January 2010
Fear
Amazing Love
Mark 5: 35-36 "While Jesus was still Speaking, some
men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your
daughter is dead,' they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?'
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be
afraid; just believe."
Though He heard the finality of the words the men spoke "the child
is dead" Jesus simply declared to the distraught father, 'Don't be
afraid; just believe.' I'm amazed how Jesus entered into all the
people's sorrow whether the person
was a ruler, woman, close friend or even an enemy. He changed the
fear into joy and hope through healing like he changed the father's
fear that he had lost his child into belief in Jesus as Savior!
Dear Readers, I'm entering year five of writing four devotions plus
a message on the blog page each month. Because of other writing and
marketing challenges I will write two instead of the four devotions
plus the blog page
each month this year 2010. I pray for us all a great New Year with
the Lord.
Lord God, I pray you will reveal yourself to your people in very
special ways in order for your power to be felt around Your World.
Amen
Faithful Promise
John 14: 27 Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not
let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Jesus had just told the disciples that He was leaving them and going
back to His Father. He knew they would feel alone and confused
regarding the responsibility He was leaving for them to carry on.
Dear Readers, in my fourteen years of growing up on the farm I do
not remember my Dad ever leaving my sisters and me alone at night.
It was important to him that we not be afraid. The bank in Campbell
closed when the depression hit the US. To do business with a bank
Dad had to travel approximately forty miles. I recall once when he
had business in Kennett, Missouri it was dusk when he entered the
lane leading to our house and he was almost at a run trying to get
to the house before dark.
When our Los Alamos Choral Society was in concert and singing the
Oratorio "Elijah" I noticed the young woman sitting on the first row
was very attentive and when we sang the phrase, "be not afraid the
Lord is near" tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. I
had no opportunity to speak with her but I knew she was touched and
perhaps facing something fearful in her future! We don't always know
when the people around us, even those we see every day are afraid of
something looming ahead. We must ask the Holy Spirit to arouse our
sensitivity to the needs of others and point them to Jesus who calms
all our fears.
Lord, continue to abide with me and help me not be afraid of the
changes in my life regarding my health, my family and my commitment
to you. Amen
February 2010
World Needs
Comfort
John 14:16 "and I will ask the Father, and He will
give you another comforter to be with you forever: the Spirit of
truth."
Jesus' presence was a powerful source of comfort to His disciples. I
know that during the three years they lived in His presence He took
care of all their needs whether they were sorrowing from a loss,
rejected by those they tried to help, or family illness. He gave
purpose to their lives! Now He was leaving them! No one would help
when things in life went wrong. Yet Jesus promised them a comforter
who would come in the form of a Spirit. The Comforter would not be
visible but would fill their inner selves with a sense that Jesus
was still with them in keeping with His promise not to leave them
comfortless. John 14:18 KJV
The need for comfort for God's people is accentuated throughout the
Bible. Why is comfort so important? Why do all people need
comforting at times and under various circumstances? Does comfort
enable us to continue being who we are even while our personal world
is in disarray? Several years ago my husband, Ray, drove me to
Albuquerque for an
appointment with the dentist who would put a crown on a molar tooth.
After the dentist drilled without any sedation until the tooth was
ready for the crown he sprayed cold air on the exposed nerve then
pushed the crown down
over the tooth until the pain was so severe I fought hard to hold
back tears. I hurt so bad I could hardly pay the bill. Ray drove
back to Santa Fe where we planned to have dinner. I still hurt so
bad that I didn't think I could eat but at the Furr's Cafeteria I
started to eat and I began to feel better. By the time I finished my
meal the pain had left and I will never forget the sense of comfort
that washed over my being as I finished the meal! I had heard of
comfort food but I never had experienced being comforted from pain
while eating a meal.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to us. He
gives comfort when we need comforting. Help me remember your promise
in Hebrew 13:5 that you will never leave or forsake us. I know from
experience the promises in your word are trustworthy. Amen
A Call to Serve
1 Samuel 3: 9 "Then Eli realized that the Lord was
calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel "go and lie down and if he calls
you, say, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." So Samuel went
and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at
the other times, "Samuel, Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your
servant is listening."
