by Macy Johnson
“Don’t you know that when you offer
yourselves
to someone to obey him as slaves,
you are slaves to the one whom you obey
-
whether you are slaves to sin,
which leads to death, or to obedience,
which leads to righteousness?”
(Romans 6:16 NIV)
I communed
with my heavenly Father early one fall morning and pondered whether to continue
writing “God Sightings” postings and emails in the new year.
“Oh, the depth of the riches
of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments,
and His paths beyond tracing out!”
(Romans 11:33 NIV)
I thank my heavenly Father for His infinite wisdom. He will help me to trust in His judgments and seek His wisdom in all things. Like the Grand Canyon, the depths of His wisdom is awesome, vast, and complete. The crannies and crevices below are immeasurable, like His innumerable paths. I will seek His wisdom and perfect paths of knowledge. I hope you will, too!
“Seek the Lord while He may be found;
call on Him while He is near.”
(Isaiah 55:6 NIV)
My heavenly Father has numbered our days. I want to use every day to draw closer to Him through prayer and devotion, knowing He is always near to those who seek Him. Every morning I will rise and give Him my day. I can trust Him to reveal Himself and unfold His presence before me in ways that glorify Him. He wants to be found. I will seek Him! I hope you will, too!
“My Presence will go with you,
and I will give you rest.”
(Exodus 33:14 NIV)
God promised to go with the Israelites when He led them out of slavery in Egypt. Jesus leads us out of slavery to ourselves every day, no matter where we are. The Holy Spirit will be with us and give us rest right where we are. All I need to do is stop and give Him my burdens through prayer in thought and word. I will surrender and submit to Jesus today. I hope you will, too!
“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet
drinks,
and send some to those who have nothing
prepared.
This day is sacred to our Lord.
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord
is your strength.”
(Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)
Our Lord’s joy is our unshakeable strength. He empowers our hearts to rejoice even in hard seasons, and opens our hands to share generously with those who have less. I will look for opportunities to share blessings with others and celebrate communion with my Lord in His joy. I hope you will, too!
“If we are faithless, He will remain
faithful,
for He cannot disown Himself.”
(2 Timothy 2:13 NIV)
Humanity is fickle and ever-changing. I cannot count on others or myself, but I can rejoice that Christ will be faithful when I am not. He is the steadfast and sure foundation I can build my life on. If I died with Him, I will live with Him, now and in eternity. He keeps me faithful to the end in the middle of all my failures. I can and will trust in Jesus. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“Let His blood be on us
and on our children!”
(Matthew 27:25 NIV)
My
husband, Jeff, was startled by a rattling sound in our neighbor’s yard. The
otherwise quiet and peaceful afternoon came to an abrupt halt. He stood up from
the glider on the porch and walked over to investigate the commotion.
