Living Water

 

     One definition of the word “saturated” is to soak completely. Before we take another step into allowing God to change us spiritually and move us out in His purposes, let’s fill up, soak completely, until it overflows, with the living water of His Spirit. Bask in His love and allow His words to soak deeply into your soul.

 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:17-18-19

  Jesus said: “Whoever believes in me as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you, in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  1 John 3:1 

     I pray you can read through those words a few times today. These words of love are extravagant, extreme, a love beyond our comprehension. Imagine, He delights in you and rejoices over you with singing. He lavished us with love and we are His children. I love the exclamation points in the verses from 1 John.  It is exciting!!

     His type of love is enough. It is satisfying. It quenches our thirst. If no one else around you right now is able to show you love, Your Heavenly Father will lavish you with it and delight in you. His love is so long and high and wide and deep, we can barely grasp it. And His very Spirit resides within us! That deserves another exclamation point!

Dear Jesus,

How can we thank You for allowing us to be loved so completely, so unconditionally, that you would die for us and take on the sins of the world? We soak up the love You have lavished on us. Fill us up to overflowing until the day we are together forever.

Amen

 

All Things

 

     Light, love, power, joy and peace. Those attributes belong to us through the Spirit that Christ gives to His believers. Fill up on His love today and feel His light wash over You. If you are going through a dark time of suffering whether physically, emotionally, relationally or financially, His light can penetrate. Even a tiny glimpse of light in a dark cave brings hope and comfort. Allow Him to bring His light to You. He loved us enough to die for us.

     If this is a time of comfort and happiness, praise Him for health and wellness, for loving relationships, for food and shelter, for the breath of life. Let His peace and joy indwell you through the good times and the hard times and everything in between. Getting to know Him builds trust in all things. He gives us the power to persist through it all. After all, we know the end of the story. Glory and love forevermore.  He gives us all we need.

He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

Father,

You did not spare Your own Son, and You have given Jesus all things to share with us. I pray for us to be willing to rest in Your care, no matter where we are today, no matter our worries or our suffering. We place it all in Your capable hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

The Work of the Holy Spirit

 

     Stop for a minute today and ask yourself what you would tell others about Jesus? What has He done for you? How would you share a testimony? As you think about an answer to those questions, think about everything the Bible promises us about the Holy Spirit. He is with you every minute of every day. When you have some time, read through the following verses and take in the presence of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit:

Convicts: John 16:8

Seals: Ephesians 1:13-14

Testifies: Romans 8:16

Creates: John 3:5 and  2 Corinthians 5:17

Continues His work in us (Philippians 1:6) with:

Strengthens: Ephesians 3:16

Teachesand Counsels: John 14:26

Is truth: John 14:16-17

Intercedes: Romans 8:26-27

Gives Gifts: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4

Brings forth and grows the fruit: Galatians 5:22

     Feel the Holy Spirit’s comfort and intercession for you as He teaches and guides you into all truth, giving us just what we need every single day. Jesus is enough. He gives us all things. And the Spirit will speak and act through you to bring glory to the risen Son.

Jesus,

We praise You for the work of the Holy Spirit. Help us to listen for Your voice through Him today and please comfort and strengthen those in need on this day.

Amen

 

Increasing Glory

 

     As the Holy Spirit within us continues His work in us, our image become more and more like Christ. It is a miraculous and, sometimes, painstakingly slow process! You may notice a check in your spirit after an angry word, or a compassionate heart for someone you used to despise. The slow progress is not our work but God’s work in us. Let that give you freedom.

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

     Let the following words encourage you as you live out the rest of your life. We are only getting closer to true life, not death.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces, contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:17-18

     Let that inner glory shine today, remembering it will be on the increase, even if we don’t feel it or recognize it in ourselves. I look forward to that. I pray these words will take away any fear of aging. Our inner life will grow ever brighter as we get closer to the full glory of God.

