Month: January 2019

Psalm 139:13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Like many people, I have always been hyper-critical of my own body—my belly roll, my Shrek foot, my crooked teeth, my acne-prone, crepe-y skin. I could go on and on. However, if I did, I would be doing myself and my Maker a huge disservice.
Psalm 139:14 Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
I am a masterpiece because my Creator is the Master of the Universe. My womb has nurtured the miracle of life. My feet and legs have run half marathons and climbed mountains. My arms have rocked babies, dried tears, supported and encouraged others, built up and created things that give hope and encouragement. 
Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the gift of another year of life. Thank You for this amazing body, fearfully, wonderfully, uniquely made by You. Thank You for the gift of perspective. Help me always to view myself and others through Your eyes, which see, support, and celebrate. Draw us closer. Amen.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Have a blessed day.

1 Cor 12:15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
Yesterday, as I was proofing my devo before posting, a thought struck me related to 1 Cor 12:15. Just because the foot disavows the body does not make it any less a part of the body. It made me think of our amazing Savior who loves us deeply. Just because we disavow Him—because we think we don’t need Him or because we think we’ve screwed up so badly that there’s no way He can still love us—our disavowal does not affect the way He sees us. We are His. Always.
Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
The Christian band Rend Collective put out a song some time ago, with the chorus: “You will never run away/You’re forever mine.” It used to crack me up because it sounded a tad bit creepy, but the promise inherent in the lines is lifesaving, not creepy. God loves us fiercely. Always. Even if we turn our backs on Him, even if we think we’re too far gone for Him to love, He’s right there, waiting for us to return to Him. Thank You, Jesus.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says… “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for laying this message on my heart. Thank You for creating me, for loving me, for redeeming me. Thank You for the lengths You will go to to bring me back to You. Help me to shine Your light for all to see. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Have a blessed day. 

1 Cor 12:15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
Discontent seems an unavoidable part of the human existence, and I believe we were created that way for a divine purpose. That part of ourselves that is discontent with our circumstances is God’s way of ensuring that we realize how much we need Him. We were intended to be discontent because we are incomplete. That discontentment was intended to send us seeking Him. But the world wants us to believe that our discontent is because we don’t have something material. The world wants us to search for things instead of a relationship with our Savior.
1 Cor 12:16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
God endowed us each with specific strengths and gifts to serve a specific purpose for Him. The trials that we have been through prepare us for the role He has for us. Every job can be done with dignity. But humans are fickle creatures, and it is easy for us to become discontent, especially if we feel our role isn’t enough—big enough, good enough, important enough. We aren’t wired for contentment, but God wants us to seek Him, not the things of this world.
1 Cor 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your presence with me this morning. I am guilty of feeling the discontent intended to bring me closer to You and seeking the things of this world instead. I am guilty of feeling the discontent and thinking that I need to do something else instead of drawing closer to You. Thank You for loving me through my discontent. Help me to make my home in You, to seek contentment in You only. Help me to be Your hands and feet. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Cor 12:18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.
Have a blessed day.

Song of Solomon 4:7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.
Once again, this is a verse that has been open on my desktop for quite some time. I adore this image of how Christ feels about us, His beloved children. For me, today, this verse, all these verses, represent the “full armor of God,” so that I can take my stand against the devil’s schemes (Eph 6:11). The devil knows my self-esteem is a weak point. He knows the crazy high standards I hold for myself and my ridiculously critical inner voice. But my precious Savior knows, too, and He whispers sweet balm to my soul—You are enough because you have Me. You are perfectly imperfect, and my perfection completes You as it was designed to do. You are precious and beautiful because You are Mine. 
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”
The devil wants me to doubt my worth to my Savior. He wants to capitalize on my insecurities. But a beautiful truth that I am learning and trusting is that if I lean into my Savior, my insecurities can be a tremendous source of strength. Hear me out. I know without a doubt that my faith is strong, despite my doubts and fears. In fact, my weaknesses and insecurities help me to be ever mindful of my deep need for my Savior, who is my only source of strength. I cannot do this life without His help, presence, and guidance.
Isaiah 49:16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder that I am Yours, deeply loved, perfectly imperfect. Thank You for these words of truth to help me fight the devil’s schemes. Help me to trust beyond a shadow of a doubt that You’ve got me, You are holding me, I am Yours. Help me reject the devil’s attempts to sidetrack me from Your work. Help me to shine Your light brightly for all to see. Draw me closer. Strengthen me. Amen.
Psalm 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day.
Have a blessed day.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds….
My students will tell you that I say the phrase “Life is all about choices,” sometimes with startling regularity. I usually follow that up with some variation of “but choices have consequences, so choose wisely.” For me personally, the reminder, posted everywhere in my classroom, is “Choose Joy.”
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Charles Swindoll said, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” My attitude is my choice. Life is often not smooth—sometimes it’s little things and sometimes it’s life-altering things that do not go the way we hope or plan. But God is always at work, and He can use all things if we let Him, He can draw us closer to Him through the darkest, most painful circumstances, and while the darkness and pain isn’t something to celebrate, drawing closer to Him absolutely is.
1 Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances….
Lord, Thank You for this day and the reminder to choose joy in our circumstances. Thank You for Your ability to draw us closer, shape and mold us, through all circumstances. Help me remember that I am always in charge of my attitude. Help me to choose joy. Draw me closer to You. Amen.
Romans 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Have a blessed day.

