Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

     The holy arms of Jesus will wrap themselves around us when we mourn. Death and sorrow will find us throughout our lives. His comfort is beyond this earth. His comfort is supernatural, raising us above our human struggles with grief. We can’t do it on our own.

     Our earthly minds and bodies find it difficult to manage a deep loss. What will we do? How will we take our next step? How do we cope? What will life look like without her/him? Jesus wept for His good friend. He went through deep agony. He understands our earthly sorrow, and He knows the way through.

     Count on Him. Lean on Him. He will ease our burdens with His unconditional love.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

     Rest from our burdens. Rest from our weariness. Rest for our souls. Hope in the depths of darkness. He is close. Blessed are we.

Lord,

We praise You for the ways You comfort us and ease the burdens of life. They are heaven-sent and we look to You. Comfort those in grief today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

 

     Some of the words of Jesus in His sermon on the mount, are called, “The Beatitudes,” meaning, “happy”, “rich”, or “blessed.”  These verses are filled with reminders of our blessings. The blessings from our Lord will not mirror society. The blessings of God turn the world, around us and within us, upside down and inside out. We are blessed.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3

     The word, “poor,” conjures up a vision of lack, not enough, but in essence, Jesus teaches us here to be humble, to be poor in spirit, to look to Him first.

     Again, in verse 5, God promises to bless the meek, (not powerless), but rather the humble in spirit. We find our power in Him, our Most-High God.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

     Notice in verse 3, ours is the kingdom of heaven and in verse 5, we will inherit the earth. Earthly and heavenly blessings! And He will lift us up.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

     Become humble (poor in spirit), meek in service and He will lift you up and fill you up.

Lord,

The poor in spirit are blessed, as we humble ourselves before You. Fill us today with the blessings of the Holy Spirit and lift us up.

In Jesus name,

Amen

I Brake For Miracles

 Enjoy this beautiful day. I wrote this more than 25 years ago when I was still driving. A reminder to watch for the small blessings around us.  Thank you to those who have and currently serve our country.

Caffeine on my mind, almost ready to rise.

First, there is time to analyze.

I woke up this morning with the breath of life.

I woke up this morning as a mother and wife.

As I stretch on my tiptoes, I see the sunrise.

The coffee is made, what a delightful surprise!

As I reach the kitchen for my fix of the day,

I sit at the table and remember to pray.

 “Dear Lord, focus my eyes on things above.

 Teach me to see the world around me in love.”

There, out my window, a butterfly takes wing,

and the chickadees, robins and wrens do sing.

How often do I miss the color of the sky,

the bumblebee, the puppy, the newborn cry?

So many days I neglect these small joys,

as life becomes filled with chaos and noise.

Everyday miracles surround me as I work,

as I walk, as I drive, as the coffee does perk.

When the drudgery of life again takes its toll,

I promise myself I will fill my soul.

The laughter we share, a moment to chat,

a spouse, a friend or the curious cat.

Each clump of fur, each blade of grass

each color of the rainbow, each clink of a glass.

The bulb that I planted way back in the fall,

has a bright orange flower and is 5-feet tall.

Phone rings, computer calls; distractions ever near

the heart-pounding stress, the dread and the fear.

The business of the day must be dealt with, I suppose

just one more sip, one more fragrant sniff of a rose.

What time is it? Oh dear, I hope I’m not late,

I hightail it to the car, with a slam of the gate.

Surrounded by traffic, a meeting on my mind,

Deluged in details, back to the grind.

A bunny darts out, I move my foot to the brake,

He is undecided about which direction to take.

Smitten with his ears and his cotton-ball tail,

I recognize his frozen gaze, unsure of his trail.

At one with the bunny, I sit in a daze,

What’s next? Where to go? I meet his gaze.

What will God place in my path on this day?

Will I stop, take notice, find time to pray?

Please let me pause, savor life on my way

I’ll brake for miracles, what do you say?

