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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