I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing that will happen today that you and God cannot handle together. Walk with Him, not ahead of Him, not behind Him…side by side with Him whispering in your ear about His wonderful plans for your life. May your day be blessed with His almighty and loving presence!
The character that we all want to have is to be more like Jesus. That is only possible by spending more time with Him in His Word and in prayer. I want to not only act as Jesus would act but to react the same way He would react, too. I am a work in progress, knowing that God is helping me daily to be more like Him.
From the YouVersion: Building Strong Character
How to Build Strong Character Paul, the author of the letter to the Church in Rome, frequently encouraged the believers in Rome amidst the persecution and adversity they were experiencing. The first half of Paul’s letter corrects some of their thinking, while the second half is focused on their character and actions. In Romans 12, Paul is encouraging the believers to let love be the primary motivation for everything they do. When love is the foundation of who they are, then God can renew and transform every area of life. When they allow God to transform their character, that’s when they’re able to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Christians have a unique hope in Jesus–we know that Jesus is victorious over evil and will one day return to make everything right. This means we can have hope in the midst of suffering or difficult times. Paul knew that affliction produces steadfast character within us. When we choose to endure through suffering, Jesus forms strength and confidence within us that we couldn’t attain otherwise. But perseverance through affliction also requires constant communication with the One who transforms us through His love. Prayer is a vital part of this. It is the primary way we communicate with God, and it’s also part of how the Holy Spirit strengthens us for following Jesus. These three things create within us a stronger character in life. They mold us into the image of Jesus who was joyful in hope, patient in suffering, and faithful in prayer. So today, take some time to think of a few ways that you can become more like Jesus in these areas.
ISBN-13:9780800772697 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:09/24/2024 Pages:352
Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer’s.
When Daisy enlists Audrey’s help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.
Despite Audrey’s intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.
I am absolutely delighted when I discover a debut novel that sets my skin to tingling and my heart burning with a desire to share this great story with others. Such is the case with this novel with it’s intriguing title and beautiful cover! The story of Audrey and her quest for something better in life besides a demanding boss and clients is well told and engaging. When Audrey leaves her posh job in the Bay Area to travel to a little town called Charity Falls, she doesn’t expect to stay there long. In fact, her plan is a couple of weeks to help her great-Aunt Daisy prepare to live in assisted living with her great-Uncle Dean who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. What Audrey did not expect was to meet a young girl named Paige who desperately needs someone to love her and care that her dad is incarcerated without judging her. What Audrey was surprised to find in this little town was the peace she had long sought since her father died in a fire in that same little town. This book was filled with delightful surprises, family relationships and faith that was the foundation of the story. I enjoyed the plot with its moderately paced plot, perfect for the tranquil setting of Charity Falls. I especially enjoyed getting to know all of the characters who lent charm and realism to the town, making sure that Audrey was quickly caught up into the rhythm of life there. The underlying message of forgetting the past and pressing onward toward a better future was one that was not unexpected but was one that showered hope throughout the pages of the story. This was a story that begs to be read and enjoyed and shared with others because it is a timeless story of resilience, roots and restoration.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Kit Tosello is an award-winning writer of small-town contemporary fiction with a big heart, as well as inspirational essays and devotionals. With her eye trained on the beauty hiding in plain sight all around us, she arranges words with tenderness, humor, and, ultimately, hope. When not writing, Kit can be found in the loose tea shop she operates with her husband, exploring the great Pacific Northwest, or enjoying the “great indoors”—bookstores & libraries 😉. Most likely with a matcha latte in hand.
When we are having a hard time with life, those of us who are Christians may look to God and be a little confused or even angry. What we should be doing instead is looking towards when that difficult period will end and we will be able to move forward with the Lord, looking back on the lessons we learned and recognizing the grace He showed us in the middle of the deep waters we went through. I am one of those who just doesn’t want to go through trials and who prefers the calm waters and peace. But I am also coming to see as I age that trials and problems are just a part of this fallen world. So, I try, although I confess that I am not always successful, to see the trial as passing, not the place where I will abide forever. In fact, I often pray for God to help me get through whatever it is without losing my temper or my patience with those around me. Trials are a time to press into God as David did and to remember His faithfulness. He hasn’t failed me yet, and He won’t ever leave me alone. Holding on to God’s promises of His faithfulness helps me to get to the other side of the valley and be willing to start climbing that mountain with Him right next to me.
