For all the reminders, why have you forgotten?

(Based on readings in John 19:7-15)

For all the reminders God has given
few have been remembered
“Do this in remembrance of me”
“Keep these commandments”
“Love one another as I have loved you”

You say you have a law
and that law must be obeyed
Whose law?
It is not God’s law
that you obey
but one of your own making

You say Jesus is not your king
because according to you
He blasphemes
You have no king
He is Not the Son of God

Oh but He is

Woe
You fail to recognize
You fail to see
Your hearts hardened

He loves you
He died for you
He came to set you free
from the sin
which enslaves you
has you tied in knots
and presses you down

Yet you do not see Him
for what He was
for what He is
for what He will be

When He returns
and He will
You will bow down
to Him
You will never again
dishonor Him
You will deserve
whatever punishment He sets

The King you claim
to not have
will reign
He reigns now
He is My King
My Lord
My Savior
My Redeemer

Why is He not yours?
Why have you forgotten?

(c) February 11, 2014

Another cold day .... to be bold

Another cold day
alas not May
to be bold
to do as told
whatever it is,
whatever it takes
as The Lord commands

Tree branches stark
grounded in park
reaching up and out
scattered with snow
that sometimes with blow
The sun shines bright
and pinpoints its target
with just one solid ray
filled with light

So many people
alone and lonely too
reaching
for something more

Some a hot meal
a warm bed
a lasting friendship

Others look for meaning
in their inner core

There is One who Is
and there are
His children
who share His Word
He is Lord
who share His life
filled with strife
who share Him
Jesus Christ

He is The One Who Is
Our great Redeemer
Our Savior
Our Eternal Security
He is The One
The Only One
who fulfills us
who gives our lives meaning

Don’t be like a tree
in winter
but blossom and grow
right where you are
right now

Reach for Jesus
for He is The Way
He is The Life
He is The Truth.

(c) February 10, 2014

Whole and Complete

I am whole and complete in the Lord.
He made me well.
He gave me rest.
I am His forever more.

It was me who cried
Help me!
Save me!
Catch me!

The whispers louder within me
and outside too
Fear and emptiness
has captured me
Am I beyond reach?

a still small voice
booms loudly
that only I can hear

I  AM here My child
I will not leave you
Come to Me
and I will give you rest
Come to Me

Who?
Who are you?

I AM He who you seek
I AM All you need
I AM Jesus
I AM your Creator
Your Savior
Your Redeemer

Come to Me

Follow Me My Child
Only Me

I will lead you
I will show you the way
I know the way
for I AM The Way
and The Light
and The Truth.

Come to Me
Follow Me

Keep your focus on Me
I will never  lead you astray.

Yes,
 I am whole and complete in the Lord.
He made me well.
He gave me rest.
I am His forever more.

(c) February 8, 2014

We can dance with gladness

I struggle.
Being a Christian
does not make me less a person
or even more one
as some may think.
We are all human
filled with weaknesses
Caught in places
we wish we weren't
Questioning decisions.

My struggles
bring me down
to the land of the doldrums
It is not a place
to stay too long
The focus
is only one me
No other is in the picture
No other really matters
Although that’s not really true,
is it?
There are others
You think of them
But they are not with you
You are alone in the land of pity and woe

Yet I read
and study
and ponder
God’s Word
Today, in the midst
of mindless thinking
 a verse in Psalms
speaks to me
It is not the verse

I sought
but the one
I was led to.
God directs our steps
He directed mine
to Psalm 30:11

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.”

The road up and out
is difficult
Circumstances hinder us
from achieving our best
we think.
But in every aspect
of our life
circumstances change
All is not gloom and doom
nor is it
rosy and bright
We cannot say
we wish it was this or that
We have what has been given us

When we strive to focus on the Lord
no matter how hard
to do
in our mind,
in our word
in our action
the doldrums will vanish
And in its place
will be peace,
a sense of calm.

The struggles
exist still
a daily task
we each face
but we can
dance with gladness
in our hearts
when Jesus
is the one
who leads our way.

