Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” – Matthew 7:14

Examination of Chapter: Matthew concludes his writing on the Sermon on the Mount in this chapter. Its focus is on right relationships, the goodness of God, discernment, and the reward of godly obedience.

Application: Yesterday, I played a round of golf with my husband. I like to think of myself as a golfer, but I’m not a very good one. My scores for an 18-hole round of golf vary between the 140s to the 160s. If I were to hit the ball into each of the holes on the course in the amounts of strokes allotted, my score would be 72. No matter how much I want to hit the golf ball straight down the fairway, that rarely happens. Sometimes my ball falls into the “rough” – the thick grass along the airway. Sometimes it drops into a sand trap or disappears with a resounding “plop” into a water hazard. Many times to my frustration, my ball becomes lost in the woods or reeds. Clearly, I’m not the best golfer by far, but I try.

Golfing has a lot of similarities to my Christian life. There are many times when I totally miss the mark in regard to living a godly life. No matter how much I want to walk the narrow path of righteousness, I tend to get distracted by the temptations of sin. I veer off into the rough due to the lure of sin’s temptation, and before I know it, I’m caught in sin’s sand trap, and I struggle to get out. In golf, it takes a lot of effort and determination to make a decent shot. If I don’t make a concerted effort to remember all the things I need to do to make a good shot, my ball goes awry. Likewise, if I don’t keep the things of God in the forefront of my mind, my life will continually be subject to the hazards of the world and its wicked ways. Jesus cautioned in Matthew 7:13, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:”

In golf, there are special clubs to help move a ball to where you need it to be. Same for life. These are special God-given “clubs” to help me live the lifestyle that honors God.

1. The driver – This club is designed to hit the ball far, and its target is the center of the fairway. In my Christian life, Jesus is my driver. It is He who first gives me my direction in life. When I first put my trust in Christ and accepted Him as my Saviour, He set my course in life. Through His Word, He directs me to walk God’s fairway… the path of righteousness.

• “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” – Psalm 37:23
• “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105

2. The iron – The iron is a club that is designed to keep my ball headed to the green, the area in which I will find the hole or cup, which is the goal for my golf ball.  In my life, the Holy Spirit is my “iron”. He constantly teaches me through God’s Word; He convicts me of sin, and He empowers me to fight against sin, which keeps me headed to my spiritual goal… to be more like Jesus.

• “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” – John 14:26
• “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” – John 16:8 
• “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16

3. The wedge – This is a specialized golf club that is used for short-distance approach shots and escaping those awful hazards. They give golfers the control needed to hit shots that stop quickly on the green or slide cleanly out of the sand. In my Christian walk, these would be the specific verses of Scripture that help me overcome struggles in specific spiritual battles.

• “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.” – Psalm 119:28
• “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalm 119:111

4. The putter – The putter is used to put the ball directly into the hole. This club represents God’s grace. The goal for my life is live according to God’s will. I cannot do this on my own. It is only through the grace of God that I am saved and can do anything that pleases Him.

• “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” – Ephesians 2:8
• “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” – Titus 2:11-13

In golf, a bogey is when a player takes more than the allotted strokes to get the ball in to the hole. I have many bogeys in my golf game, but I’m going to keeping trying to improve my score. Similarly, I have also had many “bogeys” in life, but, as in golf, I  will must continue to focus on my goal and strive to be better each day. With God’s grace, I can say, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14), and I look forward to the day when my course is finished, and my faith becomes sight!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes enabling me to see You in so many areas of my life… even a golf game! I know that apart from You, I am nothing. Thank You for molding and making me into more like Your precious Son. Empower me by Your Spirit to serve You more and better each day. Help me to recognize the sin that so easily besets me and take the way of escape that You provide. Thank You for Your faithfulness in all things! I love You! In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” – 1 Peter 5:8

Examination of Chapter: Peter writes to church leaders and exhorts them to lead their flock just as Jesus did. He continues to tell the believers to be humble, to submit to God and depend upon Him to care for every need. Lastly, Peter cautions them to be careful because Satan seeks to destroy them, but God will care for and deliver them by His grace.

Application: I have never heard of “Skeeter Syndrome” in all my years in the medical field. However, my recent research of the symptoms of this dreaded disease has driven me to the conclusion that I suffer from this chronic ailment.

