Archive for the ‘Devotionals’ Category

Posted on February 10, 2012 - by Kav

God is Good

 I commute between two schools over my lunch hour every day. It’s a bit of a hike to the bus stop, then a quick ride and another, longer hike to the second school. Surprisingly that short bus ride shaves off about 45 minutes of walking time so I am grateful for the 168. I have a friendly bus driver and intriguing fellow passengers so I actually enjoy my mid-day commute.

Two of the passengers that I see on a regular basis are an elderly Japanese couple with limited English. For some unknown reason we connected the first time I stepped onto the bus. Their faces wreathed in welcoming smiles and they bowed their heads in greeting. I smiled and bowed in return and we continued that ritual for a few weeks.

I walk with a cane and I found it ironic and somewhat embarrassing, that this elderly couple would defer to me as we got off the bus at the same stop nearly every day. The man would steady my arm as I made the descent, the woman would watch carefully to make sure that I had secure footing. “Okay?” she would ask. When I nodded and smiled, she’d beam back and then wave the bus on with a hearty “Okay!” They would walk on ahead of me, but frequently turn back to assess my progress. If I was slower than usual, they’d call out, “Okay?” and I would wave them on through a grimacing smile. “Okay!” though it wasn’t. Why were these elderly people marching way ahead of me at a brisk pace, backpacks swinging jauntily when I was decades younger? I used to grumble to God about that, though I couldn’t begrudge them their health and vitality.

As the weeks passed we learned a bit about each other. They were taking English classes three mornings a week. “I practice for you?” The husband asked about a month into our acquaintance, clearly feeling he had mastered enough vocabulary to brave a conversation. I learned they had moved to Canada from Japan and were living with their grandson  and his family. Through contorted mime I managed to make them understand that I worked in a school. The man lit up. “I teach! “ He said, thumping his chest. “Before…” he broke off, clearly at a loss for words. “Before you retired,” I finished, smiling and nodding in understanding.  What I wouldn’t give to be able to rid myself of the long commutes. I’d never thought of retiring before. But now I seem to be dreaming of the day.

Once they found out I worked in a school they treated me like a visiting dignitary. The smiles grew wider, the bows deeper and they were ever considerate of my disability. I quite basked in the attention, though it lasted only a few short minutes a few days a week.

The weeks turned into months and we eased into pleasant exchanges about the unpredictability of the weather. Sometimes, like a true Canadian, I could get quite passionate about the topic. Negatively passionate. The woman would cluck in sympathy, understanding the precariousness of icy sidewalks which had to be navigated with a cane, but her husband would smile gently. “It’s okay,” he’d say, as if there were more important things to worry about in this world then the state of recent ice formations on city streets. Of course he was right.

 Recently there’s been a delightful warmth to the air, the sun is shining more and the heat radiating from it seems hotter than a month ago. Is that possible? I tried discussing that with my friends, but I think it was beyond their comprehension. Sun and warm, they got though. “You see?” the elderly gentleman beamed. “It’s okay.” He looked up at the sun as his wife took my arm and eased me over an icy patch. Once I was settled on the cement sidewalk, wet with water not ice we performed our “Okay? Okay!” ritual before they turned to walk on ahead but this time the man turned and saluted me. “See?” he said, pointing to the sky. “Okay! God is good.”

It was the first time he had mentioned God and it startled me. I didn’t know their religion. I assumed they weren’t Christian – likely Buddhist and it gave me a bit of a chuckle to think that I was conceited enough to imagine that Christians had cornered the market on the concept of God being good. But I reflected on the truth of that statement the rest of the walk to school, and since then, ‘God is good’ has become a kind of mantra for me – even though at times I nearly snarl it.

 One day I ran into the bus driver on the way home from work and we struck up a conversation that led to my intriguing Japanese friends.

 “You know about their history, right?” the driver asked even though he knew I didn’t – eager to let me in on some friendly gossip

 He’d heard the story first hand from the grandson who plotted out the bus route his grandparents would take to school each morning. As luck would have it, the 168 runs a circular route so the same bus and driver would pick them up from both home and, several hours later, school. The grandson was understandably concerned about his grandparents setting out on their own in a foreign country with hardly a word of English between them. He appealed to the driver to watch out for them and the driver agreed. I wondered aloud what could have prompted them to make such a major move at this late stage in their life.

