What’s taking you so long?

My cat, Max, knows exactly what time evening snack is given. About a half hour before it is time, he goes and sits by the fridge. He keeps his eye on me. Stares at me longingly. But that is not enough. Every few minutes he comes over and bumps my leg. “It’s time! I think it’s time! Are you forgetting? Don’t forget - my evening treat. My bedtime snack! What’s taking you so long? Yes, you can set your clock by him. In fact, he is my reminder to take my evening pill! He has never failed me!

I remember the teenager who thinks they are ready to take on adult responsibilities. They think they are, but we know they are not. Oh, how they complain, argue, pout, storm around - “You are ruining my whole life!” Much like the Isrealites storming around the desert demanding certain food, provision of water, fear of enemy attacks… completely forgetting the God Who parted the sea.

We often wonder - why isn’t God acting? Why isn’t He taking care of things like He should? Like we think He should… isn’t it obvious what needs to be done and done right now?

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” - Galatians 4:4

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” - Romans 5:6

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” - 1 Peter 5:6

There is no whim or shoot from the hip with God. Everything is perfectly planned, coordinated, and orchestrated. A time for everything under heaven.

We need to remember this about Him when His response feels slows or feels like it’s not coming at all. You don’t need to pace back and forth in worry that He will somehow forget what’s going on. You don’t need to keep nudging Him to do what you want when you want it. God Almighty, perfect in every way, including timing, has a plan. You can trust in Him. So please rest in this assurance.

“At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” - Isaiah 60:22

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Hurry up and wait

We’ve all been there.

You arrive early to the doctor appointment only to sit in the waiting room for a longer time than expected. Past your appointment time.

The same thing at the airport. They want you there early and then you wait in hopes that your flight will take off as scheduled.

Sitting in the school pick up lane hoping your child comes straight out after class.

The stalled, not-moving check-out line at the grocery store…

You come prepared. Insurance cards. ID. Passport. Debit card or cash. Even a book to read. You’ve thought of everything needed. And now you wait in hopes they show up on time.

Consider the parable of the ten virgins: (Matthew 25)

“The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”       ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The wise ones planned ahead. Came prepared. Considered the possibility that the wait might be longer than anticipated. And the bridegroom was later than expected…

Oh, what misery (and disappointment) when you show up without your passport. When you are late to a doctor’s appointment. When your child lollygags with friends instead of coming right out to the car. An unexpected complication ahead of you in the check out line.

Sometimes things just don’t go as we think. But it is always best to be prepared. See how anxious the five unprepared virgins get:

“The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’” Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can you imagine the panic? The time has finally come! And they don’t have what is needed. Unprepared. Not ready. They have to leave, go back, and they miss out.

The doctor appointment gets cancelled. The flight takes off without you…

Jesus’ parable is trying to teach us something important. You think you know how things will go. How things should turn out. But it doesn’t always go as smoothly as you plan. So you need to be ready. You need to think and plan accordingly. Have everything ready in advance but also be prepared for a wait. But know this: the wait will be suddenly be over. Your name will be called. It will be your turn. 

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s take a break

 

 My mom in her rocking chair. Between cooking and cleaning, mom could be found in her rocker. Down time for her. Crochet time. Or crossword puzzle time. Not just special, but in memory - sacred.

A certain place for a certain activity.  Many sit at a table for meal times. Some have a special chair or corner of a room for prayer. Set apart for a special activity. I needed a space for artwork. Some have the luxury of a dedicated room. Some do it at the dining room table. I suddenly longed for a set apart, quiet, uninterrupted zone for my artwork. I hadn’t realized it until recently. But I haven’t been doing any drawing. I asked God about it and there seemed to be just silence. I didn’t like that at first. Every day wondering if I was being disobedient, if I was failing at not nurturing my God-given gift. When maybe God wasn’t answering because He wanted me to stop and rest. In Him. Trust. When it didn’t make sense. And not all the focus on doing. Producing. Giving. So I relaxed in my non-drawing season and waited for the Lord’s signal to begin again.

