1 Peter 4:11a If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
If we believe that we are Christ’s hands and feet in this weary world, then our words and actions are an extension of His love. That is a beautiful thought until I stumble upon unChristlike words and actions in my own daily life. Jesus, Help me always to shine Your light, to reflect Your love, even when I’m tired, grumpy, or discouraged. I want to always point others to You. I want others to see Your light and Your love reflected through me, not just when I’m in a good space, but all the time.
1 Peter 4:11b If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Lord, I’m awfully bad about trying to function in my own strength. The desire to be self-sufficient and self-reliant is so strong, but I don’t want people to see me and think, “Look how strong she is.” I want them to see Your strength in my actions. I know I can’t do life without You, Lord, and I don’t want to. Help me to lean in to Your strength always.
2 Cor 13:5 …Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…?
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the truth of Your words, Your love, and Your strength. Thank You for Your presence in my life, Your fierce love, and Your amazing grace. Draw me closer, Lord. Help me to glorify You in all I say and do. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11c …To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Have a blessed day.
The state of my heart…. (devo reflection)
Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
This scripture put me in mind of a poem entitled “The Man in the Glass,” which basically says that you can fool everybody but yourself when it comes to who you are and how you got where you are in life. To me, Acts 24:16 speaks to being able to look at yourself and know that who you are, who the world thinks you are, and who God knows you to be match.
Acts 23:1 … “I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
I know my caustic inner critic often makes a squeaky clean conscience difficult, but sometimes a stinky attitude can be just as bad as motives that are less than honorable. One devotional I read today did not equate blamelessness with perfection but rather with doing the correct thing in all situations. If you mess up, apologize. If your attitude is stinky, change it (and apologize if you offended while you were in that mindset).
1 Cor 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that my attitude is important and that You and I both know what my heart looks like, even if I can fool the world. Help me always to be honest with myself and with You about the state of my heart. If my attitude is stinky, help me to be aware and to actively seek to change it. Help me not to be a stumbling block to others but instead to point them to You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Have a blessed day.
Spreading the Good News…. (devo reflection)
Phil 1:12 And I want you to know…that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
Perspective can make a significant difference in a situation. Unfortunately, when bad things happen, my first response is often, “Why me? Why this? Why now?” One of my readings today asked: “Are you willing for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?” Jesus, Help shift my focus so that, no matter my circumstances, I seek to show others Your saving power through my reaction.
Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good….
That shift in focus feels revolutionary. With it, my question shifts from “Why me?” to “How can I use this to shine Your light?” And that is truly what I want more than anything—to show others the fierce love and unfathomable grace of my Savior. Help me, Jesus.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this reminder. Thank You for the difference made by a slight change in perspective. Help me to view my circumstances through the lens of “How can I use this situation to shine Your light for others?” Draw me closer. Give me strength. Amen.
Luke 21:13 This will be your chance to tell the Good News.
Have a blessed day.
You did not forsake them…. (devo reflection)
Nehemiah 9:17a They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them….
I wonder if God ever gets frustrated with me. I know I frustrate myself. I feel like I keep fighting the same battles over and over. For me, those battles center around giving up trying to control situations I can’t and trusting God has got me, even when I feel like life is spinning out of my control. Jesus, Help me.
Nehemiah 9:17b …They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage….
The Israelites typify my internal struggle. On the one hand, I read about them and shake my head in disgust. What is wrong with them? God’s got them. He’s leading them. He has proved to them a history of caring for them, and still they cannot trust?!? Still they would rather return to slavery than march forward in God’s will to freedom?!? But the control freak in me gets it. By returning to slavery, to the familiar, they know what to expect, which allows them to FEEL more in control, even though they are not. Jesus, Help me.
Nehemiah 9:17c …But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for loving me too much to leave me where I am. Thank You for continuing to call me on my control and trust issues. Help me, Jesus, to give up trying to control situations I can’t and to fully trust what I know in my heart to be true—You are sovereign, You are in control, and You love my loved ones more than I am even capable of loving. You’ve got us, all of us, securely in the palm of Your hand. Draw us closer. Amen.
Nehemiah 9:17d …and You did not forsake them.
Have a blessed day.
Hope in God…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God….
To date, my hubs and our oldest have walked over 900 miles. Walked. On foot. Step by step. I’ve prayed them through every single mile and then some. But their spirits are starting to flag. My oldest is homesick and suffering from “the grass is greener” syndrome, imagining, I’m sure, all the fun he’s missing out on at home. The hubs is flagging from the continual wear of “pushing the rope,” trying to keep our son encouraged and moving forward when most days he just wants to quit. Jesus, Help us.
Psalm 42:8 By day the LORD commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me….
As a parent, I want my son, both my sons, to understand that Jesus brings us to the end of ourselves so He can show us how far He can take us when we allow Him to take control. I want him, both of them, to realize in life that we often are called to do difficult, sometimes seemingly impossible things, and if God’s calling us to do it, HE will help us through it, step by step, moment by moment, but we have to trust Him and allow Him to work in us and through us. Jesus, Help us.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this awkward and uncomfortable space You have brought us all to. I don’t like it here, but I recognize that You are teaching ALL of us about trusting in You, about coming to the end of ourselves and letting go of control so that You can work through us and in us. I love this precious family so very deeply, Lord. I know You love us more than we are capable of understanding. Help us all to trust You, to lean into You, to allow You to lead us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Psalm 43:3 O send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me….
