Growing up I had three Great-Aunts who never married…back in the day, they were called Old Maids, or Spinsters… but in my mind, they were spirited, intelligent, independent women way ahead of their time. My Great-Aunt Martha traveled when women usually didn’t travel alone. She raised wild birds, painted her house outlandish colors, and cooked meals for her poodles. She also was a savvy businesswoman who owned farm ground, and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. My other two Great-Aunts… Ollie and Kathryn, were outstanding cooks and bakers, who earned hundreds of ribbons at State Fairs, and even sold a cookie recipe to the Archway Cookie Company. They had a thriving Cottage Industry, selling cookies, candy, and fruitcake. Even at a young age, I marveled at their self-reliance, spunk, and zest for life…all three were highly respected and loved members of the family, who lived their lives to the fullest.
Tag: religion
Psalm 19:1 ” The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Before we found this house 8 years ago this month, I had been praying that the Lord would bring me the perfect house for sunrises. I’m an early riser…most mornings I’m up at 5 AM so I can spend time in the Word, and I feel the very best time of the day is at sunrise, when the earth is waking up. God graciously gave us this beautiful house that offers magnificent sunrises coming up over the mountains from the large kitchen windows. There is nothing better than to be reading about God’s Wonder and Glory as you are experiencing it personally. So, whether you are a “sunrise” person, or a “sunset” person… take a moment today to fully take in the Lord’s Majesty and Resplendence as it spreads across the skies in glowing beams of color and light.
Judges 6:39 Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me. Let me make one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece.’ “
Putting out a “fleece”…maybe you’ve heard the term before. God wanted Gideon to lead the Israelites in defeating the Midianites…and even though the Lord had promised Gideon the victory several times, Gideon still needed tangible signs that this would happen. So this is where the fleece came in…lying on the threshing floor during the night with the dew either on it, or on the ground around it. The Lord used that fleece to build Gideon’s faith and encourage him to move forward into battle. Gideon was not testing God, but rather wanting confirmation of His promises. And now with total confidence in his God, Gideon marched out with his army to defeat the enemy.
Selah…
The Hebrew word, Selah, is left untranslated in the Bible. It is found in 38 of the chapters in Psalms. The term is so ancient, that they are unsure what it actually means. It may be a musical term – a transition in the melody, or it may show a pause. Either way, it’s a very poetic way of reading though the Psalms, in that the writer wants you to pause…and consider what has just been said. He doesn’t want you to hastily read through the scripture, but rather stop…and ponder what was just written. I think we could all benefit from more “Selah” moments throughout our busy and hectic days…pauses to reflect, meditate and listen to that still small voice.
III John verse 2 ” Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
Maybe you’ve heard it called the “Health and Wealth” Gospel…those that quote this particular scripture, propose that God’s Will for His children is for them to always have excellent health and prosper greatly. But if you look up the Greek word for pray, it simply expresses the desire or wishes of the Apostle John towards this person. In no way was he inferring that his friend would have perfect health forever. He was only hoping that this letter found his friend well and having a good and safe journey throughout his life, which signified the Lord’s benevolent provision for the needs of His children. John was very confident that his friend was “Spiritually” healthy, and trusted that everything else in his life was as good.
Romans 11: 36 ” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Look around you…everything you see is God-centered, for by Him all things were created. Through His mighty and infinite power, everything exists. As fragile humans, there is only one God through whom we live, and breath, and have our being. Look around you today…at every blade of grass, every grand mountain range, every sleeping baby…The Lord made them all. And so to Him we should give glory and honor, not just for today, but forever!
Psalm 98:1 ” Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.”
The bleak Winter landscape is suddenly broken up by the robins announcing that they are back. What a joy it is to hear the chirping…knowing that Spring has to be right around the corner. The Psalmist must have had the same kind of hopeful optimism when he wrote, “Sing to the Lord a new song!” Fresh, new music to praise God…full of hope and anticipation for what is to come. Allow yourself to be filled with that same kind of wonderful hope today, as you yourself sing a “new” song of praise to our Lord!
Isaiah 55:11 ” …so is My Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
There is nothing as powerful as God’s Word. It is living and active, it cannot be revoked, or delayed…it is always fulfilled. When the Lord first started speaking to me about writing these daily devotionals, first and foremost was the desire to get His Word to as many people as possible. The pittance that I add is nothing compared to you reading His Written Word. Reading God’s Word changes us…from the inside out….it changes us for the good…it changes us forever. His Word will never return to Him without first executing His desired plan in our lives. As John so aptly stated, ” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” When we take the time to immerse ourselves in His Word, we will emerge from the encounter different than when we started.
Matthew 28:20 “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ages.”
Has something ever happened to you that you felt abandoned by God? Maybe it was an ugly incident when you were a child that has haunted you for years…maybe it occurred yesterday. Regardless of the time-frame, those negative emotions of feeling forsaken, forgotten, and discarded can pursue us forever. We may “feel” abandoned by God…but we also need to realize that the Lord was there with us all the time. He has never left us, nor will He ever…He will be with us indefinitely, forever, and into eternity. God says He will be with you always…He has never, and will never, abandon you!
Psalm 31: 7 ” I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.”
Psalm 31, for anyone who has gone, or is going through traumatic times, is one of the greatest Psalms to read outloud…back to the Lord. You can voice it through tears, you can express it with anger, you can utter it in total dispair…but regardless of how you verbalize it, God not only is listening to you, but He understands, and knows intimately what you are going through. He has heard your cry for mercy when you called…”Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
Safetypinlove 