Hiding Behind the Baggage

Today’s Readings: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 19:1-27


“So they inquired further of the LORD, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ And the LORD said, ‘Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’" (1 Samuel 10:22).

I long ago realized that living for the Lord isn’t always easy. God likes to stretch me, and encourage me to do things that don’t always come easily. Teaching was like this for me, and writing certainly can me. God always seems to be pushing me out of my comfort zone, and asking if I really trust in Him to provide for me each step of the way. At times I have been like Saul in today’s reading. I’ve been given a great honor, felt the presence of God, but then run and hid from the future like a little child. While the people were waiting to anoint Saul the first king of Israel, Saul was hiding among the baggage. They say Saul stood head and shoulders above the other men. Can you imagine him folding up his long arms and legs and crouching like a child of five among barrels and boxes, carts and bags? What an image! Just the same, I understand what Saul must have been feeling in that moment. Inadequate, Unworthy, Unsure if he can truly fulfill the task. I’m sure all of us have felt that way at one time or another. But this is exactly the moment when God asks us to let go of our fears of inadequacy and let Him move within us. As Jesus says in Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” He is ready to do the seemingly impossible in each of our lives. If only we get up from behind the baggage and let Him move.

Jesus, Have Mercy on Me

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 18:24-43

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Luke 18:38

Just as the blind man cried out for mercy, I, too, am in need of mercy. I’ve walked around today feeling sorry for myself, and letting the worries and stresses of this world take over. Instead of delving into God’s word and immersing myself in His truths, I’ve focused on the temporal. I’ve grumbled about how early I had to wake up this morning, about the “rude” phone call and email I received. I worried about all the things that have to be accomplished in the coming weeks. I blamed my woe-is-me attitude on a “woman’s hormones” instead of taking my diminished self to the cross. I knew I was wrong. I knew I needed to spend time with my Lord, but I resisted. I kept busy. I continued to grumble about my day. I focused on the material and temporal, instead of the eternal. Right now I need a reminder. I need a renewal. Some verses just came to mind about this earthly battle we live, day by day. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-19, the Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (NIV).
My eyes needed to be re-focused today. They needed to be directed back up, toward the eternal. So for now, I give my attitude, my less than perfect day, and my throbbing headache to God, and ask Him to light a renewed fire inside of me. Yes, most of today is gone, but there’s still this evening and tomorrow and the day after that to live.
What about you, do your eyes ever need to shift upward? Do you ever have to simply cry out to God for mercy?

Humbleness is What I Long For

Today's Readings: 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 18:1-23

I’ve often heard the word “humbleness” and wondered what it really looked like. In a world that exalts the outgoing, forthright, takers and getters, humbleness seemed like the entire opposite. It’s been hard for me to understand how humbleness could be a good think, yet time and again Jesus calls to us to have just such an attitude. I love the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14, because it is a perfect example of what humbleness does and doesn’t look like. This parable displays humbleness as the simple admittance that we are born sinners in need of a Savior. It’s the image of us giving God the glory he is due. It’s the imagery of living a life of a servant. No, this life of humbleness won’t always be what the world wants, but if it’s what God wants, I’m all for it.
How would humbleness look for me today? Well, first of all, humbleness of the heart means that I need God each and every step of the way.
Humbleness with others means that, while I don’t let people run me over, I do seek to love and serve those around me. I think about my husband’s day, and what I could do to make it better. I go out of my way to help a friend in need. I let someone who looks rushed get before me in line at the grocery store. Humbleness is a state of heart, something I’d like to work on today.
What about you? What would humbleness look like in your life?

Rules... for them or for us?

Today's readings: Judges 19-21; Luke 16

It’s interesting to read the Old Testament and New Testament laws, and to differentiate between what was for the Israelite people in that time, versus what still holds valid for us as Christians to this day. In Luke 16 Jesus “protests against any design to invalidate the law.”* In other words, he protests against any one who would try to make the law any less than valid and applicable. In particular, he is very clear about his feelings on divorce. He doesn’t like it, and says that anyone who divorces and remarries commits adultery (vs. 18). Yet, I have seen a vast amount of divorcing and remarrying in the church. How do I come to terms with something like this, when the Bible seems to be so clear on this stance?

Matthew Henry, one of my favorite Bible commentators, had this to say about Jesus’ stance on divorce: “Christ will not allow divorces, for his gospel is intended to strike at the bitter root of men’s corrupt appetites and passions, to kill them, and pluck them up; and therefore they must not be so far indulged as that permission did indulge them, for the more they are indulged the more impetuous and headstrong they grow.”*

Henry believes that Jesus was very against divorce. Yet, why, then doesn't the church heed this law?

