But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV)

The temperature has still been oscillating between the high 80s and low 90s, but long before Labor Day, fall clothes, colors, and holiday decorations have been on the racks and shelves. I still want to be in my flip flops and sandals, but boots are on sale in the department stores. All around us, the world continues to push time forward. Often long before seasons are even changing. Does anyone else get reminded via radio, media, or social media on July 25th that Christmas was only six months away?

The wonderful thing about our Heavenly Father is that He isn’t constrained by time. He existed long before the creation of the world.  Although we know that Jesus is coming back, God has been gracious and full of patience, allowing mankind the opportunity to reconcile to Him.

While we count days, months, and years, the Lord is looking for hearts to be softened, people to come to repentance and redemption. We see the world in chaos, and He sees His Church shining light in the darkness. We see time slipping away, and that although we shouldn’t waste time, He is full of mercy and grace. He gives chance after chance. That was the kind of God I needed when I was lost.

Apostle Paul in Romans encourages believers to “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying (Romans 12:12).” We press in because we already know the victory awaiting all those we have been praying to come to salvation. The Lord is always faithful to His promises.  Amen.

Thank you for continuing to share these moments with me in my journey of faith. I am taking a week off to rest and recharge. There will be no devotional on September 18th, but I invite you to join me on September 25th for the next entry. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and give you peace.

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit. Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17-18 NKJV)

When I gave my heart to the Lord, there were certain things that immediately changed in me. I no longer thought that it was alright to swear or take the Lord’s name in vain.  Other changes were slower. The decision to forgive others when they have hurt me, because I have been forgiven and shown mercy. But more importantly because I understand that unforgiveness is a disease that will destroy my body. That wasn’t something I learned instantly but over time.

Jesus told his disciples, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). Abide means to remain, not depart, or to be held or kept continually.  If we try to look at abiding from our perspective,  then we are working to stay connected with the Father. However, the Lord has always been offering to hold us close to Him. Our part becomes a willingness to surrender to trust that His commandments are about protecting us in this world. In Jeremiah, chapter 23, verse 24 it states, ” ‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill
heaven and earth?” says the LORD.’ He sees things that we cannot because He exists without constraints.

About a year ago, I felt the Holy Spirit asking me to put aside a particular type of book I enjoyed reading. The books were easy, light reading, and the author’s style was downright funny. However, all the content wasn’t always appropriate. I had two choices when I heard the leading of the Lord. I could rationalize why I should keep reading books by this author, or I could follow the instructions of the Lord. Discipline is about ensuring that our spirit is controlling our flesh and not the other way around.

Paul spoke of this battle in his letter to the church at Galatia, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

The wonderful thing about our Father is, that when we fail at disciplining ourselves or fail to trust that surrendering to Him opens the way for Him to work all things for our good, He offers us another chance. Because truth be told, I have missed it more times than I can count. I have held onto things I should have laid at His feet and carried burdens that were not mine. No Jesus carried it all to the cross and made a way that I could live in freedom and victory. Thankful for the mercy He gives me, as I draw closer to Him, I will listen for His leading and instruction. Disciplining myself to surrender to His will. He never takes more than He gives. His way is always better.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:14-16 NKJV)

For as long as I can remember, whenever I have traveled any distance by car, I watch the signs that mark how many miles left until we reach the intended destination. Sometimes, the closer we would get to our destination, in anticipation, I would watch the mile posts counting down the distance.

In this scripture, not only does God instruct Moses to write a memorial for the Israelites victory in this battle, but to recount it so that Joshua and the Israelites will remember the work of the Lord on their behalf. Moses goes on to erect an altar, a physical reminder of  what the Lord had done.

This instruction for writing a memorial is important to believers today. We need to mark the miles in our journey. This relationship with the Lord is one of growth. The development of our faith requires us to identify the way Gos has been working on our behalf (Jeremiah 29:11). Additionally, benchmarks are a symbol to us about how God  has helped us change. We are not who we once were but a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Travel brings thoughts of adventure and anticipation. We should be looking at our walk with the Lord with the same joyful expectation. I realize that in this world, expectation can lead to disappointment, but our God is not in the business of disappointing His children. He is a good Father who delights in providing for you and for me. Look back over the miles you have walked. You are not where you started. Measuring where you were and how far you have come may just be the encouragement needed to reach for the next destination of your calling.

