Strength in Joy

 

     Deep joy brings strength. Strength to take the next step, to move ahead when you want to go back, to get the treatment, to make the break, to change the plan, to figure it out.

This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

     God’s joy is soul-deep. Most of us live on the surface. You hear it in our conversations. God allows us to go deep. God loves the deep things of life. The true spiritual life runs into the darkest corners, the deepest hurts, and the healing begins.

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Proverbs 20:5

Jesus,

We pray to have eyes to see into the deep issues of life, to draw others into complete healing from You. Help us to show others a way to jump into deep waters without fear.

Amen

 

Comfort and Joy

 

     Has our Lord given you comfort? Has His word spoken directly to your heart? Has His love overwhelmed you? Have you gone back again and again asking for His mercy and grace? Me too. Because of that love and compassion and mercy and forgiveness and comfort and love, we are called to give the same away to others.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

     This is God’s work in us. As we receive blessing after blessing, comfort after comfort, grace upon grace, joy upon joy from Him, we will pass it on. Give out the blessings and comfort and compassion to those in trouble today. Pass it on.

Father,

You are the God of all compassion and comfort. As we have received so much from You, let us show the same love to those around us in the same way. Show us how today. Open our eyes and ears to those around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sorrow and Joy

 

     Grief has a life of its own, with peaks and valleys, harsh waves and sweet soothing memories. Grief is varied and never easy. Jesus can and will make a difference in the journey of grief.

     I’m not saying Jesus removes the agony of grief. He grieved Himself, before His crucifixion and in witnessing the grief of His good friends. Every single person handles grief in a unique way and over different lengths of time. But Jesus offers hope. He offers peace. He offers deep joy in the midst of deep sorrow. He understands sorrow and suffering in ways beyond our own. He felt it all on the cross. His suffering brings hope. His death became our resurrection. He is waiting and so is heaven.

Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more. The Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:20

Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13    

     We will experience grief and sorrow on this earth.  Jesus has overcome death. Love never ends.

Father,

Comfort those who grieve. I pray for Jesus to hold them in His loving arms. His peace and comfort are beyond this world. They are eternal.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Goodness of God

 

Wisdom belongs to the aged and understanding to the old. Job 12:12

    God has blessed me richly in so many ways. Seeing our daughters reach the age of 32 and beyond has brought me a deep sense of gratitude and praise. I will explain.

     I had to face deep questions at the age of fourteen when my dad died in his sleep. My mom and I became interdependent on one another and she was my best friend. The year I became engaged, she was diagnosed with advanced cancer. I was 31. My mom would not live to see my 32^nd birthday.

     There was a suppressed goal within my heart I did not know was there until it was attained, to see both of our daughters turn 32. In addition to this milestone, I have experienced becoming a nana, another astounding blessing for me as my mom and dad did not get to meet our precious daughters.

     Have you reached a milestone or experienced a blessing beyond what you could have imagined? God will do that. Surprise and delight us in the most astounding ways. And the good news of Jesus, the one I found when I questioned the reality of eternity, moves on to the next generation. The best news is that our daughters know Him well. Pass it on. Share the wisdom you have gained. You are loved

Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God. I must tell the next generation about Your power and greatness. God. Your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like You. Psalm 71:18-19

Father,

Your goodness reaches above the skies. We thank You for our daughters and their families as we continue to celebrate the miracles of life. Please let this be a year filled with Your sweet blessings.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Now Is The Time

 

     The aging warrior. The young man with questions. The young child accepting Jesus. We are all on the journey. Each one asking the questions of life. Why am I here? What happens after we die? Is heaven real?

     Those deep questions are there for all of us, even when we hold them at a distance for as long as we can. When crisis comes knocking at our door, when death arrives too soon for a loved one, when storm clouds are racing in, we can’t help but fall on our knees and pray.

     God is there, waiting with His mighty listening ear. The answers to those deep and soul-searching questions are ultimately and definitively His to be resolved with one name, the name above all names. It is Jesus.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we may be saved. Acts 4:12

     I pray you know Him. I pray you will accept Him as Savior before the end of the age.  One day, every knee will bow before Him. Don’t miss out on heaven and life everlasting! This is the time of grace.

