Weekly Devotion
7/5/23
“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.” Revelation 3:5
More Than Conquerors In Christ
I started in the book of Revelation this week for my devotion time and I think there is so much we can take away and learn from the letters to the churches. These letters are personal messages from Jesus spoken to and recorded by John.
First of all, how cool!! I cannot wait to meet John in heaven and ask Him how incredibly awesome it was to hear this Word directly from the resurrected Christ! Second of all, there is something in each of these letters that highlights churches today that we can all learn from.
Today I just wanted to highlight my takeaways from the letter to the church at Sardis, but this week I encourage you to read through each of these letters and pray that Jesus would speak to you!
The church in Sardis struggled with hypocrisy and inauthenticity, which both are very prevalent in the church today. It is really easy for Christians to look good on the outside, but be falling spiritually short on the inside or in private.
You can go to church, go to Bible Study, check all of the boxes, but not be growing in your personal relationship with Christ. Jesus says, “ you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead…I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.” (Revelation 3:1-2)
How easy is it to “look busy” for Jesus, but not be doing any of the right things? How quickly can we put on an outward appearance of having it all together while we struggle with discontentment, exhaustion and anxiety on the inside? How quickly do people go to church and check the boxes, but live a life of sin outside the walls of the church?
I do not want anyone to view my walk as a believer as anything but authentic and real! I desire to be in such a close relationship with Jesus that I do not miss a thing he is calling me to. This can be difficult because the world is so distracting and tempting, but with JESUS we can conquer the schemes of the enemy! In our flesh, we will look like the church in Sardis, but if we are in the Word of God and in prayer, and desire to look more like Jesus, He will help us!
Father, search my heart and show me where I am missing out on doing your will in my life. I desire that all I do is exactly where you want me to be! Don’t let me get busy doing things that do not have an eternal impact. Help me to be authentic and wear my struggles and weaknesses for all to see, so that I may be a vessel for your light to be shown to the world! Anything that appears good in me is YOU alone, let my life be a resemblance of this, may you get all the glory! Amen!
6/21/23
“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28
Trusting In The Fire
When it comes to putting our trust in God, it is always easy when our circumstances are going well, but what about when the enemy begins to test and tempt us? The world can be so loud, the temptation of sin can be super strong, and we know that the enemy is always lurking to deceive and destroy God’s people.
When I read the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego in Daniel 3, I am always encouraged by their unwavering faith. Even in the fire, to the point of death, they trusted God. What a beautiful foreshadowing of the same faith that Jesus had in the Father.
Although God sent an angel, foreshadowed as Jesus, to rescue them, which is an absolute miracle, I love what the three of them said to the king, before they were thrown into the furnace. In Daniel 3:16-18 it reads, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abedego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
“EVEN IF HE DOES NOT”…Let that sink in for a moment. Does your faith still stand strong EVEN WHEN GOD’S plan does not align with your prayers? Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego had complete faith that God’s plan was better than their own, even if that meant that they would die. They trusted that God would use this situation to bring himself glory and that there was no other God but him! They were firm in their faith, and trusted God in the fire - in the hardest of hard circumstances, they trusted God.
I know God is sending angels all of the time to protect us from the fires of this world, and we have no clue. So, whatever fire you may be in the midst of right now, know that Jesus is with you and he sees you! We must trust that if it be his will, we can and will come out of the fire unharmed (vs. 27) - He is able! But even if we are scorched, we have a much greater hope and promise - which is eternal life fulfilled through Jesus! Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego, knew this greater promise and lived it out fully through their faith!
Dear Heavenly Father, help me have the strength of faith as these incredible warriors of yours! Thank you for sending angels to my protection, even when I am unaware. I trust that you are always working for my good and your glory, even when the circumstances may seem impossible. Nothing is impossible for you! I know that you hear my prayers and you are always able! I trust that your plans are so much better than anything my own mind can even comprehend. Help me trust you in the fires! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
6/14/23
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Beautiful In God’s Sight
Do you ever look in your closet when getting dressed and think, “I have nothing to wear.” Geesshhh, me too! I hate to even admit it, but I can often get so caught up in what I am going to wear and how I put myself together. (Confession moment, hehe!) As a daughter of God, I am pretty quickly redirected by the Holy Spirit, but I have to admit that it is a definite struggle in my life…I want to look and feel beautiful, but I need to be reminded often of where the true beauty lies.
