercessory prayers of My children.”
Imagine this picture: God’s children (our brothers and sisters in Christ) forming a circle of prayer around us when we are in need. This circle could be in a literal physical sense or a spiritual surrounding. There is power in the prayers of the saints (a saved sinner).
Do you pray for others? Do you whisper a prayer for someone who asked for prayer? Do you pray continually throughout the day for others? Do you pray on a regular basis with a group of people or a prayer partner on a regular basis? Take your prayer ministry seriously.
“I am calling My Spirit-filled believers to concentrated labor in this, the vineyard of prayer…Other ministries you must carry on alone, but in this you have a mutual fellowship, for those in heaven have also an intercessory ministry for their brothers and sisters yet on earth.” Rejoice to be granted the privilege of so sacred a task. Count it most precious…Cherish it and cultivate it. Live in prayer, and you will know a full life of joy and remuneration of My blessing!” Francis J Roberts, Come Away My Beloved
Sandra Hardage
Recently, I drove through a neighborhood on the west side of Chicago that my husband and I were married in about 22 years ago. As I drove around the neighborhood, I noticed the dilapidated buildings, the trash in the street, the notable police presence and a sense of despair in the air. My heart was so burdened that I had an urge to pray. I parked my car and prayed for the people, the neighborhood and the major social service agencies in the area.
When Nehemiah asked his brothers and friends about Jerusalem and the Jewish people, they shared the condition of the people and the city; the people are in trouble and disgraced, the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates have been damaged by fire. He immediately sits down, weeps, mourns, fast and prays because the news about the city and its people urged him to pray.
We should pray for the neighborhoods we live in, particularly if it has challenges. God reminded me on that drive that I need to have an urge to pray for every neighborhood, city, state and nation.
We often pray about our lives,our health, our families, our friends. But how often do we pray for where we live? How often do we pray for our state? Our country? Our nation?
Prayer: Dear God, I pray for my community, my county, my state and my country. Please keep us safe in these perilous times. Amen.
Vanesa Scott-Thompson
The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4-5 NIV
At the end of chapter 1, prays for success and favor as he approaches the king. Now in chapter 2, the King asks Nehemiah what does he want. Nehemiah says a quick prayer and then makes his requests. He asks the king to return to his city to rebuild it. He also asks for letters to travel and a letter to get the materials he needs to rebuild. The king grants every request that Nehemiah makes because the favor of God is upon his life. My pastor always says that the favor of God is on the life of the righteous. Nehemiah even prefaces his request to the king with “if it pleases him and if he found favor in his sight.”
Nehemiah has the favor of God in his life and he has the favor of the king. Once the king asks him what he wants, Nehemiah prays and the king grants every request. This makes me want to pray for double favor in my life; the favor of God who can give me favor with people. I think all of us would welcome more favor in our lives.
Prayer: Dear God, I pray that the favor of God be upon my life and those connected to me. Amen.
Vanesa Scott-Thompson
I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:12 NIV
Whenever I pray in secret, I go to my bedroom, the basement, closet or another small space that only I am in and God can see me. Nehemiah went on a journey to inspect the walls of Jerusalem
but he had not yet divulged to anyone what God had prompted him to do. I assume that he prays in secret about the mission he is embarking upon.
Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Our best example of secret prayer is in the gospels when Jesus prays early in the morning or in the mountains or in some secluded place. When we pray in secret we do not want to be overheard or be distracted, we just want it to be God and us. Oftentimes, we pray in secret because we do not want to disclose what we are telling God and what God is telling us; we want to keep our secret safe with Him because he maintains confidentiality.
Prayer: Dear God, I thank you that when I pray in secret, you hear my heart and you keep my secrets. Amen.
Vanesa Scott-Thompson
“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.” Exodus 31:2-3 NIV
In our society, we encourage college or university for high school students as the preferred pathway after they graduate. We tend to overlook the trades as another viable option for our youth as they enter their post-secondary journeys. The importance of the trades really hit home for me with the introduction of Bezalel in the book of Exodus.
Bezalel is a man who has the Spirit of God, has great wisdom, ability and expertise in all kinds of crafts. Bezalel is a master craftsman who can work with gold, silver and bronze. He is also skilled in engraving, mounting gemstones and carving wood. He is a skilled artisan who is chosen by Moses from God’s guidance to be the lead in building the tabernacle where God would dwell among His people. We need carpenters, metal workers and glass blowers. We need the plumber, HVAC technician for air conditioning and heating and a mechanic for our cars. We need every craftsman, tradesmen and handyman to keep our lives in motion. When something breaks in our homes, our cars and our businesses, we need the craftsman and artisans to provide us with their technical
skills so that the job will be done expertly and get us back to our place of normalcy.
Let’s thank God for the invaluable skill set that craftsmen, tradesmen and handymen provide. God has gifted them to do this necessary work.
Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for the tradesman, craftsman and artisans. You have gifted them to do great work and we appreciate them. Amen.
Vanesa Scott-Thompson
“They are to make them just as I commanded you.” Exodus 31:11 NIV
Within the past couple of years, my youngest sister bought and renovated a home. She was very particular about the color of paint, types of doors, types of flooring, cabinetry, bathroom fixtures and other things that added character to the home. She worked with an electrician, carpenter, painter and handyman to get the work completed. When she visited the home during the months-long renovation she paid attention to all of the major and minor details so that her vision was realized.
The Lord provides Moses with specifications about how to construct the tabernacle for Bezalel, Oholiab and others to execute. The Lord lists the ark of the covenant, furnishings, lampstand, altar, washbasin, garments, anointing oil and other items that were to be created by the craftsman. The Lord tells Moses that the master craftsman has special skills and they must make everything the way he has outlined it.
My sister’s renovation journey and the Lord’s specification for the tabernacle construction remind me that attention to details matter. Bezalel and the other craftsmen cannot afford to deviate from the plan. When we pay attention to detail, we are monitoring and checking our work to ensure that it meets the specifications. We know that every detail matters and in some cases it must be meticulous attention to detail or the construction project will be compromised or flawed in some way.
Every item in the tabernacle that Bezalel and Ohaliab were instructed to craft was necessary for the people to be drawn back to the Lord and have a visual reminder of His presence. Therefore, the attention to detail was important to the Lord because the tabernacle was His dwelling place.
Prayer: Dear God, please help us to pay attention to detail and the instructions that you give us. Amen.
Vanesa Scott-Thompson
“The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” Exodus 36:5 NIV
My daughter’s 10th birthday party was not cheap. I had to pay for the food, drinks, decorations, goodie bags, games and everything else that comes along with party planning. During the party, I realized that I needed more arcade cards and laser tag admissions due to more children showing up than I had planned for. The host pulled me to the side and said, “Actually there were 2 other parties today that did not use all of their arcade cards and laser tag admissions so I will just give it to you since you are my last party for today.” I stood there in awe of the Lord’s provision being demonstrated because I saved $200 by the host blessing me.
When it was time to purchase the materials for constructing the tabernacle, Moses put out a call to the people. Once Bezalel and Ohaliab began working, the materials and gifts showed up every morning. After a while they told Moses that they had more than enough to build the tabernacle and that they needed him to let the people know that they had enough to complete the project. So Moses informed the people that their generosity was no longer necessary and they stopped bringing their offerings.
How often do we ask the Lord for something and he gives us more than what we asked for or He just gives us what we need without us even asking? For the birthday party, I received what I needed without even asking because it was the last party of the day. I was the last party of the day because when I booked it a month prior that was the only time slot available. In hindsight, the Lord knew that more people were going to come to the party than I had planned and he had the host on the lookout at previous parties for what I needed before I even asked.
Similarly, when the Lord commanded Moses to build the tabernacle and chose Bezalel and Ohaliab to build it, he knew that the people were going to give them more than what they needed. The Lord wanted to ensure that what he commanded to be constructed actually came to fruition so He showed up as Jehovah Jireh, the provider and used the people to do it. When the Lord shows up as Jehovah Jireh he exceeds our expectations.
Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for being Jehovah Jireh, The Lord our provider. Amen.
Vanesa Scott-Thompson
Early one morning as I was walking down the road, my eye caught a glimpse of a spider web glistening in the morning light. The dew was still on the web making it sparkle in the sunlight and making it appear as if it was made of diamonds. It was so beautiful, I quickly snapped a photo as it hang between two barbed wires on the fence.
It was as if, the spider delicately and intricately had planned every detail of this magnificent feat. It was strong enough to with stand the wind as the it blew to and fro testing its strength. It could withstand the rains and if perchance the web was destroyed, the spider would patiently rebuild.
Spiders were made to spin webs. No one taught them to spin. They simply were made that way. Some spiders build new webs every night while some simply repair the old web as needed. Rather than sit by waiting for this one web to do its duty in catching a meal.
Depending on the spider, there are many type of webs: a funnel web, a sheet web covering a bush or several limbs. Each spider was designed by our Creator to live in a specific environment.
The web begins with a single thread and a single spider with determination. The spider jumps and is carried by the wind to a branch or in the case of my spider another barbed wire and attaches it to this wire. After pulling this thread tight, it moves along the thread to the center and release another thread and attaches it to another spot of barbed wire. After the spider does this several more times and the base/foundation of the web is complete, he will begin to form a spiral connecting each thread to the base.
Each thread is coated in a sticky substance designed to catch the spider’s dinner. The spider can even tell by the vibration of the web whether or not the something that is caught in the web is a leaf or his next meal.
Job 8:13-15 “Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold.”
Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 13:5 “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Sandra Hardage
Photo by Melissa Neal
It had been one of those weeks. Sometimes I had felt as if I could hardly breathe. I was weepy and my emotions were raw. Usually when I feel this way it is because I am tired from lack of sleep or exhausted from traveling or even tired from doing “good” things that I know are worthwhile.
Sometimes I feel something else is going on. It involves the spiritual realm; I know God is up to something involving me in some way especially if I am being obedient to God’s leading. A spiritual battle is raging and I feel the pressure. Often it is simply because I am joining forces with other prayer warriors to pray hard for someone or something. Such has been the case this past week.
The Lord “blessed” me with a heart that feels the pain of others. Someone cries. I join in. Perhaps, you do too. In this week’s Bible Study on the death of Jesus Christ…I cried. A guest speaker for our Women’s group told of her story of being trapped in human trafficking…I cried. My sister called to tell me her pregnant daughter in law had cancer and the doctor wanted to abort the baby…I cried. As I am writing this…I am crying.
So this has been an emotional week but through it all, Father God has surrounded me with His presence and His love and given me reminders that He is the one in charge of all. He has it all taken care of and I am simply to do my part…so I cried.
We want everything to be sunshine and roses and then we feel blessed. Life is not supposed to be hard or so we think. What happens when we get sick with a disease such as cancer, or a loved one dies, or there is a divorce in the family and they are hurting or hurt from other heartrending tragedy? Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people when evil people seem to be prospering? We do not know the answers this side of heaven but God knows and He loves us in spite of the circumstances. He surrounds us daily with His presence to give us peace, if we but open our eyes to see. God’s ways are not our ways.
He reminds me daily that He is there and sometimes even shows me His presence by giving me a “special delight” to thrill my heart. Yesterday, He showed me two delights! My first special delight: the great blue heron flew overhead as I was headed to church to hear the guest speaker I mentioned. This great bird has always been a special thing between Father and myself to remind me that Jesus was resurrected from the dead (the heron/phoenix was a symbol of resurrection to first century believers). The second special delight: a double rainbow after the storm that passed over during her talk. He showed me He loves me and hears my prayers. He is El Shama-God who hears me. God is good all the time! All the time, God is good!
He hears our prayers. He hears us when we pray fervently in times of trouble.
The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:9-20 is an inspirational story of fervent prayer and God hearing. Read the story for yourself from the listed passage.
“Hannah was a barren woman who pleaded to God for a son. She prayed and she prayed hard for a child. As was the custom, Hannah traveled with her husband and his other wife each year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Year after year Hannah would weep and become downtrodden. After numerous reminders by the other wife that Hannah was barren while she had given their husband numerous children, Hannah could take no more. On this particular year, Hannah went to the temple and in great anguish and mourning for the barrenness of her womb, lay on the altar and again prayed for a son. She was so sorrowful, her lips were moving but no words came out of her mouth. Eli the priest observed Hannah’s behavior and thought she was drunk. Hannah told him of her great grief and that she was praying for a child. God blessed Hannah with a son and she called his name Samuel because “I have asked the Lord for him.” The very name Samuel means “heard by God or God hears”. When we pray, God listens.
This beautiful story of a woman who so desperately wanted a son reminds us that God does hear our prayers and He will answer. His answers may not be the way we want but even when He says no, He knows the divine plan He has for our life. He knows what is best not just for us but what is best of all of those around us according to His divine plan for each life.
Prayers matter and the fervent prayers of God’s people joined together to petition His grace make a difference. It is El Shama Himself, Yahweh who hears. It is He who heals the hurts, the agony and the pain we feel. He is the giver of peace.
As for the child of my nephew’s wife, before the knowledge came of a treatment, before the assurance this little one would have the opportunity to safely grow in the womb, God heard the prayers of his mother and the fervent prayers of the many who are praying for him. This child, a son, was given a name. His name will be called Samuel. God hears. And I cried.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.” Phil 4:6
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27**
Sandra Hardage
It is amazing how a skilled sculptor can take a lump of lifeless ugly clay and form it into something of stunning beauty. Having tried this myself, taking clay into my hands, kneading it like bread dough, throwing it onto a wheel and forming it into a beautiful work of art or even an object of usefulness, I have to admit this particular skill most certainly alludes me. I have no talent when it comes to this form of art.
My sister Brenda Magee, on the other hand, shapes the clay with her hands, imagines what it will become and gently shapes and molds the lifeless clay into a creation of unique, unprecedented beauty. Her creation reflects something deep within her as she works for hours patiently shaping, turning, and smoothing with her hands until all flaws are gone and the clay is molded into something she imagined it to be.
When the clay has been shaped and molded just the way she wants it, she places it in a kiln to fire. The kiln is extremely hot and remains constant for hours. The intense heat from the fire further removes imperfections not seen on the outside. If by chance, there is an imperfection deep within the clay that has not been removed by the molding process, the piece may explode under the pressure of extreme heat thrusting shards of brokenness into the kiln.
On removing the shattered work of art, all hope is not lost. She picks up the shards, gently takes her design and repairs it with a special substance that will make it stronger. Broken piece by broken piece, she carefully and lovingly places the splintered shards back on her design. She then smooths and fills any lines between the pieces that may appear. She works with it until at last it is a stronger and more beautiful work than ever.
So it is with our Divine Designer. We were created by Him with a design in His mind of what we would become. He formed us in such a way that pleases Him. It is with a divine plan and purpose that He created uniquely individual people. Each one of His creations is designed differently for a specific purpose only that creation can fulfill. He created us giving us special characteristics, talents and gifts all for the purpose of bringing glory to His Name.
He continues to shape and mold us throughout our life’s journey, teaching us and perfecting us through life experiences and giving us opportunities for growing in faith. Sometimes He will gently guide us back to the center of His will much like the sculptor will move the clay back to center when it moves to one side lest it become misshapen. And when by stubbornness we refuse to be moved, He will push a little harder.
To further perfect His creation, He will put us through the fire and gradually turn up the heat so we will not break too easily. Our Designer knows exactly how much heat to apply to our vessel to help us withstand life and make us stronger. The higher the heat, the more durable we become. And if we break, He holds us, nurtures us, forgives us, and lovingly puts us back together with a very special substance only He can provide: grace. Grace to make us stronger and more resilient. Grace to remind us we are the creation, not the Creator. Grace that only the Father can give because of the blood of Jesus Christ His Son.
And when we accept Jesus as our Savior, God fills our vessel with His Holy Spirit. The result: a work of true beauty formed into the image of Jesus Christ.
Sandra Hardage
I stood gazing out of my kitchen window. On this particular day, I had watched three fox squirrels playing chase in the backyard. I often watched these squirrels scampering up and down the old oak tree that houses their home. They search for nuts buried in the yard and sun themselves in the sunshine on warm days.
I continued my housework and went on about my business. A few minutes later, my cleaning chores required that I return to the kitchen sink. With a quick look out the window, I saw a single squirrel happily eating a nut he had retrieved from its hiding place.
Suddenly, the squirrel stood up straight on his hind legs His ears pointed upward and it appeared he was listening intently. As quick as a snap and with the speed of light, up the old tree he ran. He found a perch on an old knot in the tree with eyes and ears still intent on looking and listening for potential danger.
As I was watching the squirrel, my eyes were drawn to the other side of the fence to the top of a tree that had shed its leaves for winter. There in the air slightly above the tree was a red shouldered hawk making a landing on the top branch. So now I knew what the true danger was to my little squirrel.
Seeing this scene play out in my backyard, my first thought was “oh, no! My camera is upstairs!” Yes, I know, sigh. But what an awesome photo that would be in this battle of the survival of the squirrel sitting motionless in the tree and the hawk in the line of sight about 100 yards away wanting his dinner.
Unfortunately, nature doesn’t hold still even though I hurried as fast as I could to retrieve my camera from the camera bag and get back downstairs to take the photo. Camera in hand, I focused on the squirrel since the hawk had flown away. The squirrel twisted and laid his body in a straight line next to the bark of the tree and made his way upward to safety in his home inside the oak tree.
The squirrel was safe and the hawk was gone. The squirrel had been alert to impending danger from the hawk. God created him with preservation instincts and equipped him with the ability to know when danger was present and what to do in order to save himself from a predator.
God also provides His children the same types of instincts and sensitivities as well as the Holy Spirit to assist us in helping make decisions in order to resist the very one who wishes to devour us. God’s Word speaks to us to remind us that we too, like the squirrel must be alert and aware of our predator-the devil.
1 Peter 5: 8 ” Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…”
What can we do to be aware? The Word says we are to be sober-minded (know what the devil is capable of doing), be watchful (keep your eyes and ears open to potential danger), resist him by standing firm in your faith and guarding your heart and mind from evil. Be in God’s Word and if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior you have God’s Holy Spirit within you to give you guidance. Listen to His leading.
Sandra Hardage
Gen 1:21 “So God created…”
I was out in my yard the other day taking photos of the flowers and butterflies and came upon this tiny creature I had never seen. There were about five or six of these little “critters” busily gathering nectar from the marigolds. I had never seen anything quite like it before and at first I thought it might be a baby hummingbird but then I noticed his body resembled the body of a bumblebee. The wings were different-dark around the edges but transparent in the middle. I later, after an Internet search, discovered this little creature is called a “Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth”.
I continue to marvel at God’s creation. He makes everything unique to it’s own purpose. Every moth He makes He creates in a very special design and for a very specific purpose. He does the same for us. He creates each of us unique to His purpose and plan. He designs us to look a certain way, have a unique personality, talents, etc. and places within each of us a desire to know Him and love Him.
Psalm 139:15 “For You created my innermost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb…all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
The great God of the universe created this tiny distinctively different hummingbird moth and He created me!
Sandra Hardage
Don’t Let Me Miss the GlorySeveral years ago before a trip to Alaska a friend of mine gave me an album entitled “Don’t Let Me Miss The Glory” by Gordon Mote. I downloaded it to my ipod and took it with me on my trip. Every morning I stood on the balcony as we traveled on the cruise to Alaska. As I beheld the awesome beauty of my surroundings, I listened to this album. The theme song of the album became my prayer each day. “Lord, don’t let me miss Your glory!” God richly answered that prayer. What beauty I saw in His beautiful creation! As I stood on the balcony and smelled the fresh clean air and felt the gentle cool breeze on my face, God opened my eyes to see His beautiful creation and what an awesome mighty God He is. Since that time He continues to show me very special “delights” and glimpses of His glory in my own backyard. I serve a Mighty Holy God!
I love to take photographs of things He allows me to see. I have included some those photos in the slideshow attached here, along with the song, “Don’t Let Me Miss The Glory!” by Gordon Mote. My hope is that as you view this, you too will recognize what a Holy God we serve. Don’t miss His Glory, He reveals it every day if we will just notice! We serve an awesome God!
Sandra Hardage
Nothing is Imposible
God posed a profound question to Abraham in Genesis 18:14; Is there anything too hard for the LORD? When God appeared to Abram at the age of ninety-nine, (Genesis 17:5-27) He changed his name from Abram to Abraham and said, I have made you a father of many nations. He changed Abraham’s wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah, blessed her to be the mother of many nations, and blessed her to give Abraham a son. Vs. 17 tells us that Abraham laughed to himself because he saw himself as old. His wife Sarah (Genesis 18:12) couldn’t help but laugh when she heard that she would have a child at her age. God thinks nothing of His promises; Jesus said that the things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Luke 18:27).
Apparently, Sarah and Abraham underestimated themselves! Their self-perception, as old and too late, was far from how God thought of them: the Father of many nations and the Mother of many nations!
What has God called you?
Underestimating ourselves is a common pitfall. When unexpected circumstances drench our plans, fear causes us to stagger instead of clinging to the confession of our faith. In some ways, we are like Abraham and Sarah; God gives us a task to carry out, and we laugh because the task is beyond anything we can imagine ourselves doing.
