Page Turner~

Psalm 118:24 “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.”

Back in June I touched on this verse, and it’s time for another visit. 

As you may or may not know I love reading – especially spy novels.  Not long ago I arrived at the library and was thrilled the book I had reserved almost six months ago was finally reserved for me to pick up.  I knew I would binge read, and I couldn’t wait.  I would go to my little corner of the couch, set up a cold beverage, put on my special glasses – the ones with the convenient headlights attached to the temples – and relish page after page of international thrills and intrigue!

When I got to page two I thought, “This seems oddly familiar.”  But honestly, there are several spy novel authors I read, and sometimes all the main characters sort of merge.  But by the end of chapter one I knew I had already read this book.  I was so disappointed. I wanted new action; I was ready for a new adventure.  Enough of the same ole’ same ole’.

Sometimes, we are eager for a change.  We want to move on.  We feel stuck on the same page and can’t seem to advance.  Today I am here to announce that God is a Page Turner.

He will get us out of the current chapter we are in and into another one.  I want to especially shout out to my friend who has been stuck in the chapter of infertility for a long time.  It’s boring and frustrating. And I want to remind her and all of us that God desires to turn the page and write a new chapter in each of our lives.

The first step is to open up the book of our heart to Him.  Let Him take a peek inside.  He knows what we need, when we need it, how we need, why we need, and how we need it.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Turn the page!  Some of us have been on the same paragraph, same page, same chapter for far too long.  We are eager to put some stuff behind us and get a fresh and blessed start.  Thank You that are the Page Turner.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

  

GO JUMP IN THE LAKE!

TGIF Greetings~

A shout-out to my mom whom I remember fondly on this day in particular.  Even though she firmly believed that Halloween was wrought with evil aspects that try to snuff out the light of Christ, she believed even more firmly in Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Therefore, every year, I, who according to her had the best handwriting of all the children, would make a poster that said, “We do not believe in the evils of Halloween, but if you want candy in the name of Jesus, knock on the door!”  I am pleased to report that plenty of people knocked! Amen!

Now, on to our DEVO.

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.”

“This mountain.”

What, dear one, is blocking your path to joy and peace? What larger-than-life situation has you freaking out.  It could be a mountain of bills, a mountain of sadness, a mountain of medical issues, loneliness, fear, rebellious children, a heartless husband…

Jesus never says that mountains don’t exist, but He does say that when we embrace God and the way He wants us to live, we can speak to that mountain, and it will move.  This brings up an interesting point.  I was talking to a friend the other day about this very same verse and she said, “Yenise, the mountains have ears.”

That’s a great way of saying the mountains will hear whatever we tell them.  Notice how Jesus doesn’t say, “Please move.” Or, “I know you are big, but I need you to move aside now.”  Nope! Jesus is firm and to the point.  Authoritative.  Resolute. No shilly-shallying, which means no hesitation and no stalling. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, No shilly-shallying from me today.  In the name of Jesus I speak to this particular situation (Fill in the blank:_______________): GO JUMP IN THE LAKE!

Thank You that “It’s as good as done!” Amen.

   

Great Advice!

Greetings,

If I were to ever have an advice column – like Dear Abby or Ann Landers – I know what my first entry would say:

“Dear Reader, 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.”

This is the foundation for beautiful living, and, of course, Jesus originally said these words in Mark 11:22 (The Message Version).

When we really embrace the God-life, when we purpose in our hearts that we are going to do things His way, the pay off is HUGE.  Nothing will be too much for us!  Nothing!

That sounds almost too good to be true, but because we are faith-filled Bible believers, we accept it as fact, one that we can implement in our life ASAP.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that one way we embrace You and the life You want us to live is by spending time in prayer.  It’s an incredible blessing to know that with You on our side, we can handle anything that comes our way.  In Christ’s name, AMEN~

It's Only Temporary~

Years ago a soda pop company was giving away prizes found on the bottle caps.  Jorge and I were thrilled to learn that we had won a remote control caddy.  We followed all the instructions and waited eagerly for our prize.  Jorge had visions of playing golf with an automated club carrier, and I was all excited just to have won something. A couple of weeks later the box arrived, and we knew right away there was a mistake.  How can you fit a caddy big enough to hold a bag of clubs into a box that was 10” X 10”?

Because the remote control caddy they sent was a black plastic organizer to keep the TV remote nearby.  Talk about a “DUH” moment.  Nevertheless, we were sad.

Experiencing disappointment is a fact of life.  Not one of us will go through life 100% satisfied 100% of the time.  But in this current day and age of so much bad news, I have great news: The day is coming when we will never be disappointed again!