 

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 

God Knows Us

 

     Our grandkids are growing quickly. The changes in their lives have been miraculous to watch, from tiny babies to rolling over, crawling, walking, talking. What a delight! Observing their childlike wonder is miraculous to us.

     The changes in our lives through the years may be subtle, even imperceptible over long periods of time as we live through the years. And then we look in the mirror and notice we are in our 60’s.  Hopefully, wisdom has grown along with the wrinkles and aching muscles. Our God knows our story. He wants us to be mindful of our days.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

     God knows us from the womb, throughout our lives, until our dying day. He will watch over our grandchildren and He will watch over you and me, every moment, every day, through every change, through every age. The following words contain powerful reminders of the intimacy we share with God. His hand is upon us.

You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:2-6

Lord,

Thank You for these words to remind us of Your intimate love. Watch over our precious grandchildren as He grows and keep us mindful of the shortness of our days and to witness for You in all our ways.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

The Encouragers

 

     Barnabus traveled with the apostle, Paul on his missionary trips. The few times Barnabus is mentioned in the Bible, we find him helping, serving, and encouraging. His name, “Barnabus” translates as “son of encouragement.” Do you have a Barnabus or two in your life?

     I am blessed to have a few. These encouragers take the time to send a card, call with a thank you, lift me up when I’m down. Encouraging others is a spiritual gift from God. Paul lists spiritual gifts in Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.

If it is to encourage, then give encouragement. If it is giving, then give generously. If it is to lead, do it diligently. If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:8

Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

     God has gifted you! Whether you are a Barnabus, a leader, whether you have a sympathetic ear or a generous heart for giving, God is using you. Who will He place in your path today? You are gifted with the supernatural powers of the Holy Spirit and He has wonderful plans for you.

Dear Lord,

We thank You for the encouragers in our lives. We all need them. Help us to encourage them right back and appreciate them for this wonderful gift that gives life and hope to so many.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Our Shepherd

 

     Jesus is the good shepherd and we are the sheep. He tends to our needs. He sets boundaries when we are about to escape from His watchful eye. He carries us when we are hurt. He feeds and nourishes our souls. Listen for the good shepherd. When we belong to Him, we recognize His voice.

My sheep listen to My voice. I know them and they follow Me. John 10:27

     He cares for us. He laid down His life for us. He offers us peace and safety, eternally.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through Me will be saved They will come in and go out and find pasture. John 10:9

     If you have time read through the 23^rd Psalm. The Lord is our Shepherd.

Father,

Jesus is our good shepherd. We thank You for giving us this picture of the One who cares for us, finding safe places for our souls, guiding us tenderly, until we arrive home.

Amen

 

It's All About Love

 

     The Greeks do not have just one word for love to encompass every feeling known to man, as we do from chocolate to romance.. The Greek words include “eros,” a romantic, passionate love, the deep love between a husband and wife, for example. There is “philia,” the love of a friend. This is why Philadelphia is known as the “city of brotherly love.” God’s love goes to a deeper level. His “agape” love is a sacrificial love, a selfless love, the highest form of love.

     This sacrificial, unconditional love is found in God’s gift to us. The gift of Jesus. The gift of eternal life. The gift of a sacrifice so deep that our God took on all of our sin and felt the punishment, paid the penalty, for us.

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

    He didn’t die for us because we are good enough. We aren’t. Not one of us.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

     No, we can’t earn it. Not one of us. He died for us while we were sinners, to give us this gift of grace and mercy. That is how much we are loved. All we need to do is believe. “Whoever” believes will have eternal life.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

     Agape love for His children. Believe!

Lord,

Your sacrificial love is tough for us to accept. We long to earn Your love, to do enough, to work harder, to try a little more. But You offer us eternal life just for believing that Jesus died for us. We believe.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Child of God

 

     God’s children. Talk about having the perfect Father! Even the best dads on earth are imperfect, prone to mistakes in raising kids. Our heavenly Father knows best. He disciplines when necessary. He loves unconditionally. He offers wisdom continuously.