Dear Readers, There's a good chance our call to serve the Lord will not
be as dramatic or as clear as Samuel's call but as His children God will
call us to serve. This is one of my favorite stories because of the
plans God had for the man Samuel. Samuel's mother, Hannah could not
produce children so she came every year to the temple and prayed for a
son. She promised God that if He would give her a son that she would
give him back. God answered her prayer and created in Hannah's womb a
son for her to love and one and the same for Himself: a much needed
servant, spokesman. A servant who would grow up and become one of, if
not the greatest prophet in Israel's history.
Mark 1 and Matt. 9 Records Jesus calling His disciples one at a time to
follow Him. Our call to serve the Lord is just as sure in 2010 as in
Israel's early history. God doesn't call us to serve unless the
particular service we are to render
has a definite purpose in His kingdom's work. We can be sure that where
we are called to serve and how we are called to serve will be in keeping
with our own unique Spiritual gift and the result will be that others
hear about
Jesus Christ. Do you feel that God is calling you to a specific service
for Him?
Heavenly Father, Thank you for using your ordinary people in your work.
Please make your call clear and plain because I'll be listening for you
to call my name since my hearts desire is to be what you want me to be
and do
what you want me to do. Amen
March 2010
"The Abundant Life"
Is Not Possessions
Luke 12: 15 "Then He said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Jesus continues His teaching regarding greed with the story of the farmer who had what my dad called a "bumper crop." So much so that the farmer had no place to store it but instead of sharing it with others he decided to build bigger barns and store it all for himself. So He did. However, when he got it all stored in his new barns he died. The question Jesus posed to His listeners was, "and now to whom does all his wealth belong?" I grew up on a farm and in the autumn my dad butchered hogs to have meat for the winter. He always needed help and the neighbor farmers who came to assist him were on the receiving end of a lot of meat. It was a good time to share because those were the years of our nation's great depression. With no refrigeration dad smoked the animal's hams and shoulders to preserve them, made sausage from the scraps but gave away the fresh pork chops and steaks except for one meal that he kept for our family. He made mincemeat from the other meats.
Nothing was wasted. What my family couldn't use Dad gave to others. Thank you Lord for memories of hard times and memories of the many times you have blessed us with plenty with some to share. Amen
Everlasting
John 3; 15 "That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Imagine a jar being filled with a precious liquid called "life." Describing the life as eternal implies the container will never be empty. To characterize the jar as containing life more abundantly means the contents have reached the brim and are now overflowing. Dear Readers, I believe we waste much of the resources that God has supplied for us to use to help people see His Glory and His wonderful works that are for our benefit. Everyday we use our telephone. How often are we aware whether or not the person we're in conversation with is acquainted with Jesus Christ? Are we concerned about the length of life of members in our families? Are they ready to meet Christ and spend everlasting life with Him? What about those whose lives we touch each day: mailperson, grocery checkers, friends and neighbors?
It is so easy to become self-absorbed without giving thought to the eternal welfare of others. Those living the abundant life see beyond self with the strong desire to share their eternal home with those who will come along with them on their journey. Thank you Lord, for the hope your promise of everlasting life with you provides. Amen
April 2010
"God's Choice"
Week 1: A Chosen People
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal
Priesthood, a
holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises
of
Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."
Several years ago a young man from my church accepted the Lord Jesus as
his
Savior while serving in the military. When he came home he was still on
fire
for the Lord. Every time I saw Steve in public he had his Bible open
declaring to a listening individual his praises of Jesus for saving his
soul. He stated that he knew he had been enlightened in order to bring
light
to a dark world.
Dear Readers, You may be the only bright light to some one in your
acquaintance today. I pray you will not fail the Lord or yourself by
hiding
your light. Simply speak a word of praise and appreciation for our
Lord's
sacrifice because He loved each one of us so much!
Thank you Lord for choosing to save my soul. I'm more the person you
created
me to be living for you than I could ever be trying to live life for
myself.
