Pain and Promise/2004 From the Ashes

    
     It was January, 2004. An old extension cord connected to a space heater. A sudden fire in our downstairs leading to smoke damage throughout. We would live in a small, older, rented townhouse for 7 months while our house was gutted down to the studs and rebuilt. Our daughters were 15 and 13 and had to share a room for the first time. Here is a devotion I wrote in March of that year. God wants to teach us deep lessons.

     Consumed. Engulfed. Damaged. These words not only describe our home after the fire; they describe life after the fire. These words also describe a life before Christ.
     The inside of our home has been brought down to its basic frame. The smoke seeped in behind the walls and above the ceilings. Every nook and cranny is now exposed and will be cleaned, sealed and finally rebuilt and restored.

     Jesus wants to see the inside of our hearts down to the basic frame. Just as we can now begin to imagine our home becoming something new and transformed, Jesus sees our hearts transformed and imagines what we can be as children of God. Only He can clean and claim every nook and cranny, expose every dark and smoky corner to the light and help us to begin anew.

     He will turn our curse into a blessing because He loves us. Lies into love. Jealousy into joy. Promiscuity into peace. Pity into patience. Gossip into gentleness. Greed into goodness. Faithlessness into faithfulness. Shame into self-control. Bitterness into beauty. Anger into adoration. Destruction into devotion.

     Dare to come out of the smoke and look up into the light. Step around the debris and step on to smooth ground. Move from the place where you are afraid to breathe and take a deep cleansing breath. Remove the soot from your eyes and gaze into His. Disconnect the faulty wiring and connect to the Son. Tear down the damaged walls and let Him rebuild from the inside out.


     It is now 2019. One of the many lessons learned through that time of loss and rebuilding, came in the realization of the fragility of life and the recognition of what is truly valuable. All of our treasured “things” went up in smoke. We do miss some of the sentimental gifts given or made for us, but all of it, every single “thing” was temporary. Our lives are eternal. Some of my life verses are found in 2 Corinthians Chapter 4.  Here is just a part of those verses. They will remind you and me of the temporary vs. the eternal.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…Matthew 6:20a

     Fix your eyes above today, remembering to value what Jesus does; love, compassion, kindness and hope. He gives us just what we need.

Lord,

Thank You for the tough lessons life can bring. You are above it all. Transform us, lift us up and bring us home.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pain and Promise/1987 That Year

     There was a year. A year filled with life’s greatest blessings and life’s greatest pain. A year filled with deep grief and boundless joy. A year of roller-coaster emotions. A few months after my engagement to my wonderful husband, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 uterine cancer and I was diagnosed with a debilitating, degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa.

     It was difficult to navigate that year with its ups and downs. Great joy, deep sorrow and dread. I gave my soon-to-be husband, Nip, a choice. He certainly did not have to move forward with a wife who may become blind in the years to come.

     This wonderful, giving man chose to stay.  

     That particular year, more than any other, gave me a deep understanding of the ways in which God works, although I didn’t recognize most of it until much later.

     As mom grew ever weaker in the weeks leading up to the wedding, she insisted we stick to our plans. She said she would be there with us in spirit and would picture us taking our vows. Our visit to her hospital bed between the wedding and the reception was such a bitter-sweet time.

     The morning after our wedding, she died. Such sorrow. Such blessing. Such turmoil.

     The tears still flow as I think about that time. My brand-new husband had a grieving wife. Rather than our planned honeymoon, we planned a funeral. As I mentioned yesterday, I was dependent in so many ways on my mom. The loss of her in my life was astronomical. The grief was deep and long and wide and Nip stood by my side, day after day, often not quite sure what to do with me. (He’s still not quite sure.)

     As we walk through grief over the loss of someone so close, God brings us comfort and peace. He offers hope through others, and through His Word and through His presence. His promises are steadfast and real.

     That year remains a reminder of the time I ran to God in a real way for the first time. And He met me, on the road of suffering, and led me out, to higher ground. Believe in Him and His ways and He will lift you back up, too.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

Father,

These times of deep sorrow teach us so much with You by our side. We grow in our understanding of the pain of others. You use our experiences to comfort. Show us who needs You today. Help us to find steady ground once again.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pain and Promise/1970-My Dad

   The baby boomers of South Minneapolis had it made. I think back to the years growing up and just feel incredibly blessed. There were kids in almost every house. We played outside from sunrise to sunset all summer long, knew each other’s parents, had neighborhood parks where we played kickball or skated throughout the winter months. I love that so many of us are still connected and can share our common memories.

