The Resting Place

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.

A Distant Encounter

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

On the drive to church yesterday, I saw him again. It was the man I had noticed in the same spot a few weeks earlier while stopped at a red light. The first time I saw him, my heart of empathy was stirred. Yesterday was no different. The man was sitting in a wheelchair and had no legs from the knees down. All I could think of was the quote: “I cried because I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet.” Author Unknown

I couldn’t help but wonder how this poor man got to the intersection. There wasn’t a parked car nearby. Someone must have loaded him and his wheelchair up and dropped him off. I wondered how much of the money he receives from passersby would be his. Was he being used by others and promised drugs or alcohol as payment? I pondered on how he might have come to be in such a dire situation and how difficult it must be to maneuver life in his shape. I know he has a story, and I can only imagine it. No doubt, his story begins with deep-down hurt, pain, sorrow, guilt, grief, physical abuse, or rejection. Perhaps this man’s present condition of drug or alcohol abuse is just a cover for his painful circumstances. I believe that past hurt and emotional pain are the origin of much of the homeless population today. Many homeless men and women are the product of their circumstances, perhaps affected by trauma from prior years. Some are military veterans who have been rejected by society and were not correctly cared for or recognized for their service to our country during the war, especially those who fought in Vietnam. Hurt. Pain. Sorrow. Hopelessness. We see it plainly on the faces of the homeless population. The visuals will certainly put things in perspective very quickly. Or that’s the case for me. Please allow me to give an example of the lack of thoughtfulness for others by some in today’s society.

My large neighborhood has a homeowner’s Facebook page specifically for residents. With over 3,000 homes and two different school districts in our sprawling subdivision, this Facebook site is a great place for neighbors to exchange school information and for word-of-mouth recommendations for house painters, contractors, landscapers, and house cleaners, to name a few. It is a valuable communication tool most of the time. However, sometimes, I can’t help but shake my head at some of the posts that go beyond being neighborly. Occasionally, someone starts complaining about something very trivial, which never fails to stir others up. Before you know it, these folks begin sounding like spoiled children. I cringe at some of their gripes and language while wondering where the site’s moderator is. A new Dollar General store was recently built near our neighborhood. It’s not in sight, but one group harped on it for weeks. They thought the neighborhood was ruined and home values would go down. Some agreed that “undesirables” would begin to invade the neighborhood. For the record, I’ve seen none of that and am very thankful that their ship has sailed regarding Dollar General and that this group has moved on to something else. After seeing one of these super negative, whinny posts approximately seven years ago, I thought about how I’d like to say, “Look, people! I’ve just lost my daughter, and you’re complaining about that!” But I didn’t. I rarely comment on anything, but there are times I’d like to. I am certainly not perfect, but I try to keep my Christian witness as honorable as possible.

The stark contrast between the complaints above and the struggles of the amputee in his wheelchair powerfully reminds us of the need for a heightened awareness of those less fortunate than us. It reminds us that we should be more empathetic and less judgmental, appreciating our blessings and showing compassion towards others, no matter their circumstances.

Yesterday, I was reminded that people often take their blessings for granted. I know I’ve done it before, but there’s something about being a seasoned veteran of life where you see the important things because you realize that with what time you have left, you want to leave a positive and loving imprint on your corner of the world. When I saw the amputee in his wheelchair, I realized how blessed I truly am to have lived for many years. Not everyone gets that opportunity. I am in reasonably good health for my age. I don’t have knee or hip problems like many of my friends. Until a couple of months ago, I had not been hospitalized for thirty-plus years. These are excellent reminders of how gratitude for our blessings will make us more appreciative and content in our season of life.

Tonight, I will pray for the man at the intersection. Although he wasn’t even aware that I noticed him, I pray that the Lord will care for him in ways specific to his needs. This man will never know that his distant presence positively affected my life for the second time. It seems strange to say that, but it is true. I have had a note to myself to write something about the man since I first saw him those weeks ago. Since I had not yet been inspired to do so, I believe the Lord reminded me by letting me see the man again at the same intersection. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and gratitude in our lives. It’s not just a call to action but a source of inspiration, inspiring us to appreciate our blessings and show compassion towards others, no matter their circumstances.