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, Philippians 2:9-11

For He says, “In the time of My favor, I heard you and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor. Now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Father,

The name of Jesus Christ reigns above all other names. One day every knee will bow in that knowledge. Let us bow now while the day of salvation in here.

Amen

Eternal Joy

 

     We don’t want to face death. We avoid the reality of aging. But whether we want to admit it or not, each of us has eternity in our hearts.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in our hearts. Yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

     What is the condition of your heart? Are you ready to face the next life? Did you know Jesus is ready to save you? Just believe!  Eternity is guaranteed.  Forever is yours.

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

     Let him come near to you.  He loves you with an everlasting love. He died for you, rose again, and overcame death. Eternity is in your heart. You feel it. You know it. And He is the answer. He is the way.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:5

     Pass it along. Your children knowing Jesus is the greatest gift of all.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Lord,

Take away fear and doubt. Let everyone come to know You and let the thought of eternity fill our hearts with deep joy and longing.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Fix Your Eyes Above

 

     The grace of Jesus, the sacrificial gift of salvation, the freedom to live in mercy and peace, allows us to grow in Godly wisdom and complete joy and peace. Is it really possible? It is. Witness it in the aged believers. Follow their gaze to things above, walk with them beside the still waters, giving their daily burdens to the one able to carry them, as they find contentment. Fix your eyes on the eternal. Fix your eternal eyes on things above

     Here are my life verses.  Keep an eternal perspective..

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

     Our culture works to avoid the aging process. Chairs are pushed back from the table as the subject of death is broached. Keep it at bay! Don’t bring it up! Party ‘til you drop! Primping hair, plunging necklines, plumping lips, and pumping iron give the false impression of holding back the hands of time. The façade does not last.

God does not look at the outward man. God looks at the heart. He reminds us of what is pleasing to Him. He sees beauty in aging.

The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head. Proverbs 20:19

Rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:4

     The eternal perspective of our God finds splendor in our gray hair. We are moving closer to living with Him forever. A gentle and quiet spirit found in an older woman is beautiful. It is precious in His sight. We witness the quiet confidence, the sweet countenance, the authentic compassion. Let us look forward to the days and years ahead!

Jesus,

You know the number of our days. Help us to appreciate each and every day no matter what we face. You will walk with us, lead us through and give us strength to face each day, until we are with You forever.

Amen

 

 

Eternal Eyes

 

     The pain is there, deep within their gaze. Decades of life are written out in the lines and wrinkles, are walked out in their lumbering gait, are lived out with purpose and passion. Do you know them? The older men and women of faith? I do. I have loved them, leaned on them and learned from them for decades. Now as I age, my prayer is to follow their example.

     Beyond the circumstances, behind the pain, lies the beauty of Christ. The light shines through the years as their focus moves to a place above and to a life beyond.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

     Sharing Christ becomes as natural to them as breathing. Walking side-by-side with Him over the years has given them His comfort, His compassion, His compass. They understand. They have been where we are. The grieving widower finds and shares hope beyond the grave. The legally blind woman in the wheelchair meets everyone with a smile. The stroke survivor volunteers at the hospital with her testimony. The faith-filled believer on his death bed speaks of the joy to come.

     The power of the risen Lord lives. His glory increases and we witness it in them.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

     These lives of the older men and women of faith are not easy. Pain is their constant companion. Friendships, hearing and sight diminish and fail and are gone. Some wonder why God hasn’t taken them home. But we know why. We need them.

     Let the older man of faith, with the twinkle in his eye, share a joke with you. Sit next to an older woman in Bible study or in the pew a few rows up. Wisdom awaits and love abides. The grace of God flows in their presence. Somehow, over time, the Holy Spirit within them allows them to have a perpetual focus on Jesus.

     A knowledge of what is to come, an increasing anticipation of heaven, an excitement beyond measure at the thought of seeing Jesus face-to-face keeps them filled with joy. And that joy is contagious.