When God told Abraham to leave his country and his people and go to the land that He would show him, He promised Abraham that he would be blessed and be a blessing and that his name would be great, and that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:1-3).
The Bible says that Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what God had promised, He was able to perform (Romans 4: 20-22).
Stand firm when you feel the call of God, whether a small call or a big one and do not underestimate yourself. It’s not you, but the Father in you that does the work (John 14:10). Now, don’t try and figure this all out; by faith, choose to believe the blessings of Abraham and be fully convinced that God has the power to fulfill His promises for your desires!
Embrace the Power of Faith, Expect to Succeed
Jesus said, Have faith in God (Mark 11:22). What is faith? Faith is believing and trusting in God. Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).
Staying in faith is not always easy; it can be a battle, a constant tug-of-war between your self-determination and the persistent companion of self-doubt. Self-doubt is like a doubting friend, constantly questioning your choices and abilities, making the path of faith challenging.
But remember, your role is to distance yourself from self-doubt and to rely on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind, not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 AMPC). Faith becomes a powerful tool when deeply rooted in the Word of God and not in your self or others. It empowers you to overcome self-doubt, rise above your uncertainties, and succeed.
Develop your faith; it is your shield of protection. When you walk by faith, no one can steal God’s promises for you (Mark 5:36). These promises are not just words but a testament to God’s unwavering love and care for you. In a world filled with pain, frustration, sadness, confusion, aloneness, doubt, fear, and so much more, these promises can be your anchor, keeping you confident and ready to face life’s challenges.
David’s words in 1 Samuel 17:35 remind us to recall our past triumphs and to have faith and trust in God’s power within us for victory over our challenges. This reflection can instill hope and encouragement in us.
God wants you to know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and in return, He will direct and make straight and plain your paths (Proverbs 3:6). He will keep you and bless you because of your response of faith! With faith, you can believe that God will fulfill whatever He proposes in you (Luke 1:45). This is not a mere promise but a guarantee of God’s constant presence and desire to see you prosper. It’s a reassurance that you are never alone in your faith journey.
Cassandra y Branch
Jesus said, Have faith in God (Mark 11:22). What is faith? Faith is believing and trusting in God. Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).
Staying in faith is not always easy; it can be a battle, a constant tug-of-war between your self-determination and the persistent companion of self-doubt. Self-doubt is like a doubting friend, constantly questioning your choices and abilities, making the path of faith challenging.
But remember, your role is to distance yourself from self-doubt and to rely on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind, not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 AMPC). Faith becomes a powerful tool when deeply rooted in the Word of God and not in your self or others. It empowers you to overcome self-doubt, rise above your uncertainties, and succeed.
Develop your faith; it is your shield of protection. When you walk by faith, no one can steal God’s promises for you (Mark 5:36). These promises are not just words but a testament to God’s unwavering love and care for you. In a world filled with pain, frustration, sadness, confusion, aloneness, doubt, fear, and so much more, these promises can be your anchor, keeping you confident and ready to face life’s challenges.
David’s words in 1 Samuel 17:35 remind us to recall our past triumphs and to have faith and trust in God’s power within us for victory over our challenges. This reflection can instill hope and encouragement in us.
God wants you to know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and in return, He will direct and make straight and plain your paths (Proverbs 3:6). He will keep you and bless you because of your response of faith! With faith, you can believe that God will fulfill whatever He proposes in you (Luke 1:45). This is not a mere promise but a guarantee of God’s constant presence and desire to see you prosper. It’s a reassurance that you are never alone in your faith journey.
Cassandra y Branch
Living Self-Intentionally
It is natural for humans to be attracted to distractions, as they often seem appealing. In today’s world, many distractions occupy your time. However, it is crucial not to entertain every distraction that comes your way. The enemy cunningly sends some distractions to hinder you from reaching your full potential in God’s plan. What matters is that you do the will of God from the heart. To serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people (Ephesians 6:6-7 NIV).
Absolutely! I’ve had affirming impactful conversations with myself while standing in front of the bathroom mirror. Being devoted to God’s purpose brings about maintaining a strong connection with Jesus and fearlessly carrying out His plans with unwavering faith, boldness, and consistent effort, just as Colossians 3:23 TPT emphasizes. You must empower yourself by actively and purposefully pursuing a deeper understanding of God and striving to become the individual He envisioned for you. This unwavering faith demands pushing aside distractions to remain focused on serving God. With a goal in mind and a vision, every day, work at it to be better intentional. Be intentional with your living, your faith, your prayers, your words, your praise and worship, your family, your relationship, and your business. Be intentional with yourself, all with diligence and courage. Your actions should always aim to please our Heavenly Father. As Colossians 3:24 TPT states, as you serve the Lord, direct your focus towards the rewards that await you from the Lord, the Anointed One! As you align your life with God’s calling, you will undergo a profound transformation. Your walk, your talk, your thoughts, your time, and your intentions will all be different. You will find yourself in the mirror affirming, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help (Psalms 121:1-2), I am transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2), With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), and I can do all things He has called me to do and be! This transformation is not just a possibility, it’s truth.
The path of intentional living and self-discipline leads to a life filled with God’s blessings and favor. Then, you will find joy and peace in contributing to the happiness and joy of others.
Cassandra y Branch
Throw It Out! Preserving Only What’s Good For Your Spiritual Growth
Life experiences have a lot to do with making you feel powerless and will chip away at your self-esteem. When you do not attend to your emotions, you permit them to show up unannounced in every aspect of your life. Eventually, you show up lost and confused. Lacking individuality can influence your relationships, career, health and blessings. With all the past stuff that has not been dealt with but instead preserved, you tend to forget about yourself and your God-given potential. It’s time to throw it out! God wants you to have an abundant life, bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord.
Let’s take a peek at Abigail, Nabal’s wife. In 1 Samuel 25:1-44, the Bible calls her a woman of good understanding and beauty, but her husband Nabal was harsh and evil in his doings. The quick version of the story is that Nabal owned thousands of sheep and goats, making him a prime target for thieves. Before David reigned as King, he and his men had generously protected Nabal’s flocks and possessions. The scripture says that David’s men were very good to Nabal’s men. They did not mistreat us; nothing was missing the whole time we were in the fields near them. Night and day, they were a wall around us (v. 15-16). When David hears that Nabal is shearing his sheep, David requests for himself and his men anything he has to spare. Nabal refused to give to David and his men and insulted them. One of Nabal’s servants tells Abigail about the situation, predicting what David and his men will do to them because of Nabal’s foolish ways. She quickly gathers supplies, food, wine, and sheep and settles up to meet David.
Meanwhile, David is furious. He and his men are en route to attack Nabal’s home when Abigail meets them, falls at David’s feet and pleads with David, calling Nabal a scoundrel and giving David and his men supplies and provisions. In return, David and his men blessed Abigail, and they turned back around.
The Bible says that Nabal’s heart died within him, and he became like a stone. Nabal preserved the wrong things. A few days later, his heart failed him, and he died (v. 37-38).
Abigail’s story is a testament to the transformative power of self-realization, understanding one’s true self, and faith. She knew her identity in God and understood that there was nothing too hard for her God to do. Despite her circumstances, Abigail was a woman who found her confidence in God, (v. 29) bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord. The words of the Lord are pure and worth preserving. They will protect and always keep you safe (Psalm 12:6-7).
Cassandra y Branch
We Give Thanks
Gratitude is not just a virtue but a fundamental aspect of our Christian faith. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:15 NLT instructs us to let the peace from Christ rule in our hearts and live in peace. And always be thankful. Gratitude is not just a feeling but a way of life we, as Christians, are called to embrace.
As I look back on the twists and turns of my life, I am filled with gratitude. My journey, filled with both joys and challenges, is a living testament to God’s goodness. By relying on prayer and trust in God’s plan, I found the courage to endure. This experience deepened my faith and filled me with gratitude. I am not just blessed, happy, fortunate, prosperous, and favored; He has given me countless reasons to be thankful!
Psalm 100:5 (ESV) beautifully proclaims that For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. This is one of the many reasons we thank God. He is consistently showing us His goodness throughout our lives. The blessings of God are not just rewards, but they are gifts to believers for our unwavering faith in Him (James 1:17). When we offer praise and thanksgiving, we acknowledge God, the Creator of the ends of the earth (Isaiah 40:28), and nurture a spirit of gratitude. One practical way to do this is to start and end each day with a prayer of thanks. We are called to be thankful for the situations we appreciate and the circumstances we would rather avoid. Even in the depths of sadness, hurt, and pain, we can find solace in knowing that God will sustain us and give us strength to endure.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father (Colossians 3:16-17 NLT). It is not only a privilege but also a duty to express our gratitude to God Almighty. Let us feel the weight and joy of this duty and privilege and give thanks.
Cassandra Branch
Winning The Battle Against Self
When I reflect on my emotions, I remember happy days, sad occasions, mistakes, things I cherish, my faith, and unconditional love from God. Each day, various experiences evoke different emotions in me.
Do you find yourself in a constant battle with your emotions, or are you able to maintain a sense of control? It’s a common belief that we have the power to manage our emotions, but the truth is, they often have a way of managing us.
One way of knowing you’re driven by your emotions is an inability to change your behavior. Repeating mistakes demonstrates that your decision-making is being overridden by your emotions. This is the biggest obstacle to success. You know what needs to be done, but you can’t get yourself to do it often enough to enjoy lasting success.
Like Paul in Romans 7:18 (CEV), I, too, have grappled with the realization that my selfish desires often hinder me from doing what is good. Even when I am determined to do right, I fall short.
Paul is expressing his struggle against selfish desires that hold his mind captive, something we all face daily.
Learning how to override your emotions and allow rational thinking to prevail isn’t easy. Your sinful nature seeks to draw you away from following God’s work in you. Jesus said with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Paul goes on to say (v.22) that the inward man finds delight in the law of God. This delight causes believers in Christ to want to align themselves with the new nature God has imparted to them.
When you turn to prayer, it opens your heart to the transforming power of the Word of God. This power can re-align you with the new nature of God and renew you in Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). And let us not forget the power of the Holy Spirit, the One who instills in us self-control, energizing our renewed Spirit and empowering us to not be blinded by our emotions (Galatians 5:22-23).
Cassandra Branch
Some days feel like I’m walking through mud. Things happen and I catch myself asking, “why me Lord?” But, then I look around at the suffering and chaos going on around me and realize how blessed I am.
I remember on a mission trip once in Peru, when the trail before me was 16 miles of mud! It was the hardest hike I had ever done. I would take one step forward and sink into the mud, trying to keep my balance and to keep moving.
I learned many things on that trip; one being that to get to the destination, I had to keep moving forward, no matter the terrain. And, trusting God to go before me and lead the way strengthened my confidence in taking that next step.
The Lord is leading us each day whether we believe it or not, and we are venturing by faith each step of the way.
God has a plan for your life. His will is for you to walk forward, confident in His love, trusting Him to take care of you all along the way.
Take the next step forward with God at your side.
Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
If you want to achieve anything in life you must put some effort into it. So it is with being a Christian. Some may think that they can be saved from sin and that’s all they have to do; just skate through the rest of their life.
But that’s not what God had in mind when He created you and me. We all have a purpose and if you’re a Christian, God has purposely given you instructions through His word (the Bible) to go and tell others about Him.
You can’t just go to church on Sunday and do whatever you want the rest of the week. It takes effort to follow and please God, and if you lack the desire, ask God. He will give you the motive and the will to do it.
Just think of the possibilities and blessings of putting forth the effort to follow God.
The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.
Want a better life, pursue God and He will take care of the rest?
Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Dianne Petrey
Have you ever had someone tell lies about you; someone who just makes up stuff to benefit themselves?
Slander is akin to stepping into God’s place as the only judge and telling Him (God) to move over, you’ve got this.
It really used to bother me when someone would be so deceitful and hurtful towards me, but then I realized that hurting people intentionally hurt other people. What did I do? The only thing I knew how; I started praying for that person. That’s our only weapon in this war we Christians face every day. You see, each time they tear me down, my God builds me up.
The Bible says in Proverbs 19:9 that “a false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish.”
Pathological and compulsive liars will believe their own lies, or they may lie to appear heroic or even the victim.
When people say untruths about others, they’re insulting God’s children. They may try to break us down, but if we’re strong in our relationship with God, no amount of words or actions against us can move our faith or damage our character.
Love God, love others, and pray for the broken hearted.
Revelations 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Dianne Petrey
JAMES 1:2–4, 12–12“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything…..12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Sometimes, you might face hard things — not necessarily because of anything you’ve done wrong — but because a purpose is being worked out for your benefit. Why do bad things happen to good people?
We read in James 1:13 ” 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” God does not tempt anyone. So why does the sovereign God allow bad things to happen to good people?
Consider Joseph who was so hated by his brothers that they couldn’t even speak peaceably unto him. Genesis 37:4 “ When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”
Think of him in that pit. And then in prison. Was it God who moved his brothers to hate him so much that they put a value of twenty pieces of silver on his life? Was it God who moved Potiphar’s wife to act with such slighted rage?
But God was with Joseph.
If we remember this truth even in hard places, we will gain the clarity we need to maintain a good attitude and let God finish His work — He is threading beautiful patterns with His purpose into the tapestry of our lives. Would we trust Him to finish His work, or would we become restless and unsatisfied with His work, yet unfinished? Would we unravel what’s already been accomplished, or would we trust God and wait quietly for Him? Lamentations 3:26 “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
It’s all for a purpose!
God has not caused your pain, but He has allowed it because it’s accomplishing something beautiful in you, for you. You will not come out of this place without a glimpse of the unsearchable wisdom of God in allowing this present suffering. And you will thank Him for showing you this favor.
The dark pit is not a pleasant place to be, regardless of how you got there. The sting of your brothers’ hatred is not an easy burden to bear. The injustice of being shoved through legal systems to unfair places is not a cross that’s easy to bear.
But we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. With God’s help, we can do hard things. We can walk through dark places, and our expectation of seeing light at the end of it all will be fulfilled.
We see the beautiful purpose God worked in Joseph’s life — He never lost control as the story of Joseph’s life unfolded. The same God is with you. So count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations — because who knows the beautiful purpose He is working out in your life!
Cassandra Branch
James 2:17–26 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Do you show by your works the faith you have professed in God? If you believe God will always take care of you, do you give in to the anxiety that could come from living in these present times? If you believe in God, are you willing to obey Him even if your actions would go against the grain of society today?
We have to come to the place where our faith in God is the standard by which we measure every influence we allow in our lives. As Christians, we’ve been called to a life that is different from what this world could ever understand. They cannot understand our way of life because they do not know God. We serve a God who uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.
He uses the weak things of this world to confound the mighty. He works through unlikely vessels to accomplish great things. Like Gideon who could not see beyond his perception of who he was, even though that perception was contrary to God’s word concerning him. Judges 6:14–15 “The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
What has God said about you, and what is your response to this revelation?
You are loved. You are chosen. You have a purpose. You are already victorious, more than conquerors. You are healed. You are saved.
God has a plan for your life.
He will supply every need. He will guide you with His eyes. He will protect you. He is with you always. He will not forsake you. He will bring you into His plan for your life. He is preparing a place and will come back for you.
The Bible is replete with these promises and revelations —Mind them, believe them, and let them color your choices. When we live our lives based on God’s word, we attract heaven’s attention.
His word will not fail, so we have nothing to be afraid of as we take those leaps of faith —as long as they are based on God’s word. Don’t give up so easily.
Remember that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a “ For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Hold on to God’s word and go in this thy might! Judges 6:14 “The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
The Lord is with you.
Cassandra Branch
Listen to what you say.
If your words do not agree with what God has said, you owe it to yourself to control your tongue and bring it under subjection to the will of God —you have that authority and that duty. We are in constant warfare and we cannot be careless about how we carry on because the fight is for our lives, and we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy. If your words do not agree with God’s words, whose words do they agree with then?
In times of lack, what do you say? In times of uncertainty, what do you say? When someone offends you, what do you say? When your faith is being tried, what do you say?
King David was a man who went through many difficult times. In the Psalms, we see him express his frustration to God but if we pay attention, we see that it was never to the point of despondency. He never lost faith in God’s ability to help him. He had already been anointed king of Israel yet he spent many days running from a desperate king who was bent on keeping the kingship in his family line.
He faced betrayal and was alone in his suffering sometimes but he always acknowledged God’s presence and help even in those times. When no one else would do it for him, he encouraged himself in the Lord. He did not indulge in perpetual pity parties and bemoan his fate. He trusted God.
He expected to see God show up for Him. So he expressed these things, and God did not fail him. “I had fainted”, he said, “Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).
When you speak, let your words agree with the will of God for you as revealed in the Bible. Do not let the enemy lead you into strange places by the words of your mouth. All the promises of God in Christ are yes and in Him Amen.
“As truly as I live” God has said, “As you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you”. (Numbers 14:28)
So listen — what are you saying?
“But I say unto you, That every idle word men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. “(Matthew 12:36-37, KJV)
Cassandra Branch
JAMES 4:2–7 “ You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
We serve a God who is able to do all things. He can give us all things but He will not help us destroy ourselves. When you have a need, how do you approach that challenge? Do you throw a fit and insist on having your own way, or do you rest in the God who has promised to take care of you?
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”. Isaiah 65:24, KJV God wants to meet your need. He is able to, but He will not enable destructive tendencies.
Why do you pray for the things you ask for? And if you do not see the supply what do you do? Don’t be like the Israelites who cried to God for years for deliverance from the Egyptians who were cruel taskmasters. Yet they forgot their suffering when they remembered the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic that ate in Egypt — the land of their suffering, the land from which they prayed to God with distressed spirits for deliverance.
God had not abandoned them. He rained food from heaven for them every day — it did not fail. Was it wrong that they wanted meat, or was it their attitude in asking?
So God gave them meat, and while they were still eating it many of them died. Numbers 11:31–34 31 Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction. 32 All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers. Then they spread them out all around the camp. 33 But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.
Their lust was the fuel that drove them to their end. God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless
He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
God will supply our need. He is able to make all grace abound unto us so that, having all sufficiency in all things, we may abound unto every good work 2 Corinthians 9:8
But we must trust Him and not get drawn into that life-draining cycle of satisfying the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 1 John 2:16 “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.“
Receive the rest of God.
Thrive in it.
Bloom in it.
God is watching over you and He has filled your path with pleasant surprises. You can trust that He can — and He will deliver these surprises intact to you.
Cassandra Branch
JAMES 5:7–11 “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
There are times when we have to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise to us. If God in His wisdom is making you wait, it’s not because He’s finding it difficult to fulfill that promise. He’s also not punishing you by making you wait? Why is He making you wait? — Does anybody really know the answer to this question? (at least, not while they’re waiting!) But after you’ve passed this road — after this season is passed — if you pay attention, you might gain perspective that would serve as encouragement to others coming after you.
Why did Abraham wait? He had received God’s promise that his seed would be as the dust of the earth. When he was discouraged, God told him to try counting the stars if he could — because that’s how much his descendants would be. Yet in his old age, he was still childless, still waiting for the manifestation of this promise by a God he knew could do it anytime He wanted.But Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto Him for righteousness. Your restless disquiet does not honor God. It also won’t make Him act faster than He intends to — which is always for your good.
Do you believe that God will do what He has said He will do? So do you carry on in ways that portray this faith? If we cannot rest in God, why do we believe in Him then? If others cannot look at us and find encouragement to trust God where then is the faith that we profess to have?
God has heard your prayers. You can trust Him like a father who has your best interest at heart — because He does! So breathe easy if you find yourself in a season of waiting.
Let the virtues being cultivated in you in this season find full expression. At least make the effort to not lose your joy.
Remember Job.
Naomi and Ruth.
Elizabeth and John.
Abraham and Sarah
The God who did not fail them then is still the same.
Cassandra Branch
1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.“
You are not unseen. It might not always seem like it, but God sees you now, where you are. He never lost control. You can still trust that all things are working together for your good because you love God Romans 8:28 “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Are you discouraged? Misunderstood? Are you tired? God sees you. He hears you.
Even when no one else gets where you are or where you’re coming from, you can still rest in God because He never left you. Are you doing the honest best that you can? That is all that’s required of you.
Keep doing what you can — even with tears in your eyes if you have to, sometimes. One day at a time is how we’ve been called to live. Obey God now and leave the outcome to Him, Leave the future in His hands.
God will not fail you — the Bible is full of examples to encourage us in our belief that this is true. He will do the impossible for you — for with Him, nothing shall be impossible. He will satisfy your longing soul and fill you with goodness. Psalm 107:9 “for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
You will never have to walk any path He calls you to alone because He will be with you every step of the way. He will carry you. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’”
Look up and see the Dayspring arisen with healing in His wings. Stand still and see the salvation of your God. Go another day. Take another step. Draw another breath.
