He Came For Me~

Luke 2:11 “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.”

 

Who was Christ born for?  Was it for them, those, others, him, or her?  NO! He was born for you!  I love inserting my name in verses like these, and I invite you to do the same.

 

For today in the city of David there has been born for Yenise a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.

 

Amen and glory.  Jesus came for me!

 

He didn’t have to, but He did because He knew that You and I could not live without Him.  

Merry Christmas,

 

From my family to yours~

 

 

No "Buts"

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Sometimes I forget a very important truth in my life: GOD CARES FOR ME.  When problems arise, when troubles head my way, when the family is in a tizzy…I have to stop and purposely remind myself that God actively watches over me and is concerned with everything that concerns me.

I wish I knew why so much pain is allowed in our lives, but in the absence of answers, I try to put my focus on Him.  Yesterday I saw a friend whom I hadn’t seen in years, and I shared the story of the young woman who found her self thanking God that He delayed answering her prayers for a biological child until after she adopted her little boy.  By her own admission, her faith faulted more than once. 

And that’s when we were both comforted by the realization that there is no “but” to this verse.  He cares for you, but only when your faith is perfect.  He cares for you, but only when your attitude remains good.  He cares for you, but only when you pray a certain amount of times.

God cares for us no matter what, and that right there is reason enough to do a happy dance!

Let’s not use this unfailing love that God has for us as an excuse to not build our faith, to have bad attitudes, and never pray.  But rather, let’s allow His love for us and the power that He has at His disposal to ignite a passion for Him in 2015.  Let’s do what it says in Philippians 4:7, “…Let God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your unconditional love for us.  As we share our concerns with You today – (insert your concerns here) – we look forward to settling down.  We joyfully await all the wonderful things that happen when Jesus becomes our focus instead of worry. In His name, AMEN~ 

Let Him Have It~

Casting part two!

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I am known for tossing things as opposed to gently handing things over.  I have tossed everything from a fork that Jorge asked for while he sat comfortably on the couch to my own nephew during a spirited game of “hot potato”. 

The problem with tossing stuff is that it can miss the intended target.  No, my nephew was not dropped during the game.  But how many times have we thrown a wadded up ball at the garbage can and missed?  However, when we put something directly on or in the target, it has a better probability of staying put.    

Likewise, Jesus asks us to cast our anxiety ON Him so as to assure He has a firm grip on it.  Let’s be honest: Some of us are about to crumble under the pressure and strain of our problems.  Some days, maybe most days, we wonder how we can take even one more step.  The answer is to cast our anxiety on Jesus.  Let Him have it.  Let Him carry it.  Let your problems become His concern.  He can handle anything. 

These are the lyrics to the song we sang at my high school graduation:

There is no problem too big
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
God cannot move it

There is no storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know He will carry you

Before Christ can carry, we must cast – we must release.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We gladly let go of the anxiety we feel and toss it onto You.  We want You to carry it, to figure it out, to resolve the mess, pain, and hurt.  Move the mountains, calm the storms, and soothe our sorrows now. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Don't Reel It In~

Thursday greetings ~

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

This verse validates the human condition: We are prone to anxiety.  We tend to worry, fret, nail-bite, and play host to nervousness, dread, and even panic.

There of plenty of good reasons we feel this way too.  Anyone who has watched the news this week knows what I am talking about.  Coupled with all the personal struggles we face, it’s a minor miracle if we can get a full night’s sleep.  And Jesus, our precious Savior whose birthday we will be celebrating soon, rather than getting angry at us for not having our so-called “act” together, for having less-than-perfect trust that He has us covered, invites us to cast every last bit of our anxiety on Him.  Not at Him, but on Him. 

Let’s break it down!

First we cast.

Cast is a verb, and my husband the avid fisherman knows it well.  To catch a fish, one must put bait on a hook, attach it to a line on a fishing rod, and then throw it out into the water.  Jorge looks good when he casts because he has had practice.  I once casted by throwing out the line as if it were a baseball and hooked Jorge in the shorts.  He was standing behind me, and this was totally his fault.

