Devotional For Women Blog
Great Expectations
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“…I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.” (John 6:53-54, NLT)
I don’t understand God sometimes! To be honest, it’s really most of the time. Why doesn’t He clearly reveal Himself to me? Why does He often leave me guessing at who He is and what He is doing? I have these great expectations about God and what He could and should do and I get frustrated and disillusioned when I don’t see Him behaving the way I think my God should.
My husband had a cousin who found love at the age of 40 and married a man who had lost his wife to cancer. He had three children, who longed to have a mother again. They had prayed for three long years and she was their answer!
Her wedding was such an amazing celebration – so full of life and joy. But only 3 months later we were in that very same church holding her funeral. Her husband and her children were devastated! I found myself questioning God. It seemed so senseless and even cruel! How could there be any good in this?
When my son was in high school he experienced an incredible amount of loss and disappointment in a six-month period. As a result, he became disillusioned with God. I begged God to show Himself to my son, “He needs to see You and know that You love him. Will You just prove to him that you are God?” But it didn’t happen that way and my son struggled in his faith.
Why does God do that? Why doesn’t He feel compelled to meet our expectations?
After all He is God! You would think that because He wants everyone to come to Him, He would be out and about proving who He was and what He could do. So why doesn’t he do that?
As I was reading my Bible one day, I came upon a passage that echoed this struggle I was having with God. Jesus was speaking to His followers and He was explaining to them that He was the Bread of Life. Look at his controversial words, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.” (John 6:53-54, NLT)
Really?! Who wouldn’t be confused by those words? It goes on to say that many of his disciples said, “This is hard to understand, how could anyone accept it?” (No kidding!)
Many of his followers turned their backs on Jesus that day and so He turned to his twelve disciples and asked them if they were going to leave Him too? Look at Peter’s reply, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69, NLT)
Do you see it?
Peter says, “WE BELIEVE and we KNOW you are the Holy One of God.”
I believe what Peter is saying here is that even though we don’t understand You . . . even though You aren’t meeting our expectations of what we think a Messiah should be . . . even though we can’t see the Way we will TRUST you. And I love what he says right before that statement. “Lord, to whom would we go?”
Times without number I have heard Peter’s words echoed by other followers of Jesus in times of disillusionment, “Where would we go? How could we ever walk this road without Him?” I’ve come to the conclusion that we cannot compel God to prove who He is. He will do it in His time and in His way.
His WAY is the way of faith.
So when I am disillusioned because my God is not meeting my expectations, I CHOOSE to believe, to trust that His way is good. I turn my eyes back to the cross. For how can I question His goodness, when He willing laid down His life for me?
Question: Can you choose to believe and trust God, despite your circumstances?
Letting Go and Pressing On
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“…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13, 14, NLT)
Theater critic, Brooks Atkinson, once said, “Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect.” Drop, let go, forget – that’s easier said than done. People, events, and circumstances of this past year—perhaps past years—continue to nag at us. Disappointments, betrayals, and losses creep into our minds to disturb the peace that God promises.
How do we move on when our spirits have been wounded, or our families disrupted?
Several words used by the apostle Paul give us clues about the process so necessary for forward movement. First there is the word “focus,” meaning to concentrate on. Instead of allowing our thoughts to meander into the morass of the past, we choose to deliberately think of the future. This in no way means denial, but rather a purposeful action involving looking ahead to what God may have in store.
What about “forget”? This word has within it the idea of neglect, e.g., giving less weight to what has happened in the past, refusing to dwell on those things that disturb our peace and threaten the future God has planned for us.
And then there is “press on.” Here I imagine a runner, surrounded by competitors, just about to cross the finish line. The race has been long, the runner is almost exhausted and she finally sees the ribbon extended across her path. Determined to win the race and knowing that any part of her body must cross that ribbon in order for victory to be declared, she stretches out her arms—she presses on.
This is not a once-a-year process, but rather a daily examination of the hours just past and the glorious future of the day ahead. The heavenly prize is definitely within reach. Let go. Press on.
