Category Archives: Salvation

Glory, Glory, Alleluia!

Photo by @claybanks on @unsplash.

God is Great! God is Awesome! God is Mighty! God is Amazing! “With God, all things are possible!” (Matthew 19:26) Praise be to our God, who will never let us drown! He will always reach out to us in times of trouble. He pulls us out of the stormy sea. He allows us to endure difficult circumstances so He can teach us things He wants us to know.

For months, I have been given one message: Persevere. Now, finally, I have been told to let loose and share my joy in Christ at a more personal level than ever before. Here is a taste of what’s been going on in the physical world for me.

I’ve been playing chicken with Satan! So far, I haven’t blinked (flinched a couple times, though). It is now a matter of hours before “my things” are gone and I am evicted. Praise be to the Almighty Father!

Photo by Delaney Dawson @delaneykate_ on @unsplash

God put this ministry in my heart. I wrote a book on the Ten Commandments, available on Amazon, and am working on a second book (on the Beatitudes). I blog and post inspirational messages. I am also writing various materials for workshops, study groups, retreats, and conferences. I donate to worthy causes, tithe, do for others what is asked. Jesus told me to persevere. I have tried very hard to be as faithful to the Lord as He is to me.

Photo by Alex Alvarez @a2_foto on @unsplash

As I approach the countdown to this physical meltdown, I have finally been given the go-ahead to share what I have endured. I believe I was green-flagged so I will have witnesses to my miracle when it arrives.

I took care of my dad around the clock, so I have no job. My bank account is currently overdrawn. I’m behind on rent and expenses. I’m even out of dog food and toilet paper! Roughly $5000 all told so far.

Photo by Joe Caione @joeyc on @unsplash

My dad’s estate, out-of-state, has to be probated, and will probably cost around $2000-3000. There are also several outstanding medical bills I haven’t yet sorted out. His mortgage keeps threatening to go into foreclosure, but his credit card has been put on hold, thankfully, until the property has settled.

This ministry requires money, in order to be taken seriously. I need up front money plus an advisory board willing to help me take this ministry to the next level and beyond. I need to draft a vision statement and a business plan. That’s at least another $2000.

I constantly keep in mind that on the other side of great obstacles are great works. I believe great things will happen as a result of this ministry as long as I persevere! Therefore, I rebuke Satan and I refuse to blink.

Glory to God! Praise Him! Shout His goodness and mercy to all corners of the land! I will sing my love for Him with my last breath on this earth! God is Great and Good! Best of all, He loves me and He loves you! Please pray for me and my miracle. THANK YOU! I will post an update when it comes.

MY REQUEST: I need witnesses for my miracle, in whatever form it takes. Please hit the LIKE button if you have read this post and are willing to pray and be a witness. It would be awesome if you’d SHARE with others, too. The more witnesses to a miracle, the greater God’s glory will be revealed when it arrives!

Acting On a Dream

Photo by Mike Horton.

Bible Passages

13 Why do you complain against Him that He does not give an account of all His doings? 14 Indeed God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it. 15 In a dream, a vision of the night, when sound sleep falls on men, while they slumber in their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, and keep man from pride; 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing over into Sheol.

Job 33:13-18 (NASB1995)

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

John 16:33 (NABRE)

Devotion

I have a friend who is a struggling Vietnam veteran. He hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since he arrived in Vietnam. He was wounded, and pain flares up at times. He has also been a widower for only a few years. He misses his wife every day. He suffers inwardly much more than he lets on outwardly. He has told me several times that he lives in hell.

An ordained minister, he left the church after an incident in Vietnam. Fortunately, he never left his relationship with God. He is still very religious, and prays often. This has saved his life many times as he faces life’s difficulties.

Now retired, he makes and sells birdhouses, just to have something to occupy his mind and body. He does other woodworking projects from time to time, too. He makes beautiful furniture and decorative pieces. He is very creative and talented.

One day, he acquired a burled piece of wood he really liked, but had trouble figuring out what to make out of it. After it sat on a shelf several weeks, staring at him and begging him to make something with it, he asked God for help. That very night, he actually had a dream about it. God showed him exactly what he needed to do with that piece of wood.

With the help of an artist friend who painted the backdrop, he created the crucifixion scene pictured here. He added the crosses, but had trouble figuring out how to do the blood on Jesus’ cross. God whispered in his ear. Obedient, he grabbed a nail and pierced his own finger. He used his own blood as paint, letting it drip on the four places it was needed. He added the landscaping features and sealant. It looked just like the one in his dream.

