Because we are all enjoying this holiday week with our families, I will be back to post regular devotionals beginning Wednesday, January 2nd.
Enjoy this wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior and the relationships He has blessed us with... especially the one with Him!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-Becky
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
I had such good intentions not to let the approaching holidays deter me from posting my devotionals. Alas, today I fell into the black hole of the holiday rush... accidentally oversleeping, attending my son's preschool Christmas performance, spending time with my cousin who just had surgery, dropping off a job application, running necessary errands. And so here it is almost 3:00 already.
Are you feeling the rush and the stress too?
I thought that today I would simply post a verse that we could stop and reflect on. Something that reminds us of the intense love God has for us, a love so deep that it compelled Him to send His Son to earth as a little baby. He loves us so much more than we could ever comprehend. Stop for a moment and think about that... and tell Him how much you love Him.
-Becky
Are you feeling the rush and the stress too?
I thought that today I would simply post a verse that we could stop and reflect on. Something that reminds us of the intense love God has for us, a love so deep that it compelled Him to send His Son to earth as a little baby. He loves us so much more than we could ever comprehend. Stop for a moment and think about that... and tell Him how much you love Him.
-Becky
But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me,
And the Lord has forgotten me."
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
but I will not forget you.
Behold, I have inscribed you
on the palms of My hands...
(Isaiah 49:14-16a)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
In the midst of celebrating the birth of Jesus, we also spend much of our time at Christmas interacting with people... mall employees; postal workers; teachers, church members and other mothers as we prepare for various Christmas programs; family members from near and far. Let's face it, it's easy at times to get on each other's nerves. But we need to take a step back and remember our call to love each other.
The world is watching us.
Becky
Unity
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You …May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. (John 17:20, 21, 23b, NIV)
If you have ever served in a church body or on a ministry team, if you have ever been part of a Bible study group or missions trip, if you have ever spent any significant periods of time with other Christians, then you know how easy it is for a spirit of disunity to pervade. Gossip, church politics, bickering, hurt feelings, self-centeredness, pride; all of these and more contribute to divisions, bitterness and resentment. We forget that we are all imperfect people. We forget that, whether we like it or not, we share the same Father and are therefore joined for eternity. We forget our purpose and our love.
And so the rest of the world looks on and sees nothing more than a dysfunctional family of which they want no part. They see hypocrisy and double-talk. We hide the truth of the Gospel with jealousy and pettiness.
We can’t choose who is in our spiritual family any more than we can choose who is in our natural family. But God commands us to see past the personality flaws and irritating habits and to love each other with a love deep enough that makes us willing to lay down our lives for our brother or sister in Christ. He asks us to consider others as better than ourselves. He doesn’t give us the opportunity to pick and choose to whom we wish to apply these commands.
The world is watching how we treat each other. If our love and unity are apparent, they can’t help but see Jesus in us. If we are nit-picking and fighting, then we have effectively eliminated the difference between us and them. Our lives are living examples all the time. Our relationships are testimonies. What are our relationships with our fellow Christians saying to others?
Dear Jesus, Please give me Your heart and Your eyes so that I can love Your children the way you do. Help me to put aside any pride and to heed the higher calling to put the needs of fellow Christians above my own needs. Help me to remember my own imperfections every time I am tempted to dwell on those of another.
Closing ThoughtSit for a minute and picture one or two fellow Christians with whom you are having some kind of conflict. Take a piece of paper and write out their names. Next to their names, write as many positive attributes about each person as you can. Then ask God to humble your own attitudes, to bring to mind the positive attributes, and to love them as He does.
The world is watching us.
Becky
Unity
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You …May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. (John 17:20, 21, 23b, NIV)
If you have ever served in a church body or on a ministry team, if you have ever been part of a Bible study group or missions trip, if you have ever spent any significant periods of time with other Christians, then you know how easy it is for a spirit of disunity to pervade. Gossip, church politics, bickering, hurt feelings, self-centeredness, pride; all of these and more contribute to divisions, bitterness and resentment. We forget that we are all imperfect people. We forget that, whether we like it or not, we share the same Father and are therefore joined for eternity. We forget our purpose and our love.
And so the rest of the world looks on and sees nothing more than a dysfunctional family of which they want no part. They see hypocrisy and double-talk. We hide the truth of the Gospel with jealousy and pettiness.
We can’t choose who is in our spiritual family any more than we can choose who is in our natural family. But God commands us to see past the personality flaws and irritating habits and to love each other with a love deep enough that makes us willing to lay down our lives for our brother or sister in Christ. He asks us to consider others as better than ourselves. He doesn’t give us the opportunity to pick and choose to whom we wish to apply these commands.