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (Psalm 91:1 AMP)

Lately, my world has gotten louder. Distractions push their way into my days. Tasks and demands loom like skyscrapers and seem insurmountable. By the end of the week, I am weary, but I still feel like there’s so much more I need to do.

This is one of the reasons our Heavenly Father created the Sabbath. “So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world” (Hebrews 4:9-10). Jesus so often went away to pray and just spend time with the Lord.  He needed to refill his spirit to operate and complete the works that God had called him to do.

I love this image that if we go to our secret place and spend time with our Father, we will be covered by the shadow of the Lord. I imagine standing in the shadow of a tall and mighty oak tree. It provides shade and protection from the hot sun. It supplies a solid and firm place as I sit at its base. Sitting there, it yields the solace in the songs of the birds that sit along its branches. If a tree that is created by God offers all these benefits, imagine what resting at the feet of our Father can achieve.

God rested after creating heaven, earth, and all that is in it (Genesis 2:2). How much more do we, His children, created in His image and filled with His spirit, need to rest in Him. We can not fulfill our purpose if we are empty.  We feed our bodies,  yet we neglect our spirits. Silence the noise of the world.  Step into your secret place and into the shadow of the Almighty.  Amen.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)

“Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” (1 John 4:18 NLT)

As a child, I remember distinctly looking out the car window, in darkness of night, and feeling afraid of what could be out there hiding in the shadows. Perhaps fear was caused by scary stories shared by older cousins or seeing people dressed in monster costumes around Halloween. I do know that fear was somehow suggested to me. It wasn’t something I came up with on my own.  I learned it through others or experiences. I learned it the same way that I learned I was always safe in my mother’s arms.

Fear changes as we become adults. Perhaps we fear being hurt or heartbroken by another person. We can go to the doctor for a checkup, and the suggestion of a biopsy “just to make sure it isn’t cancer” can result in fear.

We have to be prepared for the insidious way fear tries to take hold of us. Once something is learned, we have a choice to allow it to control us or break the hold it has upon us. First, we hold fast to the truth that Jesus has overcome the world.  That means He conquered death. Rising from the grave He gave us all redemption and an eternal home with the Lord.  He went to hell and paid the price for all our sins. His victory and salvation give us access to healing, authority, and power, granted through Jesus Christ, to each one who believes in Him as Savior.

Secondly, when we understand the power of the love of God to do all of that and fulfill every promise and purpose for our life, we recognize we have no reason to fear. Our God is a good God, and He knows how to pour out His blessings upon His children (John 1:16). Just as I learned to trust that my parents would protect me in every situation, I now need to trust God. After all, it is God who chose you and has called you His beloved. He sees, knows, and understands all things.  To Him alone is all power and authority, in Heaven and Earth. We operate that authority here on earth. We use His word to fight against fear and instill faith. It is our weapon, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), which is the very word of God. If we have this authority, then we grasp that there is nothing we have to fear – not even the big, bad wolf!

Lord, thank you for your perfect love. Thank you for Jesus, who, through his sacrifice, gave us victory in anything that comes against or tries to place itself in a position higher than your word. Help us to have a deeper revelation of the victory and power we have within ourselves just by being your child. Help us to speak faith in every situation and cast down words people use to influence fear in our lives. No weapon from the enemy can be used against us in Jesus‘ mighty name!

“May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy, even though lately you’ve had to put up with the grief of many trials. But these only reveal the sterling core of your faith, which is far more valuable than gold that perishes, for even gold is refined by fire. Your authentic faith will result in even more praise, glory, and honor when Jesus the Anointed One is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 TPT)

May I be transparent? I have struggled with writing this devotional because the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about refining a particular area in my life. Frankly, I am wrestling with it. The refining process is intense. It is a heating of material to burn off the things that are not pure. Things that my flesh wants to hold and cling to because it is familiar and comfortable. Choosing to obey God is not necessarily either of those things.

Let me start at the beginning… I thought I was having a conversation with myself. I had overheard a parent complaining about their responsibilities to and for their child. Please understand that I realize that parenting can be challenging. However, this has been a particular characteristic of this person with complaining on more than one occasion. Complaining that the needs of the child interrupted their plans for the day. So talking to myself, I said, “Imagine complaining about something that another person has prayed for and would consider a blessing and not a burden.” Then the Spirit of the Lord whispered to me, asking, “Would this be similar to how you complain about the job I provided to you to supply for your needs?”