And divorce is only one issue. There are other rules, both Old Testament and New Testament that seem so clear and forthright, yet the church as a whole ignores them today. Perhaps they see the rules as “outdated” or “invalid,” but Jesus clearly had something to say. He clearly saw some of these laws as important enough to mention.

So what do we do? How do we find the true answers in this present world of compromise?

* Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Luke 16." Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 1 Mar 2010.
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The Prodigal Son

Today’s Reading: Judges 16-18; Luke 15:11-32

Whenever I read the parable of the Prodigal Son, I’m reminded of a book I read in college. The book, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen, takes a look at the famous painting by Rembrandt that depicts this well known parable. In this painting the father is welcoming home his son, while the older son and two servants looked on. The book asks you which person in the parable you identify yourself with the most. At times in my life I have been the prodigal son, the background observer, and the hardworking older brother.
I have been a Christian since I was a little girl. I’ve worked hard, made good decisions, and have never walked away from my Savior. I can understand a little bit what the older brother might have been feeling on that day when his father lavished so much upon his prodigal son. The last two verses of this section are the words that are truly meant for me today, “'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found' " (Luke 15:31-32).
God is calling me to not judge, but instead rejoice when a lost soul comes to Him. Just as we read about the lost sheep and lost coin, God is searching earnestly for every lost soul in this world. Not one of us has sinned anymore than another. Instead, we are all desperately in need of a savior.
Today I rejoice for every person that finally decides that they are sick of this world, and runs into the arms of Jesus. I, too, rejoice on their homecoming.

Lost Sheep and Coins

Yesterday and Today's Reading: Judges 11-15; Luke 14:25-35, 15:1-10

From yesterday’s and today’s readings, I chose to focus on Luke 15:1-10. Here we read the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. These parables are such beautiful examples of the way God welcomes each of us home. I, myself, have been a Christian for about as long as I can remember. I know the Bible in and out, and can spout all kinds of philosophy. At times in the past, I’ve forgotten just how awesome my salvation really is. Jesus died on the cross so that all of us could spend eternity with Him. What an awesome gift! And how unworthy am I to of that gift each and every day.
As I read these parables today, I started thinking about the new ministry my church has started up. The ministry revolves around the question, “Are You Sick of It Yet?” Are you sick of the partying lifestyle you’ve lived for so many years? Are you sick of the emptiness you feel in side? Are you sick of feeling like no one loves you, and that you’ll never measure up? If you are, we’ve got the answer: it’s God. The answer isn’t a specific church, or a specific group of people. It’s not about money or numbers. It’s about recognizing that we’re all in need of a Savior. It’s about recognizing that we all fall short, in so many ways. It’s about recognizing that we can’t do it on our own.
This ministry is about finding all those lost sheep and lost coins in the world. It’s about showing people that they are significant, they are important, and they are all created in the image of God. It’s about showing people that there’s something greater out there then their selves. Their life has a greater purpose.
I’m so excited about this ministry. For so long I’ve wondered how to share my faith with those around me. For so long, I’ve been afraid of what people may think. I’m still wondering how God will use me when it comes to this new ministry. It may be through actually being there at some of the meetings, or it may just be through prayer. What I do know is that God cares about every lost sheep and coin, and He’ll do anything to draw them to Himself.

Taking A Moment to Be Still

Wholeheartedly. This word has cropped up more than once in our Old Testament reading. I believe I’ve even written about it’s significant before. As Christians, we are called to follow God in such a way. Not half-headedly, not reluctantly, but wholeheartedly, with our whole being. In Joshua 13-15 we see the land beginning to be divided among the Israelites. Their inheritance was finally being realized. In these chapters of lists, once verse stood out in particular, the verse in which Caleb is honored for his devotion to God. Caleb had just asked Joshua for the land of Hebron, and it had been given to him. The next verse says, “So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Joshua 14:14b). What an admirable thing to say about a man late in his life. This portion of scripture tells us that Caleb was 85 years old (vs.10). He’d liven most of his life waiting for the promise land to come to fruition. At the age of 40 he scoped the land out, and then lived all those years since battling the local peoples of the lands. Finally, before his death, he’s given the land of Hebron for his family, and it’s noted that he was a man who loved the Lord with all of his heart.

