What Are You Wearing?

Greetings J

Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.”

Thank you all for your responses to yesterday’s DEVO; I feel so blessed to know that we are all on this journey together!

One of you sweet souls replied: “My son is leaving, and it is a huge change.  I have been praying since May for God to do what’s best for him even though I want him to stay.  Just this past Friday he got accepted at school, so I am taking this as God’s will.  There has to be a reason why he shouldn’t be in Miami.  Only He knows…”

These brief sentences contain so much truth and wisdom.

Truth number one: Like it or not, change happens.

Truth number two: The best course of action is to pray about a situation, opportunity, or problem the minute it shows up because when we do that, we can confidently say, “This is God’s will; He’s in control.” 

Truth number three: Even though we sometimes don’t want the change to happen, it is wise to put God’s will, which is God’s best, ahead of our own desires.

This response is from a woman just like the one in today's verse.   

She is clothed in strength and dignity because it takes guts and grace, backbone and character to be a parent to your child.  And she smiles because she knows that no matter what the future holds, God is holding her son by the hand.  She ought to know; she put him there!

I wonder if her family knows what a precious wife and mom she is?

Wait a minute! Yes they do!

Proverbs 31:28 ”Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

I want to wear what she's wearing, and it starts with prayer.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are teaching us so much, and we are grateful.  Thank you for answering our prayers.  We put ourselves and those we love into Your capable hands.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Everything Changes~

Genesis 8:22 “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night."

Today is the first day of school for many folks, my niece and nephews included.  I think back to when my own kids were little and all the excitement and sometimes apprehension that were part of starting a new school year.  I always felt a little bad about the laid-back fun days of summer being over so soon for them, but I was also glad to get a break!

One thing is for sure: EVERYTHING CHANGES.

The Bible teaches us that as long as we are alive on this earth there will be constant change in our lives.  “Change” is not a bad word.  More recently, there was an adjustment period as I got used to the idea that my chickies had flown the coop, but my entire life, as well as yours, has been one big ebb and flow of seasons. 

What matters most is how we approach the inevitable changes of life.  Do we embrace the changing season as opportunities for new blessings, or do we go into denial and hope that when we open our eyes everything is still the same?

One day as I was in deep thought about how quickly everything in my life was changing, my precious Lord whispered to me, “Yenisita, this is what you have been praying for.”

“Say what?”

Every time I prayed for one of my kids to do well in school, it was so they could pass that grade and move on up.

Every time I prayed for God to open up doors of opportunity for my husband, it was so he could head in a better direction.

Every time I prayed for my kids to make wise choices in dating, it was for the high purpose of eventually settling down and starting their own families.

If we look at it like this, then change is good and beautiful.  Nobody that I know wants their 30-year-old living at home playing video games all day.  And if in the process of change, I get older, my kids move out, and it’s just me and Jorge watching re-runs of The Andy Griffith Show, then AMEN!  I have learned to cover every thing in prayer.  The transitions and the adjustments, the changing seasons, and the brevity of life, these are all good things!  I have learned that God is God every step of the way and each new day – no matter where we are in life – brings blessings.  Let us pray that we can all successfully embrace the changes in life. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that even as we live through so many changes, You remain steadfast in our lives.  You are with us each step of the way.  Help us be like the woman in Proverbs 31:25 who “smiles at the future.”  She smiles because she knows in Whom she trusts. Her eyes are fixed on You, and so are ours.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!  

Are You Wiser Than a Criminal?

Monday greetings,

I spent a lot of time thinking about Psalm 23:6 this weekend.  "Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..."

If we take this promise at face value, and we should, this means that every single day we are alive we can be certain that God's goodness and love are in our lives.

But before we go any further, let's clarify something: The promises of God are not for everyone. 

Say what?

John 3:16 "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."  

His promises are for those who believe in Him.  For those who allow themselves to be caught by the goodness and the love that steadfastly pursue.  Everyone is pursued, but some folks just run away even harder.

Consider the two criminals on the cross on either side of Christ.  

Luke 23:32-41 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Christ...They were also crucified - one on His right and one on His left...One of the criminals hanging beside Him scoffed, "You're the Messiah...Prove it...Save Yourself and us...!" The other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve it, but Jesus hasn't done anything wrong."  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Both criminals had the same opportunity, but only one believed.  Only one realized that even though his life of poor choices had led to a sentence of death, Christ was able to save him.  What a wise criminal.  This criminal would die on earth, but it was a stepping stone to an even better life - the best life - eternal life!

Luke 23:41 And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise."

I always get the goose pimples and jimjams when I read this verse!  As soon as we say yes to Jesus, yes to His love, yes to His goodness, everything immediately gets better!  TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE! Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We say, "YES!" to You.  We stop running right now and allow ourselves to get caught by Your love and goodness.  Thank You for Your immediate and total forgiveness no matter what we have done.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!

God Keeps Up The Chase~

Psalm 23:6 “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

When I was an elementary school student in Georgia, I used to walk up a little hill to the bus stop every morning.  Sometimes, if there was enough time, some of us kids who had saved our quarters from doing odd jobs for the neighbors would walk around the back of a Waffle House that was on the corner by the bus stop because it was a short cut to the Tenneco, a gas station/mini mart where we could buy candy before school.  (Sugar Babies were my favorite!) One fine day I found myself taking the shortcut to the Tenneco alone because none of the others wanted to go.

Midway to my destination a huge German shepherd appeared, and it immediately growled at me.  I did the only thing I could, which was run away.  It is a horrible feeling knowing there’s an angry animal with big teeth right behind you, but thank God it didn’t come after me.  Poor scared Yenisita.

