Category: Devotionals

“… Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17

Today is Sunday. Normally, I’d be getting ready for church, but covid-19 still has me at home. There are a lot of things about being isolated that don’t really bother me personally. I can keep busy writing, which is, for the most part, an “isolated” activity. I like to read, so that is another activity that doesn’t require socialization. But there is one thing that I struggle with during these times.

I miss church! I miss worshipping with my church family! While I can listen to my pastor via livestream, which is a way to watch a church service over the Internet, it cannot replace the physical fellowship with other believers. One thing that is helping me through all this is music. I love church music. It blesses my heart to no end, so I love it when Bree, my granddaughter, and I play hymns together. She plays her violin; I play the piano, and it’s such a joy for me! This morning I was really touched by the song, “Til the Storm Passes By” by Mosie Lister. (I posted a link to the video on my Facebook page.)

Currently, many of us are in the midst of a great storm that is testing not only our physical, emotional, and mental lives, but our Christian life as well. We are isolated from our church families. Being with my church family helps me face the storms in my life, but right now, I am unable to be with them, and that is very difficult for me. I miss those hugs from Sandra and Joanie and others. Those hugs are like an exchange of love between us! I miss those cheery “Good mornings!” from Ann and Lois as we work on getting our Sunday school rooms ready for the children.

I miss hearing others pray. I miss hearing the quiet “amens” as Pastor shares his messages. I miss the smiles on the faces of my friends when we see one another in the sanctuary. I miss the sparkle in the eyes of the children when they see me and run over to share something that happened to them during the week. I miss hearing what God has done in the lives of my church family. And I especially miss hearing all the voices joined together in song! Congregational singing, choir songs, special music… I miss it all! My list could go on and on…

Oh, how I miss church!

But like every other storm in my life, God has always seen me through. Sometimes the storms were small, like when I couldn’t find a necklace that meant so much to me (I eventually found it a few months later!); sometimes the storms were big, like when I was diagnosed with breast cancer (I am a 19-year survivor!). Through each and every one, God was with me. He guided me, comforted me, supported me, carried me, and loved me. And guess what? I got through them all… even the ones where I could see no earthly way for the storm to subside. Even when my faith was wavering. Even when I felt it was all so hopeless. Even when I felt utterly defeated, God was faithful

He always was; He always is; He always will be. So hang on, He’s got you. The storm’s almost over.

In the dark of the midnight, have I oft hid my face;
While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place;
‘Mid the crash of the thunder, precious Lord, hear my cry;
“Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.”

Many times Satan whispers, “There is no need to try;
For there’s no end of sorrow, there’s no hope by and by”;
But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I’ll rise;
Where the storms never darken the skies.

‘Til the storm passes over, ‘Til the thunder sounds no more;
‘Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand, in the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.

(from “Til the Storm Passes By” by Mosie Lister)

“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

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Share a little “Sonshine” today! Send someone a virtual hug!

 

 

 

 

“Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” – John 11:40

These are the words that Jesus spoke to Mary at the tomb of Lazarus. Apparently, Martha had some idea that Jesus was going to do something when He commanded the stone be rolled away from the sepulchre opening because she reminded Him that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus then responded by telling her all she needed to do was believe. In that split second, Martha made a decision to simply believe, and she told the men to remove the stone.

How many times do we have opportunities to simply believe? Our minds try so hard to rationalize why God cannot do something, and sometimes, we even offer excuses for Him. Those excuses are demonstrations of our unbelief.

We need to remember that God can do anything! Absolutely, anything! There is nothing too big that God cannot handle. There is nothing too trivial to which God will not respond. That means that if we would just choose to believe God, we would see Him act in ways that would amaze us, reminding us of who He truly is!

I have a challenge for you (and me)! When times are tough or frightening; when heartaches threaten to overwhelm you; when despair is all you see, turn your head away from those things and focus on Jesus. Choose to believe in what you know is true.

Here is my weekly list of chosen beliefs.