Jesus,

You tell us You are the light of the world, and as Your body in the earth, we reflect that glory. Show us how. Continue Your transforming work in each of us as we await Your coming.

Amen

The Truth of the Holy Spirit

 

     Growing up in the 1960’s and 1970’s in a Lutheran church, my ideas about the Triune God were way off kilter. I imagined Father God as a fierce-looking old man with a long white beard, watching and waiting for me to do something wrong. Jesus was, of course, my friend. We sang, “What a Friend We have in Jesus” and “Jesus Loves Me.”  I loved having Him for my friend. With His long hair and sandals, He fit right into the culture around me.

     Honestly, the Holy Spirit was rarely mentioned other than a vague reference to the “Holy Ghost.”. Sounded a bit spooky. Today the Triune God is made up of three distinct persons, all of whom I love deeply. Let’s look together at the Holy Spirit this week.

     He is alive and well, living in and working through believers.  He is our teacher, comforter, prayer warrior and His purpose is to bring glory to our Lord. Jesus explained the purpose of His Holy Spiri.                                                                                               

But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own. He will speak only what He hears and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify Me, because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.  John 16:13-15

     The Spirit will guide us into all truth. The Spirit will open our hearts to the wisdom of the word of God. He speaks what He hears from Jesus. He glorifies Christ in all He does through us. He makes known to us everything that belongs to our Father in heaven.

Father,

Thank You for the gifts the Holy Spirit gives us, the way He works through us, and the ways He brings glory to Your son, Jesus.

Amen

 

Plans for Good

 

     Facing change is inevitable. Finishing a project, leaving a job, moving on from a relationship or saying an earthly goodbye, can be viewed as endings. God does not control our choices or our circumstances, but He uses them to teach, to discipline, to change, to transform and to lead us to the path He has ready and waiting for us.

     The power of Christ redeems, restores, re-invigorates and resurrects. What are you missing today? What has changed and left you unsure? What decisions do you have to make that seem impossible? God has a plan and an answer. And He always works for good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

     Has God called you to be His? His plan and purpose are waiting. He will find a way for you. And this plan is GOOD!

“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

Jesus,

Teach us to trust You with our lives. Work in our indecision, in our doubts and help us to find a new beginning leading us closer to You.

Amen

Blessed Are The Caregivers

 

     Change is inevitable. Adjusting as we grow, adapting to marriage and kids. Dealing with sickness and disease. Caring for others can be frustrating, overwhelming, exhausting, valuable, loving and oh, such a blessing. Are you currently a caregiver?

     Adapting, adjusting, acclimating to change in your life? I have been doing so for the last 40 years. At age 30 I was diagnosed with a rare eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. It is a degenerative disease that begins with night blindness, followed by loss of peripheral vision.

     God has been with me through it all and He just happened to choose the perfect partner for me as well. It is impossible to list all that my husband does for me. As my eyes deteriorate, he assists in reading fine print, in picking up after me, in finding things I just can’t spot anywhere, leading me around whenever we are out and about, not to mention, doing all of the driving.  Luckily, we can laugh about much of it and most days, honestly, I don’t even think about it!  

     Of course, there are times we both get frustrated, overwhelmed and there are times I just need to cry it out. Tears can release tension and help in healing.

     Nothing tested our patence more than our recent trip. Steps everywhere! Eighteen leading up to our unit. Two steps into the living room and two steps into the bathroom area. Many steps down to the pool and even more to the ocean. Whew! Needless to say, we needed to accept the reality and get on with it. Very slowly each day, we made it work.

     My friends also tote me around with no complaint. How blessed am I! We need to be reminded, always, that we need each other. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I have discovered that others really do want to help. We are blessed to be a blessing.

“I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2

   Thank you, Nip, for loving me unconditionally and thank you to all the caregivers out there giving it their all. May God continue to bless you always.

