Category: Encouragement

… let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

I lost sleep last night.  Again.  I laid awake thinking about a friend who is in crisis on so many levels!  The situation seems impossible!  Before I was even out of bed, the Lord brought to mind some Scriptures I need to remember if He wants to use me to help her. God knows, and I know, that I don’t have the wisdom it takes to “fix” her.  But the above Scripture from James 1:5 is one of the verses He reminded me of this morning. He is the source of all wisdom and He tells me to ask and promises to provide!

            Another Scripture that came to mind is from Luke 5:18-19.  It tells of men who brought their friend on a stretcher to be healed by Jesus.  Because so many people were crowded around Jesus, the men took their friend on the stretcher up on the roof and lowered him down in front of Jesus in the middle of the crowd.  I love this picture, and it reminds me that there may be many obstacles, but I need to “bring my friend to Jesus.”  He is the healer.  Not me. So, the lesson for me as I experience how inadequate I am to know what to do for my friend:  First, bring her to Jesus.  I can do that through prayer, and through reminding her of God’s love, His presence with her at all times, and the promises in His Word. He can do what is impossible without Him.

            And I’m reminded of Mark 6:30-44.  Jesus brought His disciples to a secluded place to rest.  They were soon surrounded by multitudes of people who had followed them, and Jesus began to teach them.  When it was late, the disciples came to Jesus telling Him to send the people away so they could buy themselves something to eat.  Jesus answered them, “You give them something to eat.”  I’m sure you know the story – The only food they could come up with was five loaves and two fish.  Not even enough for a few people, let alone thousands!  So, Jesus took what little they had, blessed it, broke the loaves, and kept giving them to the disciples. (Notice especially “kept giving it to the disciples.”  They had to keep coming back to Him to supply the need that was impossible for them to meet.

            The lesson here is to “keep coming back” to Jesus for wisdom and clear direction for the next step in helping my friend.  He is the healer; I’m not!  Jesus’ invitation is to “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).

            I’m encouraged by 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 make your paths straight.”  He doesn’t expect me to have the answers on my own.  He knows all the details of the problem, and He knows what needs to be done to bring healing.  I’m encouraged to walk through this journey with my friend trusting the Lord for each next step.

            PERSONAL REFLECTION

Has God brought someone into your life who needs His healing?  Do you feel inadequate to help?

Which of these verses encourage you as you walk through this journey with someone?

Write a prayer expressing your heart to God.

Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:9

I’m sure you know the story!  God had placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden which He had created. He clearly told them they could eat from every tree in the Garden — except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  He told them that they would die if they ate of that tree.  In spite of that clear warning, Eve listened to the temptation of the serpent, and ate the fruit of that tree.  She offered it to Adam and he also ate.

            As I read this passage, several thoughts stood out to me.  After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they attempted to cover their nakedness with leaves they sewed together for themselves.  They heard God walking in the garden and they tried to hide because they were afraid.  Then God called Adam and asked, “Where are you?”  Adam answered, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”  When God questioned Adam about eating from the tree He had commanded him not to eat, Adam essentially blamed God: “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”  When the Lord questioned Eve, she blamed the serpent who deceived her. 

            Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves after they had disobeyed God.  How do I attempt to “cover” myself when I have disobeyed God?  What excuses do I offer?  Do I think that my “good works” can cover my sin?  Do I blame others for needs that haven’t been met?  Or maybe my parents for the way they raised me?  Do I hear God asking me, “Where are you?”

