NOT ONE THING

Greetings,

I have a cold.  My eyes are watery, my throat hurts, I have a wacky cough, and my nose is stuffy.  But worse still is that I cannot, will not, kiss or cuddle with my little precious granddaughter.  For the past couple of days when she has arrived, she runs to me expecting the typical greeting, which consists of me squeezing her and hugging her and smooching with that chubby face.  However, I literally turn my back to her because I don’t want her to catch my cold.   To make it up to her, I allow her to watch a little extra Bluey, her favorite TV show.  But today before she left, she came up to me and hugged my legs.  Cue the tears! She does not understand that I have to keep her at arm’s length.

I hope we all understand however, that our Father GOD loves us and that nothing – NOT ONE THING – exists (certainly not a cold) that can ever make Him turn His back on us. The actual bible verse is so powerful:

“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

These verses settle it: Nothing we have ever done or will do can keep God from loving us.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help us to accept this truth.  If we pray knowing we are passionately and permanently loved, it strengthens our faith to trust that You know best.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

A Living Testimony

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12:14).

Greetings,

The national headlines have been featuring a story out of Dallas all week about a former police officer, Amber Guyger, who shot and killed a neighbor, Botham Jean. She went into his apartment thinking it was hers and mistook him for an intruder.   

She was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.  But it was the victim’s brother’s gesture that has profoundly impacted me.

Brandt Jean, 18 years old, asked the judge if he could hug Ms. Guyger saying, “I forgive you…and I know if you go to God and ask Him, He will forgive you…I want the best for you because that’s exactly what Botham  would want…and the best would be, give your life to Christ.”

They hugged for a long time, and I watched in shock.  Afterward, I praised God that the verses above are doable. I also praised God that an 18-year-old took me to church.  Mr. Brandt’s living testimony has taught me that I need to pay attention to the clothes I wear.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the powerful example set by this young man.  Bless him for trusting Your Word and doing things Your way.  Heal his heart and heal ours as we also clothe ourselves with love. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

CUT AND PASTE THE LINK TO SEE THE VIDEO: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/10/02/amber-guyger-sentencing-botham-jeans-brother-embraces-guyger/3847967002/

I Need to be Flooded With God

Greetings,

If you were to sit down and start a list of everyone you know, could you write their complete name, address and phone number? Honestly, I can't even do that with my own children.  I know one lives in the NW and the other in the SW, but I would have to reference my contacts for their exact location.  And even after several years of having my in-law kids in the family, I HAVE NO CLUE as to their phone numbers.  Speed dial has robbed me of this information.  I am so accustomed to clicking on a name that I am not even sure what area code I would have to dial first.  If I ever lost my phone I would be in trouble.

In stark and magnificent contrast is our Father God and His infinite knowledge of us, His very finite and limited children. He knows all our names, where we live, and how to get in contact with us.  He also knows what we need and what makes us tick.  He is acutely aware of every single detail, like the freckle on your pinky toe as well as your heart's desire to get married and have children.  He knows what we are afraid of,  and He knows what makes us happy.  He knows our dreams, and He knows our sorrows.  HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYONE, and His grandeur is hard to fathom and impossible to calculate with our feeble human minds.

But just because we cannot comprehend the "extravagant dimensions, breadth, length, depth, or height" (Ephesians 3:18) of God's goodness, wisdom, love, and power, doesn't mean we shouldn't take a step of faith every day in prayer asking the One Who knows us best to help us live full lives.  Living a full life means we personally experience God's presence in our lives - "we are flooded with God Himself" (Ephesians 3:19).

I need to be flooded with God.  I need torrential downpours of peace, joy, and protection.  I crave a deluge of wisdom, provision, and health.  I desperately long to be inundated with the light of the One Who knows my name, phone number, address, and more!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, flood us with Your presence today.  We want to experience Your blessings in real, palpable ways.  Send rains of happiness and contentment. Send rivers of well-being and stability. Shower us with righteousness so we live wisely. We receive forgiveness from Your never-ending fountain; let us in turn let bygones be bygones.  Thank You for knowing how earnestly we need You and all You provide. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Personally Prospering

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city [where you live]. Pray to the LORD for it, because if [Miami] prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7.

