Writing On Eagles Wings

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” – Psalm 150:6

In a popular movie franchise, a group of crusty pirates are revealed as sinister skeletons that become human-like in the daylight. When exposed to the sun, skin and muscle appear over the bones, and the skeletons amazingly become pirates set on doing their dastardly deeds. These skeletons come to life due to computerized special effects, and it is clearly fictional. However, there was a time in history when real bones did come together to form human beings.

In the Bible, the prophet Ezekiel records that he observed God create a living army from a valley of dry bones. In chapter 37:1-10, God demonstrates His power to Ezekiel by commanding a bunch of old bones to assemble themselves together and be covered with sinew and flesh. The passage goes on to say that although they are standing, they are not yet living. Life does not come to the restored skeletons until God commands the wind to give them breath. From that moment on, the skeletons are a living army!

We are no different than the skeletons in Ezekiel 37. It is solely the breath of God that gives life to us all. In Genesis 2:7, the Bible states, “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.” There is no amount of medical science that can create life on its own; it may be able to sustain life artificially, but never has medical science been able to create life. It is only God who gives and preserves life.

There is a young man in my church who often begins his public prayer by thanking God for the breath in us. The first time I heard this, I really pondered the implications. Thank God for my breathing? Then I realized how appropriate that was. Without God’s intervention, I would never wake in the mornings, never utter a single word, nor sing one note of a song. Job 33:4 states, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” It is by His will and for His purpose that I am able to awake each day and live my life.

Additionally, the prophet Daniel was also well aware that God was the One who held life in His hand when he told Nebuchadnezzar, “But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:”

Without God commanding my body to function as He designed it to do, I would not be able to draw one breath! Luke, the physician, wrote in Acts 17, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”

In addition to all for which I thank God, every breath I take is now part of my gratitude list. And with that breath, I will surely praise the Lord!

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
 
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

(from “Breath on Me, Breath of God” by Edwin Hatch)

“Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” – Isaiah 42:5

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What’s on your gratitude list today?

“Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” – 2 Samuel 22:50

There’s a lot of talk these days about having an “attitude of gratitude.” Why? Because it is so easy for negative thoughts to occupy our minds, keeping us from recognizing and appreciating the blessings all around us.

Recently, I posted this question on my social media page: “What are 3 things for which you are grateful?” The responses were so encouraging! They ranged from family and friends to God’s love and His amazing salvation through His Son, Jesus, to having a job and good health! As I pondered the comments I received on that post, I reflected on my own attitude of gratitude toward the Lord.

There is so much I have for which to be thankful, and even in the midst of a pandemic, governmental confusion, and uncertainty for tomorrow, we can still rejoice in the Lord. The Bible tell us to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4).

Here are just a few of the things for which I am so grateful to the Lord.

1. His everlasting love
   1. “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
2. His Son, Jesus, my Saviour
   1. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14
3. His salvation
   1. “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
4. The Holy Spirit
   1. “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 10:45
5. His daily protection
   1. “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.” Psalm 119:117
6. His mercy
   1. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22
7. His care
   1. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
8. His daily provisions
   1. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
9. His Word
   1. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
10. His promises
    1. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 1 Corinthians 1:20
11. My children and grandchildren
    1. “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3
12. Snow and rain
    1. “For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.” Job 37:6
13. Ocean waves
    1. “Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.” Psalm 89:9
14. Stars
    1. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;” Psalm8:3
15. Physical healing
    1. “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17;14

I could on and on! There really isn’t enough time in a day to thank Him for all He has done for me and how He has blessed me! I am so grateful to be His child, forever in the family of God! Thank You, Lord!

Thank you, Jesus for all you’ve done, thank you Lord.
Thank you, Jesus for vict’ries won, oh, thank you Lord.
For Thy love and tender care,
For Thy word and answered prayer,
Thank you, Jesus for all you’ve done, thank you Lord.

Thank you, Jesus for love like Thine, thank you Lord.
Thank you, Jesus for grace divine, oh, thank you Lord.
For Thy cross of Calvary,
For Thy blood that cleanseth me,
Thank you, Jesus that Thou art mine, thank you Lord.

(from “Thank You, Jesus” by John and Ruth Hallett)

“Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.” – Psalm 75:1

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Please share with me what you are thankful for!!

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” – Philippians 1:6

From the moment I was conceptualized in the mind of God, He began His work in me. In Philippians 1:6, He promises to continue that work until Jesus returns or calls me home. Having the understanding that God found something in me that He could use is very humbling, especially when I seriously ponder who I am, what I’ve done… what a sinner I am… God knew all of that about me, yet He still chose to create me and fashion me into a vessel He could use. I have failed Him, knowingly sinned against Him, chose myself over Him, yet He continues His work in me, crafting me into someone He can use for the cause for Christ.

In Japan, there is an art form, known as kintsugi, where cracked and broken vessels are not discarded, but instead, they are reassembled and glued together with a golden lacquer. No attempt is made to hide the cracks; the golden seams are viewed as strong and beautiful. The mended pottery now becomes a unique work of art that is more rare and valuable than the original.