Skeeter syndrome is basically an allergy to the saliva of a mosquito. Instead of the small bite and minor itching that most people experience, those with Skeeter syndrome develop large, itchy, swollen welts due to an inflammatory reaction in which the body reacts by the production of histamines. The welt and intense itching can last from a few days to a couple of weeks.

The only treatments focus on the symptoms. Antihistamine or steroid creams, cold packs, and abstaining from scratching the affected areas are the recommended treatments. However, the best way to deal with Skeeter syndrome is to avoid areas with mosquitoes. Easier said than done.

Skeeter syndrome reminds me of sin. It starts with a little buzz… a hint of what is to come. I know the bite’s coming, but I’m not sure how to combat it or if I even want to do so. For example, I’m given too much change at the market. Do I keep quiet or give it back? Maybe it’s listening to the local gossip. Should I stay and listen or leave immediately?  Maybe it’s what I watch on tv. A hit movie filled with violence and sin or a wholesome family film with godly values? Like a mosquito, no matter how hard I try to swat it away, it persists… just like the pesky bug. Most of the time I don’t even realize I’ve been targeted for a bite until it’s too late. I’ve been bit! Sin has struck and it’s after effects can last for a long time.  

The best way to avoid sin is the same as for Skeeter syndrome. Don’t put yourself in the situation where you’ll be bitten, and if you think you’ll be in that situation, protect yourself. When it comes to mosquitoes, which are everywhere in the summer time except maybe Antarctica, I have to protect my body with mosquito repellent, applying it liberally to my skin and even my clothes (yes, they can bite through jeans!). When it comes to sin, I have to protect my spirit with the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:14-17 because verse 12 of this chapter clearly identifies my spiritual enemy. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

I must be 100% protected from mosquitoes to avoid the pitfalls of  Skeeter syndrome. When I am only partially protected, it is inevitable that I will get bit, and what will follow will be days of intense itching and pain spreading outward from the bite. Likewise, I must be 100% protected against sin. Just because I’m saved and forgiven of all my sins doesn’t mean I am protected against the temptation to indulge in sinful behaviors. Therefore as Ephesians 6:11 states, I must “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The minute I let my guard down, I will get bitten, and the bite of sin hurts more and lasts longer than any mosquito bite.

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, help me be alert to sin in my life. I know my enemy thrives on tempting me to act contrary to Your will, and so often, my flesh agrees. Empower me by Your Spirit to resist sin. Bring to my mind Your Word to fight the battle of sin. I know I can have the victory in Jesus. And it’s in  His precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” – Galatians 5:1

Examination of Chapter: Paul writes about the importance of standing firm in the truth that our salvation is not dependent upon the works that we do. He cautions against trusting in traditions from the past or depending on the adherence to the Law of Moses for salvation. He stresses that it is Christ alone who saves, and if we are trusting in works to save us, we are dishonoring the cross of Christ. He explains that we should serve others in our love for Jesus and walk in His Spirit only.  

Application: There have been a plethora of devotions written about the freedom of Americans and relating them to the freedom that Christians have. While they are undeniably different, it is true that for both freedoms, a huge price was paid.

As an American, I am indebted to all who made sacrifices in their lives to give me my freedom. Whether serving 2-6 years in active duty, or those who signed on and never came home, the decision to serve our country is to be honored. In the War for Independence, it is estimated that 25,000 colonists lost their lives. The US War department estimates a little over 1.2 million military men and women sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom from 1775 until the present time, and in the same amount of time, approximately 42 million Americans have been in the armed services. There are also US agencies that are involved in protecting us that we have no knowledge of how many individuals have been involved due to the sensitive nature of their work. Because of all these courageous individuals, we can enjoy the freedoms that so many people in this world cannot.

Just to name a few, we enjoy the following luxuries of liberty.

• Freedom of speech
  • We can criticize our governmental leaders without fear of imprisonment or execution.
• Freedom of religion
  • We do not need to worship in secrecy. Regardless of one’s faith, in America, we can worship whom we want openly.
• Freedom to vote
  • In free elections, we can cast our vote for the candidate whom we want to represent us.
• Freedom to work
  • I can choose my own career, and then switch occupations if I so desire.
• Freedom to travel
  • I can go wherever I want in this country without requiring permission from any governmental body.

These are just a sample of the numerous freedoms that every American citizen can enjoy. And each one of them was paid for and continuously defended by our hundreds of thousands of military individuals, government officials, and an untold number of individuals that we will never know about. For that, we should be grateful and celebrate, not only July 4th, but every day of the year.

