Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
I have read this section of scripture many times—in fact, I wrote a reflection centered around Phil 4:4 not that long ago—and yet, as I read this scripture this morning, I am captivated by the content, beginning with verse 7.
Phil 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
What do I need to do to feel the peace of God, which transcends all understanding? Instead of wasting time and energy with anxiety, which I’m incredibly guilty of, I need to go to God—prayerfully and with thanksgiving. I need to act with gentleness, with humility, and not forget that the Lord is near. Always. He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. And I need to not get so caught up in worries, anxieties, hopes, fears, future plans that I lose sight of all I have right this minute because of my precious Savior. I need to rejoice in Him—His presence, His love, His mercy—always.
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 this scripture, for the comfort and peace that comes from You, for the wisdom to see Your word with new eyes this morning. Thank You for all that I am and all that I have because I have You. Thank You for the ability to bring all of my hopes and fears to You, to lift them up and lay them down, to move confidently forward knowing that You are with me. Always and through everything. Draw me closer. Amen.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Have a blessed day.
Personalizing scripture…. (devo reflection)
Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers….
I have several books that talk about praying the scriptures for your children, books which recommend personalizing the scripture by putting in their names and the specific circumstances you are praying for into the scriptures you are praying. Those books came to mind when I read Romans 8:38-39 this morning, but more for me than for my children. I will tell anyone, unequivocally, that God loves them fiercely, that nothing they do—nothing—can ever change His mind about their worth and value to Him. And I mean it sincerely. But somehow, my caustic inner critic says the same does not apply to me. I know that that is a lie. Jesus, Help me.
Romans 8:39 …neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, what if I claim and personalize these verses in Romans? It might look something like this: For I am convinced that neither my errant thoughts nor my awkward actions, neither my insecurities nor my worries, neither my missteps nor my failures, neither my good intentions nor my missed opportunities, nor anything else in all creation, will change my Savior’s deep, fierce, merciful love for me. Thank You, Jesus.
Isaiah 43:1b “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the truth of Your unwavering love. We all have our quirks, Lord, our insecurities, our worries. We all struggle with feelings that love is conditional and that one mistake on our part could cause You to turn away, but we are Your deeply loved children, Lord. You have claimed us. You are with us. We are Your beloved. Help us, always, to believe, to trust, to live that truth. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Have a blessed day.
God is my strength…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 18:1 I love You, LORD, my strength.
My reading this morning took me to Psalms and this beautiful passage. I think Psalm 18:1 is the embodiment of both “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13) and “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). The verse, to me, seems a celebration of the fact that God is my strength and that I recognize and embrace that fact.
Psalm 18:2a The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer….
This verse puts me in mind of Rocky Face Park and the Vertical Mile Challenge, which has what at times feels like an interminable section straight up the side of a mountainous rock. While it takes determination and perseverance to traverse it, the rock itself is utterly solid, immovable, impenetrable. The images in this verse—my rock, my fortress, my deliverer—speak to the strength and safety that I find in my Savior. Even when the world feels like it is falling apart, I am safe in His arms. He’s got me. He’s holding me, shielding me, protecting me. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 18:2b …my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that You are my strength and my refuge. Thank You for holding me, always, especially in the midst of the chaos and storms of life. Thank You for being my strength, especially when my strength is gone. Thank You for preparing a place for me, for going before me, for never leaving me. Thank You for my rock-solid faith, for the assurance that I can always depend on You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 18:2c …my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Have a blessed day.
Regardless of my real or perceived failures…. (devo reflection)
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Growing up, I never really felt like I fit in. I wasn’t cool enough to fit in with the popular kids. I wasn’t smart enough to fit in with the intellectuals. I wasn’t athletic at all. So fitting in with the sports set was out of the question. Everywhere I turned, I felt the reverberations of being “not enough.” Help me, Jesus.
Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
I’d love to say that I have shed the shame of feeling like I’m not enough, but it is something I continue to struggle with at times. The interesting difference now is that instead of not measuring up to the world’s perceived standards, it is my own caustic inner critic usually telling me I’m falling short in all the areas of my life. Thankfully, I have grown to understand that, regardless of my real or perceived failures, I am a deeply loved child of God. Right now. Exactly as I am. Thank You, Jesus.
Romans 8:39 …neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord, Thank You for this day, this scripture, this reminder that You love me because I am Yours—not because of anything I have done or will do, not because of what I look like or what the world thinks of me. Help me to love others, all others, the way that You love me—completely and fiercely, simply because they are Your creations. Draw us all closer to You. Amen.
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Have a blessed day.
Teach me to listen… (devo reflection)
1 Sam 3:8a A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
It would be easy for me to wax eloquently on today’s smart phone obsessed culture, to talk about those who are so wrapped up in their social media accounts or video games that they miss the Lord calling to them, and I do not think I would be totally off base if I did so, but today’s scripture hits much closer to home for me than that.
1 Sam 3:8b Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.
I begin each morning in my recliner with my coffee, my Savior, and His word. I usually spend an hour or two reading, praying, reflecting, writing. That time is crucial to my day, to my well-being, and I always feel closer to my Savior when I’ve finished. But I’m a routine kind of gal, my time with Him has a definite pattern, and if He tried to shake that up, I could definitely see myself responding, “Hang on a sec, Lord. Let me finish this thought first.” Jesus, Help me.
1 Sam 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You want to be an active, dynamic presence in our lives, that Your call should not be relegated to a comfortable routine. Thank You for the time that You spend with me each morning, Lord. Help me, always, to listen for and respond to Your call, no matter when, where, or how. Help me to hear Your voice, to heed Your direction. Teach me to listen, always, with an open mind, an open heart, and a willing attitude. Draw me closer. Amen.
Matt 11:15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
Have a blessed day.
Justification…. (devo reflection)
Luke 10:29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (NIV)
I have read this section of scripture many times, but today I was struck by the fact that this lawyer wanted to justify himself. What, exactly, was he trying to justify? So I asked Google, which led me to a fascinating article on this passage written by a professor of Emory’s Chandler School of Theology. According to this professor, the lawyer wanted to justify that what he was doing—how he was acting, who he was helping—was enough. He wanted Jesus’s answer to allow him to pat himself on the back for living as his religion instructed. Instead, Jesus tells him the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (NLT)
The part of the explanation that has gripped me this morning lies in the fact that, according to this professor, Jesus wants the lawyer to see himself as the victim in the parable. I’ve always listened to the parable as an observer. Jesus wants the lawyer—and us—to see ourselves as the victim, face down in the ditch, passed by by those who should have helped, shown mercy by one who has every reason not to help. Think about lying beaten, face down in that ditch. Think about the most “undesirable,” “untouchable” person you can muster, one whom you would cross the street to avoid. In your time of need, that undesirable person, whom you would have avoided at all costs, is the only person who reached out, ministered to you, tended your wounds. That’s mercy. That’s grace. That’s love. That is how we are commanded to act.
Luke 10:36-37a Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture and commentary. The lawyer came to You seeking justification, a pat on the back. He walked away with renewed humility, a deepened understanding of mercy. I, too, walk away from this scripture with renewed humility, a deepened understanding of mercy. Help me to show Your humility and mercy to all those I meet. Draw me always closer. Amen.
Luke 10:37b Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Have a blessed day.
External trappings…. (devo reflection)
1 Peter 3:3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.
Sometimes I think we might all be better off if we could not see others before we interacted with them. We make so many snap judgements based on appearance alone. I wonder, if we spent time just talking, listening, without seeing and judging, would we be able to more clearly see into the heart? Would we be less likely to be tripped up by external trappings?
1 Peter 3:4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
These two verses from 1 Peter are specifically aimed at women, but I think the idea behind them transcends gender. God doesn’t want us so caught up in physical appearance that we neglect the heart. Sadly, so much of our culture seems focused solely on appearance and in such a destructive way—You aren’t pretty enough, skinny enough. You aren’t handsome enough, muscular enough. Jesus, Help us.