Your purpose is beautiful because God designed it and He will bring it to pass — nothing and no one can stop it as long as you remain, abiding in Him. John 15:4–5 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
You can trust God to take care of you always. After a while, He will establish and settle you — you can count on this promise!
Cassandra Branch
We all face challenges every day. No one is exempt from problems. Even a toddler has an issue every now and then when they don’t get their way. Many times these problems can manifest anxiety, anger, depression or worse, suicide.
When I became a Christian as a teenager, I can remember thinking maybe I will have less trouble in my life. I was so wrong. It took many many years to realize why. It says in the Bible that we will have troubles but not to worry. There is a God who loves me, cares for me and is there for me, not to solve my problems, but to listen.
We live in a sinful world and there will always be problems. It’s how we deal with them; how we respond that will show our true character.
Jesus asks us to bring our concerns to Him and He will give us rest. He will not necessarily give us the answers, but we can rest in knowing that HE’S GOT THIS!
Today I know that whatever challenges come upon me, I can just say a little prayer of ‘God help me,’ knowing He hears me and He cares about the situation.
One day soon Jesus is coming back for His children (those who have given their life to Him) and He will take them home to Heaven where there will be NO MORE PROBLEMS, no more anxiety, depression, etc. No more sin!
Choose to follow Jesus today! It’s a ‘win-win’.’
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Dianne Petrey
Am I doing this right?
Life is hard. There is no doubt about it. Just when you feel good about your circumstances, your relationships, even your health, BAM! It hits; comes from out of nowhere.
As a Christian, we may try to devote our time to reading the Bible, praying, helping others in need. But in the midst of all this, our car breaks down, the job stresses us out, our child gets sick. We start to wonder, what is happening and what am I doing wrong that would cause all this chaos?
You see, this is exactly what the devil wants us to think. Satan wants to make us feel like we’re doing something wrong and that God’s promises aren’t true. That is so far from the truth about our God, our Creator. God is at work and He’s on our side in every situation.
Trials are a part of life. It’s how we respond to these ‘bumps in the road’ that prove our character and our trust in God.
Seek God first. Tell Him your fears, your worries. Don’t try and figure it all out yourself. He sees you and if you’re His child, His devoted disciple, He will lead you in the right direction.
You may not feel like you’re doing things right when calamity is all around you, but if you’re trusting in God and asking Him for help, you’re going to live a more meaningful, purposeful life.
Let go and let God take the wheel. If you’re following God, nothing else matters.
Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,”
Dianne Petrey
To make a sacrifice, you surrender or give up something for the sake of someone else. In the spiritual realm, sacrifice means giving to the Lord whatever He requires, whether it be our time, our resources and our energy to further His work.
We all make sacrifices every day. Some do this because they love and care about another’s needs. God sees this and blesses us for it.
I’m personally going through a trial that is requiring me to help my family get through a difficult season. Others may look at me and wonder why I’m taking on so much. This is exactly what satan wants us to think. The devil wants us to throw a pity party and dwell on why things are so bad right now.
I look at this time as an opportunity to show God’s love and to thank God for putting me right in the middle of it all.
Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for all. He died so we could live. So why wouldn’t I sacrifice my time to help those I love. Jesus came out of the grave and is alive today. I accept the challenges of today and am thankful He chose me!
My sacrifices may seem daunting to others, but with God by my side, NOTHING is impossible!
Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Dianne Petrey
Despite what breaks you today or what has broken you in the past, trust that God is with you, if you are a Christian and have a relationship with Him.
Have you ever broken your favorite plate or glass, something that meant a lot to you? Do you remember feeling defeated or sad when that happened? It happens, but it’s just stuff that can be replaced.
But what about the brokenness of the spirit? It can feel like the most devastating thing that’s ever happened to you.
I have had many ups and downs in my Christian walk. There have been days, weeks, even years that I have felt like my world was falling apart. But guess what, those broken dreams can turn into everlasting promises when we continue to give our life to Christ.
God sees the broken pieces and is right beside us to help us up and put things back together, again and again.
Don’t stop believing in God’s promises and His power!
You may see yourself as broken, but God sees you as beautiful. Allow God to make beauty out of ashes.
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Dianne Petrey
Photo credits to “Carlos ZGZ”
It hit me as I took in the line of people waiting to get food. These people are desperate, still God provides. Some of these people you would never notice at the grocery store or post office, yet these are people you pass on the street or in your own town. As I looked over the crowd, my only thought was, ‘what brought them here?’ They probably didn’t start out life coming to the food bank, so what shifted in their lives to come to this point?
Jesus tells us to take care of the hungry; the needy, and I am glad to be a part of a church who does just that. Providing free clothing and food twice a week is a way of shining our light in this community, this city.
When we serve others, we are serving Christ. We all seem to take advantage of the fact that we can go home and open the refrigerator and eat whatever is in there. Some people open their empty refrigerator and wonder when their next meal will come.
The next time you are starting to feel like you have a million problems and life just isn’t going your way, GIVE! Give your time, your resources and your love to help others. You’ll be glad you did.
God blesses those who bless others. Reach out and give today.
Hebrews 13:16 – “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Dianne Petrey
WHEN FACED WITH MAJOR DECISIONS HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Life is filled with choices – small or big, short-term or long term. AND with those choices come benefits and/or consequences. That’s Life! In making
decisions and determining the success or failure of each choice, the beginning step in the process is the key.
Where do we begin? AND with Whom?
Do we look to “self” or do we turn to God for direction?
A recurring theme in the Scriptures is the contrast between the Way of the Righteous and the Way of the World. As we review the story of Abram and Lot, we find the answer to these questions: Who was walking in the ways of the world and Who was walking in the ways of the Lord?
Both Abram and Lot had accumulated so much in possessions, flocks, and herds that it was necessary to separate to keep the peace between the two family groups.
“So Lot chose the entire plain of the Jordan for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other. Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities on the plain and set up his tent near Sodom.” Gen. 13:11-12
Lot (the man of the world) based his selection on the appearance of lush, fertile fields and his selfish, worldly desires. No mention of consulting with God or a priest or prophet.
(Note for further study: In Genesis, when we see the term “eastward,” it denotes separation from God or choosing to go against God’s Will. Check it out! (See Gen. 3:24 (Adam and Eve); Gen. 4:16 (Cain); and Gen. 11:2 (citizens of Babel))
But Abram (the man of faith) simply obeyed!
“By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
The theme of the “Two Ways” is repeated in Psalm 1:
How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
Along his faith journey, Abram chose to focus on God, build altars and worship God, and believe that He who had promised would be faithful to His promises.
“ I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing…. and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3
God’s faithfulness to His People is a foundational storyline throughout the entire Bible.
“He (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Romans 4:20-25
We have so much to learn from both men, Lot and Abram.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16
Janice Ramsey
We are introduced to Noah in when he is 500 years old as God shared with him his intentions and his instructions.
Genesis 6:13-14 “I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness … Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.” (CSB)
Notice in Genesis 6 – 8, Noah must operate on God’s time table. God gives verbal commands “Build,” “Enter,” and “Exit.” Noah must wait on God for further instructions.
Perhaps the construction project took 100 years! They entered the ark and waited 7 days before the rain started. The ark came to rest on Mt. Ararat, and they waited 7 months while the water receded and the process of drying the land continued. How many times did they look at the calendar and say, “Is today the day we get to leave this ark?” So Noah waited.
What’s your attitude when waiting? Frustrated? God does not move as quickly as we wish He would. Why does God put us in situations where we have to wait? Waiting is a test of obedience.
Notice God operates “one step at a time!” He is the one in control. Noah waited for further instructions, and when it was God’s time, God revealed the next step.
Genesis 8:1 “God remembered Noah …” Had God put Noah, his family, and all those animals on the ark and forgotten them? No! It was time to express his care and concern for them.
They were the object of His grace!
(Romans 15:13) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him …”
Janice Ramsey
God made a covenant with Noah and with us.
Genesis 9:8-15 (CSB)
“8 Then God said to Noah and his sons with him,
9 “Understand that I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you—birds, livestock, and all wildlife of the earth that are with you—all the animals of the earth that came out of the ark.
11 I establish my covenant with you that never again will every creature be wiped out by floodwaters; there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: 13 I have placed my bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all the living creatures; water will never again become a flood to destroy every creature.”
Our God is a covenant maker! This is just one of several covenants mentioned in the Bible. The covenant with Noah is an example of a unilateral agreement where God initiates and accepts all of the responsibilities of keeping His promise and man has no conditions (or restrictions) to make sure God would not destroy the earth by flood.
How does God respond to man? How does God love? God is a promise keeper; God is a covenant keeper!
In our English translations, the Hebrew word “hesed” is often translated as “abiding love, faithful love, or steadfast love.” Taking it further down the list of dictionary definitions, we find the terms loyal and covenant. How does God respond or how does God love? With loyal love – with covenant love!
Do you know this promise keeping, covenant keeping God? Have you experienced this kind of love? Psalm 136: 1, 23-24 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever. He remembered us in our trouble. His faithful love endures forever. and rescued us …
His faithful love endures forever.”
Janice Ramsey
Someone suggested that when studying books of the Bible, we should look for Jesus. Can we find Jesus in Genesis? How are we introduced to Jesus? (Just some examples as we have studied Genesis this month)
Example #1
Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” Genesis 1:28
We can use the creation story to identify the triune God – God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. Also, the Apostle Paul gives us additional insight.
Colossians 1:15-16 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through him and for him.”
Example #2 Fall of Man
Genesis 3:15 “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
To put it simply: between humans and snakes, there is hostility as God said.
And Satan tried to strike the incarnate Son of God, but it was not a death blow as God raised him from the dead. However, Satan will be crushed and his reign on earth will be no more.
Example #3 Tower of Babel
Genesis 11: 7 “Come, let us go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”
Yes, Jesus is in Genesis! He was, He is, and He will always be!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
And when we mess up, he always responds with grace! Grace that is “greater than all our sin.”
Janice Ramsey
When we study the Tower of Babel Genesis 11 account, we emphasize the wrong motives of the people. We can easily list them: pride, arrogance, selfishness, rebellion, distrust, and seekers of fame. Building their reputation was just as important as being united in building a city and a tower.
Also, just as important as motives, are their fears. They were disobeying God’s instructions, “But you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out over the earth and multiply on it.” Genesis 9:7
Were they afraid of being separated, disconnected? Were they afraid of losing security and comfort? Were they afraid of loss of power and control?
Yes!
There is nothing new under the sun! Man is still trying to make a name for himself by not focusing on God and striving to be independent of God.
You know Facebook can be good for something! Here is an illustration found on Facebook and credited to Zig Ziglar: “F-E-A-R has 2 meanings: Forget everything and run or Face everything and rise. The choice is yours.”
Psalm 20:7-8 “Some take pride in chariots and others in horses (or towers) but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.”
Today, don’t we still question God? Will God really provide? Can I really trust him?
God says “I will supply your needs.” When we let go and put everything in God’s hands, our stress levels go down and our peace level goes up as we rest in his presence and promises!
Janice Ramsey
Recently, during a Genesis Bible Study, the group was asked to identify key characteristics of those who walked with God. Since we had just come through the Christmas season, the answers came readily as we could see similarities among the key individuals from the Christmas story.
Luke 1:6 (Zechariah and Elizabeth) “Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.” (CSB)
Luke 1:28-30 (Mary) “And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you. But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (CSB)
Drawing from our study of Genesis, we pointed to Noah.
Genesis 6:8 “Noah … found favor with the Lord.”
Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his
contemporaries; Noah walked with God.” (CSB)
What does God want us to learn from these Bible characters?
In the days of Noah, we have two contrasting groups of people: 1) the world filled with wickedness, evil, corruption and 2) the one who pleased God by what his life demonstrated.
II Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” (CSB)
For one group, God responded with judgment because He was heartbroken for what man had chosen – sin and death. For Noah and his family, God responded with grace.
Today, God still offers grace!
II Peter 3:9 “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, now wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (CSB)
Back to the opening question: Can you identify key characteristics of those who walk with God? And then in application, What does your life demonstrate?
Hebrews 11:6 “Now without faith it is impossible to please God…” (CSB)
Janice Ramsey
Have you ever been afraid to do something and you made excuses not to do it? Yep, me too. I was asked to write a devotion. Just one. That was a year ago. I have found many scriptures to devote time on but today’s just hit home and lit a fire under me. So here it goes. My first devotional.
Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense, He has become my salvation.”
After spending 81 days in the hospital with someone to take care of me, it was time for me to come home and do it myself. How? I couldn’t even transfer from my wheelchair to my bed with confidence. The Lord tells us to trust so we did and we made it through and thrived. But I thought it was all me!
Two months later I went into rehab to learn to walk. I was scared. I didn’t know how this would work. I didn’t trust yet. I did well, thrived, but yet again, I thought it was all me!
For the last 12 months I have had to trust numerous people. People that I did not choose. People who didn’t know me. People who took me into their hearts and allowed me to learn and thrive. Wow, I must be really good! I am thriving, learning and surrounded by a wonderful group of people. None of whom I asked for. I’ve done a great job by myself!
The Lord is a wonderful being, He let me think I was in control and then He dropped the big one! I got my microprocessor knees and new legs which meant new learning! I was so excited and ready! This was my big moment! I had done so much, this would be a breeze! New legs, rehab, I was kicking it!! I was walking fingertip to fingertip with my physical therapist. I was so proud of myself and my single handed hard work.
Then I came home! Nobody was here to make me wear my legs. Nobody made me walk. I was scared, I didn’t trust myself. I realized I wasn’t really rocking it!
devoIsaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense, He has become my salvation.”
After reading this, I began to ask myself why? Why didn’t I do what the Bible says…..TRUST DO NOT BE AFRAID! The LORD HIMSELF is my strength and my defense! What’s so hard? God simply asks us to trust Him and to not be afraid. He is with us and protecting us. He will protect me when I’m trying to learn to walk again. Now to just believe it! That is my struggle.
Lord, today help me trust you and not be afraid. You are always there, always walking with me. Please help me remember to listen to you and stay out of my own head!
Beth Wyatt
Day One
It’s Time To Turn The page
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
It’s time to turn the page on our new calendar for a new beginning; you might look back over the last year and say what happened last year was tough, with many trials and blessings. But as we wait in anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus, we have that hope that no matter what we are going through, He is with us, and we don’t face it alone.
Whenever we go through trials of any kind, it always helps us come out on the other side, exhausted yet strengthened. Exhaustion can put you in a place of wariness, but you are strengthened and refined through the fire. The best lessons of our spiritual journey are the hardest ones we don’t like. But as we go through them, we need to rejoice because there is hope and rest in Jesus, who has carried us through. So be encouraged. You may face some things you don’t like this year, some you will be joyful about, but it’s all done in the Name above all. Names, that’s Jesus Christ. He will be with you!
Shalom,Nancy Sabato
Day 2
Put Your Hope In The Lord Jesus
Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
It can take years to see the fruit of your labor. And honestly, sometimes your patience can run thin. But as for many of us, we are working towards our goals of glorifying Christ. We try hard and wait for the Lord to move, but it seems like it takes forever; if this speaks to you, you are not alone!
When we put our hope in the Lord Jesus, we know if we pray He hears that specific request; we need only obedience to Him in the waiting.
So what do we do in the meantime? Keep pushing through, praying, and asking for wisdom in your situation. Jesus hears you, put that hope in the One that promises you His love, and gives you the Holy Spirit to walk with you at all times for guidance and wait. You will be satisfied with the why.
Shalom,
Nancy Sabato
Day 3
Our Line Of Hope Is The Prayer Line
How many times have you put your joy in Hope?
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Look at Paul; he was tortured, beaten, thrown in jail, shipwrecked, and so many other trials, yet he says right here, “Be joyful in Hope’. Paul separated himself from the prosecution and put his Hope in Christ.
Don’t you sometimes feel like nothing is left to do, but as you trust Christ, he lifts you up and shows you, for instance, when you sing a worship song or when someone calls you and asks how you are, or even when some small miracle blessing comes your way. These are things to focus on this year: the good things, the small things, the things that warm your heart and make you want to serve Him with joy.
Remember, our line of Hope is the prayer Line; when we need even the most minor things, we know we can go to Christ, and somehow, as we put our Hope in Him, He will give us the best answer because God gives us good things when we put our Hope and trust in Him.
Shalom,
Nancy Sabato
Day 4
Christ Is With Us
Psalm 119:41 “May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise”
As we enter into this year let our focus be towards what is good, the unfailing love of Christ. When we take our eyes off the problems of this life we can better focus on Christ and the path we need to take with Him. It isn’t necessary to dwell in places that don’t bring us joy. Let our focus be in His presence and, will for our lives. Let us remember that His grace is sufficient for us. As we go about this year hold onto His promises and belief that whatever we go through He is with us.
Shalom,
Nancy Sabato
Day 5
1 Timothy 4:8 “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
This is the year to strengthen your walk with Christ; spend time strengthening your spiritual muscles, knowing His word, and diving deep into scriptures that can strengthen you when needed.
Quite often, in times of uncertainty, I will refer back to a scripture that has sustained me, which helps me focus on my situation and know how to answer someone who might be seeking God and want to know more about Jesus. This is my backbone, where I go when I am frustrated, not patient, and need hope. God’s word is your water in dry places. If you find yourself there, dig deeper and see what God has for you to renew your mind in Christ Jesus.
Keep focused on Christ, refer to scripture, and bring new life, breath, and water into yours.
Shalom,
Nancy Sabato
Day 6
James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Our promise is set when we turn our life and all circumstances to Jesus. On this day and all days forward, remember that he will come again, we will persevere, and we know that we will receive the crown of life from Jesus as promised.
My prayer is this for you: that the Lord will shine His light through you and that you will be a light for all you come in contact with because His light shines in the darkness, and in Him, there is no darkness. Shine your light; when you feel it dim, ask Jesus to light you on fire for Him!
Have a Blessed 2024
Shalom,
Nancy Sabato
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“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16: 9 I have worked for years in the role in Human Resources. Part of my job over the years has been to navigate employees through the process of taking different types of personal leave from work. Sometimes employees are eligible for FMLA, a leave where their job is protected for a certain number of weeks and guarantees they will have a position when they return from leave. Often times people are on medical leave for a surgery, having a baby, taking care of ...
Have you ever thought about who you really are? Well, I am one those people who comes up with these strange questions. When my dad was about to walk me down the aisle to give me away to a man he hardly knew, he leaned over and said very quietly, “Don’t forget to be you.” It took me several years to determine exactly what he meant by the statement. But somewhere along the years I knew the answer. When I was a child I was Jess and Juanita’s daughter, Butch’s sister, Robert and Beulah’s granddaughter and down the line. ...
When the wind is in your face, keep your head down and keep pedaling. My husband introduced me to cycling 12 years ago. I was hooked from the beginning. I love cycling outside, but am definitely a fair weather rider. There have been times while riding on a windy day, that I have had to just dig in and put my head down and pedal with everything I had. As I was thinking about this, it reminds me of times in my Christian walk, when nothing seemed to be going right and satan’s attacks were evident. During these times, I tell myself, ...
As I was getting ready for work one morning, I was thinking about how I felt congested, blocked and separated. God had been feeling so far away. I knew He was with me but I couldn’t feel His presence. A friend had recommended a Julie True worship CD to me. So, I went online and purchased it. As I began listening to the melody and words and the song “Enter In” came on. Those words began to penetrate my heart and soon this dropped in my heart ‘enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise. You must enter in My daughter. ...
There was a time in my life when I was facing something that I couldn’t even pray, they were just no words. Here I was a pastor’s wife, a pastor’s daughter, and a mother and I could not even pray for my family. I was in one of the deepest darkest trenches of my life. I will never forget the feeling of being utterly alone facing the situation and having no clue of how to deal with it. I was up for hours during the night just reading aloud the word of God. I searched for ...
Job 38: 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” I got a big aha moment about 4:30 am one morning… I had a situation wake me up that I proceeded to pray and tell God how to fix it!!! Imagine how presumptuous that was!!! But nevertheless He waited until I had carefully laid out my plan and then said something that I say to Drew all the time. “Remember, Who you are talking to… in essence Who is the Parent?” “Who is the One who knows the most about ...
I blew it!! I was supposed to do something for God and just didn’t do it. Now I am miserable and God is silent. Have you ever been there? David was. I love the way he puts his raw emotion into words, in Psalm 22: 1-2 he says “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help? Everyday I call to you, my God but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice but I find no relief.” Sometimes when ...
While we were children, sometimes we thought we’d like to be a certain favorite movie star or other famous person. Other times we thought we’d like to be in a certain vocation when we grew up. Perhaps it is part of childhood to fantasize, whether we express our thoughts or not. I remember even thinking if I could be any of God’s other creatures, what I would choose to be. Perhaps I would choose to be a dove with a mournful song; a colorful humming bird with ability to flutter around pretty flowers and suck their sweet nectar, or a ...
A thought has been in my mind for quite some time. A thought that seems to judge, but I am just as guilty. A thought about parenting, about the past, about what my spirit is teaching, and about what I am learning… a thought about truth. You see I look around and see. I see more deeply than before. I see what my past has done to me; the thoughts, the inescapable connections in my brain that have been hard wired because of a choice or a thought, whichever it may be, that occurred a long time ago. Sometimes I ...
