I Can See Clearly Now

All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. - I Corinthians 13:12b nlt

Big, sparkly watches are in vogue. While watching the shopping channel recently, I saw the prettiest, most sparkly one yet, and as a bonus, it came with several different colored straps to coordinate with outfits.

When the watch arrived a few days later, I tore open the packaging. It didn’t sparkle like I thought it would, but I liked it anyway. Running late for church, I chose the appropriate strap, donned my new watch, and ran out the door to church.

I sat down in the pew next to Rachel. She’s thirteen and spotted my purchase. “Cool!” she said, and I felt less like an old lady for just a second. The backside of the watch felt clammy, so I took it off and handed to Rachel for inspection. She giggled, and said, “Donna, you forgot to take the plastic wrapping off the back.” We laughed, and then I whispered, “It’s not as sparkly as I wanted, but it’s cute, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing my observation, Rachel dissolved into laughter. “Didn’t you notice you’d left the plastic film on the front, too?” With that, she peeled back the protective piece of film put on to protect the top during delivery. I put my glasses on and watched as she revealed the brightest, shiniest face I’d seen. It did look like the one on television! Without my reading glasses, I’d been clueless. I felt like an old lady again.

When Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth, he said, “We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!” (I Corinthians 13:12 msg)

I hate having to wear glasses. I squint, and sometimes feel as if I’m looking through fog. This comes in handy when I’m inspecting for wrinkles, but not so convenient when trying to tell the time.

God’s glory shines so bright we cannot look upon His face. We peer through a mist. For now our understanding is limited. But one day, we will see God clearly. And as the old song goes, “We’ll understand it better by and by.” When we’re in heaven, we’ll know things instantly and our knowledge will be full and complete. We will know God just as He knows us. Won’t it be wonderful when we will be able to see God clearly – face to face! And in heaven- I won’t need glasses. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the promise of Heaven, and the anticipation of seeing You face to face. Help me to be faithful to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

My Praise

I wrote this off the cuff a while back, and then looked at it. It came out like three triangles, and I'd like to think it reflects the Trinity. Anyway- I know it reflects my heart. Have a great week, everybody!

My Praise

How marvelous you are, my Lord and Savior!
My mouth speaks praises to You.
I feel the warmth of Your love.
My joy overflows.
I am blessed.

The cost of my salvation has been paid.
Your Spirit sanctifies my spirit.
My eternal home is prepared
Because I’m Your child.
I am waiting.

May my life reflect Your perfect love.
Open my eyes to your purpose.
Help me to see Your will
And strive to fulfill it.
I am yours.

Redeeming the Time

I trust in you, O LORD ; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands. - Psalm 31:14-15a niv

The secretary at my church publishes a monthly newsletter detailing church events and news from the congregation. I expressed an interest in writing an article to be included.

My suggestion was met with great enthusiasm. What she didn’t know was that she would be dealing with a procrastinator. Sure, I start putting some notes together at the beginning of the month, but I always intend to get them together ‘later.’ And next thing I know – it’s the end of the month. Does anyone else do this? Am I the only one who thinks if it’s worth doing, it will be done better tomorrow?

In high school and college, I always wrote my reports at the last minute. When I started working my first job, I inevitably clocked in late. The only spots on my record were for lack of punctuality.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve worked towards becoming more punctual, but on a daily basis, I find trivial things I can put off for just one more day. Won’t that laundry still be there tomorrow?

The Bible says in Colossians 4:5 – “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” The American Heritage Dictionary says that to redeem is to “purchase back; to regain possession of by payment of a stipulated price; to repurchase.” It takes effort to redeem time and laziness to waste it. I’ve noticed when I make the effort to give God a portion of time at the start of my day, often the day’s events go much smoother, so that the end result is – I have more time.

As a Christian, I hope you agree that we don’t want to be guilty of procrastinating spiritual activities. We always intend to witness to our neighbor. We always intend to read the Bible more and memorize the scriptures that help us to be that dynamic witness we want to be. When was it we decided to be more faithful in our attendance to the church services? Was that back in January? It is all too easy to turn the alarm clock off and say, “Oh, I can always start going next Sunday.” How often do we say, “Where did the time fly?”

