May 8 - Cardinal Feathers

 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

(Psalm 139:14 NIV)

 

As I watch a cardinal peck at the feed in the tray attached to my window I wonder if my Heavenly Father really knows how many red feathers are on my little friend’s fragile body. He said he knows every hair on my body, every cell swimming in my arteries and veins. In fact, He knows every seed in the feeder tray and the potential for a new plant. I will trust His wisdom. I hope you will, too!

May 7 - The Faithful One

 

“The One who calls you is faithful

and He will do it.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV)

 

Whatever God calls me to do, I know He will equip me to do it. Sometimes I feel like David, the shepherd, alone with his sheep. He probably wondered if anyone really knew him. God does and calls us when we least expect it. He lays out His plan and offers to lead us on His path. I can trust Him. I will follow the Faithful One. I hope you will, too!

Dinosaurs

 by Macy Johnson

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”

(Matthew 19:14 NIV)

 

The local library manager sent out an email to recruit a storyteller in two days. I replied to her urgent request and accepted the challenge.

May 6 - Reconciliation

 

“All this is from God,

who reconciled us to Himself through Christ

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

(2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV)

 

I have been reconciled to God so I can help others be reconciled to Him. First, I must be an instrument of reconciliation between brothers and sisters in Christ. God came to reconcile the world to Himself. Creation must be reunited with the Creator. As a faithful steward of His gifts, I will seek to reconcile financial accounts and people in my Savior’s kingdom for His glory. I hope you will, too! 

May 5 - Feet of a Deer

 

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer.”

(Habakkuk 3:19 NIV)

 

I read somewhere, “It is so easy to get lost in the valley of the mundane, bogged down in the murky waters of discontent.” Only God can give me courage to climb up to a higher level of spiritual maturity. I pray that my physical side will not smother my spiritual side. With His strength I can leap over all boundaries and enter peaceful rest by His side. I hope you will, too! 

May 4 - Redemption

“He did not enter by means

of the blood of goats and calves;

but He entered the Most Holy Place

once for all by His own blood,

having obtained eternal redemption.”

(Hebrews 8:12 NIV)

 

Redeem means to buy back or repurchase, restore, repair, to free from harm. That is what Jesus did for me on the cross. He sacrificed Himself for me. He did it before I was a speck in eternity. He knew me by name before He created me and redeemed me. I will trust His plans before my own. I hope you will, too! 

May 3 - The Big "If"

 

“Then Jesus said to His disciples,

‘If anyone would come after me,

he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

(Matthew 16:24 NIV)

 

God does not force anyone to follow Him. I choose to follow Jesus every moment of every day. What if I refuse? I will miss out on the most amazing and wonderful adventure - life! Until I deny myself, I will walk around in meaningless fog, stumbling over everything in my path. When I deny myself and follow Jesus, light appears and the way is clear. I hope you will, too!

May 2 - Temptation

 

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

(Matthew 26:41 NIV)

 

This verse comes to my mind many times during the day when I fall into temptation. I am nudged by the Holy Spirit and reminded of my imperfections. Why do I not reach for Jesus instead of His creation? Why did the apostles reach for sleep instead of Jesus? I believe I need Him more than they did. I thank my heavenly Father for His mercy and forgiveness. I hope you will, too! 

May 1 - Overwhelmed

 

“As you do not know the path of the wind,

or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,

so you cannot understand the work of God,

the Maker of all things.”

(Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV)

 

According to Google, “Feeling overwhelmed is a state of being emotionally or mentally submerged by tasks, stress, or emotions, often causing a feeling of paralysis or inability to cope.” I am more in awe than overwhelmed. As I look around at things and activities, I am amazed at how it all fits and stays together. I will praise my Creator. I hope you will, too! 

April 30 - God is in Control

“From the east I summon a bird of prey;

from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that will I bring about;

what I have planned, that will I do.”