The world is watching how we treat each other. If our love and unity are apparent, they can’t help but see Jesus in us. If we are nit-picking and fighting, then we have effectively eliminated the difference between us and them. Our lives are living examples all the time. Our relationships are testimonies. What are our relationships with our fellow Christians saying to others?
Dear Jesus, Please give me Your heart and Your eyes so that I can love Your children the way you do. Help me to put aside any pride and to heed the higher calling to put the needs of fellow Christians above my own needs. Help me to remember my own imperfections every time I am tempted to dwell on those of another.
Closing ThoughtSit for a minute and picture one or two fellow Christians with whom you are having some kind of conflict. Take a piece of paper and write out their names. Next to their names, write as many positive attributes about each person as you can. Then ask God to humble your own attitudes, to bring to mind the positive attributes, and to love them as He does.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Good morning, Girlfriends! I wanted to let you know that I hesitated somewhat on posting this specific devotional today simply because it has to do with parenting. I know that there are women without children and women with grown children for whom this will not have as much meaning as it will for those of us still raising children at home. However, we each have opportunities to impact the life of a child, no matter who we are. We each have children with whom our lives intersect. And at this special time of year, it is the perfect time to stop and take a minute to reflect on our responsibility in the lives of these children. Children were special to Jesus; they should be to us to.
Thank you for sharing these few moments with me this morning. I really appreciate you.
Becky
A PARENT’S GREATEST PRIVILEGE
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deut. 6:5-7, NASB)
Sometimes as a parent it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day bustle of life that we forget what is really important. There are clothes to be washed and errands to run and kids to referee and meals to be cooked and cleaning to be done. And in the midst of that busyness we sometimes put aside what matters most in raising our children.
When my oldest son was not quite two years old, he was learning about Jesus and Heaven. I would often ask him, “Where is Jesus?”, and he would lift his little forefinger and point up toward the ceiling or the sky.
My son loved our little game. Even at such a young age he was already quite a thinker. He had apparently been pondering all of this information about Jesus and Heaven when one day he came over to me and asked to be lifted up. Once in my arms, he pointed heavenward and said in his little toddler way, “Help see Jesus.”
Tears instantly sprang into my eyes. I knew he had no way of comprehending the true meaning behind his words. I also knew that God had used that little child to remind me of the most important aspect of parenting.
I know that there is no job more important than pointing my children to Jesus. I just need to do a better job of making that a daily priority. The things I do, the things I say, the choices I make should all point to Him. It’s quite a responsibility. After all, it’s unnerving to think that there are impressionable lives watching every decision you make. But it is also a great privilege.
Perhaps you don’t have children of your own, but you do have children you come in contact with on a regular basis: nieces and nephews, children of friends, neighborhood kids, a Sunday School class. God grants you that same privilege (and responsibility) to be an example in their lives.
Think of one tangible thing you can do today to point a child toward Christ. Is it teaching them a memory verse? Showing them what it means to help the less-fortunate in Jesus’ name? Praying with them? Showing them kindness and love? Whatever you do, do it purposefully.
Thank you for sharing these few moments with me this morning. I really appreciate you.
Becky
A PARENT’S GREATEST PRIVILEGE
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deut. 6:5-7, NASB)
Sometimes as a parent it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day bustle of life that we forget what is really important. There are clothes to be washed and errands to run and kids to referee and meals to be cooked and cleaning to be done. And in the midst of that busyness we sometimes put aside what matters most in raising our children.
When my oldest son was not quite two years old, he was learning about Jesus and Heaven. I would often ask him, “Where is Jesus?”, and he would lift his little forefinger and point up toward the ceiling or the sky.
My son loved our little game. Even at such a young age he was already quite a thinker. He had apparently been pondering all of this information about Jesus and Heaven when one day he came over to me and asked to be lifted up. Once in my arms, he pointed heavenward and said in his little toddler way, “Help see Jesus.”
Tears instantly sprang into my eyes. I knew he had no way of comprehending the true meaning behind his words. I also knew that God had used that little child to remind me of the most important aspect of parenting.
I know that there is no job more important than pointing my children to Jesus. I just need to do a better job of making that a daily priority. The things I do, the things I say, the choices I make should all point to Him. It’s quite a responsibility. After all, it’s unnerving to think that there are impressionable lives watching every decision you make. But it is also a great privilege.
Perhaps you don’t have children of your own, but you do have children you come in contact with on a regular basis: nieces and nephews, children of friends, neighborhood kids, a Sunday School class. God grants you that same privilege (and responsibility) to be an example in their lives.
Think of one tangible thing you can do today to point a child toward Christ. Is it teaching them a memory verse? Showing them what it means to help the less-fortunate in Jesus’ name? Praying with them? Showing them kindness and love? Whatever you do, do it purposefully.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
December 18, 2007
Christmas is just one week away. This is the time of year that memories are made, memories that we take with us and cherish for years to come. I love memories. They are a reminder to me of the blessings of life and of the gift of the people who haved shared my life with me.
