“May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body
be kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV)
Am I ready to see Jesus face to face today? Is today the day He will return and take me to be forever with Him? Maybe today is the day. I will trust Him to make me ready. Only He can sanctify me and keep my soul blameless. He is my Rock and my Redeemer. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too!
“Since, then,
you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right
hand of God.”
(Colossians 3:1 NIV)
Matthew Henry wrote, “Though we are made free from the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we wish. We must walk the more closely with God. Our Best Friend has gone before to secure for us the heavenly happiness; and we should seek what He has purchased at so vast an expense.” I will set my heart on eternity. I hope you will, too!
“Strengthening the disciples
and encouraging them to remain true to
the faith,
‘We must go through many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God,’ they said.”
(Acts 14:22 NIV)
Paige Brown reminded me that Jesus Christ had to suffer in order to fulfill His calling. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He was tempted to not suffer, to make stones into bread to feed His hunger. I will suffer, like Him, when I choose the Kingdom of God over my own kingdom. I hope you will, too!
“A new command I give you:
Love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.”
(John 13:34 NIV)
God is pure love. He pours His love through those who know Him and love Him. People know we are Christians by the love we show to them, by giving up our rights to ourselves and serving them. It is possible only if the Holy Spirit lives in me. He will love others through me. I will obey the command of Jesus to love. I hope you will, too!
“Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.”
(Psalm 126:5 NIV)
Even when sowing is accompanied
by trouble or sorrow, harvest brings joy.
“He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed (God’s Word) to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.”
(Psalm 126:6 NIV)
“All my longings lie open before you, O
Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.”
(Psalm 38:9 NIV)
During a time of severe discipline, King David cried out to his heavenly Father to come near and help him. David knew nothing was hidden from God. I cannot keep anything to myself. He knows it all and wants me to remember He knows it all. I will move forward into the unknown confidently, because He is in complete control and loves me perfectly. I will lay out my longings before Him. I hope you will, too!
“For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.”
(Psalm 61:3 NIV)
“It’s always something,” I overheard across the room. I nodded my head slowly and slightly in agreement. My husband and I have discussed many times how our little world is aging and rusting and falling apart. My foe is God’s enemy. Satan wants to distract me from my heavenly Father by tossing monkey wrenches into the works. Jesus is my Refuge. I will run to Him for protection and peace. I hope you will, too!
“For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his
tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.”
(Psalm 27:5 NIV)
Every time I choose to trust God, my faith grows. All I need to do is ask for Him to help me. He promised He will be with me through it all. He will keep me safe. He will hide me. He will set me high upon a plateau. I will see clearly all around me and know I am safe. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that
hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us.”
(Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
My
husband, Jeff, enjoyed running road races. When we lived in Pensacola he ran
almost every weekend in a 5K, 10K, or Half-Marathon race. Sometimes I would
race-walk the race with him. Our children often joined in the fun, too.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us
in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray
for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for
us
with groans that words cannot express.”
(Romans 8:26 NIV)
The simple beauty of Autumn was laid before my eyes. I did not know how to thank my heavenly Father as He moved me beyond the past and into a new season of Hope with Him. The Holy Spirit prays for me and I trust Him to use the right words. I hope you will, too!
“You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall.”
(Isaiah 25:4 NIV)
The Lord is my Refuge, my Shelter, and my Shade. Like an umbrella on the hot, white sands of Pensacola Beach, He protects me from the heat of the sun. I run through the dangerous dunes and fall down in His arms. I can relax and enjoy being with Him. I hope you will, too!
“Blessed is the man who perseveres
under trial,
because when he has stood the test,
he will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love
Him.”
(James 1:12 NIV)
Les Miserables’ “One Day More”
reminds me:
One day more
Another day, another destiny
The time is now, the day is here
One day to a new beginning
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store
One more dawn
One more day
One day more
I will march into another day with Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“A righteous man may have many
troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
(Psalm 34:19 NIV)
Have you read the story of Job lately? I like to avoid it. Suffering like Job did is more than I want to cozy up to. I recently read a book about slavery and how the heroine reconciled her faith in God during her struggle. Brothers and sisters in Christ in many countries live in danger. God has promised to deliver us all and bring us to Himself. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too!
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in
our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces
perseverance.”
(Romans 5:3 NIV)
Perseverance produces character and character produces hope. My confidence is that the purpose for which God created me will be ultimately realized. His purpose is to produce character in His children. I will triumph over sufferings as I rejoice in my Creator, my Savior. I will go through the refiner’s fire and come out on the other side more like Jesus, to reflect Him more clearly. I hope you will, too!
“I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us.”
(Romans 8:18 NIV)
My difficulties as a Christian
diminish in importance when compared to eternity. I dare not focus on my current
situation, because it is temporary.
C. T. Studd’s poem “Only One Life”
reminds me:
Two little lines I heard one day,
Travelling along life's busy way...
Only one life and it will soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
I will serve Christ today. I hope you will, too!
