Devotional

Language is such a unique thing.   Besides the languages you and I may have heard of, there are thousands more. From the web, it’s estimated that up to 7,000 different languages are spoken around the world. 90% of these languages are used by less than 100,000 people. Over a million people converse in 150-200 languages and 46 languages have just a single speaker!

What’s behind those languages are more dialects and colloquialisms. Interpretations, emotional feelings behind the words. Often our body language makes a difference or the tone of our voice. We speak English. Depending on what region you live in, that too can sound like you are from a completely different country.

When we read the Word of God, we come from our own paradigm and perspective. We read it based on what that particular word means to us, personally speaking. Recently I was listening to a young lady who speaks at least 4 languages. She was relating how some languages have a fullness to them and use flowery speech and speak in almost like a scene. Other languages, like English are more direct. Another one may have many meanings for the same word and how it is used or what words are used around it, relate to it’s meaning at the time.

James 3:18  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What do you think peace means in the above sentence? I can tell you what I think it means. Peace- calmness, a mediator, quietness, stillness.

In this sentence, written by the brother of Jesus, it is a sense of wellbeing. A state of mind. Peace. And to tie together, make it a whole.

That makes such a huge difference. If you make peace, give a sense of well being, peace of mind to yourself and others, you sow literally a harvest of God’s approval. Now that’s a harvest. Peace of mind. Overall wellbeing. And it’s cyclical.  What we give out, make wellbeing for others and sow into ourselves, reaps a harvest that is sown back in the same way.

Father, help me to be a peacemaker. Lord that I may care about the wellbeing of myself and of others. My desire is to sow and scatter to each one the way you have received me. In Jesus name, Amen

Ever had your mom or dad, or a friend recommend you to do something or not do something and you did exactly the opposite of the recommendation? Ever had it turn out where you actually then needed their help because of what they said to do or not to do?

How about going out without a coat when the temperature was dropping and then it was freezing…then the car breaks down? What about hanging with friends that got the raised eyebrow? Maybe you spent your money on something frivolous or an instant desire and then needed to borrow money? There are many examples that can be life changing or wear away at you day by day and all of a sudden you awaken and wonder how did I get here, against all previous advice.

When I was maybe fourth or fifth grade, before dishwashers were common, my sister and I were the dish washers.  It was a game at times to see if the dry-er person could dry faster than the wash-er person or be the clean ‘inspector’. But one day I wanted to carry all the plates and bowls we were using at once. Dishes were stoneware. Dad or mom suggested I not carry them all at once. I said I could do it….I bet you know what’s coming. Yeah, I’d done it successfully a thousand several times. But that day was the day they mentioned it and it was that day that I dropped every last one. I still remember the feeling.

No one said I told you so.  No one even got upset. That was a surprise. They helped me clean it up. Said they were just dishes. I still tried to make excuses. Remember saying something about my hands being wet. Grace was given. And they knew me, how I felt.

My God, our God, KNOWS you. He knows who you are, where you are, an what’s happening. He loves you. Completely.

Isaiah 44:2 Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you:

Lamentation 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

And so my prayer today for you and for myself is, no matter the circumstance, no matter the thought, whatever your current station:

Jeremiah 14:17 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

and

Psalm 91:14-15 Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Amen

Ever felt forgotten? Ever not been invited when most of your friends have? How about unappreciated? Or lonely? Rejected?

Genesis 40:23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Joseph’s circumstance was, to say the least, a bit dire. At 17 he was thrown down a well, his brothers sold him into slavery(telling his father he was dead), worked his way up and found favor with Pharaoh…..just to have his wife accuse him of making advances at her. He is thrown into prison. We are not even to the part where he was forgotten yet!

Gen 39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

So, would that be a consolation to you? Not me. I’d be saying God, where are you? I mean you promised me all these things. Then I would repeat all my injustices to him (insert paragraph above again). And out of this, you give me more responsibility and I have to work more, in prison. Thanks, God.

Kudos to you, who would receive that with love and grace and think it would all work out. Not sure I would have. I’m certain I wouldn’t.

Then, one day the cupbearer and baker of the king were thrown into prison and had dreams. No one could interpret and Joseph said he could tell them the meaning. When he did this, he told the cupbearer he would be reinstated with the king. When this occured, Joseph asked him to remember him to Pharaoh.