     You are a beloved child of the God of creation. He offered His Son to die for you and me. Now, that is love!

Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ”Abba Father.” Galatians 4:6 (see also Romans 8;15)

     The word, “Abba,” can be translated to our word, “daddy.” What a beautiful image. Our daddy will protect us and love us as we lean on Him. He is our Father, our daddy, the One who loves us beyond our human understanding. Jesus called His Father in heaven, “Abba,” in Mark 14 just before the cross, asking if the agony to come could be taken away. He cries to His daddy, His Father as He weeps in anguish.

     Take the thought with you today. Do you have a deep need to share with a loving Father? Cry out to your daddy in heaven. You are God’s child, His beloved son or daughter. The sons and daughters of the King of the universe and we may call Him daddy.

Abba Father,

What a gift You give to us, to be safe with You, to cry out to You with our every need. You listen, You sorrow with us. You rejoice with us. You do life with us and we praise You, our Father, our God, our loving daddy.

Amen

Joy

 

     As we look for God’s opportunities and blessings throughout the changes in life, we can look back on countless joys.  Somehow, our kids have grown into amazing adults, having conquered change after change of their own. The joy of watching them grow, find their true loves and become parents has brought us countless change and countless moments of joy.

     The word “joy” is found over 200 times in Scripture. Much of the joy is found in times of worshipping God. Being in His presence brings the deepest kind of joy. Our earthly moments of joy are mingled with our times of sadness, complacency, anger, worry and hardship.

     The joy of the Lord is our strength. (see Nehemiah 8). The joy found in Jesus is deep and abiding. Remember Him throughout your days, whatever life brings and find joy. And bask in those fleeting earthly moments of delight, with friends, family and those immeasurable moments with grandkids or other children around you. They know how to find delight. And joy is found in Jesus and in the heaven that awaits us.

Splendor and majesty are before Him. Strength and joy are in His dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:27

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21

But let all those who take refuge in You be glad. Let them sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Psalm 5:11

     I could fill page after page with the joy in Scripture. The Psalms are filled with words of joy and worship. I leave you with one more. Rejoice in His presence, even when it is tough to find joy. You are loved.

You make known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Father,

Your joys will last through eternity. Remind us of the earthly moments of joy and blessing as we await our heavenly home.

In Jesus name,

Amen

    

Counting Our Blessings

 

     As aging baby boomers, we have witnessed change after change, in our culture, in the world, in our families, in our bodies. We have lost loved ones, fought for relationships, and cherished friends and family. Counting our blessings becomes challenging, but with God, there are many.

     Our losses increase as we age and parts of life become more difficult. Two friends have recently said earthly goodbyes to their spouses. In spite of the grief, we come back to hope. Within all of the changes in our lives, God remains steadfast as our constant companion, friend and Savior.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever. Hebrews 13;8

Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

     The blessings of God remain, long after we have left this earth. Our loved ones remain in our hearts, minds and memories until we are together forever once again.  God will strengthen us. He will comfort us. He will help us. He is love.

Lord,

Comfort those who mourn. Remind us of our many blessings on this earth. Touch us with Your unending mercy as we count our blessings each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

God's Work

 

     Don’t lose heart. God continues to work in us at all times, even when we don’t understand, even when we don’t feel His presence. He prepares people and places for us, long before we recognize His plans. The Israelites went around the same mountain for 40 years on a journey that should have taken 11 days! And God continued to give them one chance after another. Every single time they faltered, He gave them another chance. They, inevitably, turned back to Him and there He was.

     Are you going in circles around that same mountain? Try a new path. Try it God’s way. Look into Scripture for answers on the tough questions in your life. Some of the journey will be an up-hill battle, but His ways will be in your best interest. His ways will not sound like the ways of the world. It’s really not about us. It’s about Him. And He is working in your life, until that one day He meets you face-to-face.

Being confident of this; that He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8

Jesus,

There You are, waiting for us to turn back to You. Keep us from the vicious circle of sin in our lives. Move us into the blessings You have waiting for us. You never give up. You just keep on working and waiting.

Amen

 

God's Timing

 

     Change often brings fear and uncertainty. Maybe, like me, you have moved ahead of God’s steps and made the wrong choices. Even when we are following God’s lead, life becomes difficult. Luckily, He never gives up on teaching us His ways. Trusting Him through days of uncertainty can be tough. He asks us to trust Him completely.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

     The Holy Spirit lives in us. As we grow in our faith, we learn to trust His guidance and follow peace within. He sacrificed everything for us. Let’s continue to follow His lead with a humble and a cheerful heart.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

     Today let’s not move too fast. Watch and listen and be still.

He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a

Lord,

Forgive us when we move too fast or lag too far behind. We become impatient in waiting. Your timing is always perfect. We stay still today and listen for Your Holy Spirit to guide us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Entertaining Angels

 

     If you are like me, change can be difficult. God continually guides us to new adventures, new opportunities, and into the lives of the most unexpected people. He brings others into our lives for a lifetime, a season, a year or a day for His purposes. Did you know that even angels can disguise themselves as people? Listen to this verse:

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

     Keep your heart and mind open to God’s work in your life. Is He asking you to try something new? Has He brought someone new into your life? Are you taking every opportunity to speak of and to show His love? He may bless you with the presence of an angel. The spiritual realm is at work all around us.

     Many of the angels spoken of in Scripture were created to worship and honor God and to surround His holy presence, including the seraphim and the cherubim. Other angels are watching over us:

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1;14

     God protects His own. Pray for His protection, for His angels to surround you and your loved ones and watch for exciting opportunities each day. Don’t be afraid to move out of your comfort zone and into a new adventure.

Lord,

We can’t imagine all the times we miss out on Your work around us. Keep our hearts and minds open to what You are doing and to where You are leading. We thank You for Your ministering angels sent for us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Walk By Faith

 

     God pours out His abundant grace, He offers new mercies each day, He restores our joy when we believe it is lost and grants us freedom for our souls. Count on His all-sustaining presence and love whatever life brings your way. Seek Him. Ask for His help. Your faith pleases Him. He loves being with you. He is everywhere and everything is His. His foundation is secure. Have faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who  diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

     God will take you on new paths, to places you may not have chosen or sought. Some may be frightening and uncomfortable. But He will bring You through them, smooth out the rough spots and turn your darkness into light. He will do it. Count on it.

For we walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Jesus,

We don’t understand so much of life, but we trust You to see us through. Shine light on the darkness within and without. Your glory shines through the deepest, darkest nights with the glimmer of a star. You are right there, even when it is hard to see. And one day soon, we will be with You forever.

Amen

Eternal Joy

 

     There are times of great suffering in our lives, those times when we wonder how to take one more step. We groan in the pain of the grief, the loss, the agony. Will we ever witness happiness again?

     God promises us a deep and abiding joy. Someday soon, we will live in paradise. Keep your salvation with you at all times. The suffering will last but a moment. Eternity, in perfect bliss, will last forever. Count on these promises from God.

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.  Psalm 30:11

     Praise Him from the depths. It is easy to sing His praises when all is well and good. Can we praise Him even in the deep valleys of this life?

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them; that those who love Your name rejoice in You. Psalm 5:11

     Finally, allow Him to restore you and to sustain you. Remember your salvation.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

Father,

We pray for those who mourn today. Sustain them and restore them. Give them Your deep joy as they take refuge in You. You alone bring eternal joy. We praise You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Free Indeed

 

     Sin brought death into the world. Sin holds us in bondage. And yet, while we were in sin, Christ died for us, and bore the pain and suffering we deserve.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

     Sin no longer has power over you and me. Be free in the Spirit of God today. You are forgiven and loved forever.  You are free!