As a Christian, I am indebted to One individual. The price for my spiritual liberty was paid in full approximately 2,000 years ago on a very cruel Roman cross by the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He chose to sacrifice Himself, so that everyone who desires the assurance of forgiveness of sins and eternity in heaven with Him can have it. Jesus died to give me life, and that life is everlasting.

Jesus sacrificed Himself to save all of mankind. Here is what He gave up to save us:

• His divinity – “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” – Philippians 2:7
• The glory of heaven – “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” – John 6:38
• His unity with the Father – “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46
• His sinless body – “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
• His blood – “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” – Ephesians 1:7

Our freedoms, whether from human tyranny for which we celebrate on July 4th or from the tyranny of sin that is celebrated when an individual places their faith and trust in Christ, are bought with an incomprehensible price. As Americans, we celebrate the birthday of our beloved nation. As Christians, let us also celebrate the liberty wherewith Christ has made us truly free and always remember what was selflessly done for all of us.

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, how blessed I am to live in this land. I love my country, and I thank You for allowing me to be born and raised here. But, O God, I thank You even more for the freedom I have in Christ. Thank You, dearest Jesus, for dying on the cross ,and then rising from the grave 3 days later to become the Saviour of the world. Thank You for forgiving all of my sins… past, present, and future, and for the assurance that one beautiful day, I will see You face to face in heaven, where I will spend eternity in Your presence. I love You so much. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” – Mark 4:39

Examination of Chapter: This chapter is mainly about the parable of the sower and its explanation to the disciples by Jesus. At the end, it focuses on the miracle of Jesus calming the sea simply by speaking.

Application: Wow! Last night was BRUTAL! I don’t know the specific numbers, but it rained buckets! The storm that came through was INTENSE! Of course, rain pounding on the thin metal shell of a camper always sounds exceptionally loud, but last night was the worst I’ve experienced in a long time. It woke me up in the middle of the night with the deafening pounding of the rain on the camper and nearly non-stop lightning and thundering! For about 30 minutes or longer, it bombarded the area, and I could not fall back asleep.

I thought about the folks who were out on a nearby lake in houseboats (although John reassures me they were safe in their small coves), and I remarked to him (the storm woke him as well) that they must be feeling what the disciples felt in their tiny boat on the sea of Galilee during the fierce storm that Jesus eventually calmed.  If I was this apprehensive inside a camper and completely safe, I could only imagine what must it have been like for the disciples… fishermen who were well acquainted with storms on the Sea of Galilee… who were so frightened that they cried, “Lord, save us: we perish.” (Matthew 8:25). Then I thought how amazing that Jesus simply uttered three small words, “Peace be still”, and the rain ceased, and the waves calmed…immediately! Wow!

So laying there, I thought I’ll pray for that as well, not expecting a miracle, but just sharing with God what was on my heart. So I prayed that the storm would cease its ferocity quickly and that no one would be harmed on the lake, in our campground, or on the surrounding roads. Within the next 5 minutes, the storm stopped. I thought it was just a lull, but it never resumed. Again, WOW! Do I believe God responded to my specific prayer? I don’t know, but I do know one thing, He very well could have. And for that I praise Him and thank Him!

Life is full of times when we get fearful. I don’t know about you, but often I think, “Who am I, that God would even pay attention to my prayer? After all, in the overall scheme of things, I am just one of billions… not too significant… yet, the Bible tells me again and again about the unique relationship I have the Lord.

So, here’s what I do know about our relationship:

1. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” – Jeremiah 1:5

• God thought about me specifically before He created me!

2. “..I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” – Psalm139:14

• When God  did create me, I was made wonderfully and marvelously by Him!

3. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

• Jesus sacrificed Himself for me, a sinner, an enemy of God, yet He loved me even then!

4. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

• God desires to hear everything that concerns me because He cares so much for me!

5. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” – 1 John 5:14

• I know, without a doubt, that God hears AND answers my prayers when they are aligned with His perfect will, and it doesn’t matter how little or big those prayers are!

My relationship with God is special; there is none other like it. So, while I may not know for certain that last night’s storm stopped because I prayed, I choose to believe that my God heard my prayer and acted. Does that make me special? Should I be puffed up with pride? Absolutely not. God is an equal opportunity “listener of prayer” with His children. He listens to each one of us individually as if we were the only ones in the entire world talking to Him. That shows that God is a personal God who cherishes each one of His children and desires to bless us “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20). Again, all I can say is “Wow!”

