Category: Devotionals

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:18

When I was born, I was part of an established family. My mother and father were my parents, and I was their child. It was impossible for me to refuse to be part of this family. It was my destiny. I was a part of this family from the moment of my conception through no action of my own. There was nothing I could do to alter that; no choice of mine had been involved. I was born into the family, and I would remain a part until one day when I chose to leave.

That moment occurred on the day I married my husband. One moment I was part of one family, and the next, I was part of another one. I made a conscious choice to leave my birth family and cleave to another, and on my wedding day, I moved from my initial family to a brand-new one! My new family only had two members, my husband and me! From there, I began a new life, one filled with the promise of love, adventure and great hope for the future!

My spiritual life was much the same. When I was born, I became part of a family that was cursed with sin and separated from God. There was nothing I did to earn this status; there was no choice involved; it simply was the consequence of one man’s sin approximately 7,000 years ago passed on to me when I was born. When Adam chose to disobey God, this original sin curse was passed on to all of humanity. My birth propelled me into this sin-cursed family just as being born has done for every person who ever lived. Romans 5:12 states, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

I remained a part of this family until I made a conscious effort to leave this family. Until that moment, I suffered sin’s consequences and faced its worse punishment – separation from God for all eternity. No one is exempt; this outcome is the same for all humanity. We are all members of sin’s family without choice. However, we can be changed from this terrible sinful “family” to one filled with eternal love in the presence of God forever, but it takes action. Just like choosing to marry and leaving one family behind, each person has the ability to choose to join with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, leaving the curse of sin behind. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

When we ask for Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins and accept Him as our Saviour (for which He died upon the cross to become), we make the conscious decision to leave behind the wickedness and debauchery of sin for the holiness and righteousness of God. Just as a married individual does not return to live with his/her original family, we never return to the household of sin once we choose God. We belong to Jesus Christ as part of the Church, His bride, and we will live forever with Him in heaven one day as a member of the family of God!

When my husband proposed to me, I made a choice at that moment to become one with him. When Jesus sought to redeem me, I made the choice to join with Him forever by accepting His gift of salvation. Today, I have a bridegroom here on earth and life is wonderful and fulfilling as we serve the Lord together, but one day, I will be united with my Bridegroom in heaven, and what a glorious day that will be… when I see Jesus! “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 33:11)

Oh, what a time will be when we see loved ones there;
Those who have gone before, eternal joys to share.
And, oh, what a song when the blood washe!d throng
Starts singing a song the angels cannot sing.

Oh, what a moment, when we see Jesus;
When we stand face to face in His embrace;
And thank Him for amazing grace,
Oh! what a moment, when we see Him.

(from “Oh, What a Moment!” by Squire Parsons)

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:17

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Jesus extends an invitation for all of us to join Him at the marriage supper of the Lamb. I hope to see you there!

“And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.” – Luke 5:18

As a mother, there were many occasions when I had to take one of my children to the doctor. Usually it was for something minor, maybe a respiratory virus or an ear infection, but once in a while, it would be for a more serious problem, and I was always relieved when the doctor successfully treated my son or daughter. I also recall times when it was necessary to take an adult family member or friend for medical attention. Unlike my children, these individuals sometimes needed a little more persuasion to go, but I would not relent until they consented to let me take them and receive treatment. Regardless of the age or reason, I was glad to be able to bring those who needed a doctor to his office because I knew they would be made well.

In a spiritual sense, the world is full of those who are “sin-sick.” The lives of all of us are under the curse of sin and its evil influences. Sometimes its symptoms are manifested in small ways, and other times the effects of sin are grossly obvious. This is the pandemic that should strike fear into every heart because we are all impacted by the depravity of sin.

Fortunately, many of us have been healed of the long-term consequences of sin. We have seen the “Great Physician,” who has cleansed us of this horrific disease of sin by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. We now have immunity against the eternal consequences of sin – separation from God forever. We now have the promise of everlasting life in heaven! John 3:16 states, “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,” and our redemption is secure through Him.