Crucifixion scene in natural room lighting. Photo by Mike Horton.
Photo by Mike Horton.

He then brought it to his shop and put it on a display shelf. A couple of people asked him about it, but he could not part with it. A few days later, he decided to bring it home. He put it on a table in his living room, next to a scented lamp. He’d enjoy it when he passed by, but he didn’t really think much more about it than that.

Last night, he decided to light the lamp sitting next to it. Later, he left the room and turned the light off, forgetting to turn off the lamp. When he came back in the room, the cross grabbed his heart. Out loud, he exclaimed, “Whoa!” He got so excited, he took these pictures and sent them to me. Then he called. He just had to share the profound effect this had on him!

He actually got over 8 hours of sleep last night! A peaceful night’s sleep.

I believe God is using this to help him heal. By giving him a vision and a direction, God instilled in him an immediate love for that piece. Working on it gave him a new sense of purpose. His heart would not let him part with it. Now, having fully realized what he created, he is filled with a new sense of awe and wonder at God’s plan for his healing.

Side-by-side comparison of both photos.

I believe he’s going to be okay. It will take time, but he’s on the road to recovery. Obedience to God is vital to healing. Because he listened, he was rewarded with a new peace, which is beginning to settle in his soul.

Prayer Focus

War veterans

Prayer

Gracious God our Father, thank you for being there during our darkest moments, holding us tight and seeing us through to the dawn of a new day. Amen.

Final Thought

You will be amazed at what God can do when you obey.

Which One Are You?

Closeup of a flock of sheep. Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash.
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Psalm 23.

Read John 10:1-15.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 (ESV)

Devotion

We are taught, as citizens of this world, to be sheep. Sheep are like mindless drones. They travel together. They eat together. They dress alike. They talk alike. They have the same haircuts. They hang out together. They think alike. They blend in. They don’t stand out.

Black sheep, however, do. In a flock of sheep, it’s easy to pick out the black ones. Being the black sheep of the family is not considered to be a good thing. They dress differently. They act differently. They talk differently. They cut their hair differently. They don’t hang out with the other sheep often because the flock has shunned them. They do stand out.

The world wants us to blend in with the rest of the flock. Television and social media dictate how we should dress, speak, act, and think. We are expected to do “the expected.” Black sheep are expected to reform and conform. When they do, they are praised and rewarded, and accepted back into the worldly flock as a card-carrying, upstanding member of society.

As Christians, Jesus has also called us to be sheep. He wants us in His flock, which is full of black sheep. We care less and less about the worldly flock’s values. We dress differently. We act differently. We talk differently. We don’t follow the latest trends in fashion or hairstyles. We don’t hang out with the others, but not because we are rejected by society. We reject the rules and standards society tries to force upon us when those rules don’t align with God’s will. We stand out.

We follow Jesus. We act according to His teachings, though the world would have us fill our hearts with haughtiness, disdain, and hatred. We speak words of praise and thanksgiving, though the world would have us spew criticism, dissent, and profanity. We embrace the rules and standards God has given us. We know they are fair, just, and true. We follow by choice.

We follow because we know Jesus and Jesus knows us. We follow because Jesus, the Good Shepherd, chose us despite our weaknesses and flaws. He knows our names. He loves us. He wants to be with us in a close relationship. He even died for us! He calls to us. The longer we follow Jesus, and the closer we are with Him, the happier we are. How can we not follow Him?

Prayer Focus

Black sheep

Prayer

Lord, thank You for loving us, caring for us, and calling us to You. Every hour of every day, we praise and worship You. We strive to have a closer relationship with You because You love us so dearly and we love You. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen.

Final Thought

Black Or White?

I Am a Fraud

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Bible Passages

Read Matthew 6:1-14.

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

Devotion

I am a fraud. I pretend to be holy and righteous. I’m not. I’m a sinner. I think terrible thoughts at times, some of which escape my filters and pop out of my mouth. I am also moody at times, especially when I don’t get enough sleep. That, too, comes out occasionally, and I lash out. My tongue can be vicious. My loved ones are most often the ones who suffer my foul mood. Because I know them best, I know exactly where to aim the verbal sword. As much as I try to avoid it, I have hurt my favorite people with my words. No amount of apologies can take back the horrible things I have said.

