Author: Sherrilyn Kaye Johnson

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…

Isaiah 61:10

Have you ever struggled with the concept that God loves you as an individual?  Since I was a baby, I have been in church nearly every Sunday. From a very early age, I knew the songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and verses like John 3:16, For God so loved the world…  But it wasn’t until many years later that God made His personal love for me a reality – one I now experience in my heart as well as know intellectually.

            I always believed God loved the whole world.  I never questioned that.  But for a long time, I thought, “Therefore, God loves me since I am part of the world.”  But sometimes when I tried to imagine what heaven would be like, I visualized millions of people crowding around the Lord, leaving me on the edge of the crowd trying to get a glimpse of Him. 

            I was reading the Bible one day, struggling with thoughts like that, and I came across this verse in Isaiah 61:10 He has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness.  I was 45 years old at the time but had graduated from college only a couple months earlier.  I thought about graduation day and exactly how it felt to put on my graduation robe and walk into the stadium with more than 6,000 other students to receive our college degrees.  That day, even though there were thousands of other students robed just like me, I felt like a unique individual, like the ceremony was just for me!  I suppose not all college graduates experience that same magic, but I did. 

            So, when I read the verse in Isaiah, the picture became delightfully clear – Jesus wrapped me personally in His robe of righteousness.  And just as no one can ever take away my college degree, no one can ever take away my salvation, my robe of righteousness, my assurance of His love for me personally.  I also began to understand that no one can ever earn that righteousness. The Bible teaches that “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). And Romans 3:23 tells us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The only way to be righteous in God’s sight is to receive the forgiveness of sin through Jesus’ death on the cross. He paid the penalty for the sins of the world, and as we receive His gift of salvation, we are wrapped in His robe of righteousness.

I began to really understand that heaven will bring uninterrupted intimacy with the Lord.  It is still difficult to conceive with my finite mind how unlimited numbers of people can all experience intimacy with Him at the same time.  But since I can see clear evidence of it happening here on earth, it can only be even better in heaven. 

Think of the verse that says, Things which eye has not seen, and which have not entered the human heart, all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). We can’t even begin to comprehend in our wildest imaginations the wonder of what it will be like to be with Him without the limitations of time and space and finite minds and sin.

            If you have not yet grasped the reality of God’s love for you personally, ask Him to reveal it in a way that you can understand.  You may have been a Christian for many years and still not fully grasp it.  But it is truly life-changing when God’s love becomes a reality.  Ask God to let you experience it in your heart as well as in your mind.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Have you experienced in your heart the truth that God loves you as an individual?  Describe how you came to that knowledge.

If you haven’t personally experienced God’s love, or you only understand it intellectually, ask God to reveal it to you in a way that will be meaningful to you and touch your heart.

What does it mean to you to be wrapped in a robe of righteousness?

…He rescued me because He delighted in me.

Psalm 18:19

The truth of this verse amazes me!  God delights in us while we still need rescuing! – before we even know Him as our Savior, while still entrapped in sin, while we still suffer consequences of our own sin or the sin of others against us.  He rescues us!

When I read this verse a few years ago, I thought, “How is it possible that a holy God, creator of the entire universe, can delight in me?”  As I pondered, I thought about how much I delight in my grandson, Marshall.  Of course, I delight in all six of my grandsons, but Marshall especially came to mind at that moment.  It was not great intellectual accomplishments, not amazing athletic ability – he was only 2 years old!  What delighted me was his love for me, his delight in coming to Nana and Papa’s house, his “thank you” for everything we give him, his trust in me as he jumped off the edge of the pool into my arms, his charming attempts at “swimming” as I held him taught him to kick his feet and reach with his arms.  I loved his great joy when we sat and read together and when he was learning to play baseball in our back yard.

So I believe the Lord delights in me when He sees my heart longing to be nearer to Him, my love for spending the early morning quiet times with Him.  He sees my desire to know His Word and live in the center of His will, my trust growing day by day as I take steps to follow wherever He leads, to encourage others in their faith journey.

            God understands our weaknesses.  If we stumble and fall into sin, it never changes the fact that God loves us.  The words of Psalm 103:10-14 comfort and encourage me:

He has not dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as east is from the west, so far has He removed our wrongdoings from us.  Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He Himself knows our form; He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.

It is life-changing to realize God has always loved me, even before I knew Him.  I learned there is nothing I do that makes Him love me anymore than He already does.  Nothing I do makes Him love me any less. His unconditional love truly amazes me and fills me with security and gratitude. 

