The Only Logical Response~

Greetings~

This past Christmas I received a hand-written card from one of my mom’s friends from the 1960s.  She is a kind and sweet soul who has kept in touch with me all these years out of love for my mom who was a great friend to her when she really needed it.

She is always so loving and gracious in her words, and I can tell she really values and appreciates our relationship.

The only logical response would be to write back and express thanks, otherwise it would rude. 

This applies to prayer as well.

God’s mighty Word is there to constantly remind us that we are loved, protected, provided for, have an eternal home waiting, have access to amazing things like peace that flows like a river, joy unspeakable, and hope everlasting.  And the way we say thank You – the way we demonstrate our appreciation – the way we plug into all these manifold blessings – is through prayer.  Prayer is our verbal thank You note.

PRAYER: (Paraphrased from Psalm 16 Living Bible Translation)

Dear Lord, we bless You because you guide us and show us the way.  We are always thinking of You, and because You are near, we never need to stumble or fall.  Our hearts, bodies, and souls rejoice because You have let us experience the good things in life and have given us the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever. We are eternally grateful, in Jesus’ name, AMEN~ 

We Applaud You!

Psalm 47:1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!

The other day as I was taking care of Christmas the Chihuahua, she climbed down my husband’s leg, went straight to her wee wee pad and successfully used it.  Quite an accomplishment for a little puppy.  I was so impressed that I clapped for joy.  I have also been known to clap at sporting events, at the end of a great movie (Gladiator anyone?), after an amazing vocal performance (I just saw David Phelps in concert.  Please YouTube him), and even when Rayray once played the recorder out of her nose for a talent show at school.

Psalm 47:1 invites us to clap for God and to shout joyful praise to him.  And the invitation is across the board to every single person. 

Clapping is a universally accepted sign of approval, and the longer the applause, the more it shows that something resonated with us in a positive, life-affirming way. 

When directed to God, our clapping is an outward expression of the inward joy we have. Can we have joy when unhappy stuff is happening in our lives?  How can anyone feel like clapping or shouting joyful praise when they are not feeling well? Or they have relationship struggles? Or financial troubles? 

It all hinges on whether or not we truly believe that this life is temporary and that the best is yet to come.  We absolutely can clap and shout when we accept that God’s kingdom, where we will know no suffering, is on the way. 

I encourage you to please click on the link below for the most beautiful and inspiring description of heaven that I have ever read.  It will get you clapping!

http://www.faithgateway.com/heaven-heavenly/#.VMqRLmjF-_o

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We applaud You.  You are the best.  There are many times we feel low, but when we shout praise to You, our spirits are lifted again.  Praise Your high and holy name.  You are the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.  You are magnificent and in control.  Thank You for the amazing life that awaits us all because we believe in Jesus.  In His name we pray, AMEN~

God's Firm Grip~

Tuesday greetings,

I love babies, all kinds.  And for the past week, as my sister prepares to move into her new home, I have been helping to take care of her new Chihuahua puppy.  His name is Christmas, because as you may have guessed, it was given to her on that day.  Christmas likes to snuggle on a blanket in anyone’s arms and will doze for hours.  You can be certain that whoever is holding him makes sure they are safely doing so. 

I have also held my niece and nephews when they were minutes old and made sure they were tightly swaddled.  And my own kids? Please! Rachel, who was a bit of a crier, was nicknamed the gorilla because she rode my back until she was almost two.  But I still recall how warm and cuddly all those babies were, and it reminds me of Someone.

No matter how safely and securely I have held anyone, or you either, for that matter, God’s hold on us is the strongest.

Isaiah 41:13 “I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’”

The same God Who created the heavens and the earth has a solid, tight, unyielding, absolute hold on you.  The same God Who made Saturn the furthest planet from the earth –the internet says Saturn is about eight billion miles away and that if we all left now and traveled 20,000 MPH, it would take about five years to get there – is the same One who holds us.  The creation of the vast universe speaks of His unlimited and glorious power, and the Saturn reference is just one of trillions that should encourage us because there is nothing or no one like Him—OMNIPOTENT is He, and yet He cradles us.