I am grateful that I don’t have to face my fears alone. I know when I cry out to God, He hears me. I know when He answers, it will be what He has deemed best for me, whether it’s what I asked for or not. For that I say, “Wow! Thank You, Jesus!”

By the way, for me, “Wow!” means “Wonder Of Wonders!” My God is truly a God of Wonders!!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I have a living Saviour who cares for me every moment of every day. I am so thankful that when I call out to You, You hear me every single time! I know I am safe in Your arms always. Thank You for the reminder that it is You who control the winds and waves. It is You that watches over me, protects me, and loves me beyond my understanding. I am Your child… WOW! In Jesus’ precious name, amen,

Scripture: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” – Romans 7:15

Examination of Chapter: In this chapter, Paul explains how controlling sin can be. He reminds believers that they are no longer “under the Mosaic law”, but now they are free because of Christ. He explains that sin is constantly a struggle even for Christians because we still are carnal beings living in a sinful world. The law was given to reveal sin and how powerless we are against it. We can only have victory through the empowering Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Application: For the last couple of days, I’ve been riding my bike with my husband. It’s not an easy task for me as I have chronic knee pain that requires steroid shots to minimize the discomfort the bending causes, but I do it for a couple of reasons. One, I love doing things with my husband. Two, I know it’s good for me to get outside and breathe some fresh air, and lastly, I know it’s a great way to get purposeful movement in for my body.

I feel the same way about going to the gym. I’d much rather be home, reading a book or watching a Christmas movie (true confession… I watch them year-round). But, like the biking, going to the gym has a lot of health benefits, both physical and mental. So, I force myself to go… although, not as often as I should.

Paul knew exactly what that was like when he stated in Romans 7 that he knew what he should do, but failed to do it, and then the contrary was true for him as well. What he knew he shouldn’t do, he did. As Christians, we are often like Paul in that sometimes we don’t want to do those things that are critical to do for our spiritual health, and the things that are detrimental to our spiritual life, we do. No one wants to say they don’t want to read the Bible, yet that is often something we postpone doing, and then, frankly, it doesn’t get done. Prayer is another necessity for our spiritual well-being, yet often it is subconsciously viewed as obligatory and rushed, or solely engaged in at mealtime. I am so guilty of this!

Unfortunately, good habits, like eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead of chips and cookies, are not as appealing to our carnal nature. Give me a bowl of ice cream any time, any day, and I’ll happily indulge. The truth is, however, that eating foods rich in fat and sugar intensify joint pain (I apologize to my knees!), compound heart and lung disease, and make for a pretty weak and unhealthy body.

Similarly, neglecting to read my Bible and pray yields a very ineffective spiritual life.  My faith becomes weak and unable to do as Ephesians 6:16 states, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” I become extremely vulnerable to the attacks from Satan and easily fall prey to his temptations. My spiritual defenses are not able to protect me when “… your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8). Reading the Bible and praying strengthen my faith and my walk with God empowering me to “fight the good fight of faith” as Paul calls it (1 Timothy 6:12).

I also cannot defend myself against my own thoughts and sinful ways when I don’t fortify my spiritual being with Scripture and prayer. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” I easily fall victim to both my excuses and justifications for sinful behaviors and the world’s rationalizations for wicked actions. As the Spirit of God works to convict me of sin, my carnal self fights just as hard to justify every sinful action! I, like Paul, cry out, ”… for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”

All is not lost! The remedy for an unhealthy soul is the same as for an unhealthy body. If I neglect to eat daily, my body will suffer. When I choose to not read my Bible or pray, my spirit also begins to experience the effects of a weakened faith. I must do that which I know is good for healthy growth of my spiritual nature. It is vital to make Bible reading and prayer purposeful on a daily basis, not simply items on a checklist that I get to mark off when done. Make time to read and study the Word of God each day.

The first item that nourishes our souls is reading God’s Word. Joshua 1:8 explains why the Bible is so necessary for our faith. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” In reading the Bible, we learn more about our Lord, more how to live our lives to please Him, and more about how to fight the battle against sin and wickedness in this present world. Titus 2:12 explains the importance of a good foundation in the Scriptures. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Every verse in the Bible is meaningful for our lives as 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” Neglecting the Bible will result in a starving soul.

