“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!
“’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!
“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!
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.
“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!
“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!
“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!
