The Resting Place

Rerouted

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114

Over the years, my husband and I have been avid fans of Southern Gospel music. We have attended many concerts and are always impressed by the down-to-earth and approachable spirit of the Southern Gospel community of singers. Their music is always uplifting, encouraging, and spiritually inspiring. We have felt a strong connection to these groups and the music they bring to the stage, much of which includes the old hymns. Because of the connection we have to Southern Gospel music, our hearts were broken over the tragic loss of some of our favorite gospel singers a few months ago.

On July 26, 2024, a small plane carrying the Southern Gospel singing group, The Nelons, crashed near Gillette, Wyoming. Jason Clark, his wife, Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, their assistant, Melodi Hodges, and the plane’s pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Lisa Haynie all perished. The group’s destination was Seattle, WA, where The Nelons were scheduled to join the annual Gaither Alaskan Homecoming Cruise for a week of ministering in song to all guests aboard the ship. The others on board the plane, all friends, planned to have a fun, relaxing, and spiritually uplifting cruise.

The lone surviving member of The Nelons singing group, Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not on the plane but was scheduled to meet her family in Seattle that same day. Instead, when Autumn and her husband arrived, they were given the devastating news of the crash. Autumn, who was pregnant with her first child, learned that she had lost her entire family in the plane crash.

Knowing how the Southern Gospel singers are like one big family, it was apparent that the news of this tragedy devastated everyone who knew and loved The Nelons. While the grief is unimaginable, we know that Autumn and her family have always ministered through their strong faith in Christ. We pray for His peace and comfort to envelop Autumn in the days, months, and years ahead.

A week before the fatal plane crash, The Nelons released a new single, “There’s A Hole In The Heart of America,” written by Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin. It’s a timely song that speaks to the need for Jesus in this country. It didn’t take long for this song to fly to the top of the Gospel music charts.

With all of The Nelons successes and deep commitment to reaching others for the Lord Jesus, and at the height of their careers, for reasons we will never understand, their destination was rerouted to Heaven. They planned to fly to Seattle and join the cruise, but God had another plan. Even though they are gone from this earth, their music and ministry have left an indelible mark on the Southern Gospel community, and their absence is deeply felt. Almost six months later, there is still a hole in the hearts of those who loved and admired Jason, Kelly, Amber, Nathan, Melodi, Larry, and Lisa. As in the song’s message, we trust that God will continue to fill the hole in many hearts due to this tragedy.

In the weeks following the plane crash, I listened to many of The Nelons songs. I also watched reels and videos, interviews, and podcasts. I found comfort in knowing that according to their faith in Jesus Christ and how they proclaimed Him to others on and off stage, those who perished are now in His presence. I learned that six of the seven killed in the crash were members of Roopville Road Baptist Church in Roopville, GA. I watched the most God-honoring homegoing services via livestream for six of the seven who perished. Since then, I have regularly tuned in to the Sunday morning worship service from RRBC via recorded livestream sometime during my week. Through these services, I have been blessed beyond measure. RRBC would definitely be my home church if I lived near Roopville, GA. But, since I live several states to the west, I am thankful that modern technology allows me to watch at my convenience. In addition to my home church here in Texas, I am grateful to receive added spiritual nourishment from this faraway church. Through the sadness of this tragedy, no doubt many have been blessed as I have by these ongoing services.

As I write this blog post, I remember the words from Babbie Mason’s song “Trust His Heart,” which says, “God is too wise to be mistaken; God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand–when you don’t see his plan–when you can’t trace his hand, trust his heart.” We never know what is around the bend for us. But because we have access to the God of hope, we can rest in His promises to always be with us. He is available to help us through anything we may face because there is never a disruption in the communication lines to His heart.