(Isaiah 46:11 NIV)

 

When Isaiah wrote this prophecy about Babylon’s invasion of Israel, God was in control. He reveals His will to His people. I must watch where I step, slow down and be deliberate in all my dealings with the world. I want to be in the center of my heavenly Father’s will. I will seek Him. I hope you will, too! 

Ticker-Tape Synesthesia

 by Macy Johnson

“He said to them, ‘How foolish you are,

and how slow of heart to believe

all that the prophets have spoken!’”

(Luke 24:25 NIV)

 

During a Friends of the Library meeting one morning the discussion turned to audiobooks. There is a concern that hard copy books are losing interest and libraries, as we know them, may soon pass away. A member commented that she was addicted to audiobooks. She reminded us that storytelling is the original way tales and facts of the past were passed down through generations. Before there were books written, people told stories and learned by listening.

April 29 - A Tenant

 

“I tell you the truth,

whatever you did for one of the least

of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

(Matthew 25:40 NIV)

 

Pastor Bob reminded me one Sunday that I am a tenant, not the owner of anything. My heavenly Father is the only Owner. I have no rights, no power, no control. He has it all. When I serve others, I am only doing what I was created to do. I need to be reminded every minute of every day. I will surrender my will to serve in His kingdom today. I hope you will, too! 

April 28 - Stop, Look, and Listen

 

“Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak

and slow to become angry.”

(James 1:19 NIV)

 

God gave me two ears, two eyes, and one mouth. With my eyes I see the color and shape of God’s creation. With my ears I listen to music and words. With my mouth I eat and drink. My mouth is also used to create sounds for speech, to talk. I must evaluate what I take in through my eyes, ears, and mouth so God is glorified in what comes out. I hope you will, too! 

April 27 - Squeaky Wheel

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

and let your glory be over all the earth.”

(Psalm 108:5 NIV)

 

I had just about given up. The hinges on my new dryer’s door were on the wrong side. The delivery man refused to touch it. The representative on the phone said she would investigate it. Weeks passed and I heard nothing. I made one last plea and in two days it was fixed! I thanked God for nudging me to persist when I wanted to give up. I hope you will, too! 

April 26 - Look Up

 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills -

where does my help come from?”

(Psalm 121:1 NIV)

 

Sometimes the clouds past the tree line across the lake look like mountains. Their formations reach for the sky like snow-covered peaks. My imagination runs wild and I see Jesus coming for me. My Help is in the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let my foot slip. He watches over me. He is always awake. I will lift up my eyes to Him. I hope you will, too! 

April 25 - Rebirth and Renewal

“He saved us,

not because of righteous things we had done,

but because of His mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth

and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

(Titus 3:5 NIV)

 

I cannot take any credit for my birth. My heavenly Father created me to need Him. And, boy, do I need Him! By His mercy I do not get what I deserve. By His grace, I get something much, much better. He is the ultimate prize! I can never thank Him enough but will keep trying. I hope you will, too! 

April 24 - Blessed is the Man

 

“Blessed is the Man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.”

(Psalm 1:1 NIV)

 

I used to think if I tried hard enough, I could be like the man in Psalm 1:1. Then I realized there is only one Man who fits that bill. Jesus is the only man who delights in God’s law and fulfills it. I can follow in His footsteps away from the wicked. I will thank Him today for His righteousness. I hope you will, too! 

April 23 - Bread of Life

 

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life.

He who comes to me will never go hungry,

and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’”

(John 6:35 NIV)

 

Jesus compared Himself to bread. He claimed to be I AM, God, the only Source of life. Shawn Thornton wrote, “Bread must be received daily. Faith works the same way. Yesterday’s trust cannot nourish today’s need. We return to Jesus again and again, because dependence is how life with Him is lived.” I will trust Jesus for every speck/drop of life. I hope you will, too! 

April 22 - Every Thought Captive

 

“I can do everything

through Him who gives me strength.”