SUNDAY – I believe that God is worthy to be praised!

• “I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” – Psalm 22:4

MONDAY – I believe God loves me!

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

TUESDAY – I believe Jesus will come for me one day!

• “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3

WEDNESDAY – I believe God will meet my every need!

• “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

THURSDAY – I believe my prayers are heard by God!

• “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

FRIDAY – I believe that God cares about me!

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

SATURDAY – I believe that God can do anything!

• “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” – Luke 1:37

Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne,
From death into life He went for His own;
All power in earth, all power above,
Is given to Him for the flock of His love.

Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot,
He enters all rooms, “the doors being shut,”
He never forsakes; He never is gone,
So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe.

(from “Only Believe” by Paul Rader)

“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

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Remember, seven days without believing in God will make one weak!

What’s on your list?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105

Fake news. I’ve heard so much about this in recent times. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the television news, radio broadcasts, or newspapers. I don’t know what is truth and what are lies. What I once thought was dependable, at least in part, has now demonstrated itself to be completely unreliable.

I am so glad that the Bible will never be able to be labeled as “fake news.” Everything written in its original works has been inspired by God and preserved by Him for us today. With all the turmoil in the world today, here is some “true news” for me and you!

God’s promises in times of…

Fear – “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4

Anxiety – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Financial Troubles – “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Weariness – “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Loneliness – “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Sadness – “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

Depression – “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 42:11

Feeling Unloved – “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.” Jeremiah 31:3

Feeling Worthless – “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” Isaiah 43:4

Hopelessness – “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:114

These are just a few of the truthful promises in God’s Word. When I am struggling, I know I can go to the Bible and find the encouragement and strength I need to get through my troubles. There is no “fake news” to be found in the holy Word of God!

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

(from “Wonderful Words of Life” by Philip Bliss)

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

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Trust His Word; it’s never fake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45

When I was a teenager, my mom gave me a hope chest. This was for me to put in all the things that I might want to have when I married. I added things through the years, and when I married John, I finally was able to take out all the wonderful things that I had saved. Among the many treasures I had stored were cute kitchen towels, a beautiful shawl passed down from my grandmother, several items from Japan, and a quilt that my friend had made for me. Everything that I withdrew from my hope chest had been lovingly chosen to be in there. I did not expect to find anything I had not placed inside of it.

That is just like my heart. Everything that is in it has been placed there by me! There is nothing within it that I did not allow to enter. Therefore, the only things that I can bring out from my heart are the things that I put in. That means that songs from my youth are there as well as hymns that I sing in church. Images from long ago are side-by-side with the vivid pictures from yesterday’s morning walk. Unfortunately, along with the wonderful Bible verses I’ve memorized over the years, there are a few coarse jokes that I shudder at when I recollect them.

Why is it so important to guard what I put into my heart? Today’s verse reminds me that what is in my heart is what will come out of my mouth! Sadly, some of those things that I never should have put into my heart in the first place manage to come out when I least expect it. Those things can damage my testimony for Jesus! Oh, how I wish I would have kept the garbage out of my heart!

I cannot change my past, but I can control my future, especially when it comes to what I allow into my heart. I need to fill my heart with the good things of God! Therefore, I should do exactly as Philippians 4:8 instructs me. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence, O Lord,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,
and renew a right spirit within me.

(from “Create in Me a Clean Heart”- author unknown)

“My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.” Proverbs 23:15

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What are the “Philippian 4:8 things” you can put into your heart today?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9

I remember 9-11. It was an unthinkable tragedy that impacted our entire country. There was intense fear of what might be on the horizon for America, and people trembled wondering if another attack was imminent. I remember a lot of horrible things about that day, but I also remember something wonderful rising from the ashes. Churches across our country were experiencing record attendances; American flags were flying on every city street and country road; strangers were being kind to one another; families were drawing closer to one another, and hope became a sweet fragrance wafting in the air.

