A GREAT MULTITUDE

"After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands"  Revelation 8:9 (KJV).

I enjoy reading a well-known devotional book every morning, gearing myself up for another day of serving the Father, God.

I noticed while reading, that the authors of the devotions were from many nations. They came from different cultures, races, age groups, literate or illiterate, sophisticated and primative, from all eight continents. Christians everywhere in the world make their love for God and Jesus known in their devotions. When all the countries are counted, they are a great crowd, loving and following Jesus. The multitude of people from the scripture, rising to meet Jesus in the clouds, could not be counted.

Each devotion is different, yet points to the beauty of serving God through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

When Jesus returns with His myriads of angels, and the dead in Christ shall rise, they will come from every nation in the world. It will be another testimony to the world that God loves every race, color, and class of people. After all, He made them all. This great multitude may resemble a rainbow of color, rising to meet the Lord. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

Father, may the great multitude who love You, rise with songs of praise in their hearts and on their lips on that glorious day of resurrection. May I be one of them. Amen

Delightfully Yielded

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NAS)

My nine year struggle with infertility was something akin to a runaway roller coaster. Emotions ranged from hopeful and elated one day to disappointed, in a pit of despair the next.

I prayed, believed, and with an aching heart, smiled my way through; two unsuccessful in-vitro fertilization attempts, five operations and countless other medications and procedures. I was determined to have a baby and give all of the glory to the Lord for doing what seemed impossible. One thing I had not considered was the possibility that having a baby at this time or ever might not be part of God's plan for my life.

Attempting to cheer me up one afternoon a friend suggested we attend a craft show. There I saw a watercolor painting of Psalm 37:4. "That's it!" I said, excitedly purchasing the picture. "That's what I have been missing!"

Immediately I began to look for ways of delighting myself in the Lord. I led Bible studies and taught Sunday School. My husband and I were even preparing to go to Rwanda, Africa, on a medical mission trip. While beginning the process of required physicals and immunizations, it was discovered that I could not go to Africa. The reason for this closed door? I was expecting a baby!

Once I relinquished my will to His, I found that He alone was the delight of my life. My first priority and desire became to serve Him in whatever capacity He chose. Upon giving the Lord His rightful place in my life, He gave me the desire of my heart.

Father, thank-You that our happiness is not as important to You as our relationship with You. Amen.

 

©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans

STRENGTH, NOT WEAKNESS

Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed for the Lord your God is with  you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9  (RSV)

This winter, I often looked out the window worrying about being trapped or injured by ice and snow. Was it safe to walk on icy paths or drive down uncleared roads? Yes, I knew spring would come, but it wasn’t here yet.

Standing there in a warm, modern house, I remembered a family visit to the Lewis and Clark Tourist Center in Washburn, North Dakota. On its high hillside, we only endured the onslaught of cold, non-stop winds, but those explorers traveled a sparse, rugged land without conveniences. Commissioned by President Jefferson to explore the West and return to tell the new US government about their newly purchased lands, they absolutely needed strength, courage, and boldness to complete their task.

Their official journals do not reveal how much they depended upon the Lord’s assurances of Joshua 1:9. In it, He directed Joshua to go forward and occupy the land across the Jordan. In Proverbs 3:5, the Lord’s followers from then and now are told to trust and not rely on their own knowledge. We read the same thoughts in Psalm 27:14: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage,” and in I Corinthians 16:13: “Be strong, stand firm in your faith, be courageous.”

Enduring today’s hardships on any particular day are nothing compared to the barriers of our forefathers. Warriors of long ago cry out, “We were successful, You will be too.” So I read the Lord’s promises, face each day, and depend on Him to provide the strength and courage. Spring will come.

Lord, Thank you for your love, your assurances and the inspiration of others. Amen.

© V. Colclasure 2015

ZEBEDEE

...he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat preparing their nets. Without delay, he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:19 (NIV)

Years ago as a new believer in Jesus, it became my practice to pray on the way to work. One day, a word came to mind. Speaking the word aloud, there was a question in my voice, “Zebedee?”That word ran through my thoughts all day.

A friend explained to me that Zebedee was the father of two of the disciples of Jesus—James and John.

“Why did God whisper that name to me,” I asked.

