Losing Communication

Devotion:  Psalm 23:3

Ever lost touch with someone?  I recently lost touch with my college roommate.  I couldn’t find her.  She had changed her home and her cell number.  I even reached out on Facebook and still did not hear back from her.  I started to worry.

My friend Bonnie who lives in the same county invited my husband and me up for Memorial Day.  After leaving Bonnie and Linwood’s house on Monday afternoon; I said, “Let’s go by Sheila’s house.  Surely she hasn’t moved away.”

When I knocked on the door; her husband opened the door and Sheila was standing behind him.  Blessed relief!  I said, “There you are.”  My last question on Facebook had been, “Where are you?”

Do you ever feel that way with God?  Have you ever felt as if your communication with Him is forever lost?  It’s the saddest thing in the world.  The only way to lose communication with Him is to “regard iniquity in your heart.”  That is when you must “search your heart to see if there be any wicked way in you.”  As soon as He reveals the “thing” that is standing between you and Him; restoration occurs immediately.  He “removes your sin from you as far as the east is from the west and remembers it no more.”  God doesn’t hold grudges!

Broken fellowship with anyone you love is very sad.  You do all you can do to restore that earthly relationship.  After that; it’s in the hands of God.  You must leave it with Him for either the restoration or separation.

Go the extra mile!  If possible; go to the person.  Go to find out the reason for the lost communication!  It may be something or nothing.  Just go!

Prayer in Motion:

Oh God my Father, the restorer of broken lives; I cry out to You to restore the years the locusts have eaten in lost fellowship, lost time, lost communication.  You long for unity between You and me as well as those with whom communication has been broken.  I pray Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Exchanging the Truth for a Lie

Devotion:  Romans 1:24-25

How do we know when we are exchanging the truth for a lie?  Our flesh always wants its own way.   It always has and always will.  We must continually destroy the desires of the flesh so that God can have His way in our hearts.  He longs for you to exchange the lies for the truth versus the other way around.  Our definition of what is good may be totally opposite of what God desires for us.

I love chocolate.  When I was a little girl, I found some ex-lax in our one bathroom house in the medicine cabinet.  I should not have been in there anyway but thought I had stumbled on a hidden treasure when I found this “chocolate” candy.  I believe I ate a whole sleeve.  Mercy, what smelled like chocolate, tasted like chocolate was indeed not “real” chocolate.  The effects were less than pleasant.  I had exchanged true chocolate for a laxative.  How could this be?

You see, sin can be dressed up to smell good, taste good and seem like it’s the satisfying real thing.  It sweetly goes into our mouths, still tastes good going down our throats into our tummies.  Once it gets into our spiritual tract; discomforting consequences ensue and one wishes they hadn’t swallowed the sin.  Harsh results come when we exchange the truth for a lie.

We can be deceived so easily by our flesh.  God’s Word tells us there is no temptation but such as is common to man, but God has made a way of escape.

Prayer in Motion:

God, help me not to be deceived by the sin that so easily besets me.    I do not want to exchange Your truth for a lie not now, not ever.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

Intimacy with God

Devotion:  James 4:8

How well do you know your God?  Are you on a first name basis with Him?  How do you love Him?  Do you only love Him on Sundays or the times you are with your small group?  Do you love Him when no one is looking?  Do you respond the way God would have you to when you are out driving and someone cuts you off in traffic?  I yell at people all the time.  “What are you thinking?”  “You idiot!”   Now isn’t that Christian?

Do you love Him as your truly beloved, forever and ever till death do you part?  That’s when you will actually see Him and meet Him for the very first time, face to face.  But until then, pray to Him.  Pour into His Word.  Talk to Him about that Word continually.  As you speak and He listens; your life will be transformed.

He calls you His beloved.  Do you have that trysting place?  It’s the place where lovers meet to express their love to one another.  He longs for you, waits for you on a daily basis to come into His presence.  He loves you with an everlasting love and will wait for you continually.  He longs to build you up in your most holy faith, to pour Himself into you and to help you with your problems and trials.

He is preparing a place for you while you are here on earth, the place where you will dwell with Him in eternity.  It’s amazing beyond belief.  Listen for the voice of the One who loves you relentlessly and unconditionally.  The One who is intimately acquainted with all your ways, wants you to be intimately acquainted with Him.