The key, however, is to not reel in prematurely.  If you want to catch a fish you must leave that line out there.  When we pray, we are casting.  We are giving our worries and troubles to God, and that’s OK because He invites us to let Him have them.  However, after we pray, if we feel that worry creeping back in, then we know we have started to reel in that line and must cast again.  There is no limit to the amount of times we cast, and God knows it.  The way this verse is written indicates that “casting” is an ongoing act.  We don’t just cast once, and then we are done.  Fishermen don’t fish once either.  They continue to fish for the promise of sustenance.  We continue to cast because the sustenance of our souls depends on it. 

Let’s do it!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We cast every last bit of our anxiety on You.  WE DO NOT WANT IT! Sometimes it’s hard to function because we are consumed with worry.  Please take it from us.  You are the Prince of Peace and we want peace in every single area of our life.  Thank You that if we have to, we can cast again later. In Your name, AMEN~

Something to Look Forward To~

Tuesday blessings~

Romans 8:25”But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.”

Yesterday I read a story that really touched my heart.  A young wife and her husband were struggling with infertility, and it was heartbreaking.  After several failed IVF treatments, they decided to adopt.  Finally, they were able to bring home their little adopted son when he was two weeks old!  One week after that she found out she was pregnant.  Her adopted baby and her biological baby were nine months and two weeks apart.  But wait; it gets better.  When her daughter was two months old, she found out she was pregnant again.  She gave birth to another little girl bringing the grand total of babies to three in three years.

And as encouraging as this story is, that is not what touched my the heart the most.  It was what this mommy said when she found out she was pregnant for the first time.  “I never ever thought in a million years that I would thank God for not being able to get pregnant.  I struggled so much, cried so much, was jealous of other pregnant relatives and friends so much, had so many moments of such a complete lack of faith…But when I got pregnant, my first and immediate reaction was to thank God that I had never gotten pregnant before.  Why? Because I would never have pursued, prayed over, and brought my little boy home; and I can not imagine my life without him.”

Oh dear, dear people, so many things do not make sense.  Sometimes we endure seasons of protracted suffering seemingly without any good reason.  But our Lord knows what He is doing.  What are you looking forward to that you do not have yet? Is it a baby? A spouse? A raise? A reconciliation? A healing?  No matter what it is, God has the power to make it happen.  Never give up, and let us ask the Lord today to give us the patience and confidence we need while we wait for His timing.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Grant us patience while we wait on you because patience is better for our souls than the stress of impatience, which makes us irritable and anxious and devours our faith. And also grant us confidence in You because “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with You,”  Luke 1:37.  In Jesus name, AMEN!

Make Room~

TGIF Greetings~

Luke 2:7 “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

This past week New York City was in a tizzy over the visit of the future King and Queen of England.  They are, admittedly, two of the most famous people on earth, and I can only imagine the bragging rights that any establishment they did business with will have from now on.

Duchess Kate reportedly had a pizza party, and it wouldn’t surprise me to eventually see a tag line that reads, “The future Queen of England loves our pepperoni!”

(I understand being starstruck.  I once met Jean-Claude Van Damme in person – over 20 years ago – and let’s just say that I did not keep my composure.)

Nevertheless, it is precisely because of their fame and significance that every single attention to detail was checked, rechecked and then checked again.  I can not envision the royal couple trying to check into their hotel only to be told there is no room for them.

And yet, this is exactly what happened to the King of kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, and Light of the World.  To be fair, maybe the innkeeper had no clue who he was turning away.  And in the grand scheme of things, Jesus was born under the exact conditions that God fore-ordained. 

But…

We all know better and therefore must be diligent in making sure there is always room for Jesus in every area of our life.  I want Him to bless and guide every single aspect of my existence.  There is nothing off limits. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We can scarcely imagine the scene where Mary and Joseph were told there was no room for them.  How could anyone turn You away?  Maybe the innkeeper did not know, but we know Who You are and the overflow and abundance of goodness You bring into our lives.  Therefore, we are making room right now to receive You- today and everyday.  In Your name, AMEN~    

He Does Good Things For Us~

Christmas-is-two-weeks-from-today greetings!