I used to criticize the Jewish people being led out of Egypt. I used to marvel at how forgetful they were. Moses would leave them for a couple of days, and come back to find them falling into their old habits. I was busy looking at the specks in their eyes, not realizing I was doing the same thing. I was quick to judge them, and harsh. I realize now that after I repented something I said, I would turn around and do the same thing again. I, too, fell into my old, comfortable, familiar routines of poisonous behaviors, thoughts, and words. My quick “wit” could cut through anyone’s heart, and got me into all kinds of trouble.

Every morning I pray that I will be a blessing to someone. When I do or say something to lift someone up, I negate that good work when I do or say something that displeases God. I have now added the prayer my father recited in the pulpit at the beginning of every service,

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 (NASB1995)

Repeating this verse helps me remember to keep my focus on God, no matter my mood or how rested I am. It helps me remember to keep an even keel at all times. It reminds me to be respectful and humble. It reminds me to filter my actions and my speech using God’s standards.

I have since added a new filter. It still leaks a little. Things still slip out that would be better left unsaid. After all, I’m a work in progress. Every night I pray for forgiveness for the times I slipped that day, and for the strength and wisdom to learn from my mistakes and to do and be better tomorrow.

Prayer Focus

Filtered speech

Prayer

Dearest Lord and Savior, help me be a better person today. Grant me the wisdom to hold my tongue when needed, and to speak up only when it adds to Your glory. Amen.

Final Thought

I am not always what I seem.

Angels Among Us

Photo by Christophe Van der waals on Unsplash

Bible Passages

Read Psalm 91.

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!

21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.

Psalms 103:20-21 (NASB1995)

Devotion

Late one very dark night, as I was driving in the well-lit parking lot, headed home, the brakes went out. Mine was the only car around. I was the only person around. “Okay,” I thought, “I’ll see what’s going on. Maybe I can fix it.” I prayed that God had provided me with the knowledge and tools I needed to figure out how to fix this. With a deep sigh, I opened the hood and started trying to locate the problem.

Sure enough, I located the problem fairly quickly. I happened to have some cardboard, large enough to lay down under the car. I pumped the brakes and checked the cardboard. By the size of the puddle on the cardboard, the leak was directly above it, near the master cylinder. The master was dry, so it had to be in the hoses. As I looked at the hoses, I found a split had formed. If I could find some tape to wrap it, I could at least get it to the parts store for a replacement hose. I looked high and low. There was no kind of tape to be found. No duct tape. No electrical tape. Not even Scotch tape!

About that time, I saw someone walking toward me. It was a man wearing a backpack. At a respectful distance, he asked if I needed help. I was not afraid of him, even though there were so many reasons I should have been. I said a quick prayer of thanks, and explained my situation to him.

Still at a respectful distance, he began to rummage through his backpack, telling me he would see what he had that might work. A couple of minutes later, he pulled something out, but I couldn’t see what it was. He did look very embarrassed, though.

He told me he was homeless. A local church had recently handed out bags of things like toiletries, towels, and socks. God bless that local church. Among the items in that bag were a few condoms. He ripped it open, wrapped up the leaky hose, and sent me on my way!

He refused a ride. It was too late to buy him a meal, and everything was closed. He didn’t even take the cash I had on hand, a whopping $10. He said he didn’t need anything, and that he’d be fine. As I drove away, I took one last look back, trying to see him walk away. He was nowhere to be seen. He literally disappeared into the darkness in less than a minute! In that confirming moment, I knew he was really one of my guardian angels.

Every time I think about that night, I give thanks to God for sending me that angel. Although it was a few years ago, I know I’ll see him again in the next realm, where I can say a proper thank you and let him know how much I appreciated his help.

Prayer Focus

Homeless angels.

Prayer

Beloved Heavenly Father, in your perfect timing, thank you for always providing exactly what and who I need. Amen.

Final Thought

Angels show up when we need them.

Hard Times

Man sitting on bench waiting. Image by mykyta-martynenko on Unsplash.
Image by mykyta-martynenko on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Matthew 18:10-14.

Read Luke 15.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

Devotion

Before you were born, God set a special path, designed just for you and only you. He created you to be the perfect person for that path. Only you can travel your special path. If you stay on that path, it will be easy and fun (mostly). Along the way, He will hold your hand. He will carry you through the difficult parts, the challenges, the tests.

