The House that God Built
Another quiet morning, Father – the best kind. The last few days have not been the norm but I am grateful that You’ve helped me in my determination to come together. Help me to make this day a very productive one and to keep my focus on You and how I can become more like You in all I say and do.
Hebrews 3:3-6 (<<click here)
God built the house
Christ is in charge of the house
We are the house – “if we keep our courage and remain
confident in our hope in Christ.”
One thing our modern mindset has taken from us is the concept that we are beings of purpose and value. By eliminating God entirely from the equation this is where we have landed. Even though it is a lie, many believe that we are all just ‘things” of happenstance just like every other “thing” that has ever existed. But, Lord, we know this is not the case and all who believe otherwise are delusional.
We are who we are because God made us. We are the kind of “house” we are, not by chance but by design. We are not cookie-cutter houses, even though there are billions of us, but are purposely, uniquely created by Him – how wonderfully glorious is that!
And whether we like it or not, Christ is in charge of the house. He doesn’t make us obey – obviously many do not. We do what we want, making our own additions to the house. But miraculously, He can take the messes we have made in our lives and help us clean them up. Many of our “additions” will continue to impact us but Christ can even turn those things around, making them beautiful.
We do have purpose and we are of great value! Lord, help us to accept Your lordship over our houses. Make us new in You.
Feb 26th, Fri, 7:32 am
Middle of a Storm
As I sit here, Father, in the wee hours of the morning I can hear the rain pelting the window and I am grateful for the home that You have so graciously provided. I am safe and warm and dry. I am blessed, too, in that I have a Father who loves and protects me even through the storms of life. Often I am sheltered from the storm – I am safe and secure. But there have been, and I’m sure there will be, times when I am smack dab in the middle of the storm, drenched to the skin, chilled to the bone – but I am not alone. You are with me through it all. You guide me and sustain me – the warmth of Your love fills me.
Lord, at this moment I think of the many storms raging in the lives of those around me. This morning I pray for them. I pray that they will feel Your presence in the midst of the storms. Those getting ready for surgical procedures, those anticipating release from hospital stays, those struggling with aging parents who are dealing with multiplying physical issues, those that continue to deal with the loss of loved ones months afterward, those who are striving to come to grips with decisions of adulthood that are young and inexperienced, those who are dealing with letting go of things near and dear to their hearts but realizing it’s best for all.
So many storms raging, many overwhelmingly so, but You have promised to be with us through it all. Help us all to cling to that promise to find the strength to carry on. Amen.
Slippery Slope
Father, it’s hard to believe that even at this hour that I can still get distracted. I am sorry. I am here. Help me to hear today what You have for me and help me to take it to heart.
Hebrews 2:14-18 (<<click here)
I’ve sat here now for 40 minutes mulling these verses over in my mind. (Make that 50 minutes…) (OK, an hour) I stopped at verse 15, getting stuck on the concept that Your death, Lord, was the only way that we could be set free from our slavery to the fear of dying. I kept thinking that You sacrificed sets us free from sin. So finally I read through three more verses – and it clicked. And when it clicked, Romans 6:23 popped into my head and it became even clearer.
The verse from Romans brought it to focus for me. “For the wages of sin is death…” Because of our own choices (sin) we brought upon ourselves the penalty for those choices – death. And we were “slaves to the fear of dying.” It was a slippery slope with no hope. Once we started to fall there was nothing we could do to stop ourselves – nothing to grab hold of – nothing to even slow ourselves down – death was inevitable!
But You…You had a plan – and nothing would stop You! The penalty for our sin was death and that penalty had to be paid. So You took upon Yourself to pay it – no just mine, or a few or select number but everyone’s penalty – incomprehensible! So when the time was right You did what needed done. Since we are “made of flesh and blood” You “became flesh and blood” for that was the only way You could die and Your death was the only way to “break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.”
The devil didn’t even know what hit him – You were victorious! Your plan was the best plan and because You were victorious we can be! You reached down and snatched us right off of that slippery slope and put our feet on solid ground! We have nothing to fear – death…is…defeated! Praise Your holy name!
Thank You, Lord for letting me struggle. It took me a while but it was worth it. I usually bite off a small portion of Your Word to chew on. I savor it, I mull it over. I want to get everything out that I possibly can of what You have for me but this time I needed just a little bit bigger bite and everything came into place!
Feb 23rd, Tues, 5:21 am
Great Harvest
Good morning, Father! Thank You for a good night’s sleep following a wonderful day. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for all You did in helping me to prepare for yesterday’s message to Your people… It was not an easy road to travel but You were by my side all the way- guiding, directing, inspiring. May the word given weigh upon the hearts of all who heard it, mine included. Help us to avoid those things that lure us away from staying true (standing firm) in You, Lord. (Philippians 4:1) And then help us to embrace those things that draw us to staying true to You. May Your promise in Isaiah 55:10-11 come to fruition in our lives in a mighty way today. In it You state that You “water the earth” causing “the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.” And verse 11 is what I claim today!
“It is the same with my word. I sent it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
May it be so, Lord, bless Your word and may the harvest be great both in us and in the hearts of those who would receive it! Amen!!
Feb 22nd, Mon, 5:23 am
Small Stuff
Father, in talking with a brother-in-Christ last night I was reminded of how much You care about us, even in the small stuff. Often we are prompted to do little things and just as often we brush it off as a random, “where did that come from?” kind of thing. Shortly thereafter something happens and we think, “Why didn’t I do that little thing that popped in my head?” Those aren’t’ random things it’s You!!
We’re driving along and we see gas is at $1.39 and it pops in our head, even though we have half a tank, “I should fill up.” We may brush it off and say, “I’ll do it later.” The next day we’re out again and gas has jumped to $1.59! You tried to help us and we blew it off! Next time I’ll act when prompted!
You love us – You care about us! Even the small stuff. It all adds up! It’s just like pennies they’re not worth a whole lot but pick them up often enough and you have a $1!
And it’s not just about making life easier and realizing that You care about us. On another whole level You are training us to listen to You. Once we become responsive to Your still small voice in regards to the little things, it will open the door to bigger, more important things.
The next time it may not be about gas. It may be prompting to pray for someone and we find out later they were in a difficult situation at the exact time we prayed! Who knows, Lord, what You will use us for!
A while back at the store, You checked me in my attitude towards a regular customer who does not always have the sweetest disposition. When I saw her heading to jewelry, I am ashamed to say, I would literally groan inwardly. You prompted me to love her – to be kind and considerate. So I did. And as we interacted while she looked at some things, out of the blue she opened up a little and shared a little about herself.
She wasn’t from around the area until recently when she had had some physical issues and her family who did live in the area felt it best that she move closer to them. So she did. She sold her home and left everything of familiarity behind and now lives not too far from the store. Fortunately for her, her health improved and she is doing much better but unfortunately just about everything she had cherished – her home, her friends – are now gone or too far away to enjoy. Then she said something that pierced my heart. She said, “I only have a couple of friends here and you’re one of them.”
She barely knows me and honestly I can’t even tell you her name – but, dear Lord, I am her friend.
What if I had not listened to You, Lord? I don’t know what would have happened if I had just brushed away that prompting but I didn’t – and because I was obedient, You were able to touch someone as only You can.
Lord, help me to listen – even in the small stuff. Train me to not hesitate but to immediately respond when I am prompted by You. Amen!
Feb 21st, Sun, 6:18 am