     This joy is rare, even in the body of believers. The freedom found in a life-long believer counts all of life as nothing to be compared with the life to come. An eternal perspective recognizes the brief span of our years, flowing as a wisp or a vapor. One moment here, the next gone.

     Forever awaits. The body is temporary, the spirit, eternal. Death holds no fear for them, for us. Our eternal eyes can shine with light. Our eternal souls are seated in heaven with Jesus. Our names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Learn from them. Live with them. Love them. Don’t fear aging as the world does. Christ will continue his work in us.

Father,

Let us learn and gain wisdom through the elders in our lives. Let us become them as we continue to age and know You more deeply. Your love and eternity await! We praise You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Hallelujah and Happy Easter

 

     This weekend, in addition to the Easter bunny and candy eggs, sit back in wonder and celebrate the good news of the empty tomb. Jesus offers the greatest gift ever given and all He asks is that we believe. All other religions take hard work, duty-filled prayer, endless obligations, finding a place of bliss through our own struggle, or believing we come back to life again and again before we get it right. I think it’s an impossible dream to believe we can work our way to God.

     God needed to come to us and He did. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived among us, suffered our sins on a cross, overcame hell and death and rose again. Believe and be saved. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

He is not here. He has risen just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Matthew 28:6

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Come and see the risen Lord.

Hallelujah! Happy Easter!

The Tomb is Empty

 

     After darkness covered the globe as Jesus died, there came a day. A Sunday of hope. A Sunday following a dark and sorrowful Friday, a day above all others. The tomb is empty! He is not there. The first to see the empty tomb were the women, His followers. They loved Him so.

     Mary Magdalene was the very first person to see Jesus alive!

When Jesus rose early, on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had delivered seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him and who were mourning and weeping.  Mark 16:9-10

     Women in the days of Jesus were looked at as less-than, second-class citizens in every way. Men were not even allowed to speak with them in public. Jesus, however, looked upon them with favor. He picks Mary, this woman previously filled with demons, to be the first witness and missionary after His resurrection. He loves each one of us equally, each one of us uniquely, each one of us to be used for His purposes. Go tell. The tomb is empty. He lives!

Jesus,

Thank You for the witnesses who began the testimonies of Your love. So many witnesses saw You after You rose from the dead. And we see You today. Give us the wisdom to share the truth with others. You are alive! And we can live forever, too.

Amen

It Is Finished!

 

The words of Jesus on the cross give us so much insight We see His heart, His love, and His ability, even then, to see the resurrected hope to come.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals-one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  Luke 23:33-34a

     One of the criminals mocked Jesus, the other one believed. That’s all. He just believed. And Jesus said to him and He says to us as we breathe our last:

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23;43

     And after all of the agonizing hours on the cross, as He suffered all of our sins on Himself:

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. John 19:30

     Even then, on that horrible cross, He wants to forgive, He wants to promise heaven, He wants to offer hope. The Holy Spirit of the One and Only Son offers Himself as the final sacrifice. The Lamb of God, the one with the words of eternal life has overcome death and we are forgiven. It is finished. Amen

 

 

He Knows Our Pain

 

     Jesus understands our sorrow and suffering. His emotions match ours in intensity, in dread and grief, and finally, in obedience. As He moves away from everyone into the Garden of Gethsemane, He is in anguish. Listen to His words and feel the pain.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me, yet not My will but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.  And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:42-44

     In suffering, we too, pray more earnestly. We beg. We cry. We moan. We ask God to remove the depth of sorrow. Jesus and His angels are right by our side, coming to our rescue. Find hope in Him and no one else. Jesus, in His anguish, knows what He has to do and He will do it. He did it for you and for me.

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4

Lord,

You know where we are right now, this very minute. Comfort our hearts and minds as we give it all to You. Grant us hope and peace throughout our lives until we are by Your side.

Amen

The Passover Lamb

 

     Holy week is here. Walking with Jesus as He willingly makes His way to the cross reminds us of His human agony, His overwhelming suffering, His love for us and His divinity. He overcame death. He fulfilled the law and offers grace. Everything in the Old Testament points to and foreshadows the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. As we begin to understand the richness, the depth, the complexities of the word of God, we can get a glimpse of His majesty, His timing and His ability to be personally involved in each of our lives.