Have you been there? Perhaps you are there now. Pleading with God for something you think you have the perfect answer to, the perfect solution. 

It has just recently been revealed to me that in some situations - stop asking for my will and my resolution. My prayer should be based on certain hope and trust and not telling the Lord the “how” and the “when”. True peace comes from knowing God IS handling it. How gracious are You, Lord, to attend to and enter into my concerns.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You know these verses. Probably by heart. Let’s live in them. Let’s truly believe in our magnificent God! Have a Yay, God kind of day knowing He is showing up and will do the best. Give you His best. Wow.

Day and Night

My new rule about reading the Bible. Whenever and however. Be it much or be it a little. Read a few verses while the coffee finishes brewing. Read a few more while waiting in the drive-thru. While waiting in line for the kids to get out of school. It’s right there on your phone. Audio while walking the dog.

Sometimes life gets in the way. I’m trying to sit down, sit still, and read my Bible every morning. A certain number of chapters. But mornings can spin out of control. I think I’ll get to it later. Ha! Ha! And if you are following a Bible in a year program, now you are behind and feel like you have to double up tomorrow. Fat chance. Waiting for that last spin on the washer cycle. Prepping dinner. Weeding the garden. A couple minutes here. A few there. Word of God speaks to me everywhere. Even in snippets. Maybe even better in snippets because then I have time to ponder and digest. Wait. What? Reading the Bible one or two minutes at a time can actually be beneficial? Yay! I’m pretty sure I can do that. Commitment to a certain time and place is great. Your old faithful version in your lap. Awesome. But sometimes I have to read a chapter again and again because it is packed with so much. So if you need to do it another way, God will still be blessing it. You can count on it! So keep reading. Keep at it and just see what God does even with snippets. 

I pray, Lord, slow me down. Take and bless the small bites. Help me connect the dots. Connect me to You.

“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yay God living

I sit in front of a blank piece of paper. Paralyzed. And I’m not the only one. Most artists, writers, pastors - feel this revisiting fear. I can’t. What if I can’t do it again? What if it misses the mark and falls short this time? Before the age of computers, there were many jokes of a wastebasket filled to overflowing with crumpled papers and heavy sighing at a desk.

Even though I have created some nice artwork in the past, there is a fear that I won’t measure up - again. 

I know. I know. You all are saying, “Of course you can! You can do it and so much more! You are so capable and such a blessing!”

Yes. I have. Done it before. And no one is more surprised than I am. But still, you probably think I am crazy to doubt at this point. You can’t imagine me questioning my abilities. Many of you have assured me that I have the skill to create more lovely and meaningful artwork. And I surely appreciate your faith in me. 

Now how about you? Do you stare at the blank page of a new day in doubt - wondering if God will send blessings and goodness again? Do you stand in the same assurance you have supported and sent to me? Do you apply the same confidence in God? Just look at all the miraculous things He has done in your life. Hundreds of times. Proven Himself capable over and over again. And yet - do you ever find yourself doubting that He will?

Can you enter the day believing / knowing the Lord has goodness in store for you? Or do you fear what might be coming down the road and worry the Lord has only lessons to be learned through trials?

Raise your Ebenezer! God has helped before and God will help again! God has blessed before and God will bless again!

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. - Psalms 27:13

Take these words to heart today and live in the expansive faithfulness, security, blessings and love of God.

A Dog’s Life

Dogs. They get it.

In the morning, they are excited to be alive and start the day. They turn to you, tails a-wagging; seeking you out to share in the joy.

They want food. They come to you. Water. Same thing.

They want to enjoy the fresh outdoors - they look at you and then the door.

In need of a little extra TLC? They bump you with their head. Please let me feel your loving touch.

Desiring some peaceful, safe place to rest and you will find their head in your lap.

During a thunderstorm, whenever they are nervous or afraid, they will tremble in your arms.

