Breath Of Life
30 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: blessings in pain, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, deni weber, hopekeepers, invisible illness, one day at a time, rest ministries, thankfulness despite ilness
… the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7 NIV)
Lord, I thank you for today. I thank you for this opportunity to trust you, for that is exactly what this is. It is an opportunity to look to You, to focus on You, to feel closer to You. This morning I pray for my breathing, Lord. It is something I often take for granted.
Today, for some reason, is one of the more difficult days. It seems like an effort to take in another breath. I have to think about my breathing. Until days like today I pretty much take my breathing for granted, Lord. Today, it is a struggle. I realize I take many things about my body for granted: My heart beating, my lungs breathing, my eyes seeing, my fingers touching.
Yet, what miracles they are! What miracles our bodies are, Lord. Formed from dust, yet holding the very breath of God.
I try to live by the motto “one day at a time.” I often fall back on one hour at a time or one minute at a time. Today, I realize is a “one breath at a time” day.
Father God, I am a living being because of your breath of life. I am God breathed. That is such an amazing realization! Let me use today, Lord, to put into practice all the words I write about faith and trust. Let me look to
You and You alone.
I rest in You, today, Lord.
With every breath I take.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deni Weber lives in Valparaiso, Indiana and is challenged by Ankylosing Spondylistis, Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, and other chronic conditions. deni sees God leading her on a “parade of daily adventures” towards knowing His love, mercy, and grace. deni can be contacted at deni@pathwaysforcha nge.com. You can visit her blog “deni’s ramblings” at http://www.pathways forchange. com
Do Not Fear, For God Is With You
29 Jan 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: comfort and strength, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, do not fear, hopekeepers, hospital, invisible illness, margie scott, prayer for healing, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
I have to confess, I have been afraid lately. My health is declining quickly in all directions. Having to see doctor after doctor, and now, I even have to use a wheel chair most of the day.
Then in the night things got worse and off to the hospital in an ambulance! I remember all I wanted was my Bible. I had to have it with me. And God gave me His words of tenderness. “Fear not, for I am with you.” It was at that very moment I knew all would be ok, no matter comes.
“For I am your God.” Peace came to my heart and mind before we ever reached the hospital. And through hours of care and testing I knew He was holding me in His hands. I didn’t have to be afraid any more.
When troubled times come, we do not have to be afraid. God is our redeemer, and our Lord! He will strengthen us, and protect us. Whether it is times like this, or loneliness, maybe mounting medical bills, the changing in our world around us, we have hope!
We have a loving Heavenly Father that takes care of us through it all. Not just for a time, a hour, or a night. But His eyes ever watch over us. He will hold us up. He will strengthen us. If you are in need of comfort and peace, open your heart to Him. He will give you peace and comfort.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank you that in troubled times we don’t have to struggle in our hearts and minds any longer. Help us to turn to You when our emotions begin to get carried away. Thank you Father for Your help in all that we face each day. Thank you for Your word and Your promises! Amen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margie Scott lives in Arizona. She strives daily to trust God’s grace will always provide, as challenges arise due to heart problems, Parkinson’s Disease, and spinal stenosis.
God Gave the Song
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: alice ervin, angry illness, bad moods and illness, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, finding the blessings in illness, frustrated illness, mood swings, purpose in suffering, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalm 100:2 NIV)
As I sit by my patio window and have my quiet time with the Lord, I look out at the bright sunshine glistening on the snow. It is beautiful, but so deceiving. The temperature is in the minus 20′s. For some of you I am sure you would be glad for it to be his “warm.” But, where I live, this is very unusual.
At least I am one of the blessed ones who gets to sit inside and look out. So, I’m not complaining. Well, in a way I guess I am – the extreme cold temperatures really affect my body. The pain is worse, which makes me not sleep as well, which makes the fatigue and pain worse, etc. etc. You know what I’m saying, I’m sure.
I sit here and pray for the Lord to help me not be so critical and grumpy. So what if the wind chill is far below zero? I am inside, warm, and well taken care of. Easy to say, but, this doesn’t take away all the physical problems that are making me so miserable.