This is my prayer: “Lord, help me to delight in you, in your constant presence, in your clear direction as you design each day for me, as you take my hand and walk with me through it. Help me to experience your pure delight in me. Help me to come to you each day in child-like love, joy in your presence, being with you and enjoying the wonders of your creation, enjoying the people you bring into my life, the simplicity and purity of devotion to you.  I trust in your love and goodness, your sovereignty, absolute control over all the events of my life.  Lord, as I meditate on your Word and the truth you share with me, give me a heart that wants to share my joy and delight with you over the new things you teach me.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Think of specific times when God rescued you.  Meditate on the fact of God’s love for you, even when you sin and need to be rescued.  His love is not something we can ever earn or deserve — it is a gift!

Have you discovered God’s limitless unconditional love for you?  Have you experienced it, not just intellectually but in your heart? 

Remember, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He has removed your sins, as far as east is from the west! (Psalm 103: 12). Take time to thank Him for that gift of unconditional love and forgiveness.  Consider writing your prayer of gratitude.

How are you experiencing God’s delight in you?  What an incredible thought, that we can bring delight to Almighty God! 

But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.

Psalm 3:3

One morning over breakfast, I shared with a friend a difficult situation I was struggling with.  She said the verse she had read in the Bible that morning might help me.  “But You, Lord,, are a shield around me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.”  To be honest, I didn’t find it very helpful right then, but I thanked her for listening and sharing with me.

            When I got into the car to drive home, I turned on my Christian radio station.  The words of the song that immediately came on said: “Thou, O Lord, are a shield about me.  You’re my glory and the lifter of my head.”  I realized it was not mere coincidence that I would hear those same words twice within a half-hour period. So, I turned off the radio and prayed, “Lord, this must be a message you want very much for me to hear.  But I really don’t understand what it means.  Please show me.”

            A mental picture came right away of a hand reaching down and gently touching my chin, lifting my head upwards.  A question came to mind: Where are your eyes directed when your head is lifted upwards?  They no longer look at the surrounding circumstances, but instead directed toward God.  I was reminded of Peter when he jumped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus.  As long as Peter looked at Jesus, he could walk on the water — he could do the impossible. But as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves surrounding him, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30).

            Life is like that for us, too.  If we let our eyes focus on the difficult circumstances around us, we can easily become overwhelmed and begin to sink.  Are you feeling desperate or hopeless about something in your life right now?  Maybe you identify with Peter and feel like you are beginning to sink.  Remember the picture of Jesus, the lifter of your head, reaching down to lift your face toward Him.  A familiar hymn shares the same message: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Are circumstances in your life right now causing you to feel like you are sinking in the waves surrounding you? What are these circumstances?

Read Philippians 4:6-7. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  God has told us, “Be anxious for nothing” — nothing!  There is no situation that you are facing that is too difficult for God.

Focus your thoughts on God and choose to trust Him with your seemingly impossible circumstances.  When the anxious thoughts return, and they certainly will, stop what you are doing and consciously ask God to “lift” your head” so your eyes can see Him.

I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

                                                                2 Corinthians 11:3

When I read this verse for the first time, I remember being captivated by the words “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”  I was struggling to decide which method of Bible study to use.  Having attended church most of my life, and participating in weekly women’s Bible studies for many years,  I knew the Bible pretty well and could answer most questions in the fill-in-the-blank studies without even opening the Bible if I wanted to.  I was attempting to learn another method that would enable me to study any part of Scripture on my own.  I got too caught up in the method and lost sight of the purpose of studying the Word.

Satan can use even something as necessary and valuable as Bible study to lead us astray from simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.  Bible study methods are helpful tools to understand the Word of God, but knowing who God is, and who we are, and how He wants us to live needs to be the focus of our study of the Word.  I need to do an attitude check often.  Is devotion to Christ my highest goal, or am I caught up in all the trappings — Which method?   Which group shall I attend? Am I spending time in the Word to get to know God better, or am I just going through the routine of attending Bible studies because that’s what is expected?

            Instead, I should be asking, “How is my relationship with Jesus?  Am I getting to know Him better through the study of His Word?  Do I desire to know His will for each day?  Am I willing to obey when He shows me something specific I need to act on? Am I depending on the Holy Spirit to accomplish what God is calling me to do? Do I love God more than everything and everyone else?”

            As believers, we can easily commit to many good things, both at church and in the community. I remember when my life consisted of Bible study leaders’ meetings, group meetings, Steering Committee meetings, monthly gatherings for a special speaker at the church, and lots of time spent with friends who were hurting and needing someone to listen. Again, all these are good things, but I’ve learned the importance of asking God what He wants me to be doing for Him.  I want to be doing what He is calling me to do, not merely because there is a position in the church that needs to be filled.

