Storms of Life

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.

September 14 - Trust and Obey

 

“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!

September 13 - Encouragement

 

“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! 

September 12 - Celebrate the Found

 

“In the same way, I tell you,

there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner who repents.”

(Luke 15:10 NIV)

 

I sat down on the bench by my dining room table to put on my walking shoes. On the carpet near my feet was a Lego doll. I took a picture and sent it to my daughter with a promise to reunite Dahlia with her doll on their next visit. We are so much more valuable to God. I will seek the lost and celebrate the found. I hope you will, too! 

September 11 - Generosity

 

“A generous man will prosper;

he who refreshes others

will himself be refreshed.”

(Proverbs 11:25 NIV)

 

Generosity is described as freely and joyfully sharing material and immaterial gifts to reflect God's own character and abundant love. King Solomon wanted to remind his readers that the law of generosity is eternal. When I serve someone in need, I can count on receiving a blessing. It may come only in the satisfaction of helping someone, but it will come. I will look for opportunities to be generous in ways that cannot be repaid. I hope you will, too!

September 10 - Scapegoat

 

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

(Isaiah 53:6 NIV)

 

Jesus is my scapegoat. Just as the priest laid his hands on the scapegoat to symbolically lay the sins of Israel on it, God the Father placed His hands on God the Son and transferred my sin to Him. I have gone my own way, been led astray, and need a Savior. I thank Jesus for taking my place of punishment. I hope you will, too!

September 9 - What is Best

 

“Therefore I tell you,

whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.”

(Mark 11:24 NIV)

 

This is one of the very hardest verses in the Bible for me to believe. What about the friend that dies, or the dream that dissipates? Carey Scott helped me by writing, “No loving God would give us everything we wanted. He will always respond with what is best.” I don’t want to make a mess of my life. I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me. I hope you will, too!