The darkness that arrives at night hides the beauty of the surrounding landscape, the power of the hawk’s flight, the intricacies of a spider’s web, and the delicate green moss growing on the North side of the Oak tree. When I turn out the lights inside my home, darkness also hides my favorite birthday photo—six smiling grandgirls embracing me. All this beauty remains hidden until the morning light again reveals its presence.
Jesus spoke of “ears trained to hear” when speaking to the crowds of John the Baptist—the one the prophets had predicted would come to prepare the way for the Messiah. Those who had trained their hearts to hear spiritual truth accepted what Jesus said. Others failed to understand. Their ears could not hear.
Rather than silver and gold, I pray that my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will seek a godly reputation for their lives. I also pray that memories of my life might render similar joyful tales that my mother’s life left behind!
It is easy to fall into the rhythm of thinking I have control over my future. When things go
in a different direction,I need to realize that God may have something better in store.
Penelope J. Stokes said it this way, “It is not success that demonstrates the power of
God, but perseverance.”
Help us Father when face trials to stay the course. Having a heart of perseverance
knowing You are right there with us through it all.
When faced with uncertainty, what is my natural response toward God? To be honest,
trust is not always the first thing that comes to mind. I frantically try and fix the situation
myself. Yet, I realize over time that there are no “dead ends” with God. He just needs
me to be still, and let Him handle the situation.
The enemy is a liar!
I had allowed Satan’s lies to overwhelm my thoughts to the point of having a panic
attack. So much so, that I had my husband drive me to the ER because I knew
something was terribly wrong. After running several tests the doctor came in and
chuckled, “There is nothing wrong with your heart, in fact, your heart is better than
mine!”
Paul is using this analogy to explain to the church that the good news of Christ should be shared, not hidden or veiled. However, the enemy “has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Have you wandered down a path that is leading you away from righteousness or away from an intimate relationship with Jesus? Turn. Realign your life to Jesus, who stands ready to welcome you.
The gracious words spoken by the woman in my story still impact me. What person who has wronged me needs to hear my loving words of grace?
Jesus’ response to the adulteress challenges me. Is my conversation most often filled with gracious words or condemning words? Instead of ‘throwing stones,’ how can I use my words today to guide a person toward righteousness?
These walls of bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, withdrawal... may have given you a false sense of security, peace, or even justice. Yet, these walls have no place in the lives of believers. Have you tried to tear down a divisive wall in your own strength? Perhaps you’ve discovered that a well-fortified, long-standing wall is extremely difficult to remove.
God knows we need boundaries, and He has established many. He set boundaries in marriage, morality, parenting, and even in our thoughts. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble…right…pure…lovely…admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). All of God’s boundaries are for our good and His glory.
Stones of remembrance are mentioned in Joshua 3. The Israelites were ready to cross into the promised land. The Jordan River, which was at flood stage, stood in their way. It was impossible for them to cross. But God miraculously parted the Jordan, and the Israelites crossed on dry ground into the promised land. One man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel gathered a stone from the middle of the Jordan. The twelve stones were made into a memorial so future generations would know God’s power. Nothing is impossible with God!
It did not take me long after we moved to another city to realize that a prayer warrior is simply one who prays fervently. I became convicted about not just saying I would pray for someone, but going ahead and doing it right then and there. Sometimes it would be in person, other times a phone call. Meaningful prayers can also be typed in a text message.
Isn’t that just like us. We point out other people while excluding ourselves. The Bible tells us about the Pharisees who constantly mentioned everyone else’s shortcomings, but did not believe they themselves had any. What a pious way to live. Also, what a way to turn people away from Jesus instead of toward him. Compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient did not describe the Pharisees at all. I do not want the same to be said of me.
Satan is powerless against God. God already won the battle and the war. No one and nothing can ever box God in.
Father, we celebrate the All-powerful God you are. We praise you for your wonderful deeds. Thank you for crushing Satan and offering us redemption.
Our need for spiritual sustenance. he totally can provide. His promises are trustworthy. How many in this world make big promises but fail to live up to their hype? We have no fear of that happening when we open ourselves up to God. He has the capacity to hear us all, answer us all, and follow through with us all.
Often, I find myself guilty of going on in, slinging my opinion around, and causing myself more stress. For my grandson the answer was not no, it was wait. Like him, I need to evaluate the situation, decide if I need to involve myself in it, pray about it, and then calmly enter in if and when I feel I should.
Our life and our behavior paint a picture and tell a story. When I reflected on this later, it struck me that the same premise is true about how well we know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In comparison, those of us in Christ are assured of a living hope, which is our eternal inheritance. This future possession is being kept securely in heaven for us!
What are some of the flawless facets of our living hope? Look with me at a few verses:
