Hand in Hand

Christmas and love are tightly woven together, the meaning of each goes hand in hand with the other.  The very essence of God is love, and He graciously chose to reveal His gloriously amazing love to us through His Son, Jesus. God’s divine love came down to make its home among us on the first blessed Christmas morn. His love arrived on the scene in the form of a Baby, humbly born in a stable, nestled and wrapped in a manger, all with the grand purpose of being The Savior of the world. The true spirit and meaning of Christmas is God’s sacrificial love. Christmas and love, they are one and the same.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Invaluable Gift

Recently a friend sent me a message saying I had been on her mind and she’d been praying for me. For reasons yet unknown to me, God placed me in her thoughts prompting her to intercede on my behalf. I am extremely grateful for a friend who heeds the call of God and loves me in this way. As I told my friend, prayers are an invaluable gift both to give and receive, inviting God’s blessing, power, love, and Presence into our lives. Often times, we ask permission to pray for one another—just so you know, there’s no need to ask me. That’s a question to which my reply is always, “yes, please” and “thank you.” Prayers are always welcome and greatly appreciated.

1 Timothy 2:1, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—"

Your Kind of Love

Lord, help me to love with Your kind of love. Help me to love generously and graciously, overlooking faults and flaws, overcoming grudges and hurts. Help me to love sincerely from the bottom of my heart, with pure motives of goodness towards those in my path. Help me to love fearlessly with no apprehension or reservations, giving my all. Help me to love humbly, putting aside all pride and indignation, caring for the needs of all others first. Help me to love with the same dedication and resolve that You showed, when stopping at nothing, even laying down Your life for my sake. Help me to love like You love Jesus, with lasting and unchanging, faithful and extravagant love.

1 John 4:9, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

Extraordinary Faith

The Bible is filled with stories about regular people like you and me. So, how did they merit a place of such honor as to be remembered and discussed all these thousands of year later? It wasn’t their own capabilities or power. Quite simply, they were ordinary folks with extraordinary faith. The names and the faces that fill the pages of Scripture are those of shepherds, fishermen, tent-makers, seamstresses, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, boat-builders, gardeners, butlers and maids. They dealt with insecurities, and struggled with sin. They were flawed and imperfect people, made perfect in the sight of God only by faith and His amazing grace. Despite their flaws and their failures, they believed God and everything He said to them to be true. When they fell down, they got right back up; when they veered off the path, they got back on track; when they lost their way, they refocused their sights on God. Just like you and me, they messed up from time to time. At times it even appears they took a step or two backwards in their walk with the Lord, but the overall trajectory of their lives was moving forward in faith, holding tightly to the hand of God.  Extraordinary faith is what makes these folks so note-worthy. As we read the stories of those who’ve gone before us, let’s find comfort in knowing we don’t have to earn God’s mercy or grace, we simply need to surrender our lives to Him in child-like faith.

Hebrews 11:1-2, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”

Harvest of Blessings

Gratitude changes everything and everyone.

Planting seeds of gratitude produces an abundant harvest of blessings, with more than enough to go around. Gratitude brings fresh joy to the air; it brings warmth to our hearts; it brings clarity to the sight of our eyes; it alters our perspective with optimistic hope. Gratitude positively affects everyone fortunate enough to be caught up in its path.

Appreciation, gratitude, and thanks—words to live by; words that give life.

Colossians 3:16, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Counting Blessings

Far too often our awareness of the blessings that surround us is dimmed by the difficult circumstances we face. Our focus zooms in on all that is going wrong, eclipsing our view of all that is going right. In spite of hardships, God is always at work. Let’s step back and open our eyes to the abundant blessings God has put in our lives. Let’s be present in this very moment, and take notice and count all the blessings He’s poured and continues to pour out. Let’s ask Him to reveal them to us so that we can give Him thanks. In the process of recounting and praising our Lord, our spirits get lifted and our hearts get filled. Thanksgiving is an official day for thanks, but for our own benefit and to the glory of God, gratitude is meant to be a part of every day. Happy Thanksgiving all year long!

 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Not Forgotten

This week I'm revisiting the life of Hagar (Genesis 16). She is one of my favorite women in Scripture, yet one of the most overlooked persons of faith. For her, life became more than she could bear; it was a weight too heavy to carry. She felt alone and abandoned, but in her time of despair, God spoke to her personally and let her know she was not forgotten. The moment she realized that God saw her, her outlook drastically changed. Hope filled her heart, renewing her desire to press on.

From her story I’m reminded of the tender love, mercy, and grace, and ever-watchful eye of our Father above. From His throne room in Heaven He sees our hearts break. He notices our hardships and the trails we face. Our tears prompt Him to action, and He catches everyone. He tenderly calls our name and says, “I’m right here. When you feel all alone, just open your eyes and you’ll see Me close beside you.” Only when we recognize that God is with us, do we experience His healing, hope, and peace. The real difference in our lives comes when we see that He sees us.