“Prepare for God’s arrival! [clear away the obstacles]; Make the road straight and smooth.” Isaiah 40:3

I am going to a wedding the weekend after Christmas, and I am bringing a gift with me to give to the happy couple.  I received the invitation a couple of months ago, I RSVP’d that Jorge and I would attend, and then I bought a gift.  I think it’s fair to assume this couple is expecting us to attend the ceremony as well as receive a gift from us and from others at their wedding.

Likewise, if God is encouraging us to prepare for His arrival, it’s because He fully intends to come!  And when He comes, is He bringing a gift with Him?  No, He is not bringing a gift.  He is bringing several gifts! 

Here’s a partial list:

Do-overs, forgiveness, goodness, grace, guidance, healing, health, hope, joy, justice, laughter, light, love, mercy, opportunity, peace, protection, provision, redemption, wisdom…

Psalm 103:1 “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”

He does good things for us, and the way “does” is used in this verse means it’s  ongoing.

Every single day that we breathe, amazing blessings can be ours.  But, and yes, there is a “but,” because relationships are a two-way street.  

We must do our part and prepare, and then He arrives.  We prepare by praying, by declaring our total dependence on Him.  By asking for forgiveness of our sins.  Look at that list above one more time.  Can we honestly attain any of those things without Him?

When we let Him know that we need Him, He shows up.  God will always come, without hesitation, to those who are ready for Him.    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We are ready.  We are ready for all the good things You want to do for us.  We open our hearts and our lives to receive You. Forgive us of our sins so that we can make room for all the beauty You are bringing with You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Hindrances and Hurdles~

Tuesday greetings,

My Christmas shopping is in full swing, and I am about done.  I am on a first name basis with my UPS driver, and several times a week our mail carrier has to trek it up to my door and drop off packages.  I also enjoy receiving cards from friends and seeing how their children have grown, as well as sending out my own cards.  Just today we had our office luncheon, and last Saturday I was out until 3AM at another holiday party.  Plus, I am famous within a one-block radius for my annual talent show every December 25^th.  It’s just my siblings and me, and it’s a lot of work but also great fun.  So much activity happening in my life this month, and it’s because I am preparing for Christmas.    

I feel, however, that I am leaving something out…

Wait!!! IT’S JESUS!

“Prepare for God’s arrival! [clear away the obstacles]; 
Make the road straight and smooth.” Isaiah 40:3

The most important thing to do during this time of the year, and always, is to prepare for God’s arrival.  The way the word “prepare” is used in this verse means it’s an ongoing activity.  We don’t just prepare once.  We prepare every single day.  We must constantly clear away whatever is standing in the way of God getting to us.  Sometimes, for me, it’s the busyness of the season that keeps me from spending time with Him.  How ironic!  Christmas exists because Christ was born and in the huffing and puffing of getting stuff done, Jesus is overlooked.  Other times it’s my bad attitude.  Sometimes its even been watching TV.

But that’s why the precious Bible exists.  To gently remind us to get it together and prepare.  To proactively remove, clear away, delete, and purge any and all hindrances and hurdles that block our relationship with God. 

We all have a say in how easy or how hard we want to make it for God to get to us.  And I hope we are all saying “YES!” to making it straight and smooth because in doing that God will get to us in a jiffy.     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, How wonderful that right now as we pray, we are preparing for You in our lives.  Come to us, precious Lord, and bless us and our families.  Grant us wisdom, health, peace, joy, and hope.  In Christ’s name, AMEN!

What Are Your Tools?

TGIF greetings J

Last night as I was getting ready for bed I started thinking about Jael again.  It impresses me to no end that she did not hesitate to pick up that tent peg and hammer and kill the cruel man who was a threat for so many years.  I wondered if I could have done it.  I know a talk a big talk, but batter someone’s head in?  And then as I was thinking about that I heard God whisper to my little heart, “Yenisita, What are your tools?”

“Dear Lord, please clarify.”

“Your tools, Yenisita, what tools do you have to defeat the enemy of your soul?”

Jael had a hammer and a tent peg; we, dear people, have prayer!

2 Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

Prayer has DIVINE POWER to demolish anything that has a stronghold on you, your kid, your business…you name it.

What’s hanging onto you or someone you love right now that refuses to loosen its grip?

