Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

“Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world” (1 Peter 2:12 New Living Translation).

The meeting was barely over when the woman who had been seated behind me asked, “Who cuts your hair?” I was momentarily stunned into silence by the unusual question, but then responded with the name of the person who had been my hairdresser for many years. “I thought so. It looks like her work,” was the reply.

It looks like her work. Those words flickered around my brain for much of the rest of the day as I contemplated God’s work in my life. Not only have I been created by God but He continues His work in me and asks me to replicate that work in the lives of others. Can people see His handiwork in me? Am I about my Father’s business in such a way that when individuals see my actions and reactions, they immediately recognize the hand of the Creator God?

The Apostle Peter was writing to Christians who lived in a time of increasing persecution. He did not tell them to preach about their faith (although many did), but to live properly and honorably among their unbelieving neighbors. By living in such a way God would be glorified – His work would be seen in their lives.

Father, I wonder how often Your work in me is hidden. Help me reveal Your work – Your life – in my actions and my words. Amen

Questions: How can others see God’s handiwork in you?  What changes do you need to make in your actions and reactions so others can immediately recognize the hand of the Creator God in your life?

About the Author Marilyn Ehle

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Walking with God in Dark Times, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Are you hurting and misunderstood? We want to pray for you.

“Each day is God’s gift… Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily!” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, The Message)

After several discouraging years, the church in a small town in the United States seemed to finally be climbing out of a hole. Attendance increased, people were offering themselves and their goods, and a new sense of optimism was seeping through the congregation.

But then came another severe economic downturn and with it loss of jobs. Homes were forfeited because mortgages could not be paid and other personal disappointments hit that affected not only individuals but the church as a whole. Money was short to pay salaries for even a modest staff, but work still needed to be done. Floors needed cleaning, windows washed, office work regularly completed. Slowly people of all ages began to volunteer whatever time they had so the church could continue its important mission.

Mary had been a part of the church for many years. When several of her friends left for bigger congregations that seemed to be thriving more than her own, she remained a part of her beloved church family.  She wanted to participate in the “volunteer work crew” but her age and health prevented much physical effort.

Then she had an idea. In the church were several water fountains where both children and adults took a sip as they walked the hallways between rooms. These fountains needed to be kept clean and sanitary. Here was something she could do that would not overly stress her aging body.

And so every week Mary made her way to the church building and with soft cloths and sanitizing liquid, she joyfully cleaned the water fountains. Few knew of her contribution. They just knew the water was refreshing and the fountains sparkled.

Oswald Chambers writes, “Some people do a certain thing and the way in which they do it transfigures that thing forever afterwards.” Mary’s “certain thing” is important in the Kingdom.  What is your certain thing?

Questions: What is that special thing that you can for God even though you might think it is insignificant?

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus … Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have minds set on what the Spirit desires … You are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” (Romans 8)

Even as I depend on my computer for the activities of daily life, I am also frequently frustrated when my assumptions about what it can or will do prove to be in error. Why do margins or indentations change? How can information I thought I had inserted into a document suddenly alter? In their effort to explain this phenomenon, technology experts toss around the phrase “default setting” as though they think I understand! “The computer is just returning to its default setting,” they say with feigned patience.

So what do these terms mean? A basic definition goes something like this: Default settings are controls of a computer or software as preset by its manufacturer. Some types of default settings may be altered or customized by the user.

A spiritual application comes to mind. When God created us, he declared us good—His perfect default setting. But then man and woman changed that setting by choosing to set themselves in opposition to God … they sinned. Ever since that point in time, a new “setting” has been a part of our nature: “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and “sin enter the world through one man, and death through sin … because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

But God in His infinite wisdom and love chooses to make possible a new default setting: Christ comes to not just change a few incidentals in our lives, but to make us new creations. He installs totally new controls—the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Too often I think and act as though I must live according to those old settings, forgetting that because of the redeeming death and resurrection of Christ, and through the power of God’s Spirit I can walk as a new person.

We are not machines but children of God who loves us unreservedly and gives us all we need to walk in newness of life with Him.

Question: How can keeping the analogy of the “default setting” help us to direct our daily actions?

About this Author: Marilyn Ehle

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EDT.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have minds set on what the Spirit desires…You are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you” (Romans 8).

Even as I depend on my computer for the activities of daily life, I am also frequently frustrated when my assumptions about what it can or will do prove to be in error. Why do margins or indentations change? How can information I thought I had inserted into a document suddenly alter? In their effort to explain this phenomenon, technology experts toss around the phrase “default setting” as though they think I understand! “The computer is just returning to its default setting,” they say with feigned patience.

So what do these terms mean? A basic definition goes something like this: Default settings are controls of a computer or software as preset by its manufacturer. Some types of default settings may be altered or customized by the user.