Greetings,

Recently, as students across Miami prepared for back-to-school, I found myself praying for safety.  I have five nieces and nephews who are part of the school system, I have several friends with kids who are preschoolers to high school seniors, and my son-in-law is a teacher/coach at a local parochial school. It’s nerve wracking to think about all the real and life-threatening dangers that are out there.  That’s why it really blessed me to ask God to cover my city – especially all the children – with His wings.  I implored Him to keep everyone safe while traveling to and from school, to shelter them from people with evil intentions, and to protect them from injury while playing sports etc…

And then this morning I read the verse above and realized that in praying for my city, I was benefiting myself.  When we PRAY for our communities, not complain, not gripe, not count the days until we can move away, we will personally prosper – we will flourish, thrive, and benefit right where we are. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for making it clear in the verse above that prayer brings prosperity into the cities where we live.  We all desire to live in safe and economically sound places. And like every other good and necessary blessing in our lives, it all begins with prayer.  Bless (Miami) in Jesus name! May every single person who lives here acknowledge You as Father God. AMEN!

Worthless Words

“Do not let worthless words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear you speak” (Ephesians 4:29).

Greetings,

The human mouth is capable of a lot.  It eats, chews gum, yawns, spits, kisses, and blows bubbles.  But by far and away, the most powerful thing it does is speak.  

This month my little granddaughter’s Sunday school is teaching all the precious toddlers that God made them just the way they are, and that each of them is beautiful!  You would think or hope this lesson is unnecessary, but a mother shared that growing up she was mercilessly bullied for being too thin by ADULTS.  “Eat some more. You’re a waif!”  “Put rocks in your pockets before you blow away.”  

What saved her was her own mother relentlessly affirming her that she was perfectly perfect created by a loving God to look exactly the way she did.  That’s what I call putting your mouth to wise use.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we want to be the kind of people who bless others with the words we speak.  Forgive us for all the worthless words we’ve spoken.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

At the Right Time

​“He has made everything beautiful in its time…” (Ecclesiastes 3;11).

Greetings,

I have a binder filled with notes I have accumulated over the years of inspirational quotes and sayings.  I look through it periodically, and this past weekend I leafed through it and read this: “Do not fear when your prayers and faith pile up. Eventually, they will be like a flood bringing answers and blessings.”

I do not know who said it, but what an encouraging word.  At the right time, everything will be beautiful. In the meantime, let’s add to the pile!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we want our answers now, honestly.  But we specks-of-dust humans humbly defer to You and Your unlimited wisdom and power. Give us the grace and peace to wait upon You.  Thank You for the promise of beauty in our lives, and thank You for the upcoming flood of answers. It is worth the wait.  In Jesus’ name. AMEN.​

A Wildly Wonderful World

“What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, You made earth overflow with Your wonderful creations” (Psalm 104:24 The MESSAGE Version).

Greetings,

What’s your favorite thing about nature? Is it a field of wildflowers? What about a snow-capped mountain peak? Does looking out an airplane window at the world below take your breath away? Maybe it’s the Grand Canyon?  For me it’s always been sunsets at the beach.  This past weekend I witnessed the closing of yet another day, and it was spectacular. 

I found myself thanking God because He, in His incomparable creativity and wisdom, calls me His child and is willing to help me.  

Take a minute to think about what you find awe-inspiring and then pray. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, we thank You for our wildly wonderful world.  When we see the overflow of Your wonderful creations, our faith is strengthened to believe in You.  Without a doubt, You have all the power and wisdom to work out our difficulties.  We invite You to put Your full power on display in this area _______________. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Even in a Zoo!

Greetings,

Yesterday I went to the zoo with my daughter and granddaughter.  We had such a lovey day. Little Ellie fed a camel, petted a goat named Cinderella, rode the carousel, oohed and aahed at the lions, hyenas, and Cuban alligators (yes, my people have a reptile named after them), and thoroughly enjoyed frolicking in the splash park.  I loved watching her and her reactions at all the new sights and sounds.  