While we can’t solve the homeless crisis in America or force others like my neighbors to always look on the bright side of life, we can ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help us be suitable representatives of His love and compassion. He will always place us in the middle of where He is working if we ask Him to. He is good, and He is faithful in using us in ways that are unique to each of us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God and I stand amazed at how You weave our lives together in perfect harmony with Your plan. Please forgive us when we seem too busy to notice the needs of others around us. Thank You for divine appointments, even those where we don’t interact with a person, but You draw our attention to them in such a way as to make a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. Thank You for teaching us from what we have seen. I pray for the man at the intersection, Father that You would show Him Your love and fill Him with Your presence and peace. Help him and countless others like Him to recognize that their help comes from You through the kindness of others. Help us to see them with deep love, just as You do. I pray these things in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Summertime, Darkness, and the Light of Jesus

 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV

As I sat down to write this post, memories of long ago flooded my mind. I grew up on a small farm in East Texas, and for a moment, let’s take a quick trip down “Memory Lane” as I return to the late 1950s when air conditioning was a luxury not many could afford, and sweltering summers often tested our endurance. I’ll share only one example of what summertime was like back then. It is a memory I believe many of us, especially those of us who are more seasoned age-wise, can relate to.

We lived about ten miles from Hemphill, population 800 something. Summers were brutal because most people didn’t have air conditioning, and my family was no exception. I vividly remember being awake much of the night because it was too hot to sleep. Two of my older brothers had their own way of trying to beat the heat. They often slept on two army cots and mattresses strategically placed under the towering pear tree outside my bedroom window. I am not sure being out there helped them sleep any better, but at least they tried.

In addition to the heat, the window screens in my bedroom had a few tiny holes or rips. Soon after the lights were turned off for the night, I would hear the dreaded sound of a mosquito looking for its prey. ME! I wish I could impersonate and translate their sound onto this post, but since I can’t, feel free to use your imagination. All I could do was lie in the darkness, hoping those perky insects would somehow show mercy and pass me by. Between the heat and the mosquito bites, most nights were anything but restful. I have often wondered how my brothers stood the mosquitos, but they may have figured a few bites were no big deal compared to the heat inside the house. I am pretty sure the nights seemed longer and darker for them during summer, just as they did for me.

Now, many years later, it is once again summertime in Texas! What was a cooler and wetter month of May has now transitioned into little or no predicted rain for the foreseeable future. High temperatures and heat indexes are not for the faint of heart here in Central Texas.

Not much has changed for me regarding summer. As it was back in the 1950s, summer is not my favorite time of the year, nor has it ever been.  Knowing there will be no relief from the heat for several months is not what I care to think about, but it is my reality. However, my dislike for hot weather creates a hearty appreciation of air conditioning, swimming pools, ice cream, ice-cold tea, and refreshing lemonade. These silver linings always help to quell the symptoms of my summer anxiety.

There is another drawback that comes as a result of the hot weather. To keep the house cooler, I find it necessary to close most of the window blinds for much of the day. The absence of light coming into my home is one thing I miss when it’s not there. There’s just something about the presence of light that lifts my spirits and seems to give me more energy and alertness. Some people have no problem sitting in a darkened house; I’m just not one of them.

The transition from reliving days gone by–in this case, the sweltering summers of my youth, to that of a spiritual application caused me to draw parallels between the physical light that brightens our homes and the spiritual light that illuminates our souls. Just as we seek relief from the heat through air conditioning and cold drinks, we can find solace and comfort in the light of Jesus, which shines brighter than any physical light, even in the darkest of times.

The verses above, taken from the book of Matthew, remind us that we are called to be a beacon of hope and light in a world that often seems so cold and dark. God’s light will always outshine the darkness and will never be hidden from the world unless we fail to walk in obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, thereby dimming our light for Him. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to become a living presence in us, we cannot help but exhibit the change that has taken place in our hearts. We will want to pass such Good News on to others.

Christian sisters and brothers, we are Christ’s ambassadors, and He calls us to shine brightly for Him. As a community of believers, I pray that we will lovingly pass His light on to others, bringing hope to a world in great need. Our faith is essential in spreading the glorious light of Jesus, and our shared role in this mission is crucial and deeply valued by our Heavenly Father. May our actions and attitudes always reflect the light of Jesus so that others may be drawn to Him through us.

While we continue to manage the heat, I will be thankful for the summer months because every season of life is a wonderful gift! And I will always give thanks for the light of Jesus Christ, which shines brighter than the noonday sun, forever dispelling the darkness of this old sinful world.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the light of Jesus Christ in our lives. Help each one of us to spread that light to others who need salvation, encouragement, hope, and comfort. May we always shine bright for You in everything we say and do. Lead us as we tell others the excellent news of your Son, Jesus. Let this prayer remind us of our responsibility to reflect His light in all areas of our lives. Thank You for caring for us so beautifully. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Safe and Secure

“Oh, that I knew where I might find him.” Job 23:3a (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29 (NIV)

“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” Psalm 130:3 (NIV)

As a young girl, my walk with the Lord was only the beginning of a journey of discovery and growth that would last a lifetime. Saved at 12 years of age, I was like a babe in Christ, with much to learn and understand. In my spiritual immaturity, I struggled to comprehend the depth of God’s love for His children. There were times when I felt my prayers went unheard or that God was too busy to listen to them. Despite my deep love for Jesus, I often saw Him as a distant figure, waiting to punish me for my mistakes.