            I encourage you to take time with the Lord and ask Him to show you what is His plan is for you.  If we are too busy to spend quality time with Him, we are too busy.  Ask God to lead you to what He has planned for you, a heart that is focused on “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”   

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What evidence do you see in your life that devotion to Christ is your highest goal?

Is there evidence that would indicate you have been led astray from that goal?

Ask God to help you recognize areas of your life that Satan can use to lead you away from simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 

Let’s go back to the questions raised in this section:  How is your relationship with Christ?  Are you getting to know Him better?  What are you doing that will enable you to know Him better?

Do you desire to know His will for each day? What action do you take to discover His will?

Are you willing to obey when He shows you something specific you need to act on?  What is a recent example of this?

Ask Him to show you anything standing in the way of centering your life on Him and His plan for your life.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!

Luke 11:13

We know from God’s Word that every believer has received the Holy Spirit to live in us at the moment we were saved.  Why should we have to ask for more of the Holy Spirit?  Do we only get a little of the Spirit at a time?  No, I believe that “how much more” means that there is more of God that He wants us to be aware of and experience — His love, His constant presence, His wisdom, His direction, His promises. He wants us to know what He has done for us, the hope we have even in the midst of the most difficult and troubling circumstances, and the promise of eternal life with Him.

A few years ago, our pastor chose “Desperate Dependence” as the theme of the year for our church.  It has been life-changing for me to learn to live that way. The more we get to know God through studying His Word, we will become more aware of His love for us, the plan He has for our life, His desire for us to become more like Jesus. The more we surrender our lives to follow Him, the more we will recognize our need to depend on Him for everything we need.  That’s why He invites us to ask Him for more of His Holy Spirit.

As I write this, we have just recently celebrated the Christmas season.  I think of how much delight I received in finding the perfect gift for my daughter, something she had seen in a store and wasn’t able to buy it for herself.  When she opened it, we were equally delighted! Now I think of God who knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows the abundant life He wants us to enjoy the more we surrender our lives to Him.  Through the Holy Spirit living in us, we receive His gifts, the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). We will grow more deeply in love with the Lord, and grow in our love for others and willingness to serve them with the gifts He has given us.

We can ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit and be assured that is a prayer He is delighted to answer! I’m encouraged to ask Him daily!

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19 encourages us with these words:

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God (my emphasis added).

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Do you recognize your need for more awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life? You can ask Him, and then begin intentionally depending on Him each day to supply what you need to accomplish His plan.

Are you experiencing the abundant life God offers?  John 10:10 tells us “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

How will you respond to God’s offer of more of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Not my will, but yours be done.

Luke 22:42

After my morning quiet time alone with the Lord recently, I asked my husband what he had been doing in his office.  He said, “I’m updating my operating system.”  At that moment, I realized, “That’s what I’ve been doing too!” He was referring to his computer, but I was referring to God as my “heart system manager.” 

My time with God each morning is setting my focus on Him in worship, listening to Him through His Word and prayer, and committing to do what He has planned.  I ask Him to align my heart and mind with His.

            Believe me, it hasn’t always been this way!  For so much of my life, I was under the influence of legalistic teaching.  “Don’t go to movies, don’t go to dances, don’t wear skirts above the knees or wear two-piece bathing suits…”  It was all centered on outward behavior, following all the rules to please God.  I would have early morning “quiet times” (the earlier the better for “good Christians”). So often I would fall asleep during those times, but at least I could check it off my list along with reading a chapter or two of the Bible!

            Thankfully, God has shown me instead that He is my Shepherd who knows me by name, loves me, has a plan for my life. He has invited me (and you!) into a loving relationship, not a legalistic list of duties to perform.  Jesus came so that we could know God, and was willing to give up His own life to pay the penalty for the sins of the world.  We can have the assurance of salvation and eternal life with Him.  We can have peace no matter what is going on in the world and in our personal life if we receive His offer of forgiveness and turn our lives over to Him as Lord and Savior.  We can trust Him to orchestrate our activities and choices throughout the day if we have surrendered our own will and plans to Him.

            As we begin a New Year, may we make our relationship with God and time spent with Him a priority.  He will work out all things according to His plan as we walk with Him by faith.

            I just remembered a poem I wrote more than 20 years ago.  It came to me after a time of struggling in my relationship with the Lord.  I pray it will encourage you.

            Be Still

I encourage you to spend time with the Lord a priority for an “update of your operating system.”

What is He showing you that needs to change?  Maybe rearranging priorities? Maybe an attitude adjustment?  Trust that He is there to walk through it with you.