Acts 3:5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
I’ve had this passage up on my computer for several days. Something about it draws me. A beggar, lame from birth, sitting at the temple gates, begging for money. He expected nothing more out of life. This was as good as it would ever get, he figured. Two men approaching the temple. A request for money, uttered thousands of times. A life-changing command—“Look at us!” So he did, expectantly.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
From the other side, Peter had no money, but he had the faith of a living Savior. He didn’t just say, “Sorry, dude. No cash. Can’t help.” He knew he had something better than coins, faith in a risen LORD, and he wanted to share. The beggar, expecting money, received a miracle, healing, an opportunity for restoration which he never dreamed possible.
Acts 3:16a “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong….”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this example of faithful giving and faithful healing. Thank You for Your fierce love and relentless mercy. Help us to share what we have, our deep faith in You, and to seek to uplift and encourage each other at every opportunity. Draw us closer. Amen.
Acts 3:16b “…It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed Him, as you can see.”
Have a blessed day.

Romans 12:8 …if [your gift] is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Yesterday I was listening to the song “Shoulders” by for King & Country. I’ve heard the song countless times, but yesterday, the line “Your mercy is relentless” really jumped out at me. The word relentless has such a negative connotation. Google defines it as “oppressively constant; incessant.” But when the term is applied to God’s grace, the thought, to me, is quite amazing—His mercy does not quit. Ever. No matter what I do. No matter how prickly I am. He loves me that much. He is relentless in the pursuit of me.
Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Humans aren’t really wired that way, I think. I know I’m guilty of giving something my best shot but calling it quits if the return on my investment doesn’t seem worth all I have to sacrifice for it. I’m incredibly thankful that my Savior’s mercy is relentless. Even though I try my hardest every day, I undoubtedly need liberal doses of His mercy every second of my life. Thank You, Jesus.
Lam 3:21-23 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for Your fierce love, for Your relentless mercy. I do not deserve them. I cannot earn them. I am not worthy of them, yet You lavish me with Your grace daily. Help me to treat everyone I encounter with the same relentless mercy with which You treat me. Draw us closer. Amen.
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Have a blessed day.

Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
I am an incredibly emotional person. On good days, when things are going well, it is a beautiful thing because I feel joy so deeply. On bad days, like yesterday when it felt like I was failing at life, it can be really, really difficult to be so emotional because I feel failure so deeply. However, being this emotional is one of the things that, as I get older, sends me in search of my Savior so much more often. He created me this way for a purpose, and I know He can use this trait for my good and His glory.
Psalm 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Being such an emotional person is one of the reasons I started sharing my devotional reflections with others. I used to think I was the only one who struggled with so many things, which made it so much harder. Everyone else seemed to be winning at life and I fell at every turn. Not true. And realizing I was not the only one struggling was liberating—I am not a freak because I struggle. Everyone struggles—in different ways and with different issues, but struggles nonetheless. I resolved to be transparent with my struggles so that others struggling in silence would realize they were not alone.
Psalm 62:7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for my emotional nature, for Your guidance, strength, and wisdom in sharing my struggles with others in an attempt to shine Your light. Every good and perfect gift is from You, Lord. Every trial brings me closer to You. Every day is a new opportunity to honor You. Draw me closer. Help me encourage others and point them to You. Amen.
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Have a blessed day.

1 Cor 1:4-5 I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way….
I am not living as someone who is more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37). I am not living as a deeply, fiercely, completely loved child of God. I am allowing myself to become overwhelmed by doubts, fears, and missteps. I seem to keep forgetting that I am covered by God’s amazing, unending, undeserved, all-powerful grace. Jesus, Help me.
1 Cor 1:7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
I seem to go through cycles where I just feel utterly defeated, like everything I do, despite my best intentions, turns out terribly wrong. How do I keep losing sight of the fact that “…the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me…” (Rom 8:11) because of His radical, life-changing love for me? Jesus, Help me.
1 Cor 1:8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder of the power, love, and grace I am covered with as Your deeply loved child. Help me, daily, hourly, moment-by-moment, to feel Your presence, to live Your strength, to show Your love and compassion. I feel like on my own, I keep making a mess of things, but I keep forgetting that because I have claimed You as mine, I am no longer on my own. You are always with me. You strengthen me and cover me with Your grace. I want more of You and less of myself, Lord. I want to honor You with my life. I want to live victoriously through You. Show me how. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, who called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Have a blessed day.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
I find today’s passages incredibly appropriate as I prepare to begin a new semester. God is at the center of who I am, and while I do not discuss my faith in a classroom setting, I most certainly want to infuse Him, my core and my center, in all I do. One way to do that is to love my students where they are, for who they are, and with whatever baggage they are currently carrying. That is often easier said than done. Jesus, Help me.
Romans 12:12-13 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
I try to treat people with unconditional positive regard because I believe that all people have value, even when they/we make mistakes. To me, treating someone as a human being worthy of love and respect is the same concept as Paul’s reminder to practice hospitality. To me, Jesus’s radical idea that even prostitutes, tax collectors, and adulterers were worthy of His love and His time seems to speak to the same concept of unconditional positive regard.
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for these reminders. Thank You for the unconditional positive regard which You show to all people. Help me to live the spirit of these verses as I begin this new semester. Help me to serve as Your heart, Your hands, and Your feet to all I encounter. Draw me closer. Amen.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Have a blessed day.