Question: How has God helped you move beyond hurt and into forgiveness and freedom?
In God We Trust
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“No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)
Many people dislike the month of April when, by law, they must file their tax return and pay any additional taxes owed. Most grumble having to pay more on top of what they already contributed. However, others look forward to having their tax return completed, anticipating a refund. Some even receive abundantly more than expected. Nobody likes paying taxes but in order for government to carry on, we must contribute.
The same can be true when the offering basket comes around. Some grumble, others are cheerful, and some uncertain. What ought to be a joyful expression of admiration, trust, and obedience to God is often less than an enjoyable observance. God never intended for His children to feel pressured into giving, to be misled and confused, nor give half-heartedly. If you are struggling, dig deeper into God’s Word relying upon his Holy Spirit to speak truth into your heart. This will enable you to give out of reverence, obedience and a joyful heart.
Old Testament tithing, commanded by God, was the way and means He provided for the church, the Levites, and the priest. The Israelites were required to give a tithe (a tenth) of their crops, fruit, and herds to support the Levites. The Levite were to give “a tenth of the tithe” to support the priest. Over time, the Israelites disregarded God’s command and as a result, God’s church was neglected. God ordered them to stop robbing Him and to bring in the whole tithe. Out of their obedience God would open the floodgates of Heaven and bless them abundantly.
For further insight, look up the following OT scriptures: Leviticus 27:30-34, Numbers 18:21-30, Deuteronomy 12, 14:22-29, 26, 2 Chronicles 31:4-8, Nehemiah 10:37-39, 13:10-12, and Malachi 3:6-14. You will understand why God commands you to tithe to your local church and to help those in need out of the abundance He bestows upon you.
In the New Testament, Christians are to give but what matters more to Jesus is the condition of our heart (Mathew 5:23-24, Mathew 23:23, Luke 11:42, Luke 18:9-14). As followers of Christ, we are to go beyond the offering basket being past around. We are to reach out and help others in need.
Here are some NT scriptures on giving to God and aiding those in need. Giving should be done: freely (Mat 10:8), sacrificially (Luke 21:1-4), continuously (1Cor 16:2), willingly (2 Cor 8:1-7), generously and joyfully (2 Cor 9:6-15). More importantly, make certain your heart is right with God when giving back to Him and helping others. God desires to bless each one of us abundantly so we can be a blessing to others. Truly, blessings and rewards await a faithful, generous, joyful giver here on earth and in heaven.
Father, Remind me that all I have is a gift from you. You have promised to supply all my needs. Help me to trust that You really will. Help me to be a joyful and generous giver. Amen.
Question: How can you become a more joyful giver?
Mind Over Matter
Watch out for these three destructive thoughts.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
One of the hardest things to control is your thought life. It’s just that no one ever wants to admit it.
Do you ever wake up and your mind is flooded with one thought after another? Is your mind racing about before you take one step out of the bed? Maybe you catch yourself rehearsing what happened yesterday or last week. You might find yourself replaying a response or wondering what you would have done if you had a chance again.
In either case, you are not screening what is entering your mind and ultimately your heart. These thoughts seem so innocent, but watch out. Your thoughts can lead to you reaping a harvest of anxiety, depression, anger, fear, worry, stress. Philippians tells us what we should be meditating on throughout the day. This is the key to producing a harvest of peace, joy, and love.
Don’t condemn yourself if you failed in this area. Simply confess and repent of your sins, and God will forgive. Take a moment now and say this simple prayer.
Lord, I apologize for the thoughts that I entertained within the corners of my mind. I apologize for making other things the apple of my eye. I realize that You are my prize and it’s to You that all my thoughts rest and abide. Take away the sin that lurks and subsides. Refill me with thoughts that are refined. Amen.
Questions: Can you recall a specific virtue that you appreciate about God this week? Are you thankful for His mercy, grace, guidance, power, attentiveness, presence, generosity, love, friendship, etc? If so why? What personal significance does it play in this season of your life? Now meditate on these things.