 (c) February 4, 2014

The answers

The answers
I see
when I am in
His Word
clear and precise
the action
to take
to be pleasing
to Him
at all times.

(c) February 4, 2014

How? ... keep trying

“Watch and pray so you won’t enter into temptation.”  ~ Matthew 26:41

How do you watch
when praying
How do you avoid temptation
when the phone rings
and it is an unnecessary call
bringing only irritation to your quiet
How do you transform your mind
to God-thinking
How do you keep your thoughts constantly on Him
when life enters the picture
and you become distraught over such minor things

Train your mind
to seek God
in every instance

It isn't easy
I've already failed

Then try again
You only fail
if you never try … repeatedly
Continue to seek God
in every instance

Pain and sorrow
anger and frustration
will happen
It is a guarantee
Dust off your pants
Wipe your brow
Go on

 Remember Me – God
in every step.

(c) February 3, 2014 

Jesus conquered Satan

(Based on John 16:25-33)

Jesus overcame the world
He conquered death
and sin and darkness
He died.
He became the Passover lamb
once and for all
to save all peoples
the world over
from every sin
past, present and future.

Satan was consumed
with glee
He was certain he had
achieved stardom
Jesus was dead
But Satan’s glee
was short-lived.

Jesus rose from the grave
His death was not the end.

Three days He laid,
wrapped in funeral garb,
in a borrowed tomb.
Then He arose!

In death He is no more

Jesus is The Light of the world
He has defeated Satan

Whatever we, who abide with Him,
ask the Father in Jesus’ name,
He will give us.

He will give us peace
in the midst of tribulation.

We must focus
on The Light
of Jesus
not on the darkness
and destruction
of the world we live in.

Through His Light in us
we can conquer
whatever come against us.
We have His strength,
His power
to help us achieve
His desire for us.

Don’t give in.
Don’t give up.
The path is hard,
but the Lord Jesus,
through the Spirit of Truth
shows us the way.

(c) February 1, 2014  

Would it have mattered?

(Based on readings in John 13:18-28)

The question
is asked,
“Lord, who is it?”
Who is he
the betrayer of Jesus

The answer
is given.
It is he
He to whom I give
a piece of dipped bread

The question is asked
and the answer is given
But he who asked
does not comprehend
and Jesus’ answer
does not stir any to action.

Jesus knew
who – Judas Iscariot
Jesus knew
Scripture had to be fulfilled
Jesus knew
before Judas himself knew
what part he would play
as deceiver

What if comprehension and understanding had unfolded?
What if the 11 had understood the implication?
What would they have done?
What could they have done?

Would it have mattered?

(c) January 28, 2014

When...

When you listen
When you hear
When the Lord God says
When you do not obey
When you do not trust
When you become angry and frustrated
When you strike out
When you do what you will
rather than what God wills

When you listen and
when you hear
When you do not obey
and do not trust
When the life you lead
leads to destruction
when it happens
then you die.

When you die
When all hope is gone
When you determine you know best
and God knows nothing
When The Truth blinds you
When His love fails to convince you
of how He provides for your every need
When He says
Come. Follow Me.
When we say
No. No way. Not today.
When…

then
When God’s Son returns
Only those
of Him
will be
with Him
in the heavens of eternal paradise
and
Those against Him
will be doomed,
cast into the lake of fire,
eternal damnation.

When…

(c) January 26, 2014

Stay Focused

(Based on readings from II Corinthians 3:18 and Acts 17)

Focus
Focus
Focus
That’s the key
Not on selfish thinking
Not on worldly ways
But on ME
The Almighty One
Father of the Heavens
of all creation
King of Kings
Jesus Christ
I AM

God the Father
Jesus the Son
and the Holy Spirit

Focus
your eyes
your mind
your heart
your whole being
on ME
Do not veer of the path
into an unknown
and thereby become
enamored with things
that are not of ME

Do not concern yourself
with your place of employment
your finances
your schooling
your health
your socializing

But keep your focus on ME
Read My Word
Study My Word
Meditate on My Word
Pray

I will set the pace
I will show you
the steps to take
for you to become the desire
I have for you.

......