In Memory: Jason Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, Nathan Kistler, Melodi Hodges, Larry Haynie, and Lisa Haynie – July 26, 2024

Prayer: Dear God, sometimes it is tough to put into words what we are feeling. I want to thank You for being our comfort and song in the night. Sometimes life is difficult, but how thankful we are that we never have to go through it alone. Thank You for the Nelons’ music and the godly legacy they left. We believe You will do great and mighty things through this tragedy. We don’t know what they are, but we wait expectantly, trusting that Your plan is always for our good and Your glory. Please bring healing to all family members and friends of these seven individuals who are now in Your presence. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s All Good

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Roman’s 8:28 NIV

Recently, my husband and I attended the memorial service of a longtime friend and dear brother in Christ. Paul was a man to be admired. He was a Marine Corps veteran from the Vietnam era, a wonderful husband to Debbie (my dear friend), a deeply loved father to Donny and Jill, and a treasured grandfather to Sophia and Olivia. He was a man who loved God and his family deeply–a great provider who lived a life of positivity, even though life was not always easy. Paul was an encourager to military vets who suffered from PTSD and was instrumental in helping them assimilate back into a stable lifestyle. He made lasting friendships and served them as long as he was physically able. He is now missed by so many who knew and loved him.

One of Paul’s hobbies was jewelry making. I will always cherish the sterling silver cross necklace with a turquoise stone in the middle of the cross that Paul made and gifted me many years ago. He was a kind man who was also a master at building large model ships.

During Paul’s Homegoing service, his son, Donny, spoke with deep love and unashamed affection for his dad. Those in attendance were touched as Donny relayed how Paul taught him and his sister many life lessons. Donny said his dad never spanked him or his sister, but he used other teaching methods, all of which were done with great kindness. One example was conflict resolution. I won’t go into details, but according to Donny, Paul had a clever way of getting him and his sister to mend their differences. In their everyday life, Donny shared that Paul repeatedly used a key phrase with three powerful words when dealing with any issue that might arise: “It’s all good!” No matter the family circumstances, pain, suffering, or challenges, Paul looked at life through a spiritual lens, trusting God and believing that He was in control. “It’s all good.” Paul lived life in this manner while teaching his family these qualities.

In his message to those attending Paul’s memorial service, Pastor Ross Hartsfield spoke of Paul and his faith. At the end of his heartfelt and on-point message, he said: “If Paul were here today and could tell you what he is presently experiencing, I know he would say the following: “It’s all true!” Here on earth, Paul adopted the mindset, “It’s all good!” He was the son of a Baptist preacher in Pittsburgh, PA. He was taught about Jesus at an early age and invited Him to be Lord of His life. Paul had been heavenly-minded on earth, knowing that whatever he was experiencing paled in comparison to the promise of what was to come when he left this earth. But when Paul stepped into eternity, his faith became sight. All that he had ever hoped for and believed was before him, even more beautiful than he could have imagined.

I pray that we will all be so heavenly-minded that we don’t let the troubles and trials that come our way here on earth block the assurance that one sweet day, when we are past the trials and heartaches of this life, we will see first-hand that it has been worth it all. Then we can say with great excitement, “It’s all good because it’s all true!”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Giver of Life, and we are in Your hands. I thank You for fellow believers like Paul and Debbie. Thank You for the meaningful lessons that touched our hearts at Paul’s memorial service. I will forever remember these two phrases, “It’s all good,” and “It’s all true.” Help us to live in such a way that others will be able to see Jesus in us as we did in Paul. We thank You for being our constant source of strength and faith. Forgive us when we fail You or slack off from serving You. That is not our desire. We love and thank You for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. I pray this in His name. Amen.

Shaping The Moments

photo of child reading holy bible

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

A few months ago, we had a valued guest pastor at church. Dr. Richard Ross previously served as a student pastor for over 30 years, still volunteers with youth and their parents in his home church, and is a seminary professor who is teaching the next generation of pastors. His powerful message shed light on the truth of God’s Word regarding the importance of godly parenting. Dr. Ross said: “You can’t outsource your children’s spiritual development to the church; it is pointless. Parents must shape spiritual moments in the home, with the church coming alongside to help. Your child’s most important purpose for being on the earth is to live for the glory of God. Wanting them to have an education, play sports, stay busy with activities, become successful adults, be kind to others, etc., is great. There’s nothing wrong with those things. But, again, your child’s most important purpose for being on the earth is to live for the glory of God. All else is secondary.”

By the time the message was over, I was shedding tears for family members who are currently not living for the glory of God. I thought about what we, as parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, can do to help shape our moments with these precious ones God has given us. More than anything else, I believe our most significant responsibility is to pray unceasingly for them. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly, but it is a commitment we must uphold with all our hearts. Prayer is powerful! We can always have confidence in God’s Word and know He hears and answers each one we lay at His feet.

Every Saturday morning, I meet with some sisters in Christ who are faithful prayer warriors. One of the prayer points we have is for our grandchildren. From preschool to college, these young ones are in our hearts and minds daily as they head off to school. Today, as I reflect on these prayer points, I continue to pray that their mind, body, and spirit will always be protected under the umbrella of God’s love and guidance. The very BEST we can do is to cover them in our daily prayers, continue showing them unconditional love, and always strive to be good examples and spiritual role models for them.

Following is what my sisters in Christ and I have been praying together for over a year:

  1. Pray for their physical, spiritual, and emotional health
  2. Pray that they will be successful in all academics at school
  3. Pray that God will put good people in their paths and they will choose godly friends
  4. Pray that they will have successful interactions with all teachers and students
  5. Pray against the schemes of the enemy, such as bullying and unhealthy relationships
  6. Pray that by their actions, they will shine for Jesus in their classrooms
  7. Pray that their parents will teach biblical principles in their home, that faith in Christ will result, that they will understand they are here on earth to live for the glory of God, and that they will ALWAYS look at life’s decisions through the spiritual lens of God’s Holy Word

Based on the thoughts from Dr. Ross’s message, I have added #7 to the prayer points above. Perhaps many of you will want to begin praying fervently for your children and grandchildren. Maybe you’ll develop your own prayer points for those special ones in your life. If you have already been doing this, please do not give up or stop! One thing I know for sure is that we will never go wrong by praying. We serve a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we can imagine. His is a BIG kind of love, and He has a good plan for us and our family.

I pray that each of you will shape the moments you spend with your family for the glory of God. We all need a loving relationship with Jesus. Some have found it sooner than others, but by no means will we ever give up on their salvation. Nothing is impossible with God. Until our prayers are answered on their behalf, we will keep knocking on Heaven’s door.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, there is none like You! You are big enough to rule this mighty universe yet small enough to live within our hearts. We continue to hear about miracles of salvation through Christ, and our hearts are overjoyed. Nothing is impossible for You! We petition You on behalf of our family members who do not know You. Please help them lay aside the things of this world that blind them to the truth of Your Word. If only they could understand what love and peace You bring. Today, we humbly ask that You save them before it is too late. We know You can do it, but they must make the choice. Stir their hearts to seek Your truth. Thank You for loving us and allowing us to come before You anytime, day or night. We have full assurance that You hear us and are answering in Your timing and for Your glory. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is Bigger Than Our Pain

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ESV

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV 

After what is often a long and hot summer here in Texas, we always look forward to the cooler weather that Fall brings and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. For most of us, it’s an exciting time of year. Yet, many are left lonely, with only memories of their long-ago family gatherings and the sights and sounds of years gone by. That realization alone weighs heavy on my heart each year. 

Honestly, October and November have been extra challenging months for me this year. I won’t list all the reasons, but some of the biggies are that my husband and I have lost people near and dear to us. We have also had family members and friends who were, and still are, facing some type of grief and uncertainty in their lives. A couple of nights ago, our neighbor and friend passed away suddenly. Steve was only 61 years of age. This unforeseen event has brought a time of sadness and of doing what we can to help his wife, Vino. Since we have suffered great loss, our hearts are extra sensitive to those who are going through such traumatic times.

