A New Heart for A New Year
31 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Believing God, Beth Moore, Bronlynn Spindler, Ezekiel, God, Pain and suffering, Thyroid cancer, www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).
I like new things. Not that I don’t appreciate the old, but new things do bring me earthly satisfaction. And God knows I am in need of a new heart. My sinful, hardened heart–which controls my thoughts, emotions, and actions – does not handle pain and suffering well.
In Beth Moore’s study on Believing God, she says that with our new hearts we have new thinking, new reflections, new memory, new resolutions and determinations of will, and new emotions and passions. These words bring me such joy and hope!
I need new, positive ways of viewing my situations rather than negative, discouraging ones. I want to look back on my healthier days with thankfulness rather than grief, seeing God’s hand through it all and trusting Him for what I still don’t understand. I can refocus difficult memories through the lens of God’s attributes. God also cleanses me from the idols I have made of perfect health and a pain-free existence. When I am tempted to respond to my problems in the old way, I can remember that my new heart enables me to make different choices.
Of course my old earthly nature is still with me and I still carry remnants of my heart of stone. I will not always handle my circumstances, thoughts, or emotions in new ways. Praise God He understands and forgives. Just as bodily muscles need to be stretched and exercised to grow, so each trial that lies ahead is an opportunity to build up the muscles of my new heart, growing me in faith and perseverance. I am a new creation, and by God’s mercy and grace I can respond in new ways through this new year.
Prayer: O God, thank you for giving me a new heart. Strengthen this heart that I may be consistently faithful to You through all my days.
About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in VA and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What aspects of a new heart that Beth Moore mentioned do you need the most in this new year?
When Life Gets Tied Up in Knots
30 Dec 2011 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Atrial Fibrillation, chronic, Crochet, Crochet hook, God, Lord, Yarn
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
One of my favorite pastimes is crocheting. It is satisfying to watch as the yarn twists and turns and a marvelous creation unfolds. I enjoy the smoothness of the crochet hook, the feeling of the yarn slipping gently through my fingers, and the rhythm that occurs as the pattern is mastered.
Yet every so often the yarn doesn’t unwind the way it should and an ugly snarl pops out of the skein of yard. It is so frustrating to have to stop and work through the tangle before I can get back to the work I love. Sometimes someone offers to help me. It just doesn’t work if more than one person is trying to untangle the threads. Things get worse.
I’m realizing what a perfect analogy that is for my family right now. While things are always more difficult than I’d like them to be, we have achieved some sort of rhythm. A pattern of doctor visits, and a new “normal” day-time routine has developed. Then suddenly–one of those ugly snarls. This time, it’s dealing with an unexpected emergency in my husband’s already frail health.
His chemotherapy isn’t doing what it should. He is getting sicker instead of better. Tonight he lies in a hospital bed awaiting further testing. Our lives are now on hold. Another frustrating tangle faces us.
As I sit and sift through the happenings of the past twenty-four hours, the similarity hits home. Yet, this time, I know I am not the one that will gently untangle the days events and bring things back into rhythm again.
This time it is God’s hand that will do the needed work.
My worries and feeble attempts to help add nothing to what is happening. I realize that handing the whole tangle over to him is the only way to get back into whatever new pattern develops.
Somehow I know, that at the end of it all, a marvelous creation will occur.
And this one will have God’s hand print on it. Not mine.
Prayer: Father God, Thank you that in the tangles of our lives we can find you gently and patiently putting each strand in the proper place and making a creation that is exceedingly, abundantly more than we can think or ask. Amen and amen, Lord.
About the author:
Deni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her lessons might be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at EncouragingWords@me.com. Her webpage is http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When your life gets tangled up, how do you turn it over to God? Can you explain to us what you do or pray, to help those of us who are wondering exactly ,how to do this?
Reflections on the New Year
29 Dec 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Child-of the KING, Christ, God, Jesus, Lord, New Year, pain, Second Epistle to the Corinthians
“Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
New Years tends to make us step back and reflect our lives.
I paused in front of the mirror and stared at a reflection looking back at me. I could hardly recognize that girl in the mirror. She was so different now, than she was just a few short years ago. Illness and depression had left their marks on her. Time was slowly draining her youth. Stress and pain had caused lines, sags, blemish, and distress to her skin. A New Year means slipping time.
It was so apparent that my outer body was wasting away. With this realization, how can one help but to lose heart.
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:16 that to age in this earthly body is to draw closer to the Spiritual body we will soon have in heaven for all of eternity.
This human body we live in now is so frail and weak. Yes, we can make resolutions to exercise and diet trying to make our life healthier and longer, However we are all in the process of dying; that is a part of the cycle of life. We live under so much pressure, perplexity, persecution, and pain in this world. This is a cruel, dark world in the face of suffering.