I can barely imagine what that would be like.  No more headaches, hassles, or stress!  No more sadness, frustration, or fear! No more bitter pills to swallow, worry, or tension!  Everyone getting along perfectly, and everyone and everything at peace having fun with Jesus…      

Romans 10:11 "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (New American Standard Bible)

This verse actually appears in all caps in the NASB version of the Bible, and it’s because God wants to get our attention.  He wants us to embrace this beautiful promise when we’ve had a rough day.  He wants us to thank Him that heaven’s joy awaits.  He wants us to be completely and totally uplifted by the assurance that one day soon it will get better and that it will last for ever.

Next time we experience disappointment, let us take a moment to remind ourselves that disappointment – no matter how harsh – is only temporary.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for this verse.  Life is beautiful, but it has its difficult seasons.  We needed to be reminded that one day only the good shall remain!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

A Glorious Reversal~

A final footnote on Daniel…

Did you know he was around 90 years old when he was thrown in the lion’s den?  I am pushing 50 and don’t think my heart could take it.  It just goes to show how calm we can be even in the midst of unthinkable troubles.  The key, as we have discovered, is that Daniel was a man of prayer before the problems, during, and after.  It was his way of life! Plus, never ever let anyone tell us we are too old for something; our best days are yet to come.  God wants to use us even when we are geriatrics!

It’s also important to note that it is in the lion’s nature to devour and destroy.  Yet, God went against the will of those beasts to protect Daniel.  Let us always remember that “If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).” 

And finally, there’s what I like to call The Glorious Reversal.

King Darius went from issuing a decree where he was seeking prayers to himself to “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:26).”

The reasons King Darius gives will be our prayer today:

Thank You, Lord, that You are “the living God and You endure forever; Your kingdom will not be destroyed, Your dominion will never end. You rescue me and You save me; You performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. You rescued Daniel from the power of the lions and You rescue me from their power as well!” In Jesus’ name, AMEN! (Daniel 6:26-27)

God Shuts Mouths!

Thursday greetings~

Last time we laughed at how the king rolled a stone over the lion’s den and sealed the deal with some rings.  We laughed because we all know that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.

But, did God, to whom Daniel “was so loyal,” rescue him?

Daniel 6:19-22 “At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.  When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?’ Daniel answered, ‘My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.’”

Amen! The Bible says that “no wound was found on Daniel because he had trusted in God!” Other versions of the Bible say, “there was not a scratch on him,” and “no manner of hurt was upon him.”

When we trust in God we might face dangerous, calamitous, or difficult situations, but let us pray that we will emerge unwounded - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - just like Daniel.  This passage shows us that it is possible.

Not only was Daniel rescued but, "At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.”

Yikes and ouch!  This verse serves to further remind us of just how perilous Daniel’s situation was.  Before the false accusers even hit the floor, the lions crushed their bones.  Yet, Daniel was in there overnight and was perfectly fine. 

This story inspired one of my all-time favorite lines in a song entitled Praying Man: “Never throw a hungry lion in the den with a praying man.”

Why is that?  Because if the goal is to feed the lion, it will starve!  

God will “shut the mouth” of whatever is threatening us when we pray.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your Word.  It is so encouraging to know that by praying and keeping our focus on You, even lion’s mouths will be shut against their will!  It does not matter how loud something roars or how vicious it is, You will render it ineffective.  In fact, we invite You to send Your angel into our lives today to protect us and our families; let anything that comes against us starve to death!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Hahahahahahaha~

Tuesday blessings ~

Daniel and the lions’ den continued…

Daniel 6:16 “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lion’s den. The king said to Daniel, ‘Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.’” 

The king – the one who was so unbelievably self-centered enough to decree that he alone must be worshipped – knew that the only One Who could save Daniel was God.  Amen! Even the heathen have hope! 

Even so, look at verse 17: “A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.”

Other versions of the Bible say, “So that no one could rescue Daniel,” “that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel,” and “so that no one would interfere with Daniel's situation.”

This verse is laughable! Let’s laugh! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Really?  A stone and a few seals and nothing will change?  No one can rescue him? Daniel’s fate is sealed and no one can interfere?

Is there something blocking your path today? Is there something that has you feeling shut in with no way of escape? Do you feel as though your situation won’t change? Do you think that what’s done is done and your fate is already determined?  Do you feel like Daniel?  Do you look like Daniel? Has someone written you off?

Lord have mercy!

There’s a reason why none of the pronouns in the verse above are capitalized, and there’s a reason why God allowed these silly men to block Daniel’s exit and go through all the histrionics of sealing the lion’s den.  Let there be no doubt that if, in fact, Daniel is rescued, the credit and the glory and the all the honor will go to our Lord!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that nothing is too difficult for you, and nothing, certainly not a mere mortal and his seals, can stop You.  A doctor’s report can’t stop You. A crisis at work can’t stop You.  A rebellious child can not stop You.  And a stone?  Rolling those away are Your specialty.  In Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN~