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My inept human attempts wrapped in God’s grace…. (devo reflection)

Luke 12:8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 

I want to focus on verses 11 and 12 because I have always struggled with what to say. I used to joke that I would never make a good lawyer because it would be a day or two later before I formulated a good rebuttal. But verses 11 and 12 tell me not to worry about what I will say, that the Holy Spirit will teach me at that time, when I need the words.

Luke 12:9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 

There have been many times when I have been struggling for the right words to communicate with someone that they are not alone, that there is hope, that they are worthy. I feel incredibly inept at the task, but I have learned to rely on the Holy Spirit, to lead with my inept human attempts wrapped in God’s grace and pray for the best. Even though it is never perfect, the message gets through.

Luke 12:11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 

Precious Savior, Sometimes I feel like Moses, giving you excuse after excuse about why I can’t do what You call me to do, and I feel so strongly that You have called me to encourage and uplift others. Thank You that I don’t have to have the perfect words, I just need a heart full of love and compassion for You and my fellow human. Teach me the right words as I need them to shine Your light and love. Amen.

Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Have a blessed day.

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Giving all my cares to God…. (devo reflection)

Luke 12:6a Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  

I am thankful that I feel like I can give everything to God–big and little, important and trivial. I am still working on actually doing that. Sometimes, far too often, I cling to things that I should lay at His feet, but that’s a subject for another time. Today is about giving even the little things to Him.

Luke 12:6b Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

I absolutely can, will, and do pray for things like the rain to stop, or a parking spot to open up, or for me to make it just a little bit further. God doesn’t always grant my request in my timing, but the process of giving it to Him allows me His comfort no matter the circumstances.

Luke 12:7a Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your fierce love of me. Thank You that because You love me so deeply, You always have time for the minutia crowding my mind, my view, my day. Help me to never forget that I can give all my cares to You, no matter how big or small. Thank You so much. Amen.

Luke 12: 7b Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Have a blessed day.

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God is bigger than our feelings…. (devo reflection)

Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 

I’ve heard it said that God is bigger than our feelings, and I have a bit of an idea of what that truly means; however, I still need to work on keeping my mouth closed and clinging to God, especially when I feel angry, scared, or hurt. At those times I am prone to giving sway to my feelings and saying things that I am sure I will regret.

Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 

And when I think about the things I’ve said in the context of verses 2-3, I truly feel a sense of shame as I know I have said things in the heat of emotion–anger, fear, pain–that I would not want broadcast on live tv. And it suddenly occurs to me that this issue is directly related to the issues of pride and humility that God has been working with me on for so long.

Luke 12:3a What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight… 

Precious Savior, Thank You for being bigger than my feelings. Help me, when I am in the midst of emotional upheaval, to cling to You instead of giving sway to big emotions and words that will haunt me. Help me to lay it all at Your feet and wrap myself in Your peace instead of spewing words I will regret. Amen.

Luke 12:3b …and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Have a blessed day.

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Rooted and established in love…. (devo reflection)

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,   

I don’t have much of a green thumb. I have tons of plants, and most of them are doing ok, but water and sunlight is all that I have going. I’m not good with plants. I’ve watched more than one plant struggle and die. And I have no true idea what went wrong, other than the roots didn’t take. If the roots won’t sink down into the soil, the plant is not going to make it.

Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

Maybe that’s why the words “rooted and established in love” resonate so deeply with me from verse 17. In my own life, I know that those times when I am not fully, deeply connected to God, that life spirals out of control. When I lose sight of Him and focus on the world, things go sideways in a hurry.

Ephesians 3:18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Precious Savior, Thank You for daily helping me to root myself in Your love. Help me to never neglect that practice because I know from experience what happens when I don’t start my day firmly rooted and established in You. Amen.

Ephesians 3:19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Have a blessed day.

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Free to approach Him…. (devo reflection)

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 

I love the simple reminder in verse 12 that in Jesus and through faith in Jesus we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Because we know the Son, we can approach the Father. There is something very comforting in that ability.

Ephesians 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

And there are no caveats included. We aren’t told that we can only approach Him in our desperate hour of need. We aren’t instructed to not bring little concerns and little joys to Him because it wastes His time. We are free to approach Him at any time for any matter. Period.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 

Eternal Savior, Thank You that through You we now have the right, ability and privilege to approach the Father with our joys, our sorrows, with everything. Thank You that there are no restrictions put on that relationship. Thank You for the intimate connection with God the Father through Jesus the Son. Amen.

Ephesians 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 

Have a blessed day.

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Pride and Humility…. (devo reflection)

Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.  