Here’s the verse we started with-the cupbearer forgot him. Left in the prison longer….TWO years later, Pharaoh has a dream. No one can tell him the meaning. Then the cupbearer remembers. And you can pick up from here on happenings if you desire in Genesis 41:15

Remembered.

Psalm 112:4-8 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

All in good time. His time. You are not forgotten. You are forever remembered. Trust Him. Thank you Lord that you are trustworthy. My heart is steady. I trust You.

It is January,  time for making new resolutions or intentions for the year. My church often does a time of prayer and fasting. It begins during the second week of January. I like this, alot. It gives me time to reflect and focus. It helps me to change gears, downshift from activity, to contemplation.

Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

As I read this, I know my God knows me. I don’t always think about that. Not sure I want him to know me that well. He can discern all my thoughts. He knows all my ways. How well do I know me? Do I know why I think the way that I think or do some of the things I do? Do I really think for myself? Do I really ask for guidance and want his ways?

Psalm 139:17-18 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Well look, right in the middle of all that swirls around, he comes out and says in the middle of the same song of David, his thoughts of me are precious or highly praised and valued. Is that where my brain went with my thoughts? Doesn’t matter what I think or what he saw…..His thoughts of me are prized, always on his mind,  here, loving with me.  He already knows my thoughts and still he loves me and has precious thoughts more than I could count.

How convinced am I? How convinced are you? Wanna know how convinced David was of this (since he wrote this)?

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

He asks God to search him and know his thoughts. Go ahead God, I know how much you love me, think about me. I am willing. Try me. I willing let you into every corner of my thoughts!

Yes, Lord, as this new year begins to unfold, and I head into a season of fasting and prayer for Your will and ways in my life. I believe you. You already know me and love me more than I can love or think of anyone, even You. I give you permission to search me, try me. I trust you. I want You more than anything. I desire to be completely open before you. Have your way in me.

Open communication and open heart await!

Something about the new year. Once Christmas, in all her mesmerizing hope and goodness, have passed, I’m one who wants everything put away, do a thorough cleaning, and move on to what the new year has to offer. It’s like one season ends and immediately I am in another.

Many of us have used  this next scripture: Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

But if we read verse 3 first: Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness (or feed on faithfulness).

And then verse 5, the one after says: Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Well alrighty then!  I know I want the desires of my heart….I bet you do too. So for this new year, I’m taking what He says to be true. And for that to take place, I need to know what He is saying, not what I think it means (I use the Interlinear Bible for reference and Strong’s).

1. Trust (vs 3)- be secure, confident;  the word faithfulness in some translations says truly. But it means firm, steadfast.
2. Delight (vs 4)-myself in Him.  Surprise- it means delicate, soft, delight,  make soft or pliable.  Read this way- Be soft, pliable in the Lord. He will give you the desires of your heart.  That changes it for me even if I don’t use the verse above or below it.
3. Commit (vs 5) means to roll away….scratching your head yet?, roll away…. it means to push yourself out from touching anything else. Roll away! When you commit, you move away from other thoughts, ideas, perspectives.

Rewritten it says this: Be secure, confident in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be firm and befriend faithfulness. Become soft and pliable in the Lord’s hands, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Roll away from other ideas and perspectives. Fully commit with no other choice, your way to Him. Be secure and confident in him, and he will act.

In this season, in my walk, I do believe I can trust him. But where I need to concentrate is befriending that faithfulness. I need to be steadfast in my decisions of everyday life (sounds like a resolution to me). This usually needs help between my ears. What I think, then I act. What I act upon, I become. I am deciding to commit, roll away from what others are doing or saying. I am rolling to Truth. I’m all in Father. I trust you. I love you. You love me and will act on my behalf.

New year. New season. Hello my new friend faithfulness.

How does wisdom show herself? How do I know I am walking in it? What is wisdom?

James,  the brother of Jesus, had first hand knowledge of Jesus from the beginning. Here is a man who would know Truth and lived side by side, day in and day out, with the man we call Savior. His book sometimes is called the Proverbs of the New Testament. It is full of practical application. He writes:

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

In this case, wisdom is the knowledge and practice of the essentials for godly, upright living. Well I certainly need that! If you show me, I will follow. I can do it. I want to do it.

Pure- to be clean inside and out or not mixed with guilt or anything condemnable.