Give me power to retain the boldness I had when I first believed and
like
Steve speak boldly of your love and sacrifice for us all. Amen
A Divine Choice
1Peter 1: 20-21 "He was chosen before the creation of
the world but was
revealed in these last times for your sake. Through Him: Jesus
Christ, you believe in God,
who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and
so your faith and hope are in God."
Dear Readers, just imagine! Before you and I were created, God had a
plan in
place for our redemption: A plan that only His Son was worthy to
fulfill.
Not any one of His angels was worthy but only His son incarnate: a
lamb
without blemish was worthy to do what was required.
What does it mean that we have been redeemed? I understand it means
that
when we choose to give up control of our life to Jesus Christ who
paid for
our sins with His blood on the cross, we will never be away from His
presence here on earth and through out eternity!
We take for granted the blessings that we enjoy and don't realize
fully what
the world would be like without the presence of God. God's Spirit
living in
His people keeps the world sane. Satan is alive, well, and busy but
God's
power is our safety. He limits Satan's power whose purpose is to
separate us
from fellowship with our Savior.
Thank you, Father God for the assurance that we are safely in your
care
until we are safe with you in your eternal realm. Amen
May 2010
"Relationships"
At Home
Ephesians 6:1 "Children obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother", which is the first commandment with a
promise.
"That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the
earth."
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of the Lord."
Dear Readers, These scripture verses suggest to me that what is needed
in
the home is mutual respect, where members in the family are considerate
of
each other and show the love and respect that is due. Do our children
know
that we always have their best interest at heart?
When parents know they have sinned against God and disappointed
themselves
they need to openly ask God to forgive them, then ask the family to
forgive
them. When children see their parents confessing to God their sins or
failures they will find it easier to apologize to the parents for their
own
failures and will strive to be more considerate and appreciative of
their
parent's love and protection.
Families need to communicate. Set aside a time that is convenient for
all
and have a weekly Confab, a time when family members can relax and share
any disappointments,
hurts or voice a need for help with a problem they can't solve alone.
Paul and Timothy is a relationship worth noting. Paul knew Timothy like
a
son in the ministry and had confidence in him because of his upbringing
as
shown in 2nd.Timothy 1:5 "I have been reminded of your sincere faith,
which
first lived in your grandmother, Lois and in your mother, Eunice and, I
am
persuaded, now lives in you also."
Lord, help families love you and each other and practice a loving
kindness
in the homes. Give our children confidence in you as they surrender
their lives to you for
salvation and as they depend on your power to help them live productive
lives. Amen
Friendship
1 Samuel 23: 17-18 "Don't be afraid, Jonathan told David,
"My father, Saul,
will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel and I will be
second to you. Even my Father, Saul, knows this. The two of them made a
covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at
Horesh."
David and Jonathan's love for each other is a great example of true
friendship. Such a wonderful love and respect between two kingly men!
Dear Readers, perhaps you have known this kind of friendship and if so
hold
on to it because it comes from God.
When my husband was a very young man his father worked
for an oil company in
Oklahoma. His parents and the parents of his friends lived on what they
called "the lease."
The oil company furnished them family housing on the lease close to the
producing oil wells so that if there was trouble with any of the wells
the
men would know it immediately and fix it. Several of these young boys
hung
out together. One of the boys and my husband became very close friends
and
kept in touch through the years. This is just one example of true
friendships in this century that resemble David and Jonathan's life long
relationship.
Dear Lord, I'm grateful that you acknowledge and bless close
relationships
between Godly men, women and youth. Help our brothers and sisters in
your
church to care for each other and bond together as we strive to
accomplish
your work. Amen
June 2010
"Thanksgiving"
A Family
Romans 8: 16-17 "The Spirit himself testifies with
our spirit that we are
God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs‹heirs of
God and
coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order
that we
may also share in his glory."
My dad did not leave any material possessions but what he left for
us is a
heritage of faith. I recall once, after getting into some kind of
mischief,
Dad said to me, Vernie, you will need to get God's forgiveness for
what you
did!