As a teenager, David was anointed as the next king of Israel. But instead of ascending to the throne in a blaze of glory, he spent years running from Israel’s current king (his father-in-law) who repeatedly tried to kill him. During this time, David laments to God: he has honest conversations about his situation while holding onto the hope that God can—and will—restore him. Psalm 59 is the result of one of those conversations. David’s laments allowed him to express his grief, cry out for justice, and remember God’s faithfulness. Focusing on God’s faithfulness reminded David of God’s character, and knowing God’s character helped him hold onto hope. That’s why he could say, “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16 NIV) Talking honestly with God helped David recognize that even though his current situation wasn’t good, God was still good, and still worthy of being worshiped. David believed that God was still in control, and that he would one day see the fulfillment of God’s promises. And one day, God’s promises did come to pass. But God didn’t waste the years David spent as a fugitive: instead, He used them to help David become the leader and warrior Israel needed. The setbacks David endured actually strengthened his character and prepared him for his future purpose. Although his circumstances were painful, God was faithful. And God can—and will—be faithful with your life. When you place your hope in Jesus, you never grieve in vain because the God who is now is also the God who will be forever. And He is constantly advocating and acting on your behalf. That’s why, no matter what you face, you can hold onto this hope: Jesus can turn your setbacks and sorrows into setups for your good and His glory. God can take your pain and use it for His purposes. He can make a way through your desert seasons. He is your source of strength and your refuge in times of trouble. Nothing is impossible for God. So today, continue to draw closer to Him, and look for evidence of His faithfulness. As you intentionally pursue God, look for ways to worship Him like David did.
I bet that as you read this title, you blinked and probably thought, “Who am I supposed to love?” Well, the answer according to Scriptures is everyone, of course, but when you dig deeper, you are supposed to love those for whom you don’t naturally feel love. It’s easy to love those who love you in kind. It’s much more difficult to love those people who seem to stand in the way of your success or who hinder your happiness in some way, those whom you see as an “enemy” but God sees them as a person who needs Him. When we love that person, that one who is unkind to us or who deliberately gets on our last nerve, then we are opening a door to their heart to see Jesus and His love in action through us. It’s not easy…I have no doubt that it wasn’t easy for Jesus to forgive everyone who put Him on that cross (which is all of us), but He did anyway. You know, we were once enemies of God before we became Christians, but He loved us before we even repented and came to Him for forgiveness. God is love and to be like Jesus, we are expected to show love to everyone, even the unloving. Maybe especially to the unloving because they need God’s love, too!
From the YouVersion today:
Pray for Who? All throughout Jesus’ ministry, He constantly turned things upside down for those listening. The religious leaders at the time had grown distant from following the laws of God. Jesus’ teaching helped bring them back to the heart of the law, but He often did so through surprising ways. Most of us probably think we do a great job at loving other people. But if we’re being honest, most of us probably spend our time loving those who also love us back. It’s a lot easier to love the people who we’re friends with. When there’s trust built over time and common ground, it’s easy to love. Jesus says that loving those who love you is not enough. In Luke 6:28, He challenges us to bless those who speak negatively about us, and to pray for those who mistreat us. If you’ve ever been mistreated by someone, or had someone speak negatively about you, then you know how hard it can be to love that person. It is hard to love unloving people. And yet, Jesus did exactly that. When we were at our worst, He still loved us. If you find it hard to bless those who mistreat you, begin with prayer. Between you and God in prayer, ask Him to help soften your heart. Ask Him for justice in a specific situation, but also for there to be restoration. Every person who exists is a person Jesus wants to love. And when we make steps to love those who are unloving, we’re showing the love of Jesus to someone who needs it. As we take steps to pray for those who mistreat us, we become more like Jesus. Take a few minutes right now to pray. Ask God to help you grow in love towards those around you. If there is someone who has hurt you, ask God to begin healing your heart. Say a prayer for that person as well. Ask God to be with them, to help them, and to make a way for their heart to be softened as well. Thank Jesus that He loved us even when we were unloving.