Is it rebellion? Loneliness? Drugs? Alcohol? Disease? Abuse? Fear? Depression? Anxiety? This list is endless, but God’s divine power is more so.  And we tap into it when we employ the mighty weapon of prayer!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jael had a hammer and a peg, and look at how she was remembered in song for bringing about a great victory in war. We have prayer! Thank You that prayer has DIVINE POWER to bring victory in our lives and in the lives of those we love by DEMOLISHING our enemy.  In Jesus’ name, Amen~

Write Your Own Praise Song!

Thursday greetings J

Yesterday’s DEVO ended with a verse from the mighty praise song the Israelites sang when the enemy was finally defeated – a verse we joyously prayed over ourselves. 

But there is another noteworthy passage in the song that proclaims, “Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite, most blessed of women is she, favored above all women who dwell in tents! Sisera asked for water, and she gave him milk in a dish fit for lords. And then she took a tent peg in her left hand and a worker’s hammer in her right, and she struck Sisera.  She broke and battered his head; she pierced his temple, and he dropped dead (Judges 5:24-27).” 

Jael was from a culture that placed a high premium on men and their war skills.  Women and their courage and their willingness to fight – well, not so much.  But our Lord is clearly showing us that anyone, women included, can bring victory.  You just have to be willing to get in the fight.  And when you do, a song might be written about it.  Maybe not everyone will know it, but those most important to you will.

In fact, if ever there were a praise song written about me, I would like it to say:

“Yenise, wife of Jorge, the New Jerseyan, most blessed of women is she, favored above all women who live in Westchester.  The enemy came close to her dwelling, and she met him head on.  He tempted her and her family, and she prayed for them not to fall for it.  Then she chose prayer as a way of life for every single obstacle and trouble that headed their way, and she struck that enemy down.  She broke every single plan he had for destruction in the mighty name of Jesus, and victory was hers and her family’s!”

Happy dance time!

Now go write your own praise song!

Our Victory Song~

Tuesday greetings ~

Remember how at the beginning of Deborah's story Barak was hesitant to lead his army of 10,000 unless Deborah went with him?  She agreed because she wasn’t afraid to get in the fight, and this goes to show us all that women can be powerful in their families, jobs, and communities.  There is nothing wrong with that, but in this case God had already clearly said the enemy would fall, yet Barak wanted Deborah to come along anyway.  When God calls us to take the lead—man or woman—and we waffle, there is a price to pay.  In this case, Barak learned that ultimately, the leader of the opposing army, Sisera, would die at the hands of a woman.  Ouch!

And this is where our story picks up.  Sisera had “escaped on foot,” leaving all his troops to die.  He “ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor.”  Sisera was the commander of King Jabin’s army, so Sisera, no doubt, felt confident that if Heber’s family was on friendly terms with the king, he would be safe.

Judges 4:18-20 “Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don't be afraid." So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.”

“Please give me some water," he said. "I'm thirsty." So she gave him some milk from a leather bag and covered him again.” "Stand at the door of the tent," he told her. "If anybody comes and asks you if there is anyone here, say no."

Perhaps Sisera felt doubly safe in the tent of a woman, especially one so courteous and comforting. 

But…

Judges 4:21 “When Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg in her hand. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died.”

After this amazing victory – when Israel’s enemy was justifiably crushed – the people broke out in songs of joy. 

My prayer for us today is the last line of that victory song:

Dear Lord, “May all Your enemies perish, O Eternal One!  But may we who love You be like the sun, rising and going forth with power!”  AMEN!!!

Not a single one was left alive...

Happy Thanksgiving,

I am thankful for each of you, and I am thankful that God loves us.  There’s nothing we can do for Him to love us anymore or any less.  Praise His holy name!

On to Deborah!

Her encouraging words to Barak were to get up and meet the enemy head on because the “Lord has gone on ahead and taken the lead…”

If God has gone on ahead of us, what exactly is He doing?

In this case, when “Barak attacked, the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and warriors into a panic. Sisera leaped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. Then Barak chased the chariots and the enemy army all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera's warriors. Not a single one was left alive.”

God was preparing to create an advantageous panic so the enemy could be defeated.  In our case, we can confidently say that God is prepared to do whatever is necessary for us to have the victory.

But first, Barak had to attack. 