I wonder what I will remember from our current situation. How has the coronavirus impacted us today? Will I remember the toilet paper frenzy? Maybe I will think back on the request for “social-isolation” in the attempt to stop covid-19 from spreading. Perhaps I will remember how the churches closed, but the bars stayed open. Maybe I will see the Florida beaches packed with spring break vacationers, or how Congress couldn’t even agree on how to help the American people. No, I don’t think those are the things I will choose to remember.

In future years when I look back on this global pandemic, I will remember how my family rallied together to support one another in our voluntary social-isolation. I will remember how grateful I was that we were all together, living under one roof.

I will remember how my husband and son-in-law went to an empty church building to arrange an online church service, and I will remember sitting with my daughter and granddaughters as we worshipped the Lord with our pastor via livestream in our living room.

I will remember my daughter shouldering the responsibility to keep our household running, and being the protective “mother hen” to my husband and me as she reminded us that we were in the high-risk group and should stay home. I will remember the love I felt (and the tears that fell) when she took that first trip to the grocery store for me.

I will remember all the negativity of social media falling to the wayside as I saw pictures and read anecdotes of how my extended family and friends were doing during their own social-isolations. I will remember how I added my own quips and photos, and how exciting it was to see those “likes” when someone had read or seen my posts.

And I will remember that even in tough times, God continues to bless. Being retired, my life hasn’t been as disrupted as many others. I am still very busy. I still homeschool the girls. I still do laundry, and I still cook and clean. But something is definitely different. My perspective has changed. I realize that when I look at things from a heavenly point of view, I see blessings where before I might have missed them.

Yes, the coronavirus is awful. Yes, social-isolation is difficult to endure. Yes, the future is uncertain. But God continues to bless, and He continues to be God. When I become fearful and life seems overwhelming, I will choose to focus on who God is, how good He has been to me, and the innumerable blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

(from “Count Your Blessings: by Johnson Oatman, Jr.)

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” Psalm 138:7

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What gifts has God given you today?

 

 

 

 

“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues from generation to generation.” Psalm 100:5

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin is said to have written this comment in a letter regarding the potential success of the newly adopted Constitution of our country. Like our forefathers, we are also living in times of uncertainty.

Unsure of where the future will take us can be very unsettling, but during these trying times, it sure is good to remember that God is a certainty that is unwavering. God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8), and His Word is rock solid. In today’s verse, I notice three things about God upon which I can depend.

1.God is good. “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” – Psalm 73:1

• My pastor often says to us, “God is good all the time!” and then we respond, “All the time, God is good!” It is true that God is good to us, and according to Psalm 107:8, we should praise Him for it. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” I love the song, “Count Your Blessings” because it reminds me of how good God is to me. When I reflect upon all the things that He has done for me, I am amazed and grateful for His goodness toward me!

2. God’s love endures forever. “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.” – Jeremiah 31:3

• So many people feel unlovable, but God loves each and every one of us! He created each of us as unique, yet in His image. Oh, what love! The Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God! “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

3. God is faithful. “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” – Psalm 119:90

• There is no uncertainty when it comes to God’s faithfulness. He has proven Himself again and again to be faithful. He is faithful to forgive. He has been faithful to keep me safe from evil. He has been faithful to continue a good work in me, and He has faithful to never leave me. Throughout all the ages, He has always kept His Word. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

No matter what happens in this life, I know God is always with me, will always do what is best for me, and will love me forever! He’ll do the same for you!

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed thy hand hath provided–
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

(from “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas Chisholm & William M. Runyan)

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

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Remember, God holds tomorrow in His hand!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Psalm 95:6

It’s Sunday morning! Today is the day that many people set aside to worship the Lord. I don’t know about you, but today seems a bit odd to me. I should be heading off to church by now. Instead, I am sitting on my couch. The nasty coronavirus has me isolated at home, so going to church is not an option. However, it will not stop me from worshipping God!