I remember well when our children would run to me crying about a broken toy and expect me to fix it for them. Sometimes I could and other times, I would have to tell them that it could not be repaired and they would be very disappointed in my inability. There is One who takes each of us, broken as we are, and who “fixes” us completely and makes us whole. Our sin and the darkness all around us that accompany that sin are changed to light and an indescribable feeling of being whole. I think that it because the God who made us is able to have a relationship with us due to the sacrifice of His Son. We are no longer broken by sin but made whole by His grace. Thanks be to God for His plan that makes us whole! God never turns anyone away and says we are too broken to be repaired; there is no such thing as “too broken” with God. We can all be made whole in the name of Jesus. This is “Amazing Grace”!
Healed by His Wounds
Brokenness. We see it all around us. We experience it ourselves: in our relationships, in our dreams, in our bodies. And yet, something happened over two thousand years ago that still has the power to heal that brokenness.
1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, took the weight of our sins upon Himself. He carried them to the cross, giving up His life not because of His own wrongdoing, but because of ours. This is the essence of the Gospel. Through His sacrifice, He offered us a path out of darkness and into His light—a life transformed by His grace.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we’ve been given a profound healing of our spirits; new life taking the place of sins and darkness that separate us from God. Through His wounds, we are offered forgiveness and a new relationship with God, healed and whole.
Understanding His sacrifice transforms us. We can’t live in darkness anymore. Brokenness may surround us, but it is no longer within us. His righteousness washes over us. His healing wells up within us. Our entire life shifts as a response to the profound love and sacrifice Jesus showed us, and the healing that He alone can provide.
www.bible.com/reading-plans/50032/day/1
I invite you to join me in this Bible study and devotional plan. I am trying to “build my faith muscle” with this short six day devotional and can’t wait to delve into God’s Word. It is only through His Word that I can have a closer relationship with the Lord. And in moving closer to God, my faith becomes stronger. That is how God helps us through the hard times.
I have a lot of cravings, like chocolate (which I eat in moderation), cold water and cheesecake. I can satisfy those cravings easily enough with a trip to the store. But I have a deep craving in my heart to know more about God and to be more like Him. That one desire means that I have to expend some effort in order to satisfy my craving. A few minutes here and there and once in a while just aren’t working for me anymore. I’m not sure if it’s because of my age or the many hours in solitude because our children are grown and gone, but whatever the reason, in the quiet space of my heart, I crave to be with the Lord. I want to spend more time discovering new things about Him. It seems that every time I pick up my Bible, I find something new that I never saw before even though I have read those exact same verses multiple times. A trip to the store will satisfy my physical cravings, but only time dedicated to the Lord and His presence will satisfy my soul’s longing for fellowship with my Maker.
Every day, multiple times a day, little alarms are triggered inside your brain. They make your stomach growl, your mouth water, or your mind become fixed on that which you crave.
God gave us physical needs that mirror our spiritual needs, too. Needs that must be met to stay healthy and alive. Needs that must be satisfied over and over again. In fact, food is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for our spiritual needs (it’s called “our daily bread” in Matthew and the “pure milk” of the Word in 1 Peter, to name a couple.)
In the fourth beatitude, which are a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom, Jesus said this:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 NIVDo you long for righteousness and justice? Do you desire the ways of God? Do you yearn for His kingdom to come? Do you want to be someone who chases after that which can never truly satisfy, or someone who hungers and thirsts after God?
In this upside-down kingdom where Jesus is Lord, the poor can be rich, the weak can be strong, and the empty can be filled.
Jesus Christ not only holds the keys to “living water,” but He is the “Bread of Life.” So, when you feel Him prompting your heart—to fight for justice, to love the unloved, to stand up for what’s right (even when it’s not popular)—pay attention.
He stands ready to fill you with everything you need.
We are the culmination of God’s creative work. When the Lord God created earth and everything on it, mankind was His last and ultimate creation. About man, God said, “It is very good.”
On Monday night at Bible study, as our group waited for the lesson to begin, this photo was the view from the picture window. Isn’t is amazing? God’s creation never ceases to amaze me with its stunning display of color and how everything flows together beautifully. When I see a sunset like this, I am reminded of how very much God loves each of us. We are all special to Him, uniquely created to fulfill a purpose in His plan. I don’t know about you, but my reaction is one of awe and gratitude that the God of the Universe, the One who made this gorgeous sky for us to enjoy, knows me by name and loves me. And He loves you the same way!
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 