Tag: bible

;

It was a mostly normal week. Work. Supper. Sleep (or at least try.) Repeat.

But there was something looming. Two events were approaching on the same day and we didn’t know what to expect. They were on the calendar just waiting to arrive.

I had a lot of questions surrounding the first event. I didn’t know who was attending or what the expectations were. We were invited, given an address and a starting time.

I asked a lot of questions – some just in my head and some to Tim. He responded constantly with “I don’t know” or “All I know is this place at this time.”

We prayed for our attitudes and expectations. We prayed against the enemy and the ‘what if’ scenarios in our heads.

Prayers for the people involved – for blessing and understanding and agreement.

And then it was time.

The hype leading up to the first event was definitely more stress-filled than the event itself. It turned out to be a nice time. Nothing major in the positive and nothing major in the negative.

The second event contained a lot of unknowns too. We didn’t know who would be there or what the format would be. Again, we were given and address and a time. And we knew there would be food.

But we also knew the theme – worship.

Oh, what a sweet time that was.

The worship leader began with prayer. He commented that whatever we walked in the room with – discouragement, unanswered questions, hurt, trust issues, pain – whatever – we could give it to Jesus and just worship Him.

I know I walked in with all of that. I walk with most of that stuff and more on a daily basis. I lay it at the cross and then immediately go back and pick it up again.

Why is that? Discouragement, unanswered questions, hurt, trust issues, pain.

But NEVER from Jesus.

During worship, I tried to keep my focus on God alone. When I was able, it was a sweet time.

A young man, a pre-teen young man, said he thought about the evening as a semicolon. I didn’t understand at first either.

A semicolon separates (and then joins) two distinct thoughts. The weight of my world is heavy at times; I can always lift my eyes to God and worship Him.

The first part of that sentence causes my head and shoulders to droop. After the semicolon, I look up with hope and anticipation. There is peace.

When you have discouragement, unanswered questions, hurt, trust issues, and pain, pause for a moment and put a semicolon in your mind. Then change the narrative in your head by refocusing the direction of your thoughts. Focus it on the only One who is the Source for answers, peace and healing.

Awareness

Our church is one that prays. We gather every Saturday for a prayer service.

On Sundays, people will write prayer requests and we will pray over them during the prayer service. It’s a beautiful time to remember that everyone is going through something. People who are hurting or who are in need of healing. We have prayer requests from members, prisoners and the kids.

The ones from kids are always interesting to read. Some are wanting to do better in school or are praying for their pets. Others are thankful that they have a home, air and that they got out of school for the snow. One girl wanted courage to eat her vegetables.

But then you read one and it just immediately causes your eyes to leak.

It read, “I just want my parents to be happy.”

The child didn’t explain the situation – had someone died? Is someone ill? Did a friend hurt them with their words?

But perhaps the parents love for each other has died. Perhaps their marriage is ill. Perhaps they are hurting each other with their words – and indirectly, their child.

I think I knew my parents were mad at each other one time throughout their marriage. I am sure they were mad at many times but there was only one time when I was aware. I never went to sleep wondering if my parents loved each other.

Children are perceptible. They pick up on words, your tone and the tension.

I certainly was not a perfect parent. No one is. But I definitely want my words to speak life over my kids and grands. I want there to be no mistake that I love them – not because of what they did or didn’t do – but because of who they are. I want them to know that I want the best for them and that I pray that God will continue to reveal himself to them. I want them to know that they can talk with me and I’ll listen.

I also want them to know that I love their father and I will always choose to love them too.

Love, Thumbs and Oranges

I recently had some minor hand surgery. The bandage was less obtrusive than the one for my carpal tunnel. I had the use of four fingers but my thumb was completely wrapped.

It’s amazing how many ways you use your thumb.

Opening jars, squeezing the toothpaste tube, zipping anything, and opening the plastic storage bags.

