Weekly Devotions

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21, NIV

If you have ever witnessed a baby learning to walk, observing such an exercise stirs an array of emotions for both the child and the onlooker. When my children and grandchildren grew brave enough to take that first step, I hovered close by, holding my breath with not a little anxiety mixed with a lot of pride on behalf of my offspring. Ready, steady…YES! And, they were off, and before long, they were running too fast to catch them.

Taking that first step required deep concentration on the part of the child. For a few weeks, each step took a deliberate attention to memory and then, mental, and physical effort to repeat moving one foot in front of the other. After a few months, however, the exercise that had once been difficult, no longer required such mechanical effort. Leaning any new skill, regardless of age, takes concentration. At the moment, I am refreshing the art of hand-quilting, which I learned many years ago but have grown rusty; taking it up again means added attention to the fine details needed to produce a nice finish.

Forty years ago, when I first gave my whole heart to Jesus Christ, I read, studied, and spent almost every waking hour thinking about Jesus. Never had I felt so completely loved and in love than in this relationship with the Savior. My Savior. As I said, forty years have passed. From time to time, I have found myself taking this precious relationship for granted. My attention can easily be distracted by the things of this world. People, life-challenges, demands on my time. Progress in nurturing the sweetest relationship I have ever known, with Jesus, is at a deficit. Oh, He has not left me in these times, rather, I have been lured by “treasures” in other places.

Like the baby learning to walk, or like relearning an old skill, I want my attention to be heart-focused on the most important activity in my life…being with Jesus. I wonder friend, can you identify with my dilemma? If so, begin now. Jesus is cheering you on. Take that first step. He will catch you if you fall.  

“So, you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:31, NKJV

A bright flash of light woke me from a sound sleep in the early morning hours. Moments later, a loud boom signaled the incoming storm. In Virginia, springtime weather can be just about anything; from eighty-degree days, followed by a rogue snowstorm leaving several inches in its path. I enjoy the predictably unpredictable elements of weather. They keep me on my toes, wondering if I will be wearing sandals or boots tomorrow.

Several times while on earth, Jesus spoke to His disciples about a coming event when the things of this world will drastically change. Jesus was referring to the “End of the Age” (Matthew 24). No exact date is given in the Scriptures of when “the end” will come, but throughout the Bible, Jesus makes clear that one day, the time known only by God, Jesus Christ will return to the earth. Upon His return, every person alive and in heaven will see Him; there will be no mistaking who He is, or why He has come. Some people will be overjoyed to see Jesus, others will be terrified at His coming because they did not believe the truth.

I love the sound of the coming storms in Virginia; they make me think about the return of Jesus. If one of the “storms” happens to reveal the coming of Jesus, I will not be afraid. In fact, I will be one waiting for Him with awe and great expectation. Can you imagine what that day will be like? Will you be happy to receive Him when He arrives? I pray that no one waits until it is too late.

The next time you hear thunder off in the distance, I hope the sound excites you.        

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27, NIV

Daisy is my fourteen-year-old Golden Retriever. Recently, she had to have surgery on her paw, thus restricting her freedom to roam her large domain at will, something with which she has grown accustom. Walking her on a leash until the paw has had time to heal is imperative to prevent infection. Throughout the day, I attach the leash to her collar and out the door we go for what has proven to be an exercise in resistance and stubbornness. Clearly, dogs, even smart dogs like Daisy’s breed have limited understanding and learn by repetition. Daisy’s life has been one of freedom but now, for her safety, her world has shrunk, causing her and me frustration.

After living in my house for twenty years, I have decided to move into something smaller and more manageable. I found what I believe to be the “perfect” house and location but the competitive environment within the housing industry has caused a “stampede” of interested buyers. Therefore, I do not know if what I think is the perfect plan will happen. My struggle with disappointment in the looming possibility of not getting what I want is challenging. Do I trust God, who sees the future and may be trying to prevent me from making a decision that is not in my best interest, or will I pull, tug, and manipulate circumstances until I finally have my way?

Friend, you, and I face decisions and choices every day. Will we recognize and accept our circumstances with faith in God’s provision, or will we resist His leading? It is okay and human to feel disappointment but fighting against the will of God leads only to frustration and potential disaster. God’s will may not be to say no, rather, there is a better way, walk in it and trust me.

We may not always understand the why, where, what, when, or how, amid our circumstances; what is life-changing is knowing the Who. Jesus Christ wants to be our Savior. I love knowing He loves me so much, and He loves you, too!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

The words on the sign outside the chiropractor’s office said “Blessed are those who are flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.” These words made me laugh as I drove by and read them. Even more, they made me take a close look at myself and my attitudes and actions.

How often do I get bent out of shape? When things don’t go my way. When people do not act like I think they should act. When God gives clear directions for me to do something I don’t want to do. There are days when I get bent out of shape multiple times.