The time is at hand. The time to start reading the Bible is now. The time to witness to your neighbor and pray for your family is now. My prayer is that I will redeem the time as I live each day to its fullest for the Lord.

I’m going to go tackle that laundry now!

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for each day. I pray I will be responsible with the time You grant to me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

*Originally appeared in WorthFinding Christian Media

Love and Laughter

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 niv

We went to a Mark Lowry concert Saturday evening. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. I enjoyed the sounds of laughter echoing through the gigantic church auditorium.

Mark started the concert by asking which denominations were represented. From Catholic to Charismatic, almost any church you could think of had a group in attendance. He then proceeded to tell some jokes highlighting the differences between denominations in what I considered a good-natured and harmless fashion.

In the midst of all the laughter, I heard one older woman complaining. She said, “We’ll all need to go to the altar in the morning.”

I couldn’t believe it. Since I’d rather focus on relationship with God than religion, I found the jokes particularly funny. I tend to think Jesus might have found them humorous, too. After all, when He lived on earth, He rebuked the ‘religious’ many times, choosing to establish loving relationships with people.

On a trip to Gatlinburg two years ago, I saw a painting of Jesus. He had his head thrown back in laughter. It’s my favorite way of picturing Jesus. Children were drawn to Jesus. What type of person do children like? Certainly not someone with a sour expression and a judgmental attitude.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” I’d like to think some healing occurred in the Church Saturday night.

I know God has a sense of humor. As Mark says, “I’ve looked in the mirror.” Have you?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of laughter and a merry heart, for all good things come from You alone. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Hope for Help

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. - I Peter 1:3

I did a goofy thing today. How I did it is a mystery. I locked myself in my basement.

After going downstairs to walk on my treadmill, I trudged back up the steps to find the door locked tight. No amount of jiggling worked to dislodge the lock. After knocking on the door for a while, I determined the futility of yelling for help. I was stuck.

How I longed for a phone right then to call someone. As I sat on the steps, I felt so helpless. I had a few sips of my water left, and my puppy, Angel, sat by my side, so I didn’t feel totally alone.

I pondered what it must be like to find yourself in a place from which there is no escape. I had hope that my husband would come home soon, but what if you were in a position where there was no hope?

In the 16th chapter of Luke, Jesus told of a rich man who went to hell, described as a place of torment. “In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'”

Jesus wanted everyone to know the real truth about the suffering of Hell. In Matthew 25:30 Jesus described Hell as a place of "outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth." Every description of hell in the Bible tells of a place of suffering, torment, and agony.

These verses emphasize that those who go to hell are without hope. In hell it is too late to call on God, too late to change your life, and too late to repent.

Hell can be avoided if a person repents. The key to our salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. We call on His Name. In the book of Romans, Paul said, “If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

We are saved from hell and saved to go to heaven. Praise the Lord! We have hope. Even though our present bodies will die, our new bodies given to us by Christ, will live forever in heaven. Christians have hope.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s for the Ephesians, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."(Ephesians 1:17-18 niv)

Today, after two hours stuck in the basement, my husband arrived home and unlocked the door. All along, I had hope I would be released. I pray that you have hope for eternity!

And I intend to hide a key in the basement some place.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You I have hope because of salvation through faith. I thank You for your love, grace, and mercy. Help me to be witness of Your love.

Are You Fruity?

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 niv

Have you seen the commercial with the slogan, “What’s in your wallet?” That campaign has been so successful that the credit card has vaulted into one of the most recognized in America, with a 95 percent national awareness among consumers in some surveys.

Are you recognized as a Christian 95% of the time?

Sometimes I think of my Christian life as a basket. I’ve watched a basket weaver on one of the shopping channels. He takes long wooden slats and weaves them together for a beautiful wooden basket. The container of my life is woven together with faith and works. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior by faith.

