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.
This prayer is part of my devotional today and I really needed it to remind me of God’s constant presence. Life keeps throwing darts at me and so far, I have been able to dodge them, but honestly, I am weary.
Yesterday, I had to return to Ortho Virginia because of a shoulder problem that has been building for the last month. It has gotten so painful that I cannot extend my right arm, either forward or up without excruciating pain. When the doctor checked me yesterday and had me do all kinds of movement that hurt as well as pressing in places that almost caused me to defend myself, he concluded that I have a problem with my rotator cuff. He cannot say definitely that there is a tear because I have not had an MRI yet, but he did say the symptoms point to that as the issue. I received a steroid injection and a referral for physical therapy for the next six weeks.
While I was doing my deep breathing to get through the injection into the bone of my shoulder, I was thinking to myself, “Seriously, God. I have only been out of the boot for a fractured foot for less than a month and now my shoulder is giving me problems. I mean, really. Couldn’t we face this particular battle another time?” God didn’t speak audibly, but He continues to speak to my heart that He is walking this valley with me. He hasn’t gone anywhere, but He has stepped closer to me, to comfort me during the diagnosis, the injection and the feeling of absolute despondency.
God has never walked away from me, as He so lovingly reminded me yesterday and again this morning in this prayer. And since He doesn’t play favorites, He hasn’t walked away from you, either. He is right there, waiting to answer your prayers and to be by your side until whatever the battle that is taking place in your life is over. There will always be a battle to fight, but the good news is, there is always God there to protect you, heal you, comfort you and reassure you of His presence.
If we started sharing all of the wonderful attributes of our God, we would be here a long time because just when we think we know God, He shows us another facet of His character. Today, I am focusing on the faithfulness of God. We know God is faithful to His Word. He is also faithful to His promises. And best of all, He is faithful to each of us, even when we forget to acknowledge all that He has done for us.
I can, and I hope that you can, too, easily come up with all of the things I have seen God do in my life. I have kept journals in which I wrote my thanksgiving down and praised God for all that He has done and is still doing for me and for my loved ones. Why, this week alone, I have testimonies! Our son-in-law Aaron had been sick for well over a month. When he finally saw a doctor and they did blood tests, his liver function was low. This week, the doctor repeated the test, and it is normal! Hallelujah! Our granddaughter Teagan fell in the yard and broke her wrist. This week, she went to Shriner’s Hospital in Erie where they told her she only has to wear the cast for two weeks and perhaps a brace after that. So, praise God! My husband had an appointment this week with his regular dentist to start the process for a dental implant. This whole thing has taken about a year, so we are both ready for it to be done, but we didn’t really know what to expect at this week’s appointment. Pain? Dietary restrictions? None of the above. The dentist took virtual photos in order to order his permanent implant and put in a temporary crown while he waits for it to arrive. Once again, a praise report!
Of course, there are the prayers that I am still praying and waiting for an answer, but I can count on God to be faithful. He was faithful before and He doesn’t change, so He will continue to be faithful. Instead of wallowing in the pain of unanswered prayers (or sometimes those not answered the way I hoped or expected), I am praising God for His faithfulness, knowing that the answer is on the way and His answer is always what is best for me.
Instead of just reading this first verse, I recommend that you read the entire Psalm 105. Read it aloud. Say it to your mind and your heart and let it sink in what God is capable of doing and what He has already done. I think the last part of the verse is very important and often overlooked. We praise God and proclaim His glorious name during our devotional time, but do we make known what He has done? Do we testify to others about this faithfulness to us, His goodness, His grace, His mercy? Others cannot know if we do not tell. To many, if they even think about God’s existence at all, He is that scary guy who could zap them at any time or He is that smiling guy who keeps blessing them in ways they don’t really appreciate. What about if we gave personal testimonies about what God has done in our lives every day? Every week? Instead of calling friends to tell them how bad the week has been, how about calling and telling them all of the good things God has done for you because He is faithful? It’s all about perspective. You can keep what God has done for you and “ponder it in your heart.” But you can also reach out to others and give them a reason to think about God and His love and faithfulness. I think the latter is a better plan, don’t you?
