November 19 - Path of the Righteous

  

“The path of the righteous

is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

(Proverbs 4:18 NIV)

 

The godly have all the guidance and protection they need and are able to lead others to righteousness. The more I obey the Truth already revealed, the more Truth will be revealed. Every step in the right direction results in a brighter light on my steps. Obedience leads to obedience. I will take that first step on the path of the righteous with Jesus today. I hope you will, too!

November 18 - Keep on Praying

 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions

with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert

and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

(Ephesians 6:18 NIV)

 

Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, yet did not sin. Temptations will come, because we are human. The battles are spiritual and must be fought in God’s strength. I must depend on God’s Word in the Bible and the Holy Spirit through prayer. I will be alert and self-controlled as I follow in the footsteps of Christ. I hope you will, too!

November 17 - Under Grace

 

“For sin shall not be your master,

because you are not under law,

but under grace.”

(Romans 6:14 NIV)

 

I thank my heavenly Father for the work accomplished by His Son, Jesus. His death and resurrection has freed me from slavery to sin and given me an inheritance of grace instead. The Holy Spirit will help me to live today for Him and not return to the ways of my former life. I will seek and trust Him for grace to follow Him on His righteous path today. I hope you will, too!

November 16 - Hope in Distress

 

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

(Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

 

Matthew Henry reminded his readers that this verse was written to silence the fears of the servants of God in their distresses. “All who faithfully serve God through patience and comfort of this scripture may have hope.” We can depend on God’s presence. I will be brave and walk by faith through the storms. I hope you will, too!

November 15 - All Things

 

“For from Him and through Him

and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever! Amen..”

(Romans 11:36 NIV)

 

My Lord, Jesus Christ, is the true Source of all good things. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life. I cannot offer anything to Him except my complete and total submission. I dare not try to hang on to any of His wonderful gifts. I must surrender all to Him. I will thank Him for taking my heart and making it His own. I hope you will, too!

Joyful Worship

by Macy Johnson

“Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before Him with joyful songs.”

(Psalm 100:2 NIV)

 

I attended the inaugural concert of the newly formed Madison Music Society. The Madison Singers performed spiritual, patriotic, and American folk songs. Their forty-five voices, music educators and hobbyist singers, filled the auditorium with contagious enthusiasm for their craft. Voices from the middle school chorus joined the Singers on stage in the celebration.

November 14 - Unshakeable

 

“’Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,’

says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

(Isaiah 54:10 NIV)

 

God’s covenant love is eternal and unshakeable. Even when the mountains move, His steadfast love toward me will not. He controls the rising waters and the blowing winds. Nothing is out of His control and care. I will look for His unfailing love and peace in the hatred and chaos all around me. I hope you will, too! 

November 13 - Daily Bread

 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

(Matthew 6:34 NIV)

 

Jesus is my only Provision. He knows the needs of every one of His creatures and meets their needs in abundance. He will help me to reject anxious thoughts, because He meets my needs, too. He has promised to give me, like the Israelites in the wilderness, daily bread. I will trust my heavenly Father will provide for me, above and beyond my wildest dreams. I hope you will, too!

November 12 - Purified

 

“Now that you have purified yourselves

by obeying the truth so that

you have sincere love for your brothers,

love one another deeply, from the heart.”

(1 Peter 1:22 NIV)

 

I asked the Lord to increase my love for the Body of Christ, His Church. I asked Him to give me a heart of service and teach me how to sincerely seek the good of the family of God. I will purify myself by being obedient to the Truth in love for His children and the sake of His kingdom. I hope you will, too!

November 11 - My Father's World

“The earth is the Lord’s,

and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.”

(Psalm 24:1 NIV)

 

Maltbie Babcock was called by God into the ministry and served as a pastor in Lockport, New York. The words of his hymn, “This is My Father’s World” blossomed out of his love for the outdoors. He died on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1901. I will honor his memory by singing his famous hymn and praising God for all the beauty He has created for our joy. I hope you will, too! 