Even though these unwanted life events seem to have encircled us these past few weeks, we continue to experience God-given and beautiful, heartwarming moments with family and friends. Seeing the joys and innocence of the little ones who grace our lives is like a good dose of medicine for whatever ails us. We are surrounded by a lot of deep love, much thankfulness and joy, and we never fail to give God credit for how He works. I don’t know how He does it, but He specializes in bringing joy in the midst of pain as He shows us a new way forward through faith in Christ. 

We all face challenging days or seasons, for we cannot avoid them. But, of all the things I may or may not know about our Heavenly Father, the one thing that I do know is that He is always with us, and He will never, ever leave us. His Word is full of this very promise. His love and care are exquisite, and He walks every path we take. He is with us in the good times and those times of trials, sorrow, grief, and pain. He overwhelmingly loves you and me! As believers in Christ, we must unequivocally hold on to the hem of His garment, for it is there where we find the strength to go on. 

If you are going through a difficult time, please reach for the nail-scarred hand of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He will meet you right where you are and give you the strength to carry on in His name. There’s no better place to be. His arms are strong, and His love is deep. He is and will always be so much bigger than our pain.

PRAYER:  Father God, we love You and are so thankful for the opportunity to be still before You. You alone are worthy of our praise. During these challenging times in which we live, please reach the world with Your Son, Your Spirit, and Your Christlike love, which can only be exhibited by those of us who profess Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Be with those far and near whose hearts are breaking from loss and uncertainty. We know that You can give comfort and peace like no other. Place Your representatives in the path of those burdened and downtrodden with a load of care. Please use them to encourage and lift high the name of Jesus Christ. I pray this in His name, the name above all names. Amen.

“Yes, I Do!”

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 ESV

These days, there are untold numbers of reels and short videos available to watch online on just about any subject a person might be interested in. Some of these short videos/reels are funny, some are frightening, and others are pretty far-fetched. But some can be worthwhile to watch. I try to focus on those with uplifting messages and Christian values, i.e., Christian music, favorite Christian preachers, speakers, church services, etc. It isn’t because I’m perfect; perhaps I have learned through what little wisdom I have that what I watch, read, or listen to feeds into my mind. These days, my heart longs for positive and uplifting messages that benefit my spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus, and I often gain encouragement and inspiration from this type of “soul food.”

Today, I was watching a short video that troubled me greatly. A man stood in a mall area, then a grocery store, asking passersby a straightforward question: “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” Over and over, he asked the question. While some folks did answer in the affirmative, many more answered, “No!” Seeing so many people rejecting Jesus was heartbreaking. Their responses tell us that millions of lost people live in this world, and there is still much work to be done in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. As I watched the video, one striking observation stood out: those who expressed no belief in Jesus were rude to the man, while those who professed faith in Jesus appeared noticeably happier. Some even hugged the man, a perfect stranger. This stark contrast was a powerful reminder that a life dedicated to Jesus is worth living, both in the present and for the promise of eternity in Heaven. The joy found in the heart of a Christ follower is a testament to the transformative power of faith in Him, and it should ignite a sense of hope and inspiration in our own spiritual journey.

I often think about how those who don’t know Jesus live. They are caught up in culturalism, materialism, and other areas of life that distract them from things of a spiritual nature. They have no regard for the things of faith, and many despise those of us who do. But I am reminded of two things: First, I shouldn’t place spiritual expectations on those who have no idea what it is like to walk with Jesus. They only know the things of this world that do not feed their soul. Second, except for the grace of God, there go I. All who have been redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ have been where they are. Lost. Knowing this should motivate us all the more to share His love and our faith with others. It is up to us to be ready and available for the task God has for us to do on His behalf. Time grows shorter and shorter as each day passes.