Maybe you’d like to write out a prayer of renewed commitment, not just for the New Year, but for your daily life.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:39

My husband and I drove by a church recently and read this message on the sign board:

No church services until  ?

Share the good news

Because of the Coronavirus issue, many churches have closed their doors to in-person worship services for a time.  And there may be some people who would agree that is good news!  But I’m quite sure that’s not the good news the church was encouraging people to share.  With all the many months of world-wide pandemic, people need to hear good news that can only come from a personal relationship with the One who came to save the world. 

No one is unaffected by this pandemic, and our hearts ache for those who have lost loved ones, their own health, a business, a job. New phrases have been added to our common vocabulary: “social distancing” and “masking up.”  Relationships are suffering because of the distance we are supposed to be keeping from each other.   

As sad as I am about the restrictions imposed because of this virus, I understand the need for it.  But it has made me think about how grateful I am for my relationship with God and His Son Jesus. They will never require distance from us once we receive the gift of salvation God offers through Jesus’ death on the cross to forgive us of our sin!  Jesus came to this earth He created so that we can know God, know His eternal love for us, and understand our need to be forgiven of sin.  And when we receive Him, He gives us another gift — the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. He teaches us, guides us, connects us with the mind and heart of God and gives us everything we need to follow His plan for our life as we depend on Him.

No matter how sad and disconnected we feel from the life we had before this year 2020, here are some verses that have encouraged me to remain thankful for God’s promises:

The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8).

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  (Psalm 23:4)

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow (Jeremiah 31:13b)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)

We can’t get together in large groups like we used to, but it is important to stay connected with God through time alone with Him in the Word and in prayer.  His Word assures us that He knows exactly what we are going through, each and every moment of our lives.  He sees us, He hears us when we talk to Him, and He delights when we put our trust in Him no matter what circumstances we are facing.

It’s also important to stay connected to other followers of Jesus.  We can email and text, but what really encourages me most is to hear another friend’s voice over the phone.  I’ve enjoyed many conversations during these months – encouraging and being encouraged.  I love praying together over the phone! Let’s stay connected and share the good news!

I’m reminded of the song: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you think of someone you could call and offer encouragement to during a difficult time?

Maybe you are the one who needs encouragement.  Can you call a friend and share what you are going through and ask for prayer?

What can you choose to be thankful for even during these months of unsettled and difficult time?

What can you do to keep your focus on the Lord, His love, His presence with you and the promises in His Word?

Behold, the bondservant of the Lord. 

Be it done to me according to your word.

Luke 1: 26-38

Last week I wrote about Moses and the many excuses and “what ifs” he offered when the angel of the Lord spoke to him in the burning bush and told him he had been chosen to lead God’s people out of slavery in Egypt.  I also mentioned Gideon and Jeremiah and their initial excuses about not being qualified to do what the Lord was asking.

This week I want to focus on the experience of Mary with the angel Gabriel from Luke 1:26-38.  She was greeted by Gabriel with this message from God: 

“Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.  Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and His name will be Jesus.  He will be great, the Son of the Most High.  The Lord will give Him the throne of His father David.  He will reign forever and His kingdom will have no end.”

Think about Mary’s situation and what she might have given as excuses.  She could have mentioned that she was engaged to Joseph, and what would he think of her if she became pregnant before they were married.  She could have brought up the fact that she would bring shame to herself and to her family.  She could have mentioned that she was so young and had no experience raising a child, let alone the responsibility of raising the Son of God!

Instead, she only asked the simple question, “How can this be, since I’ve never been intimate with a man?”  Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her, and the baby will be called the Son of God.

I love Mary’s response of absolute trust in God: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your Word.”  (A bondslave was someone who could have been set free, but they chose to stay in service to the family because they loved the family and wanted to stay.)  So Mary was declaring her choice to follow God, no matter what, and to commit her life to His purpose for her.

Mary’s response inspired me to think about my own life.  The Holy Spirit came upon her and created new life – the birth of Jesus.  It is the same Holy Spirit who comes to live in every person who believes in Jesus and receives Him as their Savior and Lord.  The Holy Spirit creates in us new spiritual life.  He will never leave us! And as we learn to depend on Him completely for everything in our daily life, we can enjoy peace in His presence, His strength in our weakness, His clear direction for our guidance.  And He is our guarantee, the seal of God’s promise of our eternal salvation (Ephesians 1:13).

This Christmas season is a special time to re-evaluate our relationship with the Lord. I ask myself, “Am I serving Him out of duty or habit or just because someone is expecting me to serve?  When God calls me to do something for Him, do I offer excuses about not being qualified?  Maybe the timing isn’t really convenient for me.”   