Humility is something I struggle with, which embarrasses me no end. I know I pour my entire heart into everything I do, and I like to feel like my contributions are noticed and appreciated. That’s pride. God’s been working on me about that trait for a long time, and I’m still struggling to lay it at His feet.

Ephesians 3:8-9 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 

I feel like I am more compassionate to others because of my struggle, however. I am much more likely to thank people, to appreciate people for things they do that aren’t always noticed. I know how nice it is to receive that appreciation. But I am still striving to lay my human pride at God’s feet and leave it there. That’s my goal.

Ephesians 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 

Precious Savior, I don’t want this life to be about me. I don’t want to crave human accolades. I want to give my all for You, to lift and encourage Your people, to rest in Your grace, always. Help me to lay my pride at Your feet, leave it there, and shine so brightly for You alone. Amen.

Ephesians 3:11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have a blessed day.

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Sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus…. (devo reflection)

Ephesians 3:2-3 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.   

Christians sometimes have a way of making Christ feel exclusionary, like you can’t have Him if you look this way, dress this way, love this way, vote this way, etc, etc. I love today’s verses because they delve into the mystery of Christ, which is pretty simple and utterly beautiful.

Ephesians 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ…

The mystery is inclusive, “that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Gentles and Jews. Republicans and democrats. Kind and crabby. ALL PEOPLE share together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:5 …which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

Precious Savior, Forgive me when I draw lines and divisions about who is welcome and who is not. Help me to love others unconditionally as You love me. Help me to remember that we are “sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Amen.

Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

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Grace upon grace…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 

Whelp. Elijah is showing what can happen when you are exhausted, worn out, and stressed. God tells him three things to do: Anoint Hazael king of Aram. Anoint Jehu king of Israel. Appoint Elisha as his successor. Elijah does one of those and only half heartedly by throwing his cloak around Elisha. Nothing more.

1 Kings 19:20a Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you….”

I struggle with giving Elijah grace in this moment, which is ironic, considering the number of times I have needed that kind of grace, the number of times I have “phoned it in” on that level. If I am to treat others as the Lord treats me, then I am to extend Elijah grace upon grace even now.

1 Kings 19:20b …“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

Lord, Thank You for Your fierce love and unconditional grace. Thank You for encouraging me to rest and renew when I am at the end of my rope. Thank You for grace upon grace when I hear You clearly yet follow You half heartedly. Give me strength and courage to love others as unconditionally. Amen.

1 Kings 19:21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

Have a blessed day.

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Not alone. Not even close…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 

Again today’s verses seem to be about helping Elijah gain perspective. Back in verses 10 and 14, he says in part, “…I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” When you feel like the only one (or the only one left), it can be very difficult on the psyche. Elijah’s reaction in this chapter is proof of that.

1 Kings 19:16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 

In yesterday’s verses, God helped Elijah gain perspective on how big his God is. Today, the Lord is helping him gain perspective on the fact that he’s not the only one, he’s not in this alone. In the course of three verses, the Lord mentions three specific people still fighting for Him, still in positions of authority. In verse 18, he mentions that there are still seven thousand in Israel who have not submitted to Baal. Elijah is not alone. Not even close.

1 Kings 19:17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 

Lord of all Creation, Thank You that You see us, You know us, You love us. Thank You that no matter how alone we have convinced ourselves we are, with You, we are never alone. Not even close. Thank You that You never leave us nor forsake us. Never. Thank You. Amen.

1 Kings 19:18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Have a blessed day.

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Gaining perspective…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:13a When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave…

As I was rereading 1 Kings 19 this morning, I noticed that the words of verse 10 and verse 14 are identical. The only difference is that after verse 10, Elijah was in the presence of the Lord. It strikes me that this entire chapter is about Elijah gaining perspective about how mighty, how present, how sovereign His God is and how his problems don’t stand a chance against Him.

1 Kings 19:13b …Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Back in verse 4, Elijah sat under the broom bush and prayed to die. He’d had enough. Yet with rest, food, the Lord’s gentle whisper, he is now confidently laying his fears before God. Essentially, this chapter seems to be the epitome of “Don’t tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God is.” That’s perspective.

1 Kings 19:14a He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword…. 

Lord, I know I am guilty of losing perspective, of allowing my fears to grow enormous while my faith shrinks and quakes. Help me, like Elijah, not to freak out, not to give in to stress. Help me to rest in You, to renew myself in You, so that I can confidently bring my fears to You and lay them at Your feet, leaving them there. Amen.

1 Kings 19:14b …I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

Have a blessed day.