I wonder if God would say the same thing about me at the end of my life. Will He say that I loved Him whole-heartedly, or any when I slowed down enough to think about Him? I’ll admit it, I’m much more a Martha then a Mary. In today’s reading in Luke 10: 25-42, I was once again reminded about how similar I am to the busy sister. I don’t really know how not to be busy. I think it’s ingrained in me. But just the same, if I’m to live my life whole-heartedly for Christ, I know that I need to slow down so that I can actually hear his voice. Here’s what Jesus said in Luke 10:41-42, “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” What was that one thing? I think it was taking the time to sit at the feet of Jesus. It was taking the time to worship and adore the Savior that I’m so thankful for. It was stopping and being still, even for just a few minutes, in order to hear his voice. A verse I’ve clung onto for years is Psalm 46:10, which says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Being still is so tremendously hard for me, but it’s something I strive for just the same. For I do love Him wholeheartedly and want that to be evident in my life.

What about you? In the craziness of life, do you ever take the time to be still and truly worship the Lord? Do you love Him wholeheartedly?

Lord, thank you for your great love for me. Help me to dwell in your presence today and everyday. I love you Lord with everything that I am.

The Day the Sun Stood Still

“On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
‘O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.’
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on [b] its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!” (Joshua 10: 12-14 NIV)


Hello everyone. I’ve been loving this journey through the Bible. Yes, I haven’t been perfect in doing it everyday of the week, but I’ve decided that it’s okay to be less than perfect. Instead, I’m enjoying each day of reading as I get to it. Today’s scripture selections were from Joshua 10-12 and Luke 10:1-24. In the book of Joshua we read of the spectacular day when the sun stood still. What a sight that would have been! Joshua 10:14 tells us that the sun stopped in the sky for an entire day. An entire day! Why? Because Joshua asked God for the favor. He truly believed that God would provide for the Israelites in this way. Because the sun stood still, they were able to defeat their enemies all the quicker.
The sun standing still goes beyond all scientific reason. No one here on this earth has the power to do such a thing. It’s far beyond any scientific tool or reasoning. Yet it happened. To me, it’s just one more way to see the true power and majesty of our God. I’m reminded of that song that goes “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands.” He truly does. He can tell the sun to stand still if he wants it too. He can tell the clouds to rain, the sun to shine, or a rainbow to appear. He’s creator of all, nothing is out of his power. He can bring both good and bad into each of our lives, it’s his prerogative. I know, that’s an awful hard thing to understand. But it’s true just the same. God is God. We serve the same God today who made the sun stand still for Joshua several thousand years ago. All he asks is that we trust and believe. Trust that He is God and that he does know best. And believe that He will provide, whatever it takes. If it means moving a mountain or making the sun stand still, then he will. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 18: 27).

God Uses Our Weaknesses

In today’s reading the Israelites were once again caught up in their human nature. They coveted and doubted, once again failing to trust in God. The disciples in Luke 9 weren’t much different. They doubted their ability to cast a demon out of a boy, and argued about who would be the greatest among them in the kingdom of heaven. In both Joshua 7-9 and Luke 9:37-62, we once again see human nature at it’s worst, and most real. Because haven’t we, too, had moments of doubts? Haven’t we, too, had moments in which we failed to trust God, and instead turned and high-tailed-it out of a scary situation? What I love is that God uses us, even in our moments of weakness.
In Joshua 8 we read about the taking of the city of Ai. Here’s the verse in particular that stuck out to me:
“The men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke of the city rising against the sky, but they had no chance to escape in any direction, for the Israelites who had been fleeing toward the desert had turned back against their pursuers” (Joshua 8:20 NIV).
While their fellow soldiers were burning the city, some of the Israelites had run for the desert. Their fear had overtaken any faith that God would provide. But then, God used them. As they turned around and realized that the battle had turned, they were able to capture the fleeing men of Ai. Their fear ended up being a strategic battle move. God used them, even in their moment of doubt, to be all the more victorious in the end.
Isn’t it amazing how God uses us, weaknesses and all? There have certainly been times when God has used my timidity and shyness to reach out to others with similar fears. He’s used me disappointments in writing and teaching to empathize with friends who were going through something similar. He’s used my very weaknesses to point most assuredly back to Him.
“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV).

Has God ever used you at your weakest? What did it feel like? What did you learn from the experience?
Lord, please use my weaknesses today to make your name shine all the brighter.