     My first real experience with the darkness and confusion life can bring, was when my dad died of a heart attack in his sleep when I was 14. He had suffered from heart disease for years. Back then, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, there were no stents or by-pass surgeries to be found. He continued to smoke his pack of cigarettes each day and it was frightening every time he had another chest pain.

     His pain was called “angina.” He had nitroglycerin tablets and an oxygen tank at the ready. It wasn’t often, but the times he suffered another attack are still etched in my mind all of these decades later. He remained funny and silly and loving, a fast driver, stubborn, a good-looking man, my hero, my daddy.

     The death was shocking. Maybe you have been there. That moment of diagnosis, the accident, the break in relationship. That moment when you know life will never be the same. My poor mom didn’t drive, had never dealt with the checkbook, nor did she have any knowledge of the business my dad owned, a floor sanding and laying company. She would often tell me, I was the one thing that kept her going through those first years without him.

     We became dependent upon one another. My mom always, always put me first. What a blessing to have a strong, compassionate and sacrificial mom. Everything I have put into my children I learned from her. When my dad died, my greatest prayer became, “Please, please, please God, don’t let her die.”

     It was my greatest fear. After all, if one parent could disappear, why not the other? That year of his death began a road of anxiety and panic attacks that would plague me for years to come off and on. But God was working.

     The blessings are numerous thinking back on that time. An aunt who brought me such comfort with her strong arms and words. My best friend, Shelly, who would just be there, no matter what. A good friend of mine from kindergarten who lost his mom to cancer around the same time. We felt like fish out of water. Not many of our friends had lost a parent. Our shared loss brought us closer.

     I still miss my dad after fifty years. How about you? A death seems like an end. But for my dad, it was just the beginning of no more pain, no more suffering, just pure joy. And I anticipate the day I will see him and my mom again.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Father,

In the depts of grief we don’t understand. Jesus felt our pain in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He grieved all that was to come. And He took our pain upon Himself on the cross. Comfort those who mourn.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pain and Promise

     Have you ever pleaded with God? The words are often deep and painful. Sometimes just, “please, please, please,” is all we can muster. I have prayed these words numerous times through the decades. After my dad died when I was 14.  When my mom was dying of cancer right before my wedding. When my husband suffered a stroke. And when I was diagnosed with a debilitating eye disease. The house fire that took most of our family treasures. You have your stories, too.

     Sometimes God does not answer us in our preferred timing and within our most desperate desires. When we ask Him to heal and there is no healing, when we pray for anxiety or depression to be lifted and we continue to suffer, when we ask for a miracle and there is none.

     Trusting God through all of our experiences, including our deepest losses takes time and experience. God uses our pain to work miracles in the lives of others. He uses suffering to build us up in compassion and humility. He uses suffering to draw us closer and closer to Him.  God knows we live in a fallen world. He lived among us, upon the earth.

“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

     The only true and lasting peace within our souls is found in Jesus. He offers us this true peace and calm, whatever the circumstances. In His words above, He reminds us, we will have trouble.  Not maybe or just some of us will have trouble. We know this to be true.

     Through our times of sorrow and trouble, He is there with us. How has He used your times of suffering? With Him, all things are possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

     Looking for a way through? Holding out for answers from the depths? Look no further than Jesus. He will be your constant companion. He will sit beside you as your tears fall. He will lift you up after a time in the darkness. He is our Savior. Let your soul find peace.

Lord,

How often we don’t understand our circumstances. We cry out to You. Comfort us. Teach us. Guide us. Give us humility and compassion as we make our way through.

In Jesus name,

Amen

He Is Real

     Keep looking up this week. The perfect earth God designed is a fallen one temporarily. As we see the earth and man continue to deteriorate, do not be surprised or dismayed. God foretold all of what is happening around us, all of it. Yes, we can do all we can to take care of this earth.

     But God foretold the weather patterns that would take place, the violence that would increase, the wars and earthquakes, the tumult of the seas and the storms. He knows the end from the beginning and He longs for a relationship with you and with me.