The doctrine of the church I attended as a child and teenager held to the belief that a person would lose their salvation if they sinned. Even as a young girl, I sure didn’t know how to be perfect! I wanted to feel worthy of God’s love, but it seemed like a losing proposition. Consequently, during the early years after asking Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior, I often found myself in a cycle of guilt and repentance. I would pray countless times to be “re-saved,” not fully understanding the concept of God’s forgiveness and grace. I was bogged down with guilt from my mistakes and found it impossible to live a sin-free life. Mine was a battle I believed was not winnable and a very disheartening way to try and walk with the Lord. It took a long time of living with this “defeatist” type of spiritual struggle before I realized that I had it all wrong and God’s Word had it all right. I learned that I could never attain perfection while here on earth, and that Jesus had died on that old rugged cross only ONCE for my sins and the sins of the world—past, present, and future. He didn’t need to die over and over again so I could be saved over and over again. Once was enough to fulfill God’s plan of redemption for mankind. We can never repay the debt we owe, but in God’s love He sent Jesus to pay a substitutionary debt on our behalf. What a glorious exchange it was!

Make no mistake; we are indeed called to repent of our sins. I John 1:9 gives us the following promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV) Unconfessed sin has no place in the life of a believer because it will hinder our relationship with God and others. Yet, we are all human, and no one on earth has ever been perfect except our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why we must take our walk of faith step by step and day by day. And we must begin our day anew every morning, asking the Lord to “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV) God’s mercies are new every morning, meaning that His forgiveness and love are always available to us. This daily renewal of God’s mercy is a testament to His unfailing love and desire for us to have a close and continuous relationship with Him.

I am eternally grateful that my faith perspective has dramatically changed as I’ve grown in my walk with the Lord over the years. My spiritual growth has been nurtured by the sound biblical teaching of pastors who have rightly divided the Word of God. My daily time in God’s Word involves reading and studying scripture, meditating on its meaning, and applying its principles to my life. Regular conversation with my Heavenly Father reassures me that He hears my prayers and answers them according to His timing, not mine, and for my good and His glory. The journey of my deepening relationship with God has been about learning to trust Him, even when His ways are beyond my comprehension. I know I have far to go, but I am sure of this: God is faithful in leading His children in their quest to know Him. He will never, even for a moment, abandon us or give up on building a solid and lasting relationship with us. He is as close as the mention of His name, always ready and willing to respond to our every prayer.

Realizing that Jesus is not a distant figure but a constant companion who walks with me every step of the way was a profound revelation that I now carry on my journey of walking with Him. Understanding that no one can snatch me out of His hand continues to bring a deep sense of comfort and reassurance as I aspire to become more like Him in all areas of my life.

Today, I pray that all who read this post are being held securely in the loving hands of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If they are, then the same sense of security and peace that I have found in Him no doubt envelops their soul.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are mighty to save, and I thank You for saving this little country girl many years ago. Thank You for Your patience with me as I continue to grow and learn more of Your Word and Your ways. I desire to live in such a way that is pleasing to You. Please lead me to share Jesus with the lost wherever You take me on this journey of life. Help me reach out to others who are struggling in their relationship with You. May they be encouraged to know that nothing is lacking in Your love for them, and may they faithfully walk the path that You have set before them. I pray all these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Strength

“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?—the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.” Psalm 18:31-32. (ESV)

Even as Christians, we are not exempt from experiencing days that leave us spiritually depleted and/or discouraged. When these days come, they will be tailor-made for us by none other than Satan himself.  I Peter 5:8 tells us the following: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (ESV) Satan knows our weaknesses, and he aims to discourage and distract us in any way he can. He wants us to walk around focused on our feelings or circumstances rather than God’s mighty power. The enemy of our soul seeks to render us so spiritually ineffective that we cannot live an abundant life in Christ or share His Good News with others. But we do have a weapon that will always counteract his schemes!