I did as much as I could and would make adjustments as you learn to do. My mom kept asking if I needed help and what she could do for me. I kept her at bay and tried to do everything myself. (Wait…am I stubborn?)

I managed pretty well but, the one thing I just could not do was peel an orange.

My first and only attempt was a complete failure. I couldn’t use the knife properly and then I couldn’t remove the peel and just made things mushy and sticky.

Mom to the rescue. She even put it on a plate for me. Every piece was separated and whole. It was the sweetest orange ever.

I thought about this day in respect to my conversations with the Lord. He is there, waiting to help. I picture Him standing there waiting for me to ask.

But I ignore His presence and ‘power through’. I can handle that relationship, the money problems, the work issues by myself.

And sometimes I do. Until everything becomes ‘mushy and sticky’. Then I cry out in desperation. Help, Lord! Please!

What if I asked Him first? What if I prayed first? Not only in the big things but the little things too. He cares about them all.

Lord, help me with this conversation. Show me how to love people. Reveal truth and help me walk in the confidence of knowing that You are always with me. Give me words to share with others.

He always answers. It’s not always the way I think He will or in the time frame I think He should. But, He’s God and I am not. He is for me. I can trust in Him.

And so can you.

Adulting

Yes, I started this post with slang.

Adulting is an informal term to describe behavior that is seen as responsible and grown-up, if mundane and unpleasant—like bills and chores, according to Dictionary.com.

I’ve been above the age of 21 for sometime now. I should be used to it. I should be thriving in adulthood.

And sometimes, I am.

But then there are days like today. I just don’t want to (insert anything here.)

There are bills to pay, dishes to wash, dog hair to vacuum and a lot of clutter to clear. But I don’t want to.

But, I know it’s better for me if I do. It’s better for this household also.

The Apostle Paul states in Romans 7:11, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (ESV)

I don’t like being lazy. I don’t like wasting time. But I still do.

Shift my focus!

Everything I have comes from God. Everything I need comes from Him too.

Should I ask the Lord to help me clear the clutter? Absolutely!

Should I ask the Lord to help focus me on the mundane tasks? Yes!

All with a thankful heart! Thankful that we were able to seek and receive medical attention when we needed it. Thankful that we have the dishes to serve the food that is in our refrigerator. Thankful for the clothes we have and a machine that washes them. Thankful for the dog that brings me so much joy. Thankful that I can serve Him where I am with what I have.

Have you ever thought about that? Everything we have to worship God with – our minds, bodies, voices, hands, etc. – everything we have, came from Him.

And He has more for us. So be faithful in taking care of what He has given you today. He has more for us.

Let’s get started! Are you moving yet? Here I go!

(Originally posted May 15, 2025. But every bit relevant on this day too. Lord, please redeem this day!)

Easy vs. Important

I believe that either the entire Bible is true, or it is completely false. So, if we start on the premise that the Bible is true, let’s look at somethings we know are true.

  • God is the creator of all things. God is for us. God has a plan for our lives. God wants our lives to be abundant in every way.
  • We have an enemy who has three moves – steal, kill and destroy. His sole purpose is to keep people from becoming Christians. Once you’ve surrendered your life to Christ, you pronounce Him Lord. After this, the enemy can only keep you in darkness. He may try to douse your light and make you less effective for the kingdom. He can’t steal your salvation but he can steal your witness or your influence.
  • Christ lives in us. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us. He helps us in all areas of our life.

Think on these statements. One or two might be applicable in your life.

It’s easy to go to church and be seen. It’s harder to serve and to take the church outside the building.

It’s easy to have a 3 minute devo that you push play for. It’s harder to study the Word and learn yourself what it means.

It’s easy to work and to do your job. It’s harder to learn something new. It can be challenging to believe that perhaps the Holy Spirit is leading you in a new direction.

It’s easy to say, “Sure – I’m doing well.” It’s harder to say, I’m hurting, struggling or are sick. It’s harder to let people in.

