Weekly Devotions

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23, NIV.

One reality I think every human being on earth can agree with is that this year, 2020 has been and continues to be full of surprises. We see the best and worst of humanity on display. I asked God this morning, “is this something new? Should we be worried that we’re on a downward spiral in the way we act and talk to each other? In the way we talk about and act toward you, Lord?” Then, in the sweet and gentle way God always responds to my inquiries, He directed my thoughts to Psalm 139. Friend, I hope you will take a few minutes to open God’s Word and read this beautiful reminder of just who our LORD is, how vast are His ways, and how intimately He knows you and me.

The paradox of the message is that God knows each one of us, inside and out. He knows our thoughts, our intentions, and the very depth of our heart even more than we know ourselves. Included in this revelation is the most amazing fact, that He, overwhelmingly, loves us anyway!

Another reminder from God is how our behavior toward each other and toward Him is nothing new; humans have been on a “downward spiral” ever since creation, in the Garden of Eden where everything was “perfect,” except for the humans. Our demand for autonomy has been “the wind at our backs” ever since. So much bickering. So much “noise” about who in our society is most righteous, or most vile. Who is taking the high road, or the low road among us?

So, where is the encouragement in this message? “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, NIV.

Thank you, Jesus, that you do not leave us helpless. You tell us to “approach [your] throne of grace with confidence…” Not the shallow confidence revealed by our autonomy, rather the confidence offered through the cleansing of your blood. Amen.

“…the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” Isaiah 60:20, NIV

Several years ago, my husband Richard and I took a trip to Yellowstone Park. The park encompasses miles and miles of land, so after walking around for a couple of hours, we decided to take a rest and drive our car through parts of the park. Something I had not anticipated was how much previous fires had changed the landscape. As far as the eye could see, remaining of what was once a beautiful forest stood burnt out tree trunks and brush scrub that echoed of a lost treasure. I remarked to Richard how sad I felt, looking at the desolation. Then, I remembered a story I had heard only a few weeks before our trip about how forest fires can have a positive effect. As a matter of fact, controlled fires take place from time to time for this very reason. The ecosystem benefits greatly from such fires in the regeneration of nutrients needed for a healthy environment that result from forest fires.

We have all seen the fires on the news that have been burning and continue to burn out of control in the state of California. These fires do not even come close to resembling the type of “controlled burn” mentioned earlier. Property and lives have been lost. The livelihoods of so many people have in an instance, literally gone up in smoke; thousands will have to start over.

Since making the trip to Yellowstone Park, I have experienced personal, devastating losses as have many, if not most of you reading this writing. In the year 2020, I suspect everyone has grown a deeper appreciation of life on earth as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. But I want to offer a word of encouragement in these trying times. Nothing in God’s kingdom goes to waste. Nothing! Not even fires that burn out of human control. Not even a virus that threatens to wreak havoc on living a normal life.

Friend, while every new day seems to bring a new challenge, hold onto the promises of God and never let go of them.

“[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)

“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

My sweet next-door neighbor is getting new front doors. It’s so interesting how a front door can make a house, like the right pair of shoes complete an outfit. Interestingly enough, my house doesn’t have a front door. It has two side doors on opposite sides of the house.  People come in both the “front” door and the kitchen door. Neither of these doors are visible from the street, so I’ve never paid much attention to their aesthetics.

Since my neighbor is looking for new front doors, I’ve become increasingly aware of the doors on other houses in our neighborhood. There are the old ones with the fancy etched glass, the red-painted ones, the window light doors, and the big iron ones. They are all pretty in their own right and have been carefully planned out to go with the overall architectural style of the house.

However, the most beautiful door to me ironically is not a door at all. Nothing makes a house warmer and more hospitable than an open door. Nothing says, “Come in,” quite like an open door! If you’ve ever had to sell Girl Scout cookies, popcorn, or wrapping paper you know just how intimidating a closed door can be. But, when it’s opened by a gracious and loving host who greets you with a warm smile, your fears subside.

Friends, these unprecedented times we find ourselves in can be both chaotic and extremely lonely. Everyone is zooming, zooming, zooming! If you’re not zooming for a meeting you are probably helping your children zoom with their teachers or even actually zooming them to soccer practice after “remote school.”

Wouldn’t it be nice to sit with a friend or two and have a real conversation, face to face over a cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea or wine?

Considering the global pandemic, I don’t know how or when Sweet Monday will continue in its “usual” way with monthly gatherings in homes around the country. But, I would like to take this golden opportunity to invite you to participate in Sweet Monday’s OPEN DOOR CHALLENGE. We all have neighbors and friends who are probably feeling the isolating effects of this health crisis as much as we are. Maybe you have never been to a Sweet Monday before, but in the true spirit of a Sweet Monday Hostess, you too can invite a friend or neighbor over to your home.

Hospitality is an open door. Keep it so simple you don’t dread it. Whether you have sweets or not is your choice. No theme is necessary, and it doesn’t even have to be on a Monday. Just a warm welcome and encouraging conversation. Ask them how they’ve been? How is their family? Reconnect on a deeper level and let them know you care. Share the love of Christ by sharing your home with someone this month. Listen with both your ears and your heart. Ask questions that allow your guest to open up and share their lives with you, then let the Holy Spirit do His work. The longer you listen, the more you gain the authority to speak.