Prayer in Motion: 

Lord Jesus, you are my Bridegroom.  I want to behold You on a daily basis until death do I part.  I want to come into Your kingdom knowing the voice of my Beloved.  Thank You for supplying all my needs.  I wait for You Lord to speak.  May I hear and obey all You say do.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Giants

Devotion:  1 Chronicles 20:8

Tall people have always amazed me. I used to say; “I’m going to be tall in heaven.”   Then I saw the verse that speaks of heaven and says, “You will be known as you are known.  “Oh well, it’s ok.  Short people are loved by God too.  Look at Zacheus.  He got to go home with Jesus,  Jesus!  Wow!

We have a precious young man who comes to our church.  His name is Steve Pinkerton and he owns the gym where our fellowship meets.   I forget if he’s 6′ 7″ or 6’8”.  Anyway, the man is tall and his wife is my height.  He’s the closest thing to a giant I’ve ever known but at least he’s a gentle giant unless you are training under him.  I understand he’s quite tough.  That’s how giants are.  Right?  Tough?

My pastor Andy Williamson asked a question on Sunday. “What if your giants are placed in your pathway to be a blessing to you?”  I can honestly say, I’d never thought about it that way.  I just want my giants to go away.

After Pastor Andy’s sermon, I realized I need to pray for and bless my giants.  They are who they are or what they are.  We must acknowledge them but show them unconditional love as Jesus would.

God allowed them to be in our lives.  It’s probably part of our training in righteousness.  Don’t give up on these people, these giants.  They loom large over you.  Love them unconditionally.  You may not even know how to begin to do this.  Ask God for His help.  He will remind you how He’s loved you unconditionally all the years of your life.

He’s not forgotten you nor your plight in life.   He’s wanting to help you with your giants.  Take yourself out of the equation.  Don’t rebel against the Lord’s plan.  He’s training you in righteousness.  He’s tough that way.

Prayer in Motion: 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the giants in my life.  I’m crying out to you for restoration of my thinking.   I want to bring You honor and glory and blessing so may I be a blessing to the giants in my life.  I love You, Lord.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

So Hot!

Devotion:  Matthew 10:28

Sweat was dripping off most of my six grandchildren.  We were celebrating 2-year-old Jake’s birthday at a nice shady park; however, the kids were playing hard and I noticed bright red faces on all of them.  They were drinking lots of water but it was pouring out of their brows almost as quickly as it went in.

No one complained about the heat because they were having so much fun!  As a child, my family did not have air conditioning.  We did have attic fans that would pull in the cooler night air as we left our windows open in the evening.

I honestly didn’t think much about the heat as a little girl.  I’m certain I got hot. We just didn’t realize we needed air conditioning.  I don’t think it’s any hotter today than back in the day.   I just think it’s what we’ve gotten used to. As I thought about the quickly approaching summer days; I know our vegetables need that hot summer sun to grow and bear what our taste buds crave.  I am now spoiled to air conditioning in my house and in my car.

As a child; I went to a little country church that provided hand-held paper fans, you know the ones on a stick. Men always wore a suit and tie and the women wore dresses with hose and sometimes would don a hat. On the hottest of days; we would fan ourselves while the preacher talked about how hot hell will be.

I just knew as a little girl, it was not a place I wanted to go.  I’m certain it had something to do with asking Jesus in my heart at the early age of seven.

Let’s pray for all those God has given us and talk to them about Jesus and heaven and becoming a follower of Christ.  Hell was not created for humans.  It was created for Satan and his demons.  God truly does not want anyone to perish without Him.

Prayer in Motion:

Lord Jesus, help me to share the truth of the gospel with all who need to hear.  I don’t want anyone to perish without You.  May I always speak the truth in love to those You have given me.  I love You Lord!  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

Speculation or Edification

Devotion:  2 Corinthians 10:5

Today’s verse speaks of destroying speculations.  If we would only put this into practice; to edify those people or circumstances in our mind; our hearts would not be nearly as heavy.  We should practice taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Our flesh is tempted to go for the worst case scenario.  Why do we do that?  We don’t know what the next second holds in our own lives, much less someone else’s.  What in the world?

What makes us want to speculate anyway?  Is life that boring?  My friend Tamera says, ” I wonder?”  Inquiring minds want to know.  If we are genuinely interested; ask your question and the person will either share or they won’t.  In that case, allow your mind to move on to something else, onto someone who honestly wants your help or your prayers.

Speculation about what someone said or did, is or isn’t thinking can crush the one who is doing the speculating.  We need to stop it!  Right now! Why should we allow speculation to control our thoughts? It is a time waster, an energy sucker, hurts your heart and can make you totally discouraged for no good reason.  It’s wrong!  You have no idea what’s going on in the other person’s life!