November 10 - Works Remembered

 

“We continually remember

before our God and Father

your work produced by faith,

your labor prompted by love,

and your endurance inspired

by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV)

 

I ask my heavenly Father to give me the strength to continue the work of faith and labor of love, not working for myself or for my own glory, but out of love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. My efforts will not be remembered, but His works in me will bring Him honor in eternity. I will rejoice in serving Him. I hope you will, too!

November 9 - Humble Wisdom

“Who is wise and understanding among you?

Let him show it by his good life,

by deeds done in the humility

that comes from wisdom.”

(James 3:13 NIV)

 

I want to live a life above reproach so I might reflect God’s light in a world that is lost in darkness. I will keep my mouth closed, my eyes and ears open to all that my heavenly Father is revealing to me. When I humbly put the needs of others before my own, I will attain the wisdom that is pure and holy. I hope you will, too! 

Tevah

by Macy Johnson

“But when she could hide him no longer,

she got a papyrus basket for him

and coated it with tar and pitch.

Then she placed the child in it

and put it among the reeds

along the bank of the Nile.”

(Exodus 2:3 NIV)

 

Sometimes I feel like I am floating in a rudderless box. Not unlike Moses, as a baby, when his mother hid him in the reeds of the Nile River. Not unlike Noah in the ark. But the frustration is even more real when someone you love cannot be steered by you. I sit and watch the water rise and I pray.

November 8 - Good News

 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

(Isaiah 61:1 NIV)

 

The prophets of old, like Isaiah, were used by God to point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. I want Him to use me. I want to proclaim liberty to those who have been captive by sin. I will listen for His call to serve. I hope you will, too! 

November 7 - Humble Heart

 

“All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs the heart.”

(Proverbs 21:2 NIV)

 

I want to have a heart that is teachable and humble. I want to be willing to be corrected and have the wisdom to admit when I am wrong. My heavenly Father promised to be close to me when I walk in humility. He will weigh my heart and let me know what I lack and how to be filled with Him. I will seek good for others before seeking my own. I hope you will, too!

November 6 - Bedtime Prayers

 

“When you lie down,

you will not be afraid;

when you lie down,

your sleep will be sweet.”

(Proverbs 3:24 NIV)

 

Sabine Baring-Gould, born in 1834, plunged into his work. He declared he often did his best work when he felt least inclined to apply himself to the task. He stuck to every task until it was finished. He was once responsible for more books in the British Museum library than any other author. He wrote “Now the Day is Over” and many more hymns. I will find my rest in the arms of Jesus tonight. I hope you will, too!

November 5 - Godly Instruction

 

“For everything that was written

in the past was written to teach us,

so that through endurance

and the encouragement of the Scriptures,

we might have hope.”

(Romans 15:4 NIV)

 

God’s Word is completely sufficient for godly instruction. I find encouragement and hope as I read and study His Word. It guides me in all things. Each word on the page confirms in my heart that God is real and I belong to Him. Even though I have never seen God with my human eyes, I trust Him. I hope you will, too!

November 4 - Prepared

 

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action;

be self-controlled; set your hope fully

on the grace to be given you

when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

(1 Peter 1:13 NIV)

 

Am I obeying God’s commands with unbridled joy or gritted teeth? Is my mind in a “get to” or “have to” serve mode? Can I embrace and enjoy obedience? Will I serve out of self-controlled love or self-serving complaint? I will declutter my mind so I can always be on watch for Christ’s return. I look with joy and hope for that day! I hope you will, too! 

November 3 - Guaranteed Outcome

 

“Hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out His love

into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

whom He has given us.”

(Romans 5:5 NIV)

 

Keep your eye on the prize. Biblical hope is expecting an outcome, because it has been promised by your heavenly Father, not just wishing it will happen. It is an ongoing anticipation of what is on its way to you now. One day I will be like Jesus when I see Him face to face. I look forward to that day! I hope you will, too!

November 2 - The Solid Rock

 

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

(Psalm 28:7 NIV)

 

In praise and joy I remember how God has faithfully come through for me, time and again. He is my Strength and Shield. My heart is drawn into full and settled trust in Him. My hope is built on the Solid Rock. I will sing His praises using my favorite hymns. I hope you will, too!

