weariness

Have you been hard on yourself lately?

Today is that day that going back to bed and calling it a day sounded like such a great idea. Maybe you are there too.

Instead I got up, made coffee and sat down to talk with God. Maybe whine to God is more accurate. See I just didn’t want to. Want to what? Exactly!

I tried to pull a scripture that I could meditate on and drew a blank. That was strange. There wasn’t even a song running through my head. I can’t remember the last time there wasn’t a song. Surely this must mean I can go back to bed.

Instead I jumped on Facebook. It can be a great way to not deal with the issues at hand.

My dear friend Matt posted this song. “New Today” by Micah Tyler
It starts out with “I’ve been hard on myself lately. Every morning I feel the weight……. sometimes I forget that Your mercies are new today.”

Don’t tell me that God doesn’t use music and Facebook to reach into our hearts. I think that as I write this I already have the song memorized. That’s what happens when you listen to a song over and over again.

Thanks God, I know that was You. You reminded me that Your mercies are new today. Great is Your faithfulness.

I have learned over the years that sometimes things are allowed into my life to help me understand what others are going through. Have you been hard on yourself lately? What is the weight that is trying to hold you down? Hold you back? Are you battling weariness? Tiredness? I understand.

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.” 2 Thess 3:13 NASB

“I can rest on Your shoulders. There is grace to start over. Your mercies are new today.” Micah Tyler

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

“Help me rise like the morning sun. Help me see that Your works not done. When I’m less than what I want to be, Lord, I need You to keep reminding me that Your mercies are new today.” Micah Tyler

“I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” Lamentations 3:24-26 NLT

God’s love is right there, right there to lift you up, to help you face today, to help you face today with grace and peace.

If you are reading this then please let me remind you that God has strength for you today. In your weakness, He is strong. (2 Cor 12:10) His mercies are new today and His mercies are for you. Take some extra time to rest in His presence. (Matt 11:28) Then walk in His strength. Walk in those hard places with the strength of God flowing through you. (Hab 3:18-19)

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Gal 6:9 NLT

Don’t give up. Don’t give in to the weariness that want to overwhelm you. Keep doing what is right. Keep on keeping on. Keep on trusting. God is at work. He is making a way.

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses.I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16-19 NLT

Thanks God – Your mercies will see me through.

til next time

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love

Let God’s love guide you today. Ask Him to open your eyes and help you see people the way He sees them. Ask Him to use you today to make a difference.

L – loving

O- others

V- very

E – enthusiastically

til next time

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view Monday differently

Monday

M – Mercy

O – Opportunities

N – Nourishment

D – Delight in the Lord

A – Above board

Y – Yield

 

Mercy: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV

 

Opportunities: “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Eph 5:16 NLT

 

Nourishment: “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,” 1 Peter 2:2 NASB

 

Delight in the Lord: “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NASB

 

Above board: “People with integrity walk safely,

but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.” Proverbs 10:9 NLT

 

Yield: “saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 ESV

 

Enjoy today – it is a gift!

 til next time

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we have hope

One thing you will for sure get if you listen with any regularity to the news is conflicting information. Don’t wear a mask. Wear a mask. Disinfect your groceries. You don’t need to disinfect your groceries. We are doing good. We are not doing enough. We need to start reopening. It is too soon to reopen. And there is plenty of blame going around.

 

I find that I keep going back to Lamentations.

 

“But this I call to mind,

and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:21-25 ESV

Just reading that again refreshes my heart. It is like a cool drink of water on a hot day.

 

We have hope. No matter what the media says, the experts say, or you read on facebook — We have hope!

 

One of the things I often talk to God about is – let me use this time wisely.

 

When we can freely go about our lives, when this is behind us, I don’t want to have any regrets as to how I used this time. May I point people to Christ. May I share the hope i have in God!

 

Today is a gift!

til next time

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essential workers

Yesterday I shared a devotional geared toward those of you working or staying at home.  Today I want to shift gears.  Since I’m one of the ones working from home, I reached out to some friends who are still going to work – to get some insight.

Thank you for all the responses I received.  I am overwhelmed by some of the pain and rawness.  Truly this is uncharted territory.

“My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your Word.”  Psalm 119:28 NKJV

Here are some of what essential workers have shared with me.

What are some of the challenges you face?