I am so comforted to know that He holds me and is never letting go.  He’s also never letting go of my children and never letting go of you and yours.  Don’t wiggle so hard to get away.  Stay right there in His grip through prayer!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You hold us safe and sound.  Help this truth to really penetrate our souls because when we firmly believe that we are in Your hands, we have peace, joy, hope, and we sleep better.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

An Immediate Blessing~

Acts 3:6-7 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.

One final thought on this passage.  After Peter helps the lame man connect with the healing name of Jesus, he helps him up.  What good would a healing be if you never stood up and proved it?  I believe we all have a responsibility to help those we pray for (when we can), and sometimes this will be most evident in our own families.

Case in point…

Almost two weeks ago lovely me tripped on an uneven sidewalk, and I sprained the juice out of my ankle.  It immediately swelled up to the size of an orange, and well, you know, it was not pleasant.  But it has been wonderful seeing my family rally around me.  Slowly but surely I am getting back to normal, and Jorge prays for me everyday.  But what if that was all he did?  What if he said, “Yenise, I bless you in the name of Jesus with healing and wholeness!” and then walked out the door?  Those first few days I was totally immobile.  I couldn’t put any pressure at all on my foot, and if not for the office chair with wheels that acted as my transport, I might have had to use a diaper.

Jorge and all four of my children have dutifully picked up the slack by cleaning up and making sure everything is in order.  They have lifted my spirits in more ways than one, and I am blessed.

The Bible says that when Peter took the lame man by the hand, the man’s ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.  The greater point for all of us today is that the moment we pray and follow through with love in action, there is an immediate blessing.  May we have the faith to believe it!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your beautiful word.  We all want to be used by You to bring immediate strength and healing into the lives of others – especially our families.  In Jesus’ name, Amen~

He Praised God!

Acts 3:2-8

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

Greetings in the name of our powerful and precious Lord!

Have you ever felt like the lame man in the verse above?  His problem had been going on so long that he accepted it.  All he did was beg for money so he could at least have the basics of life.  No where do we read that he prayed for a healing, but we do see where he went near the temple to beg for money.  I hope it’s because the temple goers were generous – something all Christ followers should be known for. 

Regardless, we can learn a lot from this newly-healed man.  As soon as he received his healing he went straight into the temple courts praising God!  He did not complain that his healing had taken a lifetime to arrive.  He did not question why God had let him suffer so long.  He did not get angry that Peter and John had not shown up earlier or that he had wasted so much of his life as a beggar who had to depend on others for pretty much every thing. No! Instead, he did what we all should do when the answer comes: HE PRAISED GOD!

When he was taken by the hand, helped up, and made strong, he used it to first and foremost praise God.  That’s not to say he didn’t have questions.  All of us want to know, “Why?”  Sometimes, however, it is better to go with the flow of the good thing that has finally happened and just praise God.  It is better to forget the past and enjoy the new thing. (That sounds familiar!)

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We look to You to take us by the hand and help us get up into our healing.  When we get up, we will praise You.  We will not sit back down and wonder what took You so long.   Nor will we squander our lives being bitter about anything that was lost.  On the contrary, we thank You for all the good in our futures.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

His Name is More Excellent Than Yours and Mine~

Acts 3:6  “Peter said, ‘I don't have any silver or gold for you.  But I'll give you what I have.  In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’”

My name is a little unusual.  In all my years I have yet to meet someone named, “Yenise.”  If I had a dollar for every time I have said, “It’s like Denise, but with a Y…”

And then there’s my husband, Jorge.  His name is more common.  According to www.howmanyofme.com there are 166,212 others named Jorge in the good ole’ USA.

The closest thing I have found as to the meaning of Yenise is a river in Russia spelled Y-e-n-i-s-e-i, and Jorge means farmer.   

I am used to our names, and they are nice enough, but there is a name that is more excellent than mine and yours and all the others in the history of the world.  Can you guess?

Philippians 3:9-11 “God exalted Christ and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

(There are many who won’t confess or bow to Him now, but they will. Amen! This is a topic for another day.)

These verses are cause for great celebration.  What are you going through? Does it have a name? Repeat after me: Jesus’ name is higher than my (fill in the blank). His name is higher than divorce, poverty, sadness, loneliness, hopelessness…and being lame, which is why Peter told the crippled man to get up in the name of Jesus.