(Philippians 4:13 NIV)

 

The world told me I am not enough. My mind told me I cannot unravel the confusion. My body told me I am too weak. Kyle Idleman reminded me of the solution to this human dilemma: “The thought pattern of insecurity is interrupted by a new thought pattern: God’s strength is sufficient, and His power available.” I must change my mind with the power of the Holy Spirit. I will take every thought captive for Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

April 21 - Covered with Christ

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,

so that in Him we might become

the righteousness of God.”

(2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

 

I was reminded recently that when God looks at me, He sees Jesus first. A layer of Jesus’ righteousness covers me. There is nothing I can do to change how God sees me, except to step out from under Christ’s righteousness. That is love and peace with God and freedom to be the child He created me to be. I will rejoice under His covering. I hope you will, too! 

His Throne Room

 by Macy Johnson

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

(Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

 

Jesus is in our heavenly Father’s throne room, seated next to Him. He is our Advocate and our Judge. He is our Redeemer and Refuge.

 

Many years ago, I approached my mother in our kitchen. She sat in a chair next to our telephone table where books were piled next to the phone. She was an avid reader of everything, but especially fond of her Bible and commentaries. I told her I believed we are in God’s throne room when we talk to Him. She agreed.

April 20 - God's Temple

 

“Don’t you know that you yourselves

are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

(1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV)

 

I may not feel like a holy place, but that does not change the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in me, if I am a child of God. I have no rights, no power, no control. He has it all. I thank my heavenly Father for the perfect freedom that Truth provides. I am free to surrender to His will and walk in perfect peace through each day. I hope you will, too! 

April 19 - Sacrifices

 

“Do not forget to do good and share with others,

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

(Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

 

I will remember my calling to do good and share with others. I will take courage today to go outside the shelter of my comfort zone into battle. I will look for opportunities to speak His words boldly as a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to the Word of God, Jesus. I will share His blessings with those around me as a clean, clear channel of His love. I hope you will, too!

April 18 - Near

 

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call on Him in truth.”

(Psalm 145:18 NIV)

 

Jesus is so near I can almost feel his breath on my ear and smell the sweetness of His scent. He heard my honest call and answered me. No one else can know or understand, but that is ok. We have a secret relationship. As my Creator, He knows my needs before I do and loves to supply them. I will go to Him first, because He is near. I hope you will, too!

April 17 - Fresh and New

 

“What has been will be again,

what has been done will be done again;

there is nothing new under the sun.”

(Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV)

 

Every morning I step into a new facet of my relationship with Jesus. He reveals Himself to me in more ways through different avenues. His presence is new every morning. King Solomon believed nothing was new. What is new for me may be repetition for you. God created each of us to be unique, one-of-a-kind. I like to explore this life with fresh eyes and expect the unexpected. I hope you will, too! 

April 16 - Salvation's Power

 

“Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.”

(Acts 4:12 NIV)

 

Holley Gerth wrote, “The power that is ours through Christ is limitless and indestructible. If it were converted into electricity, it could light the world for all eternity.” Jesus living in me by the Holy Spirit not only saves me from myself but uses me in His kingdom to bring others to salvation. I will accept the limitless power He offers today. I hope you will, too! 

Grit and Grace

 by Macy Johnson

“For I hear the slander of many;

there is terror on every side;

they conspire against me

and plot to take my life.”

(Psalm 31:13 NIV)

 

King David was under attack, not just once, but all the time. He was continually tossed about by people and circumstances. God had promised he would be king, but he would be battered into shape before crowned and placed into royalty.

April 15 - Crossed Over

 

“I tell you the truth,

whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me

has eternal life and will not be condemned;

he has crossed over from death to life.”

(John 5:24 NIV)

 

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself to me if I seek Him. I must ask for Him to touch me with His power. Then I will believe Jesus was sent by the Father to rescue me from my sinful ways. I will cross over from death to life through the cross of Jesus. I will listen and believe. I hope you will, too!