A spiritual application comes to mind. When God created us, he declared us good—His perfect default setting. But then man and woman changed that setting by choosing to set themselves in opposition to God…they sinned. Ever since that point in time, a new “setting” has been a part of our nature: “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and “sin entered the world through one man and death through sin…because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

But God in His infinite wisdom and love chooses to make possible a new default setting: Christ comes to not just change a few incidentals in our lives, but to make us new creations. He installs totally new controls—the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Too often I think and act as though I must live according to those old settings, forgetting that because of the redeeming death and resurrection of Christ, and through the power of God’s Spirit I can walk as a new person.

We are not machines but children of God who loves us unreservedly and gives us all we need to walk in newness of life with Him.

Father, help me quickly turn to you instead of to my natural desires. Thank you for always being available and willing to change my heart.

Questions: Can you think of ways that you are still living your life in the same manner as before Christ came into your life? How would your life be different if you remembered that you are a new creation and have the power of Christ in you?

About the Author Marilyn Ehle

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, A New Default Setting, read aloud on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“The revelation awaits an appointed time … though it linger, wait for it;  it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3

In these weeks before Christmas, we are tired. Church and community activities wear on us instead of energize. Canned music assaults our ears as we navigate crowded store aisles; its original intention to bless has turned into annoyance. The unstoppable energy of children no longer delights. We know we should re-focus, yet our brains and bodies fight against our spirits.

It is time to look more closely at this God who comes, time to pause and re-examine the character of the one who came once as a Baby and will one day come as a King.

Hail to the Lord’s anointed,
Great David’s greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
(by James Montgomery, 1784)

Our worlds seem to be coming apart at the seams. People starve, bombs fall, jobs are lost, families deteriorate. Expectations crash like the clattering of broken pottery. There is no better time to reaffirm our faith in the one anointed as “great David’s greater Son.”

Throughout Jesus’ life on earth His friends wanted to step up His timetable. They wanted Him to become the conquering king they thought He should be. In response we read the words “His time had not yet come.” How impatient they were. How impatient we are. We live between the now and not yet. We want His reign to begin now.

Author Diana Ball writes about the appointed time this way:

In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me every day,
As you’re teaching me your way,
That you do just what you say, in your time.

Father, may every Christmas song, every lit candle, every wrapped gift remind me that you are the timeless one, that you can be trusted.

Relfection: Take time as you read these words to sit quietly and think about the unhurried Savior, to pattern your life – even in these busy pre-Christmas days – after Him.

About this Author: Marilyn Ehle

If you feel your world is shifting out from under you, contact an online mentor to talk about it.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer…” (Psalm 18:2).

The world watched in horror as the earth beneath north-eastern Japan shifted. Even before the life-shattering tsunami roared ashore, buildings were reduced to rubble, wide chasms appeared in once-solid roads, and wells became infernos as gas seeped into water.

Dependable, substantial, trusted earth had moved. Far beneath what could be seen, tectonic plates shifted. Instantly earth, indeed life, was realigned. What had been normal existence for hundreds of thousands of people was forever altered. A trustworthy archetype of trustworthiness failed.

The greatest altering of the norm was seen at the cross. The previous paradigm—the model held by many for pleasing God—was destroyed and God’s plan from eternity past was made evident to all who behold its mystery.

Poets and musicians have deeply explored the understanding of God as Rock: Rock of Ages cleft for me; On Christ the solid rock I stand; the Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. Unfortunately, most of us easily accept the world’s paradigm, a model of self-sufficiency, governmental provision, or even an attitude of I-deserve-it. But when whatever we have called solid and dependable shifts, when life crumbles around us, that is when we look for an immoveable foundation. And that is found only in the God who never fails, who never changes and who always loves.

When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
(Edward Mote, 1834)

Questions: What do you depend on for your security and hope?

Do you want to dig deeper into your love for God? Try our life lesson “Developing a Heart of Worship”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

In movies of the American Old West, it is common to see the rough and ready cowboy ambling down a wooden sidewalk, tipping his broad brimmed hat to passing ladies. The hat isn’t really lifted off his head, just slightly tilted as a show of respect, an acknowledgement. No relationship is initiated, nor is one intended.

It is this display of somewhat superficial acknowledgement that we often exhibit in our relationship with God. We “tip our hat to Him”each morning, before meals and at the end of the day. We mentally recognize His ?presence and promises, but we seldom stop long enough to “look full in His wonderful face.”

While the basic meaning of the word acknowledge as used in the book of Proverbs is “to see or know”, within the word lies the meaning of comprehension, perception and understanding. Another translator equates this with the word submission.