Nothing good comes from speculation.  Nothing!  What does this verse tell us to do? Destroy speculations.  How do we go about destroying those controlling thoughts?  Take them captive and give them over to God. Replace them with God’s thoughts, His Words.  It is the only way.  Who does He say that you are?

The following comes from Kenneth Boa ministries.  His words come right from the Bible.  They will edify you and help you to replace those speculations over people as well as yourself.  There’s quite a few of them but just use the ones specific to your needs.

• I am a child of God.

But to all who have received him–those who believe in his name–he has given the right to become God’s children … (John 1:12).

• I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ’s life.

I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me–and I in him–bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing (John 15:1, 5).

• I am a friend of Jesus.

I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father (John 15:15).

• I have been justified and redeemed.

But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

• My old self was crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a slave to sin.

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6).

• I will not be condemned by God.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

• I have been set free from the law of sin and death.

For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

• As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ.

And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)–if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:17).

• I have been accepted by Christ.

Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory (Romans 15:7).

• I have been called to be a saint.

… To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2). (See also Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, and Colossians 1:2.)

• In Christ Jesus, I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption … (1 Corinthians 1:30).

• My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 6:19)?

• I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.

But the one united with the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17).

• God leads me in the triumph and knowledge of Christ.

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).

• The hardening of my mind has been removed in Christ.

But their minds were closed. For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read./netbible2/index.php?header=&book=2co&chapter=3 It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away (2 Corinthians 3:14).

• I am a new creature in Christ.

So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away–look, what is new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

• I have become the righteousness of God in Christ.

God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

• I have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female–for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

• I am no longer a slave, but a child and an heir.

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God (Galatians 4:7).

• I have been set free in Christ.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

• I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God.

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love (Ephesians 1:4).

• I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

• I have been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance.

In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

• I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)–when you believed in Christ–you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

• Because of God’s mercy and love, I have been made alive with Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you are saved (Ephesians 2:4-5)!

• I am seated in the heavenly places with Christ.

… And he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … (Ephesians 2:6).

• I am God’s workmanship created to produce good works.

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them (Ephesians 2:10).

• I have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ.

But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

• I am a member of Christ’s body and a partaker of His promise.

… The Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6). (See also Ephesians 5:30.)

• I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ.

… In whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness (Ephesians 3:12).

• My new self is righteous and holy.

… Put on the new man who has been created in God’s image–in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth (Ephesians 4:24).

• I was formerly darkness, but now I am light in the Lord.

… For you were at one time darkness, but now you are/netbible2/index.php?header=&book=eph&chapter=5 light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light (Ephesians 5:8).

• I am a citizen of heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven–and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ … (Philippians 3:20).

• The peace of God guards my heart and mind.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

• God supplies all my needs.

And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

• I have been made complete in Christ.

… You have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority (Colossians 2:10).

• I have been raised up with Christ.

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).

• My life is hidden with Christ in God.

… For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

• Christ is my life, and I will be revealed with Him in glory.

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him (Colossians 3:4).

• I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience … (Colossians 3:12).

• God loves me and has chosen me.

We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you … (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

The more we embrace these truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world.

 

And the Tide Keeps Coming

Devotion:  Psalm 42:7

As I sought to encourage a couple of people through text; I had a picture of the ocean tide rolling over them with peace and encouragement.  I prayed that encouragement and peace would wash over them continually.

This world can be a harsh place to live and move and have our being.  Circumstances can become critical.  How we react depends upon our view.  We can be robbed of our joy if we allow ourselves to be engulfed with the things that try to stifle us.

God did not intend for you nor His message to be stifled.  We are to be glad for what He is planning for us.  We don’t know how or when things will change.  It may not be this side of eternity but will you praise Him anyway?  Will you seek to have a heart of worship?

Our response as believers should be godly however much of the time; what pours out of our mouths depends upon what we have hidden in our hearts.  God’s Word should be written upon the walls of our hearts.

When the gravity of the tide seems to be negatively impacting your entire being, and what you know to be true seems to be eroding away.  You feel as if you are losing your footing.    What can you do to change your actions and reactions?  Open God’s Word and pray it back to Him.  It’s absolutely our strongest defense.

Just as the tide of the ocean will always keep coming in, there will be things coming in life that may or may not have been warranted.  Christians possess inside of them the ability to “stand and see the salvation of the Lord,” in any and every circumstance.  It is totally our choice.

Prayer in Motion:

Lord Jesus, thank you for keeping your grace rolling over me.  Your love is as continual as the tide.  No matter what earthly tide rolls over me, Your heavenly tide washes over me.  Thank You for reminding me that You are still in control no matter the tide that comes over me in this world.