DO NOT FEAR. When we pray, when we seek Him, He causes our enemies to panic. “Not a single one will be left alive.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that not one of my enemies will live to tell about it because You cause them to panic.  Right now I ask You to defeat and destroy anything that stands in the way of peace, health, and joy in my life and in the lives of those I love. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

 

GO! Rise up! Attack!

Tuesday greetings,

Today we continue our adventure with Deborah…

We are at the point where Barak and his 10,000 troops are about to come face to face with Sisera, all his men, and 900 chariots fitted with iron.  In Judges 4:14 Deborah gives Barak one final encouraging push, “GO! Rise up! Attack! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands.  Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?”

I must stop here and do my happy dance!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m back!

The LORD has gone ahead of us all.  He knows what the future holds; He knows what we need. He knows what our children need.  What our spouses need.  What our families and businesses need…

Other verses say, “The LORD has already gone out ahead of you,” “The LORD has taken the lead,” and God is marching before you.”  

I want to be like Deborah.  She knew Sisera had a more powerfully equipped army, but not as powerful as God.  She told Barak to get up and go.  I want to be able to tell people, using exclamation points, to move, get going, do what you have to do.  Don’t be afraid.  God is way ahead of you, and He has you covered.  Face your fears because God has already stared them in the face and won.   

One of the reasons we pray is because God has already seen our future.  He is the only One Who can fill our hearts with the blessings we need to go through life.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, No matter where we go, You are there.  You are in the lead, and we gladly follow.  Your way leads to life, joy, peace, faith, and hope.  Victory is ours because You have gone ahead of us.  You know what we need.  Send those heavenly blessings our way today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Stay the Course~

 TGIF greetings,

 Yesterday we saw that Deborah called upon a man named Barak to organize an army of 10,000 men, and that she herself was not afraid to get into the fight; the plan was for them to meet up at the Kishon River.  But look at what Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go (Judges 4:8).”

Powerful truth of the day: It doesn’t matter what others do or don’t do.  We must stay the course. 

Even if no one else is encouraging you, or if they are putting conditions to their participation, no matter what the excuses and/or obstacles, we must stay focused and in prayer.  Why? Because in verse six it is “The Lord, the God of Israel, (Who) commands you, ‘Go!’” Deborah is not giving orders for orders sake.  As the Judge over the nation at the time, she and God had close communication.  The people knew this as they had recognized her in her God-given position for years.  Barak should have known better, and we should too.  We have the precious Holy Bible as our guide repeatedly encouraging us to “fight the good fight,” “run the course,” “pray without ceasing,” “make our petitions known…”

Nevertheless, Deborah answers, “Certainly I will go with you, but because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”

There is a price to pay for backing down. For Barak it was a loss of honor.  Really a shame, if you think about it, because he did go on to organize an army of 10,000, and that is no small feat. 

But there is also glory to be had when we do as the Lord asks.  There are chains of addiction that are broken, there are negative emotions that are crushed, there are relationships restored, and countless other blessings that come as a result of our staying in the fight!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Do not let us lose focus.  It is easy to make excuses and get distracted from our daily walk with You.  Sometimes we feel alone – as though no one else will join us in our struggles.  It does not matter.  With You on our side, the victory is at hand! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~       

Not Afraid to Fight!

Thursday greetings!

Today I am excited because we get to explore the story of a powerful woman in the Bible.  Examples of brave, determined, female leaders always provide just the right dose of inspiration, and it shows us that we can do whatever we need to do with Jesus helping us. 

In Judges chapter four we learn of Deborah.  She was the judge of the entire nation of Israel.  She was not a judge in the sense of trying cases, but rather, that is what rulers who were in charge over the needs of the people were called, and any Israelite seeking help would go to her.  In chapter four we read that they had been suffering horribly under an evil army commander named Sisera and had cried out to God for help.  The Lord, in turn, guided Deborah as she prepared to act.