When you return home, they greet you excitedly at the door.

And when they have a wonderful toy - they want to share the joy and excitement with you. Let’s have some fun together!

When they grow tired at day’s end, they sleep at your feet.

Whatever is needed, or desired, they turn to you.

Oh, that we would have such openness and understanding in our relationship with the Lord!

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 “All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.” Psalms‬ ‭104‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

This is the day!

 I was recently asked to share my favorite hymn and scripture verse. There are so many to choose from, right? Am I able to narrow it down to just one? And what if, that was the only hymn - the only verse - for all time? Impossible! Let it not be so! There are different songs and verses that are perfect for different times in our lives. While I love some of the old time hymns, I have also fallen in love with some of the newer, more contemporary praise music as well. And my favorite scripture verse from three years ago is different from the one I cling to today. I am glad to have them all available.

One song. One verse. One style of art. One style of writing. Like - only one devotional book written. Only one. Of anything. Can you imagine?

What if God stopped at the rose and not went on to daffodils, tulips, violets or hydrangeas? What if He stopped at the pine and not the oak, apples but no peaches?

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” Psalms‬ ‭104‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And this is where you come in. You have been gifted with certain abilities. And you are called to share those abilities. Because someone out there needs to hear it from you. Your style. Your way. Imagine the world as described in these opening paragraphs. Just one. Of anything. But God made a variety in order to touch lives, reach every kind of people in every time and place, in every chapter of life. And we have been created to do likewise. To contribute. To someone. You have been equipped to add something to the mix.

This is your call to action. To stop being afraid. To stop hesitating and doubting. And to put the love of God out there in your unique, and yet powered by the Holy Spirit, way. Someone is waiting to be awakened to the marvelous love of God. This is the day…

I’m waiting

 

The morning coffee takes time to brew. Grandma’s soup needs to simmer. Tea needs to steep. And bread dough needs time to rise.

When I write a blog post or devotional, or start creating a notecard design - it all starts with a little piece of something that has crossed my mind. Yet I only see it in part. But if I sit with it, it starts developing and taking shape. It’s in the sitting that it develops. And not by my own efforts. It is God. But I have to make myself present, available, and open to believe God will speak to me in order to receive the riches of the message. 

Writers, artists, and yes, the preacher’s sermon all take time too. They don’t just sit down one day and quickly hammer something out. It always starts with just a piece, a fragment that gets revisited time and time again - allowing God to work and develop His message.

Whether its the soup or the sermon, these things become richer, deeper, more favorful with time. More memorable. More meaningful. Filling your senses. If you really want the fullness of it, you need to commit to it. Mostly time.

And so, what am I leading you to with all this? I am pleading the case of spending true meditative time in God’s Word. Read a few verses until something catches your eye. And pause. Jot down a thought as you reflect on why God would nudge you with that particular phrase or verse. Ask God what does it mean to you personally in this time and place of your life. Why did that certain phrase speak… something caught your attention in that moment. Engage your senses. Visualize. Listen. Let God’s Word simmer. Steep. Rise!

Sit with it like you would your morning coffee. Like your first real sigh upon arriving at the lake. Take it all in. Let it linger. Let it speak to you. The Word of God can give you a similar peaceful, calming, even joyful feeling. You will miss it if you rush through your Bible reading for the sake of saying you read your Bible. But, oh, the wonder and wonderful sensation of having holy God reveal something personally to you if we let Him!

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Noteworthy

I have a prayer list. Perhaps you do too. In your head or in a book or tablet. I fervently pray for many needs in and around me. And I certainly rejoice when there is a wonderful outcome. I am so glad to run a line through that request on my list. But then… how quickly it gets forgotten. That prayer that got answered by the intervention of a loving God! And yet I find myself moving on quickly to the next request. I do more asking than rejoicing. How can this be? This pattern of always wanting more (even with our sincerest intentions for the good of another) and so quickly forgetting what has been received. 