Our vision at Sweet Monday is to create opportunities for women to connect with each other and with Christ. Here’s your opportunity – one sweet invitation at a time! If your friend has an open heart, share God’s word with them. If not, simply share His love by serving and listening. If they are hurting or have a physical need, ask how you can help.

If you would like more ideas, Sweet Monday is here to help you. One of my favorite verses which is so comforting in today’s caustic environment is John 16:33:

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but TAKE HEART! I have overcome the world.”

Open your heart, open your home, and open your door. It’s a sweet challenge that will have an eternal impact.

Post pictures to our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook and tag @SweetMondaySocials and #theOpenDoorChallenge. Let’s make the most of this opportunity of social distancing and gathering limitations and reach our hurting world with the love of Christ, one sweet invitation at a time.

I’m no artist.  When I discovered adult coloring books there was a beginning curiosity that I might could do ok with this project. Pictures were waiting for my color palette choice. There are times when I feel completely satisfied with the finished design. Other times that awkward unsettled tilt of my head says ‘nope, that didn’t work!’

How much of our world looks at the picture of the day and wonders who will bring color to it? Who will create a design that makes sense or gives satisfaction? Who will breathe hope into the page of life we are holding our breath in?

The fires, virus news fatigue,
hurricanes, heatwaves,
masks, mothers losing sons and daughters
five year old students as well as freshman sit in online classes,
the furloughs and fitful nights of anxious sleep,
stay at home orders and six feet spacing,
watching church on a screen and the calendar claim weeks of new normal,
the picture from any angle isn’t what we understand or can predict.

The truth of this curious season of life can find some comfort from the writer of Psalm 119.

V 81           I am worn out waiting for your rescue…
V 123         My eyes strain to see your rescue…
V 143         As pressure and stress bear down on me…

But just like focusing on one part of the coloring page, we can miss the greater design. God’s words are wonderful and often mysterious.  They have more definition and detail than we first see. Read the verses again:

V 81           I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.
V 123         My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
V 143         As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

Sweet Friend, the reality of our days can feel stained with awkward colors or clean with fresh lines. When uncertainty is real or pain relentless, when doubt stands on our shoulder or hope swells in anticipation, the Word of the Lord is certain and ready with every color needed for the scene.

No matter the design of the day, the minute, the season, we can trust that God’s Word is unchangeable. His promises sure.  And His commands eternal.

The design – every page in our life – is in his plan.  Let’s remember and today help dab, splash or full on paint some of His colors of love and sweetness into someone else’s picture.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18, NIV

Every year in early summer, after making the transition to Delaware for the season, one of the first sights to catch my eye with intrigue is the vast acreage of farmland sprouting up with new corn. I relish in the excitement knowing that in just a few weeks my table will be graced with the mouth-watering ears of silver queen corn everyone loves. In the meantime, I have to be patient for the harvest.

Since the start of the new year, 2020, you and I have watched, listened, and felt the effects of a pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, the outbreak of violence and unrest, intolerance closing in at levels destroying friendships, marriages, and families everywhere, and a political year that is filled with vitriolic behavior across the board.

God’s Word as read in the book of James is not only beautiful but also poignant for the times in which you and I are living today. I realize not everyone shares my Christian beliefs, but surely, every reasonable person seeks wisdom on some level when trying to make sense of the current environment. Godly wisdom we are told is “…first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Friend, is this the wisdom you see being exhibited in the news and throughout our cities and “United” States of America?

My plea in this writing is that in as much as it depends on you and me, let our thoughts and actions represent God’s wisdom as we live each day and speak to those around us. If we choose to accept the challenge, in time we will reap the harvest of sowing such seeds of wisdom.

“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

“From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” Psalm 33:13-15, NIV.

Sometimes, when we read the Scriptures, we come to a passage where God asks a question of a human. For example, in the book of Job we read about a man, who by every human standard is “practically perfect in every way.” (Not to be confused with Mary Poppins, of course!) After Job’s life takes a turn for the worst and he is all but killed in the process, Job cries out to God trying to justify his innocence; he reminds God of his good deeds and asks Him, why is this awful stuff happening to me? Job’s “good friends” keep piling onto his pain by telling him he must have done something wrong to make God angry. To add insult to injury, Job’s wife tells him to just give up and “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9, NIV).

Can’t you imagine God, sitting in the heavenlies looking down on this drama playing out on earth? Perhaps it’s God’s form of Netflix. When we think of God revealing His characteristic of “long suffering” toward humankind, reading the book of Job is a wonderful example.

After listening to everyone’s pontificating about having great wisdom in the face of Job’s quandary, and hearing Job’s own defense and his desire to die, God asks, “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you will answer me.” (Job 38:2-3, emphasis mine). Notice that God says nothing until chapter 38 but when He speaks, I’m sure you could have heard a pin drop. God begins to ask Job a myriad of questions for which no human can answer, except to be quiet in a state of profound humility.

We are living through days of uncertainty and unrest. Virus and violence threaten our peace of mind. Do you wonder, where is God in this? God hasn’t moved; He is still watching the drama as it plays out; He is still sovereign over nature and human nature. God cares and is in control. If we are quiet and listen, we will “hear” God ask, “Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?” (40:9).

My friend, God sees; trust Him and watch with awe and wonder!