March 7 - Triggers

  

“Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.”

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

 

Alicia Britt Chole reminded me, “Uncertainty is quite revealing. The unknown triggers different reactions in different hearts and exposes our soul’s defaults.” What unknown trigger will strike a dissonant chord in my soul today? What defaults will I gravitate toward when I face the unknown? Will I react as Jesus would? Will I put the needs of others before my own? I must be alert to all triggers that come my way today. I hope you will, too!

March 6 - Renewed Strength

  

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

 

One morning after a long, hard week, I glanced out my window to watch an eagle swoop across the water. I am thankful God led me and protected me then and will continue every day for the rest of my time here on earth. I hope only in the Lord and will grow stronger in faith in Him. I hope you will, too!

March 5 - Fast From Fixing

  

“’No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’

Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you,

you have no part with me.’”

(John 13:8 NIV)

 

Do I think I know what is best for God’s kingdom? He calls me to stop trying to fix the problems I face. Faith requires me to surrender, to release all control and trust His way is perfect. It may be painful and seemingly headed in the wrong direction, according to my wisdom, but it is His way, the only way. I will abstain from my way and follow His today. I hope you will, too!

March 4 - Light in Darkness

  

“Such a thing has never been seen or done,

not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt.

Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!”

(Judges 19:30 NIV)

 

I turned off the TV. Changing the station was not enough. My soul was crushed by the sight. Lawlessness and immorality flashed before my eyes on the screen. I vowed to not let anything godless enter my mind. The only solution was to turn up the light of my soul brighter and stronger to push away the darkness. I hope you will, too! 

Cleaning Lady

 by Macy Johnson

“Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him,

asked me, ‘How long will your journey take,

and when will you get back?’

It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.”

(Nehemiah 2:6 NIV)

 

I walked into the Sav-A-Life crisis pregnancy center office one wintry afternoon. “I am here to clean your toilets or do whatever is needed,” I told the administrator. “Who are you?” she asked. After I explained who I was, she said, “We don’t need a cleaning lady, we need you on our Board!” That was the beginning of my service with Sav-A-Life in Birmingham.

March 3 - Humility

 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

(Philippians 2:3 NIV)

 

Humility springs from a secure identity with my heavenly Father. I am inspired by a deep sense of unworthiness from my depraved nature, omitted duties, and violated commands from God’s word. Humility helps me see and meet the needs of others and judge them as more important than my own. It leads me to repentance unto life in Christ. I will follow Jesus to make Him known to those around me today. I hope you will, too!

 

March 2 - Leftovers

 

“They all ate and were satisfied,

and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls

of broken pieces that were left over.”

(Luke 9:17 NIV)

 

Nothing is wasted in God’s kingdom. Nothing is left behind. The earth turns. Night falls and morning rises. This season will pass. New opportunities to serve for God’s glory linger around the corner. Whatever is done for Christ will last. I will quiet my mind and place my soul in His presence. I will feast on His Word and save the leftovers for later. I hope you will, too! 

March 1 - Repentance

  

“All the people, even the tax collectors,

when they heard Jesus’ words,

acknowledged that God’s way was right,

because they had been baptized by John.”

(Luke 7:29 NIV)

 

I must turn from my foolish, selfish ways and walk on the straight and narrow path today. This new day, new month, offers an opportunity to change, to turn around and follow Jesus. He is the only Leader I need or want. Yes, God’s way is the only Way. I will seek Him in a new way today, put Him first. I hope you will, too!

 

February 28 - Never Give Up

 

“Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.”

(Galatians 6:9 NIV)

 

Phrases of encouragement circled around in my brain: Endeavor to Persevere, Keep on Keeping on. They pop in and out of my mind when I am faced with difficult situations. Now is the time to pay attention to what is ahead and forget what is behind. One day, one step at a time on the path with Jesus. I will march on into today and not be afraid. I hope you will, too!

 

February 27 - Not Ashamed

  

“I am not ashamed of the gospel,

because it is the power of God for the salvation

of everyone who believes:

first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

(Romans 1:16 NIV)

 

The world does not want to hear about Jesus, much less see Him. As I move forward into today, I am reminded of the cold darkness out there. If I stay away, how can God’s love move through me to dispel negative forces? I will shine God’s light on the right path. I will proclaim the love of Jesus today. I hope you will, too!

February 26 - Not Fancy

  

“Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather serve one another in love.”

