Until today's devotional reading, I had never thought that my to-do list might the idol "that directs my life!" What a blessed reminder that instead of allowing that to happen, we can PRAY CONTINUALLY AND HE WILL MAKE OUR PATHS STRAIGHT!

The actual date of Easter is over for this year. However, I don't think our Lord wants us to forget what He has done for us. I happened to find a medley of hymns that will serve as reminders about Jesus' death and resurrection - all for us: Jesus, "Keep Me Near the Cross," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "At the Cross." I pray that God will guide us to use these as reminders of His most amazing Love throughout the year!.

He Lives!

May God's Love and Peace be with you on this most blessed day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus! The words in the hymn "He Lives" are ones that tell the story and give us His Promises!

I Trust You, Jesus

After what Jesus did for us, it seems like a little thing to trust Him in all things! However, I will admit that sometimes when I am in a difficult situation, I "forget" to use those powerful words, "I trust you, Jesus!" The scripture passage from Proverbs is one that particularly spoke to me about that kind of trust and NOT trying to do things by myself.

My understanding of the beautiful hymn "Are You Able?" is that it is one that is asking us if we trust Jesus enough to follow Him. As we near the end of this Holy Week, I pray that you and I will have that kind of faith and trust with the assurance that we will find our Lord when we seek Him with all our heart.

Thankfulness - That God Has Overcome the World!

Today's scripture passage from John 16:33 especially spoke to me. We know that as long as we live in this world, troubles do come along. We also are reminded that only through our Lord Jesus overcoming the world, we "may have Peace." 

A hymn related to Holy Week and to today's devotional is "Take Time to Be Holy." In both of these we are told that our Lord wants us to live focused on His Presence. In order to do this we need to take the time to be Holy - and "speak oft to the Lord." I pray that you will take the time to focus on these words from the devotional, scriptures and this hymn in your worship today - and that you may be filled with God's Presence and Peace.

 

God Gave His All for Us!

On this "Maundy Thursday" (or Holy Thursday), we remember the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus with His Disciples. It is also a time to be aware of all that our Lord has given to us as is written in today's devotional and scriptures: our God is one who "gives and gives and gives." It is our responsibility to be open and attentive to Him in order to receive all His gifts including His Perfect Peace.

The words in the beautiful hymn "I Gave My Life For Thee" remind us that Jesus gave His Life for us - and then asks what we will do for Him. Please join me during this Holy Week in praising our Lord for His amazing Love and then striving to give back by loving and serving our neighbors as He commanded at the Last Supper.

Be Still

Our world is such a busy one that it is often very difficult to just sit in stillness with our Lord. From today's devotional and scriptures, it is clear that being still in God's Presence is one of the spiritual disciplines that is needed by everyone - if God is going to "renew our mind."

The scripture passage from Romans has had a special meaning for me - when I really accepted the fact that God will TRANSFORM me! That transformation is what helps me - and all of us - see and understand and do God's good and perfect Will.

"Be Still My Soul" is the hymn that first came to mind when I started today's reading. I hope that you have time to focus on the words that are blessed reminders of being still and Present with our Lord - and prayerfully becoming more like Him. 

Hope in the Lord!

The opening words of today's devotional spoke particularly to me as we are moving further into Holy Week. It seems that we are directing our "attention to Me (Jesus) in hopeful anticipation of what I will do."  This week involves waiting, trusting, and a "resurgence of hope." Let's join together this week to glorify God to the fullest and enjoy His Presence and Love - and help others do the same.

Does anyone have anything to share about your traditional or spiritual practices to make this week the Holiest of the year?

During this Holy Week, I decided to include a hymn relevant to this special time of the year. For today, I chose "Love That Will Not Let Me Go." Please share with me and other readers any hymns that are especially meaningful to you at Easter.

Thankfulness or Grumbling?

Several years ago, the pastor at my church gave everyone a rubber bracelet. He asked us to wear it all the time and to use it to test ourselves for every time we complained. We were to change from one arm to the other each time that we caught ourselves complaining about anything. It was amazing how many times many of us found that we had to move our bracelet from one arm to the other!  I can't remember what the bracelet had written on it but I feel quite sure it had to do with thankfulness.