Judges 4:7-8 “She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor.  I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”

This is one tough gal! God directed her to call upon a man named Barak to raise an army.  I find it impressive that she was so resolute.  Imagine me giving orders to recruit 10,000 men to go fight.  Actually, I like giving orders, and so maybe I would find it easy to point fingers and bark out commands.  But what’s more incredible is that Sisera was a leader of a vast army himself with “nine hundred chariots fitted with iron,” as part of his arsenal.  And yet Deborah herself was willing to get in the fight.  “I will lead Sisera…and give him into your hands.”  Ever had someone tell you, “Do as I say and not as I do?” Deborah is the complete opposite of that.  She put her money were her mouth is, and her actions provide the powerful truth of the day:   

GODLY WOMEN ARE COURAGEOUS AND NOT AFRAID TO GET IN THE FIGHT!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for reminding us—especially us women—that we have the ability and responsibility to get in the fight for those enemies that come against us and our families.  Show us what we need to do to safeguard our families.  Keep us alert to anything or anyone who would try to do them harm.  Our first line of defense is to pray.  So we pray right now for Your blessings, guidance, wisdom, and protection over ourselves and those we love.  In Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN~  

Confronting Matters Head On~

Tuesday greetings, dearest brothers and sisters, may our Lord mightily bless us today according to His unparalleled generosity!

Judges 4:21 “But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to Sisera while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.”

  

Friday’s prayer was a blessing to us all, but one particular part raised a bunch of eyebrows: “If necessary, You will help me hammer a tent peg in the temple of my enemy.” That line is straight out of the Bible; “She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.”

Sisera was a cruel army commander who had been oppressing the Israelites, and he had it coming.  Nevertheless, I am not suggesting physical violence, but there is a broader application here.  When we are praying about a matter, let us be relentless in our petitioning, supplication, intercession, crying out, pleas, beseeching, entreaties, and requests until the matter is settled.  Sometimes, to see a prayer through, requires bravery, strength, guts, determination, and the willingness to confront matters head-on (no pun intended).

And each part of this story is a mighty blessing to me because women were at the helm.  We will explore this in the next few DEVOs, but for today, let us rejoice.  We can pray about any struggles we have until they die.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I praise Your mighty name.  Help me to deliver a death blow to this particular problem ________________.  Help me put a tent peg straight through its temple so that it never rears its ugly head ever again against me or those I love.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

God's Phone Number~

TGIF greetings~

When I was a little whippersnapper living in Georgia, a white school bus with green lettering that said, “Forest Hills Baptist Church” picked me up every weekend to take me to Sunday School.  Those were carefree, joyous times, and I fondly recall all the songs we would sing on the way to church.  (Click here for a YouTube link of my all-time favorite childhood song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69-d5N01Wrg&index=15&list=PL287271DF290056DC )

I treasure all those years being picked up by that little bus not only because of the memories of so many sweet songs, but also because of the important lessons I learned about God.  One lesson in particular is still with me nearly 40 years later. It is called “God’s telephone number.”

“Children, God has a telephone number and you can call Him right up.  His line is never ever busy, and His answers will bless you from the tops of your precious little heads to the bottoms of your little precious feet.”

Those words made such an impression on me. 

“His number is Jeremiah 33:3. And you can use it anytime anywhere. But you don’t have to even dial.  Just call on Him out loud!”

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.”

That verse was appealing to me back then and continues to be because I like knowing stuff.  I am not nosy, as some in my circles might say.  But rather, I am curious and I like knowing why.  It is awesome to think that the Maker of heaven and earth is willing to share marvelous and wondrous info that we would otherwise never be able to figure out.

This verse doesn’t say He will tell us everything, but He will speak into our lives and into our messes and into our problems and bless us in the process.

For example, look at this encouraging note I wrote to myself a while back.  I needed some powerful reminders of Whose I am.  So I called out, and this is what He showed me.  It is a prayer for all of us to share today.

Thank You, Lord, that I am your beloved child, and You are my Dad.  Nothing and no one can stop, hinder, or alter Your plan for my life.  I have purpose, and I have promise.  I am important, and I am loved.  I am more than a conqueror through Christ, and I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.  I am beautiful – inside and out – and no weapon formed against me will prosper.  I am shrouded in peace and joy, and no harm can come near my dwelling.  If necessary, You will help me hammer a tent peg in the temple of my enemy (See Judges 4:21), and You have given me the authority to command any mountain in my life to go jump in the lake.  Because You are for me, nothing can come against me.  You are also above me, beneath me, beside me, and around me.  I am completely and totally covered by Your goodness, and I am happy! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Not Even The Powers of Hell~

Romans 8:38 "Nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."