Please keep praying for those in Texas who have lost loved ones. God is sending His comfort and peace because He is faithful. Let us be faithful to pray for them in their time of grieving unbearable loss.
The simple answer to this question is that we all are. Some are more vocal than others and some have evangelism as their profession, but we have all been called to be evangelists, to share the good news about Jesus.
In the devotional this morning that I read about evangelism, I chuckled when the speaker in the video reminded us that we don’t plant seeds and then stand and yell at them to grow. Our responsibility is just to plant the seeds and that can look like a lot of different things.
We can encourage someone when they need a pat on the shoulder, a hug or a kind word. Speaking of kindness, we should always be kind to others no matter what kind of day we are having or the mood we are in. There is never an excuse for rudeness. In today’s world of selfishness and entitlement, it is evident that rudeness seems to be prevalent. That is why Christians can stand out and consistently offer kindness as our banner, not demands. And, of course, we can share our testimony with others about the difference Christ has made in our lives.
The last one is the hardest one for me because of my introverted nature. But I know that if I have established a relationship with another person, then it is easier for me to talk to them about my past, where I came from and how my life changed. I think one of the keys of a good evangelist is establishing relationships, not just preaching the gospel and expecting people to take your word for it.
Regardless of how we do the job that Jesus tasked us to do while we wait for His return, we are not in this alone. Evangelism is a team effort. We are the seed sowers while others who come behind us may be the ones who water or give nutrients to the new plant. We do what we feel the Spirit prodding us to do and then let God take over. That relieves us of the burden of thinking that is all on us…it isn’t and God’s Word tells us that.
Our purpose in evangelism is not so that others can see us and offer us any kind of recognition. Rather, it is to just go and tell. We tell with encouragement, kindness and our testimony. We tell with words from God’s Word. God will bring the growth but the seeds have to be planted first and that is our responsibility.
The story of Esther is a powerful testimony within the Scriptures. It tells about Esther who risked her life in order to save the people of God from danger. Esther faced the decision between what was easy and what was difficult, and she chose the more difficult way because it was the right thing to do.
Esther 4:14 points out that Esther’s purpose in life was tied to this very moment. She was crafted and shaped by God in order to fulfill His purposes in her generation. She was placed in this unique situation by God.
While most of us might not be servants in the house of a king or queen, we all have difficult decisions to make in life. Every day we are faced with situations that have easy answers, and some that are difficult.
The story of Esther teaches us that God has gifted each of us for a specific purpose. Even though the journey isn’t always easy, God promises to be with us as we follow the path He’s called us to.
Additionally, Esther did not accomplish her purpose alone. She had the support of her community fasting and praying for her. Similarly, we cannot make it through life alone. We need the support of our community praying for us. And they need us in their lives as well.
Take some time today to think about your own story. How is it similar to Esther’s? Consider the unique purpose that God has created you for. Pray to Him for strength to make the right decision in life, and to persevere in following where He leads.
My Thoughts
God has been speaking to me a lot lately through His Word about His purpose for me and whether I am fulfilling it or not. I sincerely want to follow the path God has laid out for me, but I am very aware that sometimes I have strayed and not done as the Holy Spirit was directing me. I am trying to get better, but I am not there yet.
The book of Esther is a story of courage, but as has been pointed out to me in every devotional and in my own reading, the Jewish people at that time were far from God. The times were dangerous and they were facing extinction. Yet there is no prayer in the book, no mention of God’s name. Esther does ask the community to fast, but that seems to be out of desperation, and I hope, her faith, but that is not mentioned.