Of course, there is nothing God doesn’t already know about us.  Psalm 139:1-4 tells us:

You have searched me and known me, You know when I sit down and when I rise up.  You understand my thought from afar.  You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.  Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

So why would God ask, “Where are you?”  I believe He wants us to evaluate where we are in our relationship with Him and acknowledge where we are spiritually.  Is there unconfessed sin?  We can invite Him as the psalmist did in the closing verses of Psalm 139: 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

And it is important that we know there is absolutely nothing we can do to cover our own sins.  The covering that Adam and Eve sewed for themselves was not sufficient.  The Lord “made garments of

skin and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).  God’s provision required the death of an animal to provide that covering.  God’s covering for our sin required the death of Jesus, and His blood is the only cleansing for us.  I love Isaiah 61:10 which assures us that “God wraps us in His robe of righteousness.”  That is the only covering for our sin that assures us of eternal life with Him.  Thank you, Lord, for providing for me what I could never do for myself!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Take some time to consider God’s question “Where are you?”

Is there any way you are trying to hide from Him?

Is there any way that you are trying to make coverings for yourself when you have disobeyed God?

God invites us to confess our sins and be cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Thank Him for that promise of cleansing and forgiveness through Jesus’ blood shed for our sins.

Think about what it means to be wrapped in His robe of righteousness. Write a prayer to God responding to what He is saying to you.

Genesis 1

My message last week was about the “Read-Thru the Bible” program that I’m so excited about.  I decided to share some of the personal thoughts that God spoke to my heart as I read the first few chapters of Genesis this week.  I wish I could talk to each of you about how God speaks to you through His Word! 

            As I read each chapter, I ponder the questions suggested by the “Read-Thru the Bible” program, “What does God reveal about Himself?” and “How does this apply to my relationship with God?” In chapter 1, He reveals Himself as the creator of all things.  He spoke all of creation into being: “Let there be…. And it was so.”  I’m reminded that God is sovereign over all He has created.  I can trust His sovereignty over my life.

            Thinking about God as the Creator, I’m reminded of the Scripture that says “You created my innermost parts, You wove me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).  Meditating on that truth, God convicted me that I needed to ask forgiveness for my attitude toward the parents I was born to.  As a child, and even as an adult, I’ve sometimes wished that I had different parents.  But through this Scripture and others, I realize that I was born to the parents He chose for me.  And His Word tells me to honor my father and mother.  I’ve had to confess and ask forgiveness for my dishonoring attitude.

            Another Scripture about God as Creator came to mind: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:20).  I believe that I know for now the works He has called me to do.  But I’m reminded to trust Him completely for His will, and trust the Holy Spirit to accomplish those works.  I want Him to be able to say to me the words He spoke about His creation: “He saw all He had created, and it was very good.”

In chapter 2, verse 7 stood out to me:  Then God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.”  I thought about the truth that not only did He create our physical life, but He creates new spiritual birth when we receive His gift of salvation by faith in Jesus.  I want to remember that His Spirit gives me life and breathes life into the works He has called me to do.  And, as God rested at the completion of creation, I need to rest as I trust Him to complete those good works.

The words of this hymn have been going through my mind all week:

Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure

Until my will is one with Thine, to do and to endure.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How has God spoken to your heart this week as you have read His Word?

What did He reveal about Himself? 

How did that truth about God apply to your life?

I’m so excited about a new way to read through the Bible on my own!  I’ve tried several times to “read through the Bible in a year,” and it just hasn’t worked for me.  I follow the chart for which chapters to read each day, and before long I miss a day or two and get several chapters behind and then have to read fast to catch up.  I end up just reading to get the days checked off.  I’m sure others have found that kind of plan useful, and it is a worthy goal.  Just not for me.

But a couple of weeks ago, our pastor introduced us to a different plan for Bible reading that I am enjoying so much!  It can be used for your personal Bible reading, or you can use it with a group and meet regularly for discussion.  You can also use the suggested ideas for any portion of the Scriptures that you are reading, even if you don’t choose to read through the entire Bible at this time.

I’ll summarize the plan, but if you would like a copy of it for yourself, I’ll give you my email address at the end of this message and I’d be happy to email you the 4-page document.