I have chosen a nice outfit (even though I’m not going anywhere), and I’ve done my hair and make-up. I have my Bible and my computer, and I am ready to go… well, you know what I mean. In just a little while, my pastor will begin our church’s morning service, and I will be an active part of it! I will sing, I will pray, and I will worship with my church family via my computer on livestream! Today, I am especially grateful for technology!

I may not be able to jump into my car and drive to my church, but covid-19 cannot stop me from worshipping my God. Oh, I forgot to mention an extra bonus to worshipping at home. I get to drink a cup of coffee while I’m “at church” today!

May you all worship our Lord with your families in your homes. Sing loudly, pray fervently, and worship with joy in your hearts knowing that God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to be your Saviour!

Have a very blessed Lord’s day!

This is the day, this is the day.
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
That the Lord has made.

We are the sons, we are the sons,
Of the living God, of the living God.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in Him, and be glad in Him.
We are the sons of the living God.
We will rejoice and be glad in Him.
We are the sons, we are the sons of the living God.

(from “This is the Day” by Les Garrett)

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

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How wonderful to live in a country where we can still freely worship no matter where we are!

 

 

 

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 56:3

It’s okay to be afraid. Lots of things in life are scary, and right now, we are all facing the reality of the coronavirus. It is a terrifying illness. Each day, the statistics regarding this virus worsens. There seems to be no end in sight.

Every time I read or hear something about covid-19, I feel the fear rising within me. I want it to all go away, but that’s not happening. Am I afraid? You bet, I am. But wait, aren’t I a Christian? Yes, I am. Don’t I believe in God? Absolutely! Yet, I still fear? Yes.

Sometimes I get the impression that people believe Christians are supposed to be fearless. Even people of faith often believe this of themselves and their brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only are we supposed to be fearless, but we are not supposed to be sad or angry or anxious, etc. In fact, every negative emotion is not supposed to be part of our lives, or we are perceived as being “weak” in our faith. The implication is that we are not truly placing our trust in God.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

When God created mankind, He created us with a myriad of emotions, including the less desirable ones. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” I am the image of my Creator, and since He has some of these “negative” emotions, it stands to reason that I have them as well. Here are some examples of God’s emotions.

1. God grieves. Genesis 6:6 states, “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” In Ephesians, Paul also writes that we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30)
2. God weeps. John 11:33 simply states, “Jesus wept.” God is speaking to Jeremiah when He says in chapter 17, “Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.”
3. God gets angry. John 3:36 records this truth. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
4. God knows sadness. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3

Fortunately, God also provides the remedy for these feelings that we experience. There are a plethora of verses that address the individual emotions that threaten to overwhelm us. However, one passage in Scripture holds the cure for all of the fear, anger, depression, etc. that invades our lives. Colossians 3:1-2 states, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Focusing on Jesus is the only cure for the fears, anxieties, and troubles that threaten to engulf me on a regular basis. When I remember that God really is in control, and that He loves me and cares for me, these disturbing emotions fade into the background. Turning to the Bible for verses that remind me that I can depend on God in any and all situations gives me peace about the stuff going on in the world. The coronavirus, the chaotic government, the economic crisis, and even the lack of toilet paper… these worrisome things all fade away… until the next time I hear or read something about it. When the fears begin to creep into my head once more, I grab my shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit and swing away (Ephesians 6), hurling verse after verse and lifting my shield high until all those fiery darts are quenched and fizzle out.

Sometimes the battles are over quickly, but sometimes they are long-lasting. Don’t doubt your faith! Just hold on to Jesus, and claim His promises! Keep fighting the good fight! If you feel like you are losing strength, grab your Bible! Find the verses you need to help you stand strong in the power of God! Call someone and pray together! Don’t give up! The battles may continue to rage, but we are assured victory in Jesus! Eventually those disturbing thoughts and frightening feelings will fade (and maybe even disappear completely), and as you continue to focus on specific verses, the peace of God will return, and when it does, His peace, which passes all understanding, will fill your soul!