But, despite all of this, there is a way to know that Christ is alive and working through us. This is called hope.
We cannot expect a world without pain and sorrow. Even our Lord suffered tremendously while He was here on earth in the human flesh, but the scriptures remind us that this life is but a moment compared to the eternity God has waiting for us. Earthly life is just a flicker. Just a fraction of reflection compared to Grace.
Through the suffering we should focus our eyes and gaze at the image of Christ in the invisible, eternal world to come, so that we can reflect the image of God to the world. This material and temporary world is so painful, dear loved one. We need to grasp to the “hope” of a Savior who loves and cares for us. A Father who will hold us and carry us through the trials.
This hope gives us the confidence to face life’s threats and problems. My prayer today is that you will grasp to hope and will see the inner reflection today of a “Child-of the KING” and draw strength from the image of Christ. You are so precious and so loved!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us to “carry-on” in this coming New Year. Help us to grasp the reins of hope. When we look at the reflections of our lives, helps us to see what awaits us in eternity, not what has passed. Thank you Lord for your strength and wisdom in all things! Amen.
About the author:
Debbi Farmer, mom, wife, writer, business owner, Child of the King, suffers from several illnesses including Fibromyalgia, and knows how easy it is to lose heart in the mist of the pain. She Hopes this is the year that everyone reading this devotional will find Hope and Happiness!
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What do you reflect on in a New Year? Do you see beyond this life? How do you focus yourself to resolve to live a New Year with HOPE?
We Go From Strength To Strength
28 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2
“They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” (Psalms 84:7)
It cannot be emphasized enough that God is our strength. When I look back over my life, and the lives of those around me, it is not hard to see just how much the Lord has intervened in one way or another. So many times God’s strength came to bear on a difficult situation that left me or others helpless to face it alone. God’s strength carried us all.
I have been so weak and helpless at times that I have been wholly dependent upon others in my life. That is not a comfortable situation to be in. And yet, in truth, even the times when I thought I was strong, when looking back I can see that the Lord made a path for me that was protected and directed so that I did not stumble.
The Lord is our strength. Once we get a revelation of that, all our weaknesses are nothing compared to His all sufficient power. At times we stumble around in the dark, we lose our way, we act out of fear rather than courage, we fail miserably. Yet God looks beyond our failures, He sees past our weaknesses looking into hearts that can be shaped and molded by His love, grace, and power to make us more than we are, better than we could ever be on our own.
He takes our weakness upon Himself and gives us strength from Himself so that even though we may be frail at times in body, we have a strong spirit to carry us beyond our weaknesses.
It is not a sin to be weak, it is only sad to be weak alone when the Lord wants to strengthen and empower you to live above your physical and mental limitations, above the weaknesses and disabilities that would drag down your soul and spirit. It was never meant for you to bear your burdens and weaknesses alone, you were tailor made for a God of strength to meet your needs, to overcome your feeble soul and body with the power of His love.
I don’t know about you, but I want the Lord’s strength in my life, because my own strength is insufficient; I need power from above to help me here below, and I suspect you feel the same way. Trade in your weakness for His strength, count on Him to be your strength, call upon Him in your weakness and find His power. For ours is a powerful, awesome God.
Prayer: Dear Lord, though we are weak You are strong. Accept us in our weakness, and give us power to live for You. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. His testimony is that God has given Him strength in his weakness.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
In times of weakness have you ever felt the Lord strengthen you? Have you tried calling upon the Lord for strength when you are weak?
Therapy for a Spine and a Heart: Spiritual Lessons found in Physical Pain
27 Dec 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
Some mornings, my husband turns my heating pad on before he starts his day, so that as I continue to sleep, the moist heat will start to soak into my spine which has stiffened through the night. If I don’t take the time to thaw my spine every morning, to use some heat, a hot shower and gentle stretching, my spine will be less flexible and more painful all day.
The joints in my spine may someday fuse into one solid bone; that is the proverbial mission of Ankylosing Spondylitis, the form of inflammatory arthritis I have that attacks the spine and other joints.
As unpleasant as fusion sounds, surely there are worse things.
What if my heart gets stiff? What if it becomes inflexible, cold, seized up? What if I don’t take the time to thaw out my heart? What if bitterness or resentment inflame?
To allow His warmth to press into my heart, I must shower it with awareness, service, compassion and thanksgiving. I must learn to see with His eyes and serve with His hands and continually count the ways He loves and cares for me.
If I don’t thaw out my heart, it may eventually fuse cold, hard, unyielding.
I must take care to ensure that doesn’t happen.
I must train it, like I train my spine to stand tall and to gently bend in physical therapy. I do home exercises, standing tall and making my spine make contact with the wall. This is painful.
I must also do my heart exercises. I must exercise it to care, to serve, and always to show compassion; to keep it in contact with His heart.
