IF ONLY WE COULDN’T SEE

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

During a recent work retreat, my boss shared a clip from the movie Facing the Giants. In the scene, the Eagles football team was sitting on the practice field grumbling about an upcoming game. They were feeling defeated and their most influential player was convinced their next opponent was too good for them to beat. In response to this doubt, the coach blindfolded the player and asked him to complete a 20-yard death crawl with a fellow player on his back.

As the player blindly crawled down the field, the coach encouraged him to keep going one step at a time until, unknown to the player, he crawled the entire length of the field. Something strange happened. The player’s state of blindness allowed him to go beyond what he thought he was capable of doing.

As I watched the clip, I began to think about what would happen in the lives of believers if only we could not see. Sight is good and sight is a gift, but I’m caused to ponder how much the blessing of sight limits our potential in God.

Is the comfort and safety in the things we see a hindrance to us reaching our God-defined potential? I believe in seeing we become aware of the dangers of pursuing our God-sized dreams thereby giving fear a chance to slip in and challenge our faith.

But imagine what our lives could be if we fearlessly allowed God to put the blindfold over our eyes and guide our lives. Oh, the places we could go if only we couldn’t see!

God, please do not let my sight blind me in my pursuit of Your destiny for my life.

© 2019 Dawn M. Wayman

IN THE WILDERNESS

 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.  Hosea 13:5 (NKJV)

Today, many acknowledge God but do not see any need nor have any desire to turn their lives over to God. Unbeknownst to them, they walk into a wilderness. They believe they can handle things in their own power and are unable to recognize any weakness within themselves.

Can you think of anyone who behaves in such a way? Maybe this is or was you. Maybe this is a family member. I was that person.

As a young adult, I deliberately walked away from God into a wilderness of my own making. I knew God and His Son Jesus, but I would not give Him control of my life. My career was successful but I really struggled in the more important parts of my life. As a parent, disciplining and guiding my two boys was very difficult and there was much discord in my marriage.

My heart was bitter. I felt alone. The only place where I felt valued was in my workplace—working two jobs allowed even less time at home. The bitterness in my heart began to turn to sorrow. Finally I cried out to God. And He heard me in the wilderness! “… I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19). He led me out. My heart now belongs to Him alone and He has control of my life. ‘I will dwell in His house forever’ (Psalm 23:6).

Father, thank you for hearing and responding to us in our wilderness. We now gladly surrender all to walk in Your ways. In Jesus name we pray.   

© 2019  Marianne Lucot

THE QUEST FOR MEANING

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God . . . That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Ecclesiastes 3:11-13, 12:13-14 (NLT)

Seldom do I grow weary of relaxing by the shore and gazing into the water, cocooned in the splendor of the mountains. Nothing seems more peaceful than clearing my mind and soaking in the beauty of God’s creation. Once a calmness has settled over me, thoughts begin to trickle back in. I become lost in my musings, but desire the time spent to be fruitful—that is, to arrive at some meaningful conclusion.

Everything is short-lived, but God is eternal.

Although we may find enjoyment and satisfaction in our work, pleasures and possessions, meaning is found in a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. God has planted eternity in the human heart, a place only He can fill. And yet sadly, we sometimes attempt to put other things in the place belonging to God, searching for fulfillment, but never quite finding it.

The author of Ecclesiastes concludes his writing by telling us to fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty—essential ingredients for living a meaningful life.

Father God, Thank You for the simplicity of Your Word.

© 2019 Amy A. Verzi

 

 

 

AT THE MOUNTAIN TOP

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. Matthew 14:23 (NASB)

Matthew informs the reader where Jesus went to be alone with His Father —to pray and be refreshed. If Jesus sought time and a place where He would commune with His Father, how much more should we. Jesus is fully God and fully man, yet He sought out His Father. 

Are we seeking time to be alone with God, where we can pray, listen for His voice, and take in His Word? Can we grow in our faith and love for our Father without spending time with Him?

What happens when all the noises of our world take over and bring chaos? We do not know which direction to turn. Life becomes disorienting. We lose our sense of balance and all of the plates we had been juggling come crashing to the floor. We stop in our tracks, look up and exclaim, “Oh dear Lord!”