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Dear Lord,

Accepting our weaknesses and allowing others to assist, isn’t always easy, but the body of Christ surrounds us with love. Today I praise You for finding the perfect spouse for me and for his kindness and patience each and every day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Suffering Superheroes

 

     Our superhero, Gavin, became quite ill right after Thanksgiving. An ear infection hadn’t cleared up with the first antibiotic and he suffered from stomach pain and fever. He missed several days of school. After a few visits to urgent care and the doctor, he was found to be constipated and is now doing well.

     He taught me a valuable lesson on one of those sick days spent with us. He had little energy and had not eaten much for a few days. He gave a valiant effort in playing his super-hero games. I found a plastic snowflake ring that he manifested into the Green Hornet’s power ring. As we sat by the window, he noticed the ring “deflected” the sun and turned the ring into colors. Our six-year-old is not only a cute super hero but a brilliant one as well.

     He remained tired and weak throughout the day. I coaxed him to the kitchen table and tried to get him to eat a couple bites of my chicken noodle soup. He laid his head on the table and said, “Nana, I had such a fun morning. Thank you.”

     Even then, he was grateful. This gesture of thanks stopped me in my tracks and brought tears to my eyes. Maybe we need to look up in our suffering and offer praise and thanks to God, for any little thing in our lives. Gavin taught me that valuable lesson. After all, even suffering super heroes need to be surrounded by love. Let’s be grateful.

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

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Lord,

Thank You for the gifts and lessons we take in from our grandkids. Protect them as they grow and we pray they grow to love You as much as we do.Thank You for loving us. Help us to remain grateful even when it is difficult.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Adapting to Change

 

     This has been and will be a week of extremes and contrasts. As we left the Bahamas on Saturday, the temperature was 75. Landing in Minneapolis, we came face-to-face with -7!  Quite the change. Our cab driver in the Bahamas mentioned it had been a little cool. 75 degrees is cool? He could not grasp our description with our type of cold and the fact we could cut a hole in the ice to fish. He said he had no plans to travel beyond Miami.

     We adjust throughout our lives from season to season, from age to age, from our first hellos to our last goodbyes on earth. Each season brings change. Just as the Byrds sand “Turn, Turn, Turn,” you can read through our life experiences in Ecclesiastes 3.

     This week marks Gavin’s 7^th birthday and my best friend Shelly’s 70^th. Shelly and I toddled around together at age 2 and here we are toddling into our elder years together. We will celebrate the life of a wonderful woman who died at age 93 on Friday and celebrate a wedding on Saturday. Such reminders of the passage of time, the contrasts in life and how we continually adapt, acclimate and accept life as it happens.

     Take in the moments of life right now. Celebrate when you can and mourn when life gets tough. God understands and will walk beside us, ahead of us and behind us as we live.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b

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

     Whatever the season, no matter the age, in any circumstance, at all times, Jesus is there.

Lord,

Thank you for the reminders this week of new beginnings, of earthly goodbyes, of celebrating youth and old age, of friends and family and new experiences and people. Thank You, too, for the beauty and magnificence of Your creation.

In Jesus name,

Amen   

May You Have Joy

 

      There are seasons of sadness, seasons of the unknown, and, thankfully, seasons of great joy. Holding a new-born baby, experiencing deep love, finding a cure, or experiencing a miracle. I pray your life will have many joy-filled moments.

 Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

     As believers, we are to live with each other through it all, just as Jesus lives through it all with us.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.  Romans 12:15

     I pray that each of you will have times of great joy over this year. And when you do I rejoice with you. May joy come to you in the morning and cause you to dance!

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

     Never forget God is preparing a place for you and me. Joy awaits in eternity. (John 14:1-4 and Hebrews 11:16.)

Jesus,

Thank you for the moments of joy that fill our hearts. Bless us with those moments this year and remind us to stop, cherish and hold them close when they come to us. Thank You for the promises of hope and joy in our heavenly home.

Amen

Will see you back here on January 21^st.