When we find ourselves in the depths of discouragement, we have God’s Word to turn to for strength. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (ESV) Psalm 46:10 is another great promise: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (ESV) Philippians 4:13 assures us, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV) I cannot tell you how many times I have held to this verse of Scripture in my lifetime. I don’t know where I would be had I not relied on these and the many other promises found in God’s Word. He will continually transform our faith and renew our strength as we learn more of what He has to say to us through the Scriptures.

I am very thankful that God’s Word and His never-ceasing care are the assurances we can carry into life’s uncertainties. Amidst the trials and storms of life and the days of discouragement, He is our strength. We declare that we serve an awesome God! He will be with us every step of the way. What we don’t see, He does! When we ponder what the future holds, we can rest knowing that He has it planned for our good and His glory.

Since God’s Word is timeless, and its’ message is as powerful today as it was in the beginning, He will always remain the source of our strength through our unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Relying on God’s strength is the only way we will be successful in fending off times of discouragement. Even when those times come, they won’t last long because we have His ever-present help to move us forward in the right direction. Let us always look to Him for the necessary strength to make it through these difficult days in which we are living. May His Word be our anchor, our guide, and our source of strength today and always.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God who sees and knows our every thought and the weakness of our human frame. None of us are exempt from times of discouragement and weariness. But it is through Your mighty power, love, and mercy that You give us the needed strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Thank You for making a way for us to find peace and rest through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Help us not to grow discouraged in our walk of faith but to continually focus on who You are and who we are in You. We love You and praise You for all You have done for us and will do in the future. I pray these things in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Our Help

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”Psalm 121:1-2

“Nothing is wasted. People don’t necessarily identify with others’ successes. People identify with others’ pain. Your experiences are invaluable. The LORD will use it in the lives of others. God will teach you. Stay dependent.” June Hunt

Our stories are based on life’s experiences. Outwardly, some people have the appearance of coasting through life never having worries or issues, but in reality, that’s just not the case. When I was a child I thought everyone around me had perfect lives, but as I grew older I realized that my thoughts had been very immature and misleading. Truth is, none of us are exempt from the challenges of life. I’m reminded of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem entitled “The Rainy Day”, which says, “Into each life, some rain must fall.” Indeed, we’ve all had those kind of days that were specific to our lives.

Someone once said that we are currently experiencing tough times, or we have just come through them, or we are about to go into them. We may personally experience times of trials or suffering, or walk through the same with those we love. There are many twists and turns to life and at times each of us becomes weary and tired, sometimes feeling that we are battered beyond recognition.

So, here are my questions: What kind of outlook do we have about life and how to live it? What does it take for us to get through the storms of life? When these storms come so hard that we cannot see through the pouring rain, what do we do? Where do we go for help? Do we try and get through these times using our own strength or do we depend on friends to help us make it through? Do we have spiritual faith as our source of help and comfort?

Today, I am thankful that our faith in God can be bigger than all of our problems or fears, or any mountain that we may be facing. We need only to place our faith and trust in Jesus and He will see us through. That fact alone is more than enough to help us overcome the day-to-day challenges we face and the hard seasons when we struggle. God is good and He is good at being good!

May faith and trust in Jesus be your strength, inspiration, and help today.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your mercy and love are incomparable to anything on Earth. Your heart is for each of Your children. Thank You for giving us strength and perseverance in those times when we are struggling. Thank You for giving us blessings untold. We love You and seek to follow You all the days of our life. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, I pray this prayer. Amen.

Watchful Eyes

“The eyes of the Lord roam to and fro across the whole earth, looking to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

As a longtime employee of my local school district, I was blessed to have had great supervisors who allowed me to do my job in the manner best suited for me. Never having been one to settle for mediocrity, I worked hard, took pride in my work, and always wanted to give over and above what was expected of me. However, the thought of having one particular type of supervisor came close to giving me nightmares. I had seen coworkers being severely micromanaged and I wanted no part in that type of day-to-day employment. I was very uncomfortable with the thought of having someone looking over my shoulder, watching me work, or telling me each step to take. While I was certainly a team player and always welcomed any new learning phase, I also knew that I was more than capable of sound, productive output. As I recall, during my 27 years in the school system, this type of unpleasant experience happened only once and was short-lived. Thankfully, the person who was being a bit overbearing was not my supervisor, but how sad that I still remember her in this way.

You know, there is one place in which I not only accept but embrace being watched, directed, and guided. It is in relinquishing myself—all that I am or ever hope to be, to the One who always knows and does what is best for me. It is trusting my Heavenly Father to give me what I need versus what I want if that doesn’t line up with His will for my life. I am very thankful that He has such a keen and watchful eye.

