I walked through the pasture attempting to solve a mystery, an unusually large tangle of feathers hanging from the fence. However, upon closer examination, I gasped to see two large eyes from within the tangle staring directly into mine.
Stop and Help
Have you ever stopped to help someone, but then later realized you were the one who was blessed?
The Serpent's Lies
Pythons like to slither into holes. A young Portland woman discovered this when her pet BART crawled into the gauge hole of her earlobe.
Old Lies
As we stood at the sink washing Thanksgiving dishes, the family secret was revealed. My mom casually mentioned how sad she was when they “put Dudley down.” My hands stopped scrubbing as I turned to her in unbelief. More than 30 years ago, I had believed my parents’ story about our dear German Shepherd they would take to live “on a farm with lots of kids and dogs.”
Borders
Sleep is the most precious commodity to a new mother. She will do just about anything to ensure her baby rests for as long as possible. Note on the door? Check. White noise machine? Purchased. Whisper and tiptoe. Obviously.
Near Your Altar
On a mission trip in Africa, I visited Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. The thundering roar can be heard from twenty-five miles away. As you approach, you realize that even if your words could be heard, they would be inadequate to describe the beauty before you.
FAITHFUL…REGARDLESS
In deepest grief, the writer of Lamentations wrote of the destruction of his beloved city and nation. Even though his people had experienced terrible atrocities and even though they were still experiencing pain and suffering, he made an amazing statement about God: …great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23).
God’s Strange Work
God’s work of judgment is “strange” to Him. It’s a task alien to His nature. Scripture is clear that God’s act of judgment is always righteous and just, but as Lamentations states, God’s act of afflicting His people is not an act from His heart.
A Picture of Mercy
If I asked you to take a picture of something representing God’s mercy, what would your photo include? Would it be a selfie of you and your friend hugging—the friend you had previously hurt with your words. Would you take a picture of the warning you received from the police officer instead of a speeding ticket?
Lettuce (Let Us) Praise
I was selecting lettuce in the produce section of the grocery store, when someone called my name. There stood my friend, who looked quite different from the last time I had seen him. He was thinner. He had no hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes. This friend was being treated for cancer.
Consider This
Sandwiched! Troubles behind and troubles on the horizon. We’ve all been there, right?
What is your typical response when difficulty hits?
Listening to the Greatest Voice
My friend has an interesting testimony of how she became a believer in Jesus. No one in her family was a Christian. A man began coming to their home once a week and reading his Bible to the family. He did nothing more than read, but the power of God’s Word transformed every person in that family. One by one they came to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
God's Enabling Call
God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, a voice of truth to a nation who desperately needed to listen to God. God’s call to Jeremiah was clear. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).
Words of Encouragement
My friend came to me asking for help. Her son’s illness and resulting difficulty had continued for years. She prayed repeatedly for his healing, but his condition remained the same. She was looking for answers to her questions and words of encouragement.
A Difficult Call
When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, Jeremiah quickly reminded God of his inadequacies. God gently rebuked Jeremiah and said, I am with you and will rescue you (Jeremiah 1:8). Jeremiah’s arguing ceased. He accepted his mission and moved forward.
A Vital Message
God calls people in every generation to proclaim His truth. Noah preached righteousness. Moses proclaimed God’s laws. Paul carried the gospel to the Gentiles. Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, and Billy Graham have boldly proclaimed the truth of Jesus to recent generations.
Climb on Up
My grandson climbed up into my lap. Of course, I loved that and hugged him tightly. He wanted to observe the actual process so I put my foot down on the pedal very gently. I did my best to go at a slow pace to keep him safe and sound. You can imagine the joy of holding him near while doing something I loved to do. My husband could not help but take a picture so we could hold on to that memory.
Chaos Control
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me –
put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9 NIV
When doing a sewing project, my sewing utensils get everywhere. Multiple pairs of scissors never seem to be handy when I need them. Thread pullers, pins, clips, spools of thread, and bobbins end up all over the room. I wasted time looking for things instead of sewing. It made me so irritated.
I decided to get things together. I went to a local craft store, and there it was – a fabulous organizational system for people like me. Now, everything hangs right on the wall at my fingertips. I can just reach up and grab whatever I need. I look, I see them. I use them. Easy as that.
How silly would it have been for me to have bought the organizational system and not hung it up and used it?
Sometimes life gets chaotic. Irritation with myself and even God happens. Frustrated, I ask him why he will not just fix whatever bothers me.
Then, he lovingly reminds me that he has already provided me with the “system” I need for any situation. My Bible sits right beside my bed as does my Bible study book. He has given me scriptures to memorize. Bible studies help me dive deeper into his Word and to fellowship with other believers. All these things at my fingertips, but I must grab on to them and put them into practice to receive any benefits.
When I look at that organizational system hanging on my sewing room wall, I get such a joyful feeling. Sewing is so much easier. No more mess everywhere. Likewise, looking to him and utilizing the tools he has provided bring me even more joy and peace.
Father, you lovingly lead us to what we need to manage the chaos in our lives. May we remember your words and put them into practice.
Susan Partida
(Spiritual Growth, Wisdom, Provision)
Then, he lovingly reminds me that he has already provided me with the “system” I need for any situation. My Bible sits right beside my bed as does my Bible study book. He has given me scriptures to memorize. Bible studies help me dive deeper into his Word and to fellowship with other believers. All these things at my fingertips, but I must grab on to them and put them into practice to receive any benefits.
Created with Purpose
The hot pan holders I made serve the purpose of keeping hands from burning when picking up something hot. Ephesians 2:10 tells us God made us for a purpose. Every human being has a God-given purpose. He made us with meaning and a reason to be here.
So, what are we to do with this information?
Taking Out the Trash
We cannot allow the embarrassment of discovering the garbage we have keep us from seeking cleanliness and purity. The work may take quite a while, but will render nothing but reward.