Devotions

Scrolling down the list of possible website pages on the computer screen, when I got to my website offering, in bold blue lettering this was the message: “Outside of normal business hours.” My first reaction was to be horrified given the purpose of my writing, which is to help comfort readers and lead them to the heart of the God of all comfort. Shocked, I immediately wanted to erase the words, then, I began to laugh out loud. The whole idea was so absurd and at the same time so true. I was outside normal business hours, my sleeping hours when my phone is turned off, the computer is shut down, and my conscious mind is non-existent.

With a gentle nudge, God’s Spirit quieted my knee-jerk reaction, reminding me of His promise found in Psalm 121. How relieved I am, and you may be too, that there is no “time clock” in heaven from which God, or His mighty angels punch out at quitting time. Around the clock, our Father is working all things “together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28, NLT). Whether in the morning, noonday, or in the middle of the night, God hears us, He listens to us, and He answers every praying heart.

Oh Lord, I do have “off hours” to sleep and regenerate this physical body, that often grows weary and needs rest. As part of the human condition, I have limited capacity to stay focused before my eyes and mind turn off. Thank you, God, for hearing always even the slightest whispered prayer. Amen.

Previously published on Sweet Monday

My daughter and I piled into the car we scheduled for the day trip while in California. Our driver, a middle-aged woman was friendly and outgoing. She had a bubbly personality, and within the first twenty minutes of our time together, we learned she loves acting and the theater, loves her dog, is from an Italian heritage, and her husband had been killed. As per my usual modes operandi, somewhere along the way of conversation, I shared that I am a Christian, gently “testing the waters” of her faith. Without hesitation or apology, this dear unabashed woman exclaimed, “I don’t believe in God!” While this is not the first time someone has told me they do not believe in God, I am still surprised whenever I hear someone say it. So, I immediately prayed silently, that God would open a door to her heart for His love to enter.

When my daughter exited the car for her scheduled meeting, I remained seated inside with our driver. She had much to say about many things, including politics, gay friends, how many relationships she had experienced before getting married. At one point, as she was telling me a story about something of which she strongly believed, she enthusiastically blurted out, “I swear to God!” I caught her facial expression of surprise at her own comment in the rearview mirror and we both laughed, as she said, “And I don’t even believe in God!”

Oh Lord…I’m sorry I laughed, because the consequence, if true is anything but funny. This precious woman needs You, even though she says she doesn’t believe You exist. Only You know the true condition of her heart. Meet her where she is in the pain of whatever has caused her declaration of unbelief. Open a pathway for her to experience in a tangible way Your mercy and grace before it is too late. Not only this woman, Lord, but for all who have a hard time believing. In Jesus name, Amen.

“It’s complicated!” came the answer to my inquiry on the status of an important pending issue affecting a dear friend. Court hearings, depositions, and constant anxiety have driven the lives of numerous people, because “It’s complicated.” Catch phrases like this one make their way into every culture and generation. “It’s complicated” is a short phrase that means there is no clear answer.

As I considered my friend’s situation, another phrase kept popping into my brain; “that it may go well with you.” Since the word “that” started my thinking, I knew there must be a precept or principle leading into the conclusion, “that it may go well with you.” So, I went straight to my Bible app and entered the enticing haunting phrase. The Book of Ephesians cleared up the mystery. (Please see scripture passage above.) While there is much to be unpacked in these few short verses, the instruction is not complicated at all. Perhaps being obedient to God’s command is challenging in the light of the human rebellious spirit, but He is clear about the road to success and well-being. Notice the scripture explains, that it “is the first commandment with [a] promise…” The first four commandments of ten have to do with our relationship to God, our heavenly Father; to “honor your father and mother” is number five.

If you and I would agree with God on the first four commandments, the last six would follow as a natural, orderly, joyful consequence. Alas, God knew all too well our sinful nature, which is why I think He included the “promise that it may be well with you…” to encourage our obedience. When parents refuse to instruct their children, or when world governments claim mothers and fathers have no authority over their children, the solution to a successful outcome is straight-forward. Check out God’s Word. It’s not complicated!

(For further study: read Exodus 20:1-17)

Previously published on Sweet Monday

Social media has opened a whole new arena for even the most obscure people to have a public platform. Babies, dogs, cats, hamsters, if it moves, no doubt you have seen it on one of your devices. The term used in the social media world for anyone or anything that receives the most attention, “likes,” “hits,” etc., is “influencer.” As the title suggests, onlookers are motivated by whatever activity is being shared and driving the number of views higher for the sake of popularity. One has the potential of becoming known worldwide in a short bit of time. Living in obscurity is almost impossible. With a camera available in the hands of most people today through the technology of cell phones, everyone is but a click away from fame, good or bad.

Self-importance is booming! Why and to what end?

Jesus knew a lot about human nature; after all, He was fully human and fully God. When He spoke the words, that Matthew recorded in chapter 5 in the Bible, the message is clear…you and I are to be “influencers” in the world. “Salt” and “light.” Salt adds flavor and light exposes what is otherwise in darkness. The world, apart from the Spirit of God, has always been a dark place. But unlike worldly influencers who seek self-recognition, followers of Jesus Christ are to reflect the goodness of God by their deeds and actions for the sole purpose of “glorify[ing] your Father in heaven” (v. 16).

Make no mistake, Christian; “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Test everything with the Word of God. Jesus is the One True Light of the world. You and I cannot generate Light; we can only reflect the Light of Christ.

Previously published on Sweet Monday

The bus was leaving Normandy France where our family had spent the last couple of hours visiting the physical site where “D Day” took place during WWII, when I noticed a memorial stone at the entrance of the hallowed ground. Almost 4500 soldiers died in one day, June 6, 1944; because of their sacrifice, France and her people were liberated from the hands of Nazi Germany who were ultimately responsible for the deaths of six million Jews. One cannot visit Normandy and leave untouched by the tremendous loss of human life.