The best way I could share my background is to take a couple excerpts from my current memoir (see below). I always go back to the first few months of my life, because this is where God kept me in the palm of His hand. I have no vision in my right eye, and what little I had seemed to be not working right when I was born. Born a premie, the oxygen administered after my birth ruined my retinas; I’m blessed to have a little residual vision. The condition was “retrolental fibroplasia” (RLF), but today is known ...
I often think about how I could surrender to God, giving up all that I hold so tightly, but I never think about yielding to God. How do we yield to God? It’s standing back and letting Him work. When I hold onto things too tightly, I don’t see God working; it’s me working and waiting for the blessing. These are some practical ways I could yield to God’s will. Do you devote each day to prayer time? Do you look away from the Bible and dive deep into the phone or computer? Step back, take ...
There is a Hymn called “I Surrender All” by Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855–1939) All to Jesus I surrender All to Him I freely give I will ever love and trust Him In His presence daily live I surrender all I surrender all All to Thee My blessed Savior I surrender all All to Jesus I surrender Make me, Savior, wholly Thine Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit Truly knowing that Thou art mine I surrender all I surrender all All to Thee My blessed Savior I surrender all But do you surrender everything in your life over to ...
Put Your Hope In The Unseen God The Unseen Hope we have in God is not something the world understands. Many base their Hope on what they can see and how it will help them, but I say to you, brethren, put your Hope in the Unseen God and wait in high expectation. Our Hope is ahead of us as we navigate the world and the Word of God in our everyday lives, don’t be deceived into thinking that God isn’t listening, He hears you, and He knows your groaning and lament. He knows ...
What is the best weapon that we have? PRAYER When we get on our knees, it’s a place where God sees ( El Roi- the God who sees) our humbleness. Maybe what you have been praying for so long has yet to happen; maybe you are growing weary, but when all else fails, get on your knees! (If you can!) What is the difference? It is the place of extreme humbleness, kneeling to the King and hoping that what you suffer will pass, that everything you hope for will come to pass and that you may ...
Knowing God’s Truth In these times, it is hard for so many of us to know the truth about God and what he says to us. There once was a man who tried to take everything for himself and leave nothing for his family, when confronted he denied that he was doing anything wrong, but in actuality he was denying the truth see that in so many situations don’t we where people are denying God and the truth that can set them free. When the truth becomes their lie they are ling a deceptive life. James 5:19 My brothers ...
James 1: 2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” These days we are facing many ungodly acts of people in our world. We see the worship of self become more prevalent and the times speak for themselves don’t they? Many are perishing without knowing who God is and what Jesus did for them. This is a sense of urgency in life that you place in your heart and mind: the message of the cross to those who are perishing. 1 Corinthians 1: 18 “For the message of the cross is ...
How’s your attitude today? There’s a saying, ‘you are what you think.’ What’s on your mind lately, and how is that reflected in your demeanor? Do people smile when they see you, or is your conduct telling them something else? Some people who aren’t Christians, seem to think that we should just go around smiling and singing all day long and not have a bad day. This is not one of God’s promises. Although He did promise a fulfilling life with a Godly purpose, God does allow pain and suffering among His children. We should ...
Authenticity is defined as “you’re true to your own personality, values, and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you’re under to act otherwise. You’re honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes.” Life is hard and some people go out of their way to be something they’re not. It’s okay to have a goal, a dream that pushes us to be a better version of ourself. It’s when our character doesn’t match up to our true self that starts to alter our ego and personality. God made each of us in ...
Life is sometimes hard to figure out. One minute we’re breezing through life, things are going well and then within a blink of an eye, tragedy happens. Two things happen when tragedy occurs. You either cry out to God, or you blame Him. God loves His people, those who know Him, those who have a relationship with Him. He ALWAYS wants the best for His kids. As trials come, they test the strength of our faith. In every trial, we are tested, refined, and made stronger than before. Before you go blaming God for your current situation, stop ...
Oh how valuable it is to be blessed with friends. People move in and out of our lives and God orchestrates it all by placing people in our path, at just the right time. I met a new friend last year who has become such a wonderful part of my life. How did God know I needed her at this time in my life? Spend time with your friends. Listen to their cares and be there for them in good times and in bad times. Thank God for friends and the opportunities God gives us to love and pray for ...
There is literally nowhere that we can go that is out of God’s reach. God never wearies listening to the burdens of His people. There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be is right with Him. All the pain, suffering, adversity, difficult days and years – they all have a purpose. God is using them to make us perfect, to make us into the image of His Son. You may have heard this statement before: Nothing is impossible with God. It’s true my friends. Absolutely nothing is out ...
Life is swift. As we age into our adult years, time seems to pass by like a speeding train. It appears one minute we’re in the prime of our life and we wake up one day and we’re a half century old. Oh how I wish I knew now what I did back then. But, I’ve realized that God always gives us what we need at any given time. It may not be what we want, but He promises to meet our needs. Life here on earth is so temporary and short. Life passes so quickly. God gives everyone a ...
As I reflect on my life, I find myself dwelling on the times when I would receive invitations to join in on special occasions. The overwhelming joy and excitement that filled me upon receiving such invitations was unparalleled. There was a deep longing within me to be included. Rather it was an event, a wedding, or a festive celebration, being invited always reassured me that someone cherished and valued me. In contemplating these invitations, I realized they were not merely about sharing a meal or attending an event. They were expressions of love and a desire to deepen our ...
“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity of thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and ...
“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years, and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.” Luke 8:43-48 For twelve long years, she bore the weight of her affliction, seeking solace from countless physicians but finding no remedy. She stood at the crossroads of despair, yearning for an elusive change. Can you relate, dear friend, to feeling trapped in a cycle where every day resembles ...
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10 In a moment of reflection during a recent podcast interview, a profound statement resonated deeply within me. The guest, Taniesha Hoton LSCW, left me with these words: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” As our conversation concluded, those words continued to echo in my mind, inviting me to explore their true meaning and the impact they hold in our lives. Let ...
Dating in 2023 can be an extraordinary endeavor requiring a touch of divine grace. It’s a journey filled with time demands and expectations, where the potential for beauty can quickly turn into something dreadful if not approached with wisdom. Reflecting on my own experiences, I recall a time when I tried to handle everything on my own, even my dating life. I kept God at a distance, reserving His involvement for what I considered “big” matters. But in doing so, I neglected His guidance in the day-to-day affairs. In hindsight, I see that my resistance to ...
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 In the depths of our hearts, we often yearn to believe that we are worthy of receiving the abundant blessings God has in store for us. We desire to see breakthroughs and victories, to witness our dreams take flight, and to be surrounded by goodness in every aspect of life. Yet, the journey can be filled with setbacks, rejections, and an overwhelming chorus of “no” ...
Ministry: Grace for the Nations
The gospel of Jesus Christ spreads throughout the world through the mouths and hearts of His people. His people are those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior and share His salvation story to those who know Him not. One such woman is Kundan Razzaq. She lives in Pakistan and travels to other villages to tell them about Jesus.
Kundan recently traveled to a village that made bricks and shared a lesson from scripture on prayer from Ephesians 8:16-17: “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.” Thank you for sharing Jesus with others.
Being the victim of a power outage can be humbling. One minute you have lights and heat, and then quiet, stillness.
As a Christian we have the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s always available. But when we neglect it and do our own thing, the power wanes and at times can be snuffed out.
It’s a sin to grieve the Holy Spirit. This is a part of God. Stay tuned into God. Get to know Him.
Many people who do not really know God nor fully understand the scriptures, try to live out of their own strength and power. The Bible tells us that it is the Holy Spirit’s power that is at work in us that enables us to live differently – to make changes in our lives.
Make sure you’re living with the right power source – God’s Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
Dianne Petrey
Life can sometimes be frustrating. I get it. As a Christian, your first “go-to” should be prayer. But when our prayer request doesn’t meet our timetable, we try and go it alone; take matter into our own hands.
We find our circumstances lingering for days, weeks, maybe even years.
Seek God first and everything else will fall into place. He sees your heart. He knows your needs.
Don’t get hung up on what’s not going right, but put your focus on His goodness and what’s going well.
Just because we don’t see immediate changes, doesn’t mean that God didn’t hear you. Waiting patiently on God’s response is our way of letting God know we trust Him. Waiting grows our faith.
Don’t forget that God’s got this!
2 Peter 3: 8-9 – “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Dianne Petrey
Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. Dishonesty is the opposite. But, justice rules in the end.
No one likes to think of God as an angry, mean God, but He will not let sin go unpunished. History shows that justice will eventually come to all.
Because of the law of justice, we receive blessings when we obey God’s commandments. The law of justice also demands that a penalty be paid for every sin we commit. Jesus paid that penalty for us.
Do the right thing, always. Trust in God to bring the justice to those deserved.
Luke 18:7-8 – “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Dianne Petrey
Ever notice how much bigger the front windshield of a car is in comparison to the rear window? It’s much more important to be able to see what’s ahead than what’s behind us.
As it is with life. We need to be looking ahead to the future, instead of dwelling on the past; what we left behind.
It’s ok to remember the days gone by, just don’t stay there.
Put your hope and future in God’s hands and quit dwelling on the past. Because doing so can cause us to get stuck where we are.
Stop repeating the same mistakes. Remember that God has a plan for your life, for your future.
Isaiah 43:18 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Dianne Petrey
There will be some who dismiss you; reject you or even abandon you.
Broken promises and neglected commitments will make you weary, but there is a God who is watching and waiting to pick up the pieces and heal your heart.
God has a fierce love for His people. He’s relentless in His pursuit for you and me.
When the world rejects you, turn to God.
Rejoice in God’s relentless pursuit of your heart. God will never give up on you as long as you seek Him in your daily walk through life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Dianne Petrey
Have you ever watched a child whose upbringing has been supported and loved, face a challenge? Their past experiences have prepared them that they can do anything if they put their mind to it.
Shouldn’t we all act like God’s children? If you truly have a relationship with Christ, you will have the confidence to face anything life launches your way.
My hope is in Christ alone. And even though there are days when my self-confidence is fading, I can trust God to build me up.
Jeremiah 17:7 – “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
Dianne Petrey
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden
Magnifying the Light of Jesus in Our Daily Lives
Day 1 –Intercessory Prayer
“I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. “ John 8:12, NET
As you focus on Magnifying the light of Jesus in Our Daily Lives, you will be reminded that it is God who is Magnifying Jesus in your life and I encourage you to focus on Him throughout this week as we dive into Day I – Intercessory Prayer
1 Samuel 12:23 –“God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you
I have spent many hours in intercessory prayer as I walked the antique brick paths of the city park flower garden I lovingly named Corinne’s Garden after my disabled granddaughter. Throughout this time spent in “Corinne’s Garden” I have gained new insight into the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer; we cannot really pray without the direction and energy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:25-27). “Our Patient Intercessor is intensely engaged with us each time we pray. Think in these terms, “intercessory prayer unleashes the mercy of God; intercessors always plead for God’s compassion.
Before you begin this devotion I encourage you to ask God to utterly control you by His Spirit, believe by faith that He does, and thank Him.
Thoughtful Reflection ~ Who is on your heart today ?
Nancy Bjorklund
Reflections From Corinne’s Garden
Magnifying the Light of Jesus in our Daily Lives
Day 2 – My Choice Hot Mocha ~ God’s Choice Obedience
“I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life
John 8:12, NET
I am in Corrine’s Garden; my hand is warmed with a Hot Mocha, my beverage of choice any season of the year. Why do I like this beverage so much? What part does it play in my life? Is it a status thing? These musings led me to reflect on how my delightful habit affected my Obedience to the Lord in my daily life.
Webster says Obedience is compliance with an order or a law; God says” Keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God” 1 Chronicles 28:8 (KJV) in other words OBEY! As I read this I sensed the nudging of the Spirit regarding my beverage of choice. I can hear you saying Whaaat!! Yes I am referring to my delight in Hot Mocha. I am a person who likes ambience – you know quaint surroundings, lovely smells, warm and cozy places such as Barista’s Coffee Shop. Each day as I headed out to meet Jesus in Corinne’s Garden I felt drawn into Barista’s. I saw Mocha on the menu and that sounded delicious. Like all of us I could see no harm in enjoying a delight, after all I was meeting with Jesus and this was just a little extra support and warmth.” Let’s be honest here. It’s hard for a well-meaning soul that desires Obedience to God to live in a body made of flesh”. I ignored the knowledge that this habit in excess was particularly unhealthy for me. While searching for reasons why I felt this way I read this “Whatever it is, we don’t have to be rendered powerless by this pull. We can pray. Of course I can pray …..do I want to add this to my prayer list? It was the prompting of the gracious Holy Spirit who led me to prayer and over time I acknowledged a renewed desire to be obedient and ask for self discipline to break my habit. No, I didn’t stop my love for this beverage, yes it was a challenge, but as I limited my purchases, money was saved, unneeded calories disappeared and most of all I was able to say “Yes, God, whatever You want and mean it. I am learning that saying yes to God is no longer a discipline of my heart but rather the delight of my life”.
Keep in mind this is my story and how the Lord taught me the meaning of Obedience affects all areas of my life. I want to encourage you to focus your thoughts on the importance of Obedience to the Lord as it affects areas of your daily life.
Thoughtful Reflections ~ write a prayer to the Lord asking for a greater awareness of His “Promptings and Nudging” that guide you to an obedient spirit.
Nancy Bjorklund
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden
Magnifying the Light of Jesus in Our Daily Lives
Day 6 ~ Joyous Friendships
“I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.“ John 8:12, NET
As we bring to a close the last six-days together, we want to experience the Light of Jesus shining on our friendships; Today, as I am many days of the week in Corinne’s Garden, I’m focusing on God and the refrain to this song flowed into my soul ~
Friendship with Jesus • Fellowship divine • Oh what blessed, sweet communion • Jesus is a friend of mine.
It speaks of a friendship so divine that it is unimaginable to experience the depth of it here on earth. But there is a friendship that God gives us that is so very precious and many have called that the friendship of believers…..those who are walking with Jesus, and those who we lift in prayer to Jesus, pleading for their salvation.
I have this delightful book filled with beautiful pictures, and captioned with joyful words. I carry my “garden ~tools” with me. This book is one of them , inspiring me as I meditate on Jesus and those He has placed in my sphere of influence. (Blessings of Friendship a Gift from the Heart, Karla Dornacher, April 25, 2000.)
Oh dear friend, for a moment close your eyes and envision you and your friend walking through Corinne’s Garden hand in hand, birds singing, flowers blooming and the caption reads ~ Hand in hand; we walk together, heart to heart…..friends forever.
This is a lovely picture but let me ask you….”Have any of your friends ever failed you or disappointed you? Showed up late? Forgotten your birthday? Hurt your feelings? If they haven’t….they will! We are all imperfect people, and we all make mistakes.
God’s majestic Word in Ephesians 4:32 direct us to “Be kind to each other; tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” We all need grace!” There is only one Friend who will never fail you and that is Jesus. ”For all your other friends give them grace! That is the way it is with God and friendships. He goes before us to prepare the soil of our hearts ~ not only for our friendships with other believers, but also for friendship with Himself, always teaching us how to give grace to others.
Thoughtful Reflection ~ Praise God daily for giving us His living word to light our way in this life. He is the one who can change lives therefore the most important things you can do is pray. Lord don’t let me miss forming those “heart connections” with friends, that come from you alone.
Nancy Bjorklund
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden
Magnifying Light of Jesus in Our Daily Lives
Day 5 ~ Remembering
“I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. “ John 8:12, NET
We are inclined to grumble, to be thankless, or to complain about our circumstances, God graciously reminds us that we must remember “Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all; won’t He also give us everything we need.” – Romans 8:32
Recently I stopped by Hobby Lobby and coming out of the store was a girl carrying a large picture frame; giving the impression she was looking out a window at her world. This made me think of the many times I have stood at my kitchen window remembering as life passed rapidly by. Similar to “Job in chapter 29:2, I wanted to cry out….Oh that I was as in months past. I am learning that apart from the fullness of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for me to exhibit genuine joy; that joy comes when I stop wishing for a return of former happiness but go at once, to seek my master; ask His Grace and Strength to help me walk more closely with Him”[1] Go at once ….seek your master….what a tender reminder of God’s provision; .My Lord and Master.
I remember years of looking out the windows of my world, wondering where loved ones were, what they were doing, pleading with God to protect and draw them to Him. At the same time the years have come and gone and I realize the time spent at those windows is not where my Lord wanted me to be. He would desire that I lift my eyes up to Him and not out those windows. Oh friends of God look up …seek the master….clean the windows of your soul, and look to Jesus remembering what He has done, is doing and what He will do.
Thoughtful Reflection ~ Review Lamentation 3:22-26; Print and post these verses where they can remind you to look up when you are tempted to look out your window to the world; remembering that God is faithful – His mercies are new every morning.
Nancy Bjorklund
Reflections From Corinne’s Garden
Magnifying the Light of Jesus in our Daily Lives
Day 4 – A Day of Soul Stretching Exercises with Jesus
“I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. “ John 8:12, NET
As we move closer to the end of this week I want to look at what it means to stretch our souls. 2 Peter 1:5-8 enlightens us with ….”.In every effort to respond to God’s promises supplement your faith with a generous portion of moral excellence”……….When I have a question about something such as this that arises I “run” to my Master and His word to find directions and encouragement for spiritual exercise.
Quite possibly, more than ever before Health Clubs are springing up around our planet addressing the need for physical exercise. My town seems to have “one on every corner”. Along with this comes a great emphasis on supplements. All of this is important to our physical well being but let’s look at the seven “Faith Supplements” that God encourages us to add to our spiritual health routine. The first is Moral Excellence + Knowledge + Self-Control + Patient Endurance + Godliness + Brotherly Affection and finally Love for Everyone. We take vitamin supplements to strengthen our body – we do stretching exercises to maintain balance and strength. God’s word says this in 2 Peter 1:8 (NLT)….”the more you grow like this; the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of Jesus Christ.” I align “Stretching my Soul” with “Stretching my Faith”.
Thoughtful Reflection ~ what is one thing you can do today to “stretch your soul after taking your faith supplements?
Nancy Bjorklund
This video is an overview of the first 4 chapters of Romans by the Gospel Project.
Romans 1
Video by Sermonindex.net Chapter 1 of Romans
Paul sent the Romans letter to Christian believers at the church at Rome.
Romans 1: 1-6 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.” NIV
Paul identifies himself
Who is Paul?
- A bond servant/slave, someone who belongs to another
- Called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-his mission: take the gospel (good news) of salvation of Jesus Christ to others
God’s promises and proof that Jesus was the Messiah, Son of God
- God’s promises of the coming Messiah were given to the Prophets of God and written in the Holy Scriptures.
- Jesus, Son of God, a descendant of David came in the flesh. And through the Holy Spirit proved by a powerful act, that Jesus our Lord is the Son of God because He was raised from the dead.
- Through Jesus we receive grace and are called to tell Gentiles everywhere Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
Romans 2: 17-29 “Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”
Sandra Hardage
I recently had a dream that my Daddy was still alive but still had dementia. In this dream there was a man and other people desperately trying to get my Daddy into a particular sinful situation. In my dream I was fighting as hard and as much as I could possibly fight to stop them from their evil influence. And immediately before I woke up I thought about my sons.
Once I woke up I felt the Lord say to me, as long and hard as you were fighting in your dream for your Daddy, you must continue to fight for your sons!!
There is so much stuff that bombards our loved ones and kids (even grown ones), that as their Mama my responsibility is to fight the influence of evil with prayer and the Armor of God. Sometimes we get so bone weary of fighting that we relinquish our fight. Especially if we are not daily filling ourselves up with the Word of God and His Promises. When we don’t feel we can pray we can read His Word and say it out loud. We must not give up ground to our adversary! Jesus has already won the battle, we just have to stand firm and keep praying persistently for that pleases God.
Luke 18:1-8 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Kelly Davis
Painting by James Tissot
As we read the Bible, we see how ordinary men became instruments of God’s plan for his people. The names of these men are remarkably familiar to us: Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Paul, Peter, Joseph. We recognize these men instantly and can recall their faithfulness and heroic deeds. But, what about the women? They are mentioned less often, but one cannot read of the mighty deeds of the men of the Bible without recognizing the considerable contribution of women as well.
In all, more than one hundred fifty women are mentioned in the Scriptures. Some are righteous, such as Eunice, mother of Saint Timothy. Some are villainous, as was Delilah. So, it is necessary to an understanding of the Bible story to know of these women and their impact on history. There is so much to learn from these women that we can apply to our lives today.