• rude people made the list way too many times
• breathing with PPE on and the shields cause glasses to fog up
• PPE gets in the way of my work
• working extra hours is taking its toll on my body
• shortened hours while increasing the load
• breaks are shortened or non-existent
• people are scared, mean, hateful and taking it out on us workers
• bosses decision to not use PPE puts us in danger
  

What changes have taken place?

• not being able to go to church but I can go to work 😦
• drive thru only
• stopped allowing customers in – all work done by phone, email, text
• family is not allowed in
• vacation plans gone
• people who don’t want to come to work and so they really don’t work once there
• nothing much has changed except some parts of the plant have restricted access – not good for morale

What is difficult/hard with working during covid19?

• the reality that I could become infected or be a carrier and bring it home
• struggling to empathize with people because my life is crazy busy and I’d love a week at home
• so close to the edge
• seeing people at their worst – fear changes people
• not being able to do anything to truly protect people I care about
• to see beyond self and all I am doing
• lack of interaction with people that I am taking care of
• exhaustion
• finding it difficult to sleep because of anxiety
• added demands = added physical pain
• workers who took 2 weeks off claiming covid because they could
• actually my job is easier without people coming in
• seeing empty space were co-workers should be

To the essential worker –  where does your help come from?  Look up!

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth. (verses 1&2)

The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.” (verse 8)
Psalm 121

 I also asked where do you see God in all of this?

• when I pray with people
• cheerful people even when their lives are turned upside down
• when I talk with friends
• in the people who thank us for being open
• in knowing He has my back
• in the direction He gives me to care for others and myself
• in the peace I have that I am doing His will
• people who cater meals
• people who show love for one another
• in my child – in how well he is handling all of this

TO ALL OF US!  — God’s grace is enough for whatever we face, be it loneliness or exhaustion.

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”  Ephesians 1:2 NLT

Grace and peace go together.  Grace is God’s strength working through us to enable us to do what we can’t do on our own.  We struggle and can even put forth great effort and yet we fail.  All while God is saying to us – let me help!  My grace is enough.  (2 Cor 12:9)

If peace is lacking in our lives – the first thing to do is look at who you are depending on — yourself?  your job?  the government? money?   Often peace is lacking in our lives because we are holding on to our cares.  We are trying to make something happen in our own strength, instead of giving our cares to God and walking in His strength.  (1 Peter 5:6-7, 2 Cor 3:5, Phil 4:6-7)  Peace can also be lacking because we are stretched thin and need refreshing that comes from spending alone time with Jesus.  (Matt 6:6)

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Psalm 61:2 NKJV

Rock — Jesus — 1 Cor 10:4, Psalm 18:2

Overwhelmed?  Make time for Jesus.  Don’t neglect your one true source of help.  (Psalm 46:1)  Turn those hard things, the changes, the challenges, the loneliness, the fear, the stress over to Him.  Ask Him for help. (Psalm 121:1-2)  And then remind yourself that you trust God.  Declare it when you first wake up.  Declare it on your way to work.  Declare it when you get your bills in the mail.  Declare it anytime doubt tries to creep in.

IN GOD I TRUST!

Say this with me:    Today, Lord, You go before me. (Deut 31:8)  Today You are with me. (Matt 28:20)   Today You hold my right hand.  (Psalm 73:23)  In God I trust!  (If trust is a weakness for you then I encourage you to read these verses out loud  – Prov 3:5-6, Psalm 4:5, 7:1, 16:1, 18:2, 20:7, 22:4-5, 40:3, 91:2, 1 Tim 4:10)

 

Again, I want to thank all of you that shared your heart.   You are in my prayers.   If you want to add to this list – please contact me or leave a comment.

til next time

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white as snow

I look out my window and it is snowing – big, fluffy snow. Snow has covered the ground making everything white.

 

White.

 

There’s an old chorus that we sing

“White as snow, white as snow,

though my sins were as scarlet,

Lord I know, Lord I know,

that I’m clean and forgiven….”

 

Oh, how grateful I am that my sins no longer define me. My past no longer defines me. I’m forgiven. Today is a new day.

 

White as snow.

Isaiah 1:18 ESV

 

Right before this verse are instructions for our daily life.

 

“cease to do evil

learn to do good;

seek justice,

correct oppression;

bring justice to the fatherless,

plead the widow’s cause.”

 

May today find us growing in our understanding of God’s Word and find us applying that Word to our daily lives.