     Christians will continue to be looked down upon, or judged in connection to others that speak in the name of Christ and do not really know Him. Jesus transforms. His Word is truth. The new heaven and the new earth will be ours one day. He is real and He is light.

     Let Him be your guide through these tumultuous days. He allows us to continue to appreciate all He has given us through it all. He remains steadfast and faithful. His grace is sufficient for this day and for every day.

     As we age, our hope only grows deeper. We are getting closer to seeing Him face to face. If you don’t know Him, please, please give Him a chance. Don’t be swayed by anyone else. Just Him. Read His word. Ask Him to meet you right where you are. I guarantee He will show up and fill your life with light.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus, our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2

     I know Him and He is real. He changes the deepest, darkest parts of us and grows us in His eternal light, the light of life. (John 8:12) There is nothing more glorious, more real, more astounding than His gift. His gift to us is pure grace. His sacrifice took everything dark away, and He offers a clean slate to anyone who believes.

Let it be you.

Jesus,

Open more hearts to You. Help us to continue to plant seeds of faith wherever we go, knowing You will grow them at just the right time. I pray for each person reading this to feel Your power and strength right now, to finally surrender their lives to the only One who can save us. Jesus Christ.

Amen

Our Creator's Design

     Just as we have deepened our realization that our God is a God of order and detail, in His plan for the seasons and days of our lives, we witness His creativity and unfathomable design. His miraculous and marvelous ways are beyond our human imaginings.

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways. He does great things beyond our understanding. Job 37:5

For You are great and do marvelous deeds. You alone are God. Psalm 86:10

     The colors of each tree, the numerous designs, fragrances and the varied height of each flower, the fruits and the vegetables that grow above and below the ground, the zebra, the giraffe, the koala bear, the panda. The swan and the eagle, the pelican and the duck, the lizard and the armadillo. The list could go on page after page after page. Think deeper. The stripe of the zebra and the tiger. The mane of the lion, the minute design of the ant to the magnitude of the elephant and rhinoceros. Stop and picture more of creation right now.

     Can you possibly imagine all of the above and those you have imagined in your mind with no Creator? Impossible! Everything has an intricate and impossibly imaginative design. There is no way any of this happened by chance. As we take in all that He has given us now and the heavenly home He promises us in the future, we can sink to our knees in grateful praise.

     God is good, all the time. His purposes will stand.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say, “My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:10

     God’s purpose will remain. Enjoy His creation today. Thank Him for the sunrise and the sunset. Praise Him for the birds and the color of the sky, for the heart beating within, for the beauty of our children and the gifts He gives.

Jesus,

We praise You for all we take for granted each day, for the gracious gift of life, for the earth and the seasons, for our days and nights. Thank You, Lord.

Amen

Times and Seasons

God called the light “day” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning-the first day. Genesis 1:5

     God defines the seasons as He defines each and every day, from each second, to each minute, to each hour, to each sunrise and sunset. How marvelous to realize He holds the stars and the moon and the sun and the earth aloft each day, bringing us the dawn and the dusk to begin and end our days.

     There is a saying, “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” This proverb, along with the rising sun, brings hope, reminding us that the slightest light, the least flicker or glow in our darkest hour offers a new beginning.

     Trust in God. Just as each season of life has its rain and sunshine, each day offers a fresh start. Dawn leads into daylight, dusk into night. Our God is a God of order and detail. Think of all He put in motion with creation. How each and every atom and molecule work in tandem in our own bodies, in the seasons, in each and every second of each day.

     We can place our trust in Him. The sun will rise today and tomorrow. The sun will set. The minutes and seconds of each hour will move along, just as they did yesterday. Rest in His constant hope for tomorrow.

Lord,

We thank You for the hope of tomorrow. Your light will shine upon us through our days and seasons of life. We are Yours.

Amen

Times and Seasons

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

     Seedtime and harvest. Day and night. Winter and summer. God is faithful every single day, and there are analogies to be made between the times of our lives and the seasons of the year. Seeds are planted in the ground, as well as in the womb, in the environments God has created and designed.

     Summer follows spring, winter follows fall, year after year, just as our lives go through seasons of their own. Through the spring of our lives, we begin weak and helpless, relying on the environment around us in order to thrive and to grow. Our almost two-year-old grandson amazes us with his ability to soak in so much as he continues to learn new words, new skills with more dexterity every single day.