What does it mean to be clean? I think we all have different ideas of this, you know those levels of well this is ok because everyone else is doing it. Maybe it’s the I had a right to say this or that because he or she offended me or talked about me. What about-this is acceptable but I would never do that? We each have our own methods of justification. Comparison, often is the culprit.

Clean really, is whiter than white. No spots. No wrinkles. Bright. You can see it, feel it, hear it, even smell it. Well count me out. I spill or mark up in moments anything clean, white and bright. Truly, white gets dingy even if I don’t spill on it. Nearly impossible to keep clean!

This is how we treat our relationships, our selves, our lives and often look at others.  We think it’s too good to be true.

Notice it’s NEARLY impossible. That’s because near to you and to me is the BUT GOD factor.

We are clean if we- confess our sins and pray for one another (James 5:16), abide in Him (John 15:3-5), and love each other earnestly (1 Peter 4:8). It covers and removes. It gives the benefit. Hopes and believes all things. Keep on keeping on.

And really, it’s our choice. We get to decide. We know. We do know. There is always that little voice, if we choose to recognize it, our conscience guiding and leading us. I love what Paul says in Acts 14:15 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

He sees you through Jesus.  Not judgment. God is love (1 John 4:7-8). For you and me.

Clean, no scrubbing required, just hang close enough that you are covered by His love.

Anyone remember the wise old owl licking the lollipop to get to the Tootsie Roll in the middle? One, two, three…..crunch. It takes exactly three at least according to the wise old owl.

How many tries does it take for you to get to the center of what you need, want, desire, for a circumstance to change or something to happen? One? Two? Ten? None?

Matthew 17:20 says if you have the faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing would be impossible.

So, this says ‘a’ or ONE mustard seed. It’s the tiniest littlest seed ever. It can move mountains. And if you are like me, you are thinking gosh I don’t even have that or I don’t have the belief system for it because I think I am believing with all of me and nothing has happened.

Romans 12:3 says….. each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. You’ve been assigned! You already got it. A measure of it…..did you get a pinch? how about a cup? maybe you got bushels of it?! It really doesn’t matter because the measure of a grain of a mustard seed is more than enough.

That’s great, now what.

Well seeds, in order to become what they are meant to be, must be planted. Once planted, they are left alone, in the dirt, no light, seemingly dead. Then God, with all the internal potential, changes the very nature of that little seed, into a seedling.  It’s activated, by letting go. Trust. And then a new nature is born.

That seedling now grows by the active Word of God in your life (Romans 10:17). Walk it out. Day by day. It will be acts of courage and love. It will be making a choice, sometimes when no one else is. It won’t seem fair either. Doing the right thing is hard. It will cost you. It’s easy and it’s hard all a the same time. It’s a process. What seeds you plant, today it has been faith, but what you plant, will be returned to you.

So to sum up, faith, that seed He has already given you, must be planted in the fertile soil of your heart, letting go and trusting Him to give you the new nature of belief. To activate it, you feed on His Word of Truth, and let Him watch over it as you let it go into His careful and loving hands. You get to walk out, purposeful and put actions to this faith. It will grow. Faith and working it out in love go hand in hand. And the more you step, the closer you are to the miracle that moves mountains.  You will then be the resting place for others, encouraging and a safe, as they walk out their miracles.

Belief, Believe, Believing, all forms of a word that, probably if I were to really think about it, something I think I should know, but in actuality, not necessarily something I would always stake my life upon.

Belief is a word that bases it’s meaning as: think to be true, be persuaded, credit, confidence, reliance upon, to trust, and conviction.

Faith goes hand in hand. I was taught it is the absence of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. In other words believing for what has not yet occurred.

So believing is a process. That’s a relief.

My belief in God is something I can remember carrying since I was a young girl. Just that I know, that I know, that I know, but I can’t really explain it to you. I was and still am persuaded. As I learned of my Jesus, my confidence grew as I learned to trust Him with more and more. Then my convictions gave way to credibility based on truth, experience, and better understanding. Again, another growth spurt. Even when I don’t understand, my belief grows based on the past strength of credibility and His trustworthiness all wrapped in love. Now I can trust Him more because my foundation is more sure and sturdy.