Since that day I've not had difficulty going to God and asking Him
to
forgive me when I do wrong or walk in my own way. I'm very grateful
for my
dad's teaching that we are to keep the avenues of communication open
between
us and our heavenly Father.
Help us Lord, when the going is tough. Help us keep communication
lines open
by confessing to you when we fail. Help us remember to consult you
when we
must make important decisions. Amen
A Church
Colossians 1: 3 "We always thank God, the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in
Christ Jesus,
and of the love you have for all the saints."
As a member of the twenty first century church I have learned
how far we
have missed the mark of being a scriptural unit. I know Apostle
Paul was
disappointed when serious problems arose in the early church and
members
began to quarrel with each other.
However, today's church has the words from the Bible as a guide
to solving
differences. Taking the problem to Jesus, the head of His
church, is first.
Then, we must recall that we are all loved equally by Christ and
come
together to pray that He will fill us with love and respect for
each other.
Even though we may not agree we must move past disagreements in
the power of
His love and in the desire to live together in peace to
accomplish His work.
Father God, I'm so grateful to you for my church family! Help us
live in
your love for each other daily. Amen
July 2010
"America The Beautiful"
Beautiful America at War
Joshua 11: 12 "Joshua took all these royal cities and
their kings and put
them to the sword. He totally destroyed them, as Moses the servant
of the
Lord had commanded."
America has experienced many wars from the beginning: war with the
Indians,
war to gain independence from England, war 1812, war between
America's
Northern and Southern States, World War # 1, World War # 2, Korean
War,
Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan War.
However, not since the Civil War has internal America been
destroyed. There
have been incidents of internal destruction made by external enemies
such as
9-11 and Pearl Harbor.
Yet through it all American's hang together and love their Nation.
As we
celebrate Independence let us praise God for America, One Nation
Under God.
Thank you Father in Heaven for our blessed nation. Help us proclaim
Jesus
Christ as the Author of our freedom and live our lives like we mean
it! Amen
Beautiful America at Peace
Leviticus 26: 3-8 "If you follow my decrees and are
careful to obey my
commands, I will send rain in its season, and the ground will yield its
crops and the trees of the field their fruit. "Your threshing will
continue
until grapes harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting,
and
you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land, I
will
grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you
afraid.
Many times Americans have been led by God's hand through trials and
troubles
that were not of our own making. There were Internal challenges brought
on
by the Great Depression in 1928 (my birth year) and continued on through
the
nineteen thirties. There have been and are Natural disasters such as the
Dust Bowl, severe storms like the tornado that destroyed Poplar Bluff,
Missouri in my early life. My home was only nineteen miles from that
large
City.
Katrina in the Southern states more recently and now the oil spill in
the
Gulf. God's people are always aware of His presence during and after
these
severe challenges to our quiet way of life. One great gift from God is
that
we all pull together during hard times, loving one another through them
all:
sometimes literally holding each other up!
Lord God our Father, on this Independence Day 2010 I thank you for
beautiful
America. Thank you for the brave men and women who wrote and
signed into
law the constitution many years ago. Thank you for the privilege
of
visiting and viewing the beauty in all the States except New Jersey and
North Dakota. Amen
August 2010
"God's Presence"
Gives Peace
JOHN 14;27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you not as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
At age three my daughter, DiAnn, was experiencing one throat
infection after
another and finally doctor said, ENOUGH! He didn't usually do
tonsillectomies
on children age 3 but in her case he said it had to be!
Another problem, she has asthma which could cause coughing. However,
we knew
her life was in danger either way so doctor chanced the operation.
The
surgery went well but late in the afternoon she began to cough. We
were
getting her ready to go home when doctor came into her room and
heard her
coughing. He said it was too dangerous to take her home because her
coughing
could cause hemorrhaging.. When DiAnn heard that she couldn't go
home she
began crying. Doctor said, "this won't work either," so he allowed
us to take
her home. I put her in my bed and about midnight she started
coughing and
when I saw some blood on her pillow, I was really afraid. I feared
we'd need
to take her back to the hospital.