     There is promise and hope in these years of our lives. It is spring.

     Summer finds us when the sun is high, as we are filled with energy, with strong bodies and the promise of careers, maybe a spouse and children. There is warmth and light. Everything is in full bloom, long days, warm sunshine. There will be days of rain and darkness, as with any season of life, but these years are the second quarter of our lives.

     We reach our potential with strength and vitality. It is summer.

     Through the third quarter of our lives, we find true beauty and grace. Wisdom grows. Reflection sets in. Our purpose is defined. Some of our outer beauty begins to fade and some parts of us fall apart and fall down! Weakness creeps into our joints, but true beauty from within shines, just as we witness the glorious colors surrounding us in this season of creation.

     Just before winter sets in, these years find us in reflection of the past and renewed strength to face the years ahead. It is fall.

     As we move into winter, it is time to prepare. Gathering to find warmth. Filling our pantries to prepare for the cold. Remember, winter is a busy time from within. Creation is preparing its roots for the next spring. The nutrients inside will develop into the seeds of tomorrow.

     We prepare for our eternal home. It is winter.

     Our spiritual life deepens as we prepare for the next season, the season that will never end. The winters of our lives can be the most beautiful of all. Even though the trees of winter look desolate and the skies may be gray, God is working, just as He will continue to work in us and through us. Our souls continue to shine and thrive. Winter deepens our appreciation for Jesus. He is in control of the seasons surrounding us and the seasons of our lives.

He made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun knows when to go down. Psalm 104:19

Lord,

We celebrate the seasons of Your creation and the seasons of our lives. Your miraculous ways keep us in awe of You.

Amen

Times and Seasons

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

     This weekend in Minnesota gave us warm sunshine and the breathtaking beauty of fall. The seasons and times of our lives, just as the minutes on the clock, and the seasons of the year, move on, one after the other, year after year.

     God’s timing for the seasons of our lives and for the seasons of creation, are filled with His purpose. I pray that gives you hope today. Relax in His presence and appreciate the season of life you are experiencing right now. Time will keep moving, and each day He gives us is one in which to rejoice. The words of Solomon remind us that eternity is still to come and that beauty is all around us as we wait.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor-it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

     Enjoy this precious day God has given you. Rejoice and do good!  God’s purposes will stand and our heavenly home will be waiting.

Father,

Thank You for these precious words of Yours today. We rejoice in Your timing and purpose and in the beauty that surrounds us. Give us time to enjoy this life and to praise You in all we see and do.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Patience of God

     The seeds of our faith grow over time. We build trust in Jesus. He upholds us through the difficult times, comforts us, rejoices with us, gives us strength when we don’t know how to take another step, and always encourages us with hope. We witness the hope and belief of other brothers and sisters, using their example when we need to make use of their experience. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes a life time.

     Never will we reach perfection, but God’s work will continue, never giving up. Jesus is in no hurry. He will watch us fumble, fret and fall down time and time again.

     His patience never wears thin. His love and His faithfulness never end. He never grows weary. And because of that, we continue to grow in our faith. And we are blessed. His mercies and grace are everlasting.

But You, O’ Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth. Psalm 86:15

     God will never let us go. He wants all of us to come to an understanding of Jesus  

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wanting for any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Lord,

There are days we don’t understand. There are times we don’t feel Your presence. But You remain faithful, kind and patient with us, never giving up and You continue to love us no matter what. Thank You for sticking with us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Are You Ready?

     Once we ask Jesus into our lives, the journey begins. At this “older” age of mine, God has given me the privilege of witnessing a wide variety of believers, those He calls His children. The brothers and sisters in our amazing faith, each one of us, is just as unique and valuable as another.

     Some have met Jesus as children and have been by His side for their entire lives, never doubting, always trusting. I have envied those that have had such an intimate relationship over their entire life. But Jesus does not want us to compare, compete and contrast our lives with others.

     Remember, His timing is perfect. He knows us so well and knows when each of us will be ready to meet Him and accept His wonderful gift. He plants seeds over a lifetime, through other believers, through television or radio, through “coincidences,” through our consciences, through His love.