And the Walls Came Crumbling Down

Hello everyone, I’m so happy it’s Friday! I’m also happy that I’m finally in the book of Joshua, which is such an interesting book. In today’s reading from Joshua 4-6, we see God once more part the waters for the Israelites and then crumble the walls of Jericho to the ground. What spectacular a spectacular thing for them to see! And for once, what faith on the Israelites part. Could you imagine being there when God told the Israelites to march around a city for seven days. It much have seemed repetitive and silly, but they did it. For once, instead of grumbling and complaining, they actually had faith that the Lord really would bring Jericho down on the seventh day. It’s such a spectacular story of God’s provision, and of the faith we, as Christians need to have. Sometimes in this life God tells us to do things that don’t make much sense. He tells us to do things when we can’t see the outcome. But he honors our faith and persistence just the same. Have you ever been there? I know I have. At times I’ve had to march around the proverbial Jericho, trusting that God would provide at the end of the day and tear those walls down. At times this was the restoration of a relationship I was waiting for, or a job I needed to pay the bills. I had to walk in faith, and God said he would provide in the end. And he did! He always provided in one way or another.
The second part of the reading, from Luke 9:18-36 reminds me exactly why I do believe God will provide. In today’s reading we see Peter proclaiming that Jesus is Lord, and we see Jesus himself transfigured in all his glory, what a spectacular sight that would have been! Reading it once again reminds me that Jesus was more than just a good teacher or a prophet, he was Lord, all-powerful, all mighty and all knowing. He’s a spectacular God. And so, I can’t help but believe as I walk around my Jericho’s that he will provide. He has the ability to. Nothing is past his working hand. And so, for today, I keep on marching in faith.

A Simpler Kind of Faith

There were some very interesting lessons of faith in todays readings from Joshua 1-3 & Luke 9:1-17. In Joshua, we meet the prostitute Rahab, who risks her own life to save some Israelite spies. Why does she do this? Because, despite her sinful past, she truly believed that “the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2: 11b NIV). This foreign woman believed that the Isrealite God was the one true God. And so she risked her life for some strangers. Her reward? Matthew 1:5 lists this prostitute in the genealogy of Jesus. What an honor! The lesson? It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you’ve done, all God asks is that we believe. Rahab believed she would be saved if she put the scarlet rope out her window, we’ll found out the results of her faith in future readings.
In Luke 9 we see another story of faith. Jesus commissions his disciples to heal the sick and drive out the demons. And so they go and do just that. They believed in the seemingly impossible, and so God gave them the power to do so. What’s interesting about the disciple’s story is that, after coming back to Jesus and telling him about all the people they’ve just helped cure, their faith quickly falters. They look around at the hungry crowds and don’t see any way to feed them. They don’t have enough faith to multiply the loaves and the bread (Luke 9:15). After performing such miraculous wonders, they quickly fall short in the faith department.
Isn’t that so true of us as Christians? We’ll be doing so well, and then all of a sudden we’ll start to doubt. We’ll look at our own inabilities and wonder how it could ever happen. The problem is that we’ve once again turned inward, instead of focusing on our God who can and will do the impossible.
I think sometimes we need a simpler faith like that of Rahab, one that doesn’t over-complicate things, but instead just believes. Believes that God is God and that he will provide in any and every situation.
What do you think? Do you need to have faith in any area of your life today?

Faith in Miracles

"See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand" (Deuteronomy 32: 39 NIV).
Sometimes it’s hard looking at the pain and suffering in the world around us. I know I, at times, question where God is in the midst of it all. Today’s readings from Deuteronomy 32-34 and Luke 8:26-56 were a great reminder that God is right there, working his hand. In Deuteronomy we were reminded of his healing power, in Luke we saw some of that power being displayed first hand, as Jesus cast out demons, healed an ailing woman, and raised a young girl from the dead.
Even at this, it’s easy to start doubting His ways. It’s easy to get caught up in earthly pain, and forget that our God is all knowing and all-powerful. Deuteronomy 32: 4 says, “ He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (NIV). God is our rock, he’s someone we can depend on, someone we can look to when the world looks meek around us. He’s ways are good and just. We may not always understand them, but he really does have a perfect plan in store for all of us. This is hard for our human brains to grasp, and so I hold on to verses like those above, that reminded me to trust in the Rock of our Salvation. I trust that he will give me faith to believe in healing when the world around me seems to give up. I pray that he will give me hope when others have given up. At times it’s so hard for me to believe in healing, but I have to, I must, because I serve a God of miracles.
And so, for right now, pray for healing for those around me that need it most, for the sweet baby girl in our church, for my mother in law who’s trying to regain her eyesight, for a friend’s preemie baby who’s struggling to hold on at this moment. I pray for healing for all of them, because our God is a Rock, a fortress for all those in need.