It made me think of the evening news. Drama and desperation stories one after another - and then a 30-second piece of good news. Oh, how I hate that format. And I certainly don’t want to present that same thing to my God!

I think I need a start and maintain an answered prayer list. I wonder how that would affect my daily walk if I reviewed that every morning. Start filling my journal books with answered prayers! It makes me excited right now just thinking of the possibilities. What if we thought more about all the answered prayers and watched and waited in anticipation for God to add to that list? 

Safe travels. Thank You, Jesus!

Successful surgery. Yay, God!

Relationship restored. Hallelujah!

When I say, “God is faithful” - does that mean I can expect, anticipate more from Him? God has helped before and God will help again.

Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! For a lifetime, a whole world history that extends beyond time and space - God has been answering prayers left and right. Have you seen it? Experienced it? Recall to memory now…

“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers.” Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let me tell you about my Jesus

In recent weeks, we have been hearing all about the Holy Spirit coming in power and enabling the disciples to speak boldly, confidently, and passionately about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Lord, You already see me backing away from preaching boldly to the lost and unsaved. That would certainly take an act of the Holy Spirit to have me, as shy and quiet as I am, speak out like those disciples. I am just not wired that way. But I also know that Christ is my Sufficiency and the Holy Spirit is always around to direct and equip. It would most certainly have to be You making me speak with such confidence and passion to an unbeliever. Yet I know You can, would, and will empower me if and whenever You choose.

Speaking boldly and confidently does not mean head-bashing, loud and with insistent urgency. A calm approach with certainty and confidence - can also be effective in leaving seeds of faith. Whispers can get someone’s attention.

“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” - 1 Kings 19:12 NLT

“… and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” - 1 Kings 19:12 KJV

It is comforting to me that the Lord can be found and heard through a soft, gentle, quiet voice. 

“If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

And another passage to consider:

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬

And my favorite, most relatable verse:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary, men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”- Acts 4:13 NIV

Let’s not get intimated by how some share the good news. God has each one of us created and in place and He reaches others by all sorts of methods. Be only attentive to His directing of you. He knows how You are knitted together. He knows how to empower you to make impact beyond your own abilities. God knows how…

May His will be done.

 

OTW (on the way)

 

A “little” big prayer that people would be drawn into Christian action because they know the wisdom and power doesn’t rest on them alone. A prayer for the dreamers, that they pursue, and for those with visions forming in their heads - bring their ideas to fruition. A prayer for heart-winning miracles to happen. Lord, I may not see the results of this prayer, still, I ask for a lifting up of hearts and hands to You, with a desire to show up and get on the move about something You have placed on their heart. May they not easily shake You off and dismiss You. May there be leaps of faith as well as leaps of fire - for with God the possibilities are endless. Again, I know, Lord, You are speaking to me as well. I pray I don’t hesitate in obedience because I can’t be secure about the process or outcome. It’s only scary if I focus on my human limitations. Otherwise, with God all things, all kinds of things, are possible. May we not so quickly poo-poo dreams and visions - the ones God plants in our heads and wants us to pursue - but counting on Him and His all-sufficiency added to our willingness.

Show up. That’s the message of the day. Stop limiting yourself because you only see yourself. Remember now that the Holy Spirit is your plus-plus. It doesn’t matter that you are weak, lacking skill, ability, knowledge and flawed. The Holy Spirit extends your reach. Your words can make a greater impact than you could ever imagine and your actions can have a ripple effect way beyond your wildest dreams. Every believer has been breathed upon and so, every believer is capable of …. More.

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses (to tell people about Me) both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1: 8

God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. - Ephesians 3:20 MSG

Prayer plus

Our Father…

Creator and Birther of you and me, in His heart and mind long before the world began.

Who is in heaven…

But also with us in the here and now. Closer than our next breath.

Hallowed by Your Name…

Name above all names. Great are You Lord, and greatly to be praised.

Your kingdom come…

My kingdom go. My finite ideas and abilities and desire for control.