Even today, I stand amazed that God loved me enough to send Jesus to die a substitutionary death on the cross for my sins and the sins of all mankind. That He would love us that much is hard to comprehend, but we trust the truth of His Word, believing that it will bring life, hope, and joy now and always. My prayer remains for those who do not yet know Jesus, that their hearts will be turned toward a kind and loving God who has a perfect plan for their life, and if they are ever again asked, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” they will reply with a resounding, “YES, I DO!”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, only You could have changed our “No” into a “Yes!” Yes, because we acknowledge that we are firm believers in Jesus Christ. We have asked Him to be the Lord of our lives and want to serve Him with all that is within us. May we ask ourselves: “If we don’t share the love of Jesus Christ with the lost, then who will?” Father, we do not serve You, thinking that we will gain brownie points on Your check-off list for entrance into Heaven; we do not serve You to bring glory to ourselves or to have bragging rights for some great work we feel that we’ve done in Your name. Instead, help us to realize that our righteous deeds are as filthy rags compared to who You are. May we never forget that we were once lost, just like those who have not yet found the hope and peace of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Help us to reach out to others with love, sincerity, and humility. We are thankful that the peace and joy found in knowing Jesus makes a home in the depths of our hearts, and we desire that others will discover this gift from You, too. I pray all these things in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Representing The Lord

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

Yesterday, while reading from the Book of Philippians, I saw some notes written along the page margins in my Bible. No doubt, the points I had listed were from a previous message by one of my pastors or Bible Study teachers. Upon reading them again, I felt compelled to write and share a few thoughts on how we can represent the Lord as we serve Him day by day.  Following are the four points I had written in my Bible:

When serving the Lord:

1. Start where you are. 

2. Use what you have.

3. Do what you can. 

4. God will do the rest. 

Now, some thoughts on these four:

Start where you are. Most of us will never live on a foreign mission field, but we can serve God right where we are. Each of us has some sphere of influence in our little corner of the world. Look around, and you’ll see that God wants to work right where you are. It might be family, neighbors, friends, or strangers, but you can be certain that He wants to use you for the good of others. 

Use what you have. You may think that you don’t have any spiritual gifts, but you would be wrong. God has gifted each of us in more ways than we can imagine. We only use a fraction of what He wants to do in and through us. He will not waste the gifts He’s given us; we just have to be willing to let Him lead. If we allow it, He will develop those qualities in us that run parallel to His perfect plan for our lives. He will always be beside us and will help us to use our gifts for the benefit of others and Himself.

Do what you can. All of us have the potential to make a difference in someone else’s life. It may be that you need to help a neighbor in some way or perhaps take a little extra time to prepare a warm meal or treat for someone you know. Your smile may be all that’s needed to cheer someone who is having a difficult day. You NEVER know what another person is going through. Most of us are good at hiding those types of things, so remember to share your smiles and positive words with ALL whose paths you cross in the daily traffic lanes of your life. Let others always see the Author and Finisher of your faith in all that you do. 

God will do the rest. God is faithful and will always show Himself strong on our behalf. He will place others in our lives and use us for His good purposes. I am continually amazed at how the Holy Spirit prompts us to serve someone in ways that are specific only to them. He will lead us and only needs our availability. Nothing more.

Wherever you are today, you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God. He created you and me for a relationship with Himself and service to others. I see no better time to show Christ’s love to others than right now, for these unprecedented times have caused much anxiety among the masses. People need the Lord Jesus! There is no better way to make Him known than by serving others. Start where you are, let him take the reins, and be blessed in serving Him! It is the BEST thing you can do!! 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You created us by Your great hand, and I will forever stand amazed at Your strength, wisdom, grace, and mercy! Father, as we go about our daily lives of serving You and lifting the name of Jesus high, I humbly ask that You lead us to those who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. May we always live to serve You and others more and more each day. Thank You for loving us like You do. We pray for those who don’t know You. May we be the vessel who points them to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Crossroads of Life

photo of pathway surrounded by fir trees
Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Roman’s 8:28 NIV

Recently, I heard a lady share her story of God’s love, grace, protection, redemption, and restoration. One only needed to hear about the changes that have taken place in the heart of this dear sister to see and believe first-hand that God had a good plan for her life. Despite the harm others had caused, out of the ashes of her hopeless situation, a beautiful child of God has arisen—one who seeks His perfect will and guidance, and leans solely on the everlasting arms of Jesus. What amazing, transformative work our Lord has done in the life of someone who now serves Him with such deep passion!