He didn’t say “get up and walk in Peter’s name,” because Peter, while lovely, doesn’t have any power.  He didn’t say your name or mine either because we all know that none of us has a lick of strength apart from Jesus. 

Christ is the One Whom has been given “ALL authority in heaven and earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

How much authority? ALL OF IT, and it’s over anything that is beneath His name, which is everything.  Every single thing we face – Jesus has authority over it.  This is the reason why every prayer we pray is in Jesus’ name. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that Jesus has all authority over all circumstances and situations. There is not one little thing that is beyond His reach, and that is great news because I need Him to use His authority in this area of my life ________________.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~ 

I'll Give You What I Have...

Acts 3:6 “But Peter said, ‘I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’”

Greetings, all you blessed and highly-favored children of God!

Sometimes we feel as though we have nothing to offer – that there’s nothing we can do.  This past week I have been keeping close tabs on a buddy who has been battling a nasty case of pneumonia in the hospital.  So bad, in fact, that it has required several days worth of hospitalization, untold amounts of antibiotics and other medication, and struggles with collapsing veins and other stuff.

It is easy to feel helpless in situations like these; there’s not much we can do.  Or is there?  Right before the verse above takes place, Peter and John were on their way to pray at the temple when a lame man – a man who had been lame since birth and had to be physically taken to the temple – saw them and did what he did best: He begged.  His life was one of depending on others for life’s most basic needs and begging for money. 

I wonder how this man’s family felt?  Were they frustrated? Tired? Sad that he was in the condition he was? The Bible says he was lame from birth and now he was a full-grown man.

But I love what Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you.”  Likewise, what have I had that I could offer my friend this week while she’s been hospitalized? Or what could I offer my other friend whose daughter is in the midst of a nasty divorce? Or what do you or I have that we can offer in seemingly hopeless situations?  Let’s face the facts. This is a hurting and dark world, and many times I feel overwhelmed with all the crazy that is happening near and far.

Yet this morning as I was preparing for work, I read the above-verse and God whispered to my heart, “Yenisita, you have Jesus.  Share Him with others. PRAY!” And then I felt practically giddy because (A) I am all about that praying, and (B) When we invite Jesus into the messes of life, verse eight happens.

“The lame man jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.”

We all have Jesus, and powerful, life-changing things take place when we share Him with others.  You may not have one other thing that can make a positive impact, but you have the One Who always makes a difference. Glory!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Sometimes we feel that prayer is a waste of time.  Forgive us for ever feeling that way.  Every single time we share Christ or pray for someone, something excellent and miraculous is taking place.  Help us believe it. In Jesus’ healing name we pray, AMEN!

Cool Rivers Rising

"I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert..."

 

A wilderness, as defined by dictionary.com, is a "wild and uncultivated region, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland."  And a desert is "any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water or any place lacking in something."

 

Sometimes we go through seasons where it feels as though certain things in our lives, whether spiritually, relationally, physically, professionally, or financially etc...have been a waste and nothing new is happening.  Or we think our kids have wasted golden opportunities. The wild animals of fear, hopelessness, fatigue... threaten to overtake us. Or we feel that something in general is simply lacking, and we can't seem to find satisfaction or joy in living.  God acknowledges our feelings, and He loves us too much to leave us out there in the wasteland.  This is why He is actively at work to clear the brush and flood our lives with goodness.  "How?" you may be asking.  We already learned that the first step in being able to see the new thing God is doing is to forget the former junk.  We even learned that God opens our eyes to His miracle wonders when we ask Him.  But the number one thing God did to make a way for us and shower our lives with hope, refreshment, and goodness was to send His son Jesus. 

John 10:10 "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows."

Sometimes we may be a little shocked that God wants us to enjoy life because we endure trouble after trouble; we find it hard to believe anything will ever get better.  Yet these verses are telling us that it is possible to move on in a big way: Our deserts turn into rivers. That's a 180° turnaround!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Some of us have been lost, hot, thirsty, and tired for a long time. We long for Christ to give us the abundant life we have longed for. We realize it begins with having a vibrant relationship with You. So today, we rededicate our lives to You and look to You as the Source of the healing, peace, hope, and joy we all need. Since You said that an abundant life is possible, we believe You and take You at your word. We can feel those cool rivers rising already. Thank You that in Christ we have everything we need. In His beautiful name we pray, Amen~

Day and Night Can Not Dwell Together~

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Greetings!