I want a heart to serve the Lord out of love, trust, and unshakeable faith.   I want to say to the Lord just as Mary said to the angel: “Behold, the bondservant of the Lord.  Be it done to me according to your word.” 

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this week, let’s give Him the gift of our heart that is surrendered to Him in complete faith and trust and love, ready to do whatever He asks us to do, to follow wherever He leads.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is God calling you to do at this time in your life?

Do you have any excuses for not doing what He is asking you to do?

Are you able to put your complete trust in the Holy Spirit to enable you to do what He is asking?

How are you encouraged as you consider Mary’s response?

Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?

Exodus 3:11

For several weeks I’ve been writing Bible studies on Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah focused on how God called each of them for specific assignments He had for them.  Today I just want to share a few thoughts about how God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of cruel slavery in Egypt and bring them to the land He had promised to Abraham long ago. I pray that some of the valuable lessons I’ve learned for my own life will encourage you to say “Yes” to God when He calls you for a specific assignment. We can learn a lot from what God says about Himself, what He promised Moses, and how Moses responded.  I hope you’ll take time to read the whole story in Exodus 1-4, but here is a brief summary:

Moses was a Hebrew who had been raised in Egypt by the Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:1-10).  The Hebrews had been suffering greatly as forced laborers in Egypt. As an adult, Moses kills an Egyptian who had beaten and killed a Hebrew slave. Pharaoh tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled for his life. Fast-forward about 40 years.  The next time we read about Moses, he is minding his own business on a normal day shepherding his father-in-law’s flock in the wilderness.  From a distance he sees a very abnormal sight – a bush is on fire but it is not being consumed! When he turns aside to investigate, the angel of the Lord speaks to him from the burning bush. He tells Moses, “I have seen the misery of My people and have come to rescue them.  I am sending you to Pharaoh to lead my people out of Egypt.”

Then we get to listen to the ongoing conversation between the Lord and Moses:

The Lord:  Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh.  You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.

Moses: Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?  Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?

The Lord: I will be with you…

Moses: If I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of you fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?

The Lord:  I Am who I Am…  Now go to the Israelites…assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: “Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to me and said, ‘I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt.  And I have promised you that I will bring you up from the misery of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites…a land flowing with milk and honey.’”

Moses: What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me, but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?

The Lord gives Moses several miraculous signs to convince him that He is in charge.  Moses finally turns from his “What if…” questions to tell the Lord about his inadequacies for the task.  Moses makes excuses for not doing what God asks:

Moses: O Lord, I’m not very good with words… I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.

The Lord: Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak? Who makes him mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh?  Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.

Moses: Lord, please send anyone else.

The Lord became angry with Moses, but He answered Moses’ request by agreeing to allow Moses’ brother Aaron to be the spokesman instead of Moses.  You can read in the rest of Exodus how the Lord miraculously provided for the Israelites to be led out of slavery in Egypt.  Their story continues with their grumbling and complaining and refusal to trust God to conquer the enemies living in the land God had promised them. That led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness before they were finally allowed to enter their promised land.

Here’s what I have learned for myself.  Even after God’s declaration of Himself as the “I Am,” the eternal covenant-keeping God, the assurance of His own presence to be with him,  Moses continued to focus on himself and his own inabilities and inadequacies.  So many excuses and “what ifs.”  It’s easy to be judgmental. But then I think of what God has called me to do – to write these devotionals and then to set up a website to publish them.  My initial response was to think about all the amazing devotional books already in print written by world-famous people.  What do I have to say that hasn’t already been written? How do I even begin to set up a website? “Who am I” seems like a legitimate question.  But God has a way of making His will clear.  So, after some amount of hesitation, I began to realize that I just needed to take each Next Step as He led me. I know the promises in His Word, that when He calls His people to an assignment, He provides all that is necessary to complete it.  He empowers us by His Spirit as we depend completely on Him. So, no more excuses! I’ll just do what He asks and trust Him for the results.

Next week I’ll share the story of Mary.  I’m so encouraged by her response to the announcement from the angel Gabriel that she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus.  No excuses!

Personal Reflection

What is God calling you to do?  Have you given excuses for not doing it?