(Galatians 5:13 NIV)

 

I needed a new laptop computer before the old one died. I walked into one store and was told they did not have what I was looking for. I crossed the street to another store and found exactly what I wanted on sale for a price I could afford. It is not fancy. As I journey to Christ’s death and resurrection, I will follow the Holy Spirit’s lead to seek only what I need. I hope you will, too!

February 25 - God's Word

 

“My mother and brothers are those

who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

(Luke 8:21 NIV)

 

I thank Jesus for giving me Himself. He is God’s Word, the only Way, Truth, Life, and the only Path to the Father. I thank Him for including me in His kingdom and eternal family. I will trust the Holy Spirit to lead me to diligently study God’s word and walk more closely with Him. I will put His words into practice today. I hope you will, too!

Chasing Numbers

 by Macy Johnson

“But everything should be done

in a fitting and orderly way.”

(1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV)

 

The monthly church payroll journal entry frustrated me. I was not comfortable with the process. A more direct method, in an effort to skip a step, seemed more effective. Yet, I could not get a grasp on where the numbers came from for certain accounts. This struggle kept me up at night.

February 24 - Fruit Trees

  

“When you enter the land

and plant any kind of fruit tree,

regard its fruits as forbidden.

For three years you are to consider it forbidden;

it must not be eaten.”

(Leviticus 19:23 NIV)

 

God instructs me to slow down and not rush into anything. Growth takes time. The plans and projects He has given require thoughtful deliberation before action. I must give the fruit to Him first, then I can enjoy its bounty. I will plant and wait on my heavenly Father to produce fruit in me today. I hope you will, too! 

February 23 - Protect Your Blessings

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

(John 10:10 NIV)

 

Blessings can come at any time and in many different ways. The enemy wants to destroy life and all the wonderful blessings that come in good and bad times. They are God’s gifts and must be protected. With the Bible, God’s Word, in my hands, heart, and mind I will fight all the battles to keep faith in the struggles today. I hope you will, too!

 

February 22 - Provisions

 “So don’t be afraid;

you are worth more than many sparrows.”

(Matthew 10:31 NIV)

 

I watch birds flock to the feeder on my balcony. They come in pairs and sometimes alone to peck at the wild bird feed my husband put there for them. They do not worry whether they will find food or not. When the feeder is empty they stare at me through the glass as if to ask how I could forget about them. I trust my heavenly Father to not forget about me, either. I hope you will, too!

February 21 - Listen

 

“The Lord came and stood there,

calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’

Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”

(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV)

 

I want to be like Samuel. I want to listen to God speak to me. I want to hear His voice. Am I too distracted, too worried about my life to hear Him? His voice never stops vying for my attention. What am I paying attention to? I will stop and listen to my Lord and Savior today. I hope you will, too!

February 20 - Balance

  

“Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit,

who is in you,

whom you have received from God?”

(1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)

 

Jason White reminded me, “God didn’t rescue you from your sin and come to dwell in you just to be involved in a small portion of your life.  He came to be involved in all of it.” There is no secular vs sacred in God’s kingdom. All I am and do is covered with His presence and power. I will welcome balance in my life today. I hope you will, too!

February 19 - My Confidante

 

“When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy to my soul.”

(Psalm 94:19 NIV)

 

Anxious thoughts of yesterday and today lead my mind to Jesus. He is the only One who knows all my thoughts, all my secrets. He will give me my best meditations today and guide me on the path laid out for me. He will console me and wipe away all of my foolish, selfish contemplations. He turns my anxiety into joy. I will confide in my Lord and surrender all to Him. I hope you will, too!

February 18 - The Golden Rule

 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.

Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

(Luke 6:37 NIV)

 

I must treat others as I want to be treated. A difficult lesson to learn. Who am I judging? Who do I want to condemn? Who do I need to forgive? May I first forgive myself and know God has forgiven me through Jesus Christ. May I put the needs of others before my own today, only by the power of God’s grace. I hope you will, too! 

Expectations

 by Macy Johnson

“We know that the whole creation

has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth

right up to the present time.”

(Romans 8:22 NIV)

 

My heavenly Father appears to me in different ways. My husband, Jeff, has enjoyed playing Minecraft, but the thought of any video game other than Tetris makes me cringe. I love documentation and organization, but my creative friend, Meagan, would rather toss papers into the air and see where they fall. She shakes her head when she passes by our church’s workroom as I punch holes into papers for my many notebooks.