     Those seeds begin to grow in us in miraculous ways. One day, we realize we need Him. We want to meet Him and never live another day without Him. And His mighty work begins. Has He been searching for You? Are you beginning to believe in His existence?

     Jesus may overwhelm us in an instant. He may find us in childhood. It may take some of us until we lie on our death bed to understand. What is your story? Never give up on a loved one or an acquaintance. God is ready and willing to step in and to meet us where we are. He hears our prayers. Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha spent time with Him and He knew they were ready.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son od God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:25-27

     Are you ready? Jesus is. Maybe you have heard about Him from others. He is the Savior. He is the One. He will come into your heart and save you. Do you believe this?

Jesus,

Thank You for understanding us, for meeting each one of us in such a variety of ways. You see us and know when we will be ready. We pray for those who do not yet know You, that they may believe that You are the one to save us.

Amen

Instant Gratification

     Things have changed over the years. As our culture continues to move swiftly along, our needs and wants are seemingly met in a split second. We have microwaves, fast-food restaurants, groceries delivered to our cars, and immediate connections with friends and family through texts and social media, ready at a minute’s notice within easy reach. Whew! It is hard to keep up. The changes we have witnessed as the baby boom generation are astronomical and sometimes puzzling.

     Jesus does offer instant gratification, too. When we believe He exists, when we place our trust in Him as Savior, when we ask for forgiveness, and ask Him into our lives, there is an instant transformation. Oh, we may not feel it at the time, but the transformation is very real.

     In that moment of time, we are instantly given Christ’s righteousness. We are instantly guaranteed an eternal home. We are instantly forgiven, now and forevermore. Jesus promises us a new life, a changed life, a life lived with Him. He is ours now and forever. Talk about instant gratification!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. John 5:13

For it is by faith you have been saved through grace, and this is not from yourselves. It is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8

     There is nothing we can do to earn this instantaneous gift. It is a gift from God. It is an immediate, life-changing, faith-inspired, sacrificial gift. Put aside the cultural amenities we now believe we need. Forget about our worldly needs and desires. This is the most important decision of our lives. This is Jesus.

Lord,

You change us in just a minute of belief. Change hearts to see what You offer us. You give us eternity. You give us hope. You change our darkness into light. You transform and enlighten.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Confidence in Christ

     I pray your confidence in our Savior has grown this week. His plan for your life is pleasing and perfect. He will work for the good even when we can’t perceive it. His love is astronomical. As one of my favorite authors Max Lucado wrote, “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.”

     You are His precious child. You are His workmanship. God’s plan for you is intimate and personal. He longs for a relationship with You, all day, every day. Your future looks bright in His mighty hands.

“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

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

     God has a hope and a future for you, plans for you to do His good works that will bless you and bless others. We were created with certain gifts unlike anyone else! You are His handiwork, His piece of art, His love.   

     How do we know what that plan is? What do we do? Where should we go? Will we miss out? No, never!  God's work always continues even when we don’t notice. His hand is upon us day and night. He will provide opportunities when we least expect them. When we study His word and participate in our relationship with Him, through prayer, through fellowship, through Bible discussions, we get to know Him just as intimately as He knows us and we will grow more and more into our love for Him. We are a separate entity from the rest of this crazy world. We belong to Jesus.

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, perfect and pleasing will. Romans 12:2

     Let’s test and approve what is pleasing to Him and continue on in His confidence and in His love and protection. These verses will give us some instruction for today and for each day ahead, as we live with the confidence and blessings of Jesus.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:9-12

Confidence in Christ

     One of the greatest gifts we can offer another or that can be bestowed upon us, is the gift of unconditional love. Maybe you were blessed to grow up in a family that gave and received love. You knew, no matter what, no matter the mistakes made on either side of the relationship, love remained.

     When we are loved unconditionally, our confidence grows. Our confidence in ourselves as people worthy to be loved and confidence enough to trust others, to allow oursevles to offer genuine and loyal relationships.

     Jesus offers us unconditional, everlasting love. His love is beyond even our greatest and most love-filled relationships on earth. Jesus can fill the gaps suffered from unloving relationships. He can fill our hearts with His love, until we grow in the confidence we need to live out the rest of our lives, filled with contentment and filled with joy.

