Busted heart....that described me! I had a busted heart that was in a million pieces. Jesus's salvation came in and took those pieces and using the glue of His love and forgiveness, He is making a beautiful mosaic with those busted ugly pieces! The finished product will far surpass anything that any human artist has produced here on earth. This song by For King and Country talks about how desperately I want Jesus to Hold Onto Me!
Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Easter Devotion-Thief & Busted Heart
"I am a thief. I am a murderer." Those words could have been written about me! Yes, I am a thief. I am a murderer. I am a sinner. Just like this thief in the song didn't deserve to hang next to Jesus on the cross, I don't deserve His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. But, He willingly gives it to me and to you!
Busted heart....that described me! I had a busted heart that was in a million pieces. Jesus's salvation came in and took those pieces and using the glue of His love and forgiveness, He is making a beautiful mosaic with those busted ugly pieces! The finished product will far surpass anything that any human artist has produced here on earth. This song by For King and Country talks about how desperately I want Jesus to Hold Onto Me!
Busted heart....that described me! I had a busted heart that was in a million pieces. Jesus's salvation came in and took those pieces and using the glue of His love and forgiveness, He is making a beautiful mosaic with those busted ugly pieces! The finished product will far surpass anything that any human artist has produced here on earth. This song by For King and Country talks about how desperately I want Jesus to Hold Onto Me!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Easter.....In Christ Alone
With all the back and forth on the gay marriage this week, I am trying to focus on Easter. No matter your views on Jesus, He changed this world. In a time of violence, He was peace. In a time of hatred, He was love. In a time of wrong, Jesus was right. I think that we need more of His peace, His love, and His righteousness. These things can only be found In Christ Alone.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A Strange Way...
A carpenter. A man who worked with his hands. He worked hard in the time before power tools. He is betrothed to a beautiful, young woman of good reputation. His future looks bright. Maybe they will have lots of children and eventually grandchildren. He will work hard to provide for them and to be a good husband and father. But, then his world is turned upside down! His beloved tells him that she is pregnant and he KNOWS that he isn't the father. The betrayal is so strong. Could he have been such a bad judge of character? Being the kind man that he is, he will just quietly divorce her. He doesn't want her to be shamed or even killed as is custom in this day. Sleep must have come reluctantly after much deliberation. During his fitful rest, the angel Gabriel makes another appearance(he has been a busy angel). Matthew 1 states:
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
As Joseph began to think about what was told to him, he must have thought, "What a strange way to save the world! Shouldn't the king come riding in on a horse triumphantly with an army and riches beyond measure? Why did God choose me? Isn't there someone much more qualified than I? I am just a carpenter. Why Mary? She is just a young woman. We are not royalty! There are many kings and warriors in this world! Why Bethlehem? Nothing good comes from Nazareth. This is just bizarre!"
Do you feel the same? Are you confused as to why God would use you in the way that God uses you? What is your calling? None of us are called to be the parents to the Messiah. But, we are called to be godly parents, children, spouses, employees, and people. Are there more qualified people than you to teach Sunday School or write a book? Is there someone with more talent to sing a song or preach a sermon? God doesn't always use the people with the best education or skills or talents. Sometimes, He uses just ordinary people. People with pasts and who have been hurt. Oftentimes, those people can best minister to others in similar situations.
How can God use you? How is He currently using you? Can He use something from your past to minister to someone's present or future? He uses my abortion healing and my high risk pregnancy to help others. My darkest sins and my most unsure future is exposed to the healing of Christ so that others may be healed.
2 Corinthians 1:4 says:
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Father of all, thank You for using us when we feel unusable or unqualified. You show Your glory the most in that. Thank You, Lord, for taking these dirty vessels called our lives and cleaning them so that they can be filled with the Living Water. You could just swoop in and do it for us but where would the learning for us take place? Thank You for Joseph's uncertainty but solid faith in Your leading. Help us to have that solid faith! AMEN
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
As Joseph began to think about what was told to him, he must have thought, "What a strange way to save the world! Shouldn't the king come riding in on a horse triumphantly with an army and riches beyond measure? Why did God choose me? Isn't there someone much more qualified than I? I am just a carpenter. Why Mary? She is just a young woman. We are not royalty! There are many kings and warriors in this world! Why Bethlehem? Nothing good comes from Nazareth. This is just bizarre!"
Do you feel the same? Are you confused as to why God would use you in the way that God uses you? What is your calling? None of us are called to be the parents to the Messiah. But, we are called to be godly parents, children, spouses, employees, and people. Are there more qualified people than you to teach Sunday School or write a book? Is there someone with more talent to sing a song or preach a sermon? God doesn't always use the people with the best education or skills or talents. Sometimes, He uses just ordinary people. People with pasts and who have been hurt. Oftentimes, those people can best minister to others in similar situations.
How can God use you? How is He currently using you? Can He use something from your past to minister to someone's present or future? He uses my abortion healing and my high risk pregnancy to help others. My darkest sins and my most unsure future is exposed to the healing of Christ so that others may be healed.