May today be be filled with those kinds of blessings for you.
Becky
Something Old, Something New
Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NASB)
I love looking at pictures. Give me a few extra hours to bring out the scrapbooks and the myriads of photos that have yet to make it in a scrapbook and I will be content in my own little world. I’ll laugh out loud as I come across pictures that make me remember happy moments from the past, some that had long been forgotten.
The temptation for me then becomes yearning for those days, relationships and friendships that are staring back at me from my photos. The mind is very selective and often chooses to forget anything negative associated with our most “warm and fuzzy” memories. So I find myself thinking that if I had the power in that moment to go back in time, I would do it. Or better yet, if I had the power to bring the past to the present I would do that.
When God created us with the ability to store up memories, He never intended for us to use those memories to pine for yesterday or to wish that we could turn our past into our present. Memories serve many purposes. They teach us, they mold us, they give foundation to our relationships and serve as reminders of what shaped us into the women we are today. But memories were created to be snapshots of our lives, not separate worlds for us to live in anytime the present seems difficult or unexciting. God always has something bigger and better for us as we allow Him to stretch us and help us to grow. Ironically, our present may one day be part of the very past that we remember with a smile if we are able to live in the moment and be open to what God has for us.
Do you see it? Do you feel it? God is telling you that He has something so wonderful for you just around the corner!
May today be be filled with those kinds of blessings for you.
Becky
Something Old, Something New
Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NASB)
I love looking at pictures. Give me a few extra hours to bring out the scrapbooks and the myriads of photos that have yet to make it in a scrapbook and I will be content in my own little world. I’ll laugh out loud as I come across pictures that make me remember happy moments from the past, some that had long been forgotten.
The temptation for me then becomes yearning for those days, relationships and friendships that are staring back at me from my photos. The mind is very selective and often chooses to forget anything negative associated with our most “warm and fuzzy” memories. So I find myself thinking that if I had the power in that moment to go back in time, I would do it. Or better yet, if I had the power to bring the past to the present I would do that.
When God created us with the ability to store up memories, He never intended for us to use those memories to pine for yesterday or to wish that we could turn our past into our present. Memories serve many purposes. They teach us, they mold us, they give foundation to our relationships and serve as reminders of what shaped us into the women we are today. But memories were created to be snapshots of our lives, not separate worlds for us to live in anytime the present seems difficult or unexciting. God always has something bigger and better for us as we allow Him to stretch us and help us to grow. Ironically, our present may one day be part of the very past that we remember with a smile if we are able to live in the moment and be open to what God has for us.
Do you see it? Do you feel it? God is telling you that He has something so wonderful for you just around the corner!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Good Morning! I hope that you all had wonderful weekends! I apologize for getting the devotional posted so late this morning. My goal this week is to start posting much earlier each day.
Some of you may be wondering what happened to the photo of the flower at the top of the page. Good question! I can't seem to get answers from Google/Blogspot as to why my images are disappearing and how to get them back. If any of you girls are gifted in this area and could offer me some helpful advice, I would love it!
Today's devotional deals with friendships. When I think of Christmas and of the fact that God's plan for salvation included His Son coming to earth as a baby and living among us, it makes me realize all over again how much God values relationships. He values His relationships with us and our relationships with each other (read Romans 15:1-2 today). Our friendships are such a gift! Perhaps this Christmas season God is calling you to give a different, more meaningful kind of gift to a friend in your life. Something that can't be wrapped in paper and bags; something much more valuable.
-Becky
The Faith of a Friend
Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them… When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven… I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:3, 5, 11, NIV)
So here they are, a group of guys with this incredible bond of brotherhood. One of them is paralyzed and has had to live with the reality of being confined to a mat or a bed. His life has become limited, perhaps even hopeless from his point of view. He’s very likely battling with depression, or at the very least, discouragement. We’ll call him Dane just for the sake of clarity in today’s devotional. One day one of Dane’s friends hears Jesus is in town, just a few blocks away, speaking at someone’s house. He tells the others. They are elated! They see this as a golden opportunity for healing for Dane. But he doesn’t see it. Maybe it’s fear, maybe it’s doubt, maybe it’s low self-worth, but whatever the reason, he does not share the faith and excitement of his friends. They don’t let his skepticism deter them from their mission, however. They load him up on the stretcher anyway, four of the stronger men grab the four corners, and the rest lead the way as they all set out for the house where Jesus is.
