Thursday, March 28, 2024

Holy Week '24 . . . be used gladly!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 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 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(Philippians 2:14-17)

We think of being used as a bad thing in today's world . . . but not in CHRISTian circles! You see, we all . . . me included . . . grumble and argue about things way too much! We act just like everyone else rather than standing out like shining stars in the night. As Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 32:5, we live in a "warped and crooked generation"
 So as children of God, why act like them?

Let's allow ourselves to be used gladly by God . . . "poured out like a drink offering" until we are empty . . . every day! These last few days of Holy Week '24 I am going to attempt to grumble and complain less and seek to be used gladly by God more and more. 

What about you?

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Holy Week'24 . . . praying that others may know.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:3-5)

In the first two verses of this letter from Paul, he challenges us to live sacrificially each day and to allow God the Holy Spirit to change or renew our minds to be more like His. In these few passages, he goes on the remind us that neither of us is more important than the other. If we are to function as one Body, and be impactful in this world for Christ, than we must realize that each of us has an important contribution to make.
👈Check out the verse to the left. . . I pray this day of Holy Week '24 that through our love and respect for one another, that we can show those on the outside what it is like to be one in Christ. I am praying that others may know Jesus because of how we treat one another . . . then if necessary we can use words.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

HOLY WEEK '24 . . . . Wait for God!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;  it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord . . . (Lamentations 3:22-26)

Let's face it, it is a challenging world and many times we want answers NOW. We want help NOW. We want change NOW.  So rather than waiting upon God, we try to act on our own. 

How does that usually work out?

The Jews had centuries of waiting upon God, but time after time they would do their own thing and end up much worse. They would find themselves in captivity, under foreign rule, even lost and wandering for over forty years in a desert! Haven't we done the same . . . taken captive by schemes and plans of this world . . . ruled by people who do not have our best interests in mind . . . lost in this world and not able to find our way back to God?

Listen the the prophet Jeremiah. God is faithful. He is ever compassionate toward His children. His mercies are new each day. Today is always a good day to say: The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him!

As we look forward to recalling Jesus' Passion for us this week, let us also anticipate His coming once again. As we wait for God to act on or behalf in this present world, we can also wait excitedly for our salvation in eternity!

Monday, March 25, 2024

Holy Week '24 . . . stop complaining; the struggles are real and needed!

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, so he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10: 12-13)

Oh boy, do we love to complain. Just as our ancestors did in the wilderness. We sometimes wonder how the Jews could possibly complain when God rescued them from slavery and provided for them day and night. Yet there was a purpose behind it all. God was trying to show them just Who He was and how much more powerful He was than any of the false gods of the world.

Many times we find ourselves complaining about our struggles, when God is trying to teach us a vital lesson. We rely so much upon the things (gods) of this world that we forget to depend upon God. He wants us to see His care . . . His love . . . His way, yes especially in the struggles.

Just as Jesus had to suffer, we too will suffer. Lord willing, not to the degree Jesus did, but who knows? They are real and needed for our spiritual growth! Like with the Jews in the wilderness and with Jesus on the cross, God is right there helping us through. 

Father, forgive me for complaining!

Friday, March 22, 2024

A simple task . . .

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God . . . (Philippians 4:4-6)

Todays devotion reminds of a very simple task: always be thankful to the Lord! Throughout the day, reflect upon Him and all He is, not simply all He does. In fact, let's make a list of why we are so thankful for the Lord today and reflect upon it the entire day!
  • He is God.
  • He is Holy.
  • He is ever present.
  • He never stops watching over me.
  • He is always will to listen.
  • He forgives before I even ask.
  • He knows my very thoughts yet never condemns me because of His grace.
  • He loves me when no one else does.
  • He will welcome me home one day/
  • and on and on and on . . . . .

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Super man? No . . . Super God!

Look! A bird? . . . a plane? . . . No . . . it's Super God!

“I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, Your anger has turned away and You have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense . . . He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:1-2)

No one . . . absolutely no one . . . is stronger, wiser, or more powerful than our God! All the superheroes and brainiacs combined could not match the strength and wisdom of our God. Yet we as mere mortals still try to solve every riddle and perform every task in our own strength!

Trusting God allows us to overcome fears, anxieties and weaknesses. It takes practice. It begins with the little everyday things and grows to a trust with the largest, life-changing challenges. 

God knows. God cares. God can!




Wednesday, March 20, 2024

On our way home . . .

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

As believers, we are always on our way home! Once born again, we are now on a journey home . . . for some a short journey and for some a long journey, but on our way home nonetheless.

You see, once we belong to Christ, all we do is pointed toward eternity. It is like taking a long road trip. We are constantly asking, "Are we there yet?" Well, not quite.

We have some stops to make along the way. We have a break down here and there. We meet new friends. We are side tracked and take a wrong turn. Detours take us off track. Yet God, through His Spirit, always brings us back to the right road and we continue on our way home

Think about our personal journeys today. In which direction are we headed? Are we going in the right direction?

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Voices of accusation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. . . . . Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(Romans 8:1-2,5)

The voices of accusation are not from God. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by the voices of the world. The Spirit within the believer allows us to be calm and not to hastily react, but pray . . . pray for those who wrongly attack us and react with words of dishonor and wrongful complaints. 

Remember, what God has for us as individuals is for us. Many will not understand. It's ok. We must also remember that Satan can use just about anyone to cause us to lose focus. Let's allow God's Spirit to grace us with patience and prayer!


Monday, March 18, 2024

What really matters anyway?

What do they think about me? Ever wonder that? What do people really say about me when I am not around them? The better question might be: Should it really matter that much?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (MATTHEW 6:19-21)

Let's face it, as a Christ follower . . . a genuine, dedicated, hard-core follower of Jesus Christ, we can do absolutely nothing when it comes to others' opinions of us! We can try to impress this one and that one with our efforts only to be misunderstood and misrepresented by someone else, ruining our efforts to please others. 

What really matters anyway?

People's opinions of us will vary like the weather. Who knows us better than God? We can do all we can to make sure we do all the right things here on earth only to find out none of it matters. Only what we do for Christ will last! We must set our hearts and minds on the things of Christ and seek to please Him alone.

Where is our heart today . . . with others or with Christ? What really matters?

Friday, March 15, 2024

Gut check . . . .and a little about St. Patrick!

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Mathew 7:21)

I am having a little fun today as we are approaching St. Patrick's day, as we who may just be a 'lil bit Irish and some who are in no way Irish celebrate the culture anyway! By the way, the original color of Ireland was
blue . . . changed to green during the Irish rebellion and the shamrock ☘ became a fighting symbol of unity. 

Patrick, or Succat as he was known in Gaelic, was a true man of God. Taken into slavery from England as a teen by Druid priests, he managed to escape back to England. He gave his life to Christ and then returned to Ireland determined to win his captors for Christ! He did the will of God despite the sacrifice and struggles.

This is a portion of the prayer he kept within his breastplate: 

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me."

So here is the GUT CHECK? Are we willing to do the Father's will?

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Constant change

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 3:18)

As believers . . . true followers of Christ . . . we are constantly being transformed into His likeness and character. As we grow in our knowledge of God and His character, we begin to conform to that character through His Holy Spirit living inside of every believer. However, we must pursue Him in order to experience thing transformation. It does not happen without effort

After all, he rewards those who earnestly seek him.(Hebrews 11:6) 

God is waiting for us to commit to Him so He can do His work in us. He is not a bully! He will not force it. We must submit to His ways. The CHRISTian walk is a walk of constant change.

Holy Week '24 . . . be used gladly!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing , so that you may become blameless and pure , “children of God without fault in a warped and cro...