All of a sudden, I hear the most beautiful bird song! At the bird feeder, the cardinals, chickadees, sparrows and various other types of birds are enjoying the day, the food, the sunshine – all that God has chosen for them today. They are accepting the life God has given them. Enough so that they even “sing their own type of thanks and praises” to Him.
How can I do less? Matthew 10:31 tells us that “We are of more value than many sparrows.” So if He takes care of them to the point that “He even knows when one falls to the ground,” (Matt. 10:29) isn’t He going to take care of me today, no matter what I am, or might have to go through?
Yes, I hurt, and am so weary of feeling alone and useless all the time. But, even from here in my lounge chair I can “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,” (Isaiah 61:3) and join right in with that little bird and sing, sing, sing praises to the One Who made me to do just that!
“So sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee, How great Thou art, how great Thou art…”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice Ervin lives with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and other health problems. But, she also lives with the knowledge that she has a wonderful Lord and Savior, Who is a constant helper in every situation that comes her way. She says, “I am indeed blessed!”
God’s Workmanship
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bronlynn Spindler, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, hopekeepers, invisible illness, prayer for healing, purpose in suffering, rejoicing in trials and pain, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” ( Ephesians 2:10).
I grew up associating who I was with what I achieved. At the end of a
day, if I could list various things I had accomplished, it was a good
day. Days on which I accomplished nothing or very little seemed like
a wasted day.
As my physical and sometimes mental and emotional limitations have
increased, my “accomplishments” have decreased. At one point I had to
give up everything for awhile – my music ministry at church, my job,
my social times with friends. My three daughters also left home about
the same time, due to either schooling or marriage. I felt my life
was meaningless and purposeless.
This verse denies those thoughts. God created each of us, knowing
what we would become due to our illnesses and pain. The word
workmanship speaks to me of great crafting, care and thoughtfulness,
not something shoddy and imperfect. The second half of that verse is
also a great encouragement. No matter how limited we are in our
abilities, there are things that only we can accomplish for God. No
matter how small our sphere of influence, there is someone we can
touch each day, whether through a prayer, an e-mail, or an actual
encounter. We are all very special and necessary to God and his
kingdom work, regardless of how insignificant or useless we feel on a
given day. That thought is reason enough to start each day,
remembering that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion, until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 1:6).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and
lives in Fredericksburg, VA. She struggles with chronic back pain,
depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. She works part-time for a
pediatric office and participates on her church worship team only by
the grace of God. You can contact her at spindler@cox.net
Comfort From Loss
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, Denny Dowd, faithfulnessof god when ill, hopekeepers, invisible illness, purpose in suffering, trials and chronically ill
Devotional for January 26, 2009
“Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7 NIV)
When I was a sophomore in high school, I was in a horrible car accident. My best friend Anne and I were on our way to play practice, we both had lead roles in “Fiddler on the Roof.” It was a sunny spring day and she was driving. While taking a sharp curve in the road the back tire went off the berm and the car flipped, rolled several times and came to rest in a creek. We were trapped in the car for two hours, Anne died during the first hour. I tell you this story now so that you can understand what I learned during those two hours; that God is with us always and in all ways.
Anne kept a journal and a week before she died her journal entry was this, “I have an ominous feeling, a feeling that I won’t be here to complete my life in the way I think I should. But I trust God completely and whatever His plans are for me and my life, I will accept them.” It was as if Anne knew deep in her heart she wasn’t going to have a long life.
Each loss we experience changes us profoundly. For some it changes us in a positive way, for others it effects us negatively. Anne’s loss affected me deeply and for a very long time I was angry at God. I could not understand why she died and I didn’t.
When cancer and CIDP entered my life, I faltered a bit and slipped back in to old ways and questioning God. But, after accepting what was happening I realized that once again God was using me as His chosen ambassador. If you remember nothing else, remember this: “If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Denny Dowd lives in Pennsylvania with her cat, Shamrock. Denny is a social worker and she enjoys writing, reading, and volunteering. Denny is the world’s biggest Notre Dame Football fan. She lives with CIDP and cancer and has strong faith that God will see her through even the most difficult of days.