But there are many in this world who are still suffering from the “sin-sickness.” Some are so sick, they do not even hope for a cure; they simply go through the motions of living, attempting pseudo-remedies for the guilt of their sins. Some are oblivious to their condition. They live without the understanding that one day they will be judged for their sins. Others choose to ignore the symptoms of their sin, hoping their own works will eradicate the sin. But the truth is the only cure is Jesus. Sadly, there are many who don’t know that He is their only hope. They need someone to take them to the only One who can save them from their sins. They need someone, like the men in Luke 5, to take them to Jesus for healing. Someone like you and me.

Do you know someone who is “sin-sick”? Why not be the one who takes them to Jesus for eternal forgiveness and healing of their soul? That’s what friends are for!

Shackled by a heavy burden
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me
And oh the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.

(from “He Touched Me” by Bill Gaither)

“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:19

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A friend in Christ is a friend forever!

“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” – Psalm 55:17

When my children were little, they often suffered from ear infections or croup, and it seemed like the illnesses frequently made themselves known in the middle of the night. I remember a few of these late night occasions when one of my children would spike a fever or have an unceasing cough, and I would be without the medication I needed to soothe their discomfort. This was long before the time when stores were open past 9 pm, so to get any medicine, I had to find the location of a 24-hour pharmacy. I remember how relieved I felt when I called and heard a voice telling me that they were indeed open for business.

Isn’t it great to know that our God is accessible to us 24 hours a day, seven days a week? The Bible tells us that whenever we pray, God is listening. He never sleeps, never takes a day off, never refuses to “take our prayer.” God is always available to us.

All throughout the Scriptures, we are repeatedly reminded that God is just a prayer away.

• “Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.” Psalm 66:20
• “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…” 1 Peter 3:12
• “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29
• “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” Jeremiah 29:12
• “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.” Psalm 91:15
• “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17
• “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” Psalm 18:6

You never need worry that heaven will not be open when you call. No matter what time of day you pray, you will always find a listening ear in Jesus.

Whisper a prayer in the morning,
Just at the break of the day;
Why fear the fight, in your battle for right,
When you know He will lead all the way?

Whisper a prayer at the noontime,
Pause in the midst of the throng,
Look unto Him who can conquer all sin,
In thy weakness, in Him thou art strong.

Whisper a prayer at the twilight,
After the day’s work is done,
No other friend will prove true to the end,
Like Christ Jesus, the Crucified One.

Whisper a prayer, just whisper a prayer,
Even a whisper He’ll hear over there;
Victory is thine, in His love so sublime,
When to Jesus you whisper a prayer.

(from “Whisper a Prayer” by Scott Lawrence)

“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” Psalm 4:3

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The next time you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep, why not have a little talk with Jesus? He’ll be up!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

Recently, my youngest granddaughter celebrated her 13^th birthday. Her mother baked a beautiful multi-layered cake covered in rainbow sprinkles. What was known only to the baker was that inside the center of the cake were more sprinkles mixed with small chocolate candies that spilled out when the first slice was lifted away from the cake. Needless to say, the cake was a highlight at the celebration!

Man is just like that cake. On the outside, a person can be beautiful in appearance, tall in stature, or polite in conversation, while inwardly that same person can be unhappy, angry or bitter.  Anyone can see the outer person, but the only one who can see our heart, our inner man, is our Creator. We can be “clean” on the outside, but very “unclean” on the inside, and only God knows what is in our inner being.

The Bible tells us that we should strive to be like Christ. Every part of our lives should be modeled after Jesus, inside and out. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;” (Ephesians 5:1) We should follow in His footsteps as closely as possible. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6) To do so, we should study the Scriptures for only through them will we learn how to be more like our Saviour. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

Here are some attributes of Christ that we should cultivate in our hearts.

• Love – “…for God is love.” 1 John 4:8
• Faithfulness – “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23
• Forgiveness – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
• Truthfulness – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
• Kindness – “Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.” Psalm 31:21
• Obedience and Humility – “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:6

These are but a few of the characteristics of Christ in God’s Word that we should strive to emulate. As we study the Scriptures, we will grow in our faith, and as we grow in our faith and apply the truths of God’s Word to our lives, we become more like Christ. If we can truly walk in His footsteps, God will see His Son in our hearts when He looks at us, and when we reflect Jesus, the world will see the love of God, and our inner being, our living testimony, will point them toward the Saviour.

Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.

Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

(from “Oh, To Be Like Thee” by Thomas Chisholm)

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

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What do you see when you look into your spiritual mirror?