I need the courage of Esther when I venture into the sinful world today. Seemingly innocent things like a new Snow White movie are actually sin in disguise, roping in innocent children to believe in a society that is not part of God’s plan. I haven’t really been going into the world a lot lately since I have been really ill for a couple of weeks now. I did go to my specialist yesterday, and the receptionist got a little snippy with me. You know the type…just put on a mask since you’re coughing and answer my questions even though you cannot breathe well. I said a silent prayer for strength and did the best I could. I am thankful that I did not reply with snark, my usual response especially when I am not feeling well. But the Spirit checked me and I tried to be kind and polite in spite of her somewhat unreasonable and curt demands. Where do doctor’s offices find these people who don’t really like sick people anyway? The result of my visit was six new prescriptions for a lingering infection and a visit next week to start injections of a biologic that is supposed to help me fight infections before they get such a firm grasp.
Back to Esther. Esther depended on her community to support her. We each need to have a community of supporters. I have a small group from church that contacts me when I am sick, checks on me and my husband and generally helps when we need it. I have a friend in my online Bible study. We meet online, but we have met in person as well. She contacted me yesterday because she said I had been on her mind and she felt she needed to check on me. I updated her on my health issues and we both felt better for being a part of each other’s lives. My “go-to” person when I need prayer is our daughter in Pennsylvania. She drops whatever she is doing and prays and will even drive the nine hours to get to us if she knows we need her. So, who is your community of believers that you can call on in all circumstances, those with whom you can be brutally honest about how you feel and what you are going through? I encourage you to find someone and form a mutually beneficial friendship with each other and with God. Just as Heather knew without my contacting her that I needed prayer, your relationship with another Bible-believing Christian opens the door for the Holy Spirit to keep those lines of communication open.
Whatever time we are born into is the time God meant for us to be present. He put me here in the 1950’s until now for a reason. Every day, my prayer is that in some way I can represent Him well. Times are sinful, non-believers are angry. But that has not changed since the time of Esther or the time of Jesus. Be present. Be mindful of each day that God gives you to carry out His purpose. That is how you will one day hear, “Well done!”
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.
My Thoughts
I have never liked the idea of turning lemon into lemonade or making the best of a bad situation. That seems like a lack of faith to me. I am not sure that there are any bad situations. Rather, I believe that bad things that happen are an opportunity to look for ways to praise God in it. Yes, I said look for them! Sometimes it is hard to see good things in the middle of an overwhelming situation, but He is always there. I emboldened the print of the lines that stood out to me in today’s devotional. God is forever and Jesus can take our setbacks and use them for His glory.
I recently had yet another health scare. I am not sure why these things have started happening when I am out of town, away from home and my regular doctors. But this is twice now in as many months, so God definitely has my attention. First of all, with my sister, I tried to remain calm and faith-filled. Yes, I had to go to the ER and was there all night alone. But I was praying and reciting scripture verses and received good care. I was honest with God, telling Him I was frustrated that this was happening and I had no idea how I was going to get back to my sister’s or what the real problem was. The doctor had told me that they were doing tests to make sure my single kidney was okay since I had an E Coli bacterial infection in my bladder. Well, I told God that was more than a little concerning, but I also told Him that He made me and I was sure that He could take care of me. So I was able to tell my sister when the hospital “taxi” took me back to her apartment that the hospital was efficient and all the people were kind. She is terrified of hospitals and as this is likely the one she would go to if something happens to her, I helped to reassure her that it is a safe space.