We all know what happens. The crowd is so big that they can’t get anywhere near the door. Bound and determined, they go up to the roof, tear it open, and lower their friend down right in front of Jesus. Jesus first forgives Dane’s sins and then heals his paralysis. The man who was once paralyzed jumps up and I imagine he did a little dance! His spirits are so high that not even the combined excitement of his friends can compare to what he is feeling.
But did you notice the four important words in this story that are consistent in each of the three Gospels in which this miracle is relayed? “And seeing their faith…” Jesus saw the faith of the friends and He honored it. He knew that the faith of Dane was hampered because of his circumstances. But Dane had a group of friends interceding on his behalf and Jesus immediately recognized that.
This is one of those incredible moments when we get a glimpse into the heart of the Creator who made us from the very beginning to be relational beings, living interconnected with one another. This is when the words of the New Testament ring true about the family of believers being part of one body. When one of your friends is going through a battle of life that brings them so low they cannot even muster up that small seed of faith, God may very well be calling you to come alongside of them and lift them up through the strength of your own faith.
Will you heed the call? Will you step in and be faith for your friend?
Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving us so much that You will answer prayer for us based on someone else’s faith when our own trials bring a storm of doubts. Help us to lift each other up when one of us is weak.
Is there someone in your life who you can minister to today? Read Romans 15:-12 and then take that step to bring their needs before God in prayer.
Some of you may be wondering what happened to the photo of the flower at the top of the page. Good question! I can't seem to get answers from Google/Blogspot as to why my images are disappearing and how to get them back. If any of you girls are gifted in this area and could offer me some helpful advice, I would love it!
Today's devotional deals with friendships. When I think of Christmas and of the fact that God's plan for salvation included His Son coming to earth as a baby and living among us, it makes me realize all over again how much God values relationships. He values His relationships with us and our relationships with each other (read Romans 15:1-2 today). Our friendships are such a gift! Perhaps this Christmas season God is calling you to give a different, more meaningful kind of gift to a friend in your life. Something that can't be wrapped in paper and bags; something much more valuable.
-Becky
The Faith of a Friend
Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them… When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven… I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:3, 5, 11, NIV)
So here they are, a group of guys with this incredible bond of brotherhood. One of them is paralyzed and has had to live with the reality of being confined to a mat or a bed. His life has become limited, perhaps even hopeless from his point of view. He’s very likely battling with depression, or at the very least, discouragement. We’ll call him Dane just for the sake of clarity in today’s devotional. One day one of Dane’s friends hears Jesus is in town, just a few blocks away, speaking at someone’s house. He tells the others. They are elated! They see this as a golden opportunity for healing for Dane. But he doesn’t see it. Maybe it’s fear, maybe it’s doubt, maybe it’s low self-worth, but whatever the reason, he does not share the faith and excitement of his friends. They don’t let his skepticism deter them from their mission, however. They load him up on the stretcher anyway, four of the stronger men grab the four corners, and the rest lead the way as they all set out for the house where Jesus is.
We all know what happens. The crowd is so big that they can’t get anywhere near the door. Bound and determined, they go up to the roof, tear it open, and lower their friend down right in front of Jesus. Jesus first forgives Dane’s sins and then heals his paralysis. The man who was once paralyzed jumps up and I imagine he did a little dance! His spirits are so high that not even the combined excitement of his friends can compare to what he is feeling.
But did you notice the four important words in this story that are consistent in each of the three Gospels in which this miracle is relayed? “And seeing their faith…” Jesus saw the faith of the friends and He honored it. He knew that the faith of Dane was hampered because of his circumstances. But Dane had a group of friends interceding on his behalf and Jesus immediately recognized that.
This is one of those incredible moments when we get a glimpse into the heart of the Creator who made us from the very beginning to be relational beings, living interconnected with one another. This is when the words of the New Testament ring true about the family of believers being part of one body. When one of your friends is going through a battle of life that brings them so low they cannot even muster up that small seed of faith, God may very well be calling you to come alongside of them and lift them up through the strength of your own faith.
Will you heed the call? Will you step in and be faith for your friend?
Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving us so much that You will answer prayer for us based on someone else’s faith when our own trials bring a storm of doubts. Help us to lift each other up when one of us is weak.
Is there someone in your life who you can minister to today? Read Romans 15:-12 and then take that step to bring their needs before God in prayer.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Good morning! I found today's devotional in a pile of stuff that I had written a while back. It was interesting to read it, to remember where I was in my life when I wrote it, and to know where I am today. God did indeed answer my prayer, but in a way that was completely different than anything I would have considered.
Think of Christmas. Jesus was the answer to God's promise from long, long ago. The Israelites waited a very long time for the fulfillment of that promise. And then it came in a way that they weren't expecting. But God's way was so much better than what they had been expecting.