Your will be done…

Your plan, Your desire - in and through me. Through us all.

On earth as it is in heaven….

Everywhere. At all times and in all places.

Give us this day our daily bread…

Sufficient in every way for this present day.

And forgive us our debts…

Sins, trespasses, transgressions - every single one.

As we forgive our debtors…

With the same completeness You offer us.

And lead us not into temptation…

Do not test my faith without Your Holy Spirit in me and by my side. The promised Helper.

But deliver us from evil…

Your protection from the devil’s wily ways. 

For Yours in the kingdom and the power and the glory…

 As it was in the beginning. Is now and ever shall be. God above all things, seen and unseen, mightier, greater, wiser, most powerful, beyond comprehension. There is none like You. Unending…

Thanks and praises.

Honor, glory, and blessing.

Reverence and respect.

Adoration and awe.

Worship and love.

Amen.

Rush hour

 

Multi-tasking. Flipping back and forth between two or more activities. But in reality, you are only present for a mere few seconds in one and then the other. And present in one is missing out on the other. And not really giving proper attention to either one because you need to remember to switch back - and soon! Your train of thought constantly interrupted. So distracting, isn’t it? Or aren’t you even aware? And it all feels oh, so, rushed! Like it all has to get done right now! Making you feel edgy, anxious and tired.

One of these distractions can be worry about the future. Worrying about the future causes you to miss out on what God is blessing you with in the right now. Do you really want to miss that?

And what if that which you are worrying about is three weeks away? Do you really want to take that chance of not catching God’s favor, God’s joys and blessings in the now because your focus is way down the road? Do you really want to surrender three weeks of your life to consuming thoughts of what might be?

And the cost of multi-tasking often leads to - mistakes. And having to go back and spend additional time fixing what may not have happened had you been more fully committed in focus. Oops! I forgot to include the attachment. Oops! I made a mistake in my knitting two rows back. Oops! I missed… and now, instead of saving time, you find yourself backtracking and redoing.

Today, let’s stop with the all rushing and hurrying. Let everything be experienced. Let everything be lived out more fully. The Bible says there is a time for everything. And purpose. So let’s trust the Lord to accomplish all that is truly necessary. In His time. Let’s try to be more aware - Where am I? What is happening right now? Can I find God in this? Can I enjoy God while doing this? And trust His timing and completion of the other…

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:30 MSG emphasis mine

Safe and Secure

 

Morning time with my cat, Max. He lets me rub his belly. He slings his leg over my arm and settles in. In peace he sleeps. Because He loves me. He knows I am a safe place. He can relax. He wants me near and so I am. He can’t see my hand, but he senses my presence and that’s enough. 

May it be the same for you with Jesus. You love Him. He is your safe place. You can relax. You want Him close by, guarding, protecting, watching - and so He is. Although you can’t see it, His hand is upon you. And it is enough…

“I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“ I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whether you are lingering in bed dozing in and out before you start your day, or enjoying an afternoon nap, or settling in after a full day - the Lord is near. His hand is upon you (whether you feel it or not) calling you to a safe and secure peace found only in Him.

Open my eyes, Lord

In John 21, the disciples fished all night and didn’t catch a thing.

But then, God…

Jesus enters the scene. And He totally removes the problem, pain, and disappointment. Their nets can barely hold all the fish! I am caught wondering if they prayed. For fish. It doesn’t say so in any translations I have read. In the midst of their tiredness and frustration, Jesus just shows up.

Jesus doesn’t always wait for us to ask. Some answers come after the seeking-prayer, but some come before a word is on our lips.

We’re already in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness. - Richard Rohr

When our anxious thoughts get interrupted, we can see the Lord is present - clearly present - and already providing. And we will know it, see it, feel it when we stop focusing on the trouble. The goodness of the Lord is right there the whole time.

Maybe you prayed - but maybe you didn’t. Loud distractions can do that to you. But the Lord Jesus shows up anyway. And whatever thoughts or feelings you had, you are welcomed into His arms of grace.