2 Corinthians 1:4 says:
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Father of all, thank You for using us when we feel unusable or unqualified. You show Your glory the most in that. Thank You, Lord, for taking these dirty vessels called our lives and cleaning them so that they can be filled with the Living Water. You could just swoop in and do it for us but where would the learning for us take place? Thank You for Joseph's uncertainty but solid faith in Your leading. Help us to have that solid faith! AMEN
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Mary Did You Know?
I remember holding my daughter for the first time. She was so tiny and smushy and boy, did she have a set of pipes on her! That girl could wail and she did for what seemed like a year but was really only a few months. But, in the few quiet moments, when she slept, I would smell her hair and neck. I would caress her cheeks, toes, fingers, and belly. When her 1st Christmas came around, I remember watching her in awe and wondering if Mary ever felt that way.
When Jesus was born, did He cry and keep Mary and Joseph up all night? Did He smile in His sleep? Did He spit up? What was it like to change the smelly diapers of the Savior of the world? Did He roll off the bed? Diaper rash, sickness, and tummy aches? Did He have these things? I had never questioned them until I had my child at Christmas and I heard the song, "Mary, Did You Know?".
Yes, I think she did know that the sleeping child she was holding was the great I am. She knew very well what she had to do. When she smelled his head and cuddled him at her breast, was she overwhelmed at the thought that she is giving life to the Man who gave her life? I remember with all my kids how I felt about nursing. How cool is it that I can nourish them and help provide their immune systems with immunity and their little bodies with vitamins and nutrients? I considered my ability to nurse as a great privilege that is uniquely female. That very thought must have overwhelmed Mary. Scripture tells us in a couple of places that Mary pondered these things in her heart. What a relationship that she must have had praying to her Savior as He lay in her arms! She did know!
Most mothers know that responsibility and don't take it for granted. Mary knew. The angel, Gabriel, had told her. As Jesus skinned his knees and played with his friends and learned a trade, Mary watched on as a mother does, knowing that God had a mighty plan. Luke 1 records Mary's very words to Elizabeth about God and His plan.
God has a great plan for you. God never moves away from you. We move away from God! We move away from God's plan. We swerve off the path that He sets before us. If we let Him, He will guide us back and His heavenly GPS never fails. I recently met a young girl whose life hasn't worked out the way she had planned. But, she is looking to God for a 2nd chance and for guidance back to her path. This Christmas season, are you where God wants you? Are you off the path and turned away from God? Then, call out to Him. He is never lost or turned around. Maybe you are and always have followed God's plan but things seem to be trudging along at a pace that seems awfully slow. Know that God has you exactly where you need to be! Open your eyes and look around for opportunities to serve where you are. There are those who are in need of encouragement all around us at all times.
1 Thessalonians 5:14&15 says, 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
That is what we are to do! Merry Christmas!
Father, help us these days to encourage one another. Help us to see You in the sigh of a baby or the brush of clouds across the sky. When we veer off path, steer us back in the right direction. Thank You for being the God of dozens of 2nd chances. Humble us as we look at the lights and sing Christmas carols and wrap presents and cook supper. Show us where we might serve You best where we are right now! AMEN and AMEN!
When Jesus was born, did He cry and keep Mary and Joseph up all night? Did He smile in His sleep? Did He spit up? What was it like to change the smelly diapers of the Savior of the world? Did He roll off the bed? Diaper rash, sickness, and tummy aches? Did He have these things? I had never questioned them until I had my child at Christmas and I heard the song, "Mary, Did You Know?".
Yes, I think she did know that the sleeping child she was holding was the great I am. She knew very well what she had to do. When she smelled his head and cuddled him at her breast, was she overwhelmed at the thought that she is giving life to the Man who gave her life? I remember with all my kids how I felt about nursing. How cool is it that I can nourish them and help provide their immune systems with immunity and their little bodies with vitamins and nutrients? I considered my ability to nurse as a great privilege that is uniquely female. That very thought must have overwhelmed Mary. Scripture tells us in a couple of places that Mary pondered these things in her heart. What a relationship that she must have had praying to her Savior as He lay in her arms! She did know!
Most mothers know that responsibility and don't take it for granted. Mary knew. The angel, Gabriel, had told her. As Jesus skinned his knees and played with his friends and learned a trade, Mary watched on as a mother does, knowing that God had a mighty plan. Luke 1 records Mary's very words to Elizabeth about God and His plan.
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
God has a great plan for you. God never moves away from you. We move away from God! We move away from God's plan. We swerve off the path that He sets before us. If we let Him, He will guide us back and His heavenly GPS never fails. I recently met a young girl whose life hasn't worked out the way she had planned. But, she is looking to God for a 2nd chance and for guidance back to her path. This Christmas season, are you where God wants you? Are you off the path and turned away from God? Then, call out to Him. He is never lost or turned around. Maybe you are and always have followed God's plan but things seem to be trudging along at a pace that seems awfully slow. Know that God has you exactly where you need to be! Open your eyes and look around for opportunities to serve where you are. There are those who are in need of encouragement all around us at all times.