Watering the Artificial

Devotion:  Ephesians 5:26

When my friend Patty Proffit goes on vacation; I water her plants.  She has a small vegetable garden and a plethora of beautiful flowers surrounding her property.

In the corner of Patty’s backyard is a swing surrounded by plants and flowers.  Over this swing is a canopy of trees which only allows her to grow shade-friendly plants.  However; I looked up to see two beautiful hanging baskets on either side of the swing. I thought, “Oh, Patty’s found something beautiful that will thrive in the shade.  They looked real so I lavishly watered them.  As soon as I had given them their drink of water;

                         I realized they were artificial.

My first thought was; “Oh no, I’ve killed them.”  Good grief; how can you kill artificial plants?  You know that moment when you look around to see if anybody else saw the crazy thing you just did?  Bummer!  I began to laugh at myself and of course, texted Patty to tell her of my faux pas.  Hopefully, it gave her a good laugh.

My only excuse is that I’m short.  From below; those blooms, as well as the greenery, looked absolutely real to me.  It’s when I took a step back that my eyes realized these plants did not now nor would they ever require water.

Today’s verse is talking about husbands loving their wives through the washing of the water of the word, God’s Word.  It cleanses and satisfies our soul like nothing else.  To have someone speak or pray God’s Word over you is the most powerful and precious treasure.  There is nothing artificial in this life-giving, soul-satisfying water.  Jesus is the Word that waters thirsty souls.  There is overflow that pours out from it when it is read or spoken.

Pour God’s Word into anyone who will listen and receive its truth.

Prayer in Motion:

Lord Jesus, may I pour into all those You have given me Your Word.  I want to water those who are ready to hear and drink from Your truth.  It is the only truth that will remain.  I love You, Lord.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Progress Progressing

Devotion:  1 Timothy 4:12-16

My friend Stephanie Livengood texted me this phrase: “Progress progressing.  I thought it to be so powerful, I wanted to share it with you.

We are all a work in progress.  God’s still working on us, to make us what we ought to be.  There’s an invisible timeline somewhere that only God can see our progress progressing.  Many times we feel as if we are walking uphill against hurricane force winds.  Life can be tough.

However; we serve a good God who is always walking alongside us; yes, even in the hurricane force winds.  Those winds can make it a little more difficult to hear His voice and see His face but it doesn’t mean He isn’t there.  The One who promised to never leave you nor forsake you is with you.  His promises are yes and amen.

Do not be discouraged nor dismayed for the Lord your God is with you. Emmanuel is with you.

         Friend, you a work in progress and God knows                                        you are progressing!

He will never give up on you!  Not now.  Not ever.  There’s always hope.  Always!  You may feel you are inching along but every inch is getting you toward the finish line, the prize of your upward calling.

God is in the progress and the progressing.  We want it NOW.  We aren’t very patient.  Love is patient.  That’s how God remains so patient with us because God is love.  He is patient in the process of our progress.  With Him, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day.  I know you must be thinking; Lord, may this “thing” not take a thousand years.  I’m right there with you.

Prayer in Motion:

Lord Jesus, I’m in the dark about many things.  I must trust that You are working all things together for my good and Your glory.  Forgive me for not trusting that You are Emmanuel, God with me.  I am your progressing work and You will bring the progress at the right time.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Break for Bread

Devotion:  Psalm 121:1-2

I ran into Harris Teeter; the local grocery store to pick up garlic bread to take with some baked spaghetti I had made for a friend who recently had surgery.  I wanted to take this family fresh garlic bread however, they had sold out.  I asked a young man where to find the frozen garlic bread.  I told him I had observed him doing inventory and was sorry to bother him. He replied, “That’s ok, I was needing a break anyway.”  So I said, “Look at us helping each other out.”  We both laughed as he took me all the way across to the other side of the store.  I got my bread and he got a break.

Do you work hard to try and help others?  I have plenty of friends who do.   They live to help others.  Helps is their gift.  Nothing makes them happier than helping the people God places in their lives.

Have you ever needed something and another person needed something from you, sort of “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours?”  Real help is when you give it expecting nothing in return.  God is our “very present help in trouble.”  I have been helped by so many over the course of my life; that I want to help all those that I can for as long as I can in all the ways that I can.

We are provided bread by the Bread of Life and He’s the same One who gives us a break from the debt of our sin.  No One can help us like Jesus.  He is our present help in time of trouble.

Prayer in Motion:

Lord Jesus, how can I be help to those You have ordained for me?  You are a very present help in my time of trouble.  You will be to all those who turn to You.  Bread of Heaven; thank You for providing a break for all those who look to You for help.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.