It’s easy to scroll social media or to watch TV. It’s harder to spend time having important conversations or being with others who need you.

It’s easy to say, “Hey!” and keep on walking. It’s harder to stop and look into the person’s eyes and ask the real questions.

It’s easy to eat the carbs and sugar. It’s harder to have a meal plan and to stick to it.

It’s easy to be in a rut. You might call it a groove or the zone. It’s simple to just do the same thing day after day. It’s harder to sit in silence, to take account of your life, to inquire the Lord’s direction.

It’s easy to say – I’ll do that tomorrow. It’s harder to eat the frog today.

Some important questions to ask yourself may be – how am I spending my time? Who is first in my life? What/who am I neglecting? Am I growing? Where am I stagnate?

I am thankful that we can always ask Jesus. We can repent and surrender our lives (mind, body and spirit) to Him again. And then by all means – ask Him what He wants us to do. Where does He want us to direct our focus? Where does He want us to change? Trust that He is for you and He is with you.

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

21,335

Did you know you can find anything on the internet? It still fascinates me when I wonder about something and start researching it. I save a lot of time if I just start typing my question into the search bar.

21,335 is the number of days I have been alive.

Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like much.

There are other times when I am acutely aware of how long some of those days are.

In Psalm 39:5 David writes, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.”

The Lord has been constantly reminding me to use the time I have been given wisely.

I’m better at this some days more than others.

I had plenty of time to write yesterday. I had finished work and knew what I was going to make for supper. I had walked with Xena, the wonder dog. The time was available to me.

But I didn’t use it wisely. I thought I would have plenty of time this morning to write.

But then I had a rough night. Xena needed to go outside several times. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get comfortable.

And then I did sleep after Tim left. I was so grateful. But now I’m ‘behind’ on what I thought I would be doing today.

Again, another reminder that I don’t know what the day holds, but I know Who holds the day.

I don’t know how many days I have left in this world. I know I have eternity with Jesus.

But, I have things to do now. Things God has asked me to do and given me time to do it. I need to stop trying to figure out how. I should just move forward and trust that He has already figured it out for me. I can rest knowing that God is for me. He will equip me to do what He has asked me to do.

I need to trust. I need to remind myself over and over and over again.

Use the time I have been given wisely.

Treasured Possession

When I lived in Florida, a tremendous thunderstorm rolled through one afternoon. I don’t remember a lot of rain. But there was a lot of lightning.

My parents were visiting for the weekend and mom and I were out shopping. The storm was getting worse so we decided to head home.

When we arrived, my dad was walking out of the house with his and mom’s clothes. He said lightning had struck the house and there was a fire.

Mom and I walked into the house. I didn’t see any flames but there was a lot of smoke. The fire was in the roof.

I told mom to get out and I would grab Spaz the cat. I found the cat carrier and the cat and then just stood there for a moment.

I was trying to figure out what else to grab. I couldn’t think of anything. The fireman arrived and strongly suggested that I leave.

While I watched the battle of fire and water, my mind thought of other things that were inside. There were precious letters from someone who was no longer living in this world. Photographs and yearbooks that showed the story of my childhood. These things were lost for good.

We all have treasured possessions. They are people and things that cannot be replaced. These are people and things we hold close to our hearts. We want to protect and love them as best as we can. We could live without them but, we do not want to.

Deuteronomy 7:6 says, “For you (Israel) are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

The people of Israel were God’s chosen people. They were set apart (holy) from all of the other people on the earth. They were His treasured possession.

Believers, having been adopted into this family, we too are His treasured possessions. He protects and loves us. We are prized and cherished and are precious to Him. Jesus died for you. You are worthy because God says you are worthy.

1 Peter 2:9 reminds us again that we are chosen and holy, a people for His own possession.

He chose us and made a way for us to live with Him forever.

Friend, remember today and every day that you are seen, known, and dearly loved.

Help Me to See

As my age increases, my eyesight decreases and I can’t stand it.

