by Macy Johnson
“God is able to make all grace abound
to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
I picked
up my friend one Sunday afternoon to attend a funeral with her. “This is the
third funeral for me this week,” she announced as she climbed into my Tahoe. It
was a beautiful, peaceful ride to the church a few blocks away.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord
will be saved.”
(Romans 10:13 NIV)
It takes faith to call on Jesus. Faith comes from God through the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of the Almighty’s call on the life of His child. Before I knew Him, He knew me and called on me. I heard His call and responded through faith given to me. It is simple, but oh, so complicated - a God-sized revelation. I will call on the One who called me to Himself. I hope you will, too!
“You too, be patient and stand firm,
because the Lord’s coming is near.”
(James 5:8 NIV)
Paul David Tripp reminded me, “At the center of the life of faith is the willingness to wait on the One who accomplishes His will in His time and in His way. Do you struggle to wait? God meets you with empowering grace.” I get frustrated with my lack of control. I know my promised place of rest will come when the end comes. I will continue to do what God calls me to do. I hope you will, too!
“An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.”
(Proverbs 12:25 NIV)
I felt the pressure pushing down on me. Thoughts of upcoming responsibilities and tasks weighed heavy on my mind. Then I heard Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest.” There are no kinder words than those from the Holy Spirit. He said, “I’ve got this - you don’t! Wait on me.” I will listen to Him and trust Him to lead me through all He has prepared for me today. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
protect me from those who rise up
against me.”
(Psalm 59:1 NIV)
It was the
perfect storm. I was visiting with my co-worker and helping customers at the
hospital gift shop when the email appeared on my phone. Distractions swirled
around me, confusion in the shop and in my brain kept me from carefully reading
the email. I quickly responded that I would be glad to help. I should have
known it was a scam email. Satan knows the best time to attack - when I am weak,
distracted, and my guard is down.
“But 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.”
(1 John 1:7 NIV)
Daniel Towner wrote the melody to “Trust and Obey” in 1887. Mr. Towner’s wife told him, “I feel the melody you have written is just what is needed to carry the message.” When we walk in the light of His word and sit in fellowship at His feet, we will be purified. I will trust and obey. I hope you will, too!
“But encourage one another daily,
as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened
by sin’s deceitfulness.”
(Hebrews 3:13 NIV)
Holley Gerth encouraged me one day with: “Sometimes we can focus so much on what we need to change, how we should be different, or the impurities that still need to be removed that we forget that God values people more than perfection.” The perfectionist tendencies in me need to die. I will allow the Holy Spirit to encourage me today. I hope you will, too!