Signs Everywhere
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“So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show for doing these things?’” (John 2:18)
Driving down the highway, I was deluged with signs. There were billboards, fast food restaurant and gas station signs high in the air, traffic signs telling me which exit to take, speed limit signs, and mile markers. My mind had to choose which to observe and which were a distraction I didn’t need. If I glanced at a sign too long I might run into the car in front of me.
When I saw the needle on my dashboard was hovering above the “E”, I started looking in earnest for the gas stations signs that matched the charge card in my wallet. There had been tons along the journey, so where were they now that I needed one? Sure enough, in a few miles, there it was. I had to exit, take a side road and cross the bridge to get to it, but it was worth it. The gas there was actually cheaper than at the few non-brand ones I had passed. Go figure.
The same is true in our lives. We travel down life’s road and there are signs everywhere. Some signs are informational, others offer directions and some are only a distraction. But which ones are from God? There are some signs that are obviously not from God – signs that lead us off the path – but what about the less obvious signs? Are all the signs meant for us?
Recently I was in deep prayer about which direction I should take. But once I got off my knees I immediately began to look for the solution. Was this God-orchestrated? Was that? Is this the answer? No? Well, what about that? Like a child on a scavenger hunt, I was looking everyplace I could. “God, just show me a sign,” I prayed. “How do I know this is from You?”
The answer is everything is from God because He is in control. But, because of our free will, we can use or abuse what He provides. I had not trusted in Him to provide the answer in His timing. Instead, I was impatiently looking for it in all the wrong places, and in a few of the right places, just at the wrong time. I was seeking answers where none existed, then wondering why that sign was given to me. Maybe, it was not for me as much as it was for someone else, and I was just distracted by it, like so many on the highway. Just because the exit is there didn’t mean I was to take it. So, why did I think every sign I saw in my life was an answer to my prayer? And, why did I not trust the right one would be there when I needed it?
On the highway, I could have pulled off at the first gas station sign and paid for it with my debit card. I could have pumped in a few gallons of inferior gasoline to tide me over instead of the kind I knew my car needed to run well. But, I chose to trust that the right sign was still up ahead. Sure enough it was, even though it temporarily led me off the path I was on.
Question: Are you looking for signs, or waiting for God to show you the sign?
This Brother of Yours
Do you struggle with jealousy? Come talk to a mentor.
“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)
One line stood out to me as I read the story of the lost son. When the angry older brother confronts his father about the party he’s thrown for his younger brother, he uses an interesting phrase. “But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!” (Luke 15:30)
He calls his younger brother, “this son of yours”. Does that sound familiar? We use similar words when we don’t want to be connected to, or take responsibility for, a particular person. If I tell my sister, “Your Dad needs help,” I expect her to do the helping not me. If I say to my husband, “Your son cheated,” I’m suggesting he should take responsibility for the child’s behavior and address the problem.
The older brother in Luke 15 didn’t want to have anything to do with the rebel who returned home. The parable makes his attitude crystal clear. But look at the father’s response. He turns the phrase back on the older brother by calling the lost son “this brother of yours”. In essence he’s saying this lost boy isn’t just my son, he’s also your brother.
Just like the father in the story, God draws us in. He shows us we need to care about the lost, the troubled and the rebellious. God rejoices when a sinner repents of her ways and returns to Him. But that’s not enough. The rebellious one isn’t just God’s child he’s also our brother. We need to join in the celebration.
God, I confess that sometimes I’m not happy about a rebellious person coming back to You. In a twisted way, I think Your mercy lessens the value of the effort I make serving You. Forgive me and help me to rejoice over “this brother of mine”. Amen.
Questions: Why do we need to join in the celebration of a sinner coming back to God? What keeps you from joining the celebration?
Where Are You Looking?
If you find yourself in a storm today, come talk to a mentor.
“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” (Matthew 14: 27)
I was driving home from town. The roads were slippery; it was dusk. In the ditch ahead I noticed a large dark mound. I peered into the semi darkness to see a huge moose that had met its fate along the highway. I wondered about the driver who had hit it.