The plan has a list of readings to complete the Old Testament in 27 weeks and the New Testament in 13 weeks. But obviously, you can go through it more slowly and take as much time as you want.  The Old Testament plan is a “chronological list that is an excellent way to grasp the order of events, their context, and how God revealed Himself to mankind in a progressive manner.”  It reveals how the characters and events of the OT all fit together. 

Here are some key points from the plan to consider as you read:

• Always go to the Word expecting to meet with God and hear from Him!
• Ask these questions:

What are You revealing to me here about Yourself?

How does this passage apply to my relationships with You and others?

Lord, what do You want to change in me?

            Personally, it is helpful for me to keep a journal and write my answers to these questions and what God is showing me for my own life.  I’m amazed at what He reveals when I am specifically asking Him to speak to me through His Word each time I read! I now look forward each day to reading His Word and expecting to hear from Him!

If you would like to receive an email with this “How to Conduct a Bible Read-Thru” document, here is my email address: sjspokane000@gmail.com

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How would you describe your experience of reading God’s Word?

What are some things you already do to make time in God’s Word personally meaningful?

How would you like God to change your attitude toward spending time reading His Word?

Someone gave me a copy of this prayer a long time ago, and I recently rediscovered it.  I don’t know who wrote it, but the words express my heart and remind me of how God wants me to live. I hope it will encourage you too!

“A Prayer for First Thing in the Morning”

Good morning, Lord!

Thank You for a new day.  Thank You that Your compassion is renewed every morning.  Great is your faithfulness and Your steadfast love, O Lord!

I don’t know what all is going to happen today, and how much I’ll get done, but You do. So I give this day to You.

Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Father.  Energize me for Your work… Awaken me to the wonder of Your salvation, and quicken my spirit to the reality of Your work in my life.

Lord, my mind is filled with creative ideas, but they’re all jumbled.  Holy Spirit, come and hover over my mind like You hovered over the waters at creation and speak order out of the chaos!  Help me to cease striving and to trust that you will give me all I need today to do the work You’ve given me to do.

You will be faithful to complete the good work You’ve started, and as I step out into my day, I declare Your sovereignty over every area of my life.  I entrust myself to You and ask that You use me however You see fit.

This day is Yours.  My body is Yours.  My mind is Yours.  Everything I am is Yours.

May You be pleased with me today.

Amen

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Does this prayer express your heart for God?  Ask Him to search your heart and show you if He needs to change you in any way.

Consider writing your own response to God.

Luke 1:30-37   Parable of the Good Samaritan

You may be familiar with this parable Jesus told about a man who had been attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left half dead on the road.  A priest was going down the road, and a Levite also saw the man and passed by on the other side.  But another man, a Samaritan who was on a journey, saw the man, and he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them.  He put the wounded man on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he gave the innkeeper two denarii (2 days wages) and told him to take care of the man. He promised to return and repay the innkeeper whatever more he spent on caring for the man.

I’ve known this parable since I was a child in Sunday School. But God reminded me of it in a powerful way this week. Several years ago, He brought someone into my life and we became friends.  Her life has been difficult, and I have been happy to spend time with her occasionally, listening and encouraging her, and pointing her to the Lord for help and wisdom.  But we had drifted apart over the last year or so, and I had not known how desperate her situation had become. Until last week.

I had been judgmental about the priest and Levite, God’s servants in the temple. How could they ignore this man who had been beaten and left for dead?   I’m ashamed to admit my initial response to my friend’s situation when I found out about her desperate situation.  Like the priest and the Levite in Jesus’ parable, my first inclination was to “pass by on the other side.”  I thought, “This is too hard… I wouldn’t even know where to begin to help her with so many needs… Lord, send someone else who is better equipped to help her.”

I found out that her own primary care doctor had referred her to a medical clinic for evaluation.  The Lord prompted me to offer to drive her to that appointment and stay with her during the evaluation.  I knew that added pressure on her of having to drive to an unfamiliar location and meet with new doctors and try to retain all the information would have been extremely difficult. She was so thankful that I offered to be with her! 