The driver looked at me askance. “That old couple – they lost everything in the tsunami. They didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

 Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth…” 1 Cor. 13:7,8

 “God is good,” that poor old man said in order to comfort me. To bring me hope, to encourage me to bear up and endure for the better days that would surely come ahead. That thought still sends chills down my spine. I think of my petty complaints compared to what they have endured and am humbled by the simple faith of a man who can still see the goodness of God’s never-failing love in the shining warmth of the sun.

Posted on February 9, 2012 - by Regina

LOVE Rejoices in the TRUTH

It (love) does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 1 Corinthians 13:6 NLT

Truth. What is it about this word that not only gives us a feeling of peace and confidence, but also a feeling of almost, well, dread?

Because, as a famous movie quote goes, “You can’t HANDLE the truth.”

It’s a fact. We go along trying to build ourselves or our situation up in our own minds, and then when something comes to light that is TRUTH, we’re surprised. Sometimes it’s pleasant, sometimes it convicts us down to our very toes.

That’s where I am right now. I want the truth, but can I handle it? Fortunately, with God, I CAN.

Here’s a song that I love, and always, ALWAYS makes me turn toward the light, The Voice of Truth. Listen. Enjoy. Shed a few praise-tears, or a few thank-you-for-pointing-that-out-Lord tears.

Voice Of Truth

But above all, REJOICE in the truth. After all, that’s what God deals in, isn’t it? God is LOVE. God is TRUTH.

Posted on February 8, 2012 - by Brenda Anderson

File Not Found

“Let me tell you what my husband did now!” Your eyes flash with anger as you figuratively yank open your file drawer labeled “Wrongs.” That drawer is deep and crammed with accusations that you’re eager to whip out any time something doesn’t go your way. Even your computer file titled “Wrongs” is overflowing.

So, how does it feel to vent? Pretty good, right? Well, maybe at first, but then you look back down and see that your file drawer is bigger yet, and your computer’s about to crash. You realize your heart isn’t one bit lighter. The only purpose the “Wrongs” file serves is taking up space. It fills your heart with hate, leaving little room for love. Adding files to that drawer doesn’t give you release, rather the drawer becomes a custodian of bitterness.

The Bible is replete with stories of people who deserved to file away records of wrongs. Look at Joseph in Genesis. It wasn’t his fault he was his father’s favorite son, that he was given the gift of interpreting dreams, yet his brothers sold him into slavery. While in Egypt, Potiphar’s wife came onto Joseph, and he refused. She proceeded to have him thrown in prison. Joseph had plenty of reasons to be bitter, yet he greeted his brothers with love.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

Or consider Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32) The father gave his son his complete inheritance, only to have the son squander it on an immoral lifestyle. Yet, when the son returned home, the father didn’t berate the son for being foolish, rather he gifted him with a party.

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

Luke 15:32

Neither Joseph, nor the prodigal son’s father recorded their family members’ wrongs, rather they forgave them and greeted them with love.

In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35), when Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”, Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.“

That sounds a little difficult to swallow, doesn’t it? It’s hard enough to forgive someone seven times for a wrong done against you, but seventy-times seven? I’m inclined to start keeping track after two or three times, much less wait till 490 or infinity.

Yet, Jesus keeps forgiving us. He’s seen all our wrongs, but He doesn’t have a file drawer stacked full of accusations against us. Instead, He left them at the cross.

When he opens our “Wrongs” drawer, it’s empty. When He searches our computer, an error message comes up, “File not found.”

My prayer is that I can follow Jesus’ example and purge my “Wrongs” files as well and learn to love as He does.

Posted on February 7, 2012 - by JerriLynn

Love Is Not Easily Angered

“I’m not easily angered, it’s just that he never puts his dishes in the dishwasher.”

“I’m not easily angered, it’s just that she never does what I ask her to do the first time I ask her to do it.”

“I’m not easily angered, it’s just that he doesn’t understand how tired I am.”

“I’m not easily angered, it just that she doesn’t seem to realize I work all week long.”

 

Have you ever used one of those phrases to defend blowing your top? I’ve used all of them at one time or another. And I truly don’t consider myself to be a person who is easily angered or even irritated. But, in studying for this post, I’ve come to believe that is exactly the problem – I don’t believe I’m easily angered.  But I’ve never stopped to consider how other might see me.