So many of you DEVO readers not only shared what you are shaking off this year, but also wanted to know what I am letting go of. 

Many of you are determined to rid yourselves of fear and the right to always be right.  Many of you long to keep your mouths shut rather than say something mean, rude, or negative.  Many of you are throwing away the anger that is damaging your relationships.  Many of you are determined to turn that frown upside down and just embrace life.  Most of you really want to forgive yourselves for past mistakes and errors in judgment and deeply desire the ability to stop beating yourselves up.  I personally am determined, through the power of Jesus, to stop complaining!  Precious Jorge assured me that he rarely hears me complain, but I know the truth.  I do it a lot to myself, and it ain’t pretty. But, let me just say that all these things we want to send packing are worthy to be tossed out, and things I think we have all experienced at one time or another

But why forget? Where's the harm?  

There's an old Indian proverb that says, "Day and night can not dwell together."

In other words, it is impossible to be the best, most peaceful, happy, hopeful, joyous, loving people we can be while simultaneously holding onto toxic ways of thinking and being.  I can not spend the entire day thinking about how angry I am at somebody who offended me and expect to be in a good mood at night.  And if I spend the day complaining about certain aspects of my job that I find challenging, it drains me of energy for the rest of the evening.  I know, because I have done it.  God is well aware of our tendency to stubbornly hold onto junk, which is why He wants to replace it with "a new thing."

The past is the past, but this "new thing" is written in the present tense because God is constantly at work refreshing, renewing, redeeming, and restoring our lives.  He's a "now" God. "Now it springs up."

This means that at this very moment God has something in His arsenal of blessings to send your way so you can transition from living in the mess of the past to the glory of the future -- one that is wrought with the immeasurable goodness of heaven.  

First, we must be willing to forget the former things; next, we must see what it is God is trying to do.  If it is springing up all around us, then let us boldly as God to give us eyes to see. 

Psalm 119:24 "Open my eyes so I can see what You show me of Your miracle-wonders."

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Give us eyes to see what we have been missing out on.  Sometimes we get so hung up on hanging onto junk that we miss the new and beautiful ways You want to restore, refresh, redeem, and renew our lives.  In other words, You want to make it up to us.  All the hurt, pain, disappointment, failure etc...We take You up on Your offer and are determined to hang onto the new blessings headed our way.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~ 

Let "it" Go!

Happy New Year!

2015 is in full swing, and I have, for the first time in my life, already gotten used to the new date when writing checks!

It feels weird that it’s 2015; saying time flies is an understatement.  But it is precisely because time goes by so quickly that we should all optimize however much of it we have.  It is pointless and draining to hold onto stuff that is bringing us down, and yesterday I read a headline that actually inspired today’s DEVO. 

“Shake it Off” narrowly beats “Let it Go” in sales.

These are two completely different songs with different lyrics and different tempos, and apparently they were neck in neck with sales until “Shake it Off” won, but they have “it” in common, and they are both 100% spot on in what we should all do with “it”.

But before we can get rid of “it” we have to identify what “it” is.  That’s the easy part. “It” is anything that drains us mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  Anything that has us tired, exhausted, discouraged, and/or down.

Sometimes this means attitudes, worries, grudges, and injustices.  But sometimes it means people or our jobs.  And whether it’s a mental thing or an actual person who is our “it” both can feel seemingly impossible to let go of.  

However, and praise His holy name, God encourages us because He wants us to make room for something better.

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

These verses are loaded with promise and hope, and the first step to inviting that “new thing” is “forgetting the former things.”  We must all now form a figurative Kumbaya circle, hold hands, and take a step of united faith and believe that if God is telling us to forget, shake it off, and let it go, it’s because it’s possible.

Take a moment to identify your “it” before you pray.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for another year of life.  I look to You this year for every single thing I and my family need to live a blessed life.  In particular, I desire deeply to be able to let go of ________________________, because it’s a joy killer, it constantly crushes my hope, it consumes my mind, and it sometimes helps the fear creep in.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!