Genesis 16:13, “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'”

Psalm 34:18, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Our Light

Though the world seems to spin out of control, God remains the same. He is our constant source of stability and strength. He is where our hope lies. In the midst of darkness, He is our Light.

James 1:17, “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Covered

As I walked through the park this glorious morning, a wooden structure in the middle of the grass caught my attention. Upon closer investigation, I noticed it was covering a fragile little sprout. Someone had obviously placed this make-shift fortress here to guard and protect the fledgling tree from harm, giving it a chance to establish roots and reach maturity. I immediately saw a parallel between the tree, and God and me. As God’s children, we are all covered with His love and protected by His sturdy strength. Under His attentive care we can sink our roots deep into The Savior, and gain nourishment from the countless promises revealed in His Word. Covered in God’s love we’re able to grow and mature and flourish into all that He has planned. We’re covered from our first moment of belief, until Jesus returns or calls us home. And on that day, seeing Him face-to-face we’ll finally reach our full maturity and stand before Him in perfect completion.

Covered, under the care of God’s watchful eye is where our growth occurs. It’s where we not only survive, but where we fully and abundantly thrive.

Psalm 52:8, “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

A Necessity

Meeting with a group of friends on a regular basis for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship may sound like a frivolous luxury, but for myself it’s a definite necessity. These gatherings hold me accountable, keep me in the Word, and quite honestly, they improve my demeanor making me a nicer girl. Getting together with like-minded women fills me up with God’s goodness, causing me to overflow with His goodness in other areas of my life. God calls us each to journey with Him, but also recommends finding companions for the ride. His desire and design is for us to be in community with others who love Him as much as we do. Ask God to lead you to a group, or send some traveling friends your way. Whenever you all come together, He’ll be there too, right by your side.

Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

In His Hands

This topsy turvy world is full of unpredictable uncertainty, and despite our best efforts and well laid plans, we don’t really know exactly what each day will hold. When chaos comes creeping there’s no need to despair—remember, we know the One who calls light out of darkness, and holds our day in His Hands.

The key to our hope is not in what the day holds, but Who holds the day.

Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; ² for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

Dandelion Prayers

I came across this field full of wishes just waiting to fly; by turning them into prayers I give wings and power to my dreams.

A silly excitement bubbles up inside me whenever I come across a Dandelion. To me it’s a flower that represents hope. When I was a child, I made wishes on them, but through the years I have learned to make prayers on them. You see there is a big difference between wishes and prayers: wishes blow aimlessly in the wind while our prayers are carried on the wings of angels into the throne room of God Almighty. Each time I hold a Dandelion between my fingers, I marvel at how something can be so simple, yet so wondrously complex at the same time.  And as I reflect on the fact that God made this precious flower, I am filled with hope and confidence. I take a deep breath in, fill my cheeks with air, and blow out with a powerful whoosh.  I then watch as the tiny, white, cottony puffs float effortlessly up toward the heavens, whisking my thanksgiving, cares, and prayers upward to God, who receives it all.

Excerpt from my book, "A Daughter of the King."

The Bible uses other descriptions of our prayers reaching God in His throne room.

Revelation 5:8, “Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

Revelation 8:2-4, “And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. ³ Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.”

Easter in My Heart

Many years ago, my Grandma gave me a set of little white coffee mugs, with pastel hearts painted all around.  On the front is a painting of a young girl with pigtails in her hair, and a sweet smile on her face. Her hands are folded in front of her chest, as she kneels before the Lord in prayer. Written in black child-like font, are the words, “Dear Lord, Help me keep Easter in my heart all year.” These mugs are a reminder of a simple and powerful truth. Jesus died not just for one day a year, but for all the days of our life.

 The life-changing thing we must know, that one thing of utmost importance for us to understand, is the sacrificial love and faithfulness of Jesus. He was faithful unto death just to win us back. That’s a truth for us to keep ever-ready on our minds, not just each year when Easter rolls around. It is truly significant for every day. It is a truth to hold onto— It’s meant to greatly impact our lives, our choices, our values, our identity, and our devotion. His loving sacrifice is the truth that turns Easter-time joy into everyday joy.

Gratefully reflect on the sacrifice of the Savior—let it transform your life, today, tomorrow, and all of eternity. 

John 19:28-30, " Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Out It Goes

In His love, Jesus invites us, welcomes us, and receives us just as we are. In His love, He also begins the work of transforming our lives into something much better—something that represents Him well. As we begin anew with Him some things no longer fit—things such as gossip, hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, rage, envy, bad habits, and foul language. Jesus looks at these things that no longer have a place in our lives and says, “out it goes.” Getting rid of the old, makes room for the new—things such as righteousness, holiness, goodness, and purity have a clean heart in which to flourish. So when Jesus decides to purge something out of your life, remind yourself of the abundant blessings that will flow, then agree with Him and say “out it goes.”