The second element which feeds our souls is prayer. James 4:8 tells us why prayer is key to our relationship with God. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” That is why the Lord commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Keeping ourselves close to God is key to victory over sin in this world. We communicate to God through prayer, and He communicates to us through His Word. Let’s keep the lines of communication open each and every day!

There is a children’s Sunday school song that speaks to these truths.

Read your Bible and pray everyday, pray everyday, pray everyday.
Read your bible and pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow!

Don’t read your Bible, forget to pray, forget to pray, forget to pray.
Don't read your Bible, forget to pray, and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink!

There’s a lot of wisdom in those simple lyrics! Let’s grow our faith each day!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, I cry out to You for wisdom and help. Many times I have chosen my way, not yours, even when I’ve known better. And even though there have been times when I’ve doubted Your forgiveness for sinning against You, You keep reminding me THROUGH YOUR WORD, that You forgive every sin before and after my salvation. I am not perfect, and that is not an excuse to sin, but it is an admission, O God, that I am a broken vessel that still needs You to heal me. I thank You for Philippians 1:6. It is a comfort to know that I  am still Your work in progress. I thank You for 1 John 1:9 that reminds me that You forgives me every time I ask. Help me to be faithful to reading Your Word and praying to You. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:21

Examination of Chapter: In the chapter, the writer of Hebrews is basically reminding the Christian Jews how they ought to live on a daily basis. By doing such, they are honoring God and bringing glory to His name.

Application: Today I had the opportunity to sign via internet for a deaf lady at a conference for missionaries. It was quite challenging as I was about 900 miles away, and the internet was a bit sketchy at the campground my husband and I stayed at last night. My husband thought it would be best to try and get on the road as the internet is often better on the interstates. As we started out, he noticed a rest area coming up, and the signal on our phones switched to a better connection. He decided to pull in and stay to take advantage of the stronger link. When he drove into the rest area, he saw a cell tower just behind the parking area! Our phones shifted to 5G immediately! With a few minutes to spare, I connected with the class and was able to sign the session. That was all God!

In response, some may say, “God certainly works in mysterious ways!’ However, to say “God works in mysterious ways” is not really accurate because the Bible tells us exactly how God works.

1. God works for His specific purposes.

• “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

2. God works for His pleasure.

• “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

3. God works for His glory.

• “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” – Isaiah 43:7

When we carefully look for His hand, we will see it actively working in our lives, in our situations, in our families, in our churches. Mysterious? Not really. More like incredibly amazing, and for that, He is to be praised!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, thank You so much for what You do in my life. You enable me to serve You in the most amazing ways. When I feel I am not making any significant contribution to the cause of Christ in specific areas, You choose that moment in time to show me the value of what You’ve gifted me with to serve You. You are so incredibly good to me. There aren’t enough words to praise You and thank You. Please, O God, help me always to remember that as Your servant, all I do is of You, not me. Keep me humble. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” – John 4:10

Examination of Chapter: The majority of this chapter is the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This is the first public announcement by Jesus that He is the Messiah, and the woman, in a sense, the first missionary, as she runs back to the town, shares what she has learned about Jesus and who He is. The end result is that many of the Samaritans in her community believed on Jesus.

Application: When I reflect back on my younger days, I vividly remember drinking from the hose, and that water always tasted good especially on those long hot summer days. In this day and age, we are cautioned to not allow children to quench their thirst from a hose due to the possibility of contracting some horrible disease. So what do we do? We buy water that someone has decided to bottle and label with a fancy name. Who would have ever thought that people would actually pay for something they can get from their tap? I have to ask myself, “Does it really taste better or am I just imagining it?” Regardless, I have convinced myself it does, so I pay the price for my unfounded indulgence.

Today is National Hydration Day. Since our bodies are a little more than 75% water, it’s important to drink water throughout the day whether you drink from a hose, the tap, or a fancy-labeled bottle. Wouldn’t it be nice if our bodies didn’t need a constant replenishment of water?

In John 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well, and their conversation centered around water. This was the first time He made it known that He was the Messiah. When He asked for a drink from the lady, she questioned Him, asking why He would speak to a Samaritan since He was a Jew. In His answer, He commented that if she knew who He was, she’d ask Him for His water. He went on to state that with His “living water”, she would never thirst again. Puzzled, she continued to question Him and his response in verse 14 states, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” As He continues speaking to her, He reveals for the first time that He is the Messiah for whom all Israel has waited.