Before we went into the clinic, we prayed together and read a few Scriptures. We agreed that God had provided this, and declared our trust in God. We asked for her peace, and wisdom for the doctors who would be treating her. 

As I was sitting in the evaluation room with her, the Lord made it absolutely clear to me that He had brought us together several years ago “for such a time as this.”  It was a blessing to me to witness how God had provided this appointment for her.  The doctor she is assigned to was so kind, and she carefully listened to my friend as she explained the issues she is dealing with. The doctor spent a great deal of time discussing the availability of mental, physical, emotional, and practical care that is available through the team of doctors and specialists at this clinic. My friend’s attitude of despair changed to one of hope with this promise of help. 

Jesus ended the parable with a question, “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”  The answer was, “The one who showed mercy toward him.”  Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”  And that is what the Lord is asking of me right now with my friend.  It is so clear that it was God who brought our lives together in a relationship of love and trust several years ago.  I can’t use the excuse that I don’t have what it takes to fix her.  I realize God is not expecting me to fix her.  He’s asking me to trust Him to give me the love, compassion, wisdom, time and energy to walk through this extremely difficult situation with her as He leads and provides for each step of the way.

I have prayed this prayer: Lord, forgive me for being tempted to “pass by on the other side” and hope that someone else will come along to help her. Thank you that You are the Shepherd who leads us when we call out to you for help. Thank you for encouraging me with Your words in these verses:

2 Corinthians 3:5: Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.

James 1:5  If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Matthew 25:40 Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for Me (NIV).

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Has God called you to reach out to help someone who is in a desperate situation? 

Do you feel inadequate to help?

Maybe you are personally feeling desperate and in need of help.  Will you call out to God for help and trust Him to provide exactly what you need in His time?

Has the personal experience I shared helped you in any way?  Consider writing your own prayer to God asking for His clear direction as you trust Him for His wisdom.  He is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth (Psalm 145:18).

Last week I wrote about the process of creating a website and publishing weekly devotional messages. And then a year later I was prompted to compile them as a self-published book. It was a difficult assignment for me, but I learned so much as I learned to follow God’s leading one step at a time.

This devotional I’m posting today is one of the first that I first published on my website in 2021. It is still relevant in my life today, and I pray it will be an encouragement to you too.

Moses’ hands were heavy…

Exodus 17:8-13

After the people of Israel were set free from slavery in Egypt, Moses was leading them through the wilderness.  As they were being attacked by their enemies, the Amalekites, Moses came up with a battle plan:  Moses told Joshua to choose men to go out and fight.  Moses would station himself at the top of a hill with the staff of God in his hand.  Moses, Aaron and Hur all went up to the top of the hill as the battle was going on down below.  When Moses held up his hand, the Israelites prevailed, but when he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed. What happens next fascinates me, and I love the picture that it gives for our lives today.

 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, and Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side and one on the other—so that his hands were steady until the sun set. So, Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

This is the picture that comes to my mind when God brings someone to my attention who is just worn out from battling the enemy.  I have been in that place myself where I was just too emotionally, physically, and spiritually tired to fight anymore, even to lift my own hands in prayer.  Can you identify with that?  God has given us a wonderful example to follow.  Sometimes we need to be the one to come alongside a brother or sister who is weak and tired and “support their hands.”  We need to prayerfully ask God what we can do to help that person.  What practical ways can we get involved? 

            Perhaps more difficult than supporting someone else’s weak hands is admitting our own need to be supported.  Many of us like to be the ones to offer aid to others but find it very difficult to receive help ourselves. During the times when the battle is the fiercest, we really can’t fight by ourselves. We need to be willing to admit when we are worn out and need help.  God never meant us to fight the battles alone.  He intends for us to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to strengthen the hands that are weak (Hebrews 12:12).

Notice that Aaron and Hur placed Moses on a stone.  Psalm 18:2 tells us The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. When I am called by God to help strengthen one who is weak, I need to make sure I am leading them to Him, the Rock, not giving them my own advice about the solution to their problem.