How does my husband see me when I growl at him for putting his dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher? What about when I snipe at him for over-explaining something? Or when my daughter answers a little too sharply and I zing back at her just as sharply.  How ‘not easily angered’ am I really?

The answer is that those around me likely see me as a person who is easy to anger, even if I don’t see me that way.

That gave me pause. I had to stop and think about that. I don’t want to be that person that others see as someone who is abrasive, prone to temper, and not always reasonable. And according to the bible, God doesn’t want me to be that kind of person either.

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. — James 1:20

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. — Ecclesiastes 7:9

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. — Proverbs 29:11

Oy. Such a little thing, one would think. To flip off a cutting comment or a sharp bit of body language when things don’t happen around me as I would have for them to. But that little thing leads to bigger things.

At first, you have a bad moment because of the words or actions of another person. Then maybe you have a bad hour because of the way your child behaves. Next thing you know, you’ll be having a bad day because your spouse can’t know what it is that’s irritating you in the first place.

So, how do you get a handle on anger before it becomes a cancer that takes over your life?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1Timothy 2: 1-2

And give no opportunity to the devil. — Ephesians 4:27

As I understand, I’m to be thoughtful of my thoughts and actions.  I’m to hold my tongue and take the time to respond in a way that is prayerful and reflective of Christ. Its’ through these things that anger can be pushed back and replaced by what Christ called the greatest commandment of all – To love one another as He loved us.

Will it be easy?  Not a chance. I’m not Christ. I’m a lowly mortal whose sins are much greater than myself. Thankfully, Christ has forgiven those sins. And He’s there to help me try (and fail and try again) to become the person he would like for me to be. A person who harbors no anger. Only love for those around me.

Posted on February 6, 2012 - by Kim

Love Isn’t Selfish

Two five year olds sit around a table in their Kindergarten class enjoying snack time. Suzie always has a snack packed lovingly by her mother. But Sadie never produces anything from her lunch bag. The teacher, in her eternal wisdom and kindness always keeps a few packs of kid-friendly edibles for just such an occasion. She offers the snackless child something from the stash.

Sometime before the first week of school is out, the Suzie produces two snacks from her Barbie lunchbox. She leans over to Sadie and whispers. “I brought you a snack today.” Pushing the choices toward her little friend, she smiles. “And you can choose either one you want.”

Every day the exact same scene plays out before the teacher’s eyes. One day, a few weeks later, the teacher runs into Suzie’s mother at the local Wal-Mart. She thanks the young woman for providing a second snack for her daughter’s schoolmate and tries to tell her it is completely unnecessary as there is a special drawer in the filing cabinet with enough edibles for Sadie to indulge in for weeks to come.

“It’s not my idea,” Suzie’s mother shrugged. “Suzie came home after the first week of school and asked if I could pack an extra snack for her on Monday. When I asked her why, she just looked up with her big blue eyes and said, ‘Sadie never has a snack and I just want her to have something to eat like the rest of us do.’ “

Or so goes the story a Kindergarten teacher (the one in the story) related to me a few weeks ago.  I had all but forgotten about it until 1 Corinthians 13:5b became my topic in this round of blog posts. Whether little Suzie realized it or not, by not only providing the snack but allowing her friend to choose which one to take, she embodied ‘Love does not demand its own way’ (NLT). Once again, I find myself humbled by the innocent acts of children.

What about you? Have you been the embodiment of love isn’t selfish or witnessed it in the acts of others? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Posted on February 3, 2012 - by Dawn Ford

How Rude!

One of my biggest pet peeves is rude people. If I were to be honest I could write a book on those little things about others that drive me nuts that I think are so unconscionably rude.

For instance, what about those crazy drivers who tailgate you or cut you off? Or the person in line at the store who takes forever to check out? I know, the waitress who complains about her job and co-workers to you while you’re out on a special date? How about the loud person whose use of profanity and off-color comments dominate their conversation?

Yeah, those people. The really rude people. You know, the ones you’re nothing like. There ought to be a law.

At least that’s what I was telling God awhile back. I was having a bad day. One of those bad days. Everyone seemed to be in a bad mood (stay home!), they were all in my way (slow drivers!), and nothing went right (should’ve stayed in bed!). So I complained in prayer.