     As Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem preparing for His death the following Friday, His timing is perfect. The Passover celebration was upon Jerusalem. The sacrificial lambs were being led into town, just as the Lamb of God is entering. Each lamb brought in to be sacrificed for sin was to be scrutinized and found to be without blemish, just as Jesus was scrutinized by the leaders of the day. They found no fault in Him.

     The Passover supper He shared with His disciples included the wine which represented His blood and the unleavened bread to represent His broken body. How beautiful! How astounding! How miraculous! Yeast always signified sin in the Bible. Unleavened bread means bread with no yeast, or the one Holy man with no sin.

      John the Baptist recognized Jesus when He first began His ministry three years earlier.

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ”Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1;29

     Let us behold Him this week as we prepare for the Holiest of weeks.

Father in heaven,

Keep us mindful of everything Jesus has done and what He will do at His return. We marvel at the timing, the miraculous ways prophecy has and will be fulfilled and that Your Son, the One with no sin, lived with us, died for us and conquered death to save us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Family of Christ

 

Those who are kind, benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin to themselves. Proverbs 11:17

     This verse promises us a benefit, a blessing from being kind. God’s blessings do come from giving to others. As we move out in loving kindness to others, let’s take care of the family of Christ.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those that belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

     As a family of God’s people, we mourn together, we comfort one another, we encourage, we rejoice with one another, we are kind and forgiving and we pray for each other. The Holy Spirit within us will guide us into prayer. God puts special emphasis on His own people

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. Ephesians 6:18

     As we pray, pray also for those who do not know Jesus. They are waiting to hear the good news and God is waiting for them.

    Father,

We thank You for challenging us this week. Alert us to prayer needs as we dress in our spiritual clothes and rely on You, to grow us in the ways of Jesus.

Amen

Spiritual Clothes

 

     Kind, forgiving, loving hearts were the goal yesterday. Today, God gives us Spiritual clothes to wear. As we get dressed each morning, let’s remind ourselves of the heaven-sent clothes available to us as well.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

     The verses this week have a common theme. Because of God’s love and forgiveness, we can live our lives in contrast to the world. Our Spiritual clothes will show as the fruit of the Spirit as we give to others and share God’s love.

Bear with each other and forgive one another. If anyone has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgives you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:13-14

     I love that! Put on love. I pray you feel the great love of God in your life. Only when we accept His complete love and forgiveness in the name of Jesus, can we live in hope and love. Heaven awaits!

Father,

Our spiritual clothes often need mending. Give us reminders each and every day to clothe ourselves with Your complete love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Kind Tenderhearted Forgiving

 

     God’s loving kindness has formed us with an everlasting love. Through that love, we grow in His Spiritual fruit.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control do not come easily. As humans, we fail every day, but God never gives up on us, giving us His words to memorize and to follow.

     In the book of Ephesians, God reminds us of the actions and thoughts we should avoid.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31

     The following verse contrasts the verse we just read. How should we act?

Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as in Christ, God has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

     Kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. As I think of my grandkids, it’s pretty easy to follow these instructions. They have my heart, as do our daughters and sons-in-law and my husband, as well as my friends. Is there anyone you need to forgive? A challenging person in your life? I’m willing to try a little more kindness and forgiveness in my attitudes toward others. You, too?

Father,

Give us the opportunities to grow in our fruit, even when it is difficult. Help us to be examples in the crazy world around us, showing kindness and forgiveness. Guide us into the Scriptures we need.

In Jesus name,

Amen    

 

Healthy Spiritual Fruit

 

     As we follow the example of Jesus, and walk humbly with God, our actions, our thoughts, our lives, will begin to transition. When we are rooted in faith, we will grow the healthy fruit of the Spirit.