What a difference to be pursued by God’s goodness and unfailing love.  By His kindness and forgiveness – His friendliness and tenderness.  And unlike that raggedy old dog, God is persistent.  He never gives up.  Each and every single day of your life God is pursuing you.  Even when you run away, when you don’t feel like praying, when you are too tired, bored, disinterested, faithless, hopeless, and mean, God keeps up the chase.  He knows we need Him to live a life of joy, peace, protection, provision, health, hope, and faith.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, Thank You for never giving up on us.  Help us to embrace this truth: WE CAN NOT LIVE LIFE WITHOUT YOU!  This is why You pursue us; You know we need You every moment of every day!  Thank You for Your amazing love.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

My Cup Overflows~

Thursday greetings~

Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.”

When God anoints our heads with oil it’s as if to say that we have been marked for blessings – so many, in fact, that we can not contain them. They spill out all over the place and splash others.

Case in point:

I have a friend who I have mentioned before who could not get pregnant for the first several years of her marriage.  All IVF attempts failed and drained their bank accounts.  She and her husband definitely felt the pressure of being in the valley.  On an almost daily basis they reminded themselves that God was with them, that He was guiding them in the right direction, that He would answer their prayer for a baby, that even though they were walking through the shadow of darkness, shadows can’t hurt you, and that they could still laugh and enjoy life in the midst of the unknown because the Good Shepherd is more awesome and powerful than anything or anyone.       

And then after all the failed treatments she got pregnant with a little boy the old fashioned way.  All the doctors were stupefied and assured her she could never get pregnant again so, “Enjoy this child. At least you have one.”

Less than a year later, another baby boy joined the family.  Again the doctors swore up and down that given the quality of her tubes and her age and her blah blah blah, she could definitely not have more children. 

And then…she got pregnant a third time…with twin girls!

From nothing to overflow.  From being told she could not have children to getting her tubes tied. Amazing.

God marked her for blessings, which if you ask her, she and her husband can’t contain at all. Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Anoint our heads with oil today.  Put Your mark on us for blessings.  We need You. Our families need You.  Our marriages need You.  Our businesses need You.  Our health needs You.  Our relationships need You.  Our emotions need You.  Thank You for Your promise of filling up our cup till it overflows!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Pull up a Chair~

Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.”

The Message version of the Bible says, “You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies...”

What is your favorite meal?  I personally love a rare filet mignon with shoestring garlic fries.  Jorge once conquered a five-pound lobster with obscene amounts of butter and could barely talk during the meal because he was so happy.  Food is one of those things that God makes a big deal about in the Bible.  Ecclesiastes 9:7 “Seize life! Eat bread with gusto…God takes pleasure in your pleasure!”

Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to break bread with friends and family, but in this verse God is telling us that even though hate, sadness, doubt, fear, defeat, and hopelessness are enemies that threaten us, we can still enjoy life.  We can feast ourselves on a six-course meal of love, joy, faith, hope, victory, and goodness that God Himself prepares.  We can smile in the middle of the messes of life because He sets the table with everything we will ever need. 

Notice, however, how the verse says “You serve me…”  It doesn’t say, “God force feeds me…”  We have to choose to sit at that table and dine.  Let’s pull up a chair together and dig in, shall we?

Revelation 3:20 ”I’m standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to My voice and opens the door, I’ll come in and we’ll eat together.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We open the door of our life to You today.  We can not think of anyone we would rather eat with.  Thank You for the exquisite feast You prepare for us.  Help us to focus only on the lavish spread before us, and nourish us and those we love with Your goodness.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

I'm Hooked!

Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me; Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” 

Sometimes we make a dumb decision and end up in the valley.  Sometimes someone we love makes a dumb decision and drags us down into the valley with them, and sometimes life just happens, and it’s no one’s fault, but into the valley we go. 

The number one question people ask me when they are in a “valley” experience is, “How can I cope with the fear, anxiety, and anger? Sometimes it’s paralyzing.”  I completely understand the question because I have been there and done that, and it’s not fun.  It’s all-consuming, the days get bleaker and bleaker, it’s hard to see the exit sign, it sucks all the joy out of life, but GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO LIVE THIS WAY.

We must accept by faith that He is always close by using a rod and a staff to bless us. 

The rod is a stick that is bent at the top like a cane, and real-life shepherds use it to protect the sheep.  And the staff is similar to a walking stick.  Any sheep that wanders off is gently nudged by the staff to stay on course, but if it strays too far, it’s hooked by the rod and led back to the safety of the flock and away from a wandering wolf.  I don’t know if the sheep enjoy the rod and/or the staff, but without them they could die. 

The rod and staff symbolize God’s Word, and God uses the Bible to protect, comfort, guide, reassure, and give us courage.  But first we have to know what the Word says and then we must be willing to do it.  We must allow ourselves to be “hooked” by it because this is what will bring us protection and peace.

Sometimes getting hooked is unpleasant, and I have shared with you before how I knew I had to forgive a certain someone who had an unacceptable relationship with my married father, but it was hard.  Ultimately, I had to decide whether unforgiveness was Biblical or not.  It’s not, and holding onto a grudge kept me in a dark valley for a long long time. L

One day God whispered to my heart, “Yenisita, My son Jesus died on the cross for you and for ______.  She has a soul in need of forgiveness and love.  Out of gratitude for what My Son did for you, will you let it go?  In the process you will find joy again.”

What could I possibly say to that except, “Sorry it took so long.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your rod and staff.  They offer protection, comfort, guidance, reassurance, and encouragement to those of us who have been hooked.  We love you! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~