Recently, my father-in-law, Chini (pronounced CHEE-NEE), picked up my precious four-year-old nephew from pre-school.  The teacher explained to Chini that she had given my little nephew a note to give to his mother.  Apparently, the little guy and she had a minor disagreement, and it was important for the parents to know.

However, when Chini and he arrived home later that morning, my father-in-law saw him take the note, waddle it up, and throw it away in the garbage.  I thought it was so funny but of course, the note was retrieved and it was very patiently and kindly explained to Mr. Danny that actions have consequences.  This is innocence at its finest.  All one has to do to avoid consequences is throw away the evidence.

If only it were that simple.  But why do you suppose Danny threw it out in the first place?  The same reason Rayray hid a speeding ticket from me once.

In her case, she was so overwrought with agony that she did something foolish.  (This was eight years ago, so I am allowed to share.)  She had been staying the night at a friend’s house, and they were on their way back from who knows where, and she was pulled over and given the citation.  By the time they got back to her friend’s house, Rayray was near hysteria, and her friend’s mom, in an effort to calm Miss Rayray down, offered to pay the ticket.  Case closed!

Except that a few days later I started receiving a bunch of advertisement for ticket lawyers and traffic clinics, and my spidey sense started tingling.  I flat out asked her about it and she confessed THE WHOLE UGLY TRUTH.

I called the other mom and kept my composure as I politely explained that it was a big NO-NO to rescue other people’s children without authorization.  I also sent her a check to cover the cost of the ticket.

However, you know what upset me more than anything else? It was not that Rayray got the ticket.  It was not that she made a poor choice in allowing the other mom to help her out.  It was in thinking I would be so catastrophically upset that she had no other choice but to freak out.  Jesus, have mercy! I have been such a calm and easy going mother.  I asked her when in the history of our mother/daughter relationship had I ever lost my cool, threatened to kill her, or otherwise gotten so royally upset that it caused her to be afraid?  The response was a quiet little "never."

That’s right, people, never.  And yet, my little Rayray, just like my little nephew, tried to hide the evidence for fear of what those in charge might do.  What a difference it would have made if Rayray had come to me, crawled into my lap, and talked it over while I stroked her curly hair.  So much additional drama could have been avoided.

Have you ever been there and felt that way?  Have you ever avoided talking to God, perhaps, for fear that He would be angry or upset with you?  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God is not mad at any of us.  Maybe a little frustrated because He has so much good to offer that we constantly bypass on, but mad? Disappointed? Angry? Nope.  On the contrary.  God is madly in love with us and eager to give us the guidance, forgiveness, peace, joy, and protection we all need.  If there is something holding us back in our relationship with Him, it’s not on His end.  He’s all in all the time waiting for us to give Him a shout out.  Always keep the verse above close to your heart.  Nothing you have ever done or will do, not even the powers of hell, can stop God from loving you. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that nothing can stop Your love for us. Help us to get this into our souls.  We never want to run from You when we need You so much.  This verse assures us that running to You is always the right response.  You will love us through it all.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Saddle Up Your Horses~

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. Proverbs 21:31

Tuesday greetings, brothers and sisters J

We were made to contribute.  We were created to put forth our efforts. Even before all the problems came into the world, God had Adam hard at work naming all the animals He created.  God could have just as easily done this Himself, but He decided that our lives would be more meaningful if we had something to do.  This makes sense to me.  I can not imagine lying around all day and doing nothing because I enjoy feeling productive – like what I have done has made a difference.

And yet I have met all sorts of folks who are all about placing too much responsibility on God and not nearly enough on themselves.    

“I don’t wear a seat belt because God will protect me.”

“I don’t need health insurance because God is my doctor.”

“I know God has a soul mate for me, and He will send the right one my way.”

God does heal, protect, and provide, but we learned way back in the very beginning of the Bible that Adam named the animals: A human contribution must also take place.  Noah built the ark, Moses lifted the staff to part the Red Sea, David yanked back on that slingshot and let the stones fly straight into Goliath’s forehead, Hannah had to make love to her husband to get pregnant with the child God promised, and Christ Himself became human to save our souls.