“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.” John 15:5

     What, exactly, is this healthy fruit of the Spirit? Let the Bible explain. Read through the list of fruit in the following Scriptures and think about what might need some pruning. God may place a few challenges in front of us to grow His kind of fruit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

     This healthy fruit will follow us into eternity. The fruit is meant to be shared with others. And most of all, offered up to God, for His glory. Praise Him today with the fruit of your lips.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. Hebrews 13:15

Father,

We are ready for the gardener’s help. Before you need to lop off an entire brach, please prune what needs to go and allow us to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. We offer praise in the name of Jesus.

Amen

 

Loving Kindness

 

     There have been reminders, remarks and verses about kindness brought to my attention over the last two weeks. Our grandson, Grayson, received a gift from his teacher because of his kindness. With everything going on around us, the hate speech, the violence, the fractures within family and friends, I thought it was time to see what the Bible has to say about being kind.

     It all begins with God, of course. God’s loving kindness formed us. He loves us and created us. Here is a beautiful verse for us today.

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

     God’s great loving kindness for us brought us Jesus, the Savior of our souls. What does the prophet, Micah, say about what God desires from us in response to this great love?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

     As we walk humbly with God, He will lead us to kindness and mercy. Let His loving kindness affect you today.

Father,

We thank You for Your eternal love and kindness. Show us how to pass it along to those around us. Jesus showed us the way.

Amen

Jesus Changes Everything

 

     This upside-down life with Jesus isn’t always easy to navigate. Life happens when we least expect it. Jesus will never leave us. His comfort and hope transcend our emotions. We can and should give up trying to control everything in our lives.

     As we age, new trials and challenges begin to face us. Getting old is not for sissies, as my 92-year-old neighbor usesd to say. Friends and family move on to heaven when we aren’t ready. Life without them is impossible, until we take one hesitant step. We find ourselves able to smile at the memories. We rejoice they are with Jesus.

     Our bodies begin to fail us, as our sight and hearing diminish, our knees and joints ache, and other health issues arise. My prayer list grows with each passing year. But, Jesus changes everything.

     Jesus changes everything. That was the name I chose for my blog twelve years ago. I began with the hope of writing one devotion each day for a year. It seemed a daunting task. Here I am all of these years later. He has certainly changed me and I am grateful for the time I spend with Him each early morning.

     For all of my older friends and family, we are in this together. Let’s keep praying for each other as we move closer to our heavenly home. The longing increases with each year, but life is so precious. Remember what awaits us and find hope.

     Praise Him. Humble yourselves before Him. Let Him work through your flaws and weaknesses. Allow Him to carry you when life is too tough. He is able to turn your world upside down. He walks us through our changes.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

     He changes us from the inside out. But remember, He is steadfast. He never changes.

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

Jesus,

Thank You for Your constant presence, for Your unchanging love and thank You for never giving up on us. Show us the way today and each day ahead. We praise You.

Amen

Gratitude

 

     Today we take our upside down, last is first, less is more, honor in humility, weakness is strength, believer’s world into the topic of gratitude. Have you read, “Footprints in the Sand?” Looking back, I now recognize those times where Jesus was carrying me even when I did not sense His presence or feel His arms around me. I am still learning, but even during troubled times, I thank Him. When there are no answers, I thank Him for working. When things look hopeless, I know He will bring hope.

     My emotions and my need for control try to take over. I want to make it better, fix the problem, lash out at someone or something. The learning will never end, will it, until we are in heaven? Years ago, a sweet woman I visited in hospice, thanked God for every breath, even in the deepest pain, right up until her very last breath of life. I recently heard the story of an older woman of faith walking in circles around her daughter’s casket, praising and thanking God for allowing her to raise this beautiful child and praising Him for the gift of heaven. Trusting God even with our children? Thanking Him when the world is closing in? Believing in His timing when our patience is wearing thin? Thanking Him when the circumstances we are in will last for what seems an eternity? Practice gratitude. God’s grace is enough to get through the day.