But my favorite part of the whole experience is when it started pouring rain.  We rushed into a covered gazebo and were soon joined by a family of five.  A mom, dad, and their three young sons. The father struck up a conversation and asked us if we were tourists or locals.  I quickly thought, “Yenisita, make a good impression; Miami is counting on you.”  I shared that we were, in fact, locals and welcomed him to our city.  He shared that they were on a two-week vacation that started in Houston, made a pit stop in Orlando, and then after a few more days in Miami, were headed back to Qatar.  

“Qatar?” I sort of squealed, “How interesting.” And then I asked him what the main religion was there. 

“The main religion there is Islam, but we are Christians.”

I enthusiastically replied, “We are too, praise Jesus!” 

And in those few moments as we waited for the rain to pass, we talked about God’s faithfulness.  It turns out he and his family moved to Qatar a few years ago because religious persecution in his old country was becoming more pervasive and they no longer felt safe. It was a sobering moment.  Before we parted ways, we blessed each other’s families.   

  

How is it that complete strangers can bond over their love of Christ? Easy: We are all brothers and sisters who share the same hope, same faith, and same Father (Ephesians 4:4-5). And, I know God allowed this powerful moment in my life to remind me to always be grateful for the religious freedoms we have in this country.  Even the freedom to pray and praise in a zoo!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You that there are believers who love You, trust You, and seek You from all over the world. We are all Your children, and we are grateful because You cover us in Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Watch This Movie!

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear to deaf to hear you call” (Isaiah 59:1).

Dear Reader,

Today I want to recommend a movie that will encourage you and inspire you to believe God for your own miracle.  It’s called BREAKTHROUGH.  This is the only dialogue I will share, “Please God, send Your Holy Spirit to save my son…”

As soon as I heard those words I was filled with emotion. As soon as I saw God’s response, I started ugly crying and didn’t stop until the movie ended.

If you need a faith boost today, WATCH THIS MOVIE!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for those who make inspirational films.  We certainly need more of those than any other kind today.  Bless everyone who watches this movie to hope in Your almighty power. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Keep Your Mouth Shut

Greetings,

Just a few short minutes ago I was having a conversation with Jorge concerning one of our adult children. Bordering on exasperation, I concluded by saying, “Sometimes the wisest thing to do is keep your mouth shut.”

Can you think of a time when keeping your mouth shut spared you trouble? Spared you making things worse? I can, but I can also tell you it’s not easy.  That’s why God encourages us to “…pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6). 

Prayer is the one sure approach we can take in any and every situation.  Not talking, nagging, explaining, cajoling, begging, or imploring others.  Besides, He welcomes us every single time we want to talk with Him and does not put a time limit.  I can honestly say I do not have one relationship where I have this incredible freedom.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, sometimes we want to be heard and let our opinions be known.  Sometimes we really want to make a point because it’s important to us.  And sometimes we really just want someone we love to listen because we have something wise to offer.  Thank You that You always hear us, our opinions matter to You, and You can influence those we love better than we can.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

A Powerful Prayer

Greetings,

Last Thursday President Trump attended the Armed Forces Full Honors Review at the Pentagon.  Before he took the podium, U.S. Air Force Brigadier General, Ronald M. Harvell, deputy chief of chaplains of the U.S. Air Force, prayed such a powerful prayer that I took the time to rewind the program and type it up.  May the Lord bless us all as we pray it over ourselves today:

“Lord, we come to You in this moment, and we seek Your blessings upon the United States of America. Thank You for Your presence with us.  As lovers of peace, we pray for this time that requires peacekeepers and peace makers.  Therefore, grant the President and Vice President [and us] Your divine wisdom, Your divine strength and Your divine knowledge that leads to increased power and brings increased peace. Now King eternal, as You continue to bless the United States of America, we continue to trust in You and Your power, for Your glory, now and forever, amen.”

Do Not Delay~

 “…I can never stop praising You; I declare Your glory all day long” (Psalm 71:8 NLT Version).