God is faithful. He always keeps His promises and always cares for His children. Sometimes it might be in ways that are foreign to us. Sometimes it might be in ways that are so incredible they are beyond our comprehension. Sometimes it might be in subtle and gentle ways.
Waiting for God to answer a prayer or fulfill a promise is difficult. That is why He has placed us in each other's lives, to encourage and strengthen each other. If you are waiting on God, do not get discouraged. And if you know someone who is waiting on God to answer a prayer, be their encourager, no matter how long it takes.
Have a wonderful weekend and I will look forward to talking to you all again on Monday!
-Becky
Waiting
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8, NIV)
Maybe you can relate to my dilemma. I am going through a very difficult situation in my life, one that would probably be easier if I didn’t feel the desire to do what I know to be right in the sight of God. Being faithful is often the harder road. And knowing you’re doing the right thing doesn’t take away the temptation to run the other way when you know that it would make life less painful and less difficult.
I truly believe that God has the power to change my situation. I pray with boldness every day that He will intervene in some way. I even pray for Him to change my own heart in the process. What I don’t know is this: how long will I have to pray? How long do I have to persevere?
I feel like if I were to persevere for six months, that would be a very long time and surely God would answer prayer by then! But what if not? What if I am wrong? The truth of the matter is that God is not restrained by the world’s time. He does not run on our clock.
The Bible is full of stories where God gave a promise and then made the recipient wait to have it fulfilled. He promised Abraham a son …and it took 24 years. He promised the Israelites the Promised Land …and it took 400 years. He promised Joseph leadership and power …but it first took being sold into slavery, being falsely accused and convicted of attempted rape, and sitting in prison for several years. Others did not see the fulfillment of God’s promise until they tasted death.
What if I have to wait 20, 30, 40 years for my situation to be resolved? What if? Could I survive that long without going crazy? Could I persevere without succumbing to doubt and depression? Could I keep going without giving up?
The answer is, I have to. If I believe that God is God, if I say that I trust Him, then I have to wait. I have to. To do anything less would be to deny the faith I claim to have.
I also need to continue living life to the fullest in the meantime. I have to enjoy what God has given me. If I wait by sitting in a corner and pouting, then what good is that? What have I accomplished besides wasting the life that God has given me? What kind of example would I have set? What joys would I have missed out on?
Dear God, Please help me to keep my focus on You. Don’t let my circumstances deter me from taking the harder road. Help me to focus on the truth that You are God and I am not. And give me strength and peace while I wait.
Think of Christmas. Jesus was the answer to God's promise from long, long ago. The Israelites waited a very long time for the fulfillment of that promise. And then it came in a way that they weren't expecting. But God's way was so much better than what they had been expecting.
God is faithful. He always keeps His promises and always cares for His children. Sometimes it might be in ways that are foreign to us. Sometimes it might be in ways that are so incredible they are beyond our comprehension. Sometimes it might be in subtle and gentle ways.
Waiting for God to answer a prayer or fulfill a promise is difficult. That is why He has placed us in each other's lives, to encourage and strengthen each other. If you are waiting on God, do not get discouraged. And if you know someone who is waiting on God to answer a prayer, be their encourager, no matter how long it takes.
Have a wonderful weekend and I will look forward to talking to you all again on Monday!
-Becky
Waiting
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8, NIV)
Maybe you can relate to my dilemma. I am going through a very difficult situation in my life, one that would probably be easier if I didn’t feel the desire to do what I know to be right in the sight of God. Being faithful is often the harder road. And knowing you’re doing the right thing doesn’t take away the temptation to run the other way when you know that it would make life less painful and less difficult.
I truly believe that God has the power to change my situation. I pray with boldness every day that He will intervene in some way. I even pray for Him to change my own heart in the process. What I don’t know is this: how long will I have to pray? How long do I have to persevere?
I feel like if I were to persevere for six months, that would be a very long time and surely God would answer prayer by then! But what if not? What if I am wrong? The truth of the matter is that God is not restrained by the world’s time. He does not run on our clock.
The Bible is full of stories where God gave a promise and then made the recipient wait to have it fulfilled. He promised Abraham a son …and it took 24 years. He promised the Israelites the Promised Land …and it took 400 years. He promised Joseph leadership and power …but it first took being sold into slavery, being falsely accused and convicted of attempted rape, and sitting in prison for several years. Others did not see the fulfillment of God’s promise until they tasted death.
What if I have to wait 20, 30, 40 years for my situation to be resolved? What if? Could I survive that long without going crazy? Could I persevere without succumbing to doubt and depression? Could I keep going without giving up?
The answer is, I have to. If I believe that God is God, if I say that I trust Him, then I have to wait. I have to. To do anything less would be to deny the faith I claim to have.