 

White as snow,

til next time

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loving life part 9

I love my life.

Jesus came to give us life abundant. (John 10:10) He didn’t die so we would be miserable.

What will today hold? I know what is on the schedule for today but I do not know how it will play out. God does. Trusting God means just that trusting Him. I can enjoy today because God has me in the palm of His hand. He loves me. He loves you.

It doesn’t matter what happens today. I am still responsible for my actions, reactions, attitude, and words. My attitude plays a huge part in whether or not I will love my life.

It is so much easier to love your life when you meditate on scripture.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 ESV

Guess what? Love wins!

Love wins. When I love the life Jesus died for, when I see obstacles as opportunities for Christ to shine through, when I let love guide me – I can truly say I love my life.

til next time

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enjoy today

Continuing from yesterday.

 

I enjoy my life. It is very full – which is how I like it. I vaguely remember being bored back when I was a child. My dad took care of that quickly. By the time I was 7, I was the only child at home. Learning how to entertain myself was a wonderful gift that has carried into my adult life.

 

I enjoy life, yet, there are times that I find myself worn out – exhausted. (I’m not talking about the tiredness that comes with my current health issues but a mental exhaustion.)

 

Truth is that each time that occurs, I can trace it back to not spending enough time at the feet of Jesus. Unforced rhythms of grace is only possible as we walk with and work with Jesus. He teaches us how to rest and how to live life freely and lightly.

 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matt 11:28-30 MSG

 

Are you tired? Jesus is calling you to come away for awhile and sit at His feet. The most important thing you can do today is to spend time with Him.

 

“Cultivate an awareness of His presence.” (Curtis Girod)

 

He is with you always. He is able! He is greater! Allow Him to fill you to overflowing with renewed hope!! (Romans 15:13)

 

 

Loving the life Jesus has given you is one way for you to show your gratitude! “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!” Phil 4:4 MSG

til next time

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attitude

How’s your soul? (will, mind, emotions)

My morning started out a little rough.  Did you know that you can change your day by changing your attitude?

My attitude was heading south. There are a ‘million’ things I could focus on concerning my health and the way I am feeling BUT I want to enjoy this day. There are no do overs. So as with anything in my life – I took it to God.

Maybe you need to pray this prayer with me.

“Good morning God. This is the day You have made and I am wanting to choose to rejoice in it. In order to do that I need Your help. Help me to not fixate on the pain, the ‘now what’, or the ‘how’, but to keep my eyes on You. You are good! You love me and You are working all things out for my good. Yes, even this pain. Help me to see beyond myself, to see the opportunities You have for me today. I can do what you set before me this day because You are with me. I choose hope! I choose You, Jesus! (Psalm 118:24, 46:1, 2 Cor 10:5, Heb 12:2, Rom 8:28, Col 4:5, Phil 4:13)

I also looked to God’s word to speak to my heart. If you haven’t read Ephesian 3 lately, I encourage you to read it.

My take on a few of the verses:

V6. God’s plan is that we belong to Him

V7. it is a privilege to serve God

V14 because of Jesus and our faith in Him, we can come to God boldly and confidently. We don’t have to have it all together or say the right things but we come just as we are.

V14-15 there is something special about kneeling before God – surrendering to the Creator of everything

V16 is my verse to hold on to today!

V17 trusting Christ (in the good and the bad, health and pain) sinks our roots deep in God’s love and that keeps us strong – I want that!

V18 God’s love – nothing greater (wide, long, high, deep) Makes me want to break out into song “Oh, how He loves us so. Oh how He loves us.”

V19 we don’t just know of His love, we experience His love

V20 God gets the glory! He is able to do more than we can even imagine

Yes, I am now ready to face the day as a mighty child of God.

What about you?

til next time

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give me Jesus

Wrong side of the bed?

Are you crabby this morning? Maybe a little owlie or grouchy? Some could even say you got up on the wrong side of the bed.

I have found a sure fire way to start my day off right. Before I get out of bed, I start my conversation with God. Yes, it is just that simple.

“But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress.” Psalm 59:16 (NLT)

Sometimes I’m awake long before I have to get up. As I am talking with God, I may fall back asleep. That is not a bad thing.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

It’s not too late. Take a few moments right now to connect with God. It will change your day..

Starting with Jesus,

til next time

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