All in Faith/Trust
Teenage girls recently gathered for a country photo shoot at my parent’s ranch. Round hay bales provided one of many perfect photo ops. I couldn’t help laughing at their attempts to actually get on top of the bales. I repeatedly shouted, “You can do it!” Their eventual conquests became the high point of the outing!
I survived a short, but nonetheless combative parenting phase when all four kids were teenagers. The description “battle-weary mom” fit perfectly.
My grandmother’s false teeth clicked as she read The Little Engine Who Could*. The accomplishment of that little engine cresting the top of the hill provided my first lesson on the power of positive thinking.
I’ve often leaned into the phrase “joy comes in the morning” as I tuck myself in bed, burdened by the day’s events. I trust the truth, yet I have never considered its source.
Hundreds of students stroll past the iconic University of Texas Tower. I imagine, however, that few notice the words engraved across the front of the tower, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Students who do actually read it may assume the truth lies in the books or classes housed within. Ironically, the words actually came from Jesus speaking to a group of Jews who believed in Him as their promised Messiah (John 8:32). The designer of the Texas Tower seems to have made the error of taking that statement out of context. Since similar biblical phrases frequently appear in art or in graphics, over the next few devotionals, I decided to investigate how their context might alter the way I understood them.
A friend of mine gave me a beautiful lily potted plant during a Bible study. Afterwards I put it in the car and proceeded to go out to lunch and to two other meetings.
I wrote before about my small dog, Buddy, that was attacked by another dog. This happened on a Sunday morning shortly before we were to leave for church. My husband, John, was walking our dog down the street. A big, muscular dog grabbed our dog in his mouth, shook him fiercely from side to side and finally dropped him. In all of this, the stray dog’s teeth sank into John’s hand, leaving behind several puncture wounds.
My little dog, Buddy, was recently attacked by a much bigger and stronger dog. The veterinarian performed surgery to save Buddy's life. He had a wickedly long incision on his underside. The veterinarian told me to let him know if the incision became infected.
Yes, Elijah’s greatest fear may have been of being the only one of God’s prophets left, alone and without help. However, God had a much more penetrating question of His prophet. Not once but twice He asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (19:9,13). Incredible, isn’t it, that the LORD‘s charge to Elijah should occur on that very same mountain where He had spoken to Moses in the burning bush and given him the Law (Exodus 3:1-3;19:9,16)?
The drought continued in Elijah’s time. After all, God had said “neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). Eventually, the brook had to dry up. But who’d have thought God would send Elijah to a widow’s home for food, considering she was on her last bit of flour and oil.
My husband travels for work. He usually leaves on Mondays and returns early Friday afternoons. He keeps me informed of his itinerary regularly.
Some weeks I do really well with time management. I complete certain tasks on certain days. Then there are those weeks I piddle around not really accomplishing anything. With his return day in mind, I feel like I have plenty of time and put things off until the last minute.
Do you journal? Write?
I use writing to process my thoughts.
God can use it to show you something that He wants you to see.
God told Jeremiah to write down His message for a purpose… for change…
Often, I don’t feel very strong… but I want to be strong.
Look at what our heavenly Father does… Paul prays…
I fall to my knees and pray to the Father … I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. (Ephesians 3:14-16 NLT).
Today, when I don’t know an answer … I admit it … I google.
But is Google always right? Can I trust Google? Sometimes.
Karen, why don’t you believe your costly value is from God, and not from performance or the approval of others? I’m not content with my significance and worth. Recently, I rifled through shelves and boxes for the book that addressed these issues and most impacted my beliefs. Not to be found. How ironic! I wanted to refer to it to help me write this devotional rather than depend on God! Ouch.
Not long ago I retired from three decades of working at the same job. I faced a new season of unknowns and decision-making, which excited and paralyzed me. I couldn’t sleep. My mind raced. My heart was divided: i.e., anxious. Can anyone relate?
“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” The end. Enough said. I could stop right there -- or could I?
“I lack nothing.” Really? Do I believe that in my heart? Does my life reflect that belief?
What if I had…? Have you ever said those words? Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made a different choice or if your circumstances had been different?
Think about the smell of a batch of chocolate chip cookies or a hot apple pie baking in the oven. The scent of a vase full of Stargazer Lilies is distinguishable among all other flowers and is one of my favorites. These aromas fill the air around us, are beautiful and pleasing, and they bring joy. Paul describes the knowledge of God as a pleasing aroma.
Why is it sometimes scary to take hold of a promise? Especially if it is something God has told you about and prepared you for it? The Israelites faced this fear about a year after leaving Egypt.