We live in a world that is all about appearance, and living in the world but not being of the world can be hard sometimes. It is definitely a constant journey of sanctification as I grow to be more like Jesus through my struggles! God is so gracious to point us so often in scripture to how He sees us as beautiful – it all boils down to the heart, how we carry ourselves and treat others because of the transformation that Jesus is doing inside of us – this is where true beauty lives!
The context of these verses above from 1 Peter 3 is talking about a wife submitting to her husband and the power that our words and behavior can have on our husbands faith and walk with Christ. But verses 3-4 also show us where our worth is found in God’s sight. God does not look at our outward appearance, but at our heart, and it is the posture of our hearts that will then pour out and affect and influence those around us. We will not go out changing souls for Jesus with the way we look or the way we dress; we will change souls by others seeing Jesus in our words and actions.
Here are a few other great scripture reminders in God’s Word:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
I also think culture has built this false connection between outward appearance and righteousness or worthiness. But we are reminded by Jesus himself in Matthew 23:28, “So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” You see, it does not matter what we give people on the outside - what dress you wear, how your make-up is done or even how many wrinkles or gray hairs you are trying to cover up - Jesus sees through it all, straight to your heart. In our world that is becoming less and less authentic, let’s live authentically joyful, confident and content in whose we are in Christ Jesus. Let’s continue to spend time in His Word and prayer and be more and more molded into His image; caring less and less about our outward appearances and more and more about the transformation of our souls!
Heavenly Father, you are so so good!! Thank you for your faithfulness in my life! Thank you for constantly redirecting me when the world is screaming one thing, but your Word says another. I want to care more about how I make people feel through my spirit, my words and my actions – living a life that fully illuminates Christ IN me; and less about outward appearance. Help me as I put off the things of this world and continue to mold and transform me into the likeness of your Son Jesus! Help me as I live in the world, but not of the world. Help me to not only love those who love you, but also love those who do not yet know you! I pray all of this in Jesus name, Amen.
6/7/23
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith
I could probably spend days and write an entire book unpacking these three verses here, but I won’t today, hehe! I really want to allow us to focus on an aspect of our faith that keeps repeating itself to me in many bible studies - our faith is a response to something that has already been done, and that something is the sacrifice that Jesus endured for you and for me. The only thing we have to do to increase our faith muscle is draw closer to Jesus.
When we are going through troubling circumstances, like all of these witnesses of the faith listed in Hebrews 11, our faith is held by our belief in Jesus - a response to what He already did for us. Through our faith in Jesus we are able to rest on an eternal hope, allowing our worldly struggles to fade in comparison to the joy we have ahead.
So what do we do if we feel like our faith is faltering and we are having a hard time persevering in the race of life? We “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” He is THE person of faith, THE reason we have a hope that is greater than anything this world could ever offer us. Draw closer to THE One that gives us reason for our faith and our faith will be strengthened!
Heavenly Father, thank you for using your word to remind me at the most appropriate times to fix my eyes on Jesus alone. This world can be so distracting and can offer so much false comfort during our troubles, but you are all that I need. Help me increase my faith by continuing to draw closer to you, the pioneer and perfecter of faith! You, Jesus, are all that I need! Amen.
5/31/23
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2
My Comforter
When life has me feeling defeated this Psalm, 121, gives me so much comfort. It can be so easy to feel alone when we are walking through trials, but this is a reminder that we are never alone.
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
I believe that in order to find peace and comfort in the Lord, we must seek Him daily. We must allow him to fill us, instead of seeking other people or things that we think will bring us fulfillment or comfort. When we seek Him first, his peace will fill us and we will feel his presence.
I love this reminder that he never sleeps, he is always watching over me, my coming and my going! How does this Psalm speak to you today? I highly recommend copying this and putting it in the notes section of your phone. Anytime you feel anxious, fearful or worried read this Psalm and renew your strength and comfort in the Lord
Father, you are my Comforter. There is nothing else in the world that can bring me the peace that you bring. You showed me your ultimate love for me through the sacrifice of your Son Jesus. When I read Psalm 121, I feel your care over my life. Thank you for being so intentional through your Word to me. Help me to always seek you first! Amen.