Shaking her head and smiling she answered, “You’ll have to ask Him why He put that word on your mind and heart.”

A Concordance and a Bible study guide became my companions assisting in my Zebedee research. First, I learned that Zebedee was an uncle, by marriage, of Jesus.

The Lord tweaked my curiosity and ever since He has continued to send me on Bible quests.

How gracious of our Father in heaven to encourage and even tempt us to find out more about Him.

Over time, I learned several other interesting facts about Zebedee. The most recent discovery is that the name means “abundant portion.”

The Lord graciously continues to clarified to me over time that when His children study His word, ask for Holy Spirit guidance, and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can have life and have a more “ abundant portion.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the abundant life that you offer to those who believe and continually seek to know you.

MY FATHER'S HANDS

Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV).

My father's hands have grown old. His knuckles protrude like marbles still waiting to play a game. His veins are the road maps of many life-long decisions. I watch him move his hands to the coffee cup in a shake and rattle kind of way. He manages to grip the cup with his pursed, wrinkled lips. Some coffee welcomes the embrace, but most of the beverage just dribbles down his chin and onto the carpet stained by this daily ritual.

My father always kept rituals. He said it is what kept him alive. The dripping coffee did not matter to him, nor did the brown-stained carpet. He only cared about the prayer. Those worn hands that waged the war of life would move towards the heart and at the heart is where he would clasp them tightly like two old friends hugging after a lifetime of distance. He would cry out between the enfolded hands to thank the Lord for being that long lost friend. Cloaked in quivering waves of reverence, he begged God to forgive him for the mortal choices and the roads of destruction that fueled his disappointments and heartaches. However weary and in pain, graciously he prayed as tears shot from his eyes like the bullets he had felt from the days of war. Every morning, the light would not welcome the day without my father's prayer. It was his hope and his final place to rest.

Heavenly Father, Your hand held in mine is my comfort and my strength. Through prayer and the power of Your touch we do not have to suffer alone.
© 2014 Kimberly Clayton 

Nothing New

That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 NASB

Ecclesiastes says there is nothing new under the sun. Reflecting on this verse it came to me that the greatest story ever told has already been written. Anything I write has already been spoken of in the Bible. It overflows with history, romance, murder, poetry—endless genres. This could make writing feel as pointless as trying to forge a tunnel to the center of the earth using a toothpick. So why do we as Christians, feel God has called us to write? It's true, to find a totally original thought is futile. 

Nevertheless, God has given a desire to share His love through the written word. He has also given each of us varied life experiences, a different arena and group of influence. He made individuals with unique voices to tell our story in a way that no one else can. Our words may reach hearts that God has made ripe for our particular message. They may whisper hope to a soul that is desperately seeking to be understood. We share our praise and joy through the gift of our thoughts put on paper.  Our story could provide direction that leads others to know Christ. Thus, He makes all things new. Old things are passed away when He makes a new creature in Christ.

While it's true," there is nothing new under the sun,” when we yearn for our words to bring Him glory, He will put a new song in our mouth. Psalm 40:3

Father, through communion with You, give us inspiration to share Your words telling of Your great redemptive love for all. Amen.

©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans

 

GOD DRIVEN

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19b-20 (NIV)

The traffic situation in my neighborhood had me upset about the way people were driving. Grumbling and fuming, I pulled into the drive-thru at a local fast food place and ordered a breakfast sandwich. I mentioned my coupon for a free entree to the woman who took my order. As the cars merged from two order lines into one, the young man in the other lane tried to wave me on. Realizing he ordered before me, I signaled for him to go ahead. Arriving at the window and handing them my coupon, they told me that the man ahead of me already paid for my order.

In stunned surprise, I blurted, “Wow! Bless that young man, and God bless your day, too.”

 My irritation with the rude drivers had been so intense, but God now clearly blessed me in a very different driving situation. I had a strong sense of God’s presence at that moment. He revealed Himself in the kind gesture of a man unknown to me. 

 In the verse above, James writes about being a good listener and waiting before we speak. Then he brings up that little matter of anger. He cautions us to be slow to become angry because it will hinder the righteous life God desires. What a wake-up call!

 Father, thank You for the reminder to be slow to anger, and thank You for blessing us through the people around us.

 © 2015 Diane E. Hussey