     As believers, we will have Jesus forever. Nothing you can do will pull you away from His grasp. You belong to Him. We can conquer anything with His kind of love. Here are a few more of my many, many favorite verses.  Place them in your hearts and be filled today.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Jesus,

Your love is so deep and wide, so sacrificial and so overwhelming, it is hard for us to accept. Thank You for loving us. Let Your Holy Spirit wash over us and lavish us with the much-needed love today and every day. May we never forget.

Amen

Confidence in Christ

     Once we are saved through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus, we are seen as holy in the eyes of our holy and perfect heavenly Father. We don’t understand it. The gift is too wonderful to comprehend. But it is true.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Romans 3:22a 

     As we are given the righteousness of Christ, our sins are painted as white as snow. As His children, we now live in His glorious light.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

     Our confidence in Christ grows as our faith grows, moving more and more into His light as we gain trust in Him through the rest of our lives. Each step draws us closer and closer to our heavenly home. There is no need to fear. We are with Him now. We will be with Him later.

For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

     I have witnessed the yearning for heaven, time and time again, in believers close to death, in the aged, in the burdened. For those living in grief, to those longing for a loved one in heaven, this is such a solemn and profound promise.  We will be with them one day. We will live with them forever. Do not fear. Be confident in that.

Lord,

Keep us mindful of the brevity of life and the hope of tomorrow. We now live in Your righteousness and Your light. To live is You and to die is gain. How profound! Keep us from worry. Keep us in peace. We are Yours.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Confidence in Christ

     If you want to gain confidence in Christ, a great chapter to read is the first book of Ephesians. Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus is filled with the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. I won’t print the entire chapter, but here are a few blessings we have with Christ as our Savior.
We have been:
• blessed in the heavenly realms (v.3)
• chosen (v. 4)
• adopted as sons and daughters (v. 5)
• given His glorious grace (v. 6)
• forgiven (v. 7)
• given his wisdom and understanding (v. 8)
• made a part of His perfect and pleasing will (v. 9-11)
• included in Christ (v. 13)
• sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13)
• guaranteed a heavenly home (v. 14)
     As I close today’s devotion, please read carefully through the following words from this beloved chapter. These words are given for you as a believer in Jesus Christ and I pray them over you today. Listen to the love and power you now have available as children of the most-high God.
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:15-21
These words are too wonderful to comprehend! The very same power that God used to raise Christ from the dead now lives within us! Take that with you today. Have confidence in the one who has saved you! He is risen and His power lives with us.
Jesus,
We praise You for all of the many gifts and blessings You have lavished on us. Thank You for these beautiful reminders in Your precious word for us. We love You
Amen

Confidence in Christ

     What would life be like if we could place all of our confidence in Christ? After we accept Him as Savior and believe that He died and rose again to clear the slate, to forgive us once and for all, we become His forever.  Forever!!!!  Heaven is our new home forever. And while we live upon this fallen earth, we have His power, His strength, His protection, His love, His peace, and His righteousness!  Amazing!

     I have a feeling this week will be filled with exclamation points. I tend to use them way too often. Trying to remember to edit, usually brings me to deleting several. My passion for Jesus knows no bounds. He is always in my heart, always on my mind and His word is always on my lips. Ask me to talk about Him and I will go and on!  !...!...!...

     This week we will look at Scripture verses devoted to all we have available to us in Christ. Soak it all in as you read along. Look at all of the Scripture verses noted along the way. Read through an entire chapter if you have time. His word will fill you up and remind you of who you are in Christ and to gain knowledge and understanding that Jesus is available in any circumstance. We have the Spirit of Jesus residing within us! Let’s be confident in Him and be blessed.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7

In Him and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12

     Keep the faith in Jesus. Keep hope alive. Be assured of your future together with Him in heaven. Let’s rejoice!

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. Hebrews 11;1

Father,

We place our confidence in Jesus. He is our hope and our Savior. We need not worry about tomorrow. We have everything we need in Him.

In His name we pray,

Amen

An Everlasting Love

Raising our children to love Jesus in the world today is vital. As we see disrespect grow, violence increase, drug use as an epidemic, our youth need Jesus. The Jewish people were taught to have God’s word on their hearts and minds each day.

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 11:19 (Deuteronomy 6:7)

    God has promises for us as believers. As we teach our children about His love and His word, they will never forsake Him.

