It’s funny how life changes. What was once considered a thrill can now be dreadful. For instance, I use to love getting mail. I had lots of pen pals and couldn’t wait to read the latest news from a friend in Iowa, Philadelphia, or Germany. Today, I’m not so much into getting the mail unless it is my birthday, Christmas card season, or I’m expecting a care package for the kids. Why the change of heart regarding the postal system? Because bills, like the ones that were once only addressed to my parents, are now addressed to me. I’ll be honest, once the bills are paid and groceries are bought, and other household necessities are purchased, there is not a whole lot left over.
Category Archives: Devotional
Probability
Last Sunday morning I was flipping through the TV channels before leaving for church. I was so sad to hear a pastor of a very large church begin his teaching about the gospel of Matthew, the very beginning of the New Testament. He told his congregation, “The first chapter of Matthew is pretty boring, all of those begots and all…Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers, And Judah begot Pharez and Zarah of Tamar, and Pharez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Aram…†He went on to say, “If you can hang in there long enough you will get to the good stuff.â€
Telling Stories
“Give the story of it to your children, and let them give it to their children, and their children to another generation.†Joel 1:3
Do you tell stories?
I’m not talking about the “Once upon a time…†kind about princesses and dragons and faraway lands. I’m talking about the true stories from your life–the times that God has answered prayer, or changed your circumstances for the better, or healed sickness or pain.
The times His love has made a difference.
Because God never leaves the life of a person who turns to Him unchanged.
But how often do we tell these stories to others, especially our kids?
Confessions of a Sinner Saved by Grace
“1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”
Sometimes I feel like I’m just dripping with sin and no matter how God sees me and forgives me, I will never get that unconditional forgiveness from the ones I have wronged.
Lower Your Stinger
Several days ago, I discovered a small scorpion that had somehow been trapped between the screen and the glass portions of my back door. Fortunately, the species of scorpions that live here are harmless. They sting, but do not inject a fatal dose of poison. Relieved that it couldn’t seriously harm my kids or me I tried to figure out how I could kill it. Since it was an unusually cold day and scorpions are supposed to be hibernating during this time of the year, I determined that the safest way was to simply let it succumb to the elements.
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice-Proverbs 24:17 NIV
When evening came, I knew that the scorpion would soon be a goner.
A Restoration Invitation
“ restore…the years that the locust have eaten.” Joel 2:25
“Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:5
There is a special weekend getaway that my husband and I like to frequent. It’s an old Victorian home that has been restored to its original condition and turned into a lovely bed and breakfast. We honeymooned there eleven years ago and ever since then it has held a place in our hearts.
It is almost difficult not to stare at its beauty. The moment you step through the front door you are transported back in time. Walking across delightful creaking floors, opening heavy wooden doors with their brass doorknobs and keyholes, and feasting on colorful wallpaper and stained glass windows that entertain the eyes.
Rejoice
Times are hard for everyone. Evil is everywhere. Crime is rampant. The economy is falling apart. People are losing jobs. I turn on the news and am overwhelmed with the stories I see reported. And I don’t even have to go to the television to know people are facing difficult situations. I have friends with marriages falling apart, husbands who have lost jobs, children who are facing sickness; friends who are facing depression, the loss of a spouse, bankruptcy. We have faced our own share of problems recently with my son’s health. On the surface it seems there is much reason to lament and cry out that God doesn’t care; He’s not really in control of things or He wouldn’t allow such heartache.
I Shall Not Want
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.†Psalm 23:1
It’s one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. But how often do we stop and think about the truth in it? How often do we look to other things in life to satisfy our wants?
Especially with holidays upon us, and the advertisements and store sales that are already going on, it can be easy to get caught up in the mode of wanting…
Wanting the new watch, the new shoes, the new furniture, the new TV…
It can be easy to get focused on all the things we wish we had, rather than being thankful for what we already have.