The first woman to consider is Esther. She was an orphaned Jewish girl who was exceptionally beautiful. Her uncle, Mordecai, took her in after the death of her parents. Mordecai was a Jewish refugee, forced from Jerusalem and taken to Babylon. King Xerxes was the ruler as lovely Esther came of age. Xerxes ordered a search of all the nearby provinces for beautiful young virgins and Esther was taken as a concubine of the king. Xerxes had banished his wife Vashti and was looking for a diversion. He sought solace from his harem. Esther had found favor with the eunuch in charge of the harem and was given special treatment. When her turn came to go to the king, he was so impressed with her that he made her queen in place of Vashti. During this time, Esther did not reveal her Jewish heritage.
Time passed and Esther grew in favor with the king. When a plot to kill all Jews was revealed to her, she boldly approached the king and asked for mercy. This was a bold move as she could have been put to death for addressing the king without being summoned. She bravely put her people before her own safety and saved the Jewish refugees from slaughter. Esther, a young girl, saved a nation.
What do we see of God in this story? God is not mentioned once in the Book of Esther, yet his presence is felt throughout. God raised up a young girl as his instrument and she answered the call. How does this apply to women of the twenty-first century? We have no king, no harems. How does Esther’s story guide us today?
Esther stood up for what was right and ignored her own interests in doing so. She put her life on the line for her people. This was a huge risk, but she did not falter when the crucial moment came. Women of today make many decisions every day. Some matters are trivial, such as whether to wear the blue dress or the green one. Others are vital to our families and communities. Clean water, human trafficking, and the education of our children are all within the purview of women today. We sit on committees, church boards, and hold elected offices. We have the power and the opportunity to transform our world if we, like Esther, stay true to our beliefs and allow God to guide our decisions and actions. The next time I hear someone refer to women as the weaker sex, I will remember Esther and simply smile.
Prayer: Father, thank you for raising up remarkable women like Esther to remind us that we are strong and can impact the world around us. Help us to always do it in love and reverence, remembering you are the source of our strength. AMEN
Debra Ison
Hannah Prays for a Son by James Tissot
Women of Strength
Hannah 1 Samuel 1:1 -2:21
The story of Samuel, the last Judge of Israel, cannot be told without mentioning his mother, Hannah. She was one of two wives of Elkanah and was childless, which caused Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, to ridicule Hannah. This left Hannah bereft and desperate.
One day Hannah went with her husband to the temple to pray and offer a sacrifice. Overcome by her grief, she stood up and began to pray to the Lord for a son. She promised God that she would dedicate the child in service to him. She prayed silently, but her lips were moving. Eli, the priest, noticed Hannah and accused her of being drunk. She denied this and explained her heart’s desire to have a child. Eli blessed her and asked God to fulfill her request.
In time, Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, which means “name of God”. She cared for her baby until he was weaned, between two and three years of age, then took him to the temple and presented him to Eli. In return, Eli asked God to grant Hannah more children. Hannah did have more children, three sons and two daughters, but she didn’t forget her first born. Each year, Hannah would sew a robe for Samuel and take it to him when she went with Elkanah to offer sacrifice at the temple.
The story of Hannah and Samuel seems very strange if we try to understand it with our twenty-first century mores. Who would take a small child and hand him over to be raised by a priest? It is inconceivable. Yet, this story, which takes place nearly three thousand years ago, should not focus on how odd it seems to us, but Hannah’s devotion and faith in God should be the emphasis. As a mother, I know I wouldn’t have given my sons away, but as a follower of Jesus, I understand Hannah’s action. She was not only faithful, she had faith. Her actions were a direct result of her faith in God.
What should we take away from Hannah’s story? None of us would take our toddlers to church and leave them to serve in ministry. So, how do we apply this to our lives?
First, Hannah turned to God with her plea. She didn’t consult a sorcerer or a fortune teller. She didn’t blame Peninnah, although I’m sure she might have wished to do so. She didn’t take a “magic potion” or act on any number of other suggestions she might have received. She took her heart’s desire to God. She had faith in his mercy. So often, I pray to God for a solution, but I don’t give it to him. I hold it close, worry about it, try to solve something I cannot solve, and eventually fail miserably. Hannah’s faith was strong enough to give the problem to God and wait.
Secondly, she was patient. The scripture says she conceived “in the course of time”. 1 Samuel 1:20.
The answer to Hannah’s prayer didn’t happen right away, but she trusted God, and her patience was rewarded. It would be wonderful if we could ask God for something and get a clear answer immediately, or at least quickly, but that isn’t how God works, it? Sometimes, the answer seems to take forever, or the answer is not what we expected. That is the time when we must trust in God’s wisdom and be patient.
Finally, Hannah was faithful and praised God for her son. She followed through with her pledge to surrender Samuel in service to God. I am sure her choice was difficult to make, but she was faithful to her promise and glorified God. In all we do, in all we ask of God, the question we need to ask is will it glorify him.
When I think of Hannah’s faith and her sacrifice, I am amazed at her strength. She knew she was God’s and she acted accordingly. Everything was on the table. She surrendered it all to God and patiently waited on him to hear her prayer and answer it in his own way. Hannah’s example will make a difference in how I pray. All that I have and all that I am belongs to God, and he knows better than I what to do with it. It won’t always be easy, but I will surrender everything to him and wait patiently for his plan for my life. To God be the glory.
Prayer: God help me to step aside and let you work in my life. Forgive my impatience and hesitation to turn over everything in my life to you. I know you love me and want only the best for me. AMEN
Debra Ison
Eunice and Lois with Timothy by DJD(Partridge, c 1885)
The Strength of Women
Eunice and Lois
In 2 Timothy, Paul writes to his “dear son” 2 Timothy 1;2, I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5.
This short passage is easily overlooked. Eunice and Lois are not mentioned elsewhere, but Timothy, their grandson and son respectively, is a key figure in the New Testament. The strong spiritual influence of these women guided and inspired Timothy and his ministry. The old saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” is absolutely true. A Christian home provides the foundation for a secure and confident individual who has empathy and respect for others. A child raised in a Christian home can make the world a better place and enrich the lives of everyone they encounter.
The fact that Paul included mention of Eunice and Lois in his letter is significant. He acknowledged the source of Timothy’s deep faith. Home life matters.
Last year, when my granddaughter was six years old, her church announced a trip overseas to send aid to Ukranian refugees. My granddaughter took all this in and asked her teacher if she could ask other children to donate stuffed animals to give to the children of Ukraine. Her school is affiliated with her church, so the process was easy. Once the stuffed animal drive was announced, the donations came rolling in. In all, over 600 were collected. The church had little necklaces made for each stuffed animal that said, “I love you,” in the Ukrainian language, and they were included when the group went to Ukraine.
One Sunday, a brief time later, the pastor of my granddaughter’s church called her forward and sat with her on the steps leading up to the alter. He asked the six-year-old why she suggested the stuffed animal drive. She answered, “So the children can hold the “lovies” when they are afraid, and it will make them feel better.” My heart melted. This young child recognized a need and figured out a way she could help.
In his sermon, the pastor acknowledged my granddaughter’s sweet gesture and her upbringing. “Something is being done right in her home, at the dinner table, at bedtime prayers.” Home life matters.
I am a mother and a grandmother times four. In retrospect, there are a lot of things I could have done differently in raising my children, but I did a lot right, too. I see my grown sons taking their families to church each Sunday and instilling Christian values in their children. It makes my heart happy. No parent is perfect, but if we acknowledge how our actions shape our children, we can be more deliberate and more faithful in our own Christian walk. It is important what we say and do. Our children are watching and listening. Home life matters.
Debra Ison
Women of Strength
Mary and Martha Luke 10: 38-42
It is a familiar story. Jesus is at the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary, and Martha. Other guests were present and Jesus was teaching. Martha was in the kitchen preparing several dishes for the special guest, but Mary was sitting near Jesus taking in every word he was saying. Frustrated that her sister wasn’t helping her, Martha complained to Jesus and asked him to make her sister help with the food preparation. Jesus answered Martha, but not in the way she expected. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” One can almost see Jesus shaking his head and gently admonishing Martha. The “one thing” Jesus is referring to is not only one meal item, not the several dishes Martha was preparing, but also his teaching. Mary was receiving food more important than what was being prepared in the kitchen. Jesus was feeding her soul.
In our busy world, it is easy to be distracted by the minutiae of the day and miss what is truly important. In a business seminar, we were told, “We neglect the important because we are tending to the urgent.” So many things demand our attention and we constantly put out little fires while what we need to tend to, the really important tasks, go undone.
I remember one day at work. I was under a deadline to submit the budgets for my cost centers. Budget time was always stressful and it was the only time I would close my door to my staff. This particular day, I was crunching numbers and doing my best to tune out everything else when there was a knock on my door, and another, and another. My manager was out for the day and little issues were needing attention. The “urgent” was calling me away from the “important” work of finishing the budget. The result was a longer day than planned and extreme fatigue. Everything has a cost. When we overbook ourselves and commit to more than we should, we pay the price.
One of the things that get pushed aside when we over commit is our spiritual journey. Just like Martha, we rush around taking care of little things and miss where God wants us to focus. Each day, even a few minutes spent with God in prayer, Bible study, and/or worship will energize us for the hard times and give direction to our lives. Everything in nature demands balance, and we are included. We can’t push the ‘on button’ constantly without burnout. Our bodies, our minds, and our spirit need recharging every day. Time spent with our Father is as important as the food we eat. The world would be a much better place and its people kinder if important time with God replaced some of our urgent, but unimportant, pursuits.
Prayer: Holy Father, slow us down and calm our racing thoughts. Speak to our burdened souls and give us peace. Amen.
Debra Ison
Women at the Tomb by James Tissot
Women of Strength
The Women of Easter
Easter morning. Today, for Christians, that evokes images of an empty cross and empty tomb, lilies, hymns, and new outfits to wear to church. On the actual day when Jesus was raised from the dead, there were other images. Of course, there was the empty tomb, but there the similarities between then and now end. We, in the twenty-first century, have the advantage of time. We know what happened, the rest of the story. We know that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, the Christ. We have several translations of the Holy Bible to tell us all about it. We have hymns which reflect holy scripture, and we have the Holy Spirit, but the very first persons to know of Jesus’ resurrection and to report it, were women.
The first Easter Sunday did not start out joyfully as it is today. There were no Easter bunnies or patent leather Mary Janes. Jesus’ disciples were in hiding, fearful of being arrested and crucified as their Teacher had been. Jesus had been crucified on Friday; it was now Sunday (by our terminology today). There was confusion, fear, and suspicion among Jesus’ followers. No one knew what was to become of the group or the new religion. Everything seemed lost. All the years of walking with Jesus, taking in the sweet message of salvation had come to an end. Jesus had captured their hearts and minds and the dark void left behind was numbing.
Though grieving as fully as the men, the women made their way to the tomb where Jesus had been lain to properly wrap his body and apply spices and ointments. The Sabbath had prevented more than the minimum care of Jesus’ body on Friday. It was time to perform the proper burial tasks. All four Gospels mention Mary Magdalene, but Luke’s Gospel mentions several women: Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James, Joanna, and other women who had followed Jesus. These women had prepared spices and perfumes the evening before.
Think of it! God chose women to be the first to know the Good News and to see the resurrected Jesus! When we usually think of who followed Jesus during his ministry, we immediately name the Apostles, but women followed Jesus as well. They listened to Jesus’ parables and sermons. They had drunk fully from the fountain of the sacred messages and now, in humble devotion, they sought to restore dignity to their blessed Lord by applying the spices and perfumes to his broken body.
They entered the tomb where Jesus’ body had been placed and found it to be empty. They must have thought that Jesus’ body had been moved or stolen. As they stood there wondering, “Two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning appeared beside them” (Luke 24:4). The scripture doesn’t say the men walked up to them, it says they “appeared beside them” Certainly, these were no ordinary men! If the glowing clothing didn’t give a clue as to their identity, the sudden appearing of the men would. Angels of the Lord were standing before the women, no less!
Scripture says the two guards present fell to the ground unconscious, but the women simply bowed down before the Angels. Here, we get to the good part. The sadness and hopelessness of the previous two days was about to be transformed to joy! The entire world would soon hear of the Good News the Angels were about to proclaim to the women. Jesus was alive! I’m sure the women had mixed thoughts at that moment. Didn’t they see for themselves the crucifixion and the burial? They saw the lifeless body of their precious Teacher. They saw the wounds for themselves. Their confusion was soon to be relieved, however. The Angels explained, by quoting Jesus’ own words of how he would be killed and raised up on the third day. Just so there would be no confusion, Jesus himself appeared and spoke to Mary Magdalene. What a story she had to tell! She rushed to the place where the Apostles were staying and told them what she had seen. Jesus was alive!
The signficance of this story is monumental. Not only the Gospel of Salvation, which is the most momentous in all history, but the fact that God chose these women to be the first to know of and to see Jesus in resurrected form. Jesus cared for women. He included them. He taught them right beside the men. These women had been witness to Jesus’ miracles and they accepted without hesitation His divinity.
I have known men and women who bellieved that women had no place in worship. It was fine for them to arrange the flowers for the altar or to prepare a meal, but no women was allowed behind the pulpit or even permitted to lead a Bible Study. Scripture shows us that women have a place in worship, in Bible Study, as well as preparing meals and arranging flowers. Jesus was inclusive. Women were welcome to join him as he preached from village to village. They didn’t disappear to the kitchen when He began to teach. They drank the sweet nectar of his words and believed that he was the Messiah.
This knowledge of how Jesus treated women with deference and respect should motivate women to step up and be leaders in their churches. We have a beautiful story to tell from our feminie perspective; we should not hesitate to tell it.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for coming to us to provide forgiveness for our sins and everlasting life. You are Lord over all creation. Help us to be bold and proclaim the Good News to the world.
Debra Ison
Lydia, Phoebe, Claudia with Paul
Women of Strength
Phoebe, Lydia, and Claudia
As the new religion we now call Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean region, Gentiles as well as Jews found comfort and meaning in the teachings of Jesus. Thanks to Paul and a few others, new churches were being founded in non-Jewish countries. Home churches were established first. A small group of like-minded people would gather to hear the Good News. As a Christian community grew churches were established, Leaders emerged in these churches and women were included in many church functions. I will highlight only three here, but there were others who paved the way for us today.
The first woman of note is Phoebe. Paul mentions her as a deaconess in the church at Cenchreae. She was to travel to Rome and Paul sent a letter to the Church in Rome telling them to receive her with respect and to help her with whatever she needed. While we don’t know the exact nature of the word deaconess from that time, it is apparent that Phoebe was a committed and active Christian who was always ready to help others. Paul, in fact, mentions that she had been of assistance to him when he visited Cenchreae. Phoebe was a strong woman of faith who stepped up and became a leader in the Church.
Lydia, our second woman, lived in Philippi and was a seller of purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God, but she was unaware of the the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On Paul’s second missionary journey, he had intended to return to Asia, but he was called by God to Mesopotamia. On the way, he met Lydia and others who were gathered by a river to worship, as it was the Sabbath. Apparently, there was no synagogue in Philippi. God opened Lydia’s heart to Paul’s message about Jesus and she and her household were converted to Christianity. She extended hospitality to Paul and his companions during their visit. Lydia was the first recorded Christian conversion in Europe. Lydia could have rejected Paul’s message and discounted it as heresy, but she accepted Jesus as her Savior and Lord instead.
Chloe, our last woman, lived in Corinth. There is little known about her, only a single verse, but the passage is important to the development and health of the Church at Corinth. Chloe was a Christian and probably owned her home. 1 Corinthians 1:11 states that a member of her household reported to Paul of the dissension in the church. This alerted Paul and he dealt the with problems there swiftly and with authority. Two entire chapters of the Bible are devoted to this effort. This was not idle gossip, but a plea from Chloe to Paul of the situation. Chloe likely sent one of her servants to carry the message to Paul. She didn’t procrastinate or think the problems would work themselves out, she took action.
These three women exemplify Christian attributes: leadership, hospitality, peacemaking. All worshiped God and had converted to Christianity. All were strong women who saw a need and filled it; they didn’t wait for others to step forward. These women, who lived two thousand years ago, are still role models for us today.
Prayer: Father, we know you have our best interests and you provide opportunities for us to serve you. Guide us in all we do so our actions are in your perfect will. AMEN
Debra Ison
I heard someone ask this question, and it stirred something inside me.
Do I still possess the dreams I had last year? Ten years ago?
We’ll always have our memories to reflect on the good times. But our dreams need to be in constant check.
Stop day dreaming and give your plans to God. If your dream falls into God’s Will for your life, then consider yourself blessed.
God wants good things for us. And our dreams—when authentic and based on a relationship with Him—actually point to the fulfillment of our vocation. The desires of our hearts are often there on purpose.
Dream big. Thank God and live your life to the fullest.
Acts 2:17 – “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
Dianne Petrey
Not one of us is alike 100%. Even twins have a distinct difference. This is just like God’s plan for each of us.
He may be blessing me with time and friends, while He’s blessing others with knowledge and wealth.
Try not to compare your life to someone else’s.
His plans are sure, true, and faithful. This doesn’t mean that you will never experience problems or trials in life, but you do have an eternal future in Christ spiritually. God’s plan for you is to prosper and grow spiritually in Christ in the very situation you are in right now.
Trust God’s curriculum for your life.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Dianne Petrey
There have been seasons in my life when time seemed to stand still. Anxious to see a situation turn around, yet all was quiet from God.
But I pressed on. I trusted Him in everything. Things may not have happened in my timing and that’s ok.
My God is a God of miracles. I’ve seen it before and I know I’ll see them again.
Faith is so important because it is the means by which we have a relationship with God.
Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does.
Ephesians 2:8 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Dianne Petrey
I have been through many trials in my life. Some have been heart wrenching, difficult and stressful.
But there was one thing that was constant through all of this, and it was my faith in God. I often didn’t know how He would get me through it, but I knew He would.
Obedience to God is confirming that you are in agreement with His plan. It may not be in your timing, but God always delivers His children through every trial, every battle and every heartache in this life.
Obedience teaches us trust. Obedience is an act of worship. When we’re obedient to God, we are confirming that God is good and God knows what’s best for us.
Be obedient to the one true God and watch your life flourish.
Genesis 22:18 – “and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
We all know there’s no such thing as a ‘genie in a bottle.’ But some often think that they can ask God for anything and He’ll give it to them.
We go against the nature of God when we ask for something in His name and it’s not in His will.
I’ll admit it’s hard to ask for something and say, “only if it’s your will for me, God.” Knowing good and well, that even if it’s not His will, I want it anyway.
God knows our past, present and future. You have to believe that whatever the answer to your prayer is, that it is His will and for your good.
Trust God. Give Him your heart and trust that His will be done in all things. Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks to God no matter what.
1 John 5:14-15 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
Dianne Petrey
I like my alone time with God. Soaking in those private moments help me realize how small I am and how big He is.
But fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ is like a lifeline to me. I need it and when it’s missing, I feel a part of me has been taken away.
God called us to gather together, to love one another and to lift each other up.
Stay connected with your church family. Fellowship builds unity and the church is to be united.
No matter where we are in our faith, fellowship provides us with strength. Being around other believers gives us the chance to learn and grow in our faith.
Seek fellowship.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,just as in fact you are doing.”
Dianne Petrey
A friend’s post mentioned that her children are reading The Boxcar Children series of books. That really touched my heart because those were some of my favorite books when I was a child. And I was thrilled that there are still children who still love to read books.I looked up the author, Gertrude Chandler Warner, and find out that from the age of five, she dreamed of becoming an author. She wrote stories for her grandfather, and each Christmas she gave him one of these stories as a gift.Oh beloved, what gift are you dreaming of? What heart desire are you thinking of? Did you know that God puts dreams in hearts – of children and of adults, of men and of women. No gift is without a giver. And no gift is ever enjoyed without the recipient complying. Do you love to write? Start writing. Do you love to paint? Go get some paint! Do you love to encourage, equip, teach? Start with where you are. The author was a five-year-old girl when she began dreaming. And she started by writing stories for her grandfather! Maybe you think times are too hard or this season is too hard for you to be creative and use your gifts. The author even shared that she did much of her writing while convalescing from illnesses or accidents, and that she conceived the idea of The Boxcar Children while sick at home.She didn’t start out to be famous, or have a museum named after the characters she created. She only had the passion to write and write she did. So beloved, today is your day to be loosed from what you think should be and begin to work on your dreams. God tells us in His Word that young people will dream dreams and old people will see visions. Stop thinking God no longer moves. And begin to move with Him into your destiny!God loves you and He is for you always. So, stop dreaming and start putting the dream to reality with God’s help, doing it God’s way. You will always find joy and purpose!Acts 2:17-18 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out My Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Rebekah Beene, Oh Beloved!