“For just as the sufferings of Christ
flow over into our lives,
so also through Christ our comfort
overflows.”
(2 Corinthians 1:5 NIV)
When I suffer for Christ, I will be comforted by Christ. God is the only Source of true comfort. His power is displayed in my weaknesses. The world is watching. They poke and prod to see how I will react to the evil around me. There is a battle raging on every side against Truth. I will stand up for Jesus as a soldier of the cross. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“God is able to make all grace abound
to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
I picked
up my friend one Sunday afternoon to attend a funeral with her. “This is the
third funeral for me this week,” she announced as she climbed into my Tahoe. It
was a beautiful, peaceful ride to the church a few blocks away.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord
will be saved.”
(Romans 10:13 NIV)
It takes faith to call on Jesus. Faith comes from God through the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of the Almighty’s call on the life of His child. Before I knew Him, He knew me and called on me. I heard His call and responded through faith given to me. It is simple, but oh, so complicated - a God-sized revelation. I will call on the One who called me to Himself. I hope you will, too!
“You too, be patient and stand firm,
because the Lord’s coming is near.”
(James 5:8 NIV)
Paul David Tripp reminded me, “At the center of the life of faith is the willingness to wait on the One who accomplishes His will in His time and in His way. Do you struggle to wait? God meets you with empowering grace.” I get frustrated with my lack of control. I know my promised place of rest will come when the end comes. I will continue to do what God calls me to do. I hope you will, too!
“An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.”
(Proverbs 12:25 NIV)
I felt the pressure pushing down on me. Thoughts of upcoming responsibilities and tasks weighed heavy on my mind. Then I heard Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest.” There are no kinder words than those from the Holy Spirit. He said, “I’ve got this - you don’t! Wait on me.” I will listen to Him and trust Him to lead me through all He has prepared for me today. I hope you will, too!
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.
“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!
“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!
“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 my granddaughter 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!
“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!
“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!
“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!
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written:
‘Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes
from the mouth of God.’”
(Matthew 4:4 NIV)
Man relies on God for physical and spiritual food. When the Israelites were hungry in the desert after leaving slavery in Egypt, God provided manna. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, He trusted His heavenly Father to provide. Some die from starvation for lack of physical bread, but they need never lack spiritual food. I will feast daily on the Bible. I hope you will, too!
“Then He said to them, ‘Watch out!
Be on your guard against all kinds of
greed;
a man’s life does not consist
in the abundance of his possessions.’”
(Luke 12:15 NIV)
God created humans with a God-sized hole in their hearts. Until they realize only God can fill them, they will reach for, strive for, kill to fill their hole. Emptiness was created by our heavenly Father. When I want something, Jesus says, “That thing you desire was from me to bring you to me.” I will watch out for substitutes. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“I will give them singleness of heart
and action,
so that they will always fear me for
their own good
and the good of their children after
them.”
(Jeremiah 32:29 NIV)
I reached
into my purse at Publix to retrieve my wallet to pay my bill. My wallet was
wet! I reached further into my purse to see where the moisture was coming from.
Out came an opened sandwich bag full of rotten cherry tomatoes. Ugh!
“Do not be afraid, little flock,
for your Father has been pleased
to give you the kingdom.”
(Luke 12:32 NIV)
The Good Shepherd is also the Prince of Peace, the King of kings. He can bestow on His people, even unruly sheep, whatever He wants to give. Can you imagine He actually wants to give His followers the kingdom? He wants them to rule with Him in eternity. What is there to be afraid of? Nothing can touch me outside His perfect will. I will be brave. I hope you will, too!
“Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy
name.”
(Psalm 103:1 NIV)
As I look out over the beauty of creation, I am reminded of my Creator. Every ripple in the water, every flutter of every leaf in the breeze, every sparkle of dew on the grass points to a loving God who surrounds me with His beauty and peace. This spinning sphere called earth and the brilliant sun are His. Every breath, in and out, is from my heavenly Father. I cannot help but praise Him. I hope you will, too!
“But you are a chosen people,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
As the descendants of Abraham were called God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, believers in the New Testament are designated as chosen, elect. We now receive God’s mercy and forgiveness, just as those who exercised faith years ago. I look forward to spending eternity with my High Priest, Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God -
this is your spiritual act of worship.”
(Romans 12:1 NIV)
Jesus is Lord of every part of life. New life in the Holy Spirit calls me to obedient service as worship. I will sacrifice my desires on His altar. Since I have died with Him to this world, I can live with Him in a new life. I will worship God in all I do. I hope you will, too!
“The Lord will fight for you;
you need only to be still.”
(Exodus 14:14 NIV)
Like a loving father, God sometimes takes my head in His hands and turns my face to Him. In a gentle way, He says, “Look at me! Ignore all the distractions. I will fight for you. You only need to be still. Rest in my arms.” No matter how fiercely the battle rages, I am secure with my Savior. He will give me the next steps. I will look at Him. I hope you will, too!