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” – Ephesians 5:15

Walking is a very good exercise. It strengthens the heart, the lungs, and the muscles. It gets us outside where we receive sunlight which enables our bodies to produce vitamin D, which gives strength to our bones. When incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, walking can be a very beneficial activity, but it must be done sensibly. You wouldn’t want to go for a stroll in the center of a busy highway, carelessly amble across a narrow precipice, or saunter through a dangerous environment filled with hidden snares. But done wisely, walking is a wonderful activity!

Just as we exercise our physical bodies, we must do the same for  our faith. We can reap great benefits in our spiritual lives when we walk with the Lord. Deuteronomy 30:16 explains, “In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” The Bible tells us to walk circumspectly, which means to walk with discretion, being watchful, prudent, and cautious. The question the becomes, “How do we walk circumspectly?”

First, we must know where we are going. How do we determine that? We use our guidebook, the Bible. God has a plan for each of our lives, and that plan has an expected destination. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” As we walk, we keep our focus on the Lord and our lives on the godly path, which means living the life God would have us live as dictated by His Word. It is not always easy, but it is good, right, and best for us. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Second, we must beware of pitfalls along the way. Sometimes, it is wise to have a guide leading the way. In our Christian walk, we always have someone ready to escort us safely through life. That guide is Jesus Christ. “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) It is easy to be distracted by things all around us. The allure of the world is always trying to pull us off the straight and narrow path of our Christian lives. By following in the footsteps of Jesus, we will stay on the right path. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Thirdly, we are told in Ephesians 5:16 that we must “redeem the time.” This means we must make good use of the time God has given us. We are here for a purpose; God has a divine plan for each one of us. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 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 13:20-21) We are here to learn to know God better, to love Him more deeply, and to serve Him with all of our hearts. These are the reasons for which we must wisely use our time here on earth, and we must not squander the time given us. The Bible states, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short…” (1 Corinthians 7:29) Jesus will return soon, and then our work for Him will be finished. Until then, there is much still to do!

Lastly, our walk must be upright. Our lives must reflect Christ to the world, shining brightly as a testimonial to our God. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11) We are surrounded by a lost and dying world that seemingly is spiraling deeper and deeper into sin and depravity. Ephesians 5:16 ends with a reminder verifying that “…the days are evil.”  We must bring the light of the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, to those around us, for in Him is their only hope!

So, are you ready to take a walk today for the Lord? Let’s do it!

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

(from “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” – author unknown)

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls…” Jeremiah 6:16

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Remember, every journey begins with one step. Why not take that first step for God today?

“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Today begins the 3^rd week of my health journey. It has been amazing for me both physically and spiritually. Part of my success comes from the support of a wonderful online community where people post their favorite recipes, share tips for success, or respond to questions from those seeking help on their own journeys.

I have read several posts where individuals are in despair when the numbers on the scale do not drop as much as they had hoped. Many say they have eaten right, drank lots of water, and didn’t cheat, but the scale did not reflect a change. They wondered what they had been doing wrong, and some have been close to quitting the program. Then the floodgates open! Responses pour in offering encouragement and help. The posts usually advise not focusing on what they’ve seen on the scale, but instead to continue as they’ve been doing knowing because often the results will come in the form of inches lost, more energy, looser-fitting clothes, etc! The pounds will come off eventually, but it takes time. Basically, their advice is “Don’t depend on what you see, depend on what you know to be true.”

It is the same way in my spiritual life. When I don’t see outward changes in my spiritual life, I get discouraged. I wonder how did I get behind in my Bible reading? Why don’t I remember to pray before I go to bed? Why can’t I remember verses anymore? I am focused on what I see before me, not what I know to be true. If I honestly examine my life, I see a woman who is becoming closer to God through quiet times of morning devotion in her prayer garden, through intermittent conversations with the Lord throughout the day, and through times of thoughtful meditation upon God’s Word as she researches for her writing. I cannot rely on what I “see,” I must depend upon my faith – what I know to be true, and I know that the Bible says if I “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:7) There is no sacred recipe for becoming closer to God. The only real commonality is that we must begin with faith in Jesus Christ, and then God works in each of according to our own unique circumstances.