Today's scriptures and devotional make it clear that God does not want us to grumble/complain. Instead, he wants us to see the "Light of My (God's) Presence shining on all your circumstances" by keeeping a grateful attitude.

During this Most Holy Week, will you pray with me and join me in being thankful in all things - and omit complaints from our vocabulary?  The beautiful hymn, "Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart" is one that I will listen to daily this week as a reminder of all that I have to be thankful for -  as I strive to develop a total "attitude of gratitude."

Letting Go - Simplifying Life

Another spiritual discipline that I recently discovered in a Bible study class was "simplifying." I did not know that simplifying my life had anything to do with becoming closer to our Lord! The leader of the class explained that when we have less "stuff," we use less time looking for things or being distracted by many things - and thus have more time to spend with God.

Today's devotional starts out by telling us that this is a time in life to let go of "loved ones, of possessions, of control." Sarah Young suggests that we can do this be resting in the Presence of God where we are "complete" and can "bask in the light" of the Love of our Savior. This is another nudge for me to simplify my life by letting go!

I now have another goal - that of simplifying my life by getting rid of things that I don't use or particularly need. Will you join me on this road - and then share with me and others how it makes you feel after a few weeks of simplifying our lives?

Our God of Abundance

As was written yesterday in Jesus Calling and on this blog, God DOES want us to rejoice and thank Him for His Presence and His Peace - and to trust Him in all things. Today's reading and scriptures remind us that our Lord is one of ABUNDANCE and pours that abundance of His love on us when we seek Him. Our job is to open our eyes so that we can see and hear and feel this abundant love - and then to rejoice in that Love.

When I started college at a Christian school in Arkansas, we were required to attend chapel services. I had never heard the hymn, "Open My Eyes that I May See," but those words have continually touched my heart as I hope they will for you.

Rejoice in the Lord - Always!!

It always amazes me when I hear stories from some areas of the world where people have little or no food to eat or water to drink or clothes to wear. Yet many of these people appear to REJOICE in a way that I only wish for! I'll never forget the comment from a friend who went on a mission trip to one of these countries: "They have what I want (joy and peace), and I have what they need (food, house, clothing, etc.)" Surely that can happen in only one way - as today's devotional tells us: "Practice trusting and thanking Me (God) continually."


I was not familiar with the hymn, "Rejoice the Lord is King!" but found that that many of the words remind me of today's scriptures from Philippians and Psalms: "Lift up your heart; Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say rejoice!" Please join me in listening closely to the beautiful words of this hymn as you worship today.

Trust and Joy vs. Fear!

If we asked anyone what they would rather have in their lives - strength and joy - or fear, it would be a quick and easy response! Of course, we all search for joy and most of us really WANT to trust in our Lord. I used to think that it was a magical, automatic thing that would happen - I would say that I loved God and suddenly I would have no fear or worries or difficult times! All at once I would have unimaginable spiritual and emotional strength! Now I realize that is not the way things happen. It is up to me to spend time alone with God listening for His Word and Will; I also need to pray, study Scripture and meditate on what I read as I become more aware of His Presence in my life.

I have previously mentioned a wonderful book called, "Choose Joy" by Kay Warren. It really made me think about my choices in life - one of those choices being joyful. Today's devotional and scriptures remind us that God does want us to share His Joy by living in His Presence.

Do you have ways that you have "chosen joy" and thus have a changed life? What a blessing to know that we CAN make that choice if we trust and obey and spend time in the Presence of our Lord.

Overflowing With Gratitude

On many days, I become so busy and distracted that I don't take the time to enjoy God's miraculous blessings: blooming flowers, a beautiful sunset, a new life - or one recovered from illness, etc! That might also mean that I don't let God know how grateful I am for His Spirit and all His blessings. This is when taking time for solitude to be with my Lord is a must in my daily life (as was discussed in yesterday's blog).

A spiritual discipline is one that is done on a regular basis - hopefully daily. It is through solitude, prayer, Bible reading, and meditation that I can feel God's Spirit and recognize that His Spirit is directing my life. It is through this kind of discipline that we can be "overflowing with gratitude!" Are you ready to join me in making this kind of solitude a spiritual discipline in  your life?