In Maryland, my blood pressure kept climbing and reached alarming highs, accompanied by a severe headache. So, on the eve of our granddaughter’s birthday, we headed to the ER (again). My specific prayer as I lay there waiting for tests to be completed and then for meds to work, I prayed to be able to be back at our son’s house for Penny’s birthday. I was honest, and told God how upset I was to once again be in the hospital, helpless about my condition. God answered as I was discharged just after midnight. Once again, I could assure the kids that I was okay and tell them that God had taken care of me. In a household where the only time God’s name seems to be mentioned is in the epithet of OMG, that was a big deal. The kids were happy I was there and amazed that I gave God the glory for it. So, is it a great experience to go to the ER with health issues? Of course not! It’s frightening and uncomfortable and not part of the plan for the out-of-town visit. But if one good thing comes from these unexpected interruptions in my plans for the week, then I am okay with that. I was able to share my mantra with my sister and my grandchildren: “Nothing is going to happen today that God and I cannot handle together.” I am not sure what they thought about it, but I hope I fed them enough to whet their appetites to know more. When it was time to leave, we gathered in a circle and prayed and the little ones who were there (home sick with strep), joined in enthusiastically. Baby steps, but steps nonetheless and I will take them. I am certain God did not put me on earth to be a Debbie Downer. I am here to spread His positive light regardless of my circumstances and I am doing my best to do so. So, you can call it lemons and lemonades. I will call it God’s giving me an opportunity to show others that I belong to Him and they can, too!
Since it is the day after Christmas, I am starting a new devotional and will share parts of it with you and I share my heart. Yesterday was a really good day, and not just because of presents. Rather, it was because of the presence of the Lord. I got to FaceTime with two of our three children and eight of our grandchildren. It was so much fun seeing their joyful faces as they opened gifts and expressed their appreciation to us and to each other. Plus, I got to talk to our son while he was traveling back home to Virginia from his Christmas visit to his wife’s family in Pennsylvania. I also talked to three of my four siblings and had talked with my youngest sister on her birthday on Christmas Eve. So, lots of communication with family.
The best thing that happened is after years of praying, my brothers talked to each other, cordially and with love and hope for the future. They had not talked for over seven years, and I have been praying for reconciliation the entire time, but I must confess that I didn’t have a lot of faith for it because I know my brothers well. Anyway, it happened and that was like the best Christmas gift ever!
I want God to write into my story that I tried to be a peacemaker. That is a goal for me, to bring people together and not apart. There is too much division in this world of ours and I don’t want to be a part of that. I want to help people see their commonalities and to build a relationship on them.
Now, onto the devotional…
From the You Version Bible App Devotional, “Daily Power by Craig Groeschel, Day 1”
One small decision today could have a big impact on tomorrow. Chances are you can think of something right now that you know God would love to include in your story. Just consider what might happen if you remember to floss tonight or work out tomorrow morning or attend church this Sunday or spend some special time with someone you love.
It doesn’t always take a long time to see big differences in your life. What story do you believe God wants you to tell five or ten years from now? What does God want you to want? Jot down your thoughts about what you believe God wants for your future. Your ideas don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to commit to what you write just yet. Just capture on paper the first thoughts that come to mind.
Based on what you believe God wants you to want, what discipline do you need to start doing to head toward where God wants you to go? Choose one thing. You’ll be tempted to pick three, four, or even ten, but don’t. Whatever you do, pick just one thing. Because if you pick more than one, you likely won’t achieve any of them. But if you select just one, you absolutely can start writing the story God wants you to write.
Power Lift: Show me how you want me to grow this year, God. Give me your wisdom and discernment to know how to focus my habits, choices, and routines on one area of change.
If we are keeping in step with the Spirit, we are in step with what God wants for our lives. Sometimes, I think I have totally missed the Holy Spirit, and then something happens and I know that He is watching me and urging me to “come on and get with the program.” God is writing my story and I know that I am not what He wants me to be yet but neither am I what I was.
From the YouVersion Bible App Devotional, “Advent, Day 5”
3 Practical Ways to Find Hope
In the Bible, hope is the wholehearted, evidence-based conviction that God is making the future better than the past or present.
Hope isn’t a vague positivity or a naive optimism. Instead, true hope acknowledges the pain, problems, and dysfunctions of our world. Hope knows the worst life has to offer yet still believes God can and will create a better future.
Hope is like a lighthouse on a dark, stormy night. It doesn’t make the waves go away, but it does offer you direction and a reason to keep going.