Psalm 139:14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder that it’s what’s on the inside that is most important. Help us not to get caught up in external trappings. Help us not to make snap judgments. Help us to see each other through Your eyes. Help us to recognize the internal beauty that can only come from You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Eph 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Have a blessed day.
Humbling and powerful…. (devo reflection)
John 10:10 …I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Last night I went to see the Christian band Big Daddy Weave in concert. It is the second time I’ve been able to see them, the second time in a smaller, church venue, and the second time I had the distinct impression that their music comes from a place of deep love for their Savior. It was a humbling, powerful experience.
Rom 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
I was reminded during the concert that God, the Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world, loves us so deeply, so completely, that He refuses to force us into relationship with Him. He will go to the ends of the earth to find us, to save us, He sent His Son in exchange for our sins, but He will not force us into relationship. He lets us choose Him, which is both humbling and powerful.
Rom 2:4 …Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because He wants you to turn to Him?
Lord, Thank You for this day, this scripture, Your deep and abiding love for us. Thank You for the heartfelt music and message from last night’s concert. Thank You for loving us so deeply, so fiercely, so completely. Thank You for going to the ends of the earth to find us, for leaving the 99 to save us, for allowing us to choose You, for the inherent beauty of that choice. Draw us closer. Amen.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Have a blessed day.
The God of gentle breezes and quiet strength…. (devo reflection)
2 Kings 5:10 Elisha sent a messenger to [Naaman], saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.”
So many things come to mind when thinking about restoration, my intrepid hikers chief among them. We’ve been on this journey for almost five months, and we are all flagging just a bit. We are too far in to clearly see where we started yet not quite far enough to clearly see the finish line. Jesus, Help us.
2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought for me he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy!”
I pray daily for strength, renewal, and encouragement for all of us, most especially the two with boots on the trail. I want all of us to draw closer to our Savior on this adventure. And while all of us would love unmistakable God-moments along this journey (and we have had some), He is typically much more subtle—a gentle breeze, a kind word, a mountain stream, a flat stretch, a gorgeous view. Instead of a flashy sign, He is much more of a “Just keep taking the next step and know that I am right there with you.” Thank You, Jesus.
2 Kings 5:13 But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that while You are absolutely the God of miracles, You are also the God of gentle breezes and quiet strength. When our spirits are sagging, Lord, help us to keep striving, keep walking, and to know that You are with us always. Draw us closer. Renew our spirits. Amen.
2 Kings 5:14 So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; His flesh was restored….”
Have a blessed day.
Fierce love and deep mercy…. (devo reflection)
James 2:13 …Mercy triumphs over judgement.
My caustic inner critic is at it again. She’s dragging to the fore attitudes and insecurities I thought had long been dealt with. She’s calling into question my abilities as a wife, mother, teacher, person. She’s frantically whispering that I should NOT share these feelings and insecurities because I am the only one who deals with them. She thrives in silence and shame. Jesus, Help me.
Luke 6:36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Even with my rational, intelligent side, the temptation is great to believe that I am just too far gone, too messed up, have said too many insecure, irrational things to be salvaged. All she has to do is crack open the door of insecurities, and they all come tumbling out, readily acknowledged. Yep, I’ve screwed up over and over in all my roles. Maybe I am too far gone. Thankfully, my precious Savior doesn’t deem anyone too far gone. He doesn’t love us because of what we’ve done right. He loves us because we are His—fully, completely, entirely His beloved children. He doesn’t need any other reason.
Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for Your fierce love and deep mercy, for the gift of knowing that my inner critic lies. We often pick up the noise of the world, “You aren’t good enough; you’ve screwed up too many times to be salvaged; you are no good to anyone.” Help us to tune out that rubbish and to hear instead Your still, soft voice, whispering, “You are loved; you are cherished; you are enough, simply because you are My deeply beloved.” Help us to show ourselves mercy for our faults and to trust Your deep love for us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Lam 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning….
Have a blessed day.