The Bible is full of examples of people who went through hard times and came out with more blessings than they imagined. Joseph, Moses, Jonah, Abraham, Hannah, Noah, Ruth, Isaiah, Job, and most notably Jesus, to name but a few, showed us how to follow Him. They showed us how to be godly, happy, and blessed. Even when they fell into darkness, God was with them. We remember them because they held tightly to God’s hand through the bad times and the good times. We remember them because we love to hear their stories over and over. Their stories put our own troubles into perspective, and give us hope when we’re going through dark times. They remind us that God loves to take us out of our lowest moments, and bring us to our highest moments. Just like the dark nights makes us appreciate the sunrise, our dark moments make us appreciate God’s blessings with praise and gratitude.

Joseph was on top of the world as a child. His family was prosperous. He lacked for nothing. His father favored him above all his other children, but his siblings were jealous. They started a series of events that should have made him crumble. Joseph endured all the many hardships set before him, praising God all the while. Joseph’s faithfulness to God paid off and God’s plan for him was fulfilled.

Job did everything right and was doing quite well, but lost everything anyway. Through no fault of his own, he lost his wife, his children, his livestock, and his crops. Through all his losses, Job kept praising God. Job knew God still loved him, even though it didn’t always seem that way. Try as he might, the devil couldn’t get any traction on Job. Job was loyal to God. He never cursed God. The devil finally gave up trying to tempt Job away from God. That’s when Job’s rewards kicked in. He got back more than double what he had before. Job got a new wife, twice as many children, and his crops and livestock were more than doubled.

We aren’t always as faithful to God and Joseph and Job. Sometimes we lose our way. Think of the parable of the lost sheep, in which Jesus reminds us that no matter how far from God we stray, He hasn’t forgotten or abandoned us. He sends messengers (human and angel) to remind us of His love. Like Joseph and Job, we need to grab onto God. He is waiting for that. When we do, He will carry us through the brambles and rocks and other rough patches to bring us back to the flock. Just by reaching out to Him again, He will rescue us from our troubles and bring us home.

When we return to Him, just like the father of the prodigal son, He will joyously run to greet us and welcome us home. He will throw a party in heaven in our honor, complete with a live band and a spiritual buffet. We will feast until we overflow with His love and grace. He will bless us in heaven and on Earth. We don’t all get the same rewards, but they will be the rewards we need in that moment. We will be delivered and free, forgiven and comforted, rich in spirit and happy in our hearts, safe under His protective wings.

Follow where He leads you. He will provide almost everything you need to succeed. The only thing missing is you. God gave us free will, the ability to choose for ourselves what we do with our lives. He wants you to give yourself, fully and completely, to Him. When you do this, the results will amaze you!

Prayer Focus

Those in danger of turning away from God.

Prayer

Heavenly Shepherd of the lost, thank you for keeping me in Your loving arms. Help me stay focused on You. When I stray, help me find You again. Gladden my heart with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Final Thought

God is waiting for you.

God Even Loves Exasperating People

Pouting baby.
Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Luke 6:27-36.

23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NASB1995)

Devotion

People can be exasperating at times! That is when we, as Christians, are called to show how strong our faith is. We are called to show we are different. We are called to show those same people, in the moment we find them most intolerable or shocking or even horrifying, that God loves them – even when they don’t seem, to us, to deserve it. That is when we can be the catalyst for a most unbelievable and glorious victory for Christ!

If it’s the person behind you in line, step aside and let them go ahead of you. Tell them you are sharing the love of Jesus. If it’s your boss or a coworker, bring them a gift. A cup of coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a box of cookies, or perhaps a fruit basket, would completely take them off guard. You might be surprised at the change in them (and in you) over such a small gesture. Someone talking during a movie might talk less with a mouthful of popcorn. Use your imagination! Let the offender know the gesture or gift is from Jesus, who loves them.

We Christians are called to respond differently to challenging situations. We are expected to show the Light of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Now, this is easy for us most of the time. We don’t have a problem showing our faith when we have enough money to pay our bills. We can easily shine when we attend a friend’s birthday party. It is much more difficult to be Christian when someone cuts you off in traffic.

Although it sounds trite and insincere, truly as yourself, “What would Jesus do?” There is a reason why this has become popular among the faith community. When you make it part of your automatic response to every situation in life, you will find the response God wants you to have. The more you practice this, the more readily the answer will come to you. This is because you are learning to listen to the voice of God. He is there with you, providing you with an answer, every time. By asking this question, you are opening your heart to His guidance.

Prayer Focus

People we find annoying, hurtful, or mean.

Prayer

Lord God, help me get past the walls other people have put up around themselves. Give me a way to reach out to them and show them Your love and mercy and grace. Help me lead them to You. Amen.