1 Thessalonians 5:14&15 says, 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
That is what we are to do! Merry Christmas!
Father, help us these days to encourage one another. Help us to see You in the sigh of a baby or the brush of clouds across the sky. When we veer off path, steer us back in the right direction. Thank You for being the God of dozens of 2nd chances. Humble us as we look at the lights and sing Christmas carols and wrap presents and cook supper. Show us where we might serve You best where we are right now! AMEN and AMEN!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Breath of Heaven
One of my favorite newer Christmas songs is Breath of Heaven. I have loved it since the 1st moment I heard it. Amy Grant sings the song originally and I have yet to hear it sung as well by anyone else. She wrote the song in 1992 with Chris Eaton. The lyrics and music are haunting to hear.
The song is written from Mary's point of view. As the mother of Jesus, she knew what she was getting herself into. The angel, Gabriel, told her exactly what was going to take place in Luke 1.
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Mary was a young, Jewish girl at this time. She was in a binding, committed relationship with a Jewish man. She was a virgin despite what modern wisdom wants to say. Girls of those days would have been stoned for what seems to be very common behavior in our times. She would have been frightened and confused. But, she trusted God that what He said would happen would come to pass.
I like to imagine her with Joseph walking or waddling, heavy with child, toward Bethlehem. Or maybe riding a donkey. They had to go to fulfill the census. She had no choice and thus she had plenty of time with her thoughts. There was no Facebook or Twitter to ask for prayer. There was an endless sky lit up with stars and a traveling companion. I imagine that she prayed, "Breath of Heaven(Holy Spirit), hold me together. Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven. Lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness for you are holy, Breath of Heaven. Should You not have chosen someone wiser or older or more worthy of this plan? Are You sure this is what You want? Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now. Be with me now. This load I bear is to great but I offer all I am for the mercy of Your plan. Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me....."
Have you ever felt like this? Like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Dealing with illness, joblessness, divorce, wayward children, aging parents, hopelessness, family problems, financial strain, etc? Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, most likely felt that way, too. Have you ever cried out to the Lord but in your distress didn't know what to say.....Help me be strong, help me be...help me.....
Then, you are not alone. We have all been there at 1 time another. We are confused, lonely, sad, depressed, anxious, worn out, but not alone never alone. Romans 8:26 says,
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.
God, Himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit lives in us and groans for us when we have no strength left to even speak. Take comfort, My Dear One. The Baby who lived in Mary left us a comforter when He ascended into Heaven.
Breath of Heaven, thank You for leaving us and for going into Heaven to make our needs known in words that we cannot even express. Help us to enjoy these weeks of Christmas! They are a time for us to reflect on what You did and not we've done! Thank You, Jesus!
Amen!
All scripture is from the NIV as read on Bible Gateway.com
The song is written from Mary's point of view. As the mother of Jesus, she knew what she was getting herself into. The angel, Gabriel, told her exactly what was going to take place in Luke 1.
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Mary was a young, Jewish girl at this time. She was in a binding, committed relationship with a Jewish man. She was a virgin despite what modern wisdom wants to say. Girls of those days would have been stoned for what seems to be very common behavior in our times. She would have been frightened and confused. But, she trusted God that what He said would happen would come to pass.
I like to imagine her with Joseph walking or waddling, heavy with child, toward Bethlehem. Or maybe riding a donkey. They had to go to fulfill the census. She had no choice and thus she had plenty of time with her thoughts. There was no Facebook or Twitter to ask for prayer. There was an endless sky lit up with stars and a traveling companion. I imagine that she prayed, "Breath of Heaven(Holy Spirit), hold me together. Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven. Lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness for you are holy, Breath of Heaven. Should You not have chosen someone wiser or older or more worthy of this plan? Are You sure this is what You want? Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now. Be with me now. This load I bear is to great but I offer all I am for the mercy of Your plan. Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me....."
Have you ever felt like this? Like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Dealing with illness, joblessness, divorce, wayward children, aging parents, hopelessness, family problems, financial strain, etc? Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, most likely felt that way, too. Have you ever cried out to the Lord but in your distress didn't know what to say.....Help me be strong, help me be...help me.....
Then, you are not alone. We have all been there at 1 time another. We are confused, lonely, sad, depressed, anxious, worn out, but not alone never alone. Romans 8:26 says,
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.
God, Himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit lives in us and groans for us when we have no strength left to even speak. Take comfort, My Dear One. The Baby who lived in Mary left us a comforter when He ascended into Heaven.
Breath of Heaven, thank You for leaving us and for going into Heaven to make our needs known in words that we cannot even express. Help us to enjoy these weeks of Christmas! They are a time for us to reflect on what You did and not we've done! Thank You, Jesus!
Amen!
All scripture is from the NIV as read on Bible Gateway.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