Listen to God - in Solitude!

I recently went to a church class about the spiritual discipline of "solitude." As I was reading today's devotional and scriptures, I began thinking more about listening to God from the "depths" of our being during times of solitude. I started a web search on the term and found many interesting sites. One made a statement similar to one that I had just heard in class that we can not hear the voice of the Spirit in our busy, clamoring world and that growing spiritually only comes through solitude. The connection that I found to today's devotional is that God is constantly speaking to us but we must take time to listen if we are going to "let the Spirit take charge" of our mind.

Do you practice the spiritual discipline of solitude as you search for our Lord's Guidance and Presence and Peace? With busy family, work, community and church activities, it is often a challenge! Please share your stories on how you listen to God - in solitude!

Trust!

The words of Sarah Young that especially spoke to me today were about God's Spirit in us being our "resident Tutor" helping us in the "supernatural endeavor of TRUST. The scripture passage from Matthew is one that talks about the fact that we only have to do this one day at a time - since tomorrow will take care of its own worries!

I looked for references to the word "trust" on a Bible web site. There are 170 references in the New English Version and 188 in the King James Version, many of them being in relation to trusting in our Lord. One of my favorites that has upheld me through many trials is:

Proverbs 3:4-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Surely God considers "Trust" important in our lives. Please share with me and other readers any scriptures on trust that are especially meaningful to you.

God Will NEVER Leave Us!

What a blessing to be reminded that our Lord WILL NEVER leave us or forsake us! - Today's devotional and scripture brought to mind the words of the beautiful hymn, "His Eye is On the Sparrow." I often forget that He does watch over the birds of the air - and I know that He watches over all of us as He heals and renews us with His Love and Grace.

I pray that God will fill me with His love so that it may overflow into the lives of those around me!



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God's Grace and Strength - in Our Weakness

Many people in this day and time consider abundant life as one with wealth and health - as we are reminded in Sarah Young's words. What a blessing to realize that it is through keeping our eyes on our Lord that we have an abundant life and Peace with our Lord!

A scripture that is closely related to those in today's reading is 2 Corinthians 12:9:  "My grace is sufficient for your. My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." The first time I really understood the power is these words, I was overwhelmed by God's Grace and Love and Acceptance of me - in all my weaknesses.

Listen to God's Love Song - or the Noises of the World!

We are blessed to be able to make numerous choices each and everyday of our lives. I sometimes want to blame others for things that go wrong in my life but when the truth comes out, I don't always make the "right" decisions!

One of my/our most important choices is determining how much time to spend with our Lord. The amazing thing is that this one choice can make a tremendous difference in how goes our days and lives. Do you use the "fruit of the spirit" of "self-discipline" to ensure that you DO take time for our Lord - at the beginning, middle and end of the day? That's one of my many prayers that God will fill me with this and other "fruits" of His Spirit.

I was not familiar with "A Love Letter From Jesus." but it has such a wonderful message. I hope and pray that today - and everyday - we can "take minibreaks from the world, taking time to sit in My (God's) Presence" - while focusing on words such as these along with scripture passages as we seek His Presence and Will for our lives.

I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy

I think God is trying to tell me to "enjoy" life and to receive His most generous Love and Joy! In the past few months, my Sunday School class studied a book on joy (Choose Joy by Kay Warren), and I have read articles, emails, and devotionals all related to joy. Today's devotional and scriptures remind us to "Be still, and know that I am God." All we need to do is rest in our Lord and receive His blessings.

Have you ever sat in a room with a group of children singing, "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart?" You can see God's Joy beaming from their eyes! It's one of those old children's songs that "make" the singers feel His joy! I hope and pray that you will experience God's Joy as you worship Him today.

Live Above Our Circumstances - With Our Lord!

Until reading today's devotional, I had never thought of "living above my circumstances" - in a different way than is prominent in parts of our world! Instead, I have thought of it as spending more money and buying more "stuff" than I can afford (That's what my parents said!) - on credit cards.

Life on this earth is often filled with trouble and distress. What a blessing to know that we can live above these troubles - and be filled with joy and peace since God has overcome the world. One of my daily "breath prayers" is "Abide in me and me in Thee" in order that God fill me with His Love, His Joy and Peace.