Greetings,

This past Sunday I was in church and the worship leader introduced a new song: Do Not Delay.  As soon as the music started, I knew I would love this new tune. I mean, I am pretty good at asking, begging, and pleading with God to send help quickly. How about you? Plus, I cannot possibly be the only one who wants her prayers answered ASAP.

And then the lyrics went like this – “Do not delay your praise to God…”

Immediately I thought “OUCH!”  This wasn’t about God doing something for me but about me worshipping Him for a change.  About me being quick to let Him know how wonderful He is.  About me not waiting around to praise His high and holy name.

I had a tremendous moment of clarity at church on Sunday, and I hope we will all think about how even though prayer is important, it is just as important to let God know how much we love Him!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we praise You and thank You for the strength, joy, love, peace, hope, provision, health, wisdom, and protection You give to us every day. You are amazing, and we bless You! AMEN.

Oblivious of Storks

"The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork” (Job 39:13). 

Greetings,

May it be said of me that I am a bit of an ostrich.  That I flap joyfully even though there are others who are skinnier, prettier, and more successful. That I am content to shine in my corner of the world even though there are others whose light is brighter. That I am happy to be me even though there are others with fancier feathers.

And may the same be said of you.  That you are oblivious of storks. That you are joy filled because you are God’s precious, unique, blessed child and that’s your focus – not anyone or anything else.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that we can have joy being exactly who You created us to be.  Help us to flap joyfully every day! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Taste and See~

"Taste and see that the LORD is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in Him” (Psalm 34:8)!

Greetings,

When each of my children was getting married, part of the preparations was tasting the food and wedding cake.  There were so many choices, and even though we could have easily taken the wedding planner’s word for it – that the dishes were all yummy – ultimately, we wanted to check it out for ourselves. We didn’t want to rely on anyone else’s preferences or palate.   

This is exactly what the verse above is saying.  Don’t go by what anyone else has experienced. Get it on the action; take God at His Word for yourself.  You taste, you see, you trust, and you reap the blessings!

Did you also happen to notice the two exclamations in this scripture?  These well-placed punctuation marks are meant to excite us – to encourage and motivate us to give God a try. 

Ask yourself, “Where could I use a heaping helping of God's goodness right now? His provision, His blessings, His protection, His guidance, His healing, His peace, His joy, His hope, His wisdom, HIS ALL?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we want to see it for ourselves - Your goodness running rampant in our lives. We are hungry and can never experience fullness because someone else ate a big meal. We want a taste of Your power - especially in this area (fill in the blank). Thank You that we trust in You and are blessed. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Don't Miss a Thing

"...I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness" (John 10:10 Good News Translation).

Greetings,

This past weekend my little granddaughter went to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for the first time.  She knows all the characters – Minnie is her favorite – and her mother meticulously planned every minute.  She researched all the rides and options for skipping lines, and promptly put my husband in charge of the map so we could take full advantage of every corner of the park. I know because I was there, and it was so important for her that her baby really have fun and not miss a thing.  It truly was beyond wonderful watching my daughter watching her daughter experience all the madness for the first time and LOVING it! 

Plus, I will forever cherish the expression on Ellie’s face when she saw life-size Minnie. She squealed with joy and only cried when she had to leave. And, of course, her dad couldn’t say no when Ellie asked for a stuffed animal, or rather, crawled into a pile of Mickeys and Minnies and just assumed they were for her.  

We all enjoyed a partly-sunny, not-too-hot day filled with meet and greets, junk food, rides, shopping, and even found a cool corner in a restaurant so the baby could nap.  My daughter was so happy that we all had a great time – especially Ellie.

Later that night as I thought about the wonderful day I had just shared with my family, I thought about God and how much He doesn’t want us to miss a thing either.  He too wants us to live our lives taking advantage of all that He has to offer. He wants us to experience a beautiful life filled with blessings, and it all starts with…

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for wanting us to live full, rich, blessed lives.  Your Word, the Holy Bible, is our map, which guides us where to go, what to avoid, and how to have joy, peace, faith, and hope.  We receive the wisdom, love, and protection You offer, and we are grateful for Your goodness.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

UNCONTAINABLE

“Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

Greetings,

I love books, and I love reading!  Once when I visited the Library of Congress, I self-imposed a moment of silence.  I was awestruck.  It is the world’s largest library, after all, with over 120 MILLION items.  That is mind-boggling!