Life can sometimes be full of pain and sorrow, twists and turns that we don’t see coming. Even now, there is no doubt that some of you reading this devotional have been scarred by trauma from your past. Or, you could be going through some rugged places at this moment, such as financial difficulties, health issues, or relationship problems. You may not understand why God has allowed you to endure such a hard thing, like the loss of a loved one or a personal crisis. I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. However, I do know Someone who does. Please allow me to share from personal experience what faith in God, through Jesus Christ, has done for me. Rest assured that He wants to do the same for you.

Long ago, I stood at a crossroads—a “Crisis of Belief,” a moment of decision where I had to choose whether to continue living with the pain of my past or to forgive and move forward. I had a choice to leave the hurts from my past behind or allow them to continue eating away at me until I was of no use to my Lord or anyone else. I’m so thankful for the wisdom God gave me to choose the path of forgiveness —for since that time, He has been my constant source of strength, comfort, and peace. He has given me a good life of loving and serving Him. Over the years, I’ve gone through hard places, failed Him miserably at times, suffered unimaginable heart pain, and not always given Him my best. The Good News is that through it all, Jesus has never left me or let my hand slip out of His firm grip of grace and mercy. I stand amazed that His heart was always for me. He has been there to correct and redirect me, and I am eternally thankful. What a comfort it is to know that He is always watching out for me and will never let me go. I can never thank Him enough for caring so much for me.

Today, if you are experiencing a season of uncertainty, pain, sorrow, or anxiety about your future, please remember that God holds your future in His hands and wants to use your experiences to bring you closer to Himself. He does not waste any of the good or bad things that happen in our lives but will use every aspect for His good purposes. He will restore your heart in ways you could never dream of. You will never again want to rely on anyone or anything else above Him but on the sure certainty of His love and protection. He does not change; therefore, you can always depend on Him. God’s plan for your life is so much bigger than what you can see. His Word promises that you will never be alone, regardless of your circumstances. He will always help you maneuver whatever you are going through. He is only a whisper away and is always as close as the mention of His name.

During those times when we don’t understand which way to go, let us remember that we are never alone. God’s promises, found in His Holy Word, are steadfast, reliable, and a testament to His faithfulness. They provide a secure foundation for our lives, instilling us with confidence and hope. As He did for the young lady whose testimony I spoke of above, He also has a good plan for each of us and will help us choose the path that is best for us, and most pleasing to Him.

I’m so thankful that we have a constant source of strength and hope in our lives. Jesus stands ready to meet us at our crossroads of life and change us from the inside out if only we allow Him to.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness and care for Your children will forever amaze me. Your transformative power is beyond our comprehension, but we thank You for being willing to love us that much. Forgive us when we don’t give You our best. Help us not to be caught up in the things of this world; rather, may we depend on You for everything we think, say, and do. Thank You for loving us as You do, enough to send Jesus to die in our place. We deserved death, but in LOVE, You made a way for us to get to You through our faith in Jesus Christ. Help us strive daily to live a life that is pleasing to You, guiding and directing us in all things. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Plans

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t speak with my sister over the telephone. Even though Peggy and I live six hours apart, we remain thankful for our ability to freely communicate over the phone as often as possible. During our daily conversations, we never fail to ask each other, “What are your plans for tomorrow?” Following the question, we will then take turns sharing what’s on our agenda for the next day. Some days are more eventful than others, but we always have plans.