February 17 - Move Forward in Freedom

  

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

(Hebrews 12:3 NIV)

 

The past is not my enemy. It has carried me to today. Regrets will try to drag me down. What I see as loss, might be used for gain by my heavenly Father in another person’s life. This is not about me, but about Jesus. He moved forward through the torture and pain so I could be with Him. I trust Him to lead me through it all today. I hope you will, too! 

February 16 - Trials

  

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.”

(James 1:2-3 NIV)

 

My heavenly Father is gentle and kind. He is perfect, pure love. He will not let me face today alone. He is with me through the struggles, the pain, the frustration. He will reveal Himself in fresh new ways today. He is the Giver and Developer of faith. He will lead me to exercise it. I only need to seek Him first. I hope you will, too! 

February 15 - Carpe Diem

 

“Be very careful, then, how you live –

not as unwise, but as wise.”

(Ephesians 5:15 NIV)

 

Seize the day! Life is short. Time marches on. This moment, now, is a gift from my heavenly Father. I dare not waste or trash it, but cherish it and enjoy it with Him. I do not know what lies ahead, but He does. I might not need more knowledge, but discernment to use what I have already been given. I will look into the face of Jesus today for the answers and solutions I need. I hope you will, too!

February 14 - Continuous Communion

“One of those days Jesus went out

to a mountainside to pray

and spent the night praying to God.”

(Luke 6:12 NIV)

 

I cannot imagine praying all night, as Jesus did. But I have had restless nights when I talked with Him. He knows what sleepless nights are. He has been where you and I are going today. I am so thankful Jesus has already cleared the way so the Holy Spirit can lead into and out of every situation and circumstance. I will follow Him in uninterrupted communion today. I hope you will, too!  

February 13 - My Lamp

 

“You are my lamp, O Lord;

the Lord turns my darkness into light.”

(2 Samuel 22:29 NIV)

 

As the sun peeks over the trees my Lord awakens my mind and heart to Him. He shines a light on my thoughts and leads me to sift them through His love. The Lamp of Truth dispels all darkness and points me in the right direction. What more can I do today that will glorify Him, except to welcome His light on my every step? I will follow His light today. I hope you will, too!

February 12 - Foolish Dreams

“As a dream comes when there are many cares,

so the speech of a fool when there are many words.”

(Ecclesiastes 5:3 NIV)

 

The wise words of Solomon remind me that dreams disturb sleep when I do not give all my cares to my heavenly Father at the end of the day. I wake in the middle of the night and try to solve jumbled problems. In my dreams I argue and discuss in vain with no one. I will give God all my thoughts, keep my mouth shut, and seek His solutions today. I hope you will, too! 

February 11 - Delight in Weakness

 

“That is why, for Christ’s sake,

I delight in weaknesses, in insults,

in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

(2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV)

 

Again I complained to God about the problems swirling around my head. This was not working the way I thought it should and that was not falling properly into place. How can I delight in these weaknesses? How can I find joy in the frustrations? I will ask my Lord to take over control of these situations and my life. I hope you will, too! 

He Set Me Free

by Macy Johnson

“When Jesus saw her,

He called her forward and said to her,

’Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’”

(Luke 13:12 NIV)

 

Beverly played the introduction to a peppy hymn on the rickety spinet piano in the nursing home’s gathering hall. Kathleen picked up her tambourine and kept the beat. The group of sixteen singers in folding chairs looked up from their hymnals in delight. We would sing one of our favorite songs.

February 10 - More

  

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Romans 5:8 NIV)

 

I used to play a game with my children. I would say, “I love you more than you love me.” They responded with, “I love YOU more than you love ME!” I can hear Jesus say the same. When I am unlovable or push Him away, He loves me, like my love for my children, but way more. I will tell my heavenly Father today how much I love Him. I hope you will, too!

February 9 - Distractions

  

“I will send an angel before you

and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites,

Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”

(Exodus 33:2 NIV)

 

Distractions try to pull my thoughts off my Lord. To-do lists seek my attention. My focus must be on the task at hand – reading my Bible and writing to God. I put the lists in a drawer and clear my mind in order to enter worship and study. I will allow the Holy Spirit to drive out foolish thoughts so I can think of the only One who matters. I hope you will, too! 

February 8 - The Hand of God

 

“The hand of our God was on us,

and He protected us from enemies

and bandits along the way.”

(Ezra 8:31 NIV)

 

In the book of Ezra, “the gracious hand of our God” is repeated several times. Ezra and the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after they were dragged away, seventy years before. They trusted their heavenly Father to lead them safely home. As I move into today, I trust the gracious hand of my God to protect me and bring me safely back to my home on earth and in heaven. I hope you will, too!