Don't be afraid, be quiet.

Scripture
Exodus 14:13-14 But Moses said to the people, “ Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."

Observation
Moses encourages and exhorts the people not to be afraid.  Just stand and watch what God will do!  God will fight for you, just keep silent.  Don't open your mouth!  In quietness and in trusting God, you will have the strength you need!  

Application  
Do not fear!  Don't be afraid of the enemy or his plans - be quiet, be strong, the Lord your God is with you!  He will fight for me, just don't speak out of fear by making negative comments or by saying, 'but what if' - it's in quietness and trust that will be my strength.  (Isaiah 30:15)  

Prayer
Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight.  You are my Rock and my redeemer!  (Psalm 19:14).  If I open my mouth to say anything, may it be a good report that comes from my lips; may it be faith filled, and full of praise and exaltations of Your greatness, faithfulness, and amazing grace!  Otherwise seal my lips from negative or critical words that I would speak out of fear or my own insecurities.  Thank You Lord. In Jesus Name, A-men.  

When Jesus asks - just do it!

Scripture
Luke 19:28b-34  Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt? ’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it. ’”
 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”
 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

Observation 
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice, O people of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.

This verse in Zechariah is prophetic in proclaiming the coming Messiah, riding on a donkey!  Jesus fulfilled this scripture when He rode the donkey the two disciples got for Him for His ride into Jerusalem.

When Jesus asked his disciples to get him a donkey, they could have thought, "What kind of meaningless assignment is the Master giving us!"  They could have said, "We would rather hang out with You Jesus, sit at Your feet, and listen to the gracious words that stream from Your lips.  If we go get a donkey for You, we are going to miss something!"  
Jesus tells them what to say if anyone asks them about what they are doing.  Just tell them, "The Lord needs it."

Application
No job is meaningless, insignificant, menial, or without purpose when Jesus is asking me to do it.  It may be a lonely assignment, going off by myself, separated from others, even involve doing something a bit crazy.  But I hear The Lord saying to me -  to do what He asks.  If there are questions about it, He will tell me how to answer.  I don't need to try and explain or add to what He says.  In doing so, I may be a part of much bigger picture that He's going to let me participate in fulfilling.  Don't despise the day of small things!  If Jesus has a hand in it, it is divine.  

Prayer
Father thank You for Your word!  Nothing You ask me to do is without purpose!  My response, no matter how I view things, is to obey You.  To follow Jesus, to serve You my Lord, is my joy! 
In Jesus Name,  A-men.

2015 - A New Year!

Scripture 

Luke 2:40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Observation

Jesus, the Holy Son of God, born in Bethlehem, grew to become strong in stature, and God's wisdom and grace was evident in His life.  God was with him.  

Application

Ask for wisdom and grace, and it's ok to ask for more. Seek Him first and His righteousness - everything else will fall into place.  Knock, and the door will open.  Then take a step of faith.  

Prayer

As I read and study Your Word O Lord in this new time, I pray that I would increase in Your godly wisdom and that I would continue to grow in grace as I walk with You.   May this new year be filled with love, joy, hope, and the peace that passes all understanding.

May I listen and hear Your voice, and may I walk the path You have prepared for me.  Teach me Your way and help me to lean into You and embrace the great and mighty things You have promised.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

‘ Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ’ ~ Jeremiah 33:3
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

Free Indeed

Scripture
John 8:31-32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “ If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

Observation
Jesus says to those who believe, 'keep my word, and in doing that, you will truly be a Christ follower', a disciple of Jesus. You will know the truth of God's Word!  Jesus is the way the truth and the life - no one can come to the Father except through Jesus.  I will know the TRUTH, Jesus Himself, and in knowing Him, I will be made free!  Free to walk with Him and learn of Him and obey His commands, free from the jaws of distress, free from the snare of sin, free to love, free to choose life instead of death.  

Application
It's not 'what I know but Who I know' that sets me free!   I will continue to read & study God's Word because I'm committed to growing in my relationship with God - to be a life long learner, but I also realize I need an intimate devotional relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of God!  As I walk with God, my heart's desire is to listen & obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life that will glorify Jesus.  