If I work daily with my spine, it may not fuse. If I work daily with my heart, it surely can’t.
Prayer: Lord, I know that the condition of my heart is more important than the condition of my body. Please continue to shape my heart to better reflect Yours. Amen.
About the Author:
Jennifer LeBlanc lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 9 years and their two young daughters. She has been living with chronic pain since 2005, and was diagnosed in 2010 with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks the spine & joints. In the midst of this “chronic” life, she also chooses to live with chronic gratitude. You can read more of her story at her blog, Live Art.fully: http://livelifeartfully.blogspot.com
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What “exercises” do you do to keep your relationship solid with the Lord?
Jesus Has Always Been Accessible to Us
25 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: God, Jesus, Lord, Christmas, Mary, San Diego, Angel of the Lord, Joseph
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. . . . So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” (Luke 14:8,9,16)
Merry Christmas! The King is born!
Out of all of the people on earth God could have sent His angels to, to announce the birth of His son, He sent them to the shepherds. I was recently reading a children’s version of the Christmas story and it described the shepherds having one of the lowest forms of employment. In the class system, the shepherds were pretty close to the bottom in the level of respect they received for their work.
It also described them as not the cleanest people. We forget that luxuries like a shower after a day working out in the fields was not commonplace. Let’s be honest–these men likely smelled a lot like the sheep they were tending! They were covered in dust and grime, and they probably didn’t have clean laundry very often.
Yet, these were the men who God sent His angels to announce the King! And imagine for a moment if there had been room in one of the many inns for Mary and Joseph. Do you think the shepherds would have been warmly greeted and escorted into the room where Mary held her warm baby in fancy linens? Not likely. They would have been turned away by the owners of the inns or the doormen. The higher class of people may have even questions the intent and motivation of these shepherds visiting a baby boy.
But God placed His son in a manger, surrounded by animals and weather. Whether He was born in a barn, an out building, a cave, stable, sukkah, or an awning off the back of the inn isn’t really important. What is vital for us to remember is that Jesus, God’s Son, was fully accessible to the lowliest of people from the time He entered the world. No one was told, “You cannot see the baby. You are not good enough. You need to bath first and change clothes. Then you can make an appointment.”
As we celebrate the birth of this child, God’s son, remember that Christmas is a time to go before Him. It doesn’t matter if your life is a bit smelly like the shepherds, it doesn’t matter if you have a job or not, if the world sees you as successful or not. None of it matters. All that matters is that God sent His Son for you. There is nothing in your life, or in you, that makes Jesus not available to you. He is fully here–for you. He is just waiting for you to accept His gift.
Prayer: God, thank You for sending Your Son as a gift to me. Thank You for making Him completely available to me, no matter what I have or have not done. Help me accept Your gift fully and feel the peace that will pass all of my understanding through Your gift.
May you have a blessed Merry Christmas.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is an author, speaker, and the founder of Rest Ministries which serves the chronically ill. She lives in San Diego with her husband and 8-year-old son. She is currently writing a book for Christian moms who live with chronic illness. If you are interested in sharing your stories, feedback and confessions for the book, visit her Facebook page at http://MomWithIllness.com .
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How does it make you feel when you see how God worked out “the last shall be first” even from the beginning of His Son’s birth?
Adoration to My Holy God
24 Dec 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christianity, Father God, God, grace, HolySpirit, Jesus, Psalms, Religion and Spirituality
“Lift high God, our God; worship at His holy mountain. Holy. Yes, holy is God our God.” (Psalm 99:9, The Message)
Adoration to My Holy God
By Rhonda Sawtelle
To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
God, the most holy. I meditate on Your majesty.
God, the most holy. I am in awe–Almighty, Absolute Being.
God, the most holy. I glorify Your greatness.
To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
God, the most holy. I can’t begin to fathom Your faithfulness.
God, the most holy. I marvel at Your mercy. God, the most holy.
I can’t imagine Your immutability.
To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
God, the most holy. I treasure Your trustworthiness.
God, the most holy.
I give voice to Your goodness. God, the most holy.
I’m wowed by Your wisdom.
To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
God, the most holy. I am secure in Your sovereignty.
God, the most holy. I am sheltered in Your Self-existence.
God, the most holy. I am galvanized (inspired) by your Grace.
God, the most holy. I am invigorated by Your infinitude.
To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
God, the most holy. I am overcome by Your omniscience.
God, the most holy. I am humbled by Your holiness.To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
__________________________
Each of us need to remember who God is. He is greater than we can even comprehend. And yet, the Holy God loves me (and you) so much. He has no reason to love us—He simply does. However, He is also holy. He loves us, but abhors sin. If I want to create a positive day, then I need to remember Who God is and live my life acting on that knowledge. God, the most holy. To God be the glory, and honor due Your holy Name.
