July 27 - Slaying Giants

 

“Remember those earlier days

after you had received the light,

when you stood your ground in a

great contest in the face of suffering.”

(Hebrews 10:32 NIV)

 

I remembered the days after I fractured my pelvis when I read a devotional about a similar accident. The author’s physician reminded her to remember the story of David and Goliath. “Life has a way of sending more giants. The memory of this challenge will give you new strength.” I will remember how God brought me through struggles to prepare me for new life in Him. I hope you will, too!

July 26 - Reach for Hope

 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

(Psalm 34:18 NIV)

 

Hope is the first thing I reach for when things start to slide apart or away. But it is there for me in the good times, too. Hope is a posture for praise. It calls me to unclench my jaw, open my hands, and receive all that is good from my heavenly Father. He is always close to me, in the good times and bad. I will reach for Him. I hope you will, too!

July 25 - Included

“The Lord is good to all;

He has compassion on all He has made.”

(Psalm 145:9 NIV)

 

Nothing left out. Everything included. That includes me and you! He knows when I am tired and helps me to rest. He knows when I need to be alert and active and gives me the energy I need to do His will. I can only blame myself if I step off of His wonderful path of grace and peace. I will follow Him and seek His will in everything. I hope you will, too! 

Cheers to Peers

 by Macy Johnson

“Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up,

just as in fact you are doing.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

 

The hospital auxiliary board meeting was moving along through items of interest, old and new. As the Gift Galley manager, I reported the results of the past quarter and answered questions posed. A new volunteer had recently offered to help me with buyer duties and I sang her praises. The president asked if I would like to honor her at the upcoming quarterly general meeting of the auxiliary. I said I would.

July 24 - Justice and Righteousness

 

“Let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream!”

(Amos 5:24 NIV)

 

Human life flourishes where there is justice and righteousness as plant life thrives near a water source. Matthew Henry recommends, “Let justice be duly administered, let not the current of it be stopped by favoritism and bribery - let it be pure as running waters, not muddied with corruption.” Oh, that our land would be free from pride and selfish greed. I lift it up to my heavenly Father in prayer. I hope you will, too! 

July 23 - Blanket of Love

“Hatred stirs up dissension,

but love covers over all wrongs.”

(Proverbs 10:12 NIV)

 

A mother silently entered the sanctuary of her sleeping teenage daughter. An argument raged between them after dinner. It started at the table in a local diner. Tempers flared and hurtful words were shot between them. The ride home was deathly silent. Now, the mother wished she could take back her words and quietly, slowly lifted a nearby blanket and laid it on her sleeping baby girl. Tears filled her eyes. She poured love on her loved one. I hope you will, too! 

July 22 - The Perfect Puzzle

“O Lord, You are my God;

I will exalt You and praise Your name,

for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things,

things planned long ago.”

(Isaiah 25:1 NIV)

 

The more I read the Bible, the more I see Jesus on every page. It was all planned in the mind of the Creator before time began. No way can the created being ever begin to understand the ways of God. My pea brain struggles to fit the pieces of the ultimate puzzle together. I will trust Him with every piece. I hope you will, too!