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

(from “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Howarth Lemmel)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

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Don’t be unarmed! Read your Bible and pray often!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15

One of the visitation ministries of our church takes place in an assisted living facility. While we are there, we sing songs of the faith, share a devotion, and have a time of prayer. Many of the residents have difficulty remembering who we are even though we’ve been coming there for a very long time, but nevertheless, they are excited when we are there.

As time has passed, many of those who have come faithfully to our visits have become less and less participatory in the devotions. Even simple questions designed to engage the residents go unanswered, but I have noticed two things that have been a tremendous encouragement to me.

First, when we sing songs like “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Standing on the Promises,” or “In the Garden,” most of them sing along. No one uses a hymn book; all the songs are sung by memory. And when we sing the songs from Sunday school, like “Jesus Loves Me,” and “The B-I-B-L-E,” every single one of the residents sing out!

The second thing I have noticed is that when asked to recite verses, such as John 3:16 or Psalm 23:1, the residents all say the words in unison! Seeing the eyes of these men and women light up and smiles appear on their faces as they recite verses from memory is one of the most moving moments during our visits.

It is clear to see the importance of “the traditions which ye have been taught whether by word or our epistle.” I am so grateful that my pastor believes in the importance of Sunday school. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” These wonderful residents with whom we have the privilege of visiting and sharing our faith are living proof of that verse!

Will I have clarity of thought as I grow older? I do not know, but because of what I learned in Sunday school as a child, I pray that my children and grandchildren will be able to see that I still remember Jesus in my golden years even if I forget everything else.

Precious mem’ries, unseen angels,
Sent from somewhere to my soul;
How they linger, ever near me,
And the sacred past unfold.

Precious father, loving mother,
Fly across the lonely years;
And old home scenes of my childhood,
In fond memory appear.

Precious mem’ries, how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul;
In the stillness of the midnight,
Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

(from “Precious Memories” by Lonnie B. Combs and J. B. F. Wright)

“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4

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“A grandmother’s special calling is to pray and to be a fellow worker in the battle in which her children or her grandchildren are engaged.” – Elisabeth Elliott

 

 

 

“And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”  Genesis 28:15

Well, here we are self-isolated. This virus is really making a nuisance of itself, and I can’t help but think that this whole thing plays right into Satan’s hands. We can’t go to church, and we can’t associate with our church family during a time when we are feeling scared and vulnerable. This is a time when we need to be with God’s people for support and encouragement, but we can’t be.

The good news is that while we may be unable to directly fellowship with other Christians, nothing can stop us from communing with God. As individuals, we can choose to make this time of isolation profitable to our Christian lives. It’s time to get back to the basics.

Take time to read the Bible. There are so many encouraging verses, like the one for today. God is with us, and He will keep us safe even if we have to venture out into the wild! Not sure where to start? Go to the book of Psalms. There are so many verses that can lift your spirits! “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)

Take time to pray. Just have a wonderful, unrushed conversation with God. He loves hearing from each of us. “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” (Jeremiah 29:12)

Take time to meditate upon the things of God. Listen to godly music, read godly literature, tune in to godly podcasts. Let His Spirit illuminate your thoughts as you seek Him through different avenues. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)

Take time to teach these things to your children. After all, modeling is one of the best ways to imprint habits upon our children. Family devotions and prayer time, as well as setting time aside to worship God together as a family will reap eternal benefits! “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Finally, take time to dwell on things that are godly and true instead of the rumors and social media posts that are so prevalent during this time. Satan would love to demoralize us with the fluctuating statistics, the unsubstantiated predictions, and the continued unknowns about covid-19. Let’s not allow him to invade and capture our thoughts. Instead, fill your mind with the things that are positive and of God. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Remember, to take every opportunity to share with others the reason for your joy despite the circumstances of self-isolation. God promises to be with us, keep us safe, and deliver us. We have nothing to fear! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

(from “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby)

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

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Have a great day with the Lord!