Hold On

Psalm 1:1-2

(NRSV): “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.”

Hold on, be happy, be blessed. Excerpts from my devotion this morning:

“No evil can befall you if I am with you. "All that He blesses is our good." Every time of being laid aside is a time of retreat into the quiet place with Me. Never fear but in that place you shall find restoration and power and joy and healing. 

Plan both of your retreat days now and then—days when you live apart with Me, and arise rested and refreshed—physically, mentally, and spiritually, to carry on the work I have given to you. I will never give you a load greater than you can bear. 

Love, Joy, Peace—welcome these. Let no personal feelings, no thoughts of self banish these. Singly, they are miracle-producing in a life, but together, they can command all that is needed on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. It is in these wonder-realm attributes all success lies. 

You have to see your inner lives are all they should be, and then the work is accomplished. Not in rushing and striving on the material plane, but on the battlefield of the Soul are these things won.”

Be blessed, know that God is, that God has you. enough for now.

Say NO to Unbelief

Matthew 13:58

“And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.”

This has been a wonder to me. Because of the unbelief of the people. I used to think that Jesus couldn’t do because of their unbelief. No, no, Jesús wouldn’t do. That’s the difference. He wouldn’t do. Let’s pause right there. Unbelief shuts down our miracles. Let us not be those who miss the miracles because of our unbelief. Let’s move from negativity to positivity. That shifts the atmosphere. Let’s not do evil for evil (as my mother used to say). Let’s walk in our belief, in our faith, watching what God is doing. enough for now.

Step Up

Matthew 9:37-38 (NRSV):  “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Go back and read 35-38. Jesus sent the disciples to do what he did, heal the sick, ease the broken-hearted, restore the demonized, proclaim the gospel. And yet, there is need for more. Everyone has something to do as laborer. We must work while we can, while it is time. We work in our assignment, we pray for others to work in theirs. We work or pray. We work and pray. This is the season to step up and move as he has assigned. This is the season as there is much to be done. As long as we do our part, then we take our place in advancing the kingdom. We are what is prayed for. it’s that season.

Yes, Celebrate

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

20 “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Go back and reread Luke 2:1-20. Two things among many:  vs 14, the angels sang “peace among those whom God favors.” That’s enough right there. Peace is ours. Too often we shun it, but it’s ours. God’s favor is ours. We walk in his favor. Walking in his favor gives us peace. And it’s all because of Jesus!

Vs20, after seeing the baby the shepherds returned praising God for what they had seen and heard. Every year we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. But every day we can celebrate our salvation because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Everyday we can celebrate going to him in prayer, and being guided by Holy Spirit. Everyday we can praise him for what we have seen and heard. God’s love for us is personal, and we have a reason to praise him- we have his peace, his favor. That’s good news! And there is more. enough for now

Our Challenge

Luke 1:37

Luke 1:37-38 (NRSV): “For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”

This was after Gabriel told Mary that she would birth a child. If you look at both Joseph and Mary, although chosen for the task, they had to overcome challenges. They did. Mary’s response to Gabriel “May it is be to me as you have said.” And because of that Jesus was born.  And look later as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His response was like his mother’s “Not my will, but your will.”

Because of Jesus’ birth we can overcome any challenge. Our key? Believe that with God nothing is impossible. Let that permeate your spirit. Nothing is impossible with God. And our response, “May it be to me as you have said.” Yes Lord, we are more than conquerors. Enough for now.

That One

Is 58:12 NRSV “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

God had to get the Israelites to understand true fasting. We are to care for others, treat others right, help them to be restored. Then we have the right to receive his favor, we can call and he answers. We can bring peace to others because of our connection with God. We walk in being that one- repairer/restorer.enough for now.

Call

Jeremiah 33:3NRSV

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

We miss the different ways that God reaches out to us. He invites us to call him, to trust him. When we call to him, he shows us more than we can even imagine. We realize more than we did. He shows us wondrous things. And all we have to do is call. This call to him is in seeking him. In communing with him. In trusting him.

 Oh my God, the joys, the wonders of communing with God. And all we do is call to him. Take time today to let that sit with you. To marvel in that moment. That  marvelous wonders are available now. That communication with God is so very real. And even when there are hard things we face, we don’t face alone, and he shows us and walks us though. enough for now.