During the next week I about backed into someone by accident (that was close!), had it shown to me I had walked in front of several other people who were in a long line at the store (whoops!), and a friend mentioned to me how she hated when other people talk over her and it made her feel like what she had to say wasn’t important enough to listen to (Ouch!).

How rude I had been, and I hadn’t realized it before it got pointed out to me. Thank the Lord for gentle reminders.

Webster’s defines rude as “offensive in manner or action”. Some versions of the Bible use the phrase “behave unseemly”.

It’s easy to see the rude in someone else’s behavior because it offends us and our sensibilities. It’s not always so easy to stop and see the rude in ourselves.

We need to ask ourselves the questions: do we allow others to have their opinions without shutting them down and having to be right about our own positions? Do we give others the respect of gentleness that we would like afforded ourselves? Can we be tolerant of others no matter their disposition? Is what we say or do hurtful even if we are right?

Love is not rude. It seeks not to be offensive and works to be encouraging in all matters. I’ve quit complaining to God about others behaviors and focused more on my own. Because more than I dislike other people being rude, I really hate it when I’m rude.

What about you? Has anyone else had a rude epiphany?

 

Posted on February 2, 2012 - by Shari Barr

Aloha!

Aloha. When most of you read this post, my husband and I will be wrapping up our last day of vacation in paradise. After eight days on the island of Maui, we’re heading for home on a long, long flight to Phoenix, then on to Kansas City before driving home to our farm in southwest Iowa.

In lieu of a devotion–and since I’ve been away from my computer–I decided to share some of my favorite devotional blogs and authors with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

God is in the Compost Pile by Jean Fischer is a wonderful, inspirational blog filled with devotions that will warm your heart and lead you in a closer walk with Jesus. Join her at http://inthecompostpile.blogspot.com.

In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life by Bonnie Jaeckle tackles some of the deeper, more meaningful aspects of life. Bonnie’s posts are guaranteed to make you stop and think (and possibly think some more.) Check out her blog at http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com.

Time-Warp Wife by Darlene Schacht teaches women the biblical truths of serving their husbands and families. She encourages all Christian women to live their faith by joyfully following God’s word. Her blog can be found at http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com.

From the Mango Tree by Anita Mellott offers hope and encouragement—no matter what problems life has dealt you. Her words will renew and strengthen your faith. Check out her blog at http://www.anitamellott.com.

Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Linda Fulkerson

Love Does Not Envy

“Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.” – Harold Coffin

I’m not familiar with Harold Coffin, but when I ran across his quote about envy, I realized how true it is that the root of envy is focusing on the blessings of someone else instead of our own.

And it all started in the beginning. Instead of focusing on the beautiful garden God blessed Adam and Eve with, they sought to be like God. They were envious.

Sarah was jealous of women who could bear children, so she “helped” God fix her situation by giving her handmaid to Abraham. Today there is still strife in the world, just as God foretold, because of that one act of envy.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery — why? They were jealous! Their father loved him more than the others and doted on him.

And Pilate realized that the Jews had delivered our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to be crucified because of envy.

“Love does not envy” 1 Corinthians 13:4.

When we feel the twinges of envy rearing its ugly head in our lives, the solution is to love one another and to focus on our own blessings instead of becoming green with envy when someone else is blessed.

Years ago, during a time when I was struggling spiritually, a mentor of mine encouraged me to focus continually on the blessings God had bestowed upon me. “Start with the letter A,” she said, “and continue throughout the alphabet until you’ve named at least one blessing for each letter.”

This is a very good exercise, and I want to encourage us to do that not only today, but any time envy creeps into our lives.

So, I’ll start with A, and then, in the comments, each person can take the next letter and add something you’ve been blessed with that begins with that letter. If we have more than 26 comments, just start over with A again. If you wind up with Q, X,  or Z you may have to get creative!

A — I’m grateful today that God has blessed me with many ABILITIES. There are many times I squander that gift, and I need to put the abilities He has given me into action to glorify Him!

Who’s next? What B word are you grateful for?

Posted on January 31, 2012 - by Shannon Vannatter

Charity–Love Put into Action

I Corinthians, 13: 4, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind;” KJV

Charity is love in action. Love in action is kind. To me, being kind in marriage is to think of the other person’s feelings. When I’m tired, stressed, or have a headache, it’s easy to take my discomfort or displeasure out on my husband. I mean, he’s not going anywhere. Even more reason to be kind. God gave me someone who sticks with me through thick and thin. He deserves my kindness.

