Posted on

Getting past the *shoulds*…. (devo reflection)

Luke 6:1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 

As a rule follower, part of me really feels I understand the Pharisees. As someone who loves Jesus, part of me definitely does not understand them at all. But I am, essentially, an “armchair quarterback,” assessing the game from the replay videos after it’s over. I know how it ends. Jesus IS God. He IS sovereign. The Pharisees didn’t trust that, didn’t believe that.

Luke 6:2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Or maybe they were just so tied to their religious customs and rules and “the way things have always been,” that they can’t see clearly who Jesus is. Or maybe they got caught up in the notion that the Messiah would be a warrior, dominating battles, defeating the Roman rulers to win the ultimate battle *on earth.* That’s not who Jesus is. And the Pharisees missed knowing Him because they couldn’t let go of what they thought *should* be.

Luke 6:3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 

Precious Savior, You know that I am so bad for falling into what I think *should* be, what I think *should* happen, what I think I *should* do, You *should* do, others *should* do. The Pharisees missed You entirely because they could not get past the *shoulds*. I do not want that to be my fate. Help me lay aside all of my *shoulds* and focus solely on You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Luke 6:4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Putting trust into practice…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Loving Father, Today’s weather still has me thinking about storms and boats and You, napping, because You *know* there is nothing to fear. Forgive me, when I am afraid, for being angry that You don’t treat a situation like it is the catastrophe that I feel it is.

Psalm 57:10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Dear Lord, You don’t treat it as a catastrophe because You are already on the other side. It’s not that You don’t care, it’s that You know it will all work out because You are eternally victorious. Help me, in the middle of the metaphorical storm, in the middle of the metaphorical ocean to remember *who* You are and who You are *to me.* You will never leave me nor forsake me. I can trust You, even when I am afraid.

Psalm 57:11a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Precious Savior, Help me to strengthen my toolbox with techniques that I can use when the panic sets in: breathing deeply, closing my eyes, repeating “Jesus is napping. He’s not concerned. He’s already won.” Whatever it takes, Lord, help me to employ it. I trust You. Help me to put that trust into practice, especially when I am afraid. Amen.

Psalm 57:11b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Regaining my footing (devo reflection)

Posted on

Sinking my roots in Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:6a They spread a net for my feet—

The first thought that comes to mind when I read verse 6 is Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” Although, when the quote is capped here, it almost seems to indicate that I am always right and possibly God’s favorite. But I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t play favorites, and I’m certain that I’m not always right. God also doesn’t have a magic wand that instantly makes everything go my way.

Psalm 57:6b …I was bowed down in distress.

However, God does care about me deeply and wants my faith to grow and mature, and He can use all situations to help me trust Him more deeply. In that way, He can use all things for good, He can use all things for my good and His glory by helping me dig my roots deeper into Him no matter the circumstances.

Psalm 57:6c …They dug a pit in my path—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You can and do use all things for my good and Your glory. Thank You that even when others intend harm, You can use situations for good by allowing me to sink my roots deeper into You in every storm. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 57:6d …but they have fallen into it themselves.

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Praising His holy name…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:4a I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

What strikes me in verse 4 today is the vivid imagery: “in the midst of lions,” “among ravenous beasts,” “teeth are spears and arrows,” “tongues are sharp swords.” There is a palpable sense of danger here. And yet….

Psalm 57:4b …men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

And yet… In verse 5, God is exalted. His glory is praised. That’s the default that I want to have: even with a palpable sense of danger, even in the valleys, even when life is going sideways, I want to praise His holy name. I’m better at it than I was, but I’m not as good at it as I hope to be. Jesus, Help me.

Psalm 57:5a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign; therefore, I can praise You even in the chaos because You are still with me, still in control, still ultimately victorious. Sometimes that’s hard to see and believe, but it’s always true. Help me to live that truth. Help me to praise Your name, always. Amen.

Psalm 57:5b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Trusting Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

As I was pursuing Pinterest emails this morning, I came across this phrasing of Psalm 112:7, “She confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her.” The NIV version of that verse is, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Both versions speak to what David is saying in this morning’s verses.

Psalm 57:3a He sends from heaven and saves me,

Google defines trust as: (n) firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trusting humans can be difficult. Trusting God seems like it should be easier, but my fear, worry, anger, etc etc tells me that for me at least, it’s not as easy as it should be. Trusting Him–first, always, completely–is definitely something that God’s working with me on.

Psalm 57:3b …rebuking those who hotly pursue me—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know me completely, faults and all, and You love me fiercely anyway. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, exactly as I am. Thank You for working with me on the areas that I need to give over to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 57:3c …God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Conversation with God…. (devo reflection)

Posted on

Progress…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:13a Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, 

Holy Father, Thank You for using this scripture to bring to the fore an issue that I know I still need to work on. Thank You that I am more generous now than I used to be. Thank You that there are times where I don’t weigh the cost before giving. That’s progress. Help me, always, to recognize and celebrate the progress, no matter how small.

2 Corinthians 9:13b …and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

Beloved Lord, Thank You for reminding me of the work that I still need to do in the area of generosity. I know you don’t want me to beat myself up, but You do want to remake me in Your image. I want that, too. Help me to live into Your grace and generosity while being gentle with myself and my slow progress.

2 Corinthians 9:14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the example of generous living, generous giving that You provide. Help me to breathe in Your grace, breathe in Your peace, keep moving closer to You, one step at a time. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Living generously…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  

I want my life to be a testament to God’s goodness. I want my giving to reflect the generosity of my Savior. I want my generosity to “result in thanksgiving to God” (v11b). This desire is one of the many reasons I need to get over myself when it comes to living generously.

2 Corinthians 9:11a You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,

God loves a cheerful giver. He also supplies all my needs. So my tight hold on things I am being called to let go of is akin to my fear and worry over things. It feels like a way to keep myself safe, but it is really one more way that I try to maintain control over my life–a life that is and always will be in God’s control, not mine.

2 Corinthians 9:11b …and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Precious Savior, I see my hesitation in giving for what it is–me trying to exert control over my life. But having You as my center means that *I* do not need that control. You’ve got me. You’ve got my life. You CAN be trusted. Help me to live a generous life for You. Help me to trust even when I am afraid. Help me not to be afraid because I know YOU are in control. I trust You. Help me live that trust. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

The abundance of God…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

When I heard today’s verses during the sermon on Sunday, I knew that this was where I was being called to go this week. The image of standing there, hands extended, fists clenched tightly still comes to mind when I read these verses. It doesn’t look good. It doesn’t feel good. And I don’t want it to be my default reaction.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Verse 8 is where I need to live with this issue: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” I know that it’s true, I know God will supply all my needs, but still I hold on so tightly to things. Jesus, Help me.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

Precious Savior, My head knows the truth of 2 Corinthians 9:8, but my heart has trouble believing that I don’t need to squirrel away resources so that I don’t have to do without. I cannot point others to you with clenched fists. I know this. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Have a blessed day.