God's Perfect Love

 

     The examples of God working through lives are endless and they are eternal. The Spirit-filled life is one of abundance, deep joy and peace. The blessings of God act as stepping stones to guide us on the path ahead. As our trust and faith grow, as we rely more and more on the secure foundation of Christ, we can walk in hope and show the world around us that everything in life brings us to the One thing we need. It is Christ.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19

     The words in the verse above give us strength. We have an anchor for our souls, where it matters most, firm and secure, always hopeful. We can enter the very throne-room of heaven with anything and everything and He is there. Jesus experienced every single emotion, every single temptation, every tribulation we will encounter. He felt every sin, felt the agony of each disease, suffered the pain and loss of being separate from His Father in heaven for the first time. He knows. He has been there.

     Life is precious and fragile. It is exhilarating and frightening. It is filled with happiness and sadness, with hope and despair, and with Christ, we will get through it all in triumph. He has overcome death for us! There is no more fear with Him. His perfect love is forever.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

     His mysterious ways will remain until that glorious day we walk through heaven’s door forever. All of our questions will be set to rest, all of our hopes realized, all of our fears unfounded, all uncertainty gone, no more pain, no more tears, only perfect love forever. Keep that foundation of faith with you each unsteady step of the way. The anchor of Christ is secure and it is lasting.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

Lord,

Whatever life holds, You hold us. Our fear keeps us from trusting You. Our worries about tomorrow rob us of the joys of today. Be with us wherever we go. You promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Your perfect love will stay with us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

God's Peace and Joy

 

     When we can’t find an answer, when we don’t know how to get through the grief, or how to help a loved one, or what to do next, we can place our complete trust in Jesus. He has the answers. He knows the way through. He has the words of comfort for us to heal. He sees the next step and the one after that. There are millions of testimonies in history, up to the present day, reminding us and teaching us that God works through everything.

     The apostle Paul wrote several of his epistles from a dark, dank, smelly jail cell in Rome. He was chained to a guard at all times. All of these prison epistles are filled with gratitude to God, with an understanding that even then, the good news of the gospel would be preached. He was filled with joy.

     He and his other Christian cellmates sang songs of praise and joy, stunning their captors and other prisoners. The book of Philippians is shares  deep joy,  peace that passes all understanding, and the call for believers to shine as stars.  Here are a few verses to take with you today.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12

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

So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:15

Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again. Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

     The verses in the book of Philippians are worth reading time and time again. Put some to memory and take them out when you are feeling anxious, weak and overwhelmed. No matter the circumstances in our lives, God is there. Continue to shine like stars in this warped generation, to rejoice always! God is good, all the time and He remains on the throne. Stay filled with His peace and joy as we continue to marvel at His mysterious ways. Maybe, just maybe, this time in your life will be used for our God.

Lord,

Thank You for the examples of faith both in Scripture and in life. Teach us by example to rely on Your great love and strength to get us through life, all of it with peace and joy, always striving to shine with Your glory.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

The Magnitude of God

 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond searching out! Romans 11:33

     When we sit in wonder and awe at the scope and magnitude of our Creator God, it is simply miraculous that His plans include us. Let this verse help you relax in His strength and care today. He is in all things around us and He has absolute control.

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen Romans 11:36

     All things. That includes you and me, the spinning of the globe, the sunrise and the sunset, the ocean waves and the breeze. All from Him. All through Him. All for Him.

     Placing our very lives in His hands is not easy. We want control. As humans it becomes difficult to keep our peace as we question the future of the planet, as we obsess over government or rulers, as we fret about our daily activities, our vulnerability, our weakness. God uses them all. Ultimately, the end of the earth, as we know it, will be in His hands and eternity will be ours. Focus on the things that please God. Focus on His beloved Son. And focus on the things of the heart.

     Above all else, our faith pleases God. His mysterious ways will not be completely understood by us right now, but we know we have a secure foundation.

