Paul and Silas had been thrown into prison, and were holding a prayer and hymn fest for their fellow prisoners. When suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the doors open and broke off everyone’s chains. The Jailor came running in, fearing all had escaped, when Paul shouted, ” We’re all here!” There was then an abrupt role reversal as the Jailor then addressed Paul and Silas with respect and urgency as he asked how he might receive this salvation they had spoken of.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Lamentations 3:21 ” Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.”
Jeremiah sits observing the destruction of his beloved city of Jerusalem. All around is utter chaos, death, and carnage. It’s at that very lowest point that he forces himself to remember…to recall all the Lord has done for him. He ponders God’s loving mercy, His trustworthiness, and faithfulness…and in doing so, lays hold again of his confidence and trust in the Lord.
Psalm 83:13 ” Make them like a tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind.”
Psalm 83 is one of the Imprecatory Psalms, where the writer is praying to invoke God’s wrath upon the wicked. The invading enemy armies were boasting of what they would do in verse 4, “Come, they say, let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.” This prayer, written by Asaph, wasn’t just a harsh outburst of anger and resentment, but rather a carefully worded petition laid before the Lord for Him to come to Israel’s defense. Asaph was asking the Lord to make the enemy army as helpless as storm-driven leaves.
Matthew 17:24 ” After Jesus and His Disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, ‘ Doesn’t your Teacher pay the Temple tax?’ “
If you think about it…being the Son of God, Jesus was exempt from the tax. But not wanting to be a stumbling block to the people of Capernaum, Jesus used it to be a faith-building opportunity for Simon Peter. Using Peter’s gift, his talent, his vocation of fishing, Jesus instructed him to go to the lake, cast out his line, and pull in the first fish he hooked. He then told Peter to open its mouth and inside he’d find a four-drachma coin to pay the tax for both of them. By just being obedient with the skills he already had, Peter’s faith was increased greatly, and he was blessed over and above what he could imagined.
James 1:22 ” Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
The Lord doesn’t want us to just causally receive His Word and maybe entertain His commands only if we feel so inclined . By doing so, we’re just fooling ourselves with a lukewarm form of Christianity…and are totally useless for the Lord.
Hebrews 13:8 ” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
The Lord is unchanging. He will never be inconsistent or wavering in His works, decisions, or promises. He will to all eternity remain the same.
Exodus 40:34 ” Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.”
God’s majestic presence came down, filling the Temple such that the Priests could not minister. God’s glory came to earth…covering over our sins and offering forgiveness to all who would receive it. His presence came to earth and, “dwelt among us”, as it says in John 1:14.
Jeremiah 31: 18-19 ” Restore me, and I will return, because You are the Lord my God. After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”
When we’re young we think we know everything…but in reality, how foolish and stupid we really are. But if we can but realize our folly, and turn back to God with a changed heart…the Lord can then do mighty things not only in us, but through us for His glory.
Thank You, and God Bless you all.
It was three years ago today that I started this journey of writing a daily devotional. The time has flown by, with God leading me daily as I share His Word. This will be the 978 th posting…and I thought when I started I might not be able to write more than 30! This devotional has traveled all over the world, now being read in 103 countries daily. Thank you to all who have been on this journey with me over the past three years…I cherish all your friendships and pray for you daily. The Lord has been leading me to more Speaking opportunities, which I look forward to…but He still wants me to continue with Safetypinlove. So, I look to Him for continued guidance as I am faithful to do my part day by day. Thank you for your support and love! Pam
Psalm 31: 14 ” But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘ You are my God.’ “
Today, I was going through my binders of writings, when the Lord had me stumble upon something I had written seven years ago today. My husband and I were working in the garden when he collapsed that day in 2008 and was rushed to the ER by ambulance. Initially, thinking it was another heart attack, it turned out to be atrial fibrillation, which has been controlled by medication since. The biggest thing I remember about that day was the peace I felt…that God was holding me together – like a safety-pin. And I remember the handful of safety-pins I received in the mail a few days later from a dear friend who I had sent safety-pins to when she started her battle with cancer. God’s safety-pin love held both of us together during those desperate times.
Safetypinlove 