     Can we learn to stop in the midst of an overwhelming day to thank God for our ordinary tasks and duties as we perform them one more time? Can we take a moment away from the seemingly endless urgent details to savor our most valuable God? Can we thank Him for working when we don’t see His hand? We can find a deeper intimacy with Jesus. We can! I thank God for each one of you today, no matter where you are in your journey with Jesus. He hears you. He will carry you. Give Him all of your cares with deep thanksgiving.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and yur minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Jesus,

Grant us an attitude of gratitude today for Your love, for Your mighty hand at work, for Your grace and mercy, for our loved ones and our homes, for our food and for our very lives. Thank You for the breath of life today, and thank You for the eternity that awaits tomorrow.

Amen

 

Humble Hearts

 

     The first time I really sought out God I was on my knees. It was a time of deep grief, confounding disbelief and overwhelming doubt. I fell to my knees, because I had nowhere else to go. When I hear of a loss, or a prayer request, a tragedy, or of someone’s suffering, my first prayer now, in addition to requests for healing or comfort or peace is to ask that the person gets to know Jesus.

     Going to our knees is not always a choice for us. Sometimes it becomes the only place left. For me, after all of these years, it is the place I choose to go first. There is nothing in the entire world better than being in the holy presence of God. Humility comes by recognizing who God is and how much we need Him.

     Do you remember what happens after we become filled with pride?

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.  Proverbs 18:18

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.  Proverbs 11:2

     When we fall or stumble, our merciful God has an answer for that, too.

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

      On the one hand, we can become puffed up with pride, saying, “Look what I did! I did an amazing job! I am wonderful!” Or, on the other hand, we can get to a place where we say, “I can’t do anything right. What is wrong with me? I am worthless.”

     Both of these attitudes are lies from our enemy, Satan. Both attitudes are, in reality, self-focused. With God’s help, we take the focus off of ourselves and put our eyes on Him and on others. That is all He asks of us. It is our purpose, it is our call. Serving God and serving others. Everything is upside down in God’s world. First is last, the least is the greatest.

Then He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me and whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10

    Impossible on our own? Yes. Possible with the One who lifts us up and sends us out? You betcha!

Dear Lord,

Give us humble hearts today. Take our focus off of ourselves and allow us to lift others up in Your name. We can do it with You!

In Jesus Name,

Amen

The Potter and the Clay

 

     I have shared this story with you before. It is worth sharing again. A water bearer, living long ago, walked to a well each morning to gather water for his master’s house. He hung a long pole across his neck with a pot on either end. One of the pots was perfect in every way. Over the years this perfect pot was puffed up with pride, congratulating himself on a job well done. The other pot, has a few cracks and flaws. He was growing more and more humiliated over time. 

     One day the cracked pot spoke up, “Sir, why do you continue to use me? With my large cracks, I am only half full of water by the time we reach the master’s house.” The water bearer looked at the cracked pot with kindness and compassion and said, “I knew you before I placed you on the end of my pole for the very first time. I planted seeds along the way. Notice the wide array of flowers on your side of the path. You have faithfully watered them and now the master has a beautiful view and fresh flowers for his table.” (Author Unknown)

     Isn’t this a beautiful story? And aren’t we all cracked pots? God uses our weaknesses and our flaws to show His glory. Through our weaknesses He is made strong. His light is visible through our weakest parts.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

     When we fall to pieces, when we accept our flaws, God begins to work. He is the potter. He just may leave a crack or two in place. That just allows His light to shine through. When other people see what you are doing, they will say, “How can he/she do that?” And the only answer will be, “It’s not me. It’s God. It’s Jesus at work.”  He is ready to make all of those dents and dings and holes and cracks work for Him. Our tests become our testimonies. Our messes become our messages.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

     God chose me and He chose you. He chooses the cracked pots, the jars ready for the potter’s hand, the weak and the foolish ones to show Him off.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  1 Corinthians 1:27

     Well, you cracked pots, you foolish and weak things, let’s go show off our new jars of clay, the ones with the light shining through. Let’s confound some of those perfect pots. We have an amazing God.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Only You can bring such beauty to these cracked jars of clay. Fill us with Your confidence as You create something beautiful out of our weakest parts. Create new treasures in these jars of clay. We can do it with Jesus.

Amen