Our hope lies in Christ
Not in the prophet Moses
or any other prophet
Our hope
Our future
lies in the Truth of Christ
Not in the falsehoods
passed down from
generation to generation
in Old Testament times
and continues still.
They – we?
who believed the laws
God gave to Moses
was the way to obtain
eternal life
If they but follow …
every dot and cross every t
Everlasting life would be theirs.
But Not So.

The law shows the way
But
The law is not The Way

There is only One Way
One Truth
One Savior
One Basic Problem
On e Solution

The Way is through the shed blood of Jesus,
who came to die to set His people free.
That is The Truth.
That is The Solution.

Jesus Christ is Our Savior.
Sin is the Problem.

Choose Jesus

Forget Sin!

(c) January 25, 2014

Do you walk in the Darkness or in the Light?

“…he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.”  ~ John 12:35

“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”  ~ John 12:46

The world lies in Darkness
The sun
awakens the world
with a brightness
that can also bring warmth
But Darkness remains
Sin and its stain permeates throughout

The world
wholly created by God

Its’ inhabitants
choose the direction
to go
left or right
forward or backward
right or wrong

The Son of God
and of Man
Jesus Christ
came amidst
the Darkness
to bring Light
a new path
to follow
that He directs
filled with promise
hope
a future
Everlasting Love
Eternal Life.

Do you walk
in the ways
of Darkness
or have you found
the Light
and the Life
it brings? 

 (c) January 24, 2014

Be a blessing to each other

“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit,
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  ~ I Peter 3:10-12

One each a separate, single individual
in joining together in matrimony
became united
married in the eyes
of a Holy God

Be of one mind
is God’s preference
Have compassion for one another
Be tenderhearted
Be courteous
Be loving

Not returning evil for evil
with thought, word or deed
Not seeking revenge
Not throwing out insults

Be a blessing to each other.

(c) January 23, 2014

Are we all fools?

Are we all fools?

Denying the existence of God?
Living as if God did not exist?

God wonders
He searches to and fro
across the continents
the whole world

Are there any who understand,
who seek God?

A few seek after Him
A few are righteous
who believe
accept
trust
and act accordingly
serving Him in
Justice and Truth

but for the vast majority,
Why have they all turned away?
Why have they become corrupt?
Why is there not one who does good?
Why are they all fools?

(c) January 22,  2014

Will you be ready?

The day you die
will come
It may be expected
or it may be
very unexpected

Will you be ready?

There is more
much more
to death
than just the demise
of our earthly body

 There is
our soul
Will it be
to Everlasting punishment
or
Eternal life
we go?

 Will you be ready?

 Time is fleeting
The longer you wait
The less time you have

 Get ready, be ready

Now.

(c) January 21, 2014

Related post: The Truth that sets us free

Follow Me

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  ~ Matthew 7:7-8

Follow Me, says the Lord
Follow Me
at all costs
every time
any time
wherever you go
wherever you are.

What is visible
to the eye
is not all there is.
There is more
I see the invisible
I see the heart.

There are people around you
who need you
They are dying
Their lives are out of whack
They are fearful at every turn
They do not have Me
They have no clue what I can give them.

But you, My child
You know the way I have shown you
Don’t falter
Keep your focus on Me
Trust Me

Through every downward spiral
and upward climb
Trust Me
Believe in My promises

Just follow Me
and through your obedience
to Me
you will come to the aid of another.

I  will be there
and that one who is seeking, will find.

(c) January 18, 2014

Trust Me ... Thank Me

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” ~ Colossians 4:2

Trust Me
All that is accomplished
is not done
because of you
But because of Me
I am in control
This is My world
I made it
as I made you.

When you find yourself
in need of help
whether it be
job, health, finance, family relations
come to Me
Give Me your concerns,
your prayer requests
and then Thank Me
for how I will provide
for you.

I will provide
I will not fail

But you,  My Child,
you must believe in Me
You must come to Me,
make your requests
whatever they are
and trust I will answer.

You must wait
I do not answer in your  time table.