What’s even more mind-boggling is this verse, which testifies to the AWESOMENESS of our Lord.  Notice how it says, “Jesus DID many other things.”  Jesus is a man of action.  He didn’t think about doing stuff, he didn’t sit around planning to do stuff - HE DID STUFF.

I am certain if “the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (this includes the Library of Congress) about everything Jesus did, that this means He has already done every single thing we are need of. In other words, He’s been there and done that, He's heard that prayer and answered it, and He will do it again.

I wonder how many requests He's had for a healing touch on a marriage, for a place to live, for a new job, for a rebellious child, for a sick family member, for money to pay bills, for peace from a tormenting situation, for hope that everything will be okay, for someone to share life with, for the ability to have a baby, for self-control...The list is literally endless, and so is Jesus' ability, power, and desire to help us. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You that You are awesome!  It is beyond our comprehension that Jesus did so many wonderful things, but we are overjoyed to know He is active in our lives today.  We are eager for our miracle to be listed among the works of Jesus.  Help us in this area ________________________ today.  In Christ’s name, AMEN~ 

Wait For God's Reply~

"Each morning You listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to 

You and wait for Your reply" (Psalm 5:8).

Greetings,

I read Psalm five today and paused on verse three for a few moments.  The beauty and simplicity of the statement really touched me.  It dawned on me my morning routine needs to change.  I'm still going to let the dog out, drink one cup of iced coffee, eat a protein bar, catch up on the latest news, read the Bible, and pray.  But I am going to add "wait for God's reply" to the queue.  

After all, when I pray it's because I believe God cares, God hears, and God answers.  And when I "wait," it's my way of letting Him know that I have hope, faith, and confidence that an answer is coming my way.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we bring our requests to You today. Thank You for listening to our voices. We need You and Your power.  We wait eagerly for your reply. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Bread of Life and Beyond

Greetings,

All through scriptures, God provides excellent instructions on how to do something right.  He teaches us how to pray, how to treat our neighbor, how to raise our children, how to handle our finances, how to make wise decisions when it comes to dating and marriage…  And one of my favorite lessons is about how to properly bless someone.

“The Lord spoke, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you a tranquil heart and life’” (Numbers 6:24-26).

It certainly is a beautiful passage, and I have used it often when writing a card for someone’s birthday or wedding day. But until this very day as I sat to share this DEVO, I never realized what the very next verse, 27, says: “Put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Let’s think about this.  When my son was born, Jorge, my husband, was ecstatic about naming him Jorge too.  And I have been told that my son wants to name his future son Jorge also.  All that is fine and dandy, and I understand the sense of pride and joy about having a namesake. But is there any power in the name of Jorge? What about forgiveness in the name of Jorge? Does Jorge console the weary heart? Does Jorge supply all my needs? When we get right down to it, Jorge means “farmer.”  Very one-note, a little cute, I suppose, but kinda ho-hum. Even if I were to say that Jorge means “horticulturist,” it might sound more impressive, but it’s still a FAR cry from the all-encompassing, glorious name of God, which has over 300 meanings in the Bible.

When you and I put the name of God on someone, He becomes their Bread of Life, Healer, Living Water, Provider, Peace, Presence, Comforter…He blesses in profound and powerful ways.  Our part is simple. We open our mouths to pray and put His name on those we love. He shows up with incalculable goodness.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we put Your name on ourselves and our families today.  It brings us so much joy to know we are welcoming Wisdom, Protection, Guidance, the very Bread of Life and beyond into our lives.  Thank You for all You do.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

A Wise Habit~

Greetings,

Back in 2005, a dear friend of mine gave me a book, which I recently fished out of the closet to re-read. On the inside cover, she wrote a beautiful dedication based on Psalm 36.  It is so powerful and totally in keeping with our wise habit of praying the Psalms over our lives. Let's bless ourselves today!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, How precious is Your constant, faithful, gracious love for me.  It reaches to the heavens; it extends to the skies.  I take refuge and shelter in the shadow of Your wings.  You feed me with blessings from Your own table, and I am satisfied.  I drink from Your rivers of delight, and I am refreshed. You are the fountain of life, the light by which I see.  Pour out Your unfailing kindness and mercy on me.  Never stop giving Your blessings to me because I long for Your goodness in my life. AMEN~   

Fathers Carry...