Do I always understand? Nope- Do things occur that seem unfair? Yep – Do I get a no sometimes when I really thought it was yes? Yep – Do I completely trust? Nope, not yet

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Well, I’ll be- look, at that- it doesn’t come naturally or something I am endowed with. It’s available, but I have to put on, over my heart and lungs (vital organs for life), both faith AND love! Put on, as in everyday I put on my shirt. It’s for preservation, for protection, for coverage.  If you have it on, others can and will see it. Put on faith. Put on love.  Oh, and to protect my mind,  not as an afterthought, the helmet of salvation. That brain between my ears, determines my direction. So let me put on the protection of my mind with hope (expectation that it will happen in the future) for my deliverance, preservation and welfare.

Where are you?  Where is your hope set? What do you believe?

Father, thank you that You are Love. You are Faith. You are Hope. These are a few facets of Your character, who you really are.  Help me to remember, before I ever set my feet to the floor, to put on Your clothing. Today I choose to put on Your coverage that you provide for me. Thank you that it is free for the taking and it fits to me like a second skin. Thank you for Your kindness and mercies that are new every morning. I choose to wear the character of You. In Jesus name.

Whenever I think about the phrase walk this way, I think about the song that played with the same title while Scotty Hamilton performed his routine to it while ice skating. Yes, my age is showing. If you haven’t seen it, from years ago, the 90’s,  you should Youtube it.

How do we walk? Your walk is completely your own. You have a stride, a length of step, a cadence. When you know someone well, often you can see just their legs or see them walk from afar, and know it’s them. Yet, we all walk the same way. Two feet on the ground, standing upright, one foot in front of the other, day after day, moment by moment.

How’s your spiritual walk? How are you recognized? Do you know the path you are on? Where are you going? What marks your walk?

Micah 6:8 says He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

This, I write, today, for you, yes you reading this are on my heart. You are called. Do you do yourself justice? Do you give yourself kindness? What about gentleness and patience? Do you bear and give yourself a break when it’s a less than stellar day? Do you partner with that unity of our precious Holy Spirit to let peace become a bond?

It’s a process this life, this walk with our Lord. He says to you well done good and faithful servant. You know Me, he says. I know you better than you know yourself. You are my friends. I am working out all things for your good. I love that you love me! I have loved you before you were even formed. I am love. So are you.

Thank you Lord God for coming along side us in life. This walk is not alone. When we no longer have strength, you carry. When we are excited, we run this race with gusto. As we tire, you support and lift us up. Thank you for your consistency and truth. You are right here.

Walk on.

Metamorphosis.

This is a word that conjures up thought of great change. Not sure about you but I think most of us immediately think about a butterfly that has emerged from it’s cocoon.

Romans 12:2 uses the same word. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Notice after transformed it say by the renewal of your mind? Renewal means to have a change of heart and life.

Ever thought that in order to change or metamorphosis your mind you would have to actually have a change of heart? Often we try to use our will and just command the mind to obey. We may succeed for a time, but then what seeps back in are the old patterns and ways. Or maybe we can’t cross that barrier at all because we don’t want to change.  Perhaps we don’t change our mind because we really don’t think there is anything wrong with what we are thinking or doing.

If we back up to Romans 12:1-  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Ahhh, what? You want me to sacrifice???? When does He want you to sacrifice? If we put it together first. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Do not conform to the world but metamorphosis by the change of heart and life (with your mind), so that you know His will and what is good.

The butterfly is such a good visual for it. How do you not conform to the world? How do you sacrifice? Pull away and go into a cocoon where all the distracting voices reside on the outside. Wrap yourself in His word and love. In a cocoon, you are protected. Sacrifice the busyness of life for one on one time with God. Be still. Let Him work in you. When you emerge, you are not the same as when you went in. I don’t think the caterpillar went into the cocoon knowing how it would transform and emerge. It had to submit to the aloneness, felt isolation, pressures, and change that were occurring within itself. It bound itself so nothing could spoil the process and it couldn’t crawl away. Let your heart and mind take you away for real change.

Lord, I want your way in my life. Your will. I submit to you. I choose to change and transform. I want to be like you.

Currently we are in autumn, almost to snow. There is a chill in the air, the leaves have turned (one thing I truly love about where I live), and this season ushered in what is traditionally harvest season.