As I strive to be a “doer” of the Word of God and not a “hearer” only (James 1:22), I am taking steps to become more spiritually healthy. Maybe I am behind in my Bible reading, but I am reading it more than I did before. Maybe I forget to pray before I go to sleep, but I do pray more than I did before. Maybe I can’t memorize as well as I did before, but I do remember those verses I did commit to memory long ago. These are the true facts that cannot always be seen, but are the stepping stones to a strong and healthy spiritual walk with the Lord.

I may not see the spiritual results I desire today, but that doesn’t mean they’re not quietly developing within me. I must keep on doing what I know is right in the sight of the Lord, and I know I will become closer to Him. The Scriptures tell us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) As I seek God, I know He will reward me spiritually. I must set my sight on things above, not on things below! (Colossians 3:2)

When troubles rise and catch you unaware
The day to day of living seems unfair
So you try again all your dreams and plans
But they end up in defeat
The fancy frills that once brought thrills
Now leave you incomplete

And you wonder where you’re life’s gone wrong,
And why you can’t find peace
Your hope’s not gone, it’s just been too long
Since you’ve had to believe

Keep believing in what you know is true
Keep believing, you know the Lord will see you through
When troubles rise in your life
And you don’t know what to do,
You’ll be fine if you just keep believing 

(from “Keep Believing” by Tim Pedigo)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

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“Faith is not knowing God can; it’s knowing God will!” – Ben Stein

“Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” – Psalm 143:10

I have been a teacher for many years, and when people find out that I taught middle school for over 30 years, they usually say something like, “Wow! Middle school? You must be a special person!” My response is always the same. “To teach children in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades, you either hate it, or love it like crazy.” I was the latter. I loved teaching these kids, and I gave it my heart and soul. But as much as I loved it, I still made mistakes. Sometimes it was in something I said, and my students would eagerly point it out. We’d usually have quite a chuckle over it! Sometimes there were mistakes in the textbooks, and I would be the one to explain the errors to the children. I am sure there were mistakes made that slipped by the students and me on several occasions! Mistakes just come with the territory!

However, there is a teacher who never makes mistakes, and His textbook is error-free!  That teacher is God, and His textbook is the Bible. There are so many lessons in life to be learned, and some of them take a very long time to master, but He is a very patient teacher. As His child, He teaches me continually,  and sometimes He has to teach me the same lesson over and over before I get it! But He never gives up on me! The Lord states in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

God is also very thorough in His educating. He doesn’t just teach me a few things; He wants to teach me all things! John 14:26 states, “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.” When God teaches us, He goes beyond the traditional reading, writing, and ‘rithmentic. “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:27.

What are the benefits of being taught by God?

• We gain knowledge and judgment. “Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.” Psalm 119:66
• We have peace. “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah 54:13
• We learn to love. “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9
• We learn how to raise our children. “Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.” Judges 13:8
• We learn to identify sin. “That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.” Job 34:32
• We have salvation. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.” Psalm 25:8
• We learn His truth. “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalm 86:11

I am so glad to know that God is my teacher. His lessons are exactly what I need in my life. He leads me through situations where I learn to depend upon Him, and He shows me the rich blessings I can have when I heed His teachings.

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way;
Thy gracious aid afford, teach me Thy way.
Help me to walk aright; more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way.

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way;
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way.
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way.

(from “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord” by Benjamin Ramsey)

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

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3 R’s of Spiritual Learning

• R – Recognition: Realize you’re a sinner
• R – Repentance: Turn from your sins and ask Jesus for His forgiveness of those sins
• R – Redemption: Accept Jesus as your Saviour and make Him Lord of your life

From here, you’ll have a new life in Christ, and the best teacher ever!

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” – Ephesians 3:20

The other day, I was trying to open a jar of pickles. I did everything I could think of to open that jar, but nothing worked. Finally, I took the jar to my husband. His fingers covered the lid, gave it a slight twist, and it popped off. After I thanked him, I jokingly said that I must have loosened it in order for him to get it off so easily, but the truth is, he has more strength in his hands than I do in mine. There are a lot of things that I rely on John to do for me simply because he is stronger than me. One of the wonderful things about him is that he often does things that are difficult for me before I even have a chance to ask!