Have a blessed day.
Defining myself through the eyes of my Savior…. (devo reflection)
Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
My caustic inner critic cackled as I read this morning’s scripture. Mentally, as I read through Proverbs 31:10-31, she pointed out all the ways I fall short of the description of “The Wife of Noble Character.” She delights in my mistakes and missteps, pointing them out, derisively, at every opportunity. She’s a real peach. Jesus, Help me!
Proverbs 31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
I’m sure most people are able to take their inner critics with a grain of salt, tell them to “shut it” when they get mouthy, and move forward anyway. I’ve really had to concentrate on defining myself through the eyes of my precious Savior and not through the acerbic comments of my inner voice. Jesus, Help me!
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for helping me to see that my inner critic doesn’t define me—You do. Thank You, in the words of a dear friend, for uniquely making me for this family that You have blessed me with, for equipping me with the tools I need to be a good wife to the hubs and mother to our boys. Help me to be the best wife and mother I can be to help this family whom I love so deeply find their way and their strength in You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Have a blessed day.
Valuing people over possessions…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Our culture values stuff. The premise of almost any commercial is “If you buy this product, your life will be enriched.” Therefore, it is not surprising to me that every semester when I talk to students about future careers, there is always at least one who doesn’t care what he does as long as he “makes bank.” Most everything in our culture indicates that money means happiness, or at the very least, having money means you can buy happiness.
1 Cor 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
I wonder what would happen if, as a culture, we shifted our focus away from making money and acquiring things and toward loving others? What if, instead of chasing after the almighty dollar, we chased after others, showering them with love and compassion? I almost can’t imagine such a world, but wouldn’t it be astounding to witness?
Psalm 22:19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for these thoughts that I will continue to ponder in my heart. Help me as an individual and help our culture to value people over possessions, to value helping others over “making bank.” Draw us closer to You. Remake us in Your imagine. Amen.
Luke 1:46-47 … “My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….”
Have a blessed day.
Lukewarm…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other!
Our dog Joy is a mess. When she wants her belly scratched, she will get in the recliner beside you, sit on her haunches, and throw herself backward into your arms, exposing her belly for scratching. Ready or not, here she comes! There is nothing lukewarm about her actions. They declare, “Here I am! Love me!”
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth.
God wants that kind of enthusiasm from us as well. He doesn’t want lukewarm Christians. He wants us to be bold in our actions for Him. He wants us to be radical in our love for His people, ALL His people, not just the ones society deems acceptable. Help me, Jesus!
Rev 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You do not want us to be lukewarm, which speaks of a lack of commitment. Help us not to rest in the comfort of our lives, our possessions, the trappings of this world. Help us to be on fire for You. Help us to be bold in Your name and to point others to Your fierce love of us all, to Your amazing grace and mercy. Draw us closer. Amen.
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock….
Have a blessed day.
God’s ability to meet my needs…. (devo reflection)
Luke 18:1 And [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought to always pray and not lose heart.
One of my daily devotionals this morning asked this pointed question: “Is it possible to fool yourself into believing that because you ask God for help, you have faith in His ability to meet your needs?” Ouch! Pardon me while I nurse my sore toes that were just stepped on. I do have faith in God’s ability to meet my needs, and yet the state of fear and anxiety in which I operate so often definitely indicates otherwise. This disconnect bothers me greatly. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!
Eph 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up.
I’ve read this verse many times before, but today, the last sentence really struck me. When I pray, I must “always be ready.” Ready for what? God’s answer? To send up more prayers? Both? I’m not quite sure how to interpret that one. I must also “never give up.” I’m pretty sure I get that one. I must never give up that He WILL answer, though maybe not in the way that I had hoped or imagined. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!
Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for calling me out about my worry and anxiety. You know how deeply I love You, how desperately I want to follow Your will for my life. Help me to lay my worries and anxieties at Your feet and to leave them there. Help me to pray without ceasing and to trust You WILL answer because I know that You will. I KNOW that You will. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief! Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and earth.
Have a blessed day.
This period of waiting…. (devo reflection)
Eph 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity….
I don’t do waiting well. It feels terribly unproductive, though I know valuable things can come from a period of waiting. And I feel like God has currently called me and my family into a period of waiting. But I’m not really sure what I’m waiting for or on, and I’m not sure how I’ll know when the waiting is over. Jesus, Help me!
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord‘s will is.
I’ve joked for years that if God wants me to understand His will for me, He needs to send me flashing neon signs. I don’t do subtle well. And I want so much to follow His plan for my life, for my family to follow His will for our lives. Jesus, Help us!
Eph 5:20 …always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your love and provision. Help me to learn to be thankful for this period of waiting and to lean into You more deeply as I wait. Please help us as a family and as individuals to discern and follow Your will for us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen!
Have a blessed day.