Here are a few promises from God’s Word to encourage you:

Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you…

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you…I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on  your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-42

Even if you are familiar with this Scripture about Mary and Martha, let’s remind ourselves of valuable lessons we can learn from observing Jesus as He and His disciples visit His friends.   While Martha was busy preparing a meal for them, Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him.  Martha came to Jesus and asked Him, Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Martha was doing a good thing which was very necessary, but Jesus’ response revealed that her attitude was not pleasing.  Martha, Martha, you are distracted, worried and bothered about so many things. But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Especially in this year 2020 so much has been taken away from so many by the Coronavirus pandemic. Many have lost lives, loved ones, jobs, businesses, homes. We have all been affected. For those who are followers of Jesus, we have the assurance that He knows what is going on in our lives, His promise that He will never leave us, He will provide for us, and the promise of eternal life with Him. We can encourage others to come to the Lord for the hope that only He can offer. Those promises can’t be taken away.

What can’t be taken away from our daily lives if we belong to the Lord and we choose to make time with Him a priority?

As we get to know Him through His word, our faith and trust will be strengthened.

We will grow deeper in our love for Him.

We discover His will and gain His wisdom and strength by complete dependence on His Spirit to accomplish it. 

Walking in His will brings purpose and meaning to every activity.

We enjoy His peace and joy as we allow Him to guide our steps throughout the day.

We can go through times of trial and loss knowing that He is with us and we have nothing to fear.

            It’s easy to be so busy with jobs, family, church activities, multiple obligations outside the home – all good and necessary things.  But we can become overwhelmed with all the responsibilities and become like Martha – distracted, worried, bothered.  I want to be like Mary, willing to spend time Jesus, making that time with Him my highest priority, listening to Him as I read His Word and pray.  But if we wait until the perfect time when we are all caught up with everything else that needs to be done, it will never happen!  Jesus took time out of His busy life to spend time alone with the Father.  If Jesus knew that was necessary, how much more must we need to follow His example!  His Word calls us to “Be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10).

Here are some practical thoughts and ideas that may be helpful as we choose to spend time with the Lord:

• Find a time and place that you will be able to spend quality time alone.
• Do your best to be uninterrupted.  If possible, turn off the phone.  Most situations can wait awhile.
• It takes time to “be still” in your mind.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you set aside all other distracting thoughts so you can focus on the Lord.
•  Praise Him for who He is all He has done.
• Ask God to search your heart and see what needs to be confessed, and then ask forgiveness.  Remember Lamentations 3:22-23: His compassion and mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.
• Listening to (or singing) a favorite worship song may help to settle your mind and create a peaceful and worshipful attitude.
• Maybe you’d like to go for a walk as you talk with God.
• Pray for your own needs and the needs of others as He brings them to mind.  Then leave your concerns with Him and trust that He hears, He knows what is going on, and He is in control.
• Read and meditate on His word.  Meditating is more than just reading – it’s thinking and praying about how you can apply it to your life.  Ask God for the message He wants to speak to you.  You can ask yourself:
  • What did I learn about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit in this passage?
  • Is there a command that God wants me to obey?
  • Is there something that needs to change in my attitude or actions?
• Journaling – I find it so helpful to write the thoughts God brings to mind as I read His Word and pray.  A journal and pen nearby remind me to expect that there is a message I need to respond to. I love looking back at what I’ve written and being reminded of ways God has provided answers to situations when I have asked Him for wisdom and understanding.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Is time alone with Jesus a priority in my life?

As I look at how I spend each day, what is a higher priority?

What are some practical steps I can take to “sit at the feet of Jesus?”

Am I living in fear of the future, or am I trusting God’s promises in His Word?

Create in me a clean heart, O God

                                                                    Psalm 51:10

I think about the way I often clean house.  I straighten the piles of books and magazines, make sure everything is neatly arranged, hang the coat someone tossed over the back of the couch.  So, usually my house looks neat and in order to a casual observer.  But upon closer inspection, it isn’t thoroughly clean.  I dusted the exposed areas, but what about under the couch or behind the chair?  What about the areas where no one looks?

            The way I clean house is the way I lived much of my life in the past.  I felt satisfied as long as things outwardly look good.  To a casual acquaintance my life would appear to be in good order when I talked about my volunteer work at a Christian organization, regular church attendance, and weekly Bible study.  But what about the areas of my life that no one could see?  What about my occasional boredom with those Bible studies?  What about my regular attendance at church just because people expected it of me?  What about the attitudes that were hidden from others?  I easily became complacent about my Christian life.  I knew my relationship with God lacked intimacy.  When I felt a twinge of spiritual dissatisfaction, I mentally listed all the things I have done for God, even sacrifices I have made.  But then what about these scriptures:

For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17). 

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom (Psalm 51:6).

Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

God wants to shine His light on those hidden areas of our lives.  Once He exposes sin, we can confess and He will forgive.  The Holy Spirit who lives in us can renew us and fill us with His living water. 