Our Father is a good Father. He is there to pick us up. He listens to our cry of desperation and soothes our soul. The Lord is our strength and our shield; our hearts trust in Him, and He helps us (Psalm 28:7). Daily, He bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19). We just have to ask.

Find a time and place daily to meet with your Heavenly Father. Allow Him to refresh your soul. He is waiting to meet you there every day. He loves you and desires to care for you.

Thank you Father for revealing how You want to spend time with us each day and quiet our soul. In Jesus name Amen. 

 © 2019 Marianne Lucot

WILD THINGS

He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him. Mark 1:13 (NAS)

 
Recently, while studying the gospel of Mark, part of verse thirteen lit up as never before—and He was with the wild beasts.

Why had I never noticed that? The gospel of Mark is succinct, and yet He used six words to tell us there were wild animals alongside Jesus in the wilderness. A fact omitted by the other gospels. Why?

My curiosity piqued. Upon researching, I found many people posed the same question. However, none of their ideas satisfied me.

Praying, I asked God what He wanted me to see. Since the Bible is the living word of God, it began to speak to my spirit.

In the Garden of Eden animal and man lived in harmony. After the fall, peace was shattered—animals became wild. Jesus was in the desert as man and yet, the animals did Him no harm.

All creation recognized His authority—everything except man, who He came to save.

Jesus changes everything for all time. This was the prelude to a new beginning. When Jesus returns, the lion and the lamb will lie down together. Perhaps the wild beasts recognized that Jesus was The Lamb, to be offered for our sins.

I pondered how Jesus changed my wild heart into a tame heart that seeks Him. He changed my selfish desire into caring desire for others to know Him as well.

Indeed, Jesus changed everything and He continues today.

I encourage you to invite Jesus to change the “untamed” part of you. You will never be the same. You will be better!

 Thank You Jesus, for your changing power. Amen.

 © 2019 Bonnie Mae Evans

FEARLESS

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

It is customary at the start of a New Year for people to make one or two New Year’s resolutions, such as improving their health or an attitude. In my Christian walk, I have been challenged to choose a word for the year, which will deepen my walk with God. Fearless is my word for this year.

I love God with all my heart and my desire is to share God’s love through conversation and prayer in small groups or one-on-one. As an introvert, speaking or praying out loud does not come easily, particularly in group settings. Talking one-on-one is not too difficult, but I much prefer responding to an email with time to compose my thoughts. I have served in a ministry for two years which has allowed me to do just that. Throughout this time, my love for God has deepened, and He has been growing me.

 He is now calling me to trust in Him alone—not my strength or nature but His strength. He is calling me to be physically available to minister to those within my home church and community in a pastoral care role. I will step out and follow His lead fearlessly.

Where is God calling you to a deeper walk?

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. With Your gift, we step out fearlessly and do all You have called us to do. We give You praise in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© 2019 Marianne Lucot

GOD CAN STILL DO IT

Then God remembered Rachel; He listened to her and enabled her to conceive. Genesis 30:22 (NIV)

At the beginning of 2019, I decided I would journey through the Bible in its entirety this calendar year. I made a commitment to read God’s word more deliberately so my mind and my way of thinking may be renewed and transformed. To my surprise, it seems my eyes have encountered the Bible in a new and refreshing way.

While reading through Genesis, I was reminded of the repeated tension between God’s promise and the defeated mindset of God’s people. I was particularly captivated by the narrative of Rachel, Leah, and Jacob. The pain and suffering Rachel felt while watching Leah give birth to child after child reminded me of my own disappointments.

I recently celebrated my birthday and again faced my reality of being unmarried and childless. This truth used to cause me a great deal of pain and left me feeling like Rachel. I didn’t cry out to a person, rather I cried out directly to God, “Why do You refuse to give me the desires of my heart? Why is everyone around me getting married and having children? They aren’t as faithful to You as I am. Why, God, are you failing me?”

Then while reading Genesis 30, one verse caught my eye, “. . . God remembered Rachel; He listened to her and enabled her to conceive.” This verse reminded me of God’s ability to deliver on His promises for our lives. The promises may not unfold according to our timelines, but as God did with Rachel, God can remember us too. Despite how things may look, God can still do it.

God, help us remain patient until You deliver on Your promises for our lives. Amen.

© 2019 Dawn M. Wayman