If my husband is having a bad day or a problem at work, I try to support him, think of his feelings, and help get him through it. Now that he’s a full time pastor, at least he has fewer irritants. We have so much more together time and family time. A blessing, but it’s even easier to take our frustrations out on each other since we spend more time together.

Kindness is a good rule for life in general. Maybe the lady behind you at the grocery store with ten items in her cart scowled at you. You figure because your cart is loaded down and it takes too long for the cashier to ring up your items, even though your cart was half unloaded before the scowling lady got behind you. But consider what her life might be like. Maybe she has three kids at home and only enough money to pay for the ten items in her cart.

I learned this lesson of putting myself in other’s shoes a few years ago. I traveled with several people to a convention. One lady bragged about everything she and her children had done for the entire hour and a half long drive. After we dropped her off on the way home, I commented, “Is it just me or did she invent everything and if she didn’t, her kids did?”

A kinder lady than I, replied, “Maybe she has low self esteem, so she tries to build herself up in other’s eyes.”

Knocked me off my high horse. I felt about an inch tall. But I learned my lesson.

My son consistently complains about a kid in his life. The child experienced a life altering incident several years ago. When my son complains, I remind him what the other child has been through and ask him how he’d feel if that happened to him. Yes the child probably needs a spanking and nobody does it. Instead, they coddle because of what happened, but my son can still be kind.

So the next time, your spouse comes home railing about his or her day, the guy behind you lays down on his horn because you didn’t put the pedal to the metal as soon as the light changed, or the bank puts your deposit in the wrong account, try putting yourself in the other person’s place. Aren’t you glad you don’t have your spouse’s job? Maybe the guy behind you is taking his wife to the hospital because she’s in labor. Maybe the bank clerk is distracted because her sick child is with the babysitter instead of Mommy. Or maybe they’re just grumpy. Even so, love in action is kindness.

Posted on January 30, 2012 - by Lorna Seilstad

How patient are you?

What scripture is read at more weddings than any other?  Often referred to as “The Love Chapter”, 1 Cor. 13 has sent myriads of brides and grooms off into wedded blisss.

Or did it?

How many of these young couples too these words and applied them to their lives? When was the last time you read this chapter anc considered what kind of a “lover” you are?

For the next two weeks, the Inkspirational Messagers will be taking a fresh look at 1 Cor. 13 and sharing our thought about “The Love Chapter” just in tiem for Valentines day.

When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, he wasn’t speaking directly to young couples madly in love. He was talking to you and me. I’ve always found it interesting that he chose to say, “Love is patient” first. Really? Is that what you’d pick first to describe love?

But after some thought, I think I’ve discovered a few reasons why Paul started with “love is patient.”

Paul knows God is love and he’s telling us how God loves us. The Corinthian church was having a lot of problems, and they needed to know that God would be patient with them. In spite of those ugly sin problems, He would be faithful and would continue to love them.

Impatience comes from wanting what we want when we want it. It’s root is selfishness. Selfishness seeks it’s own happiness. Patience wants what’s best for the other person. It’s root is sacrifice.  In a marriage, this kind of love is key. Marriages don’t last long when selfisness reigns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Greek word used for patience in the orignal text is makrothumei . It means to suffer long with people –especially in dealing with a difficult person. It is not referring to being patience with circumstances like poverty or illness. It’s about loving people when they are unlovable.  You know the ones–a co-worker who takes you for granted,  a husband who comes home grumpy night after night, the teenager who cuts you off while driving, or the in-law who treats you like an outlaw. It’s easy to love those who are good and kind to us. It’s hard to suffer long with those who treat us badly.

Sometimes God asks us to be patient and wait for His plans to come to fruition. Abraham was promised a son TWENTY-FIVE years before he receive Isaac. He and Sarah had grown old waiting. God’s timing is not our timing. He loves us enough to not give us what we want in the moment because He knows His plans are infinitely better.

Cars need a lubricant to keep part that rub against other parts from freezing up. In the same way, people need a lubricant to keep them living smoothly together. That lubricant is the virtue of patience.

So, how patient are you? What circumstances which make you more impatient than others?