Everything we do has a side effect.Even the most fun things have a few issues. One of my earliest fishing trips was with a cousin and her then boyfriend. I was about 8 and she was probably 16. I was so very shy but I managed to ask to ride with them to the pond. She said okay, but watch out for the hook in the fishing pole. Of course you know, I got that hook hooked in my shorts. And she had to get it loose from the cloth. I was both exhilarated and embarrassed. Still it is one of my favorite memories of childhood with cousins. It was worth it!Oh beloved, stop waiting till everything goes perfect to get started. Go ahead and reach for that fun thing. You’re not too old or too young. And don’t rehearse what might happen. It might happen, but who cares? A hook in the leg of my shorts didn’t change the joy of the memory. And you can have your joyful memory if you don’t waste time worrying about what might happen. God created you for joyful living and unless you are suffering for the cause of Christ, you’re just living life and encountering life along the way.God loves you and He is for you. Memories are meant to comfort not trouble you. Run to the Lord and ask Him to redeem the time for you. Give Him the regrets. And live in the Light of joyful encounters for your life in Christ!Nehemiah 8.10b …for the joy of the LORD is your strength.Psalm 4.7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.Psalm 16.11 You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.Isaiah 12.3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Rebekah Beene, Oh Beloved!
A lot can change in just a short while. This time last year I had no idea we would have a cute little furry friend living with us. It was one of my dreams, but all I did was dream. I don’t think I could have kept up with Rocky this time last year. But I kept dreaming. This time last year I was pretty sick. I’d had surgery and I was in terrible shape. I’d always dreamed of getting healthier and returning to my youthful weight. It looked hopeless. I kept dreaming.
Oh beloved, keep dreaming. But watch for the Light from Above. The Lord Himself knows your dreams and He knows how to achieve those dreams with you and for you. Just dreaming won’t help. But when you put reality into the dreams – there’s when the achievement begins. Maybe you have a very small dream you hope you can realize. Start there. When you reach that goal, know that God has given you the opportunity to enlarge your dream.A dream is a goal in your heart and mind. That goal is your catalyst of heavenly things. You may need to get healthy or your dream may be something else. God will help you realize goals you can’t even believe for yet. Just put one foot in front of another and go forth for your first goal. With God it is so doable – He gives His help to His people. Don’t live in the dream without even trying the reality. I felt hopeless, but I wasn’t. You may feel hopeless now, but wow, your dream is about to become your goal. And then your goal becomes your reality!God loves you and He is for you. Through Christ, you can do all things. And Jesus will never lead you anywhere that won’t be better for you – spirit, soul and body. His power is perfected in your weakness. That means He comes through for you at your weakest, most hopeless dream. Run to Him this morning and ask Him to help you make your dream become a reality. And live in the Light of His ability on your behalf to change things in a short time for the Kingdom and Glory of God!1 Corinthians 2:5 so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.Philippians 4:13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] AMPI Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. AMP Rebekah Beene, Oh Beloved!
Woke up with a new message one morning recently: Winter Weather Advisory. Once again the message I receive is unbelievable.Yesterday people were fishing on the lake and our windows were open at home. Today we are asked to prepare for the opposite.Oh beloved, aren’t we glad that God never changes? Not ever. He is the same through the ages. And in this age, He is calling people to come into His presence and live in His Spirit. It doesn’t matter what the message from the news reporter is. God will not leave His own or forsake them. How can we know then that we are truly His? How can we trust God when everything else looks bleak? By being born again. Not by being good, for surely as Jesus says there is none good but the Father. Surely not by anything in the flesh could anyone boast. All have sinned, but also all have come short of the Glory of God.So beloved, your only hope is Jesus. Otherwise, you live by the whims and forecasts of humanity. But in Christ you get to view everything from heavenly places with Christ. Even doctor’s reports are not your forecast. Our days are numbered and only the Lord has access to our life and death. You can trust God, prepare for anything, live for Jesus and walk by the Spirit. God’s not dead and neither are you!God loves you and He is for you. Live and not die and declare the works, the message and the truth of the Lord!Mark 10:18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.”Psalm 22:27-28 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.John 3:5 Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Rebekah Beene, Oh Beloved!
I’m pretty sure that winter was created so that spring would be more appreciated. As a child I don’t really remember winter causing much problem. Although I know it was cold, I don’t remember suffering in any way because of the cold. Standing outside waiting for the school bus or playing in the snow: neither of these things bring memories of hardship. I do remember the year that it was snowing so hard the school bus driver didn’t see me standing on the porch. Did we even have snow days back then?
Oh beloved, are you feeling the chill of the season? Maybe you’ve been given a harsh weather report. Perhaps you don’t care whether you see spring or not. It’s time to look to the Lord! He gives the seasons, so you can be assured that He knows what He is doing.
Maybe you think you caused this harsh season of your life. Maybe you did. But God is bigger than that. And His mercies are new every morning, even for you. Regret will make you want to pay for your troubles. But mercy causes you to triumph over it all. Have you heard? The Lord delights in showing mercy! Specifically, to you! He loves you with an everlasting love. Even if you don’t love yourself right now, He still does. Don’t let the chill of the season keep you from rejoicing in His love. You were meant for more!
God loves you and He is for you. Just as the seeds for the next season are already in the farm stores, so too your seeds for the next season are in your hand. Speak life, speak growth, speak warmth. And live with a view to the goodness of God that will carry you through to the warm days of your future!
Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
Rebekah Beene, Oh Beloved!
The jonquils are blooming here and there in our area. The up and down temperatures are causing a stir in nature. It’s amazing to me that these lovely flowers will bloom even in the snow and not die.
Oh beloved, bloom! Bloom where you are planted. Bloom out of season. Bloom when all in the natural wants to stunt your life. It’s not about having things right and perfect that you are able to bloom. It’s because your roots are grounded in Christ. This is not the season to cut off the blooms and discard your beauty. It’s time to rise and shine and give God the glory!
God knows your every situation. He also knows that within you is the potential to receive beauty for ashes. It’s not that you aren’t delicate in the flesh. Just as the jonquil petals are so very fragile, so is your life in nature. But in the Spirit, you are invincible,
uncontainable and you cannot be stopped! You can’t feed flowers poison and expect them to bloom out of season. So stop feeding yourself poison! Quit moaning and groaning. You are alive and that signals to heaven and earth that you can blossom no matter what! It’s your birthright as a born again child of God to release the fertile Word over your life along with praise and worship every single day!
God loves you and He is for you. Bloom! Show forth His praises to the watching world. Run to Him this morning and ask Him for fresh warmth from heaven to give you more beauty of the Spirit. And bloom in the Light of His wonderful mercy and grace!
Isaiah 43:21 The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!
Ephesians 1:14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him.
Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
Rebekah Beene, Oh Beloved!
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
There are times we believe we can go it alone. “I’ve got this, God,” we say. Life is going well and we think we don’t need God. We put God on a shelf and take Him down when we have a laundry list of ‘I wants’. The funny thing is that God isn’t really on that shelf. He is with us always; he never leaves us. How it must hurt him when we try to cope on our own and really mess things up. How much better the outcome would be if we would only include God from the start, not just after we fail.
God is faithful and He wants us to feel loved, to feel important, and to have a purpose. When we feel distant from God, it is we, not God who is absent from the relationship. In order to experience the faithful love that only our Creator can bring, we need to quiet the noise in our lives, schedule quiet time into our manic schedules, and listen to God. He knows and wants what is best for us because he loves us. He wants us to be happy and fulfilled, not constantly searching for something we will never find without knowing Him. After all, God sent his only Son to earth to make a path for us to Heaven. I can’t imagine the pain such a sacrifice would cause. God held nothing back in order to make a way for us in Heaven. Now, that is love.
God’s perfect example of love should guide our actions toward our fellow man. What a wonderful world it would be if everyone practiced the same kind of love our Father has for us.
Psalm 52:8
“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” NIV
Loving God, show us how to love as you do. Open our eyes to your faithfulness and be our guide in all that we do. AMEN
Debra Ison
In ancient times, when God saw wickedness throughout his beautiful creation, he sent a flood to destroy everyone except a faithful few. Once the waters receded, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant with Noah that he would never again destroy the earth by flood.
I saw a rainbow yesterday and it reminded me of God’s promises. There are many in the Holy Scriptures. God’s promise to Noah is His promise to all of us. He doesn’t seek our destruction; he seeks our fulfillment in Him. As we admire the beautiful display of a rainbow and the covenant it represents, we should ponder our response to God’s goodness. What is the promise we make to Him?
God wants us to be faithful, of course, but he also wants his people to be happy and fulfilled. He brings wholeness to our broken lives and replaces sadness with joy. In response, we can give nothing less than our whole selves—nothing held back. It is our half of the covenant.
Genesis 9:16
‘Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” NIV
Holy Father,
Slow me down, remind me to look up and see the wondrous promise you made to Noah and to everyone. I know all good things come from you and you desire to be in covenant with me. Thank you for your everlasting love and care.
AMEN
Debra Ison
Many times, when we think of God and his interactions with mankind, we remember some of the harsh punishments He inflicted such as when Moses was not permitted to enter the promised land because God was angry with the Hebrew people for their unfaithfulness, or the instances when invading nations were permitted by God to conquer the Hebrews because they had turned from God and were worshipping idols. Yes, God expects us to be obedient to Him and to worship no other gods, but God is compassionate as well.
The Old and New Testaments are filled with examples of God’s forgiveness, love, and compassion for his people. When Hannah prayed for a son, though she had always been barren, the Lord gave her the desire of her heart. (1 Samuel 1:27). God showed favor to Sarah and Abraham and gave them a son even though they were advanced in years (Genesis 21:1-2). I’m sure Daniel or David would chime right in here and tell their own stories. Daniel, though face-to-face with a den of hungry lions had faith in God’s love and compassion for him. (Daniel 6:21); David bravely faced Goliath with only a sling shot because he believed in God’s power to protect him (1 Samuel 17:45-50).
In each of these examples, God was ready to show compassion, so why should we doubt that God would be less so for us. Moving to the New Testament, Jesus is the perfect example of love and compassion. Even when hungry and exhausted, he healed the sick and fed the hungry. Jesus demonstrated a selfless love such as the world had never seen. Everyone he met was impacted by his love and humility. He truly cared for the people he had come to save—not by words alone, but by offering his very life so that we have a path to living forever with Him in heaven.
In our weakest moments, when it seems as if the walls are closing in and we don’t know where to turn, God is waiting. He longs to enfold His children in a loving embrace and provide the comfort so desperately needed. People may fail or misunderstand us, but God is perfect in his love. The greatest part is that He is always present and will never dessert us. A whispered prayer is all that is needed to engage the most powerful source of comfort there is.
Prayer: Loving and compassionate Father, thank you for providing all that we need. Your love sustains us in tough times and strengthens us to face whatever challenges life brings our way. We praise you and give all the glory to you. AMEN
Scripture: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and graciousness” Psalm 86:15
Debra Ison
I took piano lessons from age nine to seventeen. I diligently practiced each piece my teacher gave me to learn, then moved on to the next and the next, and so on. By eighth grade, my piano teacher arranged for me to audition for a scholarship to a music conservatory. I played a Bach Invention and other pieces I can’t remember. The end result was an offer to study at the music conservatory as a full scholarship student. For the next three years, I studied and played the pieces required for entry to the conservatory once I graduated from high school.
By my senior year, however, I realized I had no talent for music, only a desire to play. There is a difference—a big one. Technically, I was proficient, but the music came from my fingers, not my soul. I then did the only logical thing. I decided to give up the scholarship and pursue a career more suited to my talents. I chose to be a physical therapist and wound care specialist. I pursued both with passion and excitement and I have never regretted my decision.
Each of us has innate talents. This is what makes the world go around but above and beyond our talents, God has given us Gifts through his Holy Spirit. These Gifts are to be used to build up his Church and to spread the Good News. No one has all of the Gifts, though everyone has at least one. These Gifts may change from time to time as the need arises.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:4 about these Gifts and their purpose: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” (NIV). Gifts of the Spirit are listed in several places in the New Testament and there is some overlapping. Generally, it is accepted that there are eighteen Gifts of the Spirit:
Eight Speaking Gifts: Apostleship, Prophecy, Evangelism, Shepherding, Teaching, Exhortation, Knowledge, and Wisdom.
Six Serving Gifts: Helping, Giving, Administration, Mercy, Faith, and Discernment
Four Sign Gifts: Miracles, Healing, Speaking Tongues, and Interpretation of Tongues
No gift is greater than another. Each is important to edify God and His Church. No one should boast of his or her Gift(s). These are given by God, not earned.
In my career in health care, I realized I could combine my talent in this area with the Spiritual Gifts God had given me. I was working with a wound patient in the clinic one day when the patient’s physician stopped by. He watched as I worked. The patient commented as I was applying a rather complex dressing, “She’s done this before.” The doctor smiled and said, “Her hands are touched by God.”
I could have received no greater affirmation that God had placed me where I would be best used. I still love the piano, but God had a different plan for me and equipped me for the work. Praise be to God!
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for your guidance in my life. Help me to always listen to your voice that shows me the way I should go. AMEN
Debra Ison
As Joshua stood ready to lead the Hebrews into the land promised by God, the responsibility of the task must have weighed heavily on his shoulders. Moses was dead and the mantle of leadership was passed to Joshua. I can’t imagine what was running through his head as he stood atop the mountain before proceeding with the entire population of Hebrews. He had been a witness to the mistakes made by Aaron and Moses and he probably wondered if he was up to the task. God must have known this was true because he sought to reassure Joshua of his loyalty and devotion. In the book of Joshua 1:5, God tells Joshua, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” What a promise!
Life is filled with important moments when we feel all alone. The phrase, ‘the buck stops here’, can terrify us as we realize there is no one to whom we can turn to tell us what to do. No one, that is, except God. God is with us and will never leave us just as He was with Joshua.
In his book, Angels, Billy Graham related a story about a missionary and his wife who were facing certain death at the hands of local natives. No one had been able to survive a journey into the natives’ land but one brave minister and his wife decided it was their mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to theses primitive people. The attempt to sit down with the tribe was met with great resistance and one night all the warriors surrounded the couple’s compound. Neither the minister or his wife expected to see the sun rise the next day. So, they prayed. The night wore on and no attack came although the natives were still surrounding the compound. As daylight broke, the minister ventured outside and saw no one. Not one warrior remained.
In time, the minister converted the chief and his tribe. The men became friends and were able to understand each other’s language eventually. Curious, the minister asked why the chief had spared him and his wife years before. The warriors were standing ready with spears but never attacked. The chief looked at the minister with a surprised look on his face and said, “We didn’t attack because of all the warriors who were standing guard all around your compound and even on the roof. They had sharp swords and stood ready to take on my warriors.” The minister was taken aback, but he remembered the fervent prayers he and his wife had offered to God and knew that nothing less than God’s own angels had protected them that night.
The story is true and so is God’s promise to never leave us, to always be there for us. Life may not always go the way we want, but regardless of the situation, God is ready to sustain us.
Prayer: God, in our joys and sorrows, in peril and safety, you are with us. We feel the comfort and strength of your loving arms around us. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen
Debra Ison
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Were there ever any more comforting or hopeful words written than these? God loves us so much that he sacrificed his own Son for our sake. Jesus came to us as Savior, Messiah, and teacher. Once his followers were ready to continue the ministry, Jesus went to the cross willingly.
We read the words of John 3:16 frequently at church and in our own Bible studies. We even sing the words, but when we stop long enough to ponder the meaning of each word, the full impact of John’s message amazes us with its power. God actually offered up his Son as atonement for our sins. Think of it. Jesus died a horrible death that our sins might be forgiven. It is difficult for our human brains to fathom the depth of love it would take to do that. That would be a wonderful gift by itself, but God goes a step further. He offers us eternal life through his Son’s sacrifice. What a loving God we serve! He wants to spend eternity with us. When I think of that, I feel so unworthy. Who am I that the Creator of all the universe and beyond cares whether or not I spend eternity with Him? God’s only condition is that we believe in Jesus as the Christ.
There is no way we can earn our way to heaven. The price of admission was paid by Jesus. Our part of this wonderful gift is to accept Jesus into our hearts and believe in all he taught during his brief sojourn on earth. While God’s promise is wonderful, we have the responsibility to live in a way which honors God. It isn’t always easy but it is a life full of love, devotion, and service. Everything we do or say should reflect who we are—God’s children, redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
As we go about our daily lives, whether running a corporation or simply washing the dishes, our lives should reflect who and whose we are. Our lives should shine so brightly with God’s love that others are led to Jesus through us. We don’t all have to be pastors or missionaries to demonstrate to all the world that we live differently, a life filled with joy, contentment, and love.
Prayer: thank you, God, for sending your Son to us. We praise you and want to serve you in all we do. Help us to live as children of the King and spread the Good News through our actions and words. Amen.
Debra Ison
All my life I’ve longed to belong. Early on, I followed the wrong crowd. I chased after broken dreams. I would try anything to be accepted. This led to many years of searching, only to end up in dead end places.
I was looking for others to make me happy. I thought happiness was out there waiting on me to claim it.
Until I was in the pit, looking up, did I realize that happiness wasn’t in people, it was in Jesus.
Each one of us has a purpose. Everyone has a unique personality, set apart from anyone else.
Jesus died so I could live. I now belong to the savior of the world.
God chose you specifically for a purpose to bring light and love into the world but not to be of the world. As a Christian, you are chosen to live a life that glorifies God in all that you do and say.
Before we were born, God set us apart and appointed us to be a prophet to the nations.
Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Dianne Petrey
Time seems to drag when adversity strikes. We think about, worry and agonize over the problem as if we can solve it on our own.
It’s ok to be concerned and to look for help. But wouldn’t you like a little help instead of trying to solve the problem on your own?
Give it to God. Sound too simple? You have to trust that God’s got this. He sees your pain. He understands your anger and disappointment. But that’s not all. After giving it to God, you have to follow up with faith. Without faith, you’re spinning your wheels, going nowhere.
Do not underestimate the power of God. The resolve may not be in our timing, but God will deliver in His time.
Be patient. God is at work.
Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Dianne Petrey
We all make sacrifices every day. You give your time to your kids, your spouse, your best friend, without expecting anything in return.
But would you sacrifice your life for another person?
Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice when He died in our place.
Are you willing to give up the world’s pleasures and the tempting lures that satan puts in our face and follow Jesus?
Jesus promises a life in eternity.
Sacrifice means giving to God whatever He requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further His work.
Are you willing to make this sacrifice?
Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Dianne Petrey
Isaiah 66:13 – “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
Giving birth to my two kids was the greatest blessings. The bond between mother and child is like no other. There have been seasons of joy, laughter, love and inevitably worry.
God has been at my side every step of the way. From scraped knees to wedding bells to grandchildren, God has been a constant through it all.
When I think of the love I have for my children and my grandchildren it doesn’t come close to the love God has for me and for everyone of us.
Daily, I give my family to God. I’m thankful for the comfort in knowing that no matter what is going on in my family, it’s God who is in control.
It’s this legacy that I’m carrying on from my mother and her mother.
Never underestimate a mother’s love but most importantly a mother’s prayers for her children.
Dianne Petrey
We all have a history. If we’re smart, we will have learned from our mistakes.
God’s history is all laid out in the Bible. From the beginning of time to the future He has for those who believe in Him.
I’ve been a Christian for a long time, but it’s only been in the last 20 years that I’ve developed a deep relationship with God. God’s been in my history and He remains a constant now.
How about you? Do you have a history with God? Do you know His Story?
History defines and touches our lives. How does your story look? What has been your history with God, or do you even have one?
Want to know more about God? It’s all in the Bible. Start reading, asking Him for understanding and He will be a part of your history and an eternal future to look forward to.
Daniel 2:21 – “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
Dianne Petrey
It’s a good thing to know how to defend yourself, in case you’re ever confronted.
Evil is all around us in several different forms. Some people are just waiting for us to mess up so they can take advantage of our vulnerability.
This goes for the heart also. Guard your heart. Don’t give it away to the first person that tells you what you want to hear.
Let God be your defender today. Give your life to Him and let Him fight your battles.
Psalm 144:1 – “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”
Dianne Petrey
A band of angels gathered together and spoke in excited whispers. This was the night all of heaven had been waiting for. The night that Jesus would become mortal for a time, the night he was to be born to Mary in Bethlehem. The search for the family who would be the Lord’s parents had been an important task. The parents had to be very special, yet not of noble birth. Mary and Joseph were chosen for their devotion to God and their loving hearts and would be good parents. Even in their excitement, though, the angels did not know everything God had planned for his only Son. If they had, their demeanor would have been very different. None of them knew of the pain they would feel a few decades later as their precious Jesus hung on a cross while they stood helplessly by and watched the agony. Every fiber of their being would ache to rescue Him and escort him safely to Heaven. Forbidden to do so, they would be able to do nothing but watch and wait for God’s plan to unfold.
Like the angels, none of us knows what life will bring, what happiness and sadness. We do know, however, that God never leaves us. He is always there to comfort and to strengthen us. The angels knew that God was with Jesus as they prepared to announce to the world that its Savior had come. He would bring light into the darkness and a path to the lost. Jesus would literally turn the world upside down!
As the time drew near for Jesus to be born to Mary, the angels’ excitement grew. God had instructed them to seek out the humblest of mankind and give them the Good News that their Messiah would be born that night in Bethlehem. He would be placed in a manger of straw, not in a fine palace with soft linens.