It is good to make plans for the future, but let us always hold our plans out to God with an open hand, remembering that He is ultimately in charge and may change our course whenever He sees fit. We must trust Him for the outcome because He is wise, and His plans will always work out for our good and His glory. He wants to lead us and help us to stay on the right path. But, we must be willing to give Him authority over our lives through faith in Jesus Christ. When we do, we will have full assurance that He will lead us in the direction that is best for a steady and meaningful relationship with Him. His ways and His plans are simply the BEST.

The verse of Scripture from Proverbs, Chapter 19, shown above, serves as a reminder that even though we make our plans, it is God who holds the Master Plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11, also shown above, assures us that God’s plan for our lives is filled with hope, His goodness, and a future like nothing we can imagine.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and You are very wise. You created us, and every need we have is known to You. Because of Your great love for us, You have planned for our past, present, and future in ways known only to You. You have given us the freedom to choose whether or not we want to include You in our daily choices, decisions, and spiritual guidance. Forgive us when we try to carve a path on our own, for we have no strength or wisdom without Your help. Thank You for loving us and guiding us each day. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 

Let Go, Let God

“When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19 ESV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV

There are times in each of our lives when we experience moments of uncertainty and anxiousness. Because we live in an imperfect world with troubles and trials, it is impossible to avoid such times, for they come to us all. I’ve recently had some of those moments, but I want to share what I’ve found works for me—how I can remain calm and peaceful, even amid uncertainty. It is found in the meaning of the phrase above, “Let Go, Let God.”

I find comfort in knowing that God is aware of every anxious moment we experience in life. By letting go of anxiety and letting God shoulder our burdens, we will never have to walk through our circumstances alone. He knows what we need and stands ready to help us. He is as close as the mention of His name, always meets us at the point of our need, sees us when we feel otherwise unseen and brings peace to our chaos. He desires that we trust in Him to be the calm in our storm, a protective shelter of safety, and the strong shoulder we lean on. His care for us will never fail, for His Word assures us that He will never leave us. 

Indeed, life can sometimes be tough, but tough times never last. As we invite Jesus into our situation, believing that His wonder-working power will help us through, we will realize that each new day is a gift from above. We are then able to trust that our light and momentary troubles are working out for our good and His glory. 

To those who are reading this, please understand that God loves you more than you will ever know. He wants to walk beside you through each season of your life, and He wants to bear your burdens as you continue looking heavenward, trusting Him in faith. Be assured that when you call upon Him, you will begin to experience a deep peace that only He can give. I promise you this. Why? Because He’s done it for me countless times over the years. This I know—He will be forever faithful.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, without You we could do nothing. Without You, we would surely fail. You are an awesome God! Thank You for making a way for us to one day experience the joys of Heaven through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Thank You for being with us through every trial we face in this life. Thank You for assuring us that our trials will not last and that it is through these times that our faith and trust in You grows even more. We love You and can never thank You enough for loving us so unconditionally. Help us to shine for Jesus with each new day. I pray this in His name. Amen. 

Baby Dedication and Faith in Jesus

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ESV

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 ESV

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NLT

“So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.” I Samuel 1:28 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

Many years ago, my daughter Shelly was dedicated to the Lord Jesus at the age of thirteen weeks. Her dad and I felt that dedicating our precious baby girl to the Lord was a great way to show how seriously we took responsibility for her spiritual care. For this momentous occasion, we returned to our hometown from the Texas coastal city where we lived. Shelly’s dedication to the Lord was held in the same church where her dad and I had married sixteen months earlier and where her grandfather had preached for many years before his death.

For any readers who might not be familiar with the practice of baby dedications within a church community, I will explain what it means to dedicate a child to the Lord. While some church denominations in the Christian faith baptize children as infants, other denominations do not. Instead, they dedicate the child to the Lord at a very young age. For a baby dedication, parents come before the church congregation, affirming their belief that every child is a gift from God, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over them and their children, and asking for grace and wisdom as they carry out the responsibilities of their children’s spiritual upbringing. They also come praying that their child might one day trust Jesus Christ as Savior for the forgiveness of sin. It’s a sincere gesture on the part of parents as they symbolically give God’s gift, their child, back to the Lord to be used for His good purposes. The church community plays a crucial role in this process, as they commit to support and pray for the parents and the child and to also help in the child’s spiritual upbringing. This is what Shelly’s dad and I did on that special day. Unfortunately, three years later, due to no fault of my own, I found myself divorced from Shelly’s dad.