“And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7 NIV)
If I present all my requests to my heavenly Father with thanksgiving, I will experience His holy peace, power, and presence. He warns me to not be anxious about anything, because He is always with me. There is nothing too difficult or too big for Him. He lives in the details. He created the atoms and molecules of all life. I will rest in Him. I hope you will, too!
“But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your
love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.”
(Psalm 59:16 NIV)
Paul David Tripp wrote, “Each morning the people of God are blessed with mercy from the Lord that is form-fit for the trials, opportunities, pressures, obligations, griefs, and temptations of that day.” Jesus is our only Reason for Hope. He will deliver me from all the storms that attack me and try to rob me of my peace in Him. I will trust Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is
not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.”
(Jeremiah 10:23 NIV)
Proverbs reminds me in chapter 16 that I can plan my daily course, and even my life’s path, but my heavenly Father will determine each step along the way. The steps, the minute details are in the hands of my God. He gives me the vision, then lays out the steps before me. I dare not wander away. I will stay close to Jesus today. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people,
holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience.”
(Colossians 3:12 NIV)
What is the main purpose of a dress or slacks and a shirt? I like to think it is a cover, something for my true appearance to hide behind. What can compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience cover up? What nastiness in my heart needs to be camouflaged behind holiness? Only the Holy Spirit can clothe me in a way that glorifies my Lord. I will put on the clothes of the Spirit today. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“As the toes were partly iron and
partly clay,
so this kingdom will be
partly strong and partly brittle.”
(Daniel 2:42 NIV)
Jeff, my
husband, and I relaxed in our rocking chairs on the porch early one Saturday
morning. Storms had passed in the night and water dripped from the trees in a
pitter-pat rhythm. Hummingbirds flitted around the lantana and salvia bushes,
back and forth, to and from our feeders full of nectar.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the
door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he
with me.”
(Revelation 3:20 NIV)
Oh, the sovereignty of God! There is a sweet peace when I think of Jesus coming to me. I cannot save myself. In fact, I have pushed the Holy Spirit away too many times to count. He never gives up. He pursues those He loves. I will listen for His knock and ask Him to live in my heart. I hope you will, too!
“We demolish arguments and every
pretension
that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
“What was I thinking?” I ask myself several times a day. Thoughts are not random, as I once thought, but babies birthed from my heart. I should be asking, “What is in my heart?” Paul instructed the church at Corinth to capture every thought for Christ. I will try very hard to do just that. I hope you will, too!
“Because through Christ Jesus the law
of the Spirit of life
set me free from the law of sin and
death.”
(Romans 8:2 NIV)
One of my favorite gospel songs
is “He Set Me Free”:
Once like a bird in prison I dwelt
No freedom from sorrow I felt
But Jesus came and listened to me
And Glory to God, He set me free!
“This is what the Lord says:
‘Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in
it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
(Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)
Jesus quoted this passage from Jeremiah in Matthew 11. The tried and true ways of Judah’s ancestors would have led God’s children back to Him. But they thought they knew better than the Creator of the Universe. Sounds familiar to me! I will walk on the ancient paths. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, there is now no
condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 8:1 NIV)
The law brings condemnation because it points out, stimulates, and condemns sin. The Christian is no longer under “the law” but controlled by the Holy Spirit. I am united with Christ through faith in Him. I am allowed to enter into the presence of the King only through His blood. When my heavenly Father sees me, He sees His Son, too. I will rejoice in my freedom in Christ, my Brother. I hope you will, too!
“Because He Himself suffered when He
was tempted,
He is able to help those who are being
tempted.”
(Hebrews 2:18 NIV)
Jesus experienced every kind of temptation a person can have, and did not sin. He is the only One who could claim sinlessness, because He created it. The Creation messed up His plans, allowed by His perfect love. I cannot grasp that love, but I do not have to. I will thank Him for taking my place of punishment and paying my debt to Him. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore He is able to save
completely
those who come to God through Him,
because He always lives to intercede
for them.”
(Hebrews 7:25 NIV)
Because Jesus lives forever, He is a permanent priest. He is the ultimate Priest, the High Priest of all creation. It is humbling to know He talks to the Father about me. When I stumble and fall, He picks me up and presents me in His righteousness. I will stand up for Him and thank Him for standing up for me. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“Jesus got up, rebuked the wind
and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be
still!’
Then the wind died down
and it was completely calm.”
(Mark 4:39 NIV)
Buoys are
floating markers anchored to the bottom of a body of water. They act like road
signs for boats. They mark safe channels, show hidden dangers, and give
directions.
“For where two or three
come together in my name,
there am I with them.”
(Matthew 18:20 NIV)
Jesus told His disciples that if they agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them. Wow! I believe the key word is “agree.” Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can anyone agree with anyone else, especially in spiritual matters. From that point of view, Jesus’ words are simple and easy to accept. I will come together with my brothers and sisters and agree to do God’s will. I hope you will, too!