Think about the effects of getting bent out of shape – negative thoughts and words, stress, anxiety, difficulty with relationships, frustration . . .

The longer I thought about the words on the sign, I realized that they also applied to my walk with the Lord.

God wants me to be flexible – willing to adapt to new, different and changing circumstances and not be like a ramrod – rigid, severe and stiff.

If I am not flexible, how can God use me? If I am not flexible, what am I missing that He has for me? If I am not flexible, how is my witness affected?

Being flexible is not easy. It requires that I put aside myself – surrender my will, my ways, my thoughts, my actions to God – over and over and over again – sometimes multiple times a day. It means being willing to follow God as He directs. It means learning to see interruptions and changes as God at work and as opportunities for ministry. It means letting go and letting God.

God gives me ample opportunities to learn to be flexible. Some days are better than others but each time I am flexible, I see Him at work and I grow to more appreciate His ways.

Blessed are those who are flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape. As I see it, you and I have a choice – flexible or bent out of shape. I going for flexible. What about you?

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” Galatians 2:15-16

We have seen so many shifts around the world due to the COVID19 pandemic these past two years. So many things are different now – not what we once knew and even took for granted. How many of you have become proficient at online meetings? Working, church and school from home was not unusual as we stayed safe at home. My understanding is that droves of US workers are now voluntarily leaving their workplace and resigning from careers. This new phenomenon is referred to as the “Great Resignation.”

I kept thinking of this term. When I graduated from college a LONG time ago, I was so excited to start my career and join the workforce. I was raised by two parents who both had very strong work ethics. My dad’s idea of vacation was to use his week off from his job to plant his garden. Working was a part of everyday life for me. My mother started working for her company when she was 15 years old. She ended her career with them over 50 years later.

God showed me that He does not require me to have a strong work ethic to be a part of His family. I don’t have to be the smartest, best dressed and most efficient worker there is. I don’t have to feed the poor. I don’t have to sit on any particular committee in a local church. I don’t have to be a missionary. I do not need to do anything to gain His love and His forgiveness. Jesus came to die in my place, and He didn’t have a list of jobs that I needed to do to be His daughter and to receive the grace that He offers me.

So now, I am thinking that I want to be a part of the “Great Resignation.”  I want to set aside the idea that there is something that I must do in order to earn God’s love and acceptance. I do not want to be strapped with the idea that my salvation has anything to do with any good works. Jesus loves me. He doesn’t wait for me to have the right job and do the right things. He runs to me wherever I am and whatever I may be doing.

I want to be a part of the Greatest Resignation – I want to give up WORKS of righteousness that I think will earn God’s approval and love. He gives freely to us, and our works are an outpouring of our love and obedience to Him–not the other way around. Don’t get me wrong, doing good works is part of the Christian walk. But it is not the way we earn our place in God’s family.

Lord, we are in the midst of the “Great Resignation.” So many people are resigning from their jobs.  May I resign from works-righteousness. May I see Your heart of pure love for me. May I never diminish the Gospel by my works. Let me be a part of the “Greatest Resignation.” Let my motive to serve be total delight and a natural flow of the Holy Spirit’s direction.

“’Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ [Mary], supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’” John 20:15, NKJV

Looking for someone in a crowd can be challenging. If you have ever waited in a congested airport to pick up a friend or loved one, finding the familiar face can be difficult in the rushing sea of people. Sometimes, we hold up signs, balloons, or use some other method to stand out in the crowd.

Imagine Mary Magdalene quietly approaching to the tomb of Jesus on the third day after His burial; she did not want to stand out! She was frightened of being seen by those who had crucified her Lord. No signs, no balloons. But the tomb was empty! Where was He? Who had taken His body away? Mary ran to tell Simon Peter and another disciple. After searching the tomb and finding no clues, they went back home to hide, more afraid than ever leaving Mary standing outside the empty tomb alone.  Of course, anyone familiar with this scene knows it is the resurrection story of Jesus Christ after His crucifixion. Although Mary does not recognize Jesus immediately, He asks her, “Whom are you seeking?”

In the Christian community, we are entering into what is known as Holy Week. As we remember the life of Jesus leading up to His crucifixion, we must first “walk” the way of the cross. As Jesus hung on the cross, many of His followers ran away out of fear for their lives. Who was this man, Jesus? They thought they knew Him, but did they, really?

On Easter Sunday, you may be celebrating with the masses of Christians around the world, but where are you today? Are you afraid of being recognized as a follower of Jesus Christ in a world that is turning more and more hostile toward Christians? Jesus asked Mary, “Whom are you seeking?” He is asking you and me the same question. Are you looking for Jesus? Do you know Him? He sees you; He knows you, and He loves you. He died for you and conquered death and the grave so that you might live in heaven for eternity. Let Him know you are looking for Him, and He will be found.