God is like that. He is omnipotent… all powerful; there is nothing that God cannot do! His power is available to us 24/7 in the person of His Holy Spirit. When I reflect on the past, I can see numerous occasions when God’s power has evidenced itself in my life. Sometimes it was in situations where physical strength was needed. Other times it was emotional strength, but many times it was spiritual strength I needed. No matter the reason, God’s power is always accessible to His children.

Here are some examples of God’s great power.

• His creative power – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
• His power over nature – “But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” – Matthew 8:27
• His power to heal – “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.” Luke 6:19
• His power over death – “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth…” John 11:43-44
• His redemptive power – “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.” – John 3:16
• His power to forgive sins – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:9
• The power of His cross – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
• The power of His gospel – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16
• His power to change lives – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Only God has an eternal supply of power to impact an individual physically, mentally, and spiritually. And He has given us that power through the ministry of His Spirit. Feeling the need for some of that power today? All you need to do is go to the Father. He is waiting, willing, and able to give you all the strength you need to make it through any situation.

Sometimes life seems like words and music
That can’t quite become a song.
So we cry inside, and we try it again
And wonder what could be wrong.
But, when we turn to the Lord at the end of ourselves
Like we’ve done a time or two before
We find His truth is the same as it has always been
We’ll never need more

It’s not in trying But in trusting
It’s not in running But in resting
Not in wondering But in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord

(from “The Strength of the Lord” by Phil McHugh)

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13

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Need a little “Power-Aid?” Take a drink of God’s living water!

“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” – Hebrews 11:16

My mother passed away 27 years ago at the age of 65. The last 15 years of her life were difficult for her. She suffered multiple hospitalizations from an autoimmune disease that destroyed her kidneys, most likely a result of her exposure to radiation from the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima, Japan.

Although she endured so many hardships in her life, I remember her as a devoted mother. When I was to start kindergarten, she handmade 30 dresses for me in which to start school. (She was quite a seamstress!) She wanted me to have a dress for each day of the month. She taught me many things as I grew, including how to iron my father’s shirts, how to make rice (every Japanese girl had to know this!), and how to sew an invisible hem by hand.

Growing up in Japan, my mom was raised a Shintoist, but she never stopped me from attending church. After I was saved at the age of 12, I spent years sharing the gospel with my mom and praying for her salvation. Finally, in 1992, I had the privilege of leading my mother to Christ at the side of her hospital bed. Her excitement over being saved has never left me. I can remember her exclaiming to the first nurse that came into the room, “This is my first day as a Christian!” Along with my mother, the nurse and I cried tears of joy!

Her last year of life was a very difficult one, and when she entered the hospital for the last time, she was placed on a ventilator due to her inability to breathe well on her own. She remained alert and communicated to me by writing. When the realization came that she would never be able to be weaned off the breathing machine, and would be transferred to a chronic respiratory facility nearly 50 miles away, she made the decision to come off the ventilator. The doctor explained to her and me that her own lungs were not strong enough to sustain life, and without the aid of the machine, carbon dioxide levels would rise in her body, and she would eventually go to sleep and pass away.

My mother and I discussed this throughout the night, and while she fully understand the ramifications of coming of the ventilator, she did not want a future miles away from me, John, and her beloved grandchildren. Once she had made the decision, she slept peacefully. Early the next morning, as I sat beside her, she startled me by repeatedly hitting my hand and pointing to a corner of the ceiling. I looked, but saw nothing. She hastily scribbled a note.

“Don’t you see them?”

“Who?” I asked. No one was in the room, nor had been for quite a while. I thought she must be hallucinating.

She wrote furiously and handed me another paper. I read it as she kept pointing to the same spot.

“The angels. They’re in white!”

Stunned, I looked back to the ceiling again. I never saw them, but I never doubted they were there, ready to escort my mother to heaven. Their presence gave her an incredible assurance about the decision she had made. I still have those notes as a reminder than there are definitely angels among us. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

Later, when the doctor arrived, my mother calmly wrote on a piece of paper the words “I want to go home.” He looked at her through very compassionate eyes, and said, “Sawako, you cannot go home. You need this machine to breathe.” Her eyes had the old familiar sparkle in them that I remembered so well. “No,” she wrote. “I want to go home to Jesus.” The doctor was speechless. He looked at me, and through my tears, I nodded and said, “She is ready to meet her Saviour.”