November 1 - Practice Makes Perfect

 

“Whatever you have learned

or received or heard from me,

or seen in me - put it into practice.”

(Philippians 4:9 NIV)

 

The Apostle Paul’s life was consistent. He could ask his readers to imitate his life as well as follow his teachings. Matthew Henry wrote, “It gives a great force to what we say to others when we can appeal to what they have seen in us.” My actions speak louder than my words. I will be diligent to follow Jesus and imitate Him. I hope you will, too! 

October 31 - Plans and Promises

 

“’For I know the plans I have for you’,

declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.’”

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

 

God works all His plans toward the expected end, which He will reveal in due time. He who finished the work of creation will surely finish all the work of His people. Nothing will be left undone. By faith, I will look forward to all that my heavenly Father has promised and planned for my future. I hope you will, too!

October 30 - Fountain of Life

 

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

turning a man from the snares of death.”

(Proverbs 14:27 NIV)

 

I rejoice that I can find sanctuary from sin and death in the fear of the Lord. He gives wisdom, peace, and protection through my submission. I am washed in the fountain of life and handed a fresh new start on His righteous path. There is no greater purpose in this life than to escape the traps of the wicked, so I will demonstrate sincere reverence and complete trust in His Word. I hope you will, too!

October 29 - Perfect Guidance

  

“Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things

you do not know.”

(Jeremiah 33:3 NIV)

 

I am thankful God draws near to His people and instructs them in the way they should go. His word is all sufficient and unchanging. I can have understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is so much I need to learn, so much I do not know. I will call on my heavenly Father in prayer and wait on Him to reveal His perfect guidance. I hope you will, too!

October 28 - Raised!

 

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus

from the dead is living in you,

He who raised Christ from the dead

will also give life to your mortal bodies

through His Spirit, who lives in you.”

(Romans 8:11 NIV)

 

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The evidence of conversion is the presence of the Holy Spirit within, witnessing that you are a child of God.” Even though my body will die because of Adam’s sin, the Holy Spirit living in me will take my spirit to be with Jesus. I look forward to that day! I hope you will, too!

October 27 - Authenticity

 

“Put on the new self,

which is being renewed in knowledge

in the image of its Creator.”

(Colossians 3:10 NIV)

 

Paige Brown reminded me in her study on the book of 1 John, that I must pass the test of Authenticity, if I claim to be one of Jesus’ followers. If I am a new creation, connected to the Father, I must act with a new heart and a new nature, given by God. Because it is my new nature, I will love others as He loves. I hope you will, too! 

Stop Playing on Me!

 by Macy Johnson

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves

to someone to obey him as slaves,

you are slaves to the one whom you obey -

whether you are slaves to sin,

which leads to death, or to obedience,

which leads to righteousness?”

(Romans 6:16 NIV)

 

I communed with my heavenly Father early one fall morning and pondered whether to continue writing “God Sightings” postings and emails in the new year.

October 26 - Unsearchable

  

“Oh, the depth of the riches

of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable His judgments,

and His paths beyond tracing out!”

(Romans 11:33 NIV)

 

I thank my heavenly Father for His infinite wisdom. He will help me to trust in His judgments and seek His wisdom in all things. Like the Grand Canyon, the depths of His wisdom is awesome, vast, and complete. The crannies and crevices below are immeasurable, like His innumerable paths. I will seek His wisdom and perfect paths of knowledge. I hope you will, too!

October 25 - Seek Him

 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found;

call on Him while He is near.”

(Isaiah 55:6 NIV)

 

My heavenly Father has numbered our days. I want to use every day to draw closer to Him through prayer and devotion, knowing He is always near to those who seek Him. Every morning I will rise and give Him my day. I can trust Him to reveal Himself and unfold His presence before me in ways that glorify Him. He wants to be found. I will seek Him! I hope you will, too! 

October 24 - His Presence

“My Presence will go with you,

and I will give you rest.”