How wonderful it is to know that God is watching over us when various circumstances make their way into our lives—chapters that seem so far off track, and we wonder how they fit into God’s BIG plan. But look no further than Romans 8:28, which assures us that ALL things work together for good, not just some things. This verse is a testament to God’s constant watchfulness and ability to turn even the most challenging situations into opportunities for our personal and spiritual growth. Life sometimes changes and takes unexpected turns, but we cannot skip one step because each step we take only propels us into a deeper reliance on God’s help and guidance. He will watch over us in these moments—these seasons, if we cling tighter to Him—to His love, guidance, and spiritual safety. We will benefit greatly by walking step by step with Him, through the presence of the Holy Spirit leading the way. By far, being under His protection is the best place to be.

If you believe in Jesus and have committed yourself to Him, there is never a moment in your life that He isn’t aware of. His watchfulness is an active presence that guides and protects us. For instance, have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation, and suddenly, a solution presents itself? That’s God’s watchfulness in action, guiding us through life’s challenges. This reiteration of His care and its impact on our lives reinforces the theme of spiritual encouragement and reassurance.

Today, I am eternally grateful that our Heavenly Father watches over His children 24/7, for we certainly need a Father who loves us that much. Let us always remember to be deeply grateful for His constant presence and care, for it is and will always be a source of immense comfort and strength to our hearts. Knowing that He watches over us brings a sense of security and peace deep within. May we always welcome His loving and watchful eyes and the reassurance that we are never out of His sight!

Prayer: Dear Father, You are the One and only true God who sees us. You do not overlook one thing we are going through, and Your eyes are always on us as we encounter each stage of our journey. Thank You for the peace that passes all understanding, for it is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we find a safe shelter of love and rest. Help us honor You in everything we think, say, and do. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen

Deep Faith

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:3 ESV

I wrote the poem below as I was recovering from an upper respiratory infection that hit me rather suddenly. Sometimes, God works in such a way as to sideline us for a bit. It’s all good, though. During the first two days that I was confined to bed, I used my time to be silent before God. Psalm 46:10 tells us to “be still and know that I am God.” With the noises and distractions of my normal routine silenced, there was time to focus on things of a spiritual nature. I do have a quiet time each morning as I read and study God’s Word, but on these particular days, I had lots of forced “thinking” time. As I prayed for many who are facing hard seasons, I thought about how all around us, we see sadness, sorrow, sickness, pain, and uncertainty. That doesn’t sound very uplifting, but this is what was on my heart and the poem came as a result. I love it when God does that!

I dedicate this poem to my family members and friends who are going through tough times. Please remember that our Heavenly Father has a good way of helping us through hard seasons. He will give us deep faith—deeper than before if only we trust Him. This I know for sure, for without God’s help, now and in the past, I could not be writing this.

Deep Faith
Carolyn McDaniel Canizales
April 15, 2024

Deep faith in Christ is quite often borne
From trials that leave us sad, sick, and worn.

Things come along we can’t understand,
But through it all, we hold onto God’s hand.

His power and grace are there with us, too;
As He gently guides us to sweet life anew.

Our deep faith in Him on all of those days
Will only convince us to trust in His ways.

The more that we trust Him, the more He can move,
Deep into our hearts to comfort and soothe.

He’ll give us the strength and courage to stand;
To find others like us, to take hold of their hand.

To help someone else along life’s weary way;
To give them new hope for a much brighter day.

Our God is always on Heaven’s throne,
Waiting for us to hear His sweet song.

It’s a song of deep love that He has created,
For each of His children, as the Bible has stated.

He’ll not forget us, no never will He
Abandon His children, for friends don’t you see,

God sent His Son into this world full of care,
To give us deep faith and His message to share.

That we may take hold of His marvelous plan;
To save us from sin, and give us that land

Where we’ll never grow old or have sickness or pain
And have blessed assurance that Heaven we’ll gain.

What peace and contentment this knowledge does bring,
For in Heaven above, His praises we’ll sing.

Yes, deep faith will come from a heart full of woe,
Still, God has a plan that we can’t fully know.

We’ll continue to trust for we love Him so much,
Til’ that day we meet Jesus and feel His sweet touch.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are the reason we can experience peace during the troubling times that we face. Thank You for loving us and helping us to maneuver this thing called “life” with joy and peace. Without You, we would not be able to live in confidence and joy, even amidst our hard times. Please help us to remember it is You who is in control of all our days. We love You and thank You for bringing us to deeper faith through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I pray this in His name. Amen.

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