"By my Spirit" says the Lord

When I look over my life, I have to admit that some of the projects that I have dedicated a great deal of time and effort to were in fact, self serving and bared little fruit. On the other hand, some other experiences had the marks of being empowered by the Spirit. My hindsight is better than my foresight, however, when it comes to these things.

Sun or Shade

I must admit that I am more of a sunflower than a violet. I crave the warmth and light of the sun. I don't treasure the gloom of clouds or shade.

Still I must admit that times of gloom, when the sun seemed so far away as to be only a memory, have been times of immense growth and closeness to the Lord. Do I like the shade? No, but I value it.

By Faith, Not By Sight

I'm one of those people who likes to know where he is going. I like to have a plan and a map. Before I travel. I download a trip-tic from the Auto Club, even if I am driving to a location I've visited before.

Then Jesus said, "Follow me."

Where Lord? What is the route? What is the plan?

"Follow me," is all He said.

Yes, Lord.

My teacher called this preoccupation wit the grand and miraculous "triumphalism". I am grateful for devotions like this that celebrate the big stuff with a counterbalance of reality. The plank in the ocean is every bit as functional as walking on land between parted oceans.

typical sanctification

I guess even something like divine wrestling can be typical. I think the key is the idea of transformation. Not everyone wrestles with God, but for those that do, there is the promise of comfort and change. I like the part about God wrestling Jacob more than the other way around.

Have a great day. Welcome to the blog site, Diana.

Deut 32

I read this one and thought that it referenced death and passing on to life eternal. Duet 32 is in fact at the time when Moses was near death. At that time he recited a song that gave tribute to God for being the sole agent of having brought Israel out of Egypt. No "foreign God" gave assistance-it was God "alone".

Now I can see that in times of deliverance, whether they be from one land to another-or from this life to the next-there are special times when God alone can serve as guide and companion.

Have a wonderful day, friends.

Simple Faith, Simple Prayer

You do not need to have a theological education to have faith in God, nor fanciful words to impress Him in prayer. Simple faith, based in God's grace, not our brilliance is the foundation for our relationship with Him. Simple prayers that communicate our love, praise, confession, and our needs ascend to God's throne immediately.

the down side of hedges

I can relate to this one. When I lost my job there was a real sense of being dispensable. Part of it was vanity. But part of it was feeling very limited in terms of scope of work. Much easier to walk than to wait. I agree.

The Wounded Healer

Swiss pastor-theologian, Henri Nouwen, said that Christ is the model of the wounded healer. He took on our flesh with its inherent pain and suffering to bring God's healing and forgiveness to us.

When we are wounded by the trials of life, we become more able to understand and empathize with others who are going through struggles of their own. I'm not such a spiritual giant that I can pray for the Lord to send me trials and wounding so that I can be better at sharing His healing, but I do pray that the Lord will use the scars in my life to bring healing to others.

Clouds

Clouds can look dark and foreboding... from below. If you have ever flown over clouds in a plane, you know that they are brilliant platinum white from above. It is all about point of view. God sees the clouds in our life, and the cleansing, nourishing rain they bring.

Hit home

Now this is weird. Since I work on my little boat on Fridays, I spent last night wondering how to brace the gas tank for when she (the boat that is) takes her pounding. The torque and repetition of waves and wind have to be accounted for, just like the devotional writer pointed out. My boat is on stocks as we speak and sometimes I think too much of the paint and aesthetics and forget she was created to part water and catch copious amounts of fish. Needless to say, this one was a real gem for yours truly. Have a great day, everyone.

Wait

Our timing and God's timing are not always the same. When I want something, or think I desperately need something, I don't want to hear, "Wait."

May we learn to accept God's timing, even accepting the word, "Wait."

comfort in the valley of sorrow

This one had a beatitude feel to it. It sure is good to know that sadness and duress have there place as precursors to faith and refreshment. I am so glad that hard times have a start and finish to them and that God uses them for some good.

Spirit Filled

The great hymn,

Have Thine Own Way Lord

includes the verse,

Filled with the Spirit 'til all can see Christ only always living in me.

That is a great ambition for a Christian; that the Holy Spirit fills us to the point that others see Jesus when they look at us. Fill me Lord.

submit thyself

I notice that often, once the ideal of persisting through trial is affirmed, the devotional writers are good enough to remind us that we need help to get the benefit of the said trial. I am so glad for that. Stand up on my own, I admit weakness-but I can submit and wait upon the lord. Have a great day, everyone.

Nike

Nike's motto is, "Just Do It!" My sainted Irish step-grandma's favorite saying was, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

We have the inclination to do good, to help others, to give the cup of cold water. Just do it! After all, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Opportunities from Obstacles

I am going to take something from this devotonial: Every time something along the line of a storm cloud approaches-I will purposely look for signs of God's love. Wish however, that I could ski the "strained" on every side part!

Storm watchers

Good morning and happy February to all.

I liked the devotion today. It brought back memories of mid west storms that come across the land just as the author described. I have always liked storms. How something can be so violent and redemptive is very powerful. I think.