I also need to continue living life to the fullest in the meantime. I have to enjoy what God has given me. If I wait by sitting in a corner and pouting, then what good is that? What have I accomplished besides wasting the life that God has given me? What kind of example would I have set? What joys would I have missed out on?
Dear God, Please help me to keep my focus on You. Don’t let my circumstances deter me from taking the harder road. Help me to focus on the truth that You are God and I am not. And give me strength and peace while I wait.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
There are times, like today, when I need to be reminded that God is in control. Times when I need to give my anxiety and fears over to God and allow myself to feel peace before I see Him do even one thing. Life is not perfect and there will be many times when I will be challenged to trust in a God who keeps His promises and never changes. I pray that today you are able to find peace in the midst of whatever situation you find yourself in. We are not alone. We have a big God who loves us beyond what we can comprehend. And we have each other, our God-given encouragers.
Rest In His Presence
And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
(Ex. 33:14, NASB)
When my youngest son was just 14 months old, there were times he would wake up in the middle of the night crying. When it was evident that he was not going to go back to sleep on his own, I would reluctantly pull myself out of my warm, cozy bed and sleepwalk down the hall to his room.
Now here’s the funny part …no matter how hard he was crying, he would instantly quiet the second I opened his door and walked into his room. Not only did he stop crying, but he immediately returned to sleep. Faster than I could snap my finger. And he stayed asleep while I fixed whatever the problem happened to be (which was often his blankets).
I always found this a little bit strange and somewhat amusing. And then it hit me that my son was able to do this because all it took was the sense of my presence to calm him. Before I did even one thing to help him, he had already found peace and rest simply by my being in the room. He knew he could trust me to take care of the problem once I was there.
As adults I don’t think most of us comprehend what it means to be given rest and peace in that way. We are part of a fast-paced, high-stress world of insomnia, anxiety, competition and depression. We don’t remember what it was like to find instant and total peace just by being in the presence of our parents.
I began comparing this to the parallels of the spiritual relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. Is just the fact of His presence enough to bring us peace, even before He does one thing to take care of our pressing needs? It rarely is, but it should be.
We all know the myriad of promises in the Bible about God caring about the smallest detail in our lives, about Him owning the cattle on a thousand hills, about Him doing “exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). Not only do we have these promises, but we also have our own experiences, those times in our past where we have seen God work in impossible situations in our lives.
We are promised that God will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us always. We need to learn – or perhaps re-learn – the art of finding rest simply because we are in the presence of our Father.
Rest In His Presence
And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
(Ex. 33:14, NASB)
When my youngest son was just 14 months old, there were times he would wake up in the middle of the night crying. When it was evident that he was not going to go back to sleep on his own, I would reluctantly pull myself out of my warm, cozy bed and sleepwalk down the hall to his room.
Now here’s the funny part …no matter how hard he was crying, he would instantly quiet the second I opened his door and walked into his room. Not only did he stop crying, but he immediately returned to sleep. Faster than I could snap my finger. And he stayed asleep while I fixed whatever the problem happened to be (which was often his blankets).
I always found this a little bit strange and somewhat amusing. And then it hit me that my son was able to do this because all it took was the sense of my presence to calm him. Before I did even one thing to help him, he had already found peace and rest simply by my being in the room. He knew he could trust me to take care of the problem once I was there.
As adults I don’t think most of us comprehend what it means to be given rest and peace in that way. We are part of a fast-paced, high-stress world of insomnia, anxiety, competition and depression. We don’t remember what it was like to find instant and total peace just by being in the presence of our parents.
I began comparing this to the parallels of the spiritual relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. Is just the fact of His presence enough to bring us peace, even before He does one thing to take care of our pressing needs? It rarely is, but it should be.
We all know the myriad of promises in the Bible about God caring about the smallest detail in our lives, about Him owning the cattle on a thousand hills, about Him doing “exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). Not only do we have these promises, but we also have our own experiences, those times in our past where we have seen God work in impossible situations in our lives.
We are promised that God will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us always. We need to learn – or perhaps re-learn – the art of finding rest simply because we are in the presence of our Father.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Good morning! I just wanted to say thank you for all of the wonderful comments from yesterday. I also wanted to let you know that I am working on having the comments be visible in order to better facilitate interaction between us women. Please feel free to let me know any suggestions you may have for this blog site.
I realize that with Christmas only two weeks away, you may be expecting Christmas-themed devotions. While today's devotional is not directly related to Christmas, I hope that the topic is one that will remind you of the importance of relationships at this time of year. Last year was my year to focus on reconciling three different friendships that had gone by the wayside several years ago. It is such a blessing to me to have these 3 friends back in my life. While forgiveness is not always synonymous with reconciliation (nor should it be in some cases), it is still a very important part of our lives as Christians.