The angels announced the Good News to local shepherds who were watching over their flocks. They protected the sheep and kept them from getting lost. Jesus would be the Good Shepherd for mankind, showing love and offering protection to all who believe in Him as the Son of God and Son of Man.
Yes, the angels knew that Jesus had a large assignment on earth. It would be a difficult struggle, to say the least, but worth the effort.
Suddenly, from a humble dwelling in Bethlehem, the angels heard a baby’s cry. Jesus was born! The Messiah had come! The angels spread their wings and sought out the hopeless and the lonely. With an angelic song, they proclaimed the Good News! Jesus Christ is born! Alleluia! All praise to the newborn King!
Luke 2:13-14 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Debra Ison
It was a night like any other night. On a hillside outside of Bethlehem three shepherds huddled together around a small fire and discussed the bright star in the night sky. It shone brighter than any other star and spread its golden light all the way to earth. What could it mean? Each man expressed an opinion—it was a sign that God was angry with Bethlehem. Another said it was a blessing for the small town, while the third said the light would blind all who looked at it. Superstition and fantasy were proclaimed with as much certainty as fact. All alone, doing one of the lowliest jobs, the shepherds’ imaginations were given free rein.
One of the men got up and checked on the sheep. Obviously, the sheep didn’t care about the star or anything for that matter. They were grazing and sleeping peacefully in the meadow. As the shepherd walked back to the warmth of the fire, he began to hear a sound far away. It was a sound he had never heard before. It was like singing, but not any he had ever heard before. He searched all around him and then looked up. A bright light was streaming towards him and he became afraid. He ran to join the others and excitedly told them about what was happening. Both of the shepherds leaped to their feet, ready to run away from the light that was getting closer by the second.
Before the men could flee, a voice as sweet as the sweetest honey spoke to them, telling them not to be afraid. They had Good News to share! One of the angels explained that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem in a humble stable and placed in a manger. The Messiah, they explained, was for everyone, not only for the rich and powerful. Then, the Angels sang a song of praise so beautiful it made the shepherds weep with joy. When the Angels departed, the men rushed to the town to see the infant. He was easy to find; they simply followed the star’s guiding light. Once they drew near to the stable, they heard the baby’s mother singing softly to him. Shyly they approached and knelt down before Mary and baby Jesus. They told Mary about the Angels and the message of Good News. Then they departed, singing praises to God, and returned to their sheep. Little did they know how the tiny baby would change the world, and give mankind hope and comfort. The men could not explain all that had happened, but they knew they would be different from that moment on. The long-awaited Messiah had come.
Luke 2:8-20 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Debra Ison
The three Magi had watched the stars for most of their lives. They felt there was much to learn from the bright celestial bodies which hung above them in the night sky.
So, when a new star made its appearance, the men were amazed by its brightness and wondered what it could mean. New stars didn’t just appear like this one had. It must foretell something wonderful. They had heard of the prophecy that a baby would be born and become King of the Jews, so they traveled to Jerusalem and inquired of King Herod where they could find the child, the one who would become King of the Jews. Herod was disturbed by this and asked the chief priests where this child was to be born. They answered, “Bethlehem”. Herod instructed the Magi to go to Bethlehem, search for the child, and report his location to him. They followed Herod’s instructions and proceeded to Bethlehem, following the bright star in the sky.
Upon reaching the place where Jesus was, the three fell to their knees to pay homage to this special child. They offered their gifts of incense, gold and myrrh, humbled by the privilege to be witness to such a momentous occasion. They were informed in a dream not to return to Herod and returned to their homeland by a different route.
We hear no more of the three wise men in silk robes bearing gifts. Their story is all the more remarkable that they were Gentiles. Perhaps this was a foretelling of the Gentiles receiving the Good News of salvation through Jesus. Christ came not only to the Jews, but to all people. We serve an inclusive God.
There are times in our lives when we are all set to go one way but circumstances take us in another direction. This can be frustrating and unsettling, but if we trust God to guide our path, we will eventually see the path we needed to follow all along. God’s plans are often revealed over time, and we in retrospect finally see the pattern of God’s work. Our job is to be obedient in the meantime.
Matthew 2:1-12 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Debra Ison
It was past midnight and everyone was asleep. Everyone, that is except Mary. The day before had been beautiful and confusing. Mary’s young son, Jesus, had received three very unusual visitors. They came late at night. Joseph, as usual had been so attentive and kind, making certain that his young wife and son were warm and comfortable before he had retired for the night.
No sooner, however, had he settled down before he heard a commotion nearby. Three men riding camels and adorned in robes of silk were asking where the young king could be found. King? Here in Bethlehem? They were told there was no king except King Herod. The three were not to be put off. They kept asking until they made their way to where Jesus lived with his parents. Mary watched in fascination as the exotic strangers presented gifts, one by one, to her young child. Gold, myrrh, and frankincense were presented with reverence as each stranger knelt before Jesus. Little did Mary know of the significance of each gift. The gold, an appropriate gift for a king, would soon be needed to help them flee to Egypt and out of the reach of a very jealous king. King Herod was intent on killing the child whom he viewed as a threat to his throne. The frankincense was used in temple worship. It was mixed with the oil that was used to anoint the priests of Israel. This gift acknowledged Jesus as High Priest. The myrrh was a spice used for embalming. How difficult it must have been for Mary to see this gift presented to her son. Three noble and wealthy gentiles had traveled far to find a child of humble birth. What had led them to this place, at this time?
Mary sat beside her sleeping child and pondered all of this and wondered what Jesus would become. She knew from the beginning that she would give birth to a son and he would be special. An angel had told her this. But, now what? There had been no instructions left to guide her once her baby had come into the world. Added to the worries of every new mother, Mary had no idea of how to fulfill God’s plan in her child’s life. He was, after all, the Son of God. How could she, only a girl herself, provide for such a special little boy?
Mary’s eyes grew weary and she lay down next to Jesus and uttered a prayer for guidance from God. As sleep began to claim her, she thought she heard a voice saying, “Rest now, Mary. Have faith in me and my plans.” So, with a peacefulness in her heart, she fell asleep.
Just like Mary, there are times when we don’t know what to do or what is coming next. That is when we need to listed for reassurance from God: “Rest my child have faith in me and my plans for you.”
Matthew 2:11 “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Debra Ison
Herod the Great was ruler over Israel, with Roman help at the time of the birth of Christ. Herod definitely impacted Israel in many ways. He was a great builder. He built the Temple in Jerusalem, the fortification of Masada, and several palaces. He was also well known as a jealous king and killed anyone he viewed as a threat to his power. Cruel and ruthless, he ruled with an iron fist. He was also ruler at the time of Jesus’ birth.
From three Magi who had traveled from the east, he had learned of the fulfillment of the prophecy of a Messiah being born. His chief priests told him the place of birth in the prophecy was Bethlehem, about five miles south of Jerusalem. He wined and dined the exotic trio and instructed them to seek out the child and report his exact location back to him. He fully intended to nip the prophecy in the bud. He wouldn’t allow anyone to usurp his throne!
The three Magi did indeed find Jesus, but were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. After paying homage to the child and leaving gifts, they returned to their home country by a route that wouldn’t take them back to Jerusalem and King Herod.
One can only imagine the fury of Herod. He had ascertained the timing of the birth of Jesus from the Magi and ordered all male children two years of age and younger be killed. Jesus was safely on his way to Egypt where his father had been instructed to go to flee Herod. There they remained until word of Herod’s death reached them. Herod’s successor in Judah and Samaria, however, was Archelaus who also wanted the child killed, so the family returned not to Judea but to the district of Galilee to a town called Nazareth.
God’s hand works in our lives for our good. We may not be visited by an angel (or maybe?), but God does direct our steps if we are listening to His will—through prayer, study of His Word, and through discernment. We serve a loving God. Praise be to God!
Matthew 2:1-23 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more.” 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Debra Ison
There was no relief, it seemed, from the hot desert sun. Joseph turned around to check on Mary and baby Jesus. It was a hard journey for anyone to travel from Israel to Egypt, but especially difficult for a young mother holding a child in her arms. Satisfied that Mary was tolerating the trip, Joseph continued holding a rope attached to the donkey. He had not chosen this flight to Egypt. He had intended to return to his workshop to resume work. There were several pieces half finished awaiting his attention. Joseph sighed. The work would have to wait. The safety of his family came first.
The angel who had visited him in his dreams was very explicit—flee to Egypt or his child would be killed by King Herod. This was the second time he had been the recipient of a message from God. The first time, he had been told not to divorce Mary when she had been found with child. He had obeyed then and he was obeying now. He knew better than to argue with God. Wasn’t it written in the holy scriptures what happened to people when they disobeyed God? Joseph had no intention of prompting God’s wrath.
A few miles further and Joseph spied an oasis built around an underground spring. God be praised, he thought. The skins containing their water supply were almost empty. He could refill them at the spring and give Mary much needed rest. He guided the donkey to a watering trough and tied him to a post. He reached up to receive baby Jesus from Mary’s arms. A servant girl appeared at his side and offered to hold the baby while Joseph assisted Mary. Jesus gave a little cry announcing he was awake and hungry. Mary smiled as Joseph eased her off the donkey and onto the dusty ground. She reached for her baby and walked toward a tent where women were gathered. She would be able to feed Jesus in a quiet and cooler place.
Joseph looked around. This was a large oasis. The spring must be substantial. He made his way through a group of Bedouins and approached a man sitting at a table. After a few minutes of negotiation, Joseph was assured of a tent for the night and hot food. With the essentials taken care of, Joseph sought refuge in the shade of a grove of date trees. He sat on the ground and let his mind replay the events of the past few days. It was almost too much to take in. He, Joseph of Nazareth, was now the earthly father to a very special babe. He let out a long breath, leaned back, and closed his eyes. “Why me?” He thought. “Of all the men in the world, why did God choose me for such a task? Can I be the father Jesus deserves?” His thoughts were interrupted by the braying of a nearby camel. He stood and straightened his shoulders. He didn’t know what the future would hold, but he did know he would do everything in his power to fulfill God’s plan for him and his family. Joseph was learning to live by faith.
Matthew 2:13-15 “13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Debra Ison
During this time of year, Christians focus on the birth of Jesus. He was the Son of God born to become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Because He died on the cross and was resurrected conquering sin and death, Jesus is our only hope, peace, joy and unconditional love that we can experience both in this life and the next. It is only through Him that these life conditions are met.
He is our Hope of eternal life because of His sacrifice.
Titus 1:2 “…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”Acts 26:6 “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.”
He is our Peace to the soul because Jesus provides us with peace in knowing that no matter the circumstance, He and He alone has control of all things and works them for good for the glory of His Kingdom.
Romans 5:1-3 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
He is our Joy in life when we recognize the wonderful blessings we have received from God Himself including joy in knowing that our eternal destination is secure.
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”Acts 2:28 “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence”1 Thessalonians 2:19 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”We have the Love of God who gave His One and Only Son to die for our sins when we deserved it not. Love so amazing that no matter how ugly our lives have become, He loves us still. Love called “Hesed” which means the consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious, loving kindness and everlasting love of our God who shows grace and mercy. Nothing can compare to God’s love.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”As this Christmas season fast approaches, please take the time to reflect on the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love made available to you by Jesus Christ the Messiah. Remember who He is and why He came. He was the sacrificial Lamb of God, our Savior, and our King. He was born of a virgin, lived among men, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead and is coming again!! Praise the Lord!!
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, please don’t wait another minute. Your hope, peace, joy and love await you through the Savior Jesus Christ. If you do not know how, go to this link http://myjourneyoffaith.com/howtobecomeachristian/ for more information.
Sandra Hardage
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his all mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. – Ephesians 3:20
Every minute of every day, thoughts go in and out of our minds. While driving to work in the morning, we may be thinking about the day ahead. What we need to do when we get to our desks, the meeting that we have at 1pm, what we are going to make for dinner tonight when we get home. Endless thoughts are constantly going around in our minds. If we take all of those thoughts, worries, questions, doubts, and then consider Jesus in the midst of it, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than that. Our solution to our own problem may be microscopic in comparison to how Jesus wants to work out a solution to our problems. We just need to be patient as he works. He is always working within us, he knows every situation that we are going to encounter, and he knows how we will get through them all. It is in the moment that we truly realize what God is doing within us, that the thoughts begin to pause because we know that God always has our backs and that he will never let us down.
Lord, in the midst of all the chaos that a day can bring, please continue working within us. You know where you want each of us to be Lord. Guide us as we get there. Show us where we are meant to be Lord as we trust your work. We ask this in your name Lord, Amen.
Christina Marchese
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” – Matthew 17:20
To have faith means that you have a full belief and trust in knowing that something will work out for the good. This could be having faith that you’ll get chosen for a promotion at work, having faith that the pregnancy test you just took will come back positive, or having faith that the test results you’re waiting for to come back will show positive results. There are so many things that occur in our day to day lives that having faith can seem like one of the hardest things you have ever tried to do.
Maybe you are a new Christian and you don’t know where to find this faith because you haven’t seen God move in your life yet. When I was beginning my walk with God, my faith didn’t come in until after my brother was killed. My brothers passing led me to, not only finding God, but to me realizing that every situation I had been through in my life up until that point, had been God working within me. Once all of those events lined up, it was as though a puzzle had finally come together. God wants for us to believe in him, to trust him, to have faith in him because he knows what is in store for all of us. He knows every single piece of our puzzle and how it will all be put together in the end. Faith the size of a mustard seed, that’s it. If we can find it in us and in our hearts to have at least that amount of faith, God will see us through whatever we are going through.
God, help us as we learn to put our trust and faith into you. We all may struggle with this at times but as you state, if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing would be impossible. Anything is possible through you Lord. We pray this in your name Lord, Amen.
Christina Marchese
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. – Philippians 4:6
In a moment of worry, it may be hard to remember to pray and to lay all that is on your mind in that moment down at the altar and turn it over to God. This may not be something that someone can learn to do over night. It may take days, weeks, months, or even years to stop in those moments of worry and turn them over to God. I gave my life to Christ over six years ago now and there are still times when I find myself worrying about something that I should be trusting God to work out. If we simply tell God what it is that we need and thank him for where he has brought us, he will continue to give us what we ask for. You can never ask God for too much, he wants us to talk to him, to ask him for help, and to tell him when we are struggling. In the midst of the worries that you may be facing, pause and pray and tell God what you need him to do. It is then that you will begin to see God work.
Lord, it is not always easy to stop in the midst of worry, breathe, and talk to you. We know you are there, we know you are within us, but sometimes, when the weight is too much to carry, we worry instead of pray. We worry about whether or not we can keep going. We worry about whether or not we will make it and survive. With you within us Lord, we will. Remind us Lord that you are all that we need. That all we need to do is pray and talk to you Lord and you will provide for us in our times of worry. I ask this in your name Lord, Amen.
Christina Marchese
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
There is so much that can be learned from this one verse. In this verse, we are being told that even though we will have trouble throughout our time here in this world, we should have peace within our hearts. We shouldn’t live in worry or fear, we shouldn’t be afraid of what may come tomorrow, instead, we should live in peace. The Lord has overcome all that this world could possibly throw at someone, and even more, he has conquered death. God doesn’t tell us that we won’t ever have hard times or that we won’t ever experience pain. We will certainly go through hard times, we will feel pain and heartbreak, and there will be days when we feel as though we can’t go on. But if we lay all of that at the altar, and turn it over to our Lord, he will see us through. With the Lord beside us, we can live in peace and with nothing to fear.
Lord, as we start each day, show us that you are near. That we can live each day in peace knowing that you are within us. Even in the times where we may not be able to hear your voice or see what you are showing us, please give us the strength that we need to go on. We ask this in your name Lord, Amen.
Christina Marchese
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” – Psalms 94:19
When I was younger, I battled social anxiety. It started as not being able to speak up in class, when a teacher called on me, I sat there in my seat, frozen, and to scared to speak. This often led to me being forced to stand in the hallway for most of the class because my teachers couldn’t understand why I was unable to answer a question. As time went on, it went from not being able to speak in class, to not being able to ask where something is in a grocery store, not being able to order food in a restaurant, and eventually I couldn’t even leave my home. I say all this to say that, once I found the Lord, and saw how he sees me and the love that he has for me, that person left. I was no longer scared, anxious, and crippled by panic attacks. Instead, I was brave, strong, and I found courage that I never knew I had before. The Lord has the ability to change people. We, as his children, are loved by him in a way that nobody else can ever love us. When we struggle with anxiety it can be so hard to remember that, but if you stop, take hold of that anxious thought, and then surrender it over to the Lord, he will help make you strong. If you continue to do this, over time, you will see a change and you may then also, look back one day, and see how far you have come.
Lord, it is so hard sometimes to remember that we don’t need to be anxious, we don’t need to worry, when we know that you are within us. That you make us strong. Help us take hold of all of our anxious thoughts and surrender them to you. Let us know that you are with us, helping to make us strong. We ask this in your name Lord, Amen.
Christina Marchese
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
When I was younger, I used to think that I would become a vet, or a teacher, at one point I even wanted to be a music producer. As children, we all have dreams of what we may be when we grow up. Some of us may achieve those dreams, while others may go down a different path. It took me some time to really understand what it meant to live and fulfill God’s purpose for my life.
We all have a purpose, something that God wants for us to achieve during our time here on Earth. Some of us will discover what that purpose is, and others may not. If you are currently trying to discover what your purpose is, talk to God and ask him what he wants for you to do. Listen for him to speak to you. God has many different ways in which he answers our prayers, it is up to us to look for them. As you pray, ask God to give you guidance and trust that he will lead you to where you need to be.
Lord, show us our purpose. Let us know what you would like for us to accomplish while we are here. How do you want to use us for your glory? We ask, in your name Lord, for guidance in showing us what you want for us to do. Amen.
Christina Marchese
Life is a series of short stories.
Years ago, I was hiking the jungles of Peru. Two weeks before that, I was sitting on a front porch with an elderly gentleman, watching the clouds go by and thankful for my blessings. It’s been a few years, but he’s passed on, and even though I am sad that he’s gone, I feel blessed to have known and cared for such a great man.
Today, I sit with a lovely lady. Once a model, today she faces her days with lost memories of the past. But still, we sit and watch the same clouds go by.
God did all of this. He knows my story from beginning to end. Yet, I have never felt more alive, living and loving life, right where I’m needed.
Life doesn’t always work out as we plan, but we can count on this: God brought us into the world, knew us before we were born, and will never leave us.
God enriches my story every day. What about you? How’s your storyline going? Are you trusting the Author for a great outcome?
Trust Jesus today. Your life-story will never be the same.
Mark 5:19 – “And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Dianne Petrey
“The Lord threw a great wind onto the sea, and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart. The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god.” (Jonah 1:4-5) Talk about being at the wrong place at the wrong time! These poor, innocent sailors on the ship with the runaway prophet Jonah were definitely afraid. Fear is defined by the dictionary as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.” The sailors confronted Jonah as he was singled out ...
Jonah Chapter 1 Contrast “Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence.” (Jonah 1:3) If we were to write a description of Jonah from Chapter 1, we would surely include such terms/phrases as: (1) a reluctant prophet – stubborn and rebellious (2) one refusing to extend love to his enemies (3) Jonah – the prophet of God – guilty and disobedient. Yet God showed compassion and spared Jonah, the unrepentant prophet. While Jonah withdrew from both God and fellow man and went to sleep in the bottom of the ship. “What should we do to you (Jonah) ...
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. “Get up! go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.” Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord’s command…Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!” (Jonah 3: 1-4) Both the man of God and God’s chosen people had forgotten the reason God had chosen them to be His treasured people. (Isaiah 42:6-7) “I am the Lord. I have called you for a ...
We see a lot of bitterness and anger in the story of Jonah. We see it in Jonah’s countenance, his actions, and his heart. He has contempt for the Ninevites; he is angry toward God; and he is even angry toward a plant and a worm. (Jonah 4:4) The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?’ (Jonah 4:9) “Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “Yes, it’s right,” Jonah replied, “I’m angry enough to die!” Jonah’s Response: When God showed compassion to the ones Jonah hated – Rage. When ...
Be careful – there is a lot of Jonah’s nature in us. We see what Jonah values – self. He expresses joy when God shows him compassion in providing comfort, but expresses anger when God shows compassion for citizens of Nineveh. Jonah is all about self-comforts and worldly values. God Values Life. “So the Lord said, ” You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. But may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people ...
The full ending of Jonah’s story is not written down in the scripture. Therefore, we have an open ended story. What do you think happened? Our personal story may be very similiar to that of Jonah. I’m sure we’ve had our instances of reluctance and disobedience. We’ve been angry, rebellious, defensive, selfish, and arrogant – all in one day! Yet, God extends His Grace to us so that He can include us in His Love Story. (Jonah 2:2) “I called to the Lord in my distress, and he answered me.” (Jonah 2:9) “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” “For all have ...
There have been times when I think that I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life, but it turned out to be the greatest blessing. Never neglect the power of God. Just when you think you’ve got life figured out, God steps in and miracles happen, plans get changed and nothing else matters. Are these all a result of our own mistakes or a miscalculation of God’s timing? You decide. Matthew 6:26-27: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ...