Final Note

We are called to be different.

Where To Start

Open Bible closeup.

Bible Passages

Constantly remind the people about these laws, and you yourself must think about them every day and every night so that you will be sure to obey all of them. For only then will you succeed.

Joshua 1:8 (TLB)

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalms 119:105 (NLV)

The man who reads this Book and listens to it being read and obeys what it says will be happy. For all these things will happen soon.

Revelation 1:3 (NLV)

Devotion

Lots of people are hesitant to start reading the Bible, for a variety of reasons. Some just don’t know where to start. Others are put off by the fancy, Shakespeare-like wording or all the begats and references to people and places that don’t seem relevant today. If you want to read the Bible, there are a lot of options you may not know about, designed for regular people like you and me who just need a little help.

There are many translations which use more modern language than the traditional King James Version. You might try the Living Bible (TLB), the New Life Version (NLV) or the Modern English Version (MEV). These are easier to read, and don’t contain ‘thou’ or ‘knowest’ or ‘doeth’ words. They still contain a lot of people and places. You can skip over those for now, when it gets too dry. One day those people and places will become more important. Until then, just skim them and move on. Pick the version you think will work best for you.

If you like, you could start at the beginning with the book of Genesis and work your way to the last book, Revelation. Another approach is to pick an easier book such as Psalms or Proverbs or one of the Gospels. Ask your pastor for advice. Nobody, not even God, expects you to understand everything you read, especially if it’s your first time through.

God knows that some passages are hard to read. He built in many layers of depth and richness of meaning. The more you study and discuss a passage, the better you will be able to grasp what God is saying. You will begin to see the deeper meanings. It sometimes brings up more questions than answers. That’s okay. It’s how the Bible is designed, so that it never gets boring or repetitive to read the same passage over and over. You’re supposed to ask questions. You’re supposed to dig deeper.

When you run into something you don’t understand, your pastor or priest is a great person to ask about it. After all, pastors are very knowledgeable on the subject. If you don’t belong to a church, call or visit one nearby. A good pastor will be happy to help you, even if you’re not a member of their flock. Your pastor might not know all the answers to your questions. Discussing the Bible with someone allows you to ask follow-on questions in real time, as they occur to you.

Another great source is the library or bookstore. Whatever the passage, someone has written something about it to help others wrap their heads around it. Many people have written explanations of specific parts of the Bible. Some books dive deep into one particular book or chapter. Some are written specifically to help us read the whole Bible.

Go online. There are lots of sites devoted to Biblical topics, some more formal than others. Some sites are set up in classic printed Bible format, which provide footnotes to the passages as you get to them. Others are less formal, and provide the passage couched in a paragraph or two of the writer’s perspective.

Watch movies about the Bible. I find myself inspired to read for myself about what was shown in a movie. Some movies are more biblically accurate than others. It’s fun (for me, at least) to fact-check those movies.

As you get more involved, you might want to look for resources that explain the origins of the passage. The term ‘lost in translation’ refers to the difficulty of picking words in the new language that carry the same meaning. For instance, it would be hard to translate an iceberg into a language used by people that only know about deserts. Some books even go into the cultural settings, giving you the perspective of the average person of that time and place.

Follow journeys on a map. Some Bibles include maps, and make it easy to find the places of that era. It gives you an idea of distance, direction, and terrain.

There are so many way to approach reading the Bible, and so many fellow travellers eager to help you find your own approach. Tell God, out loud, that you need help with it. He will put the right people and resources for you into your life.

Prayer Focus

Someone struggling to read the Bible.

Prayer

All-knowing Father, who created the heavens and the Earth, who breathed life into me, and who provided a guidebook for me, give me the tools and people I need so I can study Your words. Lead me to follow the path You want me to take. Help me use the Bible, so I will be prepared for whatever You have in store for me, and know how You want me to act in any situation. You are my God, and I want to do what pleases You. Amen.

Final Thought

Knowledge is power. Righteous knowledge is righteous power.

A Mother’s Perspective

Mother comforting small boy. Image by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash.
Image by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Bible Passages

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 (NASB1995)

51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:51 (NASB1995)

26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

John 19:26-27 (NASB1995)

Devotion

The love of God knows no boundaries. Although we are all His children, there was one man who was more than that. He came to this world to set it right. We celebrate his birth at Christmas. We remember his teachings. We commemorate his death. On Easter, we celebrate his resurrection. He was God on Earth. He was also a man. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

At Easter, we talk a lot about how much God loves the world, and the sacrifice He made for us. We hear little about the sacrifices of his mother. I often think about what it must have been like for Mary, mother of Jesus. Being a good Jewish girl, she would have been very aware of what the Torah (Old Testament) said of the Messiah. When the angel told her she was chosen to bear the Son of God, ancient prophecy must have flashed in her mind. She must have known her child would one day die a horrible death in order to save the world. Perhaps all this flashed through her mind at the time.