I began praying silently. I ask God to heal her
throat and make it new. I
fell asleep and the next thing I knew the morning sun was shining
through
the bedroom curtains and DiAnn was sleeping peacefully beside me. I
went to
the kitchen to get her Dad breakfast and off to work and get sister
Constance Lynn off to school. When I went to see about DiAnn she was
up,
dressed and sitting on the floor playing with her toys as though
nothing had
happened. I thanked God for her complete healing!
Dear Father God, as I reflect on my seventy-year journey with you, I
can
only exclaim "PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME NOW AND FOREVER." Amen
Provides Companionship
Matthew 28: 20b "And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the
age."
Our Lord promised He would never leave us alone. What does it
mean that our
Lord will always be with us?
For me it means that as long as I live on earth I will have
God's power for
daily living. No matter what the days and years may bring I have
a constant
companion who has all the power and love in His hands, and I
belong to Him.
The song, "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands," says it all.
It says I don't have to fear the past, present or the future. He
has us all
in His hands and He will work out what is best for us and has
promised not
to give more to us than we can handle and will help us handle
whatever He
gives to us!
Thank You, Lord for walking with me on this journey. Lift me up
day by day
to see you more clearly and love you more dearly. Amen
Gifts of Love
Mark 10: 21 "Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One
thing you lack, 'he
said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you
will have
treasure in heaven, then come, follow me."
Dear Readers, This scripture indicates to me that God cannot perform
the
miracle of the new birth in us until we give up to Him any hold on
our own
life or our possessions. It also tells me that God expects us to
care for
those in need by sharing our possessions.
If you have salvation the miracle of a changed heart is God's work.
When the
Holy Spirit urged you to repent and ask the Lord to come into your
heart the
one thing you did was to say 'yes'. The miracle of 'being born
again' is
God's work.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the love you gave us for the less
fortunate.
Help us fill heaven's coffers with treasures of love. Amen
Mansions
John 14 2 "In my fathers house
are many rooms, if it were not so, I would
have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be
with me that
you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where
I am going."
In this scripture Jesus has told His disciples that He is
leaving them and
is expressing His comfort and love to them. I can't imagine how
they must
have felt after walking with God for three years. With the sense
of loss and
the question 'what will we do' resounding in their being with
every
heartbeat, Jesus continues to instruct them in answer to their
fear. His
promise is that He will send the comforter to be with them
forever and the
comforter will bring to their minds everything He said to them
during their
journey together. Such a wonderful Shepherd we have!
Dear Readers, I like the translation that has mansions rather
than rooms
since a room is just a room but mansions suggest splendor as
eluded to in1
Corinthians 2: 9. "No Eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind
has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love Him."
We know that whatever is in
heaven for us it will be an indescribable
Treasure.
Thank you Lord Jesus for making our home with you possible. Amen
September 2010
"Beginnings"
Life in Los Alamos
November 1956 our family experienced a significantly
new beginning. We moved
our residence from Norman, Oklahoma to our new residence in Los
Alamos, New
Mexico.
Every member of our fivemember-family received the blessing of
better
health and a new fulfillment as each found their own place in the
new
environment.
The second Sunday after moving into our apartment, we placed our
membership
in the First Baptist Church and received a warm welcome.
Monday morning after moving into our apartment on 45th Street, I
enrolled
Constance and DiAnn in their classes at mountain school.
Ray had gone to work and I had two-year old Paul with me when I took
the
girls to Mountain School. I returned to our apartment and tried to
open the
door, I was shocked to find I had locked myself out of my house. I
had to go
to the housing department building, get the master key, open the
door,
retrieve my key and return the master key to the housing office and
I didn't
even know my way around in my new, yet strange town. I did know that
God was
my enabler and His helping me find my way around town was proof. I
felt
comforted by His presence.
This all happened on the fourth day after arriving in Los Alamos.
However,
in spite of the slightly rough beginning, we were a very happy,
contented
family in our new hometown.
Thank you Lord for the strong sense of your presence during our
first week
in Los Alamos, New Mexico and every day since that has helped us
know we are
where you willed us to be. Amen
Back to School
Another beginning happened in 1961 as Paul started
Kindergarten and I went to
work outside my home for the first time in my marriage. I had
planned to
attend the Santa Fe College of Beauty as soon as Paul was in school.