The Lord is the firm foundation, the refuge, the deliverer (Psalm 18:2).  God Himself and His Word need to be at the center of our encouragement to others.  We need to pray for God’s wisdom as we come alongside to help.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Has God brought someone into your life who needs encouragement?

At times we can be overwhelmed with the needs of someone else.  Remember that God is their rock, their refuge and strength.  Depend on Him to give you the wisdom that is needed to help support them.

Two years ago on June 1, 2020, I posted my first devotional on the website I had just created.  Honestly, I’m still surprised that I was able to make that happen!  It was definitely not as easy as advertised online (“7 easy steps; 17 minutes and you can create your own website …”)  Don’t believe that for a moment!  But through prayer and support from several special friends, and the finishing touches by my son-in-law, I could finally begin posting weekly messages.

About 20 of the first devotionals had been in my file cabinet since 1997 when I first started writing.  At that time, I hadn’t any idea what to do with them, didn’t know who would want to read them, had no idea how to distribute them.  But in the fall of 2018, the Lord prompted me to get them out of the file cabinet and read them again. One step at a time, the vision became clear that it was time to start writing again, still not knowing what I would do with them.

This week, I looked back and read in my journal where I had recorded each step in the process that led to creating a website and publishing weekly devotionals.  I was amazed at the process and God’s timing, remembering how He provided the direction when I just didn’t have a clue what to do next.  It was obviously His assignment for me, and I learned so much through the process of following Him as I took each next step.  I’ve learned to trust God completely for what seems impossible.  I’ve learned that He will provide whatever is necessary to accomplish what He has called me to do. 

After a year of publishing weekly messages, I was prompted with another challenge.  Three friends in less than a month asked if I had considered publishing a book.  Each time I said no, I have not considered that and have no desire to.  But all three said almost exactly the same thing, that they had co-workers and friends that they would like to be able to give a book of these devotionals.  I realized, again after much prayer, that this prompting was from God.  Once again, I had to overcome my own inability to imagine where to begin such an assignment. And once again, God led each next step.  My dear friend MarJean had already self-published several books on Amazon.  She was willing to help me and right there to encourage me whenever I got stuck in the process and felt like giving up.  Definitely God’s gift to me!

The book became available on Amazon.com on March 27, 2021.  In case you are interested in having a copy and don’t have the information, the title of the book is “Living in God’s Extravagant Grace; Encouragement from God’s Word.”  If you have any questions, you can contact me by email at sjspokane000@gmail.com.

I believe the next step now is to publish another book of the second year of devotionals posted on my website www.livinggodsgrace.com.  You can go to that website to read all of the devotionals published so far.

As I look back and remember, I’m so grateful to know God and His promises.  My faith, trust, and complete dependence on God have grown more than ever before! Here are a few verses that I have treasured through the experience of following God. 

Jeremiah 29:11 – I know the plans I have for you.

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work among you will complete it…

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

John 10:4 – When He puts forth all His own, He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

Isaiah 43:19 – Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth… I will make a roadway in the wilderness.

I was planning to include the very first devotional from my website on June 1, 2020.  But I’ve decided to save that for next week.  You’ve probably read enough for now!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

I know that a lot of people don’t like to write in a journal, but it has been such a blessing to me to be able to look back and remember how God specifically led in so many different situations in my life.  I encourage you to start a journal if you haven’t already.  It is so helpful to look back to see what you have struggled with, or been profoundly grateful for, and see how God has been with you in specific ways through it all.

Do you feel God prompting you to step out of your comfort zone and follow Him on a new path?

I was so encouraged by a message from our pastor’s wife at the time.  She spoke to our women’s group at church about being willing to “Just take the next step.  Even if you don’t feel qualified.  Even if you don’t know what the outcome will be.  Trust God to lead each step, one at a time.”  I would like to encourage you with that same message!