That stopped me short for a second, but I am afraid I was a little more like King Saul (1 Samuel 15:20-21) when this conversation shifted. Instead of recognizing the truth of the statement and that this is something that will result in a barrier to the plan of God in my life, I decided to explain why my perspective was right. I inquired, “Lord, I show up every day and treat the patients and their families with kindness, and with all the knowledge available to me, isn’t that what you asked me to do?” The response was, “Yes, you are to do all things in love and as if you are serving me directly, but where is your joy? How long has it been since you have seen your job as a blessing?”

Many of you know that I work in healthcare. It can be stressful, and there are definitely times that by the end of the day, I am beyond tired. So armed with this argument, I attempted to convince the Lord that I was justified.  Seeking approval, I continued, “Lord,  I have often prayed to for wisdom and to show me if I am not where you have called me to be, but I feel like you have not answered me.” His reply was instant, “Sometimes your complaining silences the conversation.”

OUCH!

The Holy Spirit, the spirit of God, living in us, is always speaking. My response can either encourage the relationship and the conversation, or it can silence it. It was a gentle discipline, reminding me that communication sometimes requires me to listen. The first chapter in the book of James, verse 19, gives us this very instruction, “Understand dear brothers and sisters: You all must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

Lord, thank you for loving me so much that you are willing to refine me, to take me to a place where I will be purified. I know that I can not move into a position  of your calling until I am fully prepared and equipped. Help me to recognize in every aspect of life the countless ways you bless me. Let my lips remember to praise you always. Your joy will be my strength.  Thank you for faithfully offering forgiveness when I am still working to put my flesh into submission to the spirit.  Give me a heart like King David, humble and recognizing your sovereignty in all things. Help me to speak when I need to, but more importantly, help me to listen. You see things I can not see. I trust in your goodness.  Amen.

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20 NLT)

There is someone who needs this weeks devotional because the Holy Spirit keeps bringing it to the forefront of my mind. In the above scripture,  Jesus is talking about how faith can change the circumstances in our lives. Look closely at the action that must take place before change can occur. He said, “you could say”.  We are instructed throughout the Bible that our tongue can bring forth life or death (Proverbs 18:21 and Proverbs 12:18). The Psalmist, in chapter 141, verse 3, asks the Lord to set watch over his mouth and guard the door of his lips. Clearly, there is power in what we say.

On Sunday, I was working outside cleaning up a flower bed. I walked over to check on the vegetables that I had planted in May. After a late start, my plants have struggled to grow, been nipped at by deer, and not had much chance for any pollination to occur.  I was so surprised to find two cucumbers were ready to be picked. I remember distinctly in my spirit hearing, “Watch how you water the seeds the Lord has given you to plant.” Quite plainly, the Holy Spirit was reminding me to monitor how I speak over the things that God has called me to minister or  intercede over. Guard my faith in the promises of God by ensuring that I am watering the seeds well by what I speak aloud. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God”  (Romans 10:17). If I am speaking against the word of God and against His promises, I am eroding my faith.

This is a message I personally could hear every week.  There are many times that in the midst of a situation, filled with frustration and impatience with God’s timing, I have spoken against a promise of God. My faith in that particular situation wavered, and my lack of faith became a barrier to God’s plans. So I say again, “Watch how you water the seeds the Lord has given you to plant.” Spend some time this next week thinking about how you are developing your faith. Are you watering well? During time with the Lord, ask Him to give you a Rhema word. If it is directly from Him, do not let it depart from your mouth.  Continue to say it aloud.  Let His word and promises be on your lips day and night. Watch your faith grow and watch the Lord at work in your faith. And nothing will be impossible. Amen.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NLT)

Throughout different letters to the churches, after Christ’s resurrection, the disciples were teaching believers that they had been adopted into God’s own family.  Sons and daughters have the provision and protection of their father. They know that they can trust him to look out for their every need.

As I was thinking about the relationship of a child with their parents,  I recalled a time that I was perhaps seven years old. I don’t recall what happened,  but I distinctly remember putting my favorite toys into a wagon and running away from home.  Petulantly, I thought leaving the people who loved me, protected me, and provided for my every need was the way to get what I wanted. Ironically, I only ran away to the end of the street because I knew I wasn’t permitted to go beyond there. Perhaps fear of not being found if I traveled too far kept me on my street. I am not sure of how the issue was ever resolved,  but I can assure you that I foolishly made other choices out of frustration and anger until I recognized that my parents made decisions to protect me and not because they were being unreasonable.