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

     I have such special memories of our girls growing up. Reading devotions with them each night before bed. Praying with them when they were having difficulites at school or with friends. 

     Our faith will never leave us. Jesus is always here with us. Faith does not have to be and should not be a once-a-week duty. It is a life. A life lived for Christ. A life filled with His everlasting love. Believe and your children will never depart from it. God’s love is everlasting. Pass it on!

The Lord appeared to us in the past saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17

Father,

Your everlasting love will flow from generation to generation as we speak of you as we walk through our days as we sit down and as we rise. Help our younger generation to find You again, for our country to trust in You again. We love You as You first loved us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

    

Prairie Grace

    Today I visit Prairie Grace, land named and dedicated by a friend of mine and her husband to God. They are redoing an old farmhouse, barn, and cottage and building a chapel in the fields about an hour south of Minneapolis. The beauty of the prairie and the span of the country reminds us of the splendor of God’s creation.

     One of our sisters in Christ went with us a few years ago just as the poppies were in bloom. She is a photographer and uses her great eye for beauty to glorify God in the Scripture cards she puts together. What gifts God has given us.

     There will be three of us today, three sisters in Christ. We have studied the Bible together for years and they are two of the prayer warriors I lean on time and time again, knowing they will be on their knees when a sister or brother is in need. Our language is filled with God’s word.

     Years ago we studied the books of the Thessalonians. The study included these words:

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:14

     These are my sisters loved by God, chosen in fellowship to worship, to pray, to sharpen my faith.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

     The Bible reminds us to stay close to our fellow Christians as we witness the times leading toward Christ’s return. Stay in the word. Rely on your Christian family and continue and appreciate the glory of the earth God has given us, just as we will do today at Prairie Grace.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Let all of the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:12

The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Father,

You love for us is so deep and overwhelming. I am thankful for these sisters loved by You. Be with us today as we travel, be with us as Your Spirit leads our conversation and as we witness Your glory in the prairie. I am grateful.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Marvelous Ways

     This week I have been striving for more flexibility, away from the sometimes rigid and controlling plans of my own. Jesus can change me with words from wise friends, with my conscience giving me clues to right and wrong, and through our plum line, the Bible.

     But I have come to a realization. Deep down, I appreciate my ordinary life, filled with its routine. I know it fits me at this season of my life. Maybe, just maybe, God ordained it this way.

     Has he allowed you a life to fit your deep-seeded personality and your gifts? How marvelous are His ways. With my eyesight deteriorating, I am more than grateful to have a patient husband, supportive daughters and their families and great friends who still want to hang around with me and places where I feel safe and secure.

     God understands each of us, in whatever season of life we find ourselves. His ways will work with you, wherever you are, in whatever place you live, with the people surrounding you, to help you be at peace and filled with joy. Most of all, we have Jesus.

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways. He does great things beyond our understanding. Job 37:5

For you are great and do marvelous deeds. You alone are God. Psalm 86:10

The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

     Wherever life finds you today, give praise to the Lord. He has done and will continue to do marvelous deeds in your life and in mine. He will allow and encourage changes in us and He will find the perfect places and people to surround us. Let Him be sufficient for your days, routines and all.

Lord,

How marvelous are your ways! You find a perfect fit for us throughout our lives. Guide us into praising You each day and listening to Your voice.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Cast Your Cares

     Our heavenly Father is in control. His wish for us is to trust Him completely with our lives, to believe He has us in the palm of His mighty hands. How about a day without worry? Having loved Jesus with a deep faith for thirty years, I have seen Him deepen my faith through suffering, deny my wishes when He knew they weren’t right for me, delight me with His miraculous ways time and time again, and defend me when I needed it most.

     Listen to the words of Scripture and allow Jesus to take away your worries and your burdens. He cares for us.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, not about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of life?” Matthew 6:25-27

“Come to Me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

     God is watching over you. Cast all of your cares on Him.

Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

     As our trust grows in our God, the one who promises us eternal life, the one who sent His only Son to die for us, the one who cares for the birds of the air, the one we can trust to keep all of His promises, we can find peace. Here is another promise to fill your heart.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Father,

We take the words of Jesus into our hearts and souls today, trusting Him with all of our cares and worries. Fill us with that peace that passes all understanding as we give all of our lives to You. You are faithful and unchanging.

In Jesus name,

Amen