Living By Faith

I’ll admit, I’ve slacked off again. I read part of this reading on Friday and am only getting back to it today. I guess that shows my imperfections, right?

Anyway, the verses I finished reading today came from Deuteronomy 28-29 and Luke 7:31:50.

In Deuteronomy Moses is reminding the people of the blessings they’ll receive if they follow God, and the curses they’ll receive if they don’t. My favorite scripture from this section was the very last verse: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

God has given us such wonderful wisdom to follow in scripture. Yet, I often get caught up on the things I don’t know and don’t understand. I question God, instead of living by faith. This verse was a wonderful reminder of God’s intentionality in scripture. He gave us what he wanted us to know, and expects us to trust him for the rest.

The Sinful Women In Luke 7 knew one thing about Jesus, that he was God. She had the right attitude in not asking for millions of listeners, but instead, laying at the feet of Christ and worshping him. Perhaps that’s what I need to do today.

What about you? Do you need to lay anything at the foot of the cross, and trust by faith instead?

Deuteronomy 23-25; Luke 6:27-49

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:43-45, NIV).

I’ll admit it, I don’t always say the right thing. I like the be accepted, I like to belong, so in the moment I’ll say something or laugh at something that doesn’t line up with my heart. It doesn’t line up with my faith. These verses above reminded me how important it is to live my Christian walk authentically. I will be recognized as a Christ-follower by the very fruit I produce. This fruit is seen through my words, through my dress, through my actions, and through my thoughts. It’s seen through every part of me. I truly want to be a good Christian. I just sometimes slip up, and have to ask God to take off that ugly fruit and replace it with something new and beautiful. At times this removal has meant avoiding certain bad influences, be it people, television shows, or books. Whatever the case, their influence was a bad one, so I had to ask God for forgiveness, and start anew.
I am by no way a perfect Christian, but I do pray that the fruit other people see is good, healthy fruit. Fruit that represents my true heart.

Deuteronomy 20-22; Luke 6:1-26

Luke 6:20-23:
“Looking at his disciples, he said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.’”

These things are the exact opposite of what I wish for in this life. I want to be wealthy, happy and loved by everyone. But that’s not the reality of this world. This world is filled with pain and sorrow, especially for those who follow Jesus. The pastor at my church often talks about the Last Days, and how they are coming upon us ever so quickly. With this come more famine, more disasters, more sorrow and more persecution for Christians. These are depressing things, but they must come about in the end for our Lord to be victorious. In the verses above Jesus offers hope. In the midst of all these tings, he promises to give us eternal riches, eternal fullness, and eternal happiness in the kingdom of God. We can cling onto to an everlasting peace and joy, if only we ask.
In a world filled with so much pain, I long for this joy. Come Lord Jesus!

Deuteronomy 17-19; Luke 5:17-39

Healing: why is it so hard to believe in sometimes? The faith seen in today’s reading from Luke was so beautiful. Here were a couple of friends who truly believed that their paralytic buddy could be healed, so much so that they cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down into the house, just so he could be in front of Jesus. These friends went to great extents to see their friend healed. They believed that the seemingly impossible could actually happen. Oh that I had their faith.
So often I look at all of the seemingly unanswered prayers in the world around me and my faith begins to waver. I want to believe that miracles can happen, that people can be healed from sickness, but so often my logical brain causes me to fall short.
In Matthew 17:20 Jesus tells his disciples, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Faith can move mountains. On my own, I can’t heal sickness or safe people from disaster, but God can (Matthew 19:26). All he asks is that we believe in the unknown, that we believe that our God can provide in any and every situation, even when we don’t see the results.
There are things I’ve prayed for year after year and still haven’t seen the outcome. At times I’m tempted to give up, but then I’m reminded of how great our God is, and how he really does always provide.
Lord, give me faith to believe in the impossible today.