Are you tired? Overwhelmed? Have you reached your limit in wisdom and strength? The Lord is near - to take over from there. Gladness is near. No more squeaking through. The joy of the Lord, the joy of Him stepping in and finishing it with abundance. Oh, yes! Surely goodness and mercy will follow my attempts at strength.

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lord, I’m going to believe in Your provision, Your help, and Your abundant response. Great are You, Lord, and greatly to be praised! I will breathe in Your presence. I desire to eagerly seek You with open eyes to all the goodness of having You in my life. Whatever concerns I have, whatever problems may arise, it is already finished by You. They don’t need to consume me. You are the strength beyond my strength.

He Who began a good work in you is not deterred by hiccups along the way. God moves steadily forward to bring it to completion.

“for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” Acts 5:38b-39a

Water often

 I’m not very good with plants. I forget to water them. They start to droop; they stop blooming; their vibrant color turns to a dull crusty brown. Leaves and flower petals drop off. And then I give them too much water at one time and they are overwhelmed. They sure seemed fine the other day. Or was that last week? Time sure has a way of slipping through our fingers.

I have done the same thing with myself. I go all day forgetting to drink a sufficient amount of pure, clean water. Reaching instead for morning coffees and afternoon sodas. And it shows. Because I start to droop. My vibrancy diminishes. I become sluggish, irritable and have a hard time thinking clearly. I think I’m just tired and want to call it a day. But really, I’m dehydrated. There’s no living water flowing through my system.

But tomorrow… tomorrow I will do better. I know it’s important. So starting tomorrow…

… and we all know how that scenario plays out. If you wait until you are actually thirsty, your body is crying out because it is already dehydrated. You need to be intentional with supplying your body with life-supporting water on a regular basis.

The same can be said about our spiritual health and well-being.

Are you feeling tired, even exhausted in your service? Is your passion for your calling lackluster? And not quite as alive and vibrant… are you feeling dry, even drained?

Do you wait until you’re in the mood to pray? Do you wait until you are thirsty for His Word before you read your Bible? (Didn’t I just read something from it the other day; or was that last week?) Have you lapsed from hanging out with other Christian believers? Has church become more duty and less about worship? Time sure has a way of slipping through our fingers. But you need to do all these things on a regular basis. And just watch and see your service to the Lord and others be revived! It can happen in just a day. It can happen this very day! 

Just as your body needs food and drink, work and play on a regularly scheduled basis, so your soul requires intentional attention in order to function properly. Like my plants, it doesn’t work to let them go so dry and then try to pour as much as possible into one quick, catch-up moment.

For peak performance, maintain consistent connection with the Lord through daily prayer, His Word, and fellowship with other believers.

Read your Bible, pray every day - and you’ll grow, grow, GROW!

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬ 

Walk in it

 “Take a good look at God’s wonders - they’ll take your breath away. He converted sea to dry land; travelers crossed the river on foot. Now isn’t that cause for a song?” - Psalm 66:5 MSG

Take a close look at this verse. They walked - on foot - across the dried up riverbed. No running, screaming, hurrying, with arms flailing…

They walked. They probably looked all around, taking in the awesome, unbelievable sight. The walls of the life-threatening, death-defying waters held back until all were safely on the other side.

Have you ever faced such a “wall” and thought, “There’s no way…”

Have you been on a rough stretch of road?

Then, oh wow, do I have the God for you!

“Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles He performs for His people!” - Psalm 66:5 NLT

God doesn’t completely remove the terrifying circumstance. Why, you’d miss the display of His awesome power - these are His opportunities to reveal Himself to you in miraculous ways. So you can personally experience His unbelieveable, unimaginable greatness.

Take the time to live in it. Don’t panic. Open your eyes to Him. See Him for Who He really is. Walk in it. Be amazed by it. No need to rush through it. Do not be afraid. But stand in awe… take a look around - the Lord is near. 