Feeling the weight of raising Shelly as a single parent, it was in that challenging circumstance that I trusted the Lord even more to help me care for my little girl. We were very close as mother and daughter, and Shelly grew into a sweet little girl. She was always happy and fun-loving. She loved people and everything about life. Her smile was BIG, and her eyes sparkled so brightly. At the age of nine years, she asked Jesus into her heart to be her Lord and Savior. Shortly after that, she was baptized by immersion, as was the practice of our church denomination.

During her teen years, Shelly became increasingly social and enjoyed many friends. Most were girls and boys who attended our church, but a few of her friends had never been taught about Jesus by their parents and did not have a personal relationship with Him. As the high school years rolled around, it was apparent that some of Shelly’s non-Christian friends had begun to walk a different path than her. One of her friends, Amy, died from a medical issue during her sophomore year of high school. Amy’s death shook Shelly and her friend group to the core. It was their first experience with death in such a real and in-your-face manner. Another non-Christian friend of Shelly’s, who was twice her size, became verbally abusive to Shelly, even to the point of threatening to cause physical harm to her. This was an immensely challenging time for Shelly and me. I was very relieved when Shelly escaped this situation a few weeks later. Thankfully, she and her “friend” parted ways without the physical trauma we were expecting, but were praying wouldn’t happen.

What I’ve shared above are only two of many instances where I saw God’s hand of protection over Shelly during her formative years and beyond. I believe it started with the faithfulness of two imperfect young parents who humbly brought her to be dedicated to the Lord. There’s just something about symbolically giving these precious gifts back to the Lord. This action indicates that a person is willing to LET GO and LET GOD, as they assume some BIG spiritual responsibilities.

Over the years, even during times of struggles, I always kept myself and my sweet daughter connected to the church, for I knew it was there where we would find the needed strength to maneuver life on earth as well as sustain bright hope for our eternal life to come. At church, we experienced solid biblical teaching and a Christian community flowing with God’s love. We both loved Jesus deeply. I am grateful for the teachable moments God provided and for the spiritual nuggets related to our mutual Christian faith that I was able to share with Shelly. I am thankful to have made good on my promise to God. It wasn’t perfect, but it was sincere.

Many years have passed since Shelly’s baby dedication. She is now in Heaven, but I thank God for these special memories that ran through my mind during my prayer time two days ago. The memories passed by while I was praying for Shelly’s 12-year-old daughter, my granddaughter, Sophie, who has recently begun a new school year as a 7th grader. As I did for Shelly, I pray that the Lord will continue to protect Sophie because she, too, was brought forth by her parents and dedicated to the Lord at an early age. As it was with her mother, Sophie accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at the age of nine years and was baptized by immersion a few weeks later. Shelly wasn’t physically present to see it take place, but I know she would be beaming from ear to ear and celebrating that her baby daughter had found Jesus!

I praise God for parents who have dedicated their children and have been instrumental in seeing them come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As I have done through this post, there is no doubt that given the opportunity, many would share God’s faithfulness in watching over their children as they teach them about Jesus. Seeing God’s hand of protection and care for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is a priceless gift.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You created each of us by Your power and from a heart of unimaginable love. We can never thank You enough for providing a way whereby we can live abundantly here on earth and eternally with You in Heaven. I praise You for baby dedications and for parents who will take on the responsibility of teaching their children about Jesus. Please help more young parents understand that their spiritual inactions have deadly eternal consequences worse than anything we can imagine. Bless all children with Your hand of love and give them protection as they grow and learn more about Jesus. I pray this in His name. Amen.

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