May 21 - Aquifer

 

“With joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation.”

(Isaiah 12:3 NIV)

 

We live on top of an aquifer. Our well produces enough water to potentially supply our neighborhood. The purity and taste surpass any bottled water product. During hot summer months, I can enjoy ice cold water from the kitchen faucet. It reminds me of the joy of salvation received from the Holy Spirit. He provides an endless supply of salvation for all who call upon Him. I will draw living water from Jesus. I hope you will, too!

May 20 - Instruction

“I will instruct you and teach you

in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.”

(Psalm 32:8 NIV)

 

I take no credit for the words that come through my fingers to the keyboard of my laptop. God gives me every word for God Sightings and anything else He uses to encourage others on their journey with Him. I must follow His lead, His instructions, and listen to the Holy Spirit speak to me. It is a joy to be His instrument. I will listen to Him. I hope you will, too! 

May 19 - Rejoice and Mourn

“Rejoice with those who rejoice;

mourn with those who mourn.”

(Romans 12:15 NIV)

 

My eyes filled with tears. I was a little angry and felt sorry for myself. I was disappointed again. You would think after so many years walking on this planet with Jesus, I would be more resistant to pain caused by others. Jesus knew we would suffer and calls us to mourn with others. I can rejoice, too. There is so much to be thankful for. I will rejoice and mourn with Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

May 18 - All Things Bright and Beautiful

 

“So neither he who plants

nor he who waters is anything,

but only God, who makes things grow.”

(1 Corinthians 3:7 NIV)

 

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" is a classic Anglican hymn written by Cecil Frances Alexander and published in 1848.

 

“All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.”

 

I will praise God for creating me and putting me in the perfect order of His universe. I hope you will, too! 

Time to Sleep

 by Macy Johnson

“God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked,

for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV)

 

I closed my eyes and asked my heavenly Father to please help me fall asleep. Lying on my back, I heard the neighbor’s Labrador Retriever barking outside my window. I flipped over to my side. My husband, Jeff, breathed rhythmically next to me.

May 17 - Blessings

 

“From the fullness of His grace

we have all received one blessing after another.”

(John 1:16 NIV)

 

Stop for just a minute and take in what God has brought to you. What do you taste? See? Hear? Touch? Smell? He has given us five senses to recognize His power in every moment. Blessings abound to reveal His presence. I do not want to miss the sounds, the colors, the smells, the flavors, the textures He has created. I will hesitate periodically to get more of Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

May 16 - Feast

 

“When your words came, I ate them;

they were my joy and my heart’s delight,

for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.”

(Jeremiah 15:16 NIV)

 

God’s Words - I digested them. I assimilated them. I made them a part of me. I devoured them with my eyes and felt them slide down into my heart. I approached His table of the Last Supper with awe and humility. I do not deserve His forgiveness and mercy. I will feast on Jesus, my joy and my heart’s delight. I hope you will, too!

May 15 - Heart Surgery

 

“I will give you a new heart

and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you your heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh.”

(Ezekiel 36:26 NIV)

 

This is the ultimate heart surgery. God does not fix my heart but completely replaces it with the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel explained God’s actions: I have not represented Him accurately to those around me. I have given Him a bad name. He changed me for His glory, not mine. I will surrender to the surgeon’s scalpel. I hope you will, too!

May 14 - Our Struggle

 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world

and against the spiritual forces of evil

in the heavenly realms.”

(Ephesians 6:12 NIV)

 

The Holy Spirit leads me into our struggles. He nudges me in this direction and that way. He reminds me I am not alone. I stay close to Jesus, like a child in the Fun House at the State Fair clings to his parents. I know He will take me into the light. I will hold His hand. I hope you will, too!

Previews of Coming Attractions

 by Macy Johnson

“Since no man knows the future,

who can tell him what is to come?”

(Ecclesiastes 8:7 NIV)

 

As a little girl, I anxiously sat still in my seat surrounded by family and friends in the Florida theater on Palafox Street in Pensacola. We waited patiently for the featured movie presentation to begin. With a bag of popcorn clutched in my hands, we would be entertained first with “Previews of Coming Attractions.”

May 13 - Out of Step

 

“Since we live by the Spirit,

let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

(Galatians 5:25 NIV)

 

I slipped out of step with the Spirit one Sunday. After worship I commented to my husband that one of the worship leaders said, “confession of faith” instead of “confession of sins.” Jeff nudged, “Well, I hope he didn’t hear those wrong notes you played during the anthem.” I cringed. He was right. I am not perfect. I can only try to stay in step with the Spirit in love. I hope you will, too!

May 12 - The Only One

“All the prophets testify about Him

that everyone who believes in Him

receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

(Acts 10:43 NIV)

 

Repentance is not one-and-done, or even a weekly bowing of my head and saying I’m sorry during the worship service. The Bible teaches continual admission of sin and guilt and handing it over to the only One who can forgive. The Old Testament books tell of the coming Messiah. The New Testament books reveal His life and death for us. I will walk in humble reliance and repentance. I hope you will, too!

 

May 11 - Protected

 

“But the Lord is faithful,

and He will strengthen you

and protect you from the evil one.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)

 

I refuse to give the evil one my attention. He lurks in the corners and wants to distract me from my Lord. Jesus has raised His cross as a barrier. He lies on the ground in front of the gate to protect me. Nothing can drag me away from His perfect, unconditional love. He pours His power through me, and I stand firm in faith. I hope you will, too! 

May 10 - Thankful for Today

 

“This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

(Psalm 118:24 NIV)

 

Today is a gift from my heavenly Father to enjoy with Him. It is a gift to be alive and able to experience His blessings in many unique ways. Sometimes it is tough to roll out of bed onto my knees and say, “Thank you, God, for waking me to this beautiful new day with you.” Then I remember I did not create this time and space, and I thank my heavenly Father for it. I hope you will, too! 

May 9 - Strong Tower

 

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.”

(Proverbs 18:10 NIV)

 

My family visited Point Park on Lookout Mountain when I was nine years old. I wandered off from my parents and ran down the hill to them when I saw them. My mother stepped out of my way, afraid I would knock her down. I ran across the road, jumped over a wall onto a sidewalk, and broke three toes. Jesus’ name will always stop me. I will run to Him. I hope you will, too!