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

     We all know what it feels like to be held in bondage to sin. Worry and anxiety hold us in prison. Addiction holds us in chains. Fear and the inability to forgive eat away at our souls. Grief consumes. We carry the weight as a heavy burden. Remove the chains! Give the burden to the One on the cross. He set you free; free from the yoke of slavery to sin. And free from death.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Lord,

Help our unbelief. You set us free. Let us live in freedom. We are free indeed!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Mercy Triumphs

 

      Grace gives us what we do not deserve. Mercy does not give us what we do deserve. We deserve judgment and death. We were born sinners and yet God, through His grace, gives us forgiveness and resurrection. He took the judgment for us. His mercy reigns!

 

Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13b

     What a powerful statement! “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” I need to be reminded of that as I sit in judgment of others. Jesus forgave me. He gave mercy rather than eternal punishment. And His mercy is new every single day.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

     We can show mercy to the undeserving. We don’t know their story. We don’t know their hurt. They may not know Jesus. His grace found us. Mercy triumphs judgment.

Lord,

How easy it is to sit in judgment over others, and yet you tell us to be merciful and filled with grace. It is only with the help of the Holy Spirit and Your living Word that we can ever come close to becoming more like You. Be patient with us. Your mercies are new each morning.

Amen

Abundant Grace

 

     Abundant grace is God’s greatest gift. He offers us what we do not deserve. Christ became the Son of man and equally the Son of God. His grace overflows as we believe. That’s it! The Jews were given the law, and it was impossible to follow.

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith-and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God-not by works so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

     We know how it is. We strive for obedience, holy and pure. We feel guilty at the slightest mistake, the little white lie, the thoughts about others, the gossip, the addiction, and on and on it goes. Guilt surfaces for not serving the Lord, for missing church, for holding a grudge. And He continues to give us grace upon grace.

     He is there when we fall. He is there when we slip. He is there cheering us on when we work through our fear. He is cheering when we defend His name. Let His grace wash over you again and again. He is our living water and the bread of life. Let your spirit be filled with Him and relax in the freedom to follow Him.

Father,

It is only through Your gift of grace we can be saved. It is through Jesus. He died on the cross for us and rose again. We can’t earn it or work hard enough to gain it. We just accept it. Thank you.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Gift of a Savior

 

     God may seem far away right now. You may not know how to pray. You may not believe there is a loving God out there. Witnessing the devastation and disasters around us leaves us with difficult questions. Where is God? Why is this happening?

     He understands and He loves you. He loves you so much, He came to earth and died for you. This world is a fallen world, a world where sin rules and evil lives. Satan is now called “the prince of this world.” But he is no match for the Creator.

     Call out to Jesus today. Ask Him to forgive you and ask Him to be your Savior. We all need one, don’t we? He offers peace and joy in the midst of uncertainty, chaos and confusion. He offers hope when the world offers none. He offers unconditional love when we don’t feel worthy. Truth is, we’re not. Not a one of us.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

     But He came anyway and took the punishment for us.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

     Accept the gift of His love and of heaven. He offers it freely and He paid a high price. Is today the day to find a Savior? Is the timing just right for you?

Lord,

You know our hearts and You know when we are ready. Open our hearts to Your truth and Your love. We don’t understand it, but we receive it. Thank You.

Amen

 

God is With You

 

     When Joseph was thrown into a pit by his own brothers and sold into slavery, he trusted God. When he was falsely accused of seduction, he trusted God within the prison walls. God worked through him until he found himself second in command to the ruler of his time and his brothers came to him in need. A beautiful story of a faithful servant, of God’s timing and of God working for good. Did he seek revenge against his brothers? Hers is his response.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

     As a teenager, David defeated a giant with the help of a slingshot, surrounded by the strength and will of his God. As an old man, Daniel refused to bow down to anyone other than God and was thrown into a pit of his own. His pit was filled with a den of lions. Daniel trusted, understanding he need not fear even death. Angels closed the mouths of the lions and Daniel was unscathed.