Have a wonderful day today!
Becky
Forgiveness and Blessing
After the Lord had said these things to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to My servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:7-10, NIV)
Job had just been through his own private hell. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health due to a bet Satan made with God. His wife treated him with sarcasm and disrespect. His three friends who came to him under the guise of being a support falsely accused him of causing his own losses because of unconfessed sin.
Job was in agony physically, emotionally and spiritually. Instead of providing him with comfort and encouragement, his friends judged him and berated him.
Job finally succumbed to anger and bitterness toward God. Who wouldn’t in his shoes? But in the end he humbled himself before God and asked for forgiveness. God forgave him willingly and instantly. But what’s interesting is that Job’s losses weren’t restored until after he prayed on behalf of his three friends. That’s right. God was so angry at the friends for the part they played in Job’s suffering that He required them to present a burnt offering and have Job intercede for them.
We have no idea whether these three friends were sincere and humble when they did what God asked, or whether they did what they were told with resentment and insincerity. But that’s not what matters. What matters is what Job did. He prayed for them. And because God can see the intent of the heart, it’s implied that Job’s intercession came with pure motives.
How hard must that have been? When we are betrayed or deeply hurt by a close friend or loved one, we often use it as a reasonable excuse to walk away from the relationship. After all, we reason, we’re completely justified in feeling hurt and angry. Our trust has been betrayed; we feel that we have every reason to write that person off.
It takes a whole new level of spiritual maturity to do what Job did, to forgive those who have hurt us and then ask God to do the same. It takes humility, which means first knowing that you yourself are right with God. And it takes a level of forgiveness beyond what our culture either comprehends or condones.
Did you read what happened to Job after he prayed for his friends? God restored his fortunes …times two! He restored Job’s marriage and blessed him with ten more children, He restored and doubled his wealth, and He restored his health. He “blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.” (Job 42:12) Job learned that with a forgiving heart comes blessing.
I realize that with Christmas only two weeks away, you may be expecting Christmas-themed devotions. While today's devotional is not directly related to Christmas, I hope that the topic is one that will remind you of the importance of relationships at this time of year. Last year was my year to focus on reconciling three different friendships that had gone by the wayside several years ago. It is such a blessing to me to have these 3 friends back in my life. While forgiveness is not always synonymous with reconciliation (nor should it be in some cases), it is still a very important part of our lives as Christians.
Have a wonderful day today!
Becky
Forgiveness and Blessing
After the Lord had said these things to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to My servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:7-10, NIV)
Job had just been through his own private hell. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health due to a bet Satan made with God. His wife treated him with sarcasm and disrespect. His three friends who came to him under the guise of being a support falsely accused him of causing his own losses because of unconfessed sin.
Job was in agony physically, emotionally and spiritually. Instead of providing him with comfort and encouragement, his friends judged him and berated him.
Job finally succumbed to anger and bitterness toward God. Who wouldn’t in his shoes? But in the end he humbled himself before God and asked for forgiveness. God forgave him willingly and instantly. But what’s interesting is that Job’s losses weren’t restored until after he prayed on behalf of his three friends. That’s right. God was so angry at the friends for the part they played in Job’s suffering that He required them to present a burnt offering and have Job intercede for them.
We have no idea whether these three friends were sincere and humble when they did what God asked, or whether they did what they were told with resentment and insincerity. But that’s not what matters. What matters is what Job did. He prayed for them. And because God can see the intent of the heart, it’s implied that Job’s intercession came with pure motives.
How hard must that have been? When we are betrayed or deeply hurt by a close friend or loved one, we often use it as a reasonable excuse to walk away from the relationship. After all, we reason, we’re completely justified in feeling hurt and angry. Our trust has been betrayed; we feel that we have every reason to write that person off.
It takes a whole new level of spiritual maturity to do what Job did, to forgive those who have hurt us and then ask God to do the same. It takes humility, which means first knowing that you yourself are right with God. And it takes a level of forgiveness beyond what our culture either comprehends or condones.
Did you read what happened to Job after he prayed for his friends? God restored his fortunes …times two! He restored Job’s marriage and blessed him with ten more children, He restored and doubled his wealth, and He restored his health. He “blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.” (Job 42:12) Job learned that with a forgiving heart comes blessing.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2008
Well, girlfriends, this is it. This is the official start to the GEMS devotional blog. I am very excited to have you join us. Please feel free to interact by leaving comments. Welcome!
The Unlikely Teacher
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18, NIV)
Sometimes our greatest teachers do not come all nicely packaged as wise professors or experienced pastors or even spiritually mature Christians.
My friend Matt was young, not just in physical years, but younger still in mental years. His childlike mind was disguised in a young man’s body with fiery red hair that curled on top of his freckled face. He giggled when he laughed. He loved God, Elvis and his friends.