I
worked for the Clement & Benner department store for nine months and
saved
enough to pay for my tuition then enrolled in the Santa Fe College
of Beauty
for their spring semester. The next nine months four ladies from Los
Alamos
and myself attended the Santa Fe Beauty School. Several ladies from
First
Baptist Church drove to Santa Fe so I could style their hair and
care for
their nails in order to help me get the required hours in
cosmetology and
graduate.
Early spring the following year I passed the New Mexico state Board
of
Cosmetology exam and received my license to practice cosmetology in
New
Mexico. In order for us to have a place of employment one of the
four ladies
who attended school with me opened a salon upstairs in what is now
the old
credit union building in the community Center in Los Alamos.
Our salon made a total of only three salons in Los Alamos serving
the 20,000
Population. We did well from the beginning and God blessed all five
stylists. We built our clientele quickly.
Thank you, Lord, for a time to look back and see your hand in
everything I
did and every success I made. Thank you for protecting us all the
nine
months we drove to school in Santa Fe and thank you, Lord, for
watching over
my family while I traveled back and forth. Amen
October 2010
"God's Faithfulness"
God's Faithfulness to an Unfaithful People
Psalm 78: 37-38 "Their hearts were not loyal to Him, they
were not faithful
to His covenant. Yet He was merciful; He forgave their iniquities and
did
not destroy them. Time after time He restrained His anger and did not
stir
up His full wrath."
The last five chapters of Judges gives a graphic picture of how low a
people
can sink: "in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw
fit."
Judges 17:6.
The Old Testament tells stories of homosexual assault, idolatry, civil
war,
stealing, rape, and murder. Israel's real enemy is not the other nations
raised up by God to chastise and rebuke her, but is in fact Israel
herself.
Sadly it appears as if all is lost. God's chosen people are hanging by
the
thinnest of threads.
But there is a rest of the story, God's Faithfulness. Ever faithful, God
is
preserving His people, in spite of their unfaithfulness. God raised up a
king who would unite the people and bring them forward. God's mercy
provided
David to rule in His behalf, to remind the nation of their high calling.
And
further on was coming a day when the King of kings would arrive to save
us
all from the power and guilt of sin and to give us life and joy forever!
Dear Reader, Does Israel's waywardness look something like contemporary
America. Lets continue to pray that God will save America and believe
that
it is not too late.
Merciful Heavenly Father, wake up your sleeping church! Reveal yourself
to
her in whatever ways is needed to get her attention and cause us all to
bow
our hearts in repentance. Amen
New Every Morning
Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."
Dear Readers, When the dedication of the National Cemetery in
Gettysburg,
Virginia took place November 19, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln was
the
scheduled keynote speaker. However, a political backer introduced
Senator
Samuel Arnold Douglas first. He spoke for most of three hours.
President Lincoln didn't object to being introduced second since he
had
something special to say to the American people. He took the podium
and
spoke from his heart for a very few minutes and yet history has made
his
Gettysburg Address a Masterpiece that is known as one of the
greatest
speeches ever given anywhere. Mr. Douglas exalted himself and
history does
not record anything he said. Mr. Lincoln humbled himself to
exalt the
America that has since exalted him.
Heavenly Father, keep us humble so we may understand fully your plan
for our
lives in light of your salvation plan when in humility you
sacrificed your
Son, Jesus, for our sins. Amen
God's Plan Fulfilled
Isaiah 25:1 "Oh Lord, you are my God; I will exalt
you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things
planned
long ago.
Of course God had a plan! The perfect God would have a perfect plan
to bring
His people to Himself.
The story opens as the jury returned to the courtroom and the
foreman stood
and said, " We find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder and
recommend the death penalty."
The audience was stunned. A shuffling noise came from the back of
the room.
People watched as the defendant's older brother approached the bench.
"Sir," he said to the judge, "I want to make an offer. Set my brother free,
and let me die in his place."