In those few seconds as I looked and wondered I suddenly found I was turning toward the ditch myself. I quickly corrected and, feeling the ice under my tires knew I had better keep my eyes focused on the road.
I realized again just how quickly an accident can happen when my eyes are taken off the road to adjust the radio, rummage for my cell phone or look at what is passing by.
It reminded me of the saying, “Where you focus, you follow.” Or, “Where you look, you go.” What is capturing your attention these days and occupying your thoughts and line of vision? Make sure it’s where you want to end up. Make sure it’s how you want to spend the currency in your “time bank.”
Can you identify the primary focus of your thoughts these days?
Is it concern and worry for a family member?
Is it your work and a project you are on?
Is it someone you are falling in love with?
Is it someone who has hurt you?
Is it your finances? Or fear of the future?
Are you focused on your health?
When we put Jesus in the center of the main thing that occupies our minds we gain a strength and find a footing that holds us steady and secure no matter what uncertainty faces us. When we leave Him to the side of the picture and focus on the things that swirl around us we often find our footing unsure and our clarity blurred.
I love the story from the Bible of Peter who was in a boat in the middle of the night tossed about by the wind and waves. He looks out and sees Jesus walking on the very waves that are buffeting his boat. He is afraid of the storm and of the form on the water. Jesus calls to him, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Come to me.”
Peter steps out of the boat and moves toward Jesus, amazingly firm footed on the waves! But as he lifts his eyes from Jesus and looks at the turbulent sea fear overtakes him. He begins to sink. Immediately Jesus reaches out and pulls him up asking, “Why did you doubt me?” (Matthew 14:22-36)
Whatever is front and center on the stage of your mind today, invite Jesus into it. Focus your eyes on Him. Take courage. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let doubt tumble you into the waves of stress and worry. Jesus is able to keep you steady and His hand is ready to pull you above the waves even if you falter.
“Where you focus, you follow.” Focus on Jesus today as the center of your circumstances and watch how He will lift you from the waves and give you courage and strength and wisdom.
Lord God,
Many things occupy my thoughts today. I choose to put You in the center of my focus. I take courage in You to help me, strengthen me and give me the wisdom I need today to keep on the road of faith and not end up in the ditch of doubt or swallowed by waves of fear. Thank you for Your power at work in my heart and mind and in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Questions: Where is your focus? How can you turn your eyes back to Jesus?
Knowing Your Ending
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“For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.” (Colossians 1:4-5, NLT)
What kind of reader are you? Are you one who likes to read the ending before you start the book? Or are you a reader that never reads the ending of a story first?
I confess that I’m the kind of reader who never reads the end of the book. I love to be kept in suspense throughout and to have my mind racing all over the place trying to figure out the end. However, I also love to read books over and over, especially the ones that are my true treasures. And I still enjoy them even though I know the end of the story. Reading them is like sitting down with a dear friend that I haven’t seen for a while and getting reacquainted.
In her blog “Educating Alice,” Monica Edinger confesses that she reads the ending first. She shares that when reading a series of books where she has gotten to know and care about the characters that she needs to read the ending. Look at her reasoning, “I knew as I began reading that I needed that worry set at rest so I could get into the book to enjoy the adventure, to find out how they made it safely to the end.”
She also gives another reason why she might read the ending first, “I might find it slow going and rather than immediately quitting, I might check further along to see if something there made it worth continuing.”
Just like a reader who reads the ending of a book first, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, know our ending – we will one day see Jesus face to face!
But why don’t many of us live like we know our ending? Monica says that once she knows the ending she’s able to set her worry at rest and enjoy the adventure. Shouldn’t that be the case for us as believers? Shouldn’t we give our worries and fears to God and enjoy the journey God has set us on? Shouldn’t the hope we have be a light to the world? Shouldn’t our lives radiate our faith?