Do not determine the way
and take the steps on your own
Ask Me

When you struggle to wake
in the mornings
Ask Me to help you
and then Thank Me

When your vehicle is being contrary
Ask Me to show you
what to do
Ask Me to help you
get to work on time

And then Thank Me

When your children stay up
all hours of the day and night
Ask Me what to do

I will tell you
You must believe
You must Trust Me.

I can do all things.
Without Me, you can do nothing

All that you have
will never be enough
without Me

You can have less
and yet have more
when your relationship
with Me is focused on Me
and not on yourself.

Even the weather, My child
I can keep you safe
Ask Me
to drive safe
to walk safe
and then Thank Me
for the ways I provide.

TRUST is the key
Without it,
you will surely fail.

Come to Me
All who are weary
and I will give you rest.

(c) January 11, 2014 

There is no limit to what God can do

“With God, all things are possible.”  ~ Matthew 19:26

“…comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

There is no limit to what God can do
Have you forgotten
to take your concerns
to Him
Have you forgotten
He directs your steps

It is not you
It is not me
We can plan all we want
but without God
in the midst of our planning
It is only you
and only me
All your dreams and desires
have fallen by the wayside
because you have withdrawn
from God’s world
and live within
the tiny confines of your own
which grows tighter and tighter
with each squabble
and ill-placed word

God is able
to restore
God is able
to bring joy
to what is lackluster
But you must be
a willing participant
working with Him
not against

You cannot say
you are with Him
if you do not open your Bible daily
if you do not study His Word
if you do not meditate on His Word

Seek His guidance

There is no limit to what God can do

But you do have to ask for His help

Without Him
you can do nothing,
except fail

You are not a failure

Do not give in to negative thinking
Nor pass it on to another
Be positive
Think positive
Be loving
Show love

(c) January 7, 2014

We wait on the Lord

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

We wait
His followers
We wait
on the Lord
for relationships mended
for sicknesses healed
for countless prayers answered

We wait
on the Lord
Lifting our eyes
our hands
our voices
our hearts
toward Him
in loving praise and adoration
as tears flow
for what we endure
for what we have lost

and, lest we forget
for what the Lord Jesus
has done for us
now
yesterday
tomorrow
He bore our sins
He endured much pain and suffering
separated from the love of His Father
He died for us all
and after three days in the tomb,
He arose from the dead
for us all

We wait
His followers
We wait
on the Lord
for His return
but if our time on earth ends
before He comes back
We still wait
Our strength and weariness waning
is renewed by Him,

Who walks with us
abides in us

We wait
eager to see Him – the Lord Jesus -
as He greets us with open arms
at Heaven’s gate

We wait
His followers
We wait
to fly like eagles
and run like deer
in a land flowing
with riches untold
We wait
for The Promised Land
We wait
for You
and soon Lord, soon
I pray, we will be there.

(c) January 6, 2014

I trust You, Jesus

Wherever I go
He is there
His power and might
gives me strength
for the many days ahead
His love and tenderness
gives me comfort
and calmness
to face inner turmoils

Wherever I go
He is there

He reminds me
to trust Him
at every turn
to not follow the path
of so many
who have lost their way

Wherever I go
He is there

Trust Him.

(c) January 4, 2014

Bring me closer to You

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. v 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. v 13 And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. v 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity." ~ Jeremiah 29:11-14a

I started a new devotional today, the first day of January 2014. For the past four years I have been studying from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "I Want to Live These Days with You."  Today and throughout this year, I will be studying from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling."

Jeremiah 29:11 is a wonderful passage with which to start a new year, a new day, a new beginning. 

Bring me closer Lord Jesus
closer to You
so every day
I can know
how to be more like You
how to respond to another
my husband (or wife)
my friends
my co-workers
my neighbors
casual acquaintances

Bring me closer Lord Jesus
closer to You
so when I wake
I will say
What today Lord?
What will you teach me?
What will I learn? 

Bring me closer Lord Jesus
closer to You
show me how to be
kind and gentle
and patient always
not filling my mind
with contention and hate
not being jealous or envious
not selfish
not frustrated
not given to angry outbursts

Bring me closer Lord Jesus
closer to You
and stay by my side
as I onward go.

(c) January 1, 2014