(Exodus 33:14 NIV)

 

God promised to go with the Israelites when He led them out of slavery in Egypt. Jesus leads us out of slavery to ourselves every day, no matter where we are. The Holy Spirit will be with us and give us rest right where we are. All I need to do is stop and give Him my burdens through prayer in thought and word. I will surrender and submit to Jesus today. I hope you will, too! 

October 23 - Joy of the Lord

 

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,

and send some to those who have nothing prepared.

This day is sacred to our Lord.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

(Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)

 

Our Lord’s joy is our unshakeable strength. He empowers our hearts to rejoice even in hard seasons, and opens our hands to share generously with those who have less. I will look for opportunities to share blessings with others and celebrate communion with my Lord in His joy. I hope you will, too!

October 22 - He is Faithful

 

“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful,

for He cannot disown Himself.”

(2 Timothy 2:13 NIV)

 

Humanity is fickle and ever-changing. I cannot count on others or myself, but I can rejoice that Christ will be faithful when I am not. He is the steadfast and sure foundation I can build my life on. If I died with Him, I will live with Him, now and in eternity. He keeps me faithful to the end in the middle of all my failures. I can and will trust in Jesus. I hope you will, too!

Battered

 by Macy Johnson

“Let His blood be on us

and on our children!”

(Matthew 27:25 NIV)

 

My husband, Jeff, was startled by a rattling sound in our neighbor’s yard. The otherwise quiet and peaceful afternoon came to an abrupt halt. He stood up from the glider on the porch and walked over to investigate the commotion.

October 21 - First Response

  

“May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, O Lord,

my Rock and my Redeemer.”

(Psalm 19:14 NIV)

 

I have to ask myself, concerning every thought, is this for myself or my heavenly Father? Am I honoring God and glorifying Him in this potential endeavor? What’s in it for me? For His kingdom? Then maybe one day the two sides will meet and become one. I want to get to the point where glorifying my Savior is my first response. I hope you will, too! 

October 20 - Adventures Unlimited

 

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.

How then can anyone understand his own way?”

(Proverbs 20:24 NIV)

 

I have no control over my own life. My heavenly Father is sovereign over all things and will direct my steps according to His perfect will. There is no way I could ever begin to understand the direction my life is taking. Every day is an adventure with the Love of my Life, Jesus. I wonder what today will hold. I look forward to every minute with Him. I hope you will, too! 

October 19 - The Law of Christ

 

“Carry each other’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

(Galatians 6:2 NIV)

 

I am thankful that God has provided His people with community and support in one another. I will test my own thoughts and actions first and avoid all comparisons. I will learn how to bear the burdens of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and be open to them when my burdens weigh me down. That way I will fulfill the law of Christ, which is love. I hope you will, too!

October 18 - Wonders

 

“I will praise you, O Lord,

with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders.”

(Psalm 9:1 NIV)

 

We were halfway to the beach, four hours from home, when I received the text. Our reservation had been canceled due to a mandatory evacuation. Jeff and I sat stunned on the side of the road. We knew the words in the text were from our heavenly Father. We praised Him for revealing Himself in such a vivid way. I will tell others of His wonders and thank Him for His protection. I hope you will, too! 

October 17 - Hold on to Hope

 

“Let us hold unswervingly

to the hope we profess,

for he who promised is faithful.”

(Hebrews 10:23 NIV)

 

The gospel motivates me to be passionate about holiness. I can be confident to enter God’s throne room by the blood of Jesus, who purchased my ticket to eternal life with Him. I can draw nearer to God by faith and spur others on in love and good deeds as the writer to the Hebrews commands. I will hold on to the hope Jesus has promised to those who love Him. I hope you will, too!

My Plate

 by Macy Johnson

“They made the plate, the sacred diadem,

out of pure gold and engraved on it,

like an inscription on a seal:

HOLY TO THE LORD.”

(Exodus 39:30 NIV)

 

I received an email asking if I would like to apply for an online adjunct accounting professor position. I smiled as I sent the offer to the trash folder, knowing it was a nudge from the Holy Spirit.

October 16 - Hand in Hand

“For I am the Lord, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

Do not fear; I will help you.”

(Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

 

Imagine a small child’s right hand in the left hand of his father. Multiply that kajillion times and then more. How could I ever doubt the One who made my right hand, who knows every cell floating through it and every line crossing it? I reach for His hand in the middle of the night and ask Him to walk me through the next steps. I hope you will, too! 

October 15 - Not Forsaken

 

“The Lord himself goes before you

and will be with you;

he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

 

My salvation does not depend on me. If and when I wander from the Good Shepherd, He will chase me until He brings me back into His care. He dreamed of me and created me for His purposes, for His glory. It is not up to me. I will not be afraid, but be encouraged in faith. I hope you will, too!

October 14 - Burden of Love

 

“Carry each other’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

(Galatians 6:2 NIV)

 

The Apostle Paul asked the church at Galatia to keep on doing good for each other in order to fulfill Christ’s law of love. The church should help each other out of the pits they fall into, without falling into the pit, also. I dare not compare myself to my brothers and sisters in Christ, but look for opportunities to encourage and lift them up to Jesus. I hope you will, too!

October 13 - Hidden Word

 

“I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.”

(Psalm 119:11 NIV)

 

God’s Word is the light that exposes dark places in my heart. It is the scalpel that cuts away my selfish thoughts. It is the balm that heals the sin sick soul. I must read His words in the Bible or sing them in a worship song and let them change me. I will apply His words to my life. I will hide His word in my heart. I hope you will, too!

October 12 - Be Faithful

 

“If we live, we live to the Lord;

and if we die, we die to the Lord.

So, whether we live or die,

we belong to the Lord.”

(Romans 14:8 NIV)

 

Tim Tebow wrote, “We want a full blueprint before we take the first step. But God doesn’t always give us the whole picture. He gives us a person to help, a moment to step in, an opportunity to say yes right where we are. It’s not about being the hero. It’s about being faithful with the small things.” I will faithfully serve the Lord. I hope you will, too!

October 11 - Showers of Blessings

 

“Sow for yourselves righteousness,

reap the fruit of unfailing love,

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the Lord,

until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”

(Hosea 10:12 NIV)

 

Daniel Webster Whittle wrote the popular hymn “Showers of Blessings”

 

There shall be showers of blessing:
  This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
  Sent from the Savior above.

 

There shall be showers of blessing,
  If we but trust and obey.

 

I will welcome showers of blessings sent by my heavenly Father. I hope you will, too!

October 10 - The Word

 

“John, the Baptizer, testifies concerning him.

He cries out, saying, ‘This was he of whom I said,

‘He who comes after me has surpassed me

because he was before me.’”

(John 1:15 NIV)

 

John the Baptizer was a cousin of Jesus, born before Jesus’ birth. Yet he announced that Jesus came before he was born.

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.”

(John 1:1 NIV)

I believe the Word as presented by John, the Apostle, in his gospel about Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

October 9 - Shine Like Stars

“Those who are wise

will shine like the brightness of the heavens,

and those who lead many to righteousness,

like the stars for ever and ever.”

(Daniel 12:3 NIV)

 

Matthew Henry wrote, “There shall be a glorious reward conferred on those who, in the day of trouble and distress, being themselves wise, instructed many. They should do eminent service, and yet should fall by the sword or be burned, they shall be recompensed in the resurrection.” I want to shine like the stars and point others to Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

October 8 - Light of the World

 

“In him was life,

and that life was the light of men.”

(John 1:4 NIV)

 

Jesus is the Light of the World. There is no darkness in Him. The Holy Spirit exposes the dark recesses of my heart and reveals my inner thoughts to me, so I can confess them. Without His light I would be on the wrong path, going nowhere fast. I am thankful I can confess anything, anytime, anywhere. I will seek a deeper relationship with my Lord, where nothing is hidden. I hope you will, too!

October 7 - To Know Fully

 

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known.”

(1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV)

 

God is Light. He defines truthfulness, holiness, and purity. John, the apostle, wrote in his first letter, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” When I see Him, I will receive His righteousness. I hope you will, too!