July 17 - Humble Repentance

 

“He humbles those who dwell on high,

He lays the lofty city low;

He levels it to the ground

and casts it down to the dust.”

(Isaiah 26:5 NIV)

 

As a student in Austria, I befriended several families whose fathers had fought in the German army in the second World War. Their stories came to life in the visible damage left behind. I saw profound humility in their eyes as they told of their experiences. God humbled them and brought them to repentance. I will humble myself and repent of my rebellion today. I hope you will, too!

July 16 - Eternity Amnesia

“Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

(Psalm 73:25 NIV)

 

In Psalm 73 Asaph, the author, has a case of eternity amnesia. Paul David Tripp brought this to my attention in his “Everyday Gospel” collection, a treasured gift from a friend. Mr. Tripp reminded me that when I forget eternity, my view of today is distorted. Life looks radically different through the lens of eternity. I will thank my heavenly Father for helping me to view eternal life with Him when I am discouraged and confused. I hope you will, too! 

July 15 - Love Covers

 

“Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

(1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

 

I see God’s children everywhere. Some are angry at God for their painful circumstances. Some are proud of their blessings. Some are confused and frustrated, found beating their heads against figurative walls. They are each one His creation. He loves them more than I could ever imagine. Rather than envy the blessed or show anger or resentfulness to the offensive, I will ask my heavenly Father to teach me to love them as Jesus does. I hope you will, too!

July 14 - God is For Us

“What, then, shall we say in response to this?

If God is for us, who can be against us?”

(Romans 8:31 NIV)

 

The world is imploding on itself. Country against country. People against peoples. Families against families. Praise God, He is in control! He provides peace to our hearts, minds, and souls when chaos swirls around us. God is for us. He dreamed of us, each one, and created us uniquely for His glory. I will ask Him for His peace. I will praise Him in the middle of the attacks. I hope you will, too! 

July 13 - Steps of Faith

 

“We live by faith,

not by sight.”

(2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)

 

I sit here and wait for email responses to my requests. I remember the days when there were no emails, no phone texts, and no cell phones. Was my faith stronger when I needed to exercise it, when answers were not instantaneous? Every step must be taken by faith. Since my pelvic fracture my physical steps are more deliberate. So are my spiritual steps of faith. I will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. I hope you will, too! 

Sparrows

 by Macy Johnson

“So don’t be afraid;

you are worth more than many sparrows.”

(Matthew 10:31 NIV)

 

I walked into my house one Friday afternoon after playing Mah Jongg at the Greene County Library. I joined the group out of curiosity, played several hands, and won one hand. My husband, Jeff, asked me how I liked playing the game with a new group of men and women. I told him I enjoyed it and looked forward to returning the next week.

July 12 - The Prize

 

“Fight the good fight of the faith.

Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called

when you made your good confession

in the presence of many witnesses.”

(1 Timothy 6 :12 NIV)

 

The Apostle Paul urges me to claim the benefits of eternal life today! Like a champion in a boxing ring, I will come out fighting. Nothing can hold me back from punching out all the distractions, one at a time. I will take hold of the prize of eternal life in Jesus. I hope you will, too!