5/24/23
“I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.” Ezekiel 14:5
God Wants Your Heart
I love when we can look into the Old Testament and see how human beings are struggling with the same things now as we were back then. Ezekiel Chapter 14 focuses on the idol worship that the people of Israel had gotten caught up in. I think when we think of idol worship we think of bronze statues, people or possessions, but God makes it very clear here that it really is all about the heart. The Lord says to Ezekiel in verse 3, “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces.” Idol worship is an attitude of our heart, it is what we are putting our focus and attention on above God.
You can see the Lord’s heart for his children in his desire in vs. 5 to “recapture the hearts of the people of Israel.” This is exactly what God still wants now, our hearts. He wants us to have a heart posture that puts Him and others first, which Jesus made very clear - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) You see, when we can focus our entire heart, soul and mind on God and his children, removing selfishness, then we do not leave room for idolatry in our hearts.
So I think the question we need to approach with honesty is what are we allowing to steal our heart, soul, strength and mind that does not come from God? It is a pretty convicting question, but is a crucial one for us to circle back to often to make sure we have not allowed an idol to take root. If you do identify an idol in our life, God tells us in Ezekiel 14:6, “Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, when we repent in His name and turn from our sin, our slate is wiped clean! Hallelujah!!
Heavenly Father, thank you for always showing your love for me in your Word. I know I do not always get it right, and I praise you for filling me with your Holy Spirit and conviction so that I can turn away from things that are not honoring you. Help me to identify any idols in my life that I may be blind to. I want more than anything to be close to you, and I want to remove any stumbling blocks in my life that may be keeping me from a better relationship with you! All of my heart is yours! Amen!
5/17/23
“We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:4
Our Joy is Complete
It is so easy to get caught up into thinking we need to go out and find our joy. When in actuality, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our joy is already complete and lives in us! John reminds us in 1 John 1 that our joy is complete in Jesus alone - where our salvation comes from!
The world can easily cause us to mix up joy with happiness. Happiness is dependent on our circumstances, but we can be sad and still have joy! Joy is eternal, it does not end because of our circumstances, but lasts forever because of what Jesus already did! Having feelings of sadness, fear and anxiousness do not dictate our faith and our joy!
It can be so easy to go to “things” to find joy. When the only ONE we need is Jesus! He is our joy! Our joy is complete in Him! If you have been struggling to feel joyful, think about what you have been trying to do to seek joy? Things of this world will never be able to fill your soul the way only Jesus can!
Heavenly Father, I come to you today with all of my worldly sorrow. I know you see me and you know where I am struggling. I know that you sympathize with me when I am sad, fearful and anxious, but that you never leave me! Help me to remember that even when life gets tough, my joy is always complete because you live inside of me! Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so that I may live forever with you! Amen!
5/10/23
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
Freedom from Fear
Fear comes in all shapes and sizes, but the commonality in much of our fear is an anxiousness over something that has not yet happened. We tend to be worried over the outcome of events that have not yet occurred. Of course there is also fear that we can experience in given circumstances that are out of our control, but even in these situations, we are often fearing an outcome that we do not yet know for sure.
Scripture is very clear that we will face trouble in this world (John 16:33) and it is also very clear that we will have anxiousness and times of feeling afraid, as even Jesus has these feelings in the Garden of Gethsemane, pleading with the Father to “take this cup from Him” (Mark 14:32-36).
Scripture also gives us the answer to combating our fears, and most simply put, that answer is Jesus.
In 1 John 4:16 it says that “God is love” and his most extravagant act of love for us was the sacrifice of his one and only Son, Jesus Christ for the atonement of our sin and restoration of our relationship with the Father, now and for eternity.
So when we get down to verse 18 that reads “there is no fear in love”, John reminds us that the closer we remain in Jesus, who is love, the less we will be affected by fear. In Jesus alone, we find freedom from our fears.