Prayer
Father, I believe!  Your yoke is easy and burden light - I willingly come and follow You, and partake of the good things You have prepared for me and for those who love You.  You have captured my heart with Your great love, forgiveness, peace, comfort, and grace!  You have set me free!  I am free indeed! Thank You Lord.  

Job 36:16 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

Better Things

Scripture
Hebrews 6:9b -12 Beloved friends, we are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.  For God is not unjust.  He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.  Our great desire is that you keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.  Then you not become spiritually dull and indifferent.  Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.

Observation
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior!  Our wonderful gift from God for salvation and eternal life!  But wait!  There is more!  God has more for us - it's a marvelous and necessary beginning to first receive Jesus into our hearts; but while we live, we are called to love God with all of our hearts and to serve and minister His life and love to others!  
God will not forget our 'labors' of love and hard work for Him.  He sees us! He is with us!  He is just and good!  
What makes us spiritually dull and indifferent?  Hardened to the needs of others?  What makes us stop loving people?  God desires better things for us that comes from a love relationship with Him.  Serving, loving, caring are what keeps us 'sharp' and alert to the Holy Spirit's promptings to care for others with faith and endurance.  

Application
My desire is to keep loving and serving God and His people as long as I have breath!  I hear the warning through the word to guard my heart!  Don't become dull and indifferent by losing touch with people.  We need each other!  Stay connected to God and allow Him to soften areas of my heart that have become insensitive and hard.  Stay the course, don't quit!

Prayer
O Father!  I am narrow minded and so selfish.  Please forgive me.  I withdraw into my 'cave' and sometimes sulk and feel sorry for myself when I serve and no one acknowledges what I do or how hard I have worked.  Pity party.  But Lord, it's Your approval and love I long for, and You've already given me that!  You see my labors, You see what I do - and Lord I thank You for reminding me that everything I do to love and serve in Your Name pleases You.  You will not forget it.  My hope is in You!  I will follow You!  Thank You for the privilege to serve Your people.  Thank You for the people I serve with!  Pour me out Lord.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

'Attitude Adjuster'

Scripture
Philippians 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.

Observation
If we are mature and growing in the things of God, take a view of these things:  forgetting the past and pressing forward to reach the goal.  God will make it clear and give us right thinking when our mindset is not in alignment with God's.  He will reveal to us if we have a 'different' attitude that needs His touch.

Application
God is my attitude adjuster.  If I yield, surrender, let go of the familiar ways that are contrary to what God Word says in the Bible, the Holy Spirit is able to correct my attitudes and show me His way, His will, His plan but I must be willing to change.

Prayer
Father, I am willing. Please change me! Lord I am weak in so many areas.  I turn to You in my weakness that You will show Yourself strong in my life.  I am a  'cracked' pot, a broken vessel, that You alone can fix.  May Your light and glory shine as You reveal areas of my life that are in need of correction,  in Jesus Name, A-men. 

Drawing by Chris Stringfellow of Draper, UT

October 23, 2014 Trusting and Hoping

Scripture
Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.  

Observation
What is my response and posture before God when trials and adversity hit my life, my home?  Do I trust and hope in God like Job?  Only God has been able to give me the strength and grace to put my trust in Him in the most difficult of times.  Job lost everything . . . and was able to say . . . yet I will trust, I will hope in Him.  
When our 17 year old son died in our arms on Father's Day morning 1990, this verse in Job came to my mind.  
God is Sovereign; He loves me even when darkness overtakes me.   He is with me in the darkness.  He weeps with me, and comforts me when I grieve.  I can go to God and make my defense, argue, and bring my complaint to Him.  Whatever I need to say, face to face with my Savior, I know I can trust Him and He will hear my cry.  In the end, I hope, I trust and I say, 'not my will Lord, but Your will be done.  Blessed be the Lord who gives life, and blessed be the Lord who takes life away.  Blessed be the Lord.'  

Application
Trust and hope in God in all things.  Not death, nor life, nor anything else in all creation will ever be able to separate me from His love.  (Romans 8:38-39)

Prayer 
Father, I can still say these words after these many years of walking with You, 'though You slay me, I will hope and trust in You.'  You are faithful O God.  May my life glorifyYou and no matter what I face in the day to day, may You find me trusting and hoping in You.  In Jesus Name, I give You thanks with a grateful heart.  A-men.