Which of the verses I included above have special meaning for you today? 

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25

The first thing that came to mind as I woke up this morning is the chorus of an old hymn, “The Solid Rock. “

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand –  

All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”

Here are the words to the first two verses:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus, name.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

Nothing else in the world offers this rock-solid hope in troubled times.  We could be crushed if our focus is on the wars, the life-changing effects of the pandemic and loss of so many lives, the financial crisis, worldwide changes in climate, fires, floods, tornadoes, daily reports of shootings of innocent people…  The list could go on and on.

I’m reminded today to be thankful for the hope that we have if we belong to God through faith in Jesus.  I’m also reminded to continue praying for those who do not yet belong to Him.  In these days of such troubled times around the world, this is what I want to remember.  Maybe you needed a reminder today too!

Here are a few of my favorite Scriptures that help me keep focused on God and the truth of His Word:

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  

Psalm 46:1-2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

Psalm 103:19

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.

Psalm 62:1-2

My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Is your life built on the Rock or on sinking sand?  What is the evidence?

It is not too late to build on the firm foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus.

Write a prayer expressing your response to God. 

I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will 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 years ago, I remember being captivated by the words “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”  Having attended church most of my life, and participated 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.  At that time, I was attempting to learn another method of study that would enable me to study any part of Scripture on my own.  But I discovered that I was getting too caught up in the technique 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 I am reminded that the focus needs to be on getting to know God, what He has done for us, the promises He has made for those who belong to Him, and how He wants us to live.  God uses His Word to transform our lives to make us more like Jesus.

            I need to do an attitude check often.  Is devotion to Jesus my highest goal? Am I spending time in the Word to get to know God better?  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 is calling me to do and then trusting the Holy Spirit to enable me to accomplish it.

            I encourage you to take time with the Lord and ask Him to show you what His plan is for you.  If we are too busy to spend quality time with Him, we are too busy.  Ask God for 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. 

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10

Jesus had firsthand experience with the schemes of the devil.  In Matthew 4:1-11 we read about three specific times he tried to get Jesus to focus on His own needs and the means to fulfill those needs in ways that were against God’s Word.  Each time, Jesus said to the devil, “It is written…”  and He quoted Old Testament Scripture with truth from God to refuse the temptations. 

It is so important to remember that we have an enemy who wants to destroy us.  1 Peter 5:7-9 tells us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour… But resist him, firm in your faith…  The Lord has given us the way to face those temptations.  James 4:7 tells us to “Resist the devil and He will flee from you.”  How do we resist the devil?  By following Jesus’ example – We say to the devil, “It is written…” and then we speak the truth from Scripture and trust the Lord for the strength from His Word.

Here are just a few Scriptures that we can turn to when the devil is trying to get us to focus on ourselves and our own circumstances instead of trusting God and His truth.

When I am afraid

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.  Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.    

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

When I am in trouble

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

When I have sinned

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When I feel guilty for past sins

Psalm 103:12 As far as east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

When I need wisdom and direction

James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust 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 path.

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.

When I need protection

Psalm 3:3 You, O Lord, are a shield about me…

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble

When I am lonely or feel unloved

Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

When my feet have slipped

Psalm 40:2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

            God’s Word is filled with truth and promises from God.  And when the devil tries to tempt me to focus on feelings instead of on the truth of God’s Word, I will say as Jesus said, “It is written…   Get away from me, Satan!”  And I will trust God’s presence, His protection, and His provision.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How has the devil been tempting you?  What lies has he used to turn your focus away from God’s truth?

Which of these verses can you claim right now to refuse his attacks on your mind, your will, or your emotions?   Ask God to show you specific Scriptures that you need stay focused on.

You may want to write the Scriptures and post them somewhere you see them often to be reminded of the truth of God’s Word.

Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5-8

As I studied Psalm 1 for my women’s Bible study this week, I discovered that Jeremiah 17:5-8 contains much of the same message.  Both Scriptures talk about the blessings for those who belong to God and the curse for those who do not acknowledge Him as Lord.

            You may be familiar with the description of the blessings in Psalm 1:  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.  This blessing is for those who “delight in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night.”  Psalm 1 compares those who do not belong to the Lord as chaff which the wind drives away.

            Jeremiah 17:5-8 describes the blessings in the same way as Psalm 1, but he adds: “and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” 

Jeremiah says about the curse: Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant.

            What a remarkable contrast between the blessings and the curse! How do we stay “firmly planted by streams of water?” John 15:4-5 tells us to “abide in Him” just as a branch must stay connected to the vine in order to bear fruit. Here are several ways we can “abide in Him”:

We need to be reading God’s Word regularly to get to know Him and how He wants us to live.

Trust the Lord in all things and live according to His will.

We follow His will by “planting our roots” in the living water (the Holy Spirit living in us) and depending on Him for the wisdom and ability to do what He calls us to do.

What is the “fruit” that will be evident in our lives if we are walking with the Lord?  Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Psalm 1 tells us that the leaves of those who follow the Lord will not wither.  What would cause our leaves to wither?  Here are a few ideas:

Straying from the Lord through unbelief or disobedience.

Not making time with Him a priority.  Being too busy with other activities.

Not seeking His will above all else.

Not depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction.

Trusting in ourselves or anything else instead of trusting God for everything in our lives.

The Lord gives us a clear choice in the way we live.  We can enjoy the blessings of living for Him, trusting Him to provide all we need to do His will and bear spiritual fruit that will last forever, or we can reject Him and live for ourselves.  The blessings and the consequences are eternal.  My desire is to live for Him.  I pray that for you too.  I want to say with the Psalmist, “I delight to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Would you describe your life at this time as a tree planted by streams of water that bears fruit, or like a bush in the desert living in a stony wasteland?

Are there choices that you are willing to make after reading this message?

If we have strayed from God’s will for our lives, He is always ready to forgive and draw us back to Himself.  We only need to confess, ask His forgiveness, and trust Him to guide us in His plan for our life. His grace is sufficient, and His mercies are new every morning. 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8

So often I return to this Scripture to be reminded of the truth!  As we walk through our daily lives, there are so many choice points along the way.  It’s easy to get distracted by all the choices that need to be made.  So how do we decide?  Certainly, there are really big decisions – like possibly changing jobs, or moving to a different state or a new home.  But there are also the daily decisions about how to spend our time each day.  It’s not usually a choice between doing something bad or something good.  But if we are walking with the Lord, we can be assured that He knows what is best.

            Psalm 32:8 reminds me that the Lord will instruct and teach me in the way He wants me to go.  My part is to be walking with Him in a personal relationship, asking Him to show me, and faithfully following where He leads.  Many other Scriptures tell us that He is our Shepherd and He cares for us as His sheep.  He knows us each by name and knows where we are and what we are thinking every moment.

            The Psalms are filled with verses that encourage us to call out to Him because He hears us and knows what is best for us.  When we seek Him, He answers – not always immediately as we want Him to, but always in the time which He knows is best.

            The last part of Psalm 32:8 is especially meaningful to me.  The Lord says, “I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”  He sees me at all times.  He knows me better than I know myself and better than anyone else knows me.  Another favorite verse is 2 Chronicles 16:9 which says “The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth, seeking to strongly support those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”  He delights when we look to Him for direction and help!

            Here are just a few verses that help me to wait for the Lord’s direction.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord…

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.

Psalm 37:7

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…  (Notice “wait patiently!”)

This morning our pastor prayed the following Scripture over us at the end of his sermon.  It is a prayer that I want to remember to pray for myself and for others I know who need the Lord’s direction:

… we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…Colossians 1:9-10

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Where do you need the Lord’s instruction, direction, and counsel in your life at this time?

