Season for Joy

Psalm 27:13

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

I wonder if God gave us seasons, especially spring to bring us hope of His renewing power.

Sometimes our lives look as bleak as the landscape in winter with dead brown grass that looks like it will never be green again. Naked trees wave their arms in stiff, winter winds. We wonder if we’ll ever see them lush again, providing welcome shade on a warm day.

Finally, winter’s frigid winds give way to spring’s glorious rain. The whole earth is pregnant with blooms. We rejoice in the abundant beauty, the fragrant scents, and the unthawing landscape.

We revel in His power to renew and revive once again.

God of all seasons,
thank You for everything You created.
So many things shout of Your goodness to us
who choose to see, and believe.

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Don't Be Afraid

Mark 5:36

But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”

A synagogue official sought Jesus for healing. His daughter lay dying. On the way to the official’s house, a messenger arrived with the awful news.

“Your daughter has died. Why trouble the Teacher anymore?” (Mark 5:35)

Jesus turns to the father and says the scripture for today.

The word “afraid” here is , “to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away).”

Jesus’ instructs the father “don’t be afraid.” In other words, “Don’t run away. Only believe.” In other words, “Trust me. Put your confidence in Me. I’m able.”

Jesus healed the little girl. Hear Jesus say to you, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.”

Lord Jesus, steady me.
I choose to trust You
to bring Your good will
to me and my situation.
Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer.

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No Discrimination

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In God’s eyes, no one person is above another, no matter their station or nationality. Gender holds no superiority over another.

The only distinction to Him is if you are in Christ or not. There is no in-between—no sort-of Christian. Gray doesn’t count. It’s only black or white. In or out. Up or down.

If we appeared before God today and He asked, “Why should I let you in My heaven?” What would we say?

There is only one answer that permits our entry. It’s if you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, sent to earth to die and rise again for you, personally.

Have you made that transaction? I urge you to do so immediately. None of us are guaranteed another minute. Choose now so you’ll be ready.

Father God, I choose to trust Jesus
to take my sin and make me ready
to live with You forever.
Thank You, Jesus for dying for me.
May I live each day for You.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit
so I may walk a right way before You.

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Rend Your Heart

Joel 2:13

(The Lord says) “And rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil.”

God is telling us here to do a 180 degree turn. To examine our will, heart, soul, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, conscience, and heart to obtain moral character. This is internal where only God sees; not external where people see. 

 

He urges us to do this now, not later when He has become angry. “Anger” here means “with flared nostrils.” This passage goes on to remind us He is full of love for us.

He is also “relenting” which means “to be moved to pity, comfort, and compassion,” on us who have been evil in His sight. “Evil” here is “displeasing, hurtful, unkind, ethically wicked.” It is the “evil deeds, thoughts and actions of people.” So He has pity and compassion on people who fall short of His standard—which includes all of us.

Father God, I bow before You today to rend my heart.
Please bring to mind my thoughts, words, and actions
which have grieved Your heart. I confess them before You
so I can be released from the penalty of my wrongdoings.
Fill me again with Your joy and presence
so we may enjoy fellowship together once more.

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Sin and the Sea

Micah 7:19

He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their (our) sins into the depths of the sea.

Our God is a God of compassion, of mercy. He loves us deeply with a love that never lets us go.

This scripture tells us that He is going to bring our bondages, our perversity, depravity, and guilt under His foot. In other words, He captures the things that put us in bondage and makes them subservient to Him.

He goes on to tell us that He hurls our sins, our iniquities and its consequences, into the deepest depths of the sea.

Corrie tenBoom always added a P.S. to this truth. She said, “and then God posts a sign that says, ‘NO FISHING.’” In other words, don’t go trying to dredge up confessed sins. They’re gone. God has stomped them and thrown them in a sea too deep to retrieve. Hallelujah!

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son
to overcome all my sins;
for taking the punishment I deserved.
May I walk in freedom before You
all the days of my life.

Check out my new devotional book Looking Deeper at Amazon.com.