As a child of God, do I see that He is working for my good? Do I have faith in His perfect and unfailing love? Or am I like that petulant seven year old child because He didn’t follow my plans for my life? In 1 Corinthians 6:19, we are instructed, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Jesus purchased us with his life. He ransomed us with the shedding of his own blood on the cross. Bearing on his body, the stripes that we would never have been able to withstand. Carrying shame for our sin. He destroyed the grip of death and overcame what separates us from God.

Once we recognize the gift of grace and the immeasurable cost, we should put our faith at work in obedience. Confidently understanding that if God gave His own son as a ransom for us, He will only work toward our good and fulfill the very purpose He placed within our spirit.

This was not the original devotional I set out to write this week, but our wonderful Father had different plans. And I trust the voice of the Holy Spirit,  the Comforter, the One who guides me in all truth. I hear Him saying, “Sweet,  sweet child of mine, I have more for you than you could possibly fathom.  Step towards me, and I will whisper the direction for you to journey.  Faith comes in each step forward in obedience.  Your obedience delights me and is your act of worship.  When you decide to do things in your way and in your own timing, you prevent me from fulfilling my plans for you.  My plans are good and give hope. I am the Alpha and Omega. I have seen all that has passed and all that is to be. I can do above all that you can ask or think. You can choose to trust me, or you can go your own way. But only one way leads to an abundant life. Choose life, my child. Allow me to be your all in all, your anchor in the storms of life. I am the safe harbor you can not create for yourself in your own strength. I alone will be your fortress. Come rest in my embrace, sweet child of mine.”

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24 NLT

We all remember the story of Snow White and the Queen, who questioned the mirror. Today, let us each ask our own mirror: “Mirror mirror on the wall. Is there any integrity among us all?” Integrity means that we are called to live with purity doing what we know is right even when no one else is watching. Integrity is something that has slowly been degrading even within the Church. This has happened as a result of comparing our actions against the darkness of the world. Instead, we should be measuring ourselves through the lens of Christ.  Are we walking and emulating Christ’s life here on earth?  Anything else will result in us falling short of our calling.

During Christ’s ministry, he stated that he did the will of the Father (John 6:38). Later, as he is instructing believers (John 15:18-19), he proclaims,”If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” We all know the scripture,”Do not conform to this world but transform yourselves by the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:2).

Christ was clearly consecrated. He was set apart and filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling him to complete the will of his Father. He spent time in God’s presence, and it kept him connected or centered.  Being imprisoned and beaten and crucified on a cross wasn’t easy for Jesus.  He even asked God if the cup, the plan could be any other way. But Jesus subjected his will and trusted God. He did the hard things. Even offering forgiveness to those who scorned him and took his life.

As sons and daughters, we are called to live a life set apart from the darkness of this world.  We can not live set apart if we measure ourselves against anyone or anything from this world. We should look to the Lord as our guide for how we should act or react in any situation.  He is the only way. He alone is truth and life. We can be light in this dark world or allow the world to dim our light.  This past month, as I have taken my eyes off the Lord, I have grown frustrated with what I see in the world.  The Lord has been reminding me to keep looking at Him and nothing else. I need to examine my own heart and actions. Determining if I am demonstrating integrity regardless of anyone else’s actions.  My pastor has this saying that he uses to challenge us, “Have some salt about you.” It means stand for what is right in every situation and let the Lord handle the rest. And be thankful for His grace and mercy always.  Amen.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good works he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

The most important thing we can do for the next generation is ensure they know their identity.  There are so many different influences in children’s lives, but none as powerful as parents. The Bible instructs us in Proverbs 22:6  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he shall not depart from it.”  In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, the Bible states, “And these words which I command you today shall remain in your hearts. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.”

How can we expect our children to know who they are and  how much God loves them if we don’t tell them? We spend so much time thinking we have to give them all the things we didn’t have growing up. But none of that will matter if they aren’t secure in understanding they are loved by a God who chose them before they were formed in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5).

Thinking of my past, I know that there would have been less searching and making poor decisions if I had discerned my value in the eyes of the Father.  I would not have turned to people, looking for validation and approval, because I would have recognized that it is only something God can give. We have such a short opportunity to really help our children and teenagers grasp hold of the power in being a child of God.  That the equipping of the Holy Spirit provides all the resources we need to walk in this world.  A small window of time to teach them that the word of God is living and active. It protects and provides wisdom for today, tomorrow, and all the days they will remain on earth.  Help them to stop and identify themselves by the eyes of our loving Father and know what His word says about them. Amen.