The wonderful thing about the living water that Jesus offers is that it never has to be replenished! It is full and overflowing in our lives when we invite Him to be our Saviour. Upon placing our faith and trust in Christ, we immediately receive the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. He is that “living water” of which Jesus speaks of in John 7:38, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  

This offer that Jesus makes is for anyone. In John 7:37, He declares, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Jesus is ready to forgive sins and bestow His living water to anyone who seeks it. Once you have His Spirit, your soul will never thirst again!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your precious gift of salvation and your living water that accompanies it. Use me, O God, to share this living water with those in need of Jesus. Help me to be like the Samaritan woman who ran to tell everyone about the Messiah! May the spiritual fountain within me overflow to others with the reality of who Jesus is, and cause them to desire to know more about Him. In Jesus’ sweet name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:18

Examination of Chapter: In this second letter to the believers in Corinth, Paul writes urging them to remember that God’s grace has saved them and will allow them to serve Him regardless of circumstances. He instructs them to associate only with those who are like-minded, that is, to be separate from the carnality of the world and to remember that they are the children of God… He is their Father.

Application: Although Mother’s Day was recognized in the early 1900s, Father’s Day was not made a holiday until 1972. However, it was in 1908 that the first occasion of honoring fathers happened as a result of the dead of hundreds of coal miners in West Virginia. A year later, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington sought to have a day to celebrate fathers. She urged the Spokane Ministerial Association and the local YMCA to do exactly that, and on the third Sunday in June 1910, the first recorded recognition of fathers from the pulpit occurred.

Father’s Day had a hard time becoming a national holiday. It was introduced to Congress in 1913, but did not pass due to opposition from President Wilson. 8 years later, President Coolidge signed a resolution regarding Father’s Day, and in 1962, President Johnson signed an executive order designating the third Sunday in June as the official day of celebrating fathers, but it wasn’t until 1972 that Congress passed it as a national holiday.

While we all have fathers, they are not all worthy of celebrating. While some fathers have been thoughtful and devoted to their children, some fathers are absent from the picture. Some have been uninvolved in their children’s lives intentionally; some have lacked the ability to be loving and caring; some have even been abusive. Some fathers simply don’t know how to show love. But there is one Father who will always love, always care, and never leave His children: God, our Father in heaven.

Our heavenly Father promises to love us eternally as it states in Jeremiah 31:3, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Our heavenly Father promises to care for us. Matthew 6:26 records Jesus’ words, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

Our heavenly Father promises to be with us always. In John 10:30, Jesus states, “I and my Father are one.” He then states in Matthew 28:20, “…lo, I am with you always”, thus the Father will never leave us.

Lastly, when God created man, He did it differently than anything else He had made. All of creation had been spoken into existence, but not Adam. To create him, the Bible records in Genesis 2:7 that God first physically molded man with His hands out of the dust, and then, unlike the animals, to give him life, God breathed into the body He had fashioned. It was, as the Bible records, “the breath of life”… God’s life! “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Each individual who has ever lived has the breath of God within their body. Regardless of one’s relationship with Him, the physicality of God exists in each human being! And then, when an individual places his faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we are adopted into God’s family, and our heavenly Father’s Spirit comes to dwell within us! 1 John 3:1 declares, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God”.

Regardless of your relationship with your earthly father, your heavenly Father desires a personal relationship with you that began as a thought in His mind and continues for all eternity. Jeremiah 1:5 confirms,“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;” and He sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, to make possible an eternity with Him as stated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Oh, what a Saviour! Oh, what a Father!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much. Your Word tells me again and again how precious I am in Your sight. Thank You for your tender loving care, and the promises You have given me, assuring me that You will always be with me, from now until forever. I am so happy to be in the family of God!  In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” – Psalm 118:8

Examination of Chapter: What a wonderful chapter that praises God for His mercy and care of His children. Despite being persecuted by the enemy, God always protects and delivers His own in His time and way. The psalmist rejoiced in God’s salvation and praised Him for His salvation, goodness, and mercy.

Application: Traveling with a cat certainly has its ups and downs. I love having her with me when we go camping, but I’m not sure she feels the same way. She doesn’t seem to mind roaming around our travel trailer when we’ve set up camp, but she is not always a “happy camper” when we’re driving, and she is riding in her carrier. I know she doesn’t understand that it’s for her own safety, but it is, and after several days, she seems to accept her fate when we’re in transit to a new location.