I’ve never been one to start a movement or follow the crowd. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been led astray. Right when you think you have it all together, there’s a detour in the road. What then? Do you crumble, crawl into a cave and give up? So much in this world is unreliable. People are unreliable, not trustworthy. Why not lean on God in these times? God’s truth never changes and has stood the test of time. Be the change. Become a light in someone’s dark world and tell them about God. Be a ...
The hardest enemy to defeat is the idols we hold close to our heart. We’re surrounded by evil every day and it seems to be getting worse. We make bad decisions, not thinking of the affects it may have on others. We compromise and tell ourselves that this one time won’t matter. You can’t fight this battle alone. Give it to God, every little detail. Make God the hero in your life. Stop trying to abandon God and pretend that this thing you’re doing is not a sin. 1 Corinthians 10:14 – “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from ...
God created each of us for so much more than just to be happy and satisfied. There are times when our joy in life comes with taking risks, pushing yourself beyond what you thought you could do. A few years ago when I stood on top of a 14,000 foot mountain I felt so alive, like I just conquered the world. If you’re comfortable with how things are going, you’re not going to be hungry for righteousness sake. God allows a little adversity in our life at times to remind us who He is. He came ...
There have been seasons in my life when it seemed that time stood still, unmoving. The death of my dad, my two brothers, my mom. We all get one chance every day. The same 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hug your spouse. Play with your kids and grandkids. Spend time with the elderly. Call a friend. Tell someone your story. Time is precious. Don’t waste a minute of it. The God of the Bible is a God of purpose. He created time and we should learn how to manage it and use it ...
There will always be people in need; those who have found themselves destitute or poverty-stricken. God sees them too. That’s why He sends people like you and me to help. Don’t ignore God’s calling on your life. I never thought I’d be serving in the mission fields of Peru, until it happened. This single event changed my life forever. It made me realize that I have a purpose. God gave me a servant heart and I vow to use that to His glory as long as He keeps me here on earth. Give to others. ...
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden: God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name” –Hebrews 13:15 May the Lord open our eyes to see His glorious Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise before us this week? The backdrop for this week together is a lovely garden where I spent many years with my disabled granddaughter Corinne. Behavior issues prevented us from going out in public, as a result we came so often that I lovingly named it Corinne’s Garden. Wandering ...
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden: God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16 (NIV) Do you wake in the morning with great joy in your soul? ……I can hear you saying….are you kidding? …I’m not a morning person….. What is there to be joyful about? …..I’m so tired…..what is there to get up for? As we continue our week on following God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise ...
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden: God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise In our third day of looking at how we reflect on lifting a sacrifice of praise let’s continue in Colossians 3:10 which speaks of focusing our new identity in Christ. “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:10 (NIV) My ID card Reads: Image Bearer of God ‘Who am I? What is my identity? This was a thought that crossed my mind today as I watched people come and go throughout the park. The sun sparkles through ...
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise “And He said to them why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” Luke 24:38 We come now to what Jesus has for us today . I was sitting under a canopy of trees in Corinne’s Garden and looking up, the thought came to me of something I had read that Charles Spurgeon wrote… “I will sit under His shadow with great delight”. My thoughts returned to one specific day when I felt that Satan was launching fiery darts with my name stamped on ...
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden: God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find Me” (NLT) As we near the end of our week following God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise, What is your total focus today? selfies, your phone, busyness….Ummmmm………do we ever stop to ask ourselves this question? Not usually. It is so easy to let ourselves get swept away, into the world, and lose our focus on God. Falling leaves are changing the seasons in Corinne’s Garden today, and my thoughts are centered on how God has ...
Reflections from Corinne’s Garden:God’s Designed Pathway to the Sacrifice of Praise True Sacrifice of Praise Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” It’s raining in Corinne’s Garden; I’m sitting in a sheltered corner enjoying the fresh, renewing shower. In today’s devotional we will finish off our week by following God’s Designed Pathway by going to the Word of God to learn of our true sacrifice of praise. My thoughts are centered on how God continues to renew my mind as He teaches me what a true sacrifice of praise is. It’s praising Him ...
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. “ Philippians 4:6 (NLT) I heard the words, “Yes, it is cancer.” The floor fell out under my feet. I was absolutely shocked. I’m only 39. The first few days of a cancer diagnosis can be described as emotional chaos and confusion. My mind was flooded with so many questions about cancer and all it will entail. But one thing was for sure. I knew I needed God because only God is bigger than cancer. Philippians 4:6 seemed to ...
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Philipians 4:6-7 (NLT)Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Cancer stole my peace and I didn’t realize how peaceful life was until I was diagnosed with cancer. All my problems that were so big suddenly became so small and I wished for those days to be back. I wondered if I ever will have days of big problems that really ...
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:6-8 After my diagnosis, I prayed constantly. I filled my life with prayer, devotionals, ...
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91: 14 Cancer taught me just how small I really am very quickly. I had no control, I had no power, and I cannot heal myself. However God can. But the first question that follows is, but will he? It is in my human nature to judge myself to see if I was worthy. I am divorced. I don’t tithe enough.Sometimes I miss church. I watch things that would be offensive to God. I might be judgmental on ...
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91: 14-15 This is an unbreakable promise from God. This promise may have been written hundreds of years ago for everyone. But right now, this promise could’ve been written today and just for me or for you. When facing cancer, I ran to God and sobbed on his shoulders. I didn’t know what all I ...
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91: 14-16 These verses are so simple yet so deep. I’m in crisis. I need God. He promises to answer me just because I love him, as imperfect as I am. In truth, that’s all I need. But when you are ...
After the 40 year reign of Solomon, the ten tribes of the North decided not to follow Rehoboam, Solomon’s successor. For 210 years, the Northern Kingdom was led by 19 kings whose choices led to destruction in the end. These kings were just, upright, and followed straight paths after the Lord. One of these kings was Asa, great, great grandson of King David. Kings were to be leaders on many fronts: politically, economically, militarily, and spiritually. God expected both kings and people to be loyal to Him. King David was the standard; he set the example of integrity and wholehearted commitment. ...
In the Old Testament, we find instances where God’s people were asked to make choices. “Therefore, fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your fathers worshiped and worship the Lord. Choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship – the gods your fathers worshiped in Egypt or the gods of the people in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 (CSB) What was the role of the Old Testament prophet? Men like Elijah spoke for the Lord to His people. He ...
(I Kings 19:9-18) Have you ever? Called out, “Where are you, God?” Felt like quitting? Felt like running away? Hosted a pity party? We have all been there! Overwhelmed, burned out, and exhausted. Elijah said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.” I Kings 19:10 What would you do if someone sent their entire army after you – hunting you down? In I ...
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. This is the Lord’s declaration. For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (CSB) God can do anything He wants to do and work in any way using BIG dramatic events or simply in a still, small voice. God can provide for His people through unusual circumstances. He can use famous, powerful people like a prophet or king; he can even choose to work through unnamed, insignificant slaves or servants. ...
II Kings 7 includes a most unusual story concerning the citizens of the capital city, Samaria, in the Northern Kingdom. The city has been under siege by the Arameans from Syria led by Ben Haddad II, and conditions are desperate. It’s a dark picture of scarcity of food, inflation, starvation, cannabalism, and death. Elisha delivered the Word of the Lord promising that circumstances were about to change in 24 hours. (From despair to hope, from scarcity to plenty) Choices: The king’s right hand man expressed his mocking doubt upon hearing the prophecy. Four lepers were witnesses of God’s deliverance – ...
Choose to Pray (Examples of fervent, effective prayers found in I and II Kings – Old Testament) In I Kings 8, in Solomon’s Prayer when dedicating the Temple of the Lord, he mentions several situations when people find themselves in need: 1) when someone wrongs another 2) when defeated in battle 3) when there has been no rain 4) when calamities and disaster strikes 5) when someone needs mercy 6) when people go into battle 7) when they sin against God 8) when they repent and return. Solomon continues by asking the Lord, “when they return to you with all ...
“This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.” Genesis 2:4-6 “Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the ...
“Behold, about this time tomorrow, I will send a very heavy hail, such as has not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.” Exodus 9:18 Pharaoh, in Egypt kept trying to stop the Israelites from leaving Egypt even though He would say yes, then no. Pharaoh even said to Moses and Aaron that he had sinned and acknowledged that he had sinned. Yet again, and again and again, Pharaoh went back on his word. Are we like that? Do we say yes Lord, then we back out. Are we the people ...
“Then hear Thou in heaven and forgive the sin of Thy servants and of Thy people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Thy land, which Thou hast given Thy people for an inheritance.” 1 Kings 8:36 Do you speak & encourage others to pass on the inheritance of the Lord? The next generation must know of the Lord just like Israel passed on their inheritance to the next generation. Teach one another of the Lord Jesus. Tanya Jackson
“He causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightning for the rain; Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.” Psalm 135:7 We can see the clouds, the lightning, the wind from His treasuries. Imagine, these things we see all the time. Look up, look up, look up. God has shown us His treasuries for our benefit. Tanya Jackson
“They do not say in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, Who gives rain in its season, Both the autumn rain and the spring rain, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” Jeremiah 5:24 I know that God is good, but are we fearing the Lord our God? He gives to us, but will He continue to give us blessings if we are not worshiping Him, and Him alone? Choose God. Tanya Jackson
“Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.” James 5:7 While we are being patient like a farmer, think of some of God’s attributes: Eternal, Holy, Merciful, Infinite, Omniscient, Sovereign, Omnipresent… Ask yourself, why wouldn’t you want God to have those attributes. God is good. Tanya Jackson
Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” NIV In my devotions this week, I relate how God returned Joy to my life in various ways: friendship, travel, nature, giving to others, and having a purpose. There are so many ways to experience the rich life God has intended for us and I pray these words of mine will help others who are seeking Joy in their life. I have gained a new perspective on joy this year as I mourn the ...
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance.” Isolation is a natural response to suffering the loss of a loved one. It is difficult to concentrate which makes driving somewhat perilous. Frequent ...
Psalms 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The first spring after my husband’s passing brought fresh reminders of my loss. His favorite past times were all around me. When our sons were young, Ken was a soccer coach. He embraced the game fully in spite of having never played it himself. When our grandchildren came along, he enjoyed the comfort of the sidelines as he watched our younger son coach his boys. Ken also loved baseball and was a pitcher for his high school team. ...
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” One of the things which has helped me become less self-centered and more charitable is to fashion embroidered items and give them away. I love to see how the creations emerge from a blank piece of cloth, giving shape and color to the design. I have sewn aprons, pillowcases, and items to frame. I love to see the delight in the faces of the people who receive the gift. During my ...
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Everyone needs something to look forward to. Without a path, we wander aimlessly and without purpose. A friend once gave me a paper weight with a wise saying on it: “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” I keep that paper weight on my desk at home to remind me to always have a purpose, the one God has for me. After my husband passed away a ...
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The Joy of Belonging When I was a child, I took comfort in knowing I was part of a family and that I was loved. Being the youngest of three, I had a unique perspective. I observed what my brother and sister could get away with and what actions would bring trouble. This knowledge helped most of the time. I also discovered quickly that I had to work harder to keep up. I looked, listened, and learned from ...
What is God’s Will for Your Life? In I Thessalonians, we learn that God’s Will for us is our sanctification. ( I Thess. 4:3) Sanctification is God’s work in us as we grow spiritually, living in holiness pleasing and honoring Him. We are set apart for service and holiness. It is a process of maturing in our faith and becoming more and more like Jesus. The hymnist gives us direction: “Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word; Make friends of God’s children, Help those who are ...
While We Wait for Christ’s Return …. Encourage One Another with These Words (Study in the Pastoral Letters of Paul to the Church in Thessalonica) Just like the Thessalonian Believers, we have questions about Christ’s Return. We would like to know the when and how of the sequence of “end time” events – just a natural, human “need to know.” Historically, there have been many false teachers claiming to know the date and details concerning His Return. Many followers have been misled. However, as believers, we should not be listening to those who are counting down to an exact date! ...
While we wait for Christ’s Return – Honor God in our Relationships in the Church We should demonstrate good spiritual health in our relationships within our churches by showing honor and respect to our leaders. “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you and to regard them very highly in love because of their work …” I Thess. 5:12-13 Annually, October has been suggested as Pastor Appreciation Month; however, appreciation for your pastor and staff can be acknowledged any day, any month. We ...
Paul has instructions for the Believers with specific “Do’s and Don’ts” for living in expectation of Christ’s return and looking forward. We, as children, are blessed with a unique family relationship in which we have been enlightened of God’s Ways. We are aware of His Light, and we are to live in the light of His truth. “For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.” I Thess. 5:5 Paul lays out the instructions as a military leader gives out commands for the soldier at his post. ...
While We Wait for Christ’s Return – Our Churches Should be Models for Others Not only are individuals held accountable for how we live, but churches are accountable for their testimony in their communities. “We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.” II Thess. 1:3 How would you rate the church’s relationship with God? Is faith continuing to grow? Is your church consistently trusting God? How would you rate relationships within the church? Is love increasing? ...
Encourage One Another with These Words – “BE” 1) Be Thankful “But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Thess. 2:13-14 (CSB) 2) Be Steadfast “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what ...
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you my loving eye on you.”–Psalm 32:8 Do you sometimes think that you do not know what to do? Are there times when you find yourself unsure of what to do next? Before the great flood, God guided Noah on how to build the ark, and Noah obeyed, and he finished building the ark on time. God also guided Moses as he led the Israelites out of Egypt, and Moses was successful. King Solomon, the wisest man on earth as he was, was ...
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 When I was young, I did not care much about what I was about to say, who might hear them, or if I would offend ...
“Do everything in love”–1 Corinthians 16:14 One of the things that is essential in life is a relationship. God established a relationship with you, and he also created relationships with you and your family and friends. God knows that you need relationships to live a better and more meaningful life. Here are simple and effective ways to have good relationships: Love sincerely Love people dearly. Show your love and care. Let your family and friends see and feel that you love them. Treat them and make them feel good. Make them feel special. Help Offer help to others. ...
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” –Matthew 19:26 Life is full of possibilities. God is a God of good possibilities. He has stored and is prepared good possibilities for you. The Bible says that he has plans for you. When I was little, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. But God had other plans. God planted a different possibility in my life. He inspired me to be a writer. God had planted a possibility in your life as well. Look at your talents and skills and see how ...
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” –Philippians 4:13 Have you ever been in a situation where you want to quit? There were times when I wanted to quit. I wanted to quit school when I was in college because I had difficulty with a certain subject and I had failed a lot of times on my exams and projects. There will be moments when your faith will be tested that will lead you to think of quitting. But do not quit. Remember the noble men and women of the Bible who encountered hardships. ...
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”–Matthew 10:16 Life is not just about always agreeing on things. And you live life not by always saying “yes” all the time. Life can be lived fully by saying “no” at times. Joseph refused Potiphar’s wife’s enticement to do an impure act. When Satan told him to turn the stone into bread, Jesus indirectly said “no” to Satan. God wants you to do the same. God wants you to say “no” when it will: lead you astray You ...
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and do good while they live. -Ecclesiastes 3:12 The Israelites celebrated the victory of David and his men. The Israelites celebrated their escape from Egypt. There were several festivals from the Bible that they celebrated and enjoyed from time to time. If there is someone who loves enjoyment and happy gatherings, it is God. God is the author of joy. Even Jesus celebrated and performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding. God loves making people happy because he loves us. ...
And Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the Lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. Genesis 22: 8 This may be one of the best lessons to us personally and to the Body of Christ. Such a simple way of learning God. See how Abraham just acknowledges God’s provision even though he hasn’t seen it yet. If we are going to be in harder situations in the future we must say “God will provide.” Did you see the next line? “So the two of them walked on together.” Abraham ...
“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times, and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you ...
“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. And into whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it: and abide there until you go away. And as you enter the house, give it your greeting. And if the house is worthy, let your greeting of peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your greeting of peace return to you. And whoever does ...
“Thou dost visit the earth, and cause it to overflow; Thou dost greatly enrich it; The stream of God is full of water; Thou dost prepare their grain, for thus Thou dost prepare the earth.” Psalm 65:9 God just laid down how our earth is prepared to provide. Tanya Jackson
After giving a testimony to the Sanhedrin some of the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. God intervened. Paul Transferred to Caesarea “And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen.” They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” Acts: 23: 23-24 This is such ...
Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them. So they loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed from there. And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money; and behold, it was in the mouth of the sack. Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their ...
Psalm 104:24 ” How countless are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (CSB) Compare the black and white view from the photographer’s camera with the artist’s painting of the same Colorado mountain stream. What a difference! Beautiful! But neither compares to the work of the Master Artist – God, the Creator. What a difference! Beautiful! But neither compares to the work of the Master Artist – God, the Creator. Through the experiences of a shepherd boy and gifted psalmist, we praise the Creator for His workmanship. How ...
I Samuel 16:7 “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (CSB) Yes, God’s creativity is displayed in nature. In addition, His creativity is also displayed in each one of us as He designs His plans for us. Consider the story of David to illustrate how life experiences, giftedness, family, friends, and interests are developed into a purpose-filled life to give God Glory. David – poet, musician, shepherd, giant-slayer, and ...
Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.” (CSB) One of my favorite verses is found in Psalm 118. I’m sure it is very familiar to you also. Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Following on down, just a few verses, we find vs. 26 -“He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed.” Let’s discover an Old Testament connection with the New Testament! In Matthew 21, we find the event we call the triumphal entry of ...
“For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” II Chronicles 16:9 Remember the kings of Israel and Judah, they were given a divine evaluation. Over and over again in the Old Testament books of Kings and Chronicles, we read about kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord. Only a few were given this description: “he did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.” The heart matters! We continue to learn from the story of David. Looking back ...
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” Have you ever been in a store and seen this sign: “You break it – You buy it?” Well, here’s a true story! My husband and I were in an antiques/flea market/consignment shop just browsing around. My husband collects railroad memorabilia. So he was attracted to a decorative ...
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 Jesus gave marching orders to new believers to explain our assignments: 1) Go into all the world and preach the gospel and 2) Be my witnesses unto the ends of the earth. Created, Designed, Called, Chosen, and Empowered! Because of the eyewitness testimony of men like John and Paul, we have the New Testament instructions to teach us. ”…these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of ...
If you’ve lived long enough, you come to understand that you have one life. But as a Christian, you know and believe that God promises another life that never ends. That’s my hope. But even as I write this, it pains me to think of leaving my family, especially those who don’t know God. Just because I have a plane waiting doesn’t mean I’m in a hurry to leave. Make your life matter. Leave a legacy of love and service. Hebrews 6:10 – “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown ...
One can be intelligent but unwise. You can ace a test but unable to decide between right and wrong. Wisdom is one characteristic trait that no one can take from you. Once you have it, treasure it and thank God for it. Wisdom is the most valuable gift we could ever receive because it teaches us how to live a fruitful, honorable, and Christ-like life! Proverbs 4:7 – “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Dianne Petrey
Most of my adult life, I have been dedicated to physical exercise of some sort. Once I started in my early 30’s, I soon noticed how much better I felt when I did it regularly. But, more important than this is spiritual exercise. Engaging the mind in heavenly things is what I need to work on. Without a regular dose of spiritual exercise it could leave one’s life with a void and without meaning. Commit to exercising your spiritual muscles. Read the Bible. Talk to God, daily. Step out in faith in all areas of life. Once you ...
Are you a happy giver? God wants us to give with a pure heart. He tells us in Proverbs to be a giver, not a lender. Give, not expecting anything in return and God will heap eternal rewards for you in heaven. The experience of giving to those in need has been my most treasured reward. There’s nothing like it. Reach out to someone in need today. Pay it forward and don’t look back. Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Dianne Petrey
In the early times in the Bible, the significance of a mountain was great. It’s where the temple was built. It’s where Christ hung on the cross. But in real time scenarios, it’s the greatest blessings of God. We’ve all been there. Weddings, births, etc. The valleys also remind us of God’s great power. His deliverance from these experiences are the greatest gifts in life. Thank God for carrying me through the valleys and meeting me on the mountaintops. Psalms 90:2 – “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to ...
As a parent, often it pained me to say “no.” When we ask God for something and He says “no,” how do we react? Do we get angry or curse God? Looking back on my life, I’ve seen times where God clearly said no. Sometimes I couldn’t understand why. Even though we may feel rejected or punished by God, He always knows what’s best, and may be purposely guiding us in a different direction. Accept the unanswered prayer, or the unresolved questions in life, and know that God’s got something better for you. Isaiah 46:11 – “From the east I ...
Our smoke detector often beeps at us to let us know it is time to change the batteries. It’s chirping is ever present in our home, yet I wonder how long it beeps until we finally hear it. After hearing it, it’s still awhile before we get to changing out the batteries and getting it back on track once again. I realize that I can tune out a lot of things. My children’s whining, deadlines, things that need attention in our home. I can walk right past eyesores and be okay with it, until something happens and ...