The Bible has quite a few stories about light and darkness. Early in the Bible, God leads His people through the wilderness using a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of smoke during the day. These people had been slaves, and now they were walking across a barren desert. Yet they could have hope because they knew God was leading them to a new and better future.
But what about today? We don’t have divine pillars of smoke or fire to follow when we’re low on hope. So where do we look to find hope?
1. We find hope in friends.
When we’re feeling hopeless, we can turn to trusted people who can lend us their hope. So if you’re searching for hope, include others. Their words, stories, and guidance could be exactly what you need to renew your confidence in God’s plan.
2. We find hope in our stories.
Look back to who you were before you knew Jesus. What’s different about you? How do you live, think, and act differently? Avoid letting exceptionally bad days define your journey with Jesus. Instead, try to see the big picture. Reflecting on God’s work in your past can give you hope for your future.
3. We find hope in God’s story.
The Christmas story is one of the main events in God’s big story. In the story, we see Jesus, who is God, choose vulnerability and humility to show us His love. So when you feel hopeless about the direction of the world or the direction of your life, remember that God will do whatever it takes to make all things new.
Of course, none of these three ways to find hope are quite as dramatic as a divine pillar of fire, but they can serve the same purpose. They remind us God is present, even when life is hard. And they help us keep moving forward with confidence, no matter what storms we’re facing.
When we cling to others, reflect on our stories, and explore Scripture, we can expect to find hope. But hope can also come from unexpected places. So keep your eyes open for hopeful moments all around you.
Pause and Pray:
Lord, please be a light to me as You were to Your people in the wilderness. Thank You for dying for me while I was still a sinner so I could be united with You. Help me to set my hope on You. In Your name, amen.
My Thoughts
I cannot imagine what it would have been like to have God going before me in a pillar of cloud or fire. I suspect that I may have been so awestruck that I would not have been able to move at all unless someone else prodded me to do so.
Since we don’t have God visibly present in this way, we need to tune our spirits to see Him in other ways. We can see Him in others, in our own testimony about the past and in His Word. I think that I mostly depend on God’s Word for assurance and hope for the future. I do have friends, but most don’t know me intimately and I am not in frequent contact with anyone except our daughter. I do know that contact is important because God created us to be social beings. Thus, when I need that personal contact, I reach out to others with a phone call or a text. I have members of our small group from church who check on me and my husband often, just to make sure that we are okay and don’t need anything. And we do the same for them. It’s all about connections, isn’t it?
That’s why it’s important to connect to God and to stay that way. We shouldn’t be wandering off into the wilderness of life without Him right there with us.
Now, another prayer request. My daughter’s friend Desiree is in the hospital in Pittsburgh. She discovered this week that she has a large mass in her brain. She had brain surgery yesterday and the doctors think that there are other “specks” that they weren’t able to remove. She is having tests today. Please pray for Desiree, her husband Joel and their four children. The youngest is only eight and the oldest is fourteen. If you follow me on Facebook, I posted a GoFundMe photo of them all together. The youngest child is the most distraught and Hope, my daughter, says she is crying a lot or screaming in frustration because she wants her mommy. Joel is with Desiree, and his mom is taking care of the kids. I know that this situation didn’t surprise God, but it certainly surprised this young family, and they need as many prayers as they can get. Thank you in advance for remembering them. Please pray that God will be close to them all and give them hope.