            I thank God that I am no longer satisfied with a life that outwardly appears in order to the casual observer, or even to my closest friends.  I long for an intimate relationship with God, cleansed in my innermost being so nothing stands in the way.  I long for a clean heart pleasing to God.  I pray with King David, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Find a time and place where you can be alone and undisturbed to spend time with God. Ask Him to reveal any obvious sins of action or attitude that need to be dealt with. 

What about the sin you know about, but no one else sees?  There may be sin you are not even aware of.  Ask God to reveal anything that needs to be exposed so you can confess it and be cleansed.

May our motivation be unbroken fellowship with our Father, a clean heart filled with His Spirit, loving Him and loving others and desiring to please Him above all else.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children…

                                                                   Ephesians 5:1

What does it really mean to be an imitator of God?  I had been thinking about this verse for several days wondering what it means for me.  Then our l0-month-old grandson came with his parents to spend the weekend with us.  It became very clear that everything he learned came from observing and imitating those around him.  I tried to teach him to call me Nana.  What a joy to hear him repeating the sounds “na-na-na-na.”  In order to be imitators of God, we must spend lots of time with Him listening to His words through reading the Bible and asking Him to show us what He wants us to see and hear each day.  It is a moment-by-moment walk with God that will encourage us to imitate Him.  He wants to live His life through us.  We are to be His hands and feet and voice reaching out with His love to those He brings into our life each day.

            The rest of Ephesians 5 and continuing into chapter 6 explains some specific details about being imitators of God.  Two categories become apparent as we read these chapters — negatives and positives.  Do not act this way, but do this instead. First, let’s look at the negatives:  There is to be no immorality or impurity, or greed, no filthiness, silly talk or coarse jesting. We are not to participate in unfruitful deeds of darkness. We are not to be foolish or drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:3, 4, 11, 18).

            Now let’s look at His instruction for the positive behavior.  He tells us to walk in love, as Christ loved you, and gave Himself up for us…walk as children of light (the fruit is goodness, righteousness, truth) …learn what is pleasing to the Lord…be careful how we walk, making the most of our time.  For a second time we are told to understand what the will of the Lord is and be filled with the Spirit and encourage each other with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…always giving thanks to the Father… be subject to one another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:1, 8-10, 15-20). He then goes on to explain relationships with husbands and wives, children, fathers, slaves and masters. He tells us to be strong in the Lord by putting on the full spiritual armor that He provides.  Finally, we are to pray at all times in the Spirit.

            God’s standards for us are high.  If we begin to compare ourselves with people around us, we can be guilty of thinking we are much better than they are — we could think, “I would never do what they do; I would never go to the places they go; I’m pretty good compared to them.”  Or the opposite could be true – “I could never be as wise as they are; I could never be as good as they are.” We all fall short when we hold ourselves up to God’s standards, but I’m so encouraged by God’s promise in Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB)  The lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

            Children learn by observing people in their environment.  Let us, as God’s beloved children, observe Him, walk with Him moment by moment,  and learn what is pleasing to Him.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Below are two lists from Ephesians 5, the list of negative behaviors we are to avoid, and a list of positive behaviors we are to pursue.  Take some time to consider each item on both lists. Ask the Lord to show you any attitudes or actions that need to change, and then give you the power by His Spirit to make that change.  Be encouraged in the areas where you are making progress.

Negatives

immorality

impurity

greed

filthiness

silly talk

coarse jesting

unfruitful deeds of darkness

foolishness

drunk with wine

Positives

walk in love, as Christ loved you

walk as children of light (the fruit is goodness, righteousness, truth)

learn what is pleasing to the Lord

be careful how you walk, making the most of your time

understand what the will of the Lord is

be filled with the Spirit

encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

always giving thanks to the Father

be subject to one another

be strong in the Lord, putting on the full armor

pray at all times in the Spirit

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, and forever.

                                                                   Hebrews 13:8

This Scripture is easy to memorize and tuck away with lots of other verses about the character of Jesus.  We can easily take this truth for granted. But consider how different life would be if this verse were not true?  What if Jesus’ words are not always true?  What if His will or His standards changed from one generation to the next, or even one day to the next?

            My college freshman psychology instructor was an example of someone with a changeable nature.  He told the class on the first day that he would often “role play” during his lectures, and we would never be able to tell if he actually believed what he said or not.  I never knew what to expect from him, and always had to be on guard, wondering what reaction I might get to an opinion I expressed in class. He gave us several assignments to do outside of class which he never mentioned again.  He promised on several occasions to bring a particular specimen into class for our observation but never brought it in.  It is extremely confusing and unsettling to deal with people like that.  Changeable people can never be trusted completely or counted on to keep their word.  You can never be sure what to expect or know for sure what is expected of you.