Am I sometimes guilty of passing God on the sidewalks of my life, giving mental assent to Him, but not truly submitting the circumstances of that moment into His care? Are my table prayers perfunctory instead of laced with heartfelt gratitude? Do I tip my spiritual hat to God instead of graciously recognizing His sovereignty and love? I ask for His direction; now I must grow in submission.

Questions: Are you spending enough quality time with God? How can you make room in your schedule for more time with God?

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EST.

“They were on their way to Jerusalem with Jesus leading the way…those who followed were afraid” (Mark 10:32).

They had heard Jesus teach on the green hillsides, they had eaten the bread and fish He miraculously supplied, they had watched boys, girls, men and women touched by His heavenly healing. They believed Him to be the Savior. They followed Him. And now they were afraid. His words now contained the not-so-good news that following meant far more than food and healing and good feelings. Following this Jesus meant walking with Him all the way to the cross in Jerusalem.

We read in the Bible that at the cross only a few women stayed near their bruised and battered Lord, but Scripture and history confirm that the fearful followers eventually returned. Their fear turned into the deep faith that would move mountains of hate, replacing them with love and joy and promise. They would bravely tell the world that following Jesus brings both earthly peace and eternal life. He transforms fear into faith.

Jesus, I’m often afraid on this path of following You, but I’m so grateful that You gently lead and insistently love me in the midst of both faith and fear. I want to be a faith-full follower. Help my faith to grow.

Questions: How do you handle fear when it seems to take over? How can fear be transformed to faith?

About the Author Marilyn J. Ehle

“The light shines in darkness” John 1:5

It was her first Christmas away from the rest of the family. One brother was serving in another country in the military, another was married and living thousands of miles away, and we – her parents – were on another continent. What would Christmas morning be like for this single young woman living in a big city? How could joy possibly be there without her loved ones? Who would watch her open each carefully chosen gift?

An afternoon telephone call answered all our questions. She had chosen to have a leisurely breakfast before reading the story of Christ’s birth while sitting near lit candles and her small, decorated tree. Then she opened each gift and thought of those who cared deeply for her even though they were absent. Then it was time to bundle up in warm coat, hat, gloves and scarf and go for a long walk in the snowy city park near her apartment. Her day ended in a small downtown church with a diverse group of people meeting to celebrate the Savior’s birth.

Although it was her first Christmas alone, it would not be her last; she was learning that true celebration begins with a choice. Deciding what our attitude will be prior to the event is crucial. Emotions may swirl, but we have the ability to choose our reactions to the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who died for his faith, wrote the following Morning Prayer as he “celebrated” his first Christmas in prison. We would do well to make it our own.

O Heavenly Father,
I praise and thank you
For the peace of the night;
I praise and thank you for this new day;
I praise and thank you for all your goodness and
faithfulness throughout my life.
You have granted me many blessings;
Now let me also accept what is hard
from your hand.
You will lay on me no more
than I can bear.
You make all things work together for good
for your children …

Thank you, Father, that Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of the heart. May mine be pure.

Questions: How can you make Christmas this year more than a mere holiday? What would you suggest to someone who will be alone this Christmas?

About this Author: Marilyn Ehle

“The light shines in darkness …” John 1:5

It was her first Christmas away from the rest of the family. One brother was serving in another country in the military, another was married and living thousands of miles away, and we -her parents- were on another continent. What would Christmas morning be like for this single young woman living in a big city? How could joy possibly be there without her loved ones? Who would watch her open each carefully chosen gift?

An afternoon telephone call answered all our questions. She had chosen to have a leisurely breakfast before reading the story of Christ’s birth while sitting near lit candles and her small, decorated tree. Then she opened each gift and thought of those who cared deeply for her even though they were absent. Then it was time to bundle up in warm coat, hat, gloves and scarf and go for a long walk in the snowy city park near her apartment. Her day ended in a small downtown church with a diverse group of people meeting to celebrate the Savior’s birth.

Although it was her first Christmas alone, it would not be her last; she was learning that true celebration begins with a choice. Deciding what our attitude will be prior to the event is crucial. Emotions may swirl, but we have the ability to choose our reactions to the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who died for his faith, wrote the following Morning Prayer as he “celebrated” his first Christmas in prison. We would do well to make it our own.

“O Heavenly Father,
I praise and thank you
For the peace of the night;
I praise and thank you for this new day;
I praise and thank you for all your goodness and
faithfulness throughout my life.
You have granted me many blessings;
Now let me also accept what is hard
from your hand.
You will lay on me no more
than I can bear.
You make all things work together for good
for your children …”

Thank you, Father, that Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of the heart. May mine be pure.

Questions: How can you make Christmas this year more than a mere holiday? What would you suggest to someone who will be alone this Christmas?

About this Author: Marilyn J Ehle