I am also a broken vessel that needs to be repaired. I am flawed by the sin in my life. God, in His infinite mercy, chooses to restore me instead of casting me off. Unlike kintsugi pottery, I am not mended with seams of gold. instead, I am made new with the precious blood of Christ, which He shed for my sins upon the cross of Calvary. These sinful areas in my life that are covered with the blood of God’s beloved Son are what make me beautiful in the sight of my Lord. Each time I am damaged by sin, God is faithful and just to forgive me and repair me. He promises to continue fashioning me into a vessel, rare and valuable to Him. Why does He not just cast me aside? Because He loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

(from “Have Thine Own Way Lord” by Adelaide Pollard)

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” – Isaiah 64:8
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May I always be a vessel of honor to the Lord!

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”  – Psalm 26:8

This verse is so much more meaningful to me due to covid. Even with livestream services, I greatly missed being in the house of God during our quarantine. Although I know it is not the building, but the people, being in church envelops me with a serenity and peace that is not in my house. I am not distracted by the phone ringing, the dog barking, the aroma of the morning coffee, or simply the ability to get up at will. In my Father’s house, there is a deeper reverence for worship that I do not find at home even though my heart seeks it.

I truly never thought I would see a day in America when there would be a mandate for churches to close their doors, but it happened in some places due to the pandemic. Fortunately, my church had the capabilities to livestream its worship services during the covid quarantine, but for me, it was not the same as being in the church building. While the actual place we meet is not what is important, the physical fellowship of like-minded individuals worshiping in spirit and in truth is essential in the practice of one’s faith.

During the height of the pandemic, our church services were livestreamed over the Internet. This was a tremendous blessing, but there was a subtle difference from meeting in the church building. After the quarantine, my church chose to meet in its gymnasium to facilitate social distancing, and that first Sunday I was back together with my church family was exhilarating! Psalm 122:1 states, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” It was as though a prison sentence had been lifted!

I have heard it said that a person never realizes what they have until it is gone. I can truly say that I never really understood the deep need in my own heart to be with other believers until I was no longer able to do it. Thankfully, I live in a place where churches are considered essential, and the doors have never been mandated to be closed. However, there is no guarantee that that will not happen in the future, so for now, I will happily wear a mask, have my temperature taken, and maintain social distancing if it means that I will be able to attend my church and worship together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I cherish the time I can be in my church hearing the Word of God preached and surrounded by like-minded Christians.

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

(from “We Gather Together” – author unknown)

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrew 10:25

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“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church…is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.” – Dwight L. Moody

(photo courtesy of James Miyashita)

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”3 John 1:4

One of my greatest joys is being able to be an active participant in the lives of my grandchildren, especially in areas that concern the Lord. Today, I have the wonderful occasion to share a devotion that my 15 year-old granddaughter wrote. It is my hope that it blesses your heart as much as it blessed mine.

Philippians 4:4 — “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.”

Everyone has had a bad day at least once in their lifetime. I have had a few myself. Sometimes it is hard to be joyful during bad days. It’s pretty easy for me to be joyful whenever I am having a good day, but it’s much harder to be joyful when my day is going badly. God tells us in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS! This includes the bad days. Even when our day isn’t going the way we planned, we should rejoice. God has done so much for us, and one way to thank him is to rejoice! Luke 1:47 says, “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” He saved us and gave us a promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven! I think that is plenty enough reason for us to rejoice.

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“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” – 2 Timothy 1:5

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” – Jeremiah 33:3

Have you ever been burdened with something, and you just didn’t know what to do about it? I have. It can be such a concern that it often stops me from accomplishing anything else because I am so consumed by the worry surrounding this situation or problem. Usually I try to find the solutions on my own. You’d think I’d have learned by now that trying to solve my problems by myself is rarely the way to go, yet I still seem to find myself making feeble attempts to fix whatever it is. This often  leaves me frustrated, despondent, and sometimes in tears!

It is usually when I feel most defeated that I remember I have a Father in heaven who yearns for me to call upon Him for everything! His Word reminds me again and again that if I just go to Him, He will gladly help me in each and every situation. Jeremiah 29:12 states, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”

Not only does the Bible repeatedly remind me to seek God’s help in all things, it bluntly states that the reason I don’t have the answers I seek is simply because I fail to ask Him. James 4:2 records, “…yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”

I can get easily upset when things go awry, especially when I don’t see a way out of a mess, but I do know that I can trust God to handle anything that comes my way. If I pray to Him, He promises to answer… every single time! It may not be in the way I had hoped, but I must remember what God said in Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” However God chooses to respond to my prayers will be the very best for me and those concerned, and I know that He will only do that which is right and good.

It remains my responsibility to trust God completely. The Bible tells me in Proverbs 3:5-6, “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.” In our sinful world of chaos and uncertainty, it is good to know my God has it all under control. Being able to trust Him to relieve my burdens and order my steps affords me with His precious peace that passes all understanding! (Philippians 4:7)

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
 
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone. 