     Are there giants ahead in your path? Is Satan coming after you like a roaring lion? Trust in your Creator. Hold up your shield of faith and He will protect you. Through the storms and fires of life, He is there. Your story is bigger than the sum of your years. It lives on through others as an example. Just as Joseph and Daniel give us examples to follow, so your life will live on.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

     The storms can be frightening. The heat is uncomfortable. God is with us. His angels will surround us and when the time is right, they will escort us home.

Lord,

You are there in the lion’s den and you are there to fight the giants. You are among us in the scorching flames, through the flood waters and in the pit. You promise us a future and a hope. Would you help us to see that hope today? Grant us spiritual eyes to see Your work.

In Jesus name,

Hope and Prayer

 

     When our faith rises above our circumstances, trusting God keeps peace in our hearts. A book I read years ago, said something like, focus on yourself and your problems once for every ten times you focus on Jesus. His hope and His provision will answer our deepest cries. Have faith in Him above whatever you are facing in this season of life.

     Pray for the ability to be patient as You wait for His answer and for a way out. He may be preparing you through a difficult time. As He lifts you out of the pit, He will use your time of darkness for His glory.

     When our lives become His, we are offered freedom to believe. To believe in His promises, to believe in a future of hope, to believe He will lead us. Focus your attention on Him and wait, pray and love.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

     Joyful, hopeful, patient, faithful. Good words to consider every single day. God’s timing is perfect in your life and in mine.

Jesus,

We focus our attention on You. Find answers. Find hope, Find joy. Find peace. We place our faith in You. Give us the freedom to accept it today and to believe it.

Amen

 

Out of the Pit

 

     Trusting God’s timing isn’t easy. But faith in His ways will give us the peace we crave through the mountain-top experiences and in the deep valleys of life. If you are suffering, ask for His presence. When you are worried, ask for His peace. When you fear, ask for His protection. When you mourn, ask for His promise of comfort. God brings good from disaster.

     We can use the lessons learned through our dark times to help others out of their own. God pulls us out of the deep.

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

     He has lifted me out of a slimy pit or two, You too? Sometimes He needs to get right in there with us and pull us out and sometimes, He just offers a hand up and we find ourselves on solid ground once again.

     Trust His timing, even when you can’t see the end of the story. His glory will shine from the depths of the pit. He is there beside us. Count on Him to pull you to safety.

Father,

How can we thank You for getting us on solid ground after a time in the pit? Life’s journey is filled with danger and disaster, but You bring back our delight and fulfill our deepest desires. We wait for Your perfect timing.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

For Such a Time as This

 

      God’s timing is eternally precise, His purposes fulfilled.  I became involved with Jesus in my early 30’s. Our two daughters accepted him as Savior at a much younger age, one around age 4 and the other around 13. A close friend of mine met Jesus when she was over 60 years old during a time of great suffering. There is a time for each of us and God understands when our hearts are ready.

     The Bible reminds us, too, of God’s timing in the lives of His followers. Moses needed preparation for 40 years in the desert before he led the Israelites to the promised land at 80 tears if age. Abraham and Sarah became parents when they were close to 100 years old, continuing the lineage of the faithful. Daniel followed God closely while in captivity, even in the midst of a fallen culture, when he was just a teenager. He never wavered in his faith, even when facing death.

     Count on God’s timing in your own life. He may call you to do something special as a teenager, as a young adult, in middle age or he may perform something miraculous as you enter old age. Watch for His next move in your life. Is He calling you to something new and exciting? Is He asking you to share your life experience with another?

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this. Esther 4:14b

     Esther fulfilled her role in God’s plan, facing danger, and saved her people. You are here for such a time as this. God has a plan. Watch for it.

Father,

We find peace, safely in Your hands. You know why we are here and what we are to do. Work for us and through us as we meet the needs around us. Prepare us for such a time as this.

In Jesus name,

Amen