TRANSFORMING LOVE

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" John 11:25 (KJV).

Four years ago my husband and I took my mother to Westminster to place flowers on her late husband's grave. Walking through the old cemetery, I read the grave stones along the path to where my stepfather lay. Some of the markers were so old that the engraving was barely discernible.

Arriving at Charles' grave, we saw that the beautiful granite vase topping the double heart headstone had split nearly in half. That granite stone had marked Charles' resting place for more than three decades. The years of heat, ice, snow and rain had finally taken their toll. It reminded me that nothing in life is permanent.

Mother missed my stepfather deeply through every one of those years. It broke my heart to hear her whisper, "It won't be long now, darling, and I will join you." The words that Jesus spoke in John 11:11 came to mind and I gently reminded mother that Charles only "slept," as Jesus told Mary and Martha before calling their brother, Lazarus, out of the grave. Though he were dead, yet shall he live.

We prayed, as mother placed the flowers she had brought in the broken vase. The damaged vessel was now transformed into something beautiful. What a special reminder of how Jesus conquered death. He fills our broken lives and makes us beautiful vessels of honor. He gives us beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and expectation of eternal life with Him.

Thank You, Father, that through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, anyone who believes can have eternal life.

© 2012  E. Bonnie Ryan

SPARROW IN THE NIGHT

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God. Luke 12:6 (KJV)

It was three o’clock in the morning as I stood praying and staring out into the snow on our deck. The wind in our trees was ferocious with wind chills of minus twenty-five expected before morning. However, wind was not the reason for my wakefulness or even the trees fitfully swaying overhead. My beloved kitty, Frankie was lying in an animal hospital recovering from emergency surgery. We had a special bond, and he had been my constant companion for almost thirteen years. My heart was heavy and anxious. Pushing back worry, I claimed Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make your requests known to God.” 

Suddenly, my eyes focused on something I had not seen. There on the step was a sparrow! It should have been roosting somewhere safe. Sparrows are never out at night. It was unmoving and appeared to be frozen. My heart sank even lower. Then, I saw the slightest flutter of a wing as it shifted its tiny weight. “I have to get it out of the cold, I thought.”Hurrying upstairs to get a shoebox, the song “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” poured into my mind warming me with hope and reminding me of how God loves all His creatures. Returning with the box, I looked out once more before slipping on my boots. The tiny sparrow was gone. Left in its place was God’s comforting presence. In awe of His unfailing love for me, I thanked Him for His special messenger in the dark of night.

Heavenly Father, I raise my hands in praise for Your constant overwhelming love and care. Amen

©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans

WHAT'S IN A NAME

…I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b (RSV)

My daughter asked me to babysit my grandchildren, Nicholas, age 5, and Alexandra, age 3 1/2. She left instructions not to let them watch television all day. So I got the great idea to take a field trip to the grocery store.

I asked, “Want to go to the grocery store and buy our lunch stuff? There’s only peanut butter and jelly here.”

“Yes, let’s go shopping,” they answered excitedly.

We made a grocery list: lunchmeat, soup and fruit. Nicholas wrote BREAD on his list, Alexandra’s list included APPLES.

We arrived at the store, and each got a child’s grocery cart. I led them to the aisle that contained their item then said, “I’ll be at the deli getting our lunchmeat. Go there when you’ve got your items.”

Being third in line, I had one eye on Nick, one eye on Alex, and one eye on the deli lady.

Soon I heard a loud voice, “Granny! Want cimomum bread?”

Shortly, more calls, “Granny, They have cookies!”

 

“Granny! We need oranges, too.” “Granny, I want chicken noodle soup.”

One lady in the deli line said, “When I hear ‘Granny’, I think about the old lady in the hillbilly sitcom.”

Proudly I replied, “When I hear them call ‘Granny’ I have a crown on my head, and my heart fills with love.”

Can you imagine Jesus loves us more than I love them? Jesus knows my name and that comes with immeasurable love.

When we arrived home and sat at the table for lunch, Nicholas said, “I wanna peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

Dear Lord, thank You for knowing me intimately and still loving me.  Amen

© 2015 Lois Gosley

A Special Kind of Warmth

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 116:1 (NIV)

While meandering through wintry rooms in layered clothing, my mind began longing for the warmth of spring. My old, drafty home had exhausted my savings. During these winter months, the thermostat was set at sixty-two degrees to conserve oil. Although insulation was mounted around windows and doors seeping cold sunlight, the home remained frigid.

I sat down and prayed, “Lord please bless the remaining fuel as a provision against the cold.”

From a friend’s farm house miles away to my cold home near the edge of the woods, the Lord revealed His mercy and grace through a telephone call from a familiar and loving voice.

“I told my son you needed fuel and he wants to help.” Hmm, was oil needed already? My hope was that the fuel would last till spring, but when the gauge was checked, the line was just above empty. How could she have known fuel was needed, when I myself had not known?

My gracious Lord had spoken to her heart and revealed my need. God’s timing was perfect.  

This experience reminded me of the Biblical story in which the Lord provided a widow with oil through the prophet Elijah. Her needs were met way beyond expectation as were mine.

On this day, in mid-February, when the temperature rose and the thermostat steadied the heat, I felt anointed by the oil as it became an instrument of spiritual warmth. It was a special kind of warmth given to me by God and good friends!

Lord, friendships are one of our most valuable blessings. Thank you for being faithful and for giving me the gift of true friends. Your love is amazing.

© Kimberly Clayton 2015

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