Enjoying Today
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, hopekeepers, invisible illness, prayer for healing, purpose in suffering, trials and chronically ill, understanding god
Journal for January 26, 2009
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland,” (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)
I’ve always loved the New Year, and that’s because it’s “new.” A new year, a new day, a fresh start. The rush and crush of the holiday season with all of its pressures and deadlines is behind me. In front of me…a glorious new beginning.
It’s easy for those of us who suffer with chronic illness or pain to forget to enjoy the moments we are given. Our tendency is to look at anything but the present moment. We’d rather look back to when times were better or forward to when things get better, but often we’d rather avoid today. However, we are only given one day at a time.
We need to focus more on what we have than on what we don’t have. The smallest gifts are the biggest gifts. Gifts like the breath that we breathe, eyes to see, ears to hear, a good book to read, friends to call, and a God who loves us are so precious. Focusing on others instead of our own problems helps us to feel better, too. There are others that we can bless in some way no matter how small. If we allow Him to do so, God will transform what appear to be the wastelands of our lives into sanctuaries of beauty for Him.
“Help me, dear Lord, not to waste the treasure of each new day. Help me to remember that the present is a present from You. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come, but right now I have the present. What a perfect gift! Help me to heed the inner music of my soul and to dance with abandon to the rhythm of life You have given me. Help me to be a light in the darkness and a song in the night to those who have lost their way. Enlarge my vision even as You fill my heart to overflowing in praise and adoration to You. Help me to soar on the wings of Your love ever higher and closer to Your heart each and every day. Amen”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolyn Stoenner lives in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. In 2005, she was finally diagnosed with chronic late-stage Lyme disease after over 20 years of struggling and being misdiagnosed with other conditions. The verse she clings to is “O Lord because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings… (Psalm 63:7). Her passions include encouraging others, reading, writing and scrapbooking.
Awake
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Lisa Burgess
Devotional for January 24, 2009
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:77 NIV)
I didn’t sleep well last night. Again. One of the fall-outs from physical pain is the disruption in sleep. In the darkness of night, I shift from my right side then left, searching for a comfortable landing place. I delay looking at the clock, for fear it won’t even be midnight yet.
In those quiet moments, I realize that I worry too much. And trust too little. So instead, I look for blessings in wakefulness. I want to redeem my extra awake-hours that I’ve been entrusted with.
Not encumbered with interruptions that daylight brings, in the silent night I can meditate slowly on scriptures, the very scriptures that I scanned too quickly during the day. I can pray without disruptions, letting my Father know that I choose to love Him, even in pain. I can slip in earphones and listen to an encouraging sermon of hope.
I’ve learned to realize that rest takes different forms. For me, rest may not come wrapped in an 8-hour package of uninterrupted sleep (although that sounds very luxurious).
Rest can be a peaceful awareness that I’ve made it through another day. It can be quiet communion with my Savior, extra opportunities to praise Him and thank Him for His help in the past and His promised help in the future. These are gifts that I don’t always slow down enough to receive in the day.
Being awake at night? Maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all.
Prayer: Dear LORD Jesus, in the calm, still moments of the night, instead of fighting the sleeplessness, let me relax in the spiritual rest that You are giving me—rest that reaches to the deepest parts of my soul.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Burgess lives in Harvest, AL, with her husband, teenage daughter, and another daughter in college. She is a home-schooling teacher that learns more every day than her student. Learning to trust the Lord through chronic back pain is teaching her life’s richest lessons.
Get Rid of the Worry-Clutter!
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bridget Gazlay, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, hopekeepers, invisible illness, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill
‘Devotional for January 23, 2009
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?…For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:27, 32, 34, NIV)
Every time January comes around, I like to reorganize my home and get rid of all the unnecessary clutter. This year, however, my physical clutter isn’t what I’m working on – it’s the worry-clutter hogging all the space in my heart!
With health issues, and financial obligations adding up, it’s hard not to worry about the future. But I am reminded that I am not the one in control, God is. After all, everything I have God gave to me to be a steward over – my time, my home, my finances, my job – all of it. God knows the needs I have even before I experience them; he’s more than able to provide for me.