About the Author:
Rhonda Sawtelle lives with chronic headaches and pain due to failed back surgery syndrome. Her philosophy is “Create a positive day!” She enjoys watching football, digital scrapbooking, and reading. To read more about how Rhonda creates a positive day, even while living with pain, visit her blog: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus tomorrow, may you be filled with the comfort and joy that is available to you through the love of Jesus and His availability to each of us, right where you are.
Twas’ The Night Jesus Was Born
23 Dec 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bible, Book of Life, Christianity, Christmas, Evangelism, Jesus, Late Show with David Letterman, Religion & Spirituality
Author Unknown
Twas’ the night Jesus came
and all through the house,
Not a person was praying,
not one in the house.
The Bible was left on the shelf without care,
for no one thought Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.
And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap,
was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what’s the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
The light of His face made me cover my head,
it was Jesus returning just like He’d said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life that in which he held in his hand,
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
when He said “it is not here”
I hung my head in shame. The people who’s names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
while all the others were left standing around.
I fell to my knees but it was too late,
I waited to long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I’d know that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear
the coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call,
We’ll find out that the Bible was true after all……..
– Author Unknown
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
As We Journey Toward Bethlehem
22 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2
. . . 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)
Bethlehem. This word when used in reference to the city in Palestine, a short distance from Jerusalem, has deep meaning to Christians as the celebration of Christ’s birth marks our calendars. His birth is cause for joy no matter the season but Christmas time brings it forth with more intentionality.
There can be many festivities commemorating this event: gift-giving, card-sending, and love abounding as family and friends gather. The sounds of music may fill homes bringing the messages of this season to our hearts. Birth. Wonder. Hope. Fulfillment. One song that settles deeply within me is “Breath of Heaven/Mary’s Song”.*
The lyrics convey Mary’s thoughts on her journey toward Bethlehem as she struggles with the weight of the imminent birth of the Child she is carrying. Heavy too is the responsibility she foresees in raising him. As she surrenders to God’s plan, she recognizes that the grace she needs for each of the days to come has also been entrusted to her.
The same weights which overcame Mary can be echoed in the lives of any of us who are living with a chronic condition or working through the trauma of a life event. “Can I bear this burden for one more day? Can I see a gift in this pain entrusted to me? Can I overcome the fears that loom up large engulfing me?”
“Breath of Heaven, hold me together. Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven.”
God’s breath of life created us. We carry the breath of heaven within us. His life sustains us. We do not journey alone.
As we ponder Christ’s birth, we can commit to a renewal in letting him rebirth us. We are as dependent upon him as he once was dependent upon Mary. Likewise, we share in the grace-filled promise that He is forever near.
Prayer: Lord, I exhale my heavy burdens to make room for you and for your help within me this day. Fill me up to overflowing with both the strength and the lightness of your presence. Amen.
*Songwriter/Composer(s): Chris Eaton/Amy Grant
About the Author:
Lynn Severance lives in Lynnwood, Washington and is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 28 years of daily physical challenges.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How might God breathe grace into your life so that you know it is a gift from him ? How do you open yourself to him? “Breath of Heaven, hold me together. Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven.” How will you rest, meditating on this prayer?
Not Allowing Our Problems Defeat the Joy
21 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
As we approach Christmas, it brings mixed feelings.
I used to really love Christmas–all the special music and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas–often in ways that would reach out to others who didn’t know the reason we had to celebrate. It was a time spent with family and often when I made an effort to connect with friends I may have not seen, or been in touch with all year.
Now it’s more likely that Christmas just seems to be a stress and something I’m not sure I want to be part of. Memories of what has changed are often painful. Family is sometimes like being with strangers who have no idea what life is like for me, or it highlights I know little about their lives either. Finding the right gift can be hard and what do you give to those who “have everything” anyway?
My health seems to have been the focus of much of my year this year and the knowledge that I’ll be in hospital again before Christmas, just complicates things more and I have no idea how I will feel at Christmas.
I don’t know how you think about Christmas–what joys, or stresses it may bring for you. Maybe painful memories, or reminders of the loss of loved ones. Maybe for some of us, it just highlights even more, how our physical limitations are shaping our lives and what we are able to do.
I’ve found myself wondering recently if I let those thoughts detract from what I should be celebrating? Am I letting the problems in my life, rob me of the joy that I should feel at this special time?
Christmas may have added problems for me this year. I will be reminded of losses in my life, but this verse from Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that Immanuel means, God with us. That’s something that gives us an overriding joy to celebrate, not just at Christmas, but every day.
Prayer: Father, thank You that You understand how we feel at this time of year. Help us to celebrate with joy, no matter what else is going on in our lives. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He is teaching her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What are you feeling as you approach Christmas? Will you let your circumstances rob you of the joy of Christmas?
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