Perhaps, being a teenager, she didn’t fully think it through. Perhaps she didn’t believe she would outlive her child. Perhaps she decided not to think about the difficulties ahead, preferring instead to think only of the present and the joy and honor bestowed on her when she was asked by God, through the angel, to do all this. We can only guess. I believe she knew everything that was being asked of her when she, without hesitation, agreed, “let it be according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Over the next 30+ years, she stored up many things in her heart, according to Scripture. This is normal for any parent, especially in an age without video cameras, cell phones, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and the hundreds of other apps parents use now to record every first or cute thing their child has done today: smile, walk, run, school, trophy, belch, hiccup, etcetera, ad nauseum and add nausea.

Mary did not have any of those modern conveniences. She only had her heart and mind to store up the memories. I also think that, more than any other mother, she had good reason to store in her heart all the deeds and wonders as she watched her child grow and mature.

I believe she loved God so much that, though she must have dreaded having to see her son tortured and killed, she willingly agreed to see him through the human world with the loving, open arms of a mother. I also believe she trusted God enough to know He would see her through the daunting assignment of being the mother of the Living God.

The stories survive to this day, written down for those of us separated by generations from the actual event. Mary must have kept back many stories that were deeply personal between her and God. Some stories she shared with His followers. We know this because several of these stories wound up in Scriptures. She must have loved and trusted God deeply, for she took that giant leap of faith and gave birth to Jesus, helped him navigate the world as a mere human child, proudly saw him become a master craftsman, teacher and healer, then helplessly stood near him as he suffered and died on the cross. She then helped the others as they laid him in the tomb. She also watched as they sealed the tomb and set guards to watch over it and prevent anyone from opening it and stealing the body. She would have known that would not keep God from fulfilling His promise.

What joy she must have felt that morning when she was told He had risen from the dead, overcoming death itself! I don’t think she was surprised by His resurrection. I think she would have expected it. She was the mother of the Living God, after all. Her faith was strong. She had seen Him do other wondrous, miraculous, seemingly impossible things to fulfill Scripture. I think if she was surprised, it was about how the event transpired, not that it happened. She knew He was the Son of God. She knew He would live again. He was God. God never lies. She must have been a brave, strong and amazing woman!

Prayer Focus

Parents who have lost children.

Prayer

Almighty Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for saving me. Thank you for showing me how You want me to live. Help me remember to put You first in every aspect of my life, as You put me first in Yours. Help me to bring others to know Your love. Guide me to someone who needs my help today. Let me shine Your light boldly and brightly, so all will know You are mine and I am Yours. Amen.

Final Thought

Mary watched her son grow into the Messiah.

I Am Selfish

Selfish - Image by user18526052 on Freepik

Selfish – Image by user18526052 on Freepik

Bible Passages

Read Numbers 21:4-9.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.


John 14:6

Devotion

Yes, I confess. I am very selfish. I might not ever meet you in person, but you are my friend. I love you. I enjoy your company. I want you to have nice things. I want to see you succeed. I want to see you shine. It makes me happy to see you happy. I very selfishly want to be happy in your happiness.

My selfishness knows no boundaries. I don’t just want you to be happy today. I want you to be happy always and forever. It would make me very sad if I find out, when I get to heaven, you didn’t make it. My heart would break.

My wish for you is to make Jesus the center of your heart, as He is mine. By turning your heart over to Jesus Christ, you free yourself. Once you belong to Jesus, you are no longer a child of this world. You are free from worrying. Yes, we all still have worries, but that is by choice or habit. Jesus promised to take care of you always. However, we are not perfect. Things don’t go as we expected, so we allow doubt, fear, and worry to enter our thoughts. That’s okay. Just pray for strength and deliverance, praising God for being there with you during your times of trial.

Keep praying for deliverance and giving praise to God until your trial is over. I don’t mean stop praying. Never stop praying. Never stop praising God. He alone is worthy of prayer and praise!

Prayer Focus

People who don’t know Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me introduce you to my friends to You.

Final Thought

See you in heaven!