I still remember my friend who kept talking about wanting some kind of joy in her life. She is a wonderful Christian lady who just hadn't realized that is possible - by spending more time with our Lord. What about you? Can you feel God's Joy and Peace in your life?

I have enjoyed listening today to "I Need Thee Every Hour." This beautiful hymn reminds me that I must spend time with God - not just occasionally, but every hour.

Wait - Trust - and Hope!

Today's scriptures and devotional are blessed reminders that it is up to us to trust in the Lord and keep our eyes on Him - and also to be willing to wait on His timing. It is only from this trust and patience that we can attain hope. I still recall the words of my father on what we thought was his death bed: "My only hope is in the Lord."

Have any of you tried the short prayer, "I trust you, Jesus," many times throughout the day - as was mentioned in an earlier devotional?  If you have been doing this and feel a change in your life and/or attitude, please share with me and others. I pray that you are feeling more of God's Presence and Peace and Hope.

Walk By Faith - Not By Sight

It seems that if I walked only by what I see in this hurried, fear-filled world, I could not make it through the day! I and several friends agree that we don't know how people survive without God's Love and Presence. Along with that is the power of prayer; I truly believe that we can feel that Peace and Presence that can only come from our Lord through prayer.

During two hospital stays in the last two years, I have had a most "unlikely" peace. Even when the doctor told me that he thought I had a very serious illness (though that was not true), I still felt a wonderful peace. It was only later that I thought through the fact that many people were praying for me. I praise God for the power of prayer!

Do you have stories/events to share about how the power of prayer has worked in your life. Many of us need to hear these stories as we continually seek God's Presence and Peace.

Be On the Lookout - for God's Guidance

My spiritual director has reminded me a number of times to watch out for nudges from God. She says that many times these feelings of being nudged to do a certain thing - call a certain person, visit a friend or shut-in, email encouragement to someone, etc., may very well be the direction God is wanting me to go. I think that today's devotional is telling us the same thing when it says "be on the lookout for all that I am doing."

The scripture passages are both such wonderful reassurances that God does hold us by the hand and is a shield for us throughout life. It is up to us to profess our trust in Him. A few weeks ago, the devotional had a suggestion to repeat the words, "I trust you Jesus," many times a day. Have any of you been able to do that? Do you have any stories to share about the result of that commitment and trust?

Rest in God's Presence

For many of us, life seems to go faster as we get older. I am sometimes in the group of friends that have at least 5 or 6 things to do in a day - in our semi-retirement/retirement years. While reading today's devotional, I began thinking about the choices that I make to allow my world to "spin faster and faster!"

I recently heard a pastor speak about various spiritual disciplines - including solitude and simplicity. Her words reminded us that we must have those times of solitude when we are "listening" to our Lord in order to be more closely connected with Him and feel His Peace and Presence. Along with this comes simplicity since when our lives get so filled with things and/or activities, we often don't have time to have that solitude - and Peace.

I listened earlier today to the old hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," and thought it closely related to today's devotional and scripture passages. A few of the lyrics say, "Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, It is well with my soul." In my younger life, I thought that just "happened" without any effort on my part. I now realize that I must take time to rest in God's Presence - talking and listening to Him and seeking His direction and Peace.

Do you take time every day to rest in God's Presence? Would you share how you have made this into a lifetime habit since it is one that challenges me and many others.

Seek First God's Face and Presence

I had never thought about one of Sarah Young's comments about anything we desire more than God becomes and idol. Today's reading and scriptures make it so clear that we should be talking to God about what we are pursuing in order to be clear that this is God's Will. I hope and pray that God will guide me to NOT have other idols in my life - except for my Lord.

I hope that the beautiful hymn, "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," will bless you as it has me in my worship time today.

Joy in the Midst of Trials

The scripture passage from James 1:2-3 spoke to me in a most profound manner! I praise God for His assurance that joy can come - even during our trials and temptations - and that from these can come endurance and persistence.

In what ways does your life relate to today's devotional and scriptures? I keep hearing from friends that on many days, the words from Jesus Calling are surely "meant" for them and just what they needed. Please share with me and others when that happens in your life.