Although Matt grew up in poverty, often without electricity, food or phone, he complained little about his lot in life. He was willing to work hard at his part-time jobs even though his family members regularly stole what little he earned.
Matt seemed to have had a hard hand dealt to him, but it became even harder when he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma at age 24. Four friends and I became his second family when his own family refused to get help for him. We took him to the hospital, we held his hand as he was given news of his terminal disease, we went with him to chemo appointments, we made hurried runs with him to the ER, we shaved his head for him when his hair started falling out, we made sure that for a time he had a safe, comfortable, “real” home with loving caregivers.
It was hard to watch Matt’s body decaying. We didn’t understand why this was happening to him, but we rejoiced when God chose to answer our prayer and spared him any pain or nausea throughout his entire ordeal.
After several months the end came suddenly when the hospital accidentally nicked a vein while doing surgery. No one realized what had happened until Matt collapsed a few hours later and it was too late. The medical staff kept him alive on life-support until we could get there to tell him goodbye for the last time.
Two weeks after his death Darlene, one of my friends who had helped with Matt, had a very vivid dream that she shared with me. In her dream Matt was standing on the far side of a shining, expansive sea. She said she could tell in one look that he was completely whole, both physically and mentally. He was radiant and his smile was beaming. When he saw Darlene he spoke only two words: “Tell Becky.” Tears were streaming down my face when she relayed this very personal message meant for me.
Matt was on the other side where he finally understood what the rest of us still struggle to understand – that in the end God makes everything beautiful. That all that matters is the things that are eternal.
By human standards Matt endured far greater than the “light afflictions” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. But it had all been nothing compared to the glory of eternity with God.
Even now, years later, I can still see that dream as clearly as if I had dreamed it myself. I carry it with me as a reminder from God that something far greater awaits me, that what matters most is what I can’t see …the person He is creating within me.
Matt experienced what it was like to have a body that falls apart, money that disappears and family members who betray and abuse. But all of that was temporary. The glory that awaited him is forever.
What hardships are there in your life right now? How can we encourage you to view them as temporary? Do you know of any good Christian resources you could share with those who are traveling through some difficult times?
The Unlikely Teacher
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18, NIV)
Sometimes our greatest teachers do not come all nicely packaged as wise professors or experienced pastors or even spiritually mature Christians.
My friend Matt was young, not just in physical years, but younger still in mental years. His childlike mind was disguised in a young man’s body with fiery red hair that curled on top of his freckled face. He giggled when he laughed. He loved God, Elvis and his friends.
Although Matt grew up in poverty, often without electricity, food or phone, he complained little about his lot in life. He was willing to work hard at his part-time jobs even though his family members regularly stole what little he earned.
Matt seemed to have had a hard hand dealt to him, but it became even harder when he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma at age 24. Four friends and I became his second family when his own family refused to get help for him. We took him to the hospital, we held his hand as he was given news of his terminal disease, we went with him to chemo appointments, we made hurried runs with him to the ER, we shaved his head for him when his hair started falling out, we made sure that for a time he had a safe, comfortable, “real” home with loving caregivers.
It was hard to watch Matt’s body decaying. We didn’t understand why this was happening to him, but we rejoiced when God chose to answer our prayer and spared him any pain or nausea throughout his entire ordeal.
After several months the end came suddenly when the hospital accidentally nicked a vein while doing surgery. No one realized what had happened until Matt collapsed a few hours later and it was too late. The medical staff kept him alive on life-support until we could get there to tell him goodbye for the last time.
Two weeks after his death Darlene, one of my friends who had helped with Matt, had a very vivid dream that she shared with me. In her dream Matt was standing on the far side of a shining, expansive sea. She said she could tell in one look that he was completely whole, both physically and mentally. He was radiant and his smile was beaming. When he saw Darlene he spoke only two words: “Tell Becky.” Tears were streaming down my face when she relayed this very personal message meant for me.
Matt was on the other side where he finally understood what the rest of us still struggle to understand – that in the end God makes everything beautiful. That all that matters is the things that are eternal.
By human standards Matt endured far greater than the “light afflictions” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. But it had all been nothing compared to the glory of eternity with God.
Even now, years later, I can still see that dream as clearly as if I had dreamed it myself. I carry it with me as a reminder from God that something far greater awaits me, that what matters most is what I can’t see …the person He is creating within me.
Matt experienced what it was like to have a body that falls apart, money that disappears and family members who betray and abuse. But all of that was temporary. The glory that awaited him is forever.
What hardships are there in your life right now? How can we encourage you to view them as temporary? Do you know of any good Christian resources you could share with those who are traveling through some difficult times?
Monday, December 3, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)