My Top 10

“Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds” (Psalm 36:5).

Greetings,

Several years ago, I splurged on a leather-bound journal so I could jot down any words of encouragement God sent my way. Here are my top ten entries:

      

       God, UNFAILINGLY, has my best interest in mind.

       God is the answer to my every need.

       Every time I pray, I’m advancing God's best intentions for my life.

       God is where He's asked to be.

       Faith is not a risk; faith is a RELIEF.

       Jesus is the way; I can't get lost!

       Jesus is the truth; I can't be deceived!

  

       Jesus is the life; the devil can't kill me!

       Prayer brings a stranglehold to the struggle.

       God may say "WAIT,” but He never says "WORRY.” 

   

I   I hope my top 10 has blessed you today.  Let's pray.

      

    PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You that we are never without hope.  We trust You and Your plan for our life. You are our answer, and we are grateful You are with us right now.  As we pray, we are relived that by doing so we are putting a chokehold on our struggles.  Help us not to worry as we wait for Your perfect timing.  We choose to believe in your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, AMEN. 

This is the Way God Wants You to Live

Greetings,

Over the weekend I was doing laundry for when one glorious second it seemed as though I had actually done every last bit.  All the bins were empty.  The whites were bright. The delicates were carefully drying on their special rack. The darks were neatly folded.  And I was pleased at this rare accomplishment. Then Jorge walked in with six wet and soiled towels from giving the dogs a bath.  (I only have Hershey, but my son’s two pets, Mili and Trooper, were weekend guests).  I was a tad dismayed, but before a complaint could even leave my mouth, I heard God’s gentle whisper:

“Yenisita, would you rather be pounding the towels on a rock by a dirty river somewhere?”

Praise Him for not mincing words. I immediately started thanking Him for the luxury of electricity and appliances that do most of the work.  I expressed gratitude for hot water and hypoallergenic detergent.  Then I started having church.

“What a blessing to have three dogs I love who are so playful and affectionate.”

“It is a good thing to have the strength and health to wash clothes.”

“Thank You, Father, that my son and his wife are able to enjoy a weekend getaway.”

“How fortunate am I that I have a special stash of towels just for the dogs!”

It’s incredible how my attitude and perspective changed. 

Most importantly, this is God’s desire for us. “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is way God wants you to live” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The Lord knows that when we express thanks, no matter what, it keeps our spirits lifted, our joy overflowing, and our lives blessed.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for encouraging us to change our outlook. When we make an effort to view life from a perspective of gratitude, we are blessed and more joyful. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Take Him at His Word

(Originally published January 25, 2018)

“Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at His word and went home. (John 4:50).

Greetings,

Last night Hormone had a softball game, and I texted him that I would bring a sandwich.  He didn’t respond with, “Are you sure?” or, “Don’t forget.” Nor did he text or call to remind me.  Why? Because I have demonstrated that I am pretty much reliable in always taking him a sandwich when I say I will.  In other words, Hormone takes me at my word.

Taking someone at their word takes the pressure off.  No need to worry or doubt.  It diminishes stress and invites peace.  Just ask the man in the verse above.  

How might the quality of our life and faith improve if we just took Jesus at His word?

Jesus said so many necessary and powerful things; here are three:

Matthew 11:24 Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you…Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

Let’s take Him at His word today. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we desperately want to believe You and take You at Your word.  Sometimes, however, we get so focused on our problems that we lose sight of You.  Help us to take a step of faith in Your direction.  We want to be like that man in the verse above – simply believe and go on with our lives. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Every Season of Life is a Blessing~

Greetings,

A couple of days ago I commanded Alexa to play oldies music.  I was SHOCKED when “The Reflex” by Duran Duran, a song from my high school days, blared out of the speakers.  What nerve! Oldies used to mean Elvis, The Everly Brothers, and The Supremes.   I was instantly reminded that I am not as young as I used to be.

It’s okay.  God knows this as well, and He has promised to “satisfy my years with good things so that my youth is renewed like the soaring eagle” (Psalm 103:5).  He also assures me I will “grow in grace, thrive, bear fruit, prosper, flourish, and be vital in old age” (Psalm 92:14).

Every season of life is a blessing. Praise Him!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You that you really are with me every step of the way, and that I always have something to look forward to. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Love is in the air...

Greetings,

“Love is in the air everywhere I look around, Love is in the air every sight and every sound…”  Some of us are old enough to remember this hit song sung by John Young in the 70s, and today, of all days, the lyrics are true.  

There are paper cupids plastered on all the store windows, restaurants are advertising special menus promoting service by candlelight, and my grandbaby showed up wearing candy heart leggings this morning. Jorge and I also exchanged some gifts before he left for work, and later on we’ll catch a movie and probably hold hands the entire time – something we don’t always necessarily do.  It’s all because we are celebrating love!

Love, in case you didn't know, was God’s idea, and it’s the best one He’s ever had.  

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

It is because of Love that we have the promise of a perfectly perfect eternal life!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for loving us so passionately and so fiercely that You sent Christ to secure eternal life for us.  We accept Your gift.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Thank You Note~

Greetings~

Every once in a while, I receive a hand-written card from one of my mom’s friends whom she met way back in 1965.  She is a kind and sweet soul who has kept in touch with me all these years out of love my mom.

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:  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. (Psalm 16).

Reduced to One

The LORD said to him, "I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man." (Judges 6:16)

Greetings, In the verse above Gideon was tasked with rescuing his fellow countrymen from a powerful enemy.  He was understandably FREAKED OUT.

“How can I rescue Israel?”

“I am the least in my entire family.”

“I am the youngest in my clan.”

“EVERYONE else is more important than me.”

“I am the runt of the litter.”

However, God did not accept Gideon’s excuses, and He will not accept ours. He knows that with Him on or side, circumstances become manageable, doable, and victory knocks on our door.  All the “Midianites” we face are reduced to one.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for being with us.  You’re what makes all the difference. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Wishful Thinking~

Greetings,

Nowadays all it takes is a simple swipe of our phones and we can check out how others are spending their money, who they are spending it with, and how perfectly attractive, healthy, and happy they look while they are spending it.  Sometimes it’s hard not to be envious, and wishful thinking can creep up on us. 

I remember a while back reading about someone’s high schooler going off to a prestigious university with a full ride and my first thought was, “It must be nice not having student loans.”

My initial reaction should have been more about the beautiful blessing this family was receiving, rather than comparing my post-graduate debt-filled life to theirs.  And God knows we have the tendency to compare ourselves with others, so He cautions us in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

God is literally in my face flat out telling me I’m a dummy when I use others’ lives, experiences, social media posts, whatever, as a standard for what I do or do not have in this life. 

Has it ever happened to you?

“I wish I had kids like theirs.”

“I wish I had a relationship like theirs.”

“I wish I could take a vacation like theirs.”

“I wish I had a body like that.”

The truth is we don’t know 100% of anyone’s truth, and lamenting what we have or don’t have takes our focus off the One Who has “graciously given us all things” (Romans 8:32).

Rather than trying to measure up to others, lets be wise and be grateful for the blessings we have and for all the ones headed our way.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive us if we have ever been so caught up focusing on others that we lose sight of You.  We want to be wise in everything we do, and it wise to look to You and trust You for everything we will ever need rather than waste time comparing ourselves to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.