In order to get here, you had to have spring, the time of sowing. The soil (of the heart) is prepared by having rocks removed and then being plowed before planting. In my life, this has been a repeat process. It would be really cool if once tilled and adequately prepared, it would last. Fresh, soft, rich in nutrients, moist, and ready to support life.

How’s your heart?

Once planted, hefty doses of sunshine and water ensure growth and a desire for more. Summer is just around the corner. Weeds pop up. More sun. Springs rains have lapsed some and the beat of the heat brings more life and green. Wind of the Spirit blows and refreshes in the midst of the heat. Tend the garden of your heart. Watch over it. Harvest is near.

Autumn arrives and it’s ripe for picking. 

Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Which ones did you produce this season?

Winter is near. The time for inner growth. So many, never want this season. But without it, roots wouldn’t grow deep. Strength to endure the storms of life are matured here. It’s when the leaves are gone, your branches bare, and vulnerability shows. Embrace it. Spring is just around the corner.

Then, one day, you will awaken and arise to:

Ezekiel 47:12  And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

You are one of them.

Ever desired something so much that you couldn’t sleep? It’s all you can think about. It happens when we are kids and we know we are going to a favorite place. As adults it may be the night before you get married or buying your first house.

Ever stayed awake all night because of worry? It’s all you think about.  As kids sometimes it’s nervousness with something like the first day of school.  Ever been concerned so much you wondered what was going to happen? Or you had an argument and you can’t stop thinking about what could have been said or should have been said?

Recently I heard, that fear and faith both have the same root. How is that? Neither one has happened yet.  It’s so true.  Things happen to each of us, but fear in what hasn’t happened, sets up to expect them. Faith helps us to trust in and expect the good to happen. It’s about perspective.

Isaiah 32:17-18 says And the effect of righteousness (honesty, justice) will be peace, and the result of righteousness (honesty, justice), quietness and trust forever.  My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

One factor is knowing your place in Him, Jesus. If you live in right standing with Him, trust in him, you can and will live in a peaceful habitation -within your spirit. The world always has it’s ups and downs. Bad things do happen to good people. It, which means anything in life, it, not matter what it is, can happen to anyone. The difference is knowing your place in God and His ability to take care of you, His goodness that abounds, even when you aren’t sure why something is happening.

I choose life. I choose to know my God sees. I know He cares. His love is eternal, even when I don’t understand. I choose peace.

Daniel, a man who said he would serve God, no matter what, had great faith and peacefulness no matter the circumstance.

Daniel 3:16-17 “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you on this point. ¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!”

Essentially, Daniel says, God knows best. He is Truth. He will not leave me. It is God’s choice to rescue me. If not, it doesn’t matter. I refuse to serve other gods or idols and sway my opinion based on what God does or doesn’t do for me. It’s about God. He loves me and knows me and will care for me. I have all my trust in Him.

Father God, you are God and you do see. Today I choose to put my trust in You. My times are in Your loving hands. I choose to live in faith and peace. Help me, specifically when I don’t understand, to rely on, trust in, and adhere, stick like glue, to you. Amen.

Confession

No matter the season, the circumstance, or phase of life we are in, there is always room for more hope. In our common ground we tend to use hope as a desire or wish thrown out into the atmosphere desiring that it will find it’s way back to us, fulfilled. Hope is a word we find on plaques to hang on walls. It’s a word used before big games as the underdog or the last ticking seconds need a desperate shot or pass. We use hope almost as a last ditch effort.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Or you could say it this way: Expectation that drags out makes the heart sick, but a delight, desire or favorite fulfilled, is a tree of life.

Yes, hope is actually a word that equates expectation. So, when you really desire something and it drags out….there is great disappointment. But then, yes, when it is fulfilled, it brings life and sinks your roots of belief in a little deeper.

No matter where you are on this spectrum of need, want, healing, change of circumstance for you or another-

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope (expectation) without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

He has promised that He would never leave you or forsake you, even in the middle of the mess. He promised to work all things for good in Christ Jesus to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (that’s you). He has promised He would be faithful even when we happen to stumble. He says He will give you peace, the kind that passes our normal brain, when nothing around us seems to change. He said he has promised that if He cares for the sparrow and knows every bird, He can see and watches over you. He said that if you seek Him you will find Him. He is God. He is not a man. For God it is impossible to lie. He loves you with an everlasting love. His mercies are new every morning.