In less than 24 hours, my mother got her heart’s desire. She went home… to Jesus.

Before the Lord created me, He planned my life with you.
And He prepared you specially for all that you would do.
Then Jesus chose the best for me and sent me to your side
So I could see His life in you and you could be my guide.

You were there to teach me of Jesus before I understood,
You were there to tenderly love me when I thought nobody could.
You were there to comfort and hold me close when my days were filled with pain
I have seen God above through a mother’s love, all because you were there.
All because you were there…

(from “You Were There” by Ron and Shelly Hamilton)

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” – Proverbs 31:10

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Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I love you so much, and I still miss you more than words can say. I can’t wait to see you again one day in heaven!

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” – Luke 10:39

I am an only child. I grew up with no siblings, but I do have sisters. I have sisters in the Lord.  These are women that I love dearly, and we have formed a bond through our love for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. One of my “sisters” is a woman who has taken me by the hand and embarked on a challenging journey with me. It is my journey toward a better life, and that sister is my health coach, Anna Marie Lawrence.

I met Anna Marie when I worked at Dacula Middle School. Her classroom was opposite mine, so we’ve known each other for several years. I also had the pleasure of teaching her eldest daughter in my 8th grade class, so I got to know Anna Marie as a parent as well as a teacher. (She’s a great mom, by the way!) Our friendship developed further when we decided to earn our Specialist degrees at the same time. We carpooled to Ducktown, TN for the classes, and on the long Saturday rides to and from Georgia, we had ample time to share stories, laugh at jokes, and just have a great time together.

After I retired, we kept in touch mainly through social media. Then the coronavirus came, and we were all “sheltered-in-place.” Anna Marie had posted something on FB about “Quarantine Kickstart,” and I was intrigued, so I thought… why not give it a try? After all, it was just a 2-week thing, and I wanted something to do over the time of quarantine. As the end of Kickstart approached, I realized I wanted it to go on; I was enjoying it. I talked with Anna Marie about the whole program, and she shared her own journey with me. She had just started in January, lost 48 pounds at this point, and she sounded so happy. All of her postings showed her with the biggest smile on her face. I knew Anna Marie was not one to do anything on a whim; she is very intelligent and analytical, and we are like-minded spiritually, so I knew I could trust her judgment. I asked questions, and she answered every one with sincerity and honesty. (I took notes on everything she said!) She never pressured me; never coerced me; never guilted me into anything. She simply reached out in love, and I chose to accept it! Now, 10 days into the program, I am so grateful for her reaching out with that first post. Her success and encouragement was exactly what I needed to make one of the best decisions of my life.

Why do I need a health coach? For me, this journey is more than a plan to improve my physical health. It is also a time when I am striving to grow spiritually. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” When the going gets tough, having someone on whom I can turn to for help, who understand exactly what I am going through, is so important. Even the Bible references those who needed help from others in their journeys. When Moses grew tired, he had his own “coaches” to help hold his arms up (Exodus 17:12). Timothy, a young pastor, had the apostle Paul as his “coach” (1 Timothy 1:2). Having a coach who prays for me is far more valuable than anything else she could do for me. We are told to pray for one another throughout the Scriptures. Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” That’s what Anna Marie does for me!

However, the greatest advantage to having a sister in the Lord as my coach is the “bonus coach” that I get! Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus is my bonus coach! Like Anna Marie, He is also with me every step of the way! Because my journey is also a spiritual one, I am seeking the Lord in every part of this effort, and I know Anna Marie totally understands me when I share my thoughts about the Lord, His part in my journey, and my dependence upon Him for success. I know that there are three of us working together on my health journey. What a team we make!

I am only on day #10 in my health journey, and my physical results so far have been very encouraging. As of today, I am down 8.5 pounds, and I have had no food cravings! My energy level is up, and I am feeling great.

Anna Marie, you are a blessing to me, and I am so glad God chose you to be my health coach!!

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together,
Bind us together with love.

Made for the glory of God,
Purchased by His precious Son;
Born with the right to be clean,
For Jesus the victory has won.

(from “Bind Us Together” by Bob Gillman)

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

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“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘You too? I thought I was the only one.’” – C. S. Lewis