“Do everything without complaining or
arguing.”
(Philippians 2:14 NIV)
I want to be blameless and pure,
a child of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, shining
like a star in the universe as I hold out the Truth. The Apostle Paul placed a
stern call to the church at Philippi. I know it is meant also for me. I know it
is God working in me to will and act according to His purpose. I will seek to
be blameless in my walk with Jesus today. I hope you will, too!
“God called the light ‘day’
and the darkness He called ‘night.’
And there was evening, and there was
morning
- the first day.”
(Genesis 1:5 NIV)
I turned off the camper AC unit and opened the screen door and windows to a clear, bright morning. Fresh air poured in with morning light. The storm passed and cleansed the trees and ground cover to prepare us for a fresh new day. Spring approached in stealthy steps. Bird calls announced their presence. I will rejoice in the beauty and peace of the morning. I hope you will, too!
“He has made everything beautiful in
its time.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Failing appliances, new acquaintances, and unplanned adventures create new worries that snuggle up in my thoughts. “What will I do when THAT happens, Lord?” I asked. “How will I afford to replace the appliance? What should I say to that new person? How will I know which direction to take?” “I will be with you when the time comes,” He replied. I will wait with Him to show me what to do at the right time. I hope you will, too!
“Then He entered the temple area
and began driving out those who were
selling.”
(Luke 19:45 NIV)
The Lord will show me the tables in my life that need to be overturned. I dare not sit by and watch apathetically, but step into the mess and help to clean it up. My body is His temple. My church is His dwelling place. My home is His resort. My community is His Capernaum. I will ask Him to use me to make things right in my piece of the universe. I hope you will, too!
“I despise my life; I would not live
forever.
Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”
(Job 7:16 NIV)
I opened my eyes to a painful fever blister on my lower lip, and the touchpad on my new laptop died. Instead of asking, “What else can go wrong, Lord?” I put my head down and whispered, “Please help me, Lord, I need you now more than ever.” My thoughts drifted to others who suffer much worse calamities. He touched my computer and my lip and set me on my way for a better morning. I will turn to Him for everything. I hope you will, too!
“And God said, ‘Let there be lights
in the expanse of the sky
to separate the day from the night,
and let them serve as signs
to mark seasons and days and years.’”
(Genesis 1:14 NIV)
Green blades of grass peak
through the brown stubble. Dry, dead leaves shiver on precarious limbs of oak
trees. Spring tries to punch through winter. Squirrels scurry from tree to tree
with nut prizes in their mouths. The earth wants to wake up but can barely open
its eyes to the sights. I will welcome the new season soon. I hope you will,
too!
by Macy Johnson
“If the king regards me with favor
and if it pleases the king to grant my
petition
and fulfill my request,
let the king and Haman come tomorrow
to the banquet I will prepare for
them.
Then I will answer the king’s question.”
(Esther 5:8 NIV)
During a recent visit, my granddaughter asked if we could have a tea party. I brewed a
pot of green tea and found cookies and candies for us to share. Wide-brimmed
straw hats were retrieved from pegs in the laundry room. We donned them on our
heads and created our best English accents.