My friend needed glasses at an earlier age and she tried to explain to me what she saw. At that time, I didn’t understand everything being in a constant state of blurriness.

And now I do.

When I first put on my new prescription glasses, it was amazing to see things so sharply. Everything had an edge to it.

Without the glasses, I could maneuver and get by. With the glasses, I see the colors and shapes and details so much better. It adds beauty in my life that I didn’t know was missing.

I thought about this richness as I was reading Leviticus this morning.

There are rules, festivals, and sacrifices – so many sacrifices! The movie version of the ark is gold and shiny. After reading this book, I can only see it dripping in blood.

There is so much detail in the description of the sacrifices – who, what, when, how answered over and over again. I do not know how the priests kept it straight! Do I pour the blood – or sprinkle the blood? Which finger do I use? Is this for the sin offering? The guilt offering? For my sins? The peoples sins?

I have asked God to open my eyes and to let me see what He wants me to see when I read His word. Some things have come into focus.

God reminded the people again and again that He was the Lord, the One who brought them out of Egypt. He reminded them that they were chosen and they were to live differently than the people around them. They were to offer sacrifices to Him only. The sacrificed animal was to be perfect and without blemish.

Jesus was the final perfect sacrifice. One without sin who was sacrificed for my sins. His blood was splattered for my transgressions.

I think the Lord is showing me through Leviticus that on my own, I cannot atone for my sins. No matter how good I think I am or how clean I am, I am not able to pay for my own sins. Because I am not perfect.

But God. He made a way for you and me to be in a right relationship with Him. Jesus stepped in for us and was offered as the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. My sins are paid for – past, present and future.

When I focus in on this detail, I am overwhelmed at the love He has for me. I am so grateful and marvel at the detail, the beauty of this.

Do you know this beauty, this love? He made a way for us all to have eternal life with Him. Thank you, Jesus!

Truth

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.

Our grandson memorized this verse for school.

It struck me how succinct and complete it was.

Fifteen words that have massive significance.

Everything in Scripture is true. It’s timeless. It’s not fresh one day and then rotten the next. It’s applicable to our current situation and will be again years from now.

We can trust what God does. What He does cannot counter who God is – His character. He is for you. He alone is worthy. He thinks about you constantly and longs for a relationship with you.

He never promises everything that happens in this world will make sense to us. It will not always be logical to our human minds. We may have wanted (prayed for) another route or solution to the problem.

But if the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does to be consistent with His character, then what do we have to worry about? (Matthew 6:25-34) We can cast our cares on Him because He cares for us! (1 Peter 5:7) He is the Shepherd and is guiding us! (Psalm 23) No hair falls from our head that He doesn’t know about! (Matthew 10:30) He has redeemed our lives from the pit and sets us firmly on a rock! (Psalm 40:2)

Hallelujah!

Stubborn and Unforgiving

Those two words describe people I know.

They also describe me.

I don’t like this part of myself. I want to be quick to forgive and to move on. And outwardly, I think I appear so.

But y’all, my heart is not always so. If truth be told, I wrestle with this more than I should. Definitely more than I need to.

I have been forgiven much. My Savior paid for my sins – past, present, and future – by dying on the cross for me. Why do I think I have the audacity to not forgive someone who hurt me? Someone who mistreated me or said something about me that wasn’t true?

This same Savior paid for everyone’s sins the same way – even the people who hurt me. I say everyone is redeemable. But do I believe it?

I have asked the Holy Spirit to point out things in my life that need to change, things that don’t align with who I am in Christ’s righteousness and things that are sinful and dishonoring to Him. Well, He’s done it. Again. I’ve gone around this mountain a time or three hundred.

Lord, thank you for being faithful and to keep pursuing me. I repent of not forgiving others and for being stubborn. Thank you for covering my sins and for pruning me once again. I forgive others. Please help me mean it in my heart and to walk it out in my speech and actions.

Alright – moving on!