Now I have heard people say that our faith must be weak if we have a lot of fear and anxiousness. I believe that is a lie straight from the devil. Hehe. First of all, remember that the Bible is clear that we will have trouble in this world and that we will have anxiousness and times of feeling afraid. The question is, where do you go when you are afraid or anxious? What is your answer? The only cure is Jesus, who is without fear and who is love. “His perfect love for us, drives out fear” and replaces our anxious thoughts with truth. He is the only one that knows our right now and our future, all at the same time.
Dear Heavenly Father, I do not know what fear and anxiousness my sisters are carrying, but I know you do. I lift them all up to you. I pray that each of them will draw closer to your truth, and flee from what the world is telling them. I pray that in you they will find peace in their trouble and a love that knows no bounds. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus as the perfect and most sacrificial example of your love for us! I do believe that in your perfect love, my fear is driven away! Amen.
5/3/23
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Be An Encourager
It is amazing what a little bit of encouragement can do for us! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 came up in my devotions this morning and it really made me reflect on those who have encouraged me recently and how much that affects my confidence in who Christ has created me to be and the purpose He has placed on my life.
When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessolonika, it was clear that encouragement was something they were already doing, but Paul thought it was super important to remind them to keep on doing it. I think we all need this reminder to keep on encouraging others. What happens when we encourage others?
We instill a belief in them that they may not have in themselves. We can often see a gifting or purpose in someone that they are not seeing. How cool is it to be able to fan the flame and ignite Christ’s confidence in another person!
We can completely change the trajectory of their day. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey - sweet for the soul and healthy for the body.” You never know what kind of day someone may be having. If you have an encouraging word for someone, speak it; it may be just what they need!
We can help them hear from God. An encouraging word could be an answer to a prayer that someone has been waiting for God to give them answer or confirmation in. Again, if God has placed it on your heart, do not let your encouraging words go unspoken.
Today I want you to take some quiet time with God and ask Him who He would like you to encourage. Then, call, text or speak to them next time you see them! Let’s build one another up and watch God work!
Dear Heavenly Father, I am always amazed at how you want to use me to do your work! Thank you for this reminder of how my words can make such a big difference in the lives of others and how you can use my words to fulfill your purpose on this side of heaven. I am so thankful that you choose to use me! Help me to not miss an opportunity to encourage others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
4/26/23
“But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage. I am here!’” Matthew 14:27
Step Out in Faith
I am currently reading the book Everybody Always by Bob Goff, and read a quote recently that is really sticking with me. It says, “I once heard a friend say all opportunities come with expiration dates. If you don’t grasp the opportunity in front of you, it’s likely going to go away at some point.” This excerpt has really made me think about the opportunities in life that we miss out on because of fear, anxiousness, overthinking and hesitancy. I am sure we can all think back on something we did not do because we were afraid. Will God’s will still work out in our lives even if we don’t get out of our comfort zones and do the scary things? Of course, but I bet we miss out on some pretty incredible blessings and experiences when we choose to let fear win over our choices, instead of faith.
Often we are given opportunities and think that we need a thousand signs from God to move forward…I am not saying that we do not approach God in prayer and at times He does call us to be patient and still…but if you are in close relationship with the Father and you are given an opportunity that is not led by selfish desire, then I think we need to get better at stepping out in faith, being more courageous and confident in who God created us to be, and trust with expectancy that God has something BIGGER in store than we can even comprehend! Faith is not living in comfort, it is getting out of our comfort and knowing that God will use us most when we allow Him to use us in our weakness, so that His glory is seen all the more! In our weakness, it becomes more about God’s strengths and less about our capabilities.
When I think about stepping out in faith, I always think of the story in the Bible when Peter walks on water. Jesus is first walking on water, heading to the disciples who are stuck in a boat in the middle of a storm. One thing that really stands out to me is that Jesus told them to take the boat across the lake. In Matthew 22:14 it says, “Immediately after this (feeding of the 5,000), Jesus INSISTED that the disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.” Okay, so here the disciples have just experienced an incredible miracle with Jesus; he literally multiplied 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed over 5,000 people! Now I can only imagine that Jesus is sending them into this next trial to strengthen their faith even more. When the storm comes, Jesus walks on water to come to their rescue and they are terrified. Their faith is wavering even after witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fishes. How often do we waiver in our faith and trust in God, even when we have seen Him work so many other times in our lives?