Greetings,


Father’s Day is right around the corner, and in honor of the fabulous dads in our lives, let’s look at what the Bible says about their responsibilities:



Dads carry their children. (Deuteronomy 1:31)

Dads discipline and delight in their children. (Proverbs 3:12)

Dads are compassionate toward their children. (Psalm 103:13)

Dads teach their children about the Bible. (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Dads encourage their children. (1 Thessalonians 2:11)

Dads give good gifts to their children. (Matthew 7:10)

Dad’s protect their children.  (Proverbs 18:10)

The lifetime burden Fathers carry as they fulfill their God-given duties gets heavy at times; let’s carry them, delight in them, and encourage them today by giving them the good gift of praying for them.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we are so thankful for the dads in our lives.  Rather than focus on an area where they might fall short, we magnify our gratitude to You for all they do right! Bless them today with strength, wisdom, peace, and joy for the journey.  We need them, and we all need You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Dumb Decisions...

“The Lord is mindful of me…” (Psalm 115:12).


Greetings,

Sunday afternoon I was getting down from Jorge’s truck, and I slipped and fell and landed on my posterior.  Oh, and I was holding my granddaughter.  But, thank the Lord, I actually said to myself right before I opened the car door, “Yenise, the floor is slippery so be careful and position the baby facing you…” And then down I went; it was lightning fast.  The baby started screaming, but only because she was scared. Jorge quickly came around to the other side to see what the commotion was all about, and in spite of myself, I chuckled at the look of horror on his face when he saw us splayed on the floor.   But, other than a slightly sore lower back, everything’s fine. AMEN!

Looking back, it could have been much worse, and I should have been wiser.  Why didn’t I call Jorge over to take the baby before I got down?  Duh!

The important thing to remember is that sometimes, even when we know there is a possibility of danger, even when we reason with ourselves to be careful, we may make a dumb decision.  God will still take care of us.  God will still be with us. God will still watch over our children. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for always taking care of us.  We are Your children, and sometimes children do dumb things.  Only You know how many times we have been protected in the midst of trouble, and we are grateful that You are mindful of us even we aren’t mindful of our ourselves. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.  

Jesus Does What is Best

“Jesus was also invited to the wedding…the wine ran out…Jesus turned the water into wine…” (John 2:1-9).

Greetings,

I have read and re-read the verse above over the last several days because it demonstrates a great truth: Jesus does what is needed!

He could have made milk or He could have made lemonade.  But the request was for wine, so that’s what He provided.

And when an adulteress was surrounded by stone-wielding accusers Jesus said, “I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more” (John 8:10)

He could have easily pointed out her sin. He could have just as easily told her she was making stupid decisions.  But He gave her what she needed most: Forgiveness.

How about all the testimonies of people whom Jesus healed?

The blind received sight.

The deaf received hearing.

The lame walked again.

And let’s not forget that the depressed received joy and hope.

The fearful were inundated with peace.

The financially strapped received provision.

The hungry received food.

Jesus always gave and provided what was needed most.

Can you imagine if a hungry person were given a sermon on how Jesus provides but then given no food?

There’s an awesome story in the Bible about how the disciples were freaking out because they were caught in a storm in the middle of a lake.  The boat was taking on water, and “they were in real danger of drowning” (Luke 8:23).  Thank God that Jesus was in the boat, and when the disciples rushed to wake Him up, He immediately got to His feet and told the wind to “Quiet down” (Luke 8:24)! And it did.

Jesus always does what is best.  Always provides what is most pressing.  He has His priorities in order and ours as well.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, strengthen our faith to believe that when we call upon the name of Jesus, He will always answer with what is best. Thank you! Amen!