“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” - Psalm 18:19 NIV

“Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; His holy arm has shown His saving power!” - Psalm 98:1 NLT

Come, Jesus, come…

Or should I say: you have to come… to Jesus… messy.

You can not wait until everything calms down. Or when you think there’s a lull. And then it really isn’t so you keep plowing ahead telling Jesus, “Soon!” Soon - I will have time. Soon I will be presentable. Not so harried looking. Not so distracted. Not juggling so many things. When things calm down, Lord, we will have a nice visit and I will be able to praise You as I should. Just give me a chance to clear my schedule. And fix a few things before I come before You. I want to look nice and feel good and be fully ready for a nice visit. I don’t want to burden You with any complaints or grumbling. No. That’s not the way to treat someone as special as You. Let me just clear a few things up and I will come with a happy face to make You smile and be pleased with me. I want to look nice for You. I’ll just finish up today’s to-do list and by this evening, I will have a clear mind and some spare time for prayer.

Sound familiar?

And we know what usually happens, right? We fall asleep after working so hard to make everything happen smoothly and successfully and… done. 

Oh, my dear child, says the Lord. I’ll take you any way I can get you. Scruffy. Whiny. Distressed. Scrambled. Sit with Me in the midst of all of that and I will make a place for peace. A time for breath and sighing and releasing all that heavy burden you carry. A real rest. Come. Now. As you are. Empty. Or too full of other things. Off kilter. Or grasping. Whatever it is. Wherever your head is at - I can make space for something better. But you must come to Me. You must let Me in…

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (Hymn by Joseph Hart, 1712)

 

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, 
weak and wounded, sick and sore; 
Jesus ready stands to save you, 
full of pity, love, and pow'r. 

2 Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
true belief and true repentance,
every grace that brings you nigh.

3 Let not conscience make you linger, 
nor of fitness fondly dream; 
all the fitness He requireth 
is to feel your need of Him. 

4 Come, ye weary, heavy laden, 
lost and ruined by the fall; 
if you tarry till you're better, 
you will never come at all. 

5 Lo! th'incarnate God, ascended, 
pleads the merit of His blood; 
venture on Him, venture wholly; 
let no other trust intrude.

A fresh encounter

The apostles all heard it. And from a woman. They probably didn’t believe her but I bet her face shone like the sun; shone like Moses’ did when he encountered God on the mountain. So there might have been a flicker of curiosity in them. But Mary, she was changed forever.

She was changed at her very first encounter with Jesus. He healed her from all those demons that demanded her attention and distracted her. She was healed and her life shifted to following Him. Forever grateful. And now set on staying close to Him. I bet during those years of following Him, with all that He had said and done; with every experience of walking close to Him, turning to Him, keeping her eyes on Him - she changed and grew in faith and love. I have to believe she became softer and gentler with herself and others. More gracious. More understanding. Living in the presence of His example.

I wonder, as she watched Him die, if she thought about all He had taught her and how He loved her, included her, interacted with her, and nurtured her into such a loving, caring person - was she grasping every detail in her memory, thinking she will not encounter Him again?

But wait…

“Come and see…”, says the angel. Matthew 28:6

Heart stopping amazing!

And then He appears before her. Some translations imply she even grabs His feet.

He is here!

Can you imagine what she is thinking now?

He sees me! He remembers me! He knows me and speaks to me! He even calls me by my name! John 20:16

Because He is risen! Risen for all time. Even our time. And your endearing relationship with Him can carry on into eternity.

Go! And tell the others. Matthew 28:10, Mark 16:7, Luke 24:9, John 20:2 They all record this message…

Jesus is alive! And you can renew your relationship with Him. Even now. Your relationship with Him can continue being nurtured by Him. It wasn’t just for Mary, the disciples, and those living in those biblical times when He was first present.

Yes! Jesus is alive and He longs for you. Longs for sweet fellowship with you too.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” - Matthew 28:10

Jesus says, “They will see Me…”

And may your face shine like the sun!