(from “Tell It to Jesus” by Edmund S. Lorenz)

“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” – Psalm 55:16

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God is always available to hear me when I call!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” – Psalm 103:2

Today is a day of reflection for me. I decided to “count my blessings,” but I found out that it was impossible to do so! God has blessed my life in so many ways that I cannot number them all!

When I think of all the wonderful things God has done for me, I naturally gravitate toward the obvious blessings: family, friends, health, home, etc., but when I really take the time to reflect on how God has moved throughout my life, there are a plethora of things that come to mind.

I am grateful for little things, like finding a lost piece of jewelry or gathering an egg from my chickens. I am grateful for big things, like having extra money to meet an unexpected need or having a working generator when the power goes out. I am grateful for trivial things, like not accidentally running into a spider web with its maker sitting dead center (I am terrified of those critters!), and I am grateful for extremely important things, like keeping my experience with covid mild.

When I really stop to ponder how much God has done for me, I am in awe of His goodness to me! The Bible reminds me that every good thing in my life comes from the Lord. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17). It reminds me again of His goodness in Matthew 7:11. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

The next time you can’t sleep, instead of counting sheep, try counting your blessings! When you do finally drift off, you’ll have a heart full of gratitude to the Lord!

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.)

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” – Ephesians 5:20

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So often our prayers focus on asking God for something. Be sure to take some time today simply thanking God for all He’s done!

“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

Have you ever been burdened by a past sin even after you’ve asked the Lord for His forgiveness? I have. I am often reminded of a past sin by a comment or picture, and I sometimes find myself begging God to forgive me… again… as if the first time I asked for forgiveness, it wasn’t effective. Nothing could be more untrue. God’s forgiveness is always complete. Because He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross and take all the punishments for my sins (and yours), I am assured of God’s eternal forgiveness of my sins when I accept Jesus as my Saviour and ask for His forgiveness of my sins.

1 John 1:9 reminds me that if I seek His forgiveness, God is faithful to do exactly that. There are no conditions to His forgiveness except that I ask for it. It doesn’t matter if I think it’s a “big” sin or a “little” one, He promises to forgive me if I ask. It doesn’t matter if I’ve broken one of the commandments or I’ve merely thought about doing something sinful, God forgives any sin when I come to Him with a penitent heart and ask Him to do so.

Not only does God forgive, but He forgets the sin as well. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) Unfortunately, one of the consequences of sin is that, while God forgets my sins, I do not always forget them. There is an old saying that states, “Forgive and forget,” but when it comes to sin, forgetting is  not always an easy to do. That is one reason why I have found such peace in 1 John 1:9 and other verses about God’s forgiveness. It assures me that when I confess my sins to the Lord, it is HE who is faithful to forgive. It is HE who cleanses me from all the unrighteousness of those sins in my life. It is HE who dispenses mercy and grace to me. It is HE who promises to remember my sin no more! It is HE who gives me eternal life! It is HE who states He will not remember my sins anymore!

Am I forgiven? Absolutely! Without a doubt? Oh yes! His Word assures me that I am, and that settles it for me!

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.
 
There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb.
There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb.

(from “There is Power in the Blood” by Lewis E. Jones)

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” – Psalm 86:5

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The cost of God’s forgiveness was the cross. The reward of God’s forgiveness is a relationship  with Him and a home in heaven.

(photo courtesy of Samantha Campbell)

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

Today, many people will be making their 2021 New Year’s resolutions. Some will be health related; some will be financial, and others will involve other major changes in their lives. Unfortunately, shortly after January 1st, those resolutions will become things of the past. Resolutions are easily made, but they are also easily broken.

I often make resolutions on New Year’s Day, and like so many others, I have failed to keep most of them much longer than a few weeks.  But 2020 was a different year for me! This year I actually kept two of my resolutions for the entire year! I grew spiritually through the reading of God’s Word on a regular basis. I became healthier by changing my eating habits and incorporating healthy strategies into my life.

I learned something very important to my success this past year. In order for me to keep any resolution, I needed help. Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I chose to become an active participant in the betterment of my life, spiritually and physically, but I chose to partner with God. Why? Because in my past, I have either tried to do it all myself, or I have sat back and hoped that God would do a miracle in my life. I finally understood that neither my pride nor my passivity was helping me become the person to whom I aspired. I am, in fact, a work in progress (Philippians 1:6), and it is God who is the potter, fashioning this lump of clay to His glory.“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

So, here it is January 1, 2021, and I am ready to make my resolutions for this year. I resolve to continue my spiritual growth through prayer and Bible study, and I resolve to follow more closely the footsteps of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I resolve to be moldable in the hands of my Potter, and to be used of Him in whatever way He chooses. I also resolve to continue my physical health journey by following my nutritional plan and seeking guidance from my health coach. I resolve to learn more healthy habits, and in turn, share this information with others who seek a healthier and happier lifestyle.

God has promised that if I delight in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart. Sometimes, I don’t even know what those desires are until He opens my eyes to the blessings before me! I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings my way!

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
 
I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.
 
I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.

(from “I Am Resolved” by Palmer Hartsough)

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – Psalm 37:4

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Start the New Year with God!