My prayer this morning for you my friends is let us confess with expectation and steadiness to know our God is willing and able, that what he has promised, what you need, He is handling, taking care of for you. He loves you. Give it to Him. His hope is eternal. He is right here with you. He is the answer. May your trust be in Him. He has overcome the world. He is here for you. He is your tree of life.

Good morning, how was your chat with God this am? Did you sip your coffee as you discussed the events for the day? Did you pour out your heart for what concerns you? What did he say when you asked him what was on his heart about your situation? Who did you bring up that needs some extra love today? How did he respond? What did he ask you to do today? Did you sound like a broken record repeating yourself? Does he know what brings you joy? Did he recognize your thankfulness for his provision?

Romans 12:12b  Be constant in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Prayer, it’s an all the time, keep at it, thankful, for you and for others. It’s for needs and wants and desires and thoughts and pain and the good and the bad and the ugly and the vision and the detail and….you fill in the blank.

As a very dear friend of mine recently put it, prayer is talking to God. It’s just talking to God. Talking to God. Talk to God.

God you are awesome. The sunrise this morning was bright and clear and almost blinding. Thank you for this new day. I want to thank you that you want to talk to me. You are a good listener. You ask in your Word that I always maintain that heart connection with you, even as I go about my day. You know me better than I know myself. Even in the places I don’t understand, I will continue to bring them before you.  Lord, thank you for the family and friends within my life. Bless them today. Give them peace and joy. Would you reveal yourself in a new way today as they reach out to you? Show them you. Let me be your hands and feet as I go about my day. I can love because you love me. May I be an expression of you. In Jesus name, Amen

Keep on, keeping on. Talk to God. He is right here.

It’s a new morning. Look in the mirror. What do you see? First thought. Well if I were there, looking back at you in that mirror, I would see goodness, a heart that longs for peace in the midst of life, grace that beckons come closer, beauty in the uniqueness of you, love that longs to give and receive. I see you, only you. You are imprinted in my heart and always on my mind.

1 Corinthians 13:4  Love is patient and kind.

Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

What is kindness? Benevolence, full of service to another, gentle

In case you were wondering what patience really means: to suffer long, am forbearing, perseverance, refusal to retaliate, extending a long time.

Today, give yourself, in what you see in that mirror, some patience. Go ahead be kind to yourself. You know the love that gives yourself grace that you are what I see. Be tenderhearted to you. Handle with care. You are my special treasure.  My peace is the covering as you walk out this love towards  that is patient and kind to yourself. 

Truly your beauty is beyond compare.

God

Togetherness.

Some of us are people who enjoy a crowd, flit from person to person, thrive on the buzz of activity. Some of us are those who enjoy one or two people, intimate conversation. Some of us even borderline savoring as much time alone as we can to think and process. It’s in the diversity, the difference, the uniqueness of each one. For some we draw people out and others we draw them in.

Personality of who we are can be likened to style. You may like modern, cutting edge, up to date clothing. You could be comfy and cozy sweats and sweaters. You could be jeans and hiking boots. You can be formal, casual, sporty. You could be a mix of all of them!

But on the inside, we are the same. We are people who want to be accepted, cherished, liked, and loved. We are people who want to be known and to know others. We want to be heard. We desire to be cared about and affirmed, to have real value.

You do and you are.

Today, this is my prayer for you, taken from Paul in the scriptures:

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Leaves are falling and all around people have already begun to prepare for the next season. Often, in our days, we think and plan ahead (which is good). Sometimes, we plan so far ahead, we forget to enjoy the current season. Like Christmas in July or skipping directly from Halloween to Santa’s toys and Thanksgiving got lost in the shuffle.

Proverbs 15:23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

In our current season, it’s still officially autumn. Fall brings about harvest in these parts. Wheat and hay, soybean and corn. Fields full of plenty have given their goodness to the farmer who takes some for his family, makes a living selling to others that we too might be fed, and he also puts some back for investment in the seed for the upcoming year.

The ground has given up and released her goodness. What remains, has been tilled under to return to the soil and decompose to create life giving nutrients to the next crop. Even the leaves of most trees, have given up green for reds, yellows, and golds. Then the release. You can see what was hidden behind or even out in front. View is no longer impeded. Beauty has her own seasons.

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all. Stanley Horowitz said that. It’s one of my favorite quotes.