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 earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Lord,

How wonderful are Your ways! Keep us strong in faith and trust, looking to You for everything we need in our lives. You are the author and finisher of our faith and the ruler of the heavens and the earth. Give us peace today as we leave it all in Your capable hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Mysterious Ways

 

     As we live out our lives, we will never completely understand the mysterious ways of God. He weaves people, circumstances, places, even our words into His timing and for His purposes. There are times we are obedient and understand what He desires from us and what to do for and with the people and opportunities He places before us.

     Most times, I believe, we won’t realize the impact we have made through the Holy Spirit until eternity. When we use our spiritual gifts and ask the Spirit to guide us, He will work through us.

     Listen to the lyrics of the Beatle’s song, “In My Life.” This song speaks of people moving in and out of our lives Some have died and some remain, as we hold affection for them all. Have you had an old friend pop back into your life? Have you been able to thank someone for making a difference in your life? Has someone told you how much you mean to them? Has a word spoken at the right time meant so much?

     Think back over your life and smile as you remember those that have meant something to you. A parent, a teacher, a friend, a spouse?  Could it have been a stranger you encountered along the way? Thank God for those people and ask Him how He can use you in the same ways.

     Let’s be ready for His call. The most unexpected encounters may be the very ones God has in mind to change a life through us with His presence, with His promises, with His love. Don’t try to figure it all out. He works good through the toughest times and brings blessings in the most mysterious ways. He also says He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.  I can relate to that! (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7

Father,

We love the journey we are on with You. Open our eyes to Your ways, but keep us peace-filled when we don’t understand. Your ways are so much higher than ours. We thank You for the people and the places we find through Your lead.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Heavenly Light

 

     Try to imagine the radiance of heaven. Picture the glimmering new city of Jerusalem, the spectrum of colors beyond anything the human eye has seen, the sea of glass, the trees producing new fruit each month, no more night, no more sorrow, no more pain, surrounded by pure light.  (Revelation 21)

    Humans cannot experience the full glory of God and live. Even with God’s back turned to him while hiding in the crevice of a rock and with God’s hand over that crevice, Moses’ whole countenance changed.

     Reflecting the light of Christ is just a small part of the unimaginable glory of heaven! Let’s keep that in mind when we stumble, fall and pick ourselves back up again and again throughout our lives. There is a future filled with forever light!

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:12

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its light. Revelations 21:23

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light and they will reign forever and ever.  Revelations 22:5

Dear Father,

We thank you for the light of Christ, the light of the world, the light of our hearts and the light of heaven. Show us how to shine with His light throughout our earthly lives. One day we will witness Your full glory. Let that always bring hope. Bring that hope to those who grieve.

In Jesus name

Amen

 

A New Day

 

     A new year, new beginnings, a fresh start. As you ponder the year ahead, rather than those typical resolutions we make over and over again, how about a fresh start spiritually, a turning back or taking a closer look at Jesus?

     If you haven’t met Jesus and are looking for a new start, He is waiting for you. He is watching you, waiting to welcome you into His tender care. Keep seeking. Jesus changes everything.

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

     Is He knocking at the door of your heart?

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with Me. Revelation 3:20

   God is love. God is light. As believers we are children of the light. We no longer live in darkness. I could use a little extra light right now. How about you?

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:5

     How blessed we are to be called children of God! We have been drawn to the light of Christ. We have been drawn to hear His Gospel. Our souls have been renewed. The Holy Spirit within us continues to draw us to the pure light and love of Jesus. I pray you hear these words and take them in. As believers, God continues to work in us. We are continually being sanctified, made more and more into the image of Christ.

     Only a miracle-working God could take lumps of clay like you and me and mold us into something new. His love and light have turned my world upside down and I only grow deeper in my love for Jesus as the years drop away, one by one. Each day brings us closer to our heavenly home and each day on earth can draw us closer to the transforming light of Christ.

Dear Jesus,

We no longer walk in the dark. You have shown us the light of the world. It is You. The darkness no longer has power over us. We are Your children today, tomorrow and forever. Bring many this year to believe in Your birth, life, death and resurrection.

Amen