No one took him seriously, for the guilty brother had always hated
him. But
from the look in his eyes, the judge knew he was serious.
Pure fiction. The innocent freely offering to die for the guilty
especially
if the guilty has always offered rejection to the innocent. No one
would be
so foolish as to do that!
Really? It was done! Isaiah 53: 1-6 "Who has believed our message
and to
whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him
like a
tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He was despised and
rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering like
one from
whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely
he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we
considered him
stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced
for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment
that
brought to us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all
like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;
and the
Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Dear Readers, God's perfect plan was in place. It had to be the way
it was.
No one else was worthy. Not even the angels could bring God's people
deliverance once and forever.
But we have a brother who stepped up to the Judge a long time ago
and said,
"I will die in your place because you are guilty and also helpless.
Without
me you can't be good but because of my sacrifice you are holy and
accepted
by God."
Dear Lord of Heaven, with gratitude help us to be your people. May
your
light shine through us to a darkened world and help us to always
express
gratitude to you for our Brother Redeemer our Friend, Jesus Christ,
who
knew we were helpless yet He loved us unconditionally. Amen
November 2010
"Attitude of Gratitude"
Thank You, Lord
Lord Jesus, I come before you today
Thanking you for my life.
For loving me enough to give your life
On the cross at Calvary making possible a
Father-child relationship.
You are my strength,
You give me faith and hope
For a better world,
While I continue my journey
Home.
Thank you for your beautiful creation,
I gaze in awesome wonder at majestic
Mountains that frame the azure blue sky,
The tall stately trees numbering the years
And time in your created order.
Through teary eyes I view this great nation
And hear the bells of freedom still ring over
Fields burst with ripening grain.
The sun, moon and stars, your celestial lights,
Held suspended in space by your mighty hand
Offer proof of your unchanging love and provisions.
---LaVerne Chapman
A Place of Comfort
HEBREWS 12: 28 "Therefore, since we are receiving a
kingdom that cannot be
shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with
reverence and
awe."
I have much to thank God for this year. My family traveled to
Washington
State in August to visit my daughter and all her family there. The
weekend
we were there my daughter's three adult children brought their
families to
visit with us. I counted fifteen that slept on couch bed's, on the
floor
beds, and in the camper's beds. Just about every corner and nook had
someone
sleeping there. We had a lot of fun with the small, middle size and
adult
children.
In the autumn I became ill and spent a few days in the hospital with
hives
that caused my face and throat to swell. Later, I was still able to
travel
to Oklahoma to visit my sister, Elizabeth.
Georgia, our sister in South Carolina could not make it to Oklahoma
at this
time. So we were sad to have one missing link in our circle when we
talked
about our growing up years in Southern Missouri.
When my sisters and I visit together we always go back in memory to
Southern
Missouri where we grew up and where our mother and father are
buried. I hope
to visit the town where I was born and the cemetery next year.
THANK YOU FATHER IN HEAVEN FOR KEEPING US SAFE THROUGH OUT THE YEAR!
AMEN
December 2010
"The Next Step"
The Years Ahead
Hebrews 6:19 "We have this hope as an anchor for the
Soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
where Jesus is."
I have a tiny flashlight I hold in my hand as I walk at night. It
doesn't
shine out to my left side or my right side or behind me. It only lights
the
next forward step I take and that's my need. Like my faith in God's
promise to guide me one step at a time!
Dear Readers, In concluding my five year journey of devotional writing,
I
realize devotional reading and writing have been some of my the greatest
blessings. Taking God's Word to the world through devotional writing is
awesome.
I could not have achieved this feat without my partner who publishes the
devotions. Kelly is my very gifted Christian partner and my family has
filled the gaps in my lack of knowledge.
As you read this last of my devotions I pray you will remember to read
God's Word daily, even if it is only one verse or perhaps one chapter.
Talk often with our heavenly Father. Praise Him for the gift of His
Presence!
Lord Jesus, as your birthday is celebrated I thank you for your
self-sacrifice when you left your heavenly home and position to assure
that we
may live with you eternally. Amen