So as we head into winter, autumn in her mosaic state, has begun to lose her leaves. She has let go. Time has come. Where do you need to let go? What are you holding onto that the new season cannot have the beauty of her own? What has passed it’s prime? Who do you need to forgive? What should you till under that can turn into nourishment for this next season?

Trust. Open your hands to receive.

Let it go.

You will be glad you did.

What’s at work in you? What do you believe? What are you willing to stake your life on, in an all in decision?

This morning, as I read my bible, I imagined myself in the times just after Jesus had died and arose again. These men and women, were so convinced of the truth set before them, that they wrote letters about Jesus and what occurred for all to see. They were willing to be put in prison. Families left them, thinking they were crazy. Romans (others too) tortured them at every turn they made. Things like beating them up, imprisoning them, even death by stoning or in the same manner as our Savior Jesus, crucified on a cross.

Even when you can’t completely understand, you just know that you know, that you know, in your knower. Paul states below that he was thanking God constantly, all the time, that when this city heard the word, they received it as complete truth, as the Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:13  And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

When we do this, believe this, and know it is Truth, the Word is now at work in us, molding, changing, developing us.   If we align ourselves with truth, seeking it out, it will have it’s power made effective in us.

Then,

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

It’s work is getting to the bottom of who we are, where we are. It determines our thoughts and our intentions and brings to light what we do well, where we need to grow, what we need to face, and how we see God, ourselves and others.

I’m willing Lord. I believe your Word is truth. I believe it is a light to my path and a lamp to my feet. I believe and am willing to open myself to what You have to say. I want to be like you. I want a clean heart. My desire is to love others the way you love me. I believe. Help me in my places of unbelief. I need you as much as the next breath I take. Amen

Good and doing good.

Simple right?

2Thessalonians 3:13 But as for you, brethren, do not weary in doing good (what is right).

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good (noble and honorable), for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.

God has a due season. The word due in this instance is different than what we think. It is not what we are owed. It  means your own, private, belonging to you.

It means then if we do not grow weary in doing what is honorable, in our own, private season, we will reap if we do not lose heart.

There is a timetable for every act of goodness, doing what is right or honorable, that you will reap. Some take a few moments.  Some times years to see the season of goodness returned. But be encouraged, what you are sowing in love and peace and doing good, serving others, taking care of family, little acts of kindness, they are seeds that will reap a harvest.

In the meantime, as you wait for your harvest- Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

and…

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Titus 3:8 …those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

The harvest is a new soul coming to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. Reaping is a child’s belly full. Justice for injustice. Harvest is another knowing the fullness of a friend who stands by in faith.  The harvest is someone caught in the traps and deceits of wrongdoing or stuck in the mud of life, escape and become free. Reaping is that another person reaches out to give their story to help free another from their entanglements.

Don’t give up! Keep on keeping on!

God is faithful. Your kindness and goodness count. Every act is seen and causes our God to work on their behalf because of you.

Thankful for those who do that for me. I get to pay it forward.

Gladitude, gratitude, canitude, patitude. With great joy, thankfulness, and patience I will continue to do good and can’t wait to give all that I have been given.

It’s due season!

Counsel

Isaiah 28:29 This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Proverbs 20:5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 27:9  Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel of the soul.

Our soul….we call it different things, but it is really anything that makes up your mind, your will, and your emotions. You know all the things you think and feel, and the choices made.

So when we need some assistance to see, to do, to understand, to find, to be, to love, our God already knows and sees. He is wonderful in counsel and advice. He is excellent in wisdom- good judgment and experience.

Then, those around us, who know us (if we let them in), who see us, who understand, can draw it out. It’s like using the right lure for fishing. It’s like pumping the well that needs to be primed.

The verse says the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight in his hearty counsel. This sweetness, well meaning, get to the heart of a matter, person in front of me has something that  would be of great value. They are willing to be ointment of life and healing. They are the hug of comfort. The open ended, sometimes repeated question. They are willing to be perfume, one who prays for me and sends those prayers of incense to the heart of my God on my behalf.

Key in counsel- To know and be known. Judgment in experience. Understanding. Friend.

Let Him in to the inner depths. Let that friend in to understand. You are deep waters. You are full of purpose. You have value. What’s in your heart and soul? The counsel is available, even Jesus with skin, in the heart of a sweet friend.