Stay on the Path With Jesus

I'm not sure that I have any comprehension of the magnitude of God's Love and Presence and Being! Today's devotional tells us that our Lord goes ahead of us - and at the same time stays close to us. Even though my "worldly mind" has difficulty understanding this, our reading and scripture make it sound simple - Just TRUST HIM and stay near to Him.

"He Leadeth Me" is an old hymn that came to mind with today's reading. I hope that you have time to listen closely and focus on the words. 

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

• Refrain:
  He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
  By His own hand He leadeth me;
  His faithful foll’wer I would be,
  For by His hand He leadeth me.

Make Friends With Life's Problems???

On some days, I think I would have lots of friends - if I made friends with each and everyone of my problems! However, I will admit that I agree with Sarah Young's words that "Every problem can teach you something..." I usually don't see what I am being taught at the time that challenges and difficulties are going on in my life - but rather after the fact, maybe many years later. I embrace the scripture from Romans 8:28 that reminds us that God DOES work for good - in all things to those who love Him.

Some days, it is really difficult to thank God for negative events in my life. Today's reading tells us the importance of doing so. Another scripture that is so clear about this is:
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

The Hymn, "Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart" is one that I have previously suggested. I have listened to it again today during my worship time as it always touches me in a special way about the importance of gratitude.

Refuse to Worry!

I have mentioned before that worry has been one of my many bad lifetime habits. Today's scriptures and devotional give us some guidance on how to keep the "wolves of worry at bay!"
Some of the words that spoke particularly to me were those about staying in CONTINUAL communication with God - and fill that time with our gratitude to our Lord for His many blessings.
If we stay in communion with Him, that must mean that we are constantly aware of His Presence - which "leaves no room for fear."

I found that there are at least 13 references in the gospels to the term "worry" - or rather "not to worry!" Please join me in reviewing those scripture passages and maybe memorizing a few that we can bring to mind when worry is trying to get us down.

Listening for God's Voice

When you are trying to make a decision, how do you determine if God is guiding you or if someone/something on earth is pushing you in a certain direction? I often struggle with this issue and have been known to say, "I'm sure that's what God wants me to do," even though deep in my heart I am unsure.

Today's reading and scriptures remind us that the sheep know the master's voice - and thus we should know our Master's voice! The passage from Ephesians has some ways to do that such as to live a peaceful life, be patient, humble, and gentle - and serve others by bearing their burdens.

As part of my training in spiritual direction, I also know that I MUST spend quiet time with my Lord, listening for His voice - and also studying His Word. What are ways that you discern the voice of our Lord over the many voices we hear on earth?

Abundant Life - and Joy Unspeakable

Sarah Young's words speak so clearly about "searching for life in many wrong ways...fleeting pleasures...wealth...deny aging!" What blessed assurance we are given in today's scripture readings about living life abundantly. The passage from Matthew 11 has always brought comfort to me: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...and you will find rest for your souls."  Every time I read these words, it feels as if Jesus is wrapping me in His loving arms and taking away so many hurts and anxieties.

The passage from I Peter 1:8-9 is the basis for a gospel song called "Joy Unspeakable." Here are the lyrics to the first verse and refrain:

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth ev'ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus' feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.

Refrain

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

Oh, the half has never yet been told.

(I had difficulty finding music for this hymn. If you can find the music, please let me know.)

Trust Only Him!

What spoke to me most clearly in today's devotional was that the Peace that our Lord gives us is "to the extent that you trust in me (God)."  Several weeks ago, Sarah Young wrote a devotional about the importance of our trust in the Lord; she suggested that we go throughout the day saying repeatedly that "I trust you, Jesus." I have been doing this more than ever in my life - including a few weeks ago as I was being wheeled into surgery. It was amazing how God's Presence gave me a remarkable Peace during that time.

Both of today's scripture passages are such wonderful affirmations about the fact that He WILL keep us in "perfect peace" when we take to him our anxieties - and our gratitude of thanksgiving.

The old hymn, "Only Trust Him," is a beautiful one that I hope you enjoy. This is an instrumental version but with the lyrics included.