This reminds me of my relationship with God as I travel through life. Many times He keeps me safe in ways in which I am not appreciative, and I grumble about it. It could be as simple as getting a flat tire that detains me or more complex, like not getting a job I wanted.

The Bible reminds me in Isaiah 55:8 that my ways are not the same as God’s ways. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Of course, if someone were to ask me outright if I thought I was smarter than God, I answer with a resounding “No!”, but sometimes I must confess that I do think I know what’s best for me. Same as my cat. She thinks if she could roam free in the truck, all would be well. She is completely unaware of the dangers if she should get underfoot of the brake pedal or bolt out of the door when we stop for gas. I think if God answered my prayer in the way I wanted, my life would be amazingly wonderful! I am totally unaware of the dangers that could present themselves if God answered my prayers exactly as I want. Therefore, I must learn to trust the Lord more than I trust my own instincts.

However, trusting God in every situation takes a concerted effort. I know in my head that I should trust the Lord in every and all circumstances as it states in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” I often forget that my understanding is so limited and biased, plus it is often fueled by my sinful nature. Learning to trust God is an ongoing process in my life, but Psalm 37:5 reminds me, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”  As I travel through life, I must continually be reminded by His Spirit to pray and seek His guidance for everything in my life. By doing this, I will cultivate a more trusting relationship with the One who will never lead me astray. In Psalm 32:8, God promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” It is good to know that God will do that which is best for me always if I listen and trust His counsel.

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, forgive me for trying to grab the reins from Your hands! My mind understands that You are all wisdom and all knowing, but my heart, which Jeremiah says is “deceitful and desperately wicked”, wants its own way. Thank You for protecting me from myself. Help me to surrender my will to Yours in all things, and grow a stronger trust in You. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” – Hebrews 6:19

Examination of Chapter: Hebrews 6 is urging believers to move beyond their initial foray into faith and to cultivate a deeper, richer relationship with God. The writer emphasizes that God always keeps His Word; He never lies, and He is the same now as He was when He made the Abrahamic covenant. By developing a more mature faith, the believers will come to understand the promises that God has made and will be able to depend upon them.

Application: I have a flower garden that is blooming quite beautifully right now. Unfortunately, so are the weeds! It is a constant battle keeping them from intruding into the rich fertile soil in which my flowers are thriving. I find that if I catch them early, they are easy to pull from the ground, but if I miss some, and they get anchored into the soil, they often break off, leaving the roots intact and able to grow a new weed. Being anchored with strong roots assures a plant, flower or weed, it won’t be easily removed from its spot.

That’s the same way it is with our faith in Christ. We need to be solidly anchored in the Word of God, so that we don’t become easy prey for Satan and the world to rip us from the fertile path of faith. So, how does one become anchored in their faith?

Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The place to start is with reading the Bible. The more a person reads the Scriptures, the stronger their faith becomes! As we study the Word of God, we become more and more like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. A metaphor for life, the wise man is anchored on a solid rock upon which no storm can destroy. Conversely, the foolish man built his life upon sand, meaning there is no substantial foundation for that in which he chooses to believe. This man would be easily swayed by circumstances, social media, celebrities, etc. (Matthew 7:24-27). He is missing the deep roots of faith to keep him anchored to Jesus in times of trouble or temptations.

Psalm 18:2 states, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” This is the Rock upon which we are anchored when we trust Christ as our Saviour. He is unmovable and unchanging; He is all-powerful and all-knowing; He is our stronghold and our refuge. When I am anchored in Him, I cannot be uprooted. Satan, the world, and my sinful nature constantly wants to uproot me from the garden of my Christian faith.

I become more deeply rooted in my beliefs as God’s Word continually fertilizes my faith with its wisdom, truth, and power, and it grows stronger and more sure. Being anchored in Christ provides security in the knowledge that in Him, I am nurtured and cultivated by the Spirit of God to grow a faith that cannot be uprooted by the temptations of the culture or the lies of the devil. When I am anchored in Jesus, the Solid Rock, I am able to blossom in my Christian walk, and I cannot be uprooted from the saving grace and truth of God’s Word.

Moments with God: Dearest heavenly Father, keep me grounded in Your Word. Help me to not only read it, but study it, meditate upon it, and hide it in my heart that I might not sin against You. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.