April 14 - Bloom and Die

 

“Go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

(Matthew 28:19 NIV)

 

Azalea flowers attract pollinators and people. When they die, new life pushes out into beautiful, green leaves. When I share new life with those God places on my path, His life presses through me to them, and I can wither and die. Others are baptized into new life. It is a humbling process for me and the azalea flower. For the Holy Spirit to increase, I must decrease. I hope you will, too!

April 13 - Live to Serve

 

“A man can do nothing better

than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.

This too, I see, is from the hand of God.”

(Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIV)

 

God created His children to work. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues into eternity. When my pride creeps into the picture, I lose the joy of service. When I shine a light on myself and not on Jesus, I crumble under the pressure of want. Jesus died so I could die to myself and live for Him. I will seek the will of the Holy Spirit in whatever He gives me to do today. I hope you will, too! 

April 12 - Light of Life

 

“The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man;

it searches out his inmost being.”

(Proverbs 20:27 NIV)

 

Shine your lamp on my heart, Lord. As I open Your Word, use it to expose all the filth I have tried to hide from you. Peel back the corners of my soul and expose it to your penetrating Light of Life. I cannot hide my inmost being from you. I know Jesus loves me more than I can imagine and will lead me on the right path with Him today. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too! 

April 11 - Love Laid Down

“This is how we know what love is:

Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”

(1 John 3:16 NIV)

 

Hesed is God's covenantal love, combining steadfast loyalty, mercy, kindness, and grace. It is action-oriented, loving-kindness that goes far beyond duty. How can I show hesed today? I can drop what I’m doing and help others. I can encourage those who offend me, lift them up to my Heavenly Father, and ask Him to forgive them, just like Jesus did. I hope you will, too!

April 10 - Receive

“Teacher, what good thing must I do

to get eternal life?”

(Matthew 19:16 NIV)

 

 

Today I pray with Joni Eareckson Tada, “Lord, I open the windows and doors of my life so Your refreshing breeze can blow through and drive out the stale, tired air. I need the freshness and fragrance of the Holy Spirit to swirl through every corner of my heart. I open my hands and receive Your grace, Your gifts, Your favor, Your counsel, and Your mercy.” I rejoice to receive God's free gift of eternity spent with Him. I hope you will, too!

April 9 - Overcome

“I have told you these things,

so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33 NIV)

 

The world will try to distract me with its glamour and glitter. Social media tries to tell me I am not good enough. Advertisements invite me to want more or better. Because He is perfect and perfectly loves me and paid for my life, I am His. Since He has overcome the world, so can I. I will thank Him for the victories. I hope you will, too! 

April 8 - Wise Listening

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance.”

(Proverbs 1:5 NIV)

 

I will step into God’s classroom today. I will open my eyes and ears to learn what He wants to teach me. It will be a one-on-one experience that only He can give. He taps me on the shoulder and whispers in my ear. Such lessons occur daily, even hourly, moment-by-moment. I only need to recognize my Teacher, stop what I am doing, and absorb what He is teaching me. I hope you will, too! 

April 7 - Satisfaction

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

(Psalm 90:14 NIV)

 

I rise in the morning with a song in my heart and on my mind. I reach for the blinds and open them to let in the beauty of the day. Nothing can pull me away from His presence. I train my mind to thank my heavenly Father for revealing Himself to me in so many amazing ways. He is my complete Satisfaction. I will rejoice and praise Him today. I hope you will, too! 

Not What You Think

by Macy Johnson

“While they were listening to this,

He went on to tell them a parable,

because He was near Jerusalem

and the people thought that

the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.”

(Luke 19:11 NIV)

 

The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27) is the last of Christ’s teachings in Luke before His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The mina, valued at approximately three months’ wages, is a metaphor for the Gospel. God has given each of us the good news of Jesus and we are responsible for how we invest it and share it with others.