Next, Peter says, “if it is really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” and Jesus says, “Yes, come.” (Mat. 22:28-29) We see here that Peter is basically asking Jesus for a sign, but He is also willing to step out of the boat in faith if Jesus declares him to. When Peter steps out of the boat in faith, he still begins to sink when his faith gets distracted by the wind and waves, but Jesus reaches out and saves him, they both get into the boat and Jesus declares the wind and the waves to stop. (vs. 29-32)
We see in this story that Jesus will bring us to and through storms to strengthen our faith. We see that Jesus is never surprised by our circumstances. We see that Jesus comes to us when we are in the storms. We see that Jesus will give us the strength to do hard things (walking on water) and he will also pick us up when we are drowning. We see that Jesus can calm our storms with one word when He is ready.
Think about how this story would have played out differently if Peter wouldn’t have stepped out of the boat? I think about how his step of faith strengthened the other disciples and also how it strengthened Peter’s relationship with the Father. I also cannot imagine if this powerful story wasn’t in God’s Word, impacting a multitude who have read the scriptures. And I believe the same goes for your story too. Everything you do that is a little scary and a little uncomfortable, God will use to strengthen the faith of those around you and will use to draw you even closer to Him! Step Out in Faith this week sister!
Father, thank you for your Word and how it strengthens our confidence to step out and do scary things. Whatever you place before me, help me to say yes and not miss any opportunity to bring you glory with my life, and reap the blessing that you have for me when I get out of your way! I love you Jesus! Amen!
4/19/23
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 46:5
Within Her
I was reminded of a great biblical truth this week as a parent…
You see, on Friday night our sweet 5 year old, Lillian, broke her arm. I witnessed the accident first hand as she was confidently showing off all of her gymnastics skills at her brother’s football practice and then in one instance she caught herself wrong doing a back-bend and, well I won’t go into those details…
I knew right away her wrist or arm were broken, so I scooped her up, tucking her little arm between my stomach and hers and rushed her as fast as I could to the hospital. Let me just tell you a few things about this little girl in these moments:
She stayed more calm than I can wrap my head around.
She was not screaming bloody murder like you would imagine a child who just broke two bones in their arm. She was barely even crying.
When we arrived at the hospital she was so patient as we waited for doctors and nurses, and she was in very little pain.
When we found out that the fracture needed to be reset, she remained calm, even through being a little bit scared.
You see, as her momma during all of this - I wanted to catch her before she fell - but I couldn’t get their fast enough; I wanted to take the pain and fear away from her - but I could not physically do that; I wanted to tell her I could fix it and take care of her - but this situation was out of my hands.
BUT GOD, on the way to the hospital I told Lillian that God was not surprised about her broken arm. I told her that He had already gone to the hospital before her and was already preparing her healing plan; I told her that He was with us and He never leaves us. It was resting in these truths that I was able to strengthen my little girl, not through anything I could do, but entirely through the Holy Spirit working through us both.
It was so evident during this entire several hours at the ER and even upon returning home that God was with Lillian and He still has not left her. He is still working endlessly to heal her arm and carrying her through this obstacle that she WILL overcome, because we serve a God that is a pro at overcoming obstacles! She has, miraculously, had ZERO pain since we got home on Friday night; even through having to go to the orthopedic for her hard cast. It has been remarkable to watch God work and take care of my baby girl.
So, what is the biblical truth that I have been reminded of…As Lillian’s mom, even though my love for her is SO BIG, there will be things in life that I just cannot protect her from and that I will not be able to take away for her; BUT, her Heavenly Father, who loves her even more than I could ever imagine, will always protect her and always carry her when hard things happen. Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
Today, I had to send my baby girl back to school. Of course I wanted to keep her home with me, especially when she seemed anxious this morning, but I was able to confidently (through held back tears) encourage her and get her to go to school today, because I KNOW God is within her, and He can take even better care of her than I can! He has proved that to me over the past 5 days and I know He will not let her fall!