It seems so simple to “not worry” doesn’t it? Why would God make a point to say this in Scripture? For one, people must have been worriers in Biblical times too and they needed to be reminded of WHO our provider is. And second, worrying occupies our minds so much that we aren’t meditating on God. How can we hear God’s voice if our minds are already occupied by other matter? Don’t miss a “God-sized” opportunity because you’re focusing on things you can’t control.
Prayer: Dear God, it’s so hard to not let our daily needs and struggles overtake our minds. So we leave our worries and fears at your feet. Take these burdens from us and turn them into good. Thank you for providing for our needs and for blessing us beyond them. AMEN.
Thought for the Day “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Helen Keller
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bridget Gazlay resides in the beautiful West Michigan. She struggles with Fibromyalgia, Endometriosis, IBS, and migraines. She works full time but writes and designs fabric cards on the side. Bridget’s prayer is that readers who come across her writing or fabric cards would see that she allows, “God’s creation to be my inspiration.” You can reach Bridget at: fabricards101@verizon.net or http://mysite.verizon.net/fabricards101 .
Clay Pots
28 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bronlynn Spindler, clay pots, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, hopekeepers, illness impact affect on family, master potter, prayer for healing, rejoicing in trials and pain, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill
Devotional for January 21, 2009
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us.” ( II Corinthians 4:7 NIV).
I am fascinated by the making of pottery – the skill involved in working with clay, molding and shaping and baking it to produce either a work of art or a practical container. In Biblical times, clay jars were a necessity of life in which to carry and store things. These jars held precious things like oil and water to sustain life. Something vital, yet fragile as well, for they were easily broken.
The Master Potter has molded each of us. He began before we were even aware of life. He knew as he was turning the clay what our lives would hold – the joyous and the difficult. Our illnesses and pain are no surprise to him. Sometimes my pot cracks and chips and at times I’ve felt that I’ve been dropped from a great height into many pieces. But God lovingly picks up the pieces, adds his life- giving water, and patches me up, each time strengthening the weak spots with his promises and love.
Our imperfect jars of clay are still capable of holding things – the fragrant incense of prayer and praise for the One who sustains us, water poured out to others through prayer and support, and last but not least, a visual work of art created by the Lord of the Universe for himself to enjoy.
I am amazed at what one can do with a clay pot today. It can it hold a plant that brings joy and beauty just by looking at it or be used as part of a craft project. I have a little clay pot angel, and when I look at it, it makes me smile and reminds me of what and whose I am, and of his all-surpassing power and strength that never fail.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. She struggles with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. She works part-time for a pediatric office and participates on her church worship team only by the grace of God. You can contact her at spindler@cox.net
Great is God’s Faithfulness
27 Jan 2009 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily chronic pain illness devotionals, faithfulnessof god when ill, god's promises, Great is God’s Faithfulness, hopekeepers, invisible illness, purpose in suffering, rest ministries, sandra, trials and chronically ill
Devotional for January 20, 2009
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
It is that time of year. Christmas is past, the weather is cold and cloudy, things quiet down. I always look to this time of year as a God given time to rest. To make soup, read, watch the bird feeder out my window, and, as my husband calls it,”nest.” Most of the year I am a very busy Pastor’s wife. It seems from fall on through Christmas is a busy roller coaster ride. I love all of the Advent and Christmas activities, don’t get me wrong, But I love the quiet after Christmas just as much.
But if the weather affects you, and I know that it does for many people, cling to scriptures to lift you up. The scriptures tell us to “pour out our hearts to Him, He is our refuge.” Write down your favorite verses and tape them to your kitchen cabinets, and your bathroom mirror. I take some of my favorite scriptures and make them into prayers in order to make it more personal to my heart.
Here are some of my favorites to get you started:
“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:22-23
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:8,10
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion’s never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Now I encourage you to write down your own favorite verses, and perhaps share them with others. And remember, His great love, His compassion that never fails-it is new every morning!
O Lord, Great is Your faithfulness unto me. Teach me to do Your will. You are my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra is a Pastor’s wife and mother of two wonderful college aged kids, and two very spoiled kitties. She has had Fibromyalgia for 18 years, she also has Sjogren’s Syndrome, Neuropathy, and other painful illnesses as well. She hopes that her writing will encourage others and lift them up, and her hope is in the Lord all day long.
Recent Comments