Just a few yards from the stone memorial stood a life-size depiction of Christ hanging on a cross. As if my emotions were not already heightened, tears began to collect in my eyes and roll down my cheeks. One corner of the entrance represented the physical liberation of people, and one corner represented the spiritual, eternal liberation of God’s entire creation. Nazis had built prisons made of cement and barbed wire, and Satan holds people prisoner through the power of sin and death. Soldiers fought and died to destroy death camps, and Jesus Christ died to destroy once and eternally death itself. Then, remembering the thousands of crosses marking the graves of the brave men who gave their lives for freedom, I could not help but feel the relief in knowing, that Jesus walked out of His grave to bring liberation to all who want it.

A wall at Normandy lists the names of soldiers whose bodies were never found; however, with DNA technology, over time men are being identified from remains found in the surrounding area where the battle took place and are laid to rest in known gravesites. Psalm 139:7 asks the question, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” Not a single soul is unknown to God! Psalm 139 also states that you and I are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (14). How amazing is this truth?

God, continue to remind me of Your eternal love. Help me never to forget the price You paid so that I might be freed from sin and death. Thank You! Amen. For further and deeper understanding, read Psalm 139:1-24.

For further and deeper understanding, read Psalm 139:1-24.

Previously published on Sweet Monday

No compassionate person enjoys the responsibility of disciplining others for any reason. When I was a little girl, if I misbehaved, my father right before the punishment would say something like, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.” Perception is everything! I always thought, how is this going to hurt you more than me? Then, as a parent myself, I finally understood what my father, who loved me more than his own life, felt. Discipline is necessary for all of humankind because we, you, and I have a propensity to sin. Earthly parents must discipline their children if they are to be responsible human beings in a world where, “No man is an island entire of itself…” (John Donne).

Every generation since the beginning of time, has endured a rebellious segment of its population. Growing up in the 1960s, I remember well the stand we took as young people against “the establishment.” As stated earlier in this writing, “perception is everything!” In our teens and twenties, we thought we understood it all, only to find out in our fifties and sixties just how much we had yet to learn, and the learning never stops.

When King David wrote the words in Psalm 38, he was feeling the pain of separation from God because of his sin. Sin awareness should not only make the sinner sad, but it should also make him or her do something about it; this is exactly what David did, he cried out to God for help. When you and I sense sin in our lives, do we erect a billboard along the road of our culture demanding acceptance of our sin nature, or do we humble ourselves like David, saying to God, “I am feeble and severely broken…”?

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NKJV).

Previously published on Sweet Monday

As my teenage grandchildren mature into young adulthood, I have wanted to find a way to stay engaged in a meaningful way. A few years ago, our family began a tradition of taking vacations to new places. Now, eight of us every year try to visit someplace we have never been. We have been on safari in Africa, climbed the mountains in Italy, twice we have chartered the inside passage of Alaska, and this year, we will visit France. These experiences have bonded us in a special way, that time can never steal. One day, when I am no longer with them on this earth, my grandchildren will have memories on which to reflect for the rest of their lives and share with their children.

In the months leading up to our scheduled trip, the excitement and anticipation of going somewhere they have never been, my grandchildren want to talk about what they might experience once we get to our destination. They try to imagine what it will be like. The more they talk about it, the more excited they get. Their enthusiasm warms my heart in knowing that I can provide for them something new and exciting.

As I am well into my seventh decade of life on earth, I find myself growing more and more eager to see and experience heaven. This is not to be confused in any way as a “death wish!” I love my family and friends and every minute God has given me here to enjoy His beautiful creation, including the wonderful trips to new places with the people I love. But my heavenly Father desires that I look to the time that is inevitable for all of us, with anticipation, so when I leave all that is familiar to join Him in the “place He is preparing for me,” it is with joy and not dread.

Like my grandchildren, when I read God’s Word about where I am going that I have never been before, as the time draws nearer, I am getting excited to see the “streets of gold” and especially, to look into the actual face of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. What an absolutely awesome “day” that will be!

For further study, read John 14 and Revelation 21.

Previously published on Sweet Monday

Friends of my family have come to visit for a couple of weeks; accompanying them is their eight-month-old baby daughter. Although it could no doubt go without saying, this precious little being is an absolute delight. She coo’s and smiles all the time. In conversation with her mama, we discussed how everything in the world is a new discovery in her baby’s eyes. For example, she is easily entertained just looking into the face of another human being. Give her a kitchen spatula and she will play for half a day wielding it around and around before finally inserting it into her mouth for a taste. Like other eight-month-olds, this little one is learning all day everyday things that are new.

After spending a couple of days with our friend’s baby, it occurred to me that her perception of the world around her is very different from mine. Of course, I have lived many decades longer than this baby girl has been alive, so naturally, her “extraordinary” is only ordinary to me. I have looked into many human faces, and I have wielded a spatula more than a few times in my kitchen while cooking meal after meal. In fact, I have probably become somewhat critical if not cynical about the world in which I live.

Sometimes I must remind myself, that God created all things. How easy it is to forsake what is true. “In Christ…we are new…all things have become new.” The sunrise, sunset, flowers, trees, indeed all things, including you and me are new, if only we will choose to experience life through a fresh lens, much like my new little baby friend. Oh, the wonder of the creation; even more so, the absolute wonder of Creator God, who makes all things new.

Lord, forgive me for becoming jaded about the things that have become familiar. You have given so much beauty. Help me to look expectantly and eagerly with fresh eyes at everything and everyone, knowing that You are the Giver!

Previously published on Sweet Monday