I am so grateful that God chose me to be the mother to my three children, and I will continue to do all I can to care for, protect and nourish them! But I am so grateful that I can also trust that God is taking care of them when I cannot, and He will continue to work all things for our good and His glory because we have put our trust in Him!
4/12/23
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
Lost and Found
Can you think back to a time that you strayed away from God or back to a time when you did not know Him at all? Or maybe you are reading this now and you do not yet have a relationship with Him. I think back to a time in my own life where I was more concerned about the approval of people than I was about a relationship with Jesus. God had justly given me over to my own agenda…I was lost, but I was not forgotten. You see, when the “prodigal son” leaves his father’s home in verses 11-16 he was on a selfish mission, only seeking his own fulfillment. He spent all of his money “in wild living” and when he found himself in need he got a job feeding pigs and was even so hungry at one point that he thought about feeding on the pigs feed. You see, he had gone to live this life that he thought would be fun and free, but eventually found himself at rock bottom, a slave to his sin. Nothing he had done had truly filled him and it actually got him in an even worse place than where he started. His father had not forgotten about him, but he had given him over to the things he desired.
So, what does he do next? He realizes he needs to go back to his father and ask him for forgiveness and to be one of his hired servants. We see him pondering his game plan in verses 17-19. He was under the impression that he would not only have to beg for his father to forgive him, but that he may not even be accepted back as his fathers son and he may only be hired back. But what happens next is countercultural to our world…
The son is on his way home and in verse 20 it says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” There are so many lessons to be learned in this Parable of the Prodigal Son, but I love this image of the father running to his son. God, our Father views his children the same way - His love for us is countercultural! As soon as one of his children turns back to Him, even when they are “still a long way off”, he runs to them with open arms! Everything that has been done, every sin that has been committed has already been justified with the blood of Jesus Christ! Our Father does not look at our past and then decide our worth in His Kingdom, He looks at our faith and celebrates that we were dead and now we are alive again, we were lost and now we are found (15v24)! He has compassion on us!
Father, thank you for not giving up on me! I was lost but you never forgot about me. As soon as I turned to you, you ran to me! What a gift of Salvation I have in your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for the parables in your word that teach me of your extravagant love for your children! Thank you for loving me! Amen!
4/5/23
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11b MSG
Bloom Where You Are Planted
In Eugene Peterson’s Message Translation, Jeremiah 29:4-7 reads: “This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and make yourselves at home. Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare. Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.”
This was written to the Isrealite’s during the beginning of their exile. God was letting them know, “I see you, you will be here a while, so let’s make the most of it.” You see, this time in history is such a reminder for us that God wants to use us during our exiles…whether it be times of fear, loneliness, confusion, loss, grief, uncertainty…God wants us to lean on him, look at the sphere of influence he has given us in the moment, and run with it! He doesn’t tell the people of Isreal to wait, sulk and mourn…He tells them to get married, have babies, build houses, settle in, make a life for yourself, go to work, make an impact! It is often during our times of suffering that God can use us the most, IF we are willing to be used.
God goes on in Jeremiah 29:11-14a: “This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”—God’s Decree—“bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.” (My emphasis added.)
Here we see God continuing to encourage His people. He is very honest to let them know that this exile they are in is going to be a long time…SEVENTY YEARS to be exact! You have to imagine that there were many people listening to this that knew they would not even survive long enough to witness God’s promise here come to fruition. They were being told that for the rest of their lives on earth, they would live in the captivity of the Babylonians, BUT there was a FUTURE hope. This future hope goes far beyond God rescuing them from their exile on earth, it extends to the coming, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no disappointment in this secure hope we have in Jesus!
So wherever God has you right now…whether you are in a season of blessing and fruitfulness OR if you find yourself in a place of exile like the Isrealites did, KNOW that God wants you to BLOOM WHERE HE HAS PLANTED YOU. He has you right where he needs you, for your good and His glory. TRUST IN HIM and do not wait to do the good things He is calling you to do - get married, have babies, open the business, bring the meal, serve your community and your church, make an impact - none of it will be for not! God will use your life, no matter where you are, to extend the hope of Jesus to others! Our Greatest Hope!
© 2023 by Molly Shills, All rights reserved.