February 11 - Delight in Weakness

 

“That is why, for Christ’s sake,

I delight in weaknesses, in insults,

in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

(2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV)

 

Again I complained to God about the problems swirling around my head. This was not working the way I thought it should and that was not falling properly into place. How can I delight in these weaknesses? How can I find joy in the frustrations? I will ask my Lord to take over control of these situations and my life. I hope you will, too! 

He Set Me Free

by Macy Johnson

“When Jesus saw her,

He called her forward and said to her,

’Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’”

(Luke 13:12 NIV)

 

Beverly played the introduction to a peppy hymn on the rickety spinet piano in the nursing home’s gathering hall. Kathleen picked up her tambourine and kept the beat. The group of sixteen singers in folding chairs looked up from their hymnals in delight. We would sing one of our favorite songs.

February 10 - More

  

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Romans 5:8 NIV)

 

I used to play a game with my children. I would say, “I love you more than you love me.” They responded with, “I love YOU more than you love ME!” I can hear Jesus say the same. When I am unlovable or push Him away, He loves me, like my love for my children, but way more. I will tell my heavenly Father today how much I love Him. I hope you will, too!

February 9 - Distractions

  

“I will send an angel before you

and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites,

Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”

(Exodus 33:2 NIV)

 

Distractions try to pull my thoughts off my Lord. To-do lists seek my attention. My focus must be on the task at hand – reading my Bible and writing to God. I put the lists in a drawer and clear my mind in order to enter worship and study. I will allow the Holy Spirit to drive out foolish thoughts so I can think of the only One who matters. I hope you will, too! 

February 8 - The Hand of God

 

“The hand of our God was on us,

and He protected us from enemies

and bandits along the way.”

(Ezra 8:31 NIV)

 

In the book of Ezra, “the gracious hand of our God” is repeated several times. Ezra and the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after they were dragged away, seventy years before. They trusted their heavenly Father to lead them safely home. As I move into today, I trust the gracious hand of my God to protect me and bring me safely back to my home on earth and in heaven. I hope you will, too!

  

February 7 - Changed Hearts

 

“For seven days they celebrated with joy

the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

because the Lord had filled them with joy

by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria,

so that he assisted them in the work

on the house of God, the God of Israel.”

(Ezra 6:22 NIV)

 

Those who complained against the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem were forced to support it! My God is powerful enough to change the hearts of the fiercest enemy I could face today. Nothing will stand in the way of His purposes. I will fight beside Him today. I hope you will, too!

 

February 6 - A Speck of Dust

 

“What is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?”

(Psalm 8:4 NIV)

 

I did not create myself. I cannot take any credit for my birth or life. Like an ant compared to a human, I am incapable of understanding my Creator. Yet, He fashioned everything from a speck of dust to the stars in the universe. He cares about each one and wants His creation to know and love Him. I will seek my heavenly Father and spread His love today. I hope you will, too!