Look at what Paul says about the Christians in Colossae, “For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.” (Colossians 1:4-5, NLT)
They KNEW their ending and it allowed them to live freely, enjoying the adventure. Was it easy for them? No! But their HOPE was in the future and it kept them from quitting or getting discouraged. Let us live like the Colossians with CONFIDENT HOPE because we too, know our ending!
Question: Can you place full trust in our Lord today and let Him take care of your worries?
Do You Really?
How can we pray for you today?
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:18-20)
Much of the world celebrated and now Easter is past. This week it’s back to the routine. Does Easter make a difference in your life this week? Does the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead impact your ordinary day? Do you believe it can? Do you really?
One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is one Paul prayed for the Ephesians. They must have had some of the same problems we do in putting their everyday faith into action. Paul prayed a prayer that we can echo today as our own.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:18-20)
Do you believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you today? Do you really?
Ask the Lord today to open the eyes of your heart. Ask Him to help you know and understand the hope He has available to you. Begin to believe that His incomparably great power is for your life today.
Easter has come and gone for another year. Yet the significance of it and the power in it is for today for those who believe.
Whatever threatens to bog down your heart this week can be taken to God. Ask Him, with renewed faith, to open the eyes of your heart so that you can know and experience His power in a new and real way. His Holy Spirit can bring wisdom, help, insight, understanding, discernment and even new ideas in areas we are stuck in.
The key is to hand these requests over to God with expectation, believing His resurrection power is available to you. May the eyes of your heart be opened today!
Father God,
I so often live my life without even expecting Your resurrection power to impact my ordinary day. Forgive me for allowing my faith to grow weary and my expectation of You to dim. Today I ask that You would open my eyes to know Your power and to see it at work in my life. Where I have created problems by my own hand, in ___________ or in relationships or finances, I ask You to forgive me and to give me creative thoughts and divine understanding to know what to do next. May my ears and eyes be open to You today. Increase my faith… fill me with Your Holy Spirit… and come with renewed power into my life. I thank you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Question: Where do you need renewed faith?
Rejoice and Be Glad
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“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
Upon awaking, what thoughts rummage through your mind? Before getting out of bed, do you dread the day? Do you awake with a downcast spirit that provokes anxiety? On the other hand, do you arise with a positive, ready to start the day attitude knowing that the Lord is with you?
Typically, the attitude you choose to start with will generally determine the quality of your day. If you decide to harbor a poor, discouraged outlook, chances are you will find neither recourse nor upswing throughout the day. However, if you elect a positive stance at the break of each new morning, more often than not a good day will transpire. In Psalm 118:24 we read, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” How have you been greeting each new day the Lord gives you?
Have you been forfeiting the blessings and good things the Lord desires to bestow upon you in exchange for fretting, dreading, and not trusting in Him who loves you? Do you realize it is impossible for you to embrace and enjoy the present day if you are fussing over what already took place or what might transpire in the days to come?
In Philippians 4:4-7 we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When you begin your day in prayer, with rejoicing and thankfulness, and trust in the Lord with all your heart, this opens opportunities for Him to move and work on your behalf. Inwardly, God’s peace will permeate your heart and mind and outwardly, He begins to work on the circumstances that you have entrusted to Him.
At the break of each new day, I often profess out load, “It’s going to be a good day!” Instantly a quiver runs up my core, something good stirs within my heart as I anticipate and look forward to receiving the blessings the Lord has in store. On days that I begin to worry about the outcome of a far off tomorrow, I realize I am not trusting in Him and my gladness in the present day dissipates. I need to cast that care unto the Lord so His joy and peace may continue to dwell within.
If you are fretting the upcoming day, do not let your heart or mind be troubled, turn to God who knows all. Be steadfast in starting each new day with God, a positive mindset, and gladness adorning your heart.
Father, I know that Your promises are new every morning. Help me to remember that as I’m reaching for the alarm clock. May the joy of your love be the first thing my mind settles on at the break of day. Amen.
Questions: Where is your attitude at today? How can you rejoice in the Lord?
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