I hesitated to share my story about my neighbor because it brings back some shocking memories. When we first moved into our little house in the big woods, our neighbor tried to block us every way he could from accessing our home. We had to hire a surveyor and get the county law enforcement involved before we could move in. Then, since we had four acres, I took an extra job teaching a college class at night so I could buy my husband a riding mower. Well, I cannot say for certain that the neighbor vandalized it, but there was gray paint put into the gas tank and the mower was ruined, invalidating its warranty. When the police investigated, they found gray paint in his shed, but that was circumstantial evidence. We tried, we really did. We took bags of candy, baked goods, all kinds of small gifts to let them know we were friendly. After being told that we were trespassing and could be shot for our efforts, we stopped going there. Then, the corker happened. My husband was mowing our front lawn (on his second mower that I got him) when the neighbor attacked him physically. He knocked Harry off the seat of the mower and once he got him on the ground, he beat him up. Now, Harry is not small, but he is twenty years older, in his early 50’s. Anyway, once he finished bruising him up pretty badly, Harry ran into the house and called the police. The neighbor was arrested and charged with assault and battery, and we went to court to testify. Our testimony wasn’t needed…the judge read the abusive neighbor the riot act and put him on warning to ever come near us again. All that being said…he is still our neighbor and I still pray for him and for his wife. When his only daughter died a few years ago, we didn’t feel free to go over and comfort them, but we sent a card and prayed for them. We both figure he has has a hard life to act in such a way, and as a result he resents everyone who is white. Not a problem! Jesus loves everyone, so we pray and wait for God to change his heart. He lives next door to us, but he is not our only neighbor. As the devotional points out, our neighbor is anyone who could use our assistance, which includes our prayers and loving thoughts.
A True Neighbor
Have you ever wondered: “What does God want me to do?”
If you’re looking for a verse that summarizes the commands in both the Old and New Testaments, here’s what Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia…
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Galatians 5:14 NLT
Paul’s words echo a command Jesus gave when He was asked what the most important commandment was (Matthew 22:37-40). What they’re both essentially saying is: beyond loving God with everything in you, you should love your neighbor as yourself.
Who is your neighbor? A Jewish expert in religious law once asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) So Jesus told him a story about a man who was beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Both a priest and a Levite walked by and ignored the man—but it was a Samaritan who sacrificed his time and money to help him heal.
For many reasons, Samaritans were despised by Jews. But that didn’t stop the Samaritan in this story from showing compassion. What Jesus wanted the Jewish expert (and us) to hear is that anyone, anywhere is our neighbor—and everyone is worthy of our sacrificial love.
How do you love yourself? When you have a need of any kind, you work hard to meet it. You don’t have to think about how to treat yourself; it’s just something you do. The care we unconsciously show ourselves is also how we should care for others.
How can you love your neighbor as you love yourself? If someone needs help with their home, job, or children, you can serve joyfully. If a family is struggling financially, you can give generously. If there’s someone in your life who doesn’t have a godly example to look up to, you can step into the gap.
Being a true neighbor is not always convenient and it will likely cost you, but you can still choose to love them as you love yourself. And when you serve others in this way, you are serving Jesus, too.
Today, take a moment to consider the people around you who could use your help. Then, ask God to reveal how you can love and serve them this week.
The faith we have is meant to be shared with the next generation. They need to hear about how we came to believe in the Lord Jesus and all that He has done for us during our lifetimes. It isn’t enough that they see our lives, although that should be a good witness to them. They also need to hear the stories. I think I have told all of my children and grandchildren my testimony but since my memory is faulty, it will not hurt to tell them again. It is in the telling that I am reminded to God’s goodness to me just as I am telling others about all that He has done. Just as the stones were set up by Israel when they crossed the Jordan River, I have memories from all of the churches we attended and what I learned there. I have Bibles marked with verses from various sermons by various pastors and notes that I have taken over the years, both in my Bible and in notebooks. You may not think so, but your children and grandchildren need the evidence of your faith shown to them so that when times get hard for them, they can look back and remember to keep the evidence of God’s working in them and their own faith. God does everything for a reason; we often don’t understand it at the time, or ever here on earth, but God has a plan and a purpose and He knows what He is doing. I needed to remind myself of that today as our oldest grandson is facing a tremendous medical burden. Please pray for him and for his family. I don’t know what God is doing here, but I know that He is control and can take care of cancer and all of its ill effects just as He took care of me when I had a stroke. God is good…always and in all ways, even when we don’t understand.
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/20
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 