Even so, after all the preparing, planning, battles, and prayer, the victory is God’s domain.  This is why Proverbs 21:31 is the theme verse for www.speedypalomino.com.   It is a constant reminder that I have a job to do and so does God.  I am responsible for saddling up my horse, and He is responsible for bringing the win.

Amazing things happen when we partner our measly selves to God.  Giants tumble and children of promise are born.   Obstacles that block our path move out of the way and entire families are saved!

What victory does God have for us today?  Better yet, what do we need to be preparing, planning, and praying over so God can bring the victory?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We want to be ready, and the first step in any good battle plan is to pray.  Give us the wisdom to saddle up our “horses” to be effective in battle.  And thank You that victory is in Your hands!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Horses Go Lame and Chariots Rust~

Psalm 20:6-7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”

This verse is a no-brainer for me.  I have never trusted horses.  They are fickle, they stop when they feel like it, and they even buckle wildly and throw the rider off for no reason.  Plus, I have heard one too many stories of people getting their fingers bitten – almost completely off.  One time Jorge was riding a horse down a cobblestone street that was rather steep, and the horse slipped and went all the way down doing a split with both its front and back legs.  It was highly comical, except at the bottom of the hill the horse took off for the ocean to cool down the raging road rash it got on its horsey parts.  Jorge could not control the huge beast and was being whipped back and forth like a rag doll.  And it's not like I could take off and help because I was on a blind donkey being led by a stable boy named Paco. Thank God that as soon as the horse hit the water, it calmed down. But still, it was crazy scary. 

Before any horse lovers get mad at me I want to clarify that I am aware that the preceding paragraph is a poor refection on me.  I know that with the proper training I could have a fabulous time frolicking with a horse.  The bigger point is the one these verses make.  Ultimately, our trust is in God.  It’s not in anything we own, it’s not in our training, it’s not in our equipment, it’s not in our arsenal, it’s in God.  Yes, we prepare, we practice, we strategize.  We plan, we diagram, and we implement.  BUT, let us never think for one second that any joy, peace, provision, love, protection, or hope comes from anything we can do for ourselves; victory comes from the Lord!

Even horses go lame and chariots rust, but God? He makes sure we “rise up and stand firm!”

The best place to start in demonstrating our trust in God is through prayer.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We ask for blessings over our “horses and chariots,” but we trust You for victory! Help us rise up and stand firm. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Making An All-out Effort!

Greetings in the name of our Awesome and prayer-answering God!

I want to back pedal today to the DEVO from last Friday.

Mark 11:22 “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake' - no shuffling or shilly-shallying - and it's as good as done.”

I love telling people about when Jorge first met Rachel’s husband.  It was a little awkward to do more than shake hands.  But guess what? Jorge wanted Emilio to know that he was fond of him.  That he fully expected him to become another son.  The greetings steadily progressed from a handshake to a handshake and a hug, and now – watch out! – it’s a love fest.  It’s a handshake, a hug, and I-kiss-him-and-he-kisses-me-back display of affection -- when he arrives AND when he leaves.  And during the visits, I make fun of them because they sit kind of close on the couch.

Truth is, we the Cuban people are known for our affectionate greetings, but occasionally I encounter those who take a short cut.  Rather than make lip-to-cheek contact, they will smash their cheek into mine and not follow through with the actual smooch.  It feels so incomplete, and more than once I have called the offender out and made them re-do the salutation. 

I want to be wholeheartedly welcomed and loved, and so does God.  That’s what embracing the God-life is all about: Making an all-out effort!  When we really embrace Him we show it.  We spend time with Him, even when there’s no immediate crisis, and we tell Him we love Him and need Him. 

Think about how you would feel if those who say they love you never called, never visited, or worse, never gave you a complete and thorough full-contact kiss?  It wouldn’t take you long to start questioning the degree of their devotion. 

Let’s not forget the advantages of embracing God either.  We will always get so much more in return than what we give.  For one, we will be confident in our faith and live lives of peace and joy.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us move past any reservations we have about fully embracing You.  You are worth getting to know, and we love You.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~