Ephesians 4:30-32, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

In Such a Way

Worldly goods do not fulfill the deep yearnings of our hearts, and they were never meant to. Only the love of our Heavenly Savior can truly satisfy our longings, and meet every need of our soul. He created us in such a way as to find complete and lasting contentment only in Him. And for that I am so grateful.

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Rescuing Love

God’s, is a rescuing love. His love was sent direct from Heaven, in the form of His Son. God’s love daily rescues us from the grip of sin, it eternally saves us from the power of death. His love removes our condemnation, through the sacrifice of Jesus. His love accomplished what our hard work could not. No matter how hard we tried, we could never save ourselves; a rescuer was necessary for any hope of being set free. Jesus is our Rescuer, He is our Savior sent from above. He rescues all who believe and ask.

John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Simple Equation

If you’re anything like me, mathematical word equations were not your favorite assignment in school. Problems such as: If the bus drove 57 miles, at 42 mph, with 107 people on board, making 13 stops along the way, what time would the bus arrive at its destination? Dumb-founded, staring at this problem, I would think, who cares?  If I were on the bus I would just ask the driver for an estimation. Fortunately, the equations the Lord gives us are much simpler, easier to understand, and I actually care about the answer—which He clearly spells out for us in His Word. The Bible is our cheat sheet, and answer book, all wrapped up in one.

One of my favorite equations in the Bible is: Love=Hope=Joy

You see, once we comprehend the lavish love that God has for us, our hearts become filled with hope. Once we latch onto the hope we have in the Lord, our lives explode with joy. Joy then, can’t help but overflow to everyone around.

A simple equation—the kind I like!

Psalm 119:30, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

Permission Slip

Looking at the pages of my calendar for the upcoming week there appeared to be scarcely little opportunity for quiet, rest, and dedicated time with the Lord. Just coming out of the holiday season, and the busyness that entails, and the pressing responsibilities looming on the very close horizon, I long for just a little time to reconnect with the Lord—to dig deep into His Presence for refreshment and an anchoring of my soul. Well, God in His goodness has intervened and opened my schedule, though not in a way I would have chosen. It seems I have succumbed to a bad cold, and have had to cancel and reschedule the very things that crowded my calendar. A cold is not usually considered a good thing, but if I let it, it can be used for a very good purpose—a permission slip to be excused from busyness, to sit in quiet, mandated rest with my Savior. As He goes to work healing my body, He is also at work revitalizing my soul. 

Survival Kit

Years ago, fanny packs (little bags people strap around their waist) were all the rage. Although they are no longer considered fashionable, I still choose to wear one every time I go hiking. My fanny pack is black, and roomy enough to hold supplies for any need I may encounter while on the trails. If you peeked inside at the contents, you would most likely find a small tube of sunscreen for reapplication in time times of intense sunshine, used to keep me from getting burned; you would come across a pretty, pink, and very sharp pocket knife which could be used to cut myself free from potential danger. You would also find a small bottle of pepper spray, to be used in encounters with dangerous enemies of various sorts—snakes, mountain lions, and the human kind. There is always a water bottle included to keep me refreshed along my journey, and a granola bar in case I get hungry. Lastly, a cell phone is always tucked neatly inside, in case of emergency I can call out for help.

 I realize this is a strange comparison, but, just as my fanny pack holds my makeshift survival kit, 

The Bible, The Word of God is my real survival kit, not just for the trails, but for everywhere the path of life takes me.

The Word of God shields me when it feels as if the heat is turned up, and I’m faced with daily stresses and pressures, or faced with trials and tribulations.

The Word of God is used to cut me free from the entanglements of sin, bitterness, worry, fear, hatred, anxiety, and more.

The Word of God strengthens me to fight off the enemy and the lies that satan feeds me, by teaching who God is, who I am, and what Truth is.

The Word of God refreshes my soul and invigorates me, so I can keep moving onward.

The Word of God nourishes and sustains me.

The Word of God directs me to my Savior, my Lifeline in times of emergency, and my companion for the journey.

The Word of God is my survival kit.

Welcome Here

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.

I welcome You into my life; I invite You to...

mold and shape me,

inspire and motivate me,

increase my faith,

revive my soul,

comfort my heart,

show me joy through Your perspective,

encourage me and fill me with hope,

teach me Truth,

reveal Your wisdom,

give me knowledge of Your ways,

show me Your will,

guide me on Your path,

draw me closer to You.

Holy Spirit, fill me with all of Your goodness until the point of overflowing.

Holy Spirit I invite You to dwell in the deepest recesses of my heart make me aware of Your powerful Presence.

Holy Spirit, You are surely welcome here.