by Macy Johnson
“And He took the children in His arms,
put His hands on them and blessed them.”
(Mark 10:16 NIV)
I read a
devotional about a woman who visited her uncle who was diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease. She said he looked like a little boy, curled up in his
bed. She commented, “In some ways, we become different people as we grow older,
and yet in other ways, we stay like the children we once were.”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable -
if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy -
think about such things.”
(Philippians 4:8 NIV)
I will become what I think about. What is taking up residence in my heart and mind? I believe what the Apostle Paul is teaching is I need to filter my thoughts. I will filter in true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy thoughts. I will filter out lies and negative thoughts. I hope you will, too!
“Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.”
(Matthew 5:5 NIV)
King David reminds me in Psalm 37 that the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. I must humbly acknowledge my dependence on the goodness and grace of my heavenly Father and rid my heart of all arrogance toward my fellowman. Only then will I find great peace with God and man. My Savior, Jesus Christ, is the only Way, Truth, and Life. I will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, one step at a time. I hope you will, too!
“O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for
you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.”
(Isaiah 33:2 NIV)
Silence woke me to pitch darkness. The storm had passed, but its effects lingered. The ceiling fan slowed to a stop and I reached for my cell phone. 12:50 and our power was out. God never promised to remove difficulties, but He does promise to be with us through them. I thanked Him hours later when power was restored and vowed to be more thankful for His amazing grace and mercy. I hope you will, too!
“Stop grumbling among yourselves.”
(John 6:44 NIV)
The Jewish leaders could not understand God’s Truth. They laughed at Jesus when He told them He came down from heaven. Jesus, the Messiah, told them the only way they could accept God’s Truth was if they were born again by the Holy Spirit. They must ask God to reveal Himself to them. Grumbling grows out of man’s spiritual desire to have his own way, not God’s. I will ask my heavenly Father for the ability to understand and accept His Truth. I hope you will, too!
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:3 NIV)
Blessed are the humble, for they are not proud and self-sufficient. Blessed are those who mourn over their sin, for the Holy Spirit will comfort them. God’s world is the opposite of our world. Those who know they need Jesus are poor in the spirit of this world but rich in the kingdom of heaven. They will share in the joy of eternal salvation. I will seek to understand Jesus and follow Him into His kingdom. I hope you will, too!
“Be on your guard;
stand firm in the faith;
be men of courage; be strong.”
(1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV)
On a conference call with one of our church leaders, I was informed of possible things to come. I know God is in control. He loves His church more than we ever could. He calls me to be on my guard for enemy attacks, stand firm in the faith He has given me, and be courageous and strong as the battle rages. I will focus on my General. I hope you will, too!