Which of these verses has the Lord encouraged you with today?

It may help to write out your prayer, and then look back later and see how He specifically answered your prayer.

Worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4:23-24

As I came to my office this morning for my time alone with the Lord, I started my prayer with a desire for a deeper heart of love and worship.  There are times that I feel I am just “going through the motions” out of habit or duty.  I’m not satisfied with that, and I’m sure it can’t be pleasing to God if I come to Him with that attitude.  Right away this Scripture in John 4:23-24 came to mind.  It’s a familiar verse to me, but I asked God for a fresh understanding for what it means to “worship in spirit and truth.”  These are the thoughts He brought to mind, and I wrote them in my journal:

Truth is what I know about God from His Word, to know His character, to know what He has done for me by giving His beloved Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world – for my sins!  To remember who He is, to praise Him, to follow Him.

It is possible to know all of that, and even be doing all that out of obedience.  But God wants my spirit to be connected to Him through the Holy Spirit who lives in me.  I can be doing all the things He has called me to do – writing weekly Bible studies and posting devotional messages.  But if my heart attitude, my spirit, is not aligned completely with Him, it cannot be pleasing to God.  And to me it can become a burden to fulfill the assignments and lead to anxious thoughts about meeting a weekly deadline.  Even Bible reading can become something to check off my to-do list if I am doing it without desiring a true connection with the Lord in my heart and spirit.

            I definitely needed a “heart check-up” today.  I’m so encouraged to read in John 4:24 that God seeks true worshipers.  So, He is initiating that desire in me for deeper worship.  He is calling me to that!  As I ask Him to create in me a deeper heart of worship, I know that is a prayer He will answer!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you identify with the need for a “heart check-up?”

Since God desires true worshipers, we can ask Him often to renew that heart of worship.

You may want to write your own prayer expressing your heart attitude, and your desire for a renewed love and worship if you feel the need for that.

Matthew 27:46

Because I grew up in a family that attended church every Sunday, I have known from a very early age about Jesus dying on the cross.  And I memorized John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”  But at times, the familiarity of the story can dull the deep heart-felt gratitude I should have for the sacrifice Father and the Son were willing to pay for my salvation.  As we are nearing the Easter celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, I have been asking God for a fresh awareness of what Jesus’ death on the cross means for my life.  I’m asking Him to break through the familiarity and give me new spiritual eyes to see and understand and respond to the amazing truth of His death on the cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world.

Why did the Father have to turn away from His beloved Son Jesus as He was crucified?  Jesus was the perfect sinless Son.   Why was Jesus, the Creator of the world and everything in it, willing to allow Himself to be nailed to the cross as if He were the vilest of criminals?  Jesus had told His disciple, Peter, when Roman soldiers had come to arrest Him, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”  Jesus was willing to carry out the plan that had been set in motion even before the creation of the world – He knew that He would sacrifice His life as “the Lamb of God” to take the sins of the world on Himself.  He was willing to be separated from the Father who could not look on sin.  He was willing to be unmercifully beaten, scorned and mocked by those who witnessed the crucifixion – those He had come to save.  He was willing to die in our place to pay the death penalty for the sins of the whole world.

He was forsaken for me! For you! And because He was willing to sacrifice Himself for our sins, we can receive God’s forgiveness.  God will never turn His back on those who have received the salvation He offered through Jesus’ death on the cross.  We are assured of His promise in Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (NIV).  “I will be with you always, even until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).  We never have to experience separation from the Father here on earth.  And because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have the promise of eternal life with Him if we have received His gift of salvation through faith. 

Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer for renewed gratitude for what You have done! Thank You for being willing to die so that I, and all who receive You by faith, can be forgiven and live with you forever!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you identify with being too familiar with the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection?

Will you ask the Lord for a fresh understanding that will touch your heart in a deeper way?

Set aside some time to thank Him for His willingness to die on the cross and be resurrected so that you can have eternal life.