            Think about how different it is with Jesus.  What He promised in the past we can count on to be fulfilled.  What He expected in the past from His followers, He still expects today.  By studying His Word, we can know how He wants us to live – loving, trusting, obeying Him and following wherever He leads us.

            Think about the changes in society in recent decades.  The standards of morality change rapidly.  The unthinkable and unacceptable only a few decades ago became commonplace and accepted today.  And there are changes around the world in this year 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic.  Who could have predicted how so many lives would be forever changed because of this. 

            But Jesus never changes.  He hasn’t changed His moral code just because many consider the old standards outdated.  God revealed His perfect will in His Word, and His indwelling Holy Spirit guides and empowers us.  Following Jesus creates a firm foundation, stability, and security in life.   His Word is full of promises to those who follow Him.  He loves us, He will be with us always, He will provide, He is sovereign over all, no matter what is going on in our personal life or in the world around us. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Have you known someone who was unpredictable and changeable?  How did that person affect you?

How does the truth of Jesus’ unchanging nature affect you?  Think about what life would be like if that were not true.

What promise can you hold onto in this current time of worldwide change?

    

When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers… what is man, that you are mindful of him?

                                                                     Psalm 8:3-4

On July 19, 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft landed on the moon. Twenty-five years later, the media devoted considerable time replaying that event on the anniversary of the landing.  Interviews with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin recaptured their emotions and impressions as the first humans to set foot on the moon.  What an awesome display of the ingenuity and daring of mankind to design a spacecraft and carry out a mission that resulted in sending men to the moon and getting them back to earth again!  And, of course, the accomplishments since then in space exploration are even more amazing!

            A picture of earth taken from the spacecraft on its way to the moon started my pondering of God’s awesome power.  Think about this with me — the Apollo astronauts reported from their vantage point that the earth looked like a marble suspended in space.  The moon is a mere 240,000 miles from the earth.  In contrast, the nearest galaxy to our own is 25,000 light years away. That means the light we see now from that galaxy has traveled at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) for 25,000 years to reach the earth. We can’t even begin to imagine that kind of distance!  That is only the nearest galaxy. And the universe contains billions of other galaxies!   Do you begin to feel small and insignificant when you see yourself in relation to the entire universe? Do you feel an increased sense of the unfathomable power of God to create such an immense universe?

            King David experienced that feeling of insignificance as he gazed into the night sky.  He was overwhelmed by the countless stars, and he responded by writing: What is man that You are mindful of him?…  Insignificance is a logical conclusion if we consider ourselves only in the context of living on this planet which appears as a marble even from the short distance of our own moon. 

            Now think with me about what we learn from God’s Word about each individual person.  Even before God created the universe, He knew you — He knew me.  Ephesians 1:4 says He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.  Can you even begin to grasp that truth?  Read 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. (NLT)

            With our finite minds it is impossible to comprehend how God created and sustains the immeasurable universe and yet so intimately involves Himself with each individual life ever conceived.  Psalm 139:13 tells us: You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.   

            If you ever struggle with feelings of insignificance, read and meditate on these verses and let God fill you with the wonder of His hands forming you in your mother’s womb and writing in His book what you would experience every day of your life. Ask the Lord to help you comprehend His love that caused Him to leave the glories of heaven, become a fully human infant, live and grow up on this planet He created, knowing that He would be rejected and crucified.  It was His love for you, for me, that brought Him to earth to die so anyone who responds to His love, accepts His forgiveness for sin, and receives Him as Lord of their life, will spend eternity with Him.  I say with King David: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high; I cannot attain to it (Psalm 139:6).

            Our finite minds can never fully comprehend the infinite love, wisdom, and power of God.  But we can ask Him to open our eyes and our hearts, to reveal all that we can possibly understand.  Our response should be one of awe and worship of our infinite, intimate God.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Have you ever struggled with feelings of insignificance and lack of self-worth?  Read Psalm 139 and meditate on God’s intimate knowledge of you and his creation of you as a unique individual.

Make it a point to go outside and gaze into the starry night sky.  Consider the vastness of the universe and remember that before God created any of this, He chose you to belong to Him.  Describe your experience.

Take time to read Matthew 6:26-30.  Think about the Father’s care for even the birds and the flowers.  Hear His words to you: Are you not worth much more than they?

Ask God to help you understand your priceless worth in His sight.  He gave His only Son to die for you! Read again Ephesians 1:4 He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…

Write a prayer of response.