Deuteronomy 11-13; Luke 4:31-44

”At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place” (Luke 4:42). The chapter quickly moves on after this, but this verse in particular struck me. Jesus spent time alone at daybreak. Even he needed time alone with his Lord. I’ll be honest here, I don’t always have as much quiet time as I should. It’s easier on the days when I’m home alone, but if my husbands home from work, or friends are visiting, my time with God quickly moves to the back burner. It’s as if he’s not as important on the busy days. Inward cringe. Have you ever been in a similar place? Does your time with God decrease as your business increases? Then here’s my encouragement for you this Christmas week.
Find a solitary spot each moment to pray. Perhaps it’s in your car, in the kitchen, or in the bathroom, whatever it may be, spend some time with your Savior this week. He is the reason for the season, isn’t he?

Lord, in all the business of Christmas, please help me to stop and spend some time with you.

Deuteronomy 8-10; Luke 4:1-30

It’s painful to read about Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth. These are the people he grew up around, the people that knew him from birth, yet they tried to kill him for saying that he was the Messiah (Luke 4:29). I don’t like reading about people who mistreated my Savoir, but just the same, it’s comforting to know that he truly understands the feelings of loneliness and rejection I face at times. As a man he felt pain, cried tears, agonized over those who would not believe him. I, too, have felt rejection in my life. Friends who were my closest allies turned their backs on me, saying that I was unworthy. Even writing this I can still feel the pain and anguish I felt as a thirteen-year-old girl. Years doesn’t numb the pain. But that moment, as I sat on my pink bedspread and cried my little heart out over my lost friends, God meant me. He reminded me that he was the only friend who would never leave me not forsake me. He understood my pain and would help me get past this intense season of loneliness. What a promise. And what peace I felt because of it. No, the pain didn’t go away instantly. I had a lot of lonely days still ahead of me. Days of eating my lunch alone, and watching my former friends laugh across the room. Days of wishing I was still apart of their circle, but knowing I never would again. Just the same, Jesus was right beside me, helping me through each healing moment, and giving me new friends that loved me the way I was.

Are you lonely today? Has someone rejected you? Cry out to Jesus, he’s ready and waiting to help you through.

Numbers 34-36; Luke 1:57-80

At the end of Luke 1, we are told that Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesy. He had these words to say about his newborn son, John:

⁷⁶And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace."

John had a very special purpose in this world. He was the one who prepared the way for the coming Messiah. He would live his life preaching the good news, and even die a brutal death because of it. John’s purpose was clear from the moment he entered this world. My purpose has not always been as clear. I look at myself, at the life I live, and at the spiritual gifts God has given me, and wonderful how these things will ever be used for his glory. I wonder if my life will ever have any significance. I wonder if I’ll ever amount to anything. Have you ever felt similarly? Have you ever felt that you’re life has no real purpose? In these verses above, we have a great reminder of what truly matters in this world. Jesus. Our ultimate purpose is to worship him and proclaim him with every ounce of our being (see Matthew 28:18-20). If we’re doing this, that’s all that truly matters. Jobs, stations and life, even relationships, may come and go, but the Lord will always be there, waiting for us to totally surrender and worship him. He has shone the light on the dark parts of our lives and saved us from a life of sin. For that, I’m eternally grateful. Yes, my earthly, day to day career might still have a big question mark hanging over it, but I know that my ultimate purpose and identity is secure in my Savior. What about you?

Lord, thank you that my real purpose has been known since the day you created me. I’m meant to worship you and live my every moment for you. Please teach me how to do this today.

Numbers 31-33; Luke 1:39-56

“And Mary said:
‘My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name’” (Luke 1:46-49).

Something just wasn’t right. Instead of being joyful, I was grouchy today. Instead of enjoying this beautiful Winter day, was resentful and unhappy. Instead of living each moment for the Lord, I gave today over to my uglier half. It wasn’t very pretty, I’ll admit it.
Sometimes I think that Satan sees the beautiful possibilities in a day and tries all the harder to keep us from succeeding. He knew that I was going to Bible study, so he tried his hardest to put me in a bad mood. For today he succeeded. Hopefully next time I’ll know better.
And so, although the day is almost over, I’d like to start anew. I’d like to thank God for all of the wonderful things he’s given me today, and every day. So here goes:
It was wonderful waking up to fresh snow on the ground this morning. It was my favorite kind of snow, light and fluffy, but not messing with road travel or anything.
It was wonderful having a few minutes with my husband, before he left for work. Most days I sleep through the time we leaves, but this morning we actually had a few minutes to talk and sip on coffee today.
It was wonderful having Bible study at the church today. I love the fellowship that comes with women of all ages and backgrounds come together and pour over the word of God.
It was wonderful coming home to a warm house, a full fridge, and a lit Christmas tree.
These are things I’m thankful for today.