“…the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” –
Romans 10:8-9 niv

Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees to ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 niv) I’m not saved by my works, but the fruit of the Spirit will be a natural result of my identification with Christ. Others cannot see your faith. They do see your works.

According to the apostle Paul, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Are these fruits present in your life? Do you carry these fruits as a result of faith and works woven together in your life?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me. I pray my faith will be evident in my life. Help me to be a fruity Christian. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

One Moment In Time

I got quite a scare tonight. I pulled into the church parking lot and saw a young man, Matt, riding his bicycle. He looked as if he had an obstacle course set up, swerving in and out between the cars and vans. I pulled around to pull into an open spot and just as my wheels turned, I heard the sound of a body colliding with a car – my car. It took a second for the thought to register. Matt had tried to get past my car before I turned. He miscalculated the amount of room he needed and ran right into the side of my car.

Thank God for collapsible mirrors. I managed to screech to a stop and give him room to recover. My mirror needed to be put back into place, but Matt didn’t have a scratch on him.

As I took my place on the piano bench a few minutes later, I thought how quickly two lives could have been changed in one moment. What if I’d been driving a bit faster or taken a sharper turn?

A lot can happen in a moment. A friend of mine lost control of her car on the interstate. Before she knew what happened, she crossed the median, cut across three lanes of on-coming traffic and wound up on the other side of the highway. Her car was damaged, but she had no physical injuries. Her mind took quite a beating though. For weeks afterward, she could play the accident over and over in her head, each time thanking God once again for His protection.

The apostle Paul spoke of a moment when a tremendous change will take place.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. I Corinthians 15:52

How fast does an eye twinkle? That’s how fast we’ll be changed. Our corruptible bodies will be made incorruptible, a suitable dwelling for our souls in heaven.

We have this promise because of a decision we make that only takes a moment. “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." How long does it take to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Savior? Only a moment. But in that short amount of time, you pass from death to life. Your name is written in the book of life, and the angels begin to rejoice. What a moment!

I hope you’ve taken the time to make that decision. Every moment for the rest of your eternal life depends on it.

I’m going to take a few more minutes tonight to thank God for protecting Matt.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul, and reserving my place in Heaven. I praise You! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Coming Home

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 niv

A stray puppy followed my husband home today.

I woke up this morning to the words, “We have a situation.”

In my barely coherent state, I heard Don saying something about a dog, a really friendly dog, a sweetheart of a dog. After the third ‘dog,’ I sat up and muttered, “So where is this dog?”

“He’s in the garage.”

The fact that the puppy is a ‘he’ jumped out at me. We have three dogs, all female. “Well, thank God you didn’t let him in the house.”

We went down to the garage, and my heart melted at the sight of this mass of quivering, wagging, excited puppy all wrapped up in short, black fur. This puppy belongs to someone as evidenced by his healthy state, his friendly demeanor, and the tags on his collar. He has a transmitter on, too, so someone went to great expense to keep him in his yard, but I know from experience these transmitters aren’t worth a penny if the batteries die.

Have you ever heard the song “Lord, I’m Coming Home”? It’s frequently sung during an altar call. The first verse says, “I’ve wandered far away from home. Now I’m coming home.”

Jesus referred to us, not as stray dogs but as sheep, who before we are saved through Jesus Christ, are astray from God. Jesus proved His love for mankind when he died on the cross. He came into this world of darkness and evil to rescue people who are lost. Jesus said in Luke 19:10 nkjv, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus said He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep to save them. “Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.”(John 10:15 niv)

He will also seek after those who already know him and have gone astray. If you are not in a right relationship with Jesus Christ, if you do not know him as your Lord and Savior, or if you are a Christian and have gone astray, The Holy Spirit will draw you back into the fold. Jesus is ‘calling you home.’

My husband called the number on the puppy’s tags, and hopefully someone is eager to have him back and will come for him. We do not have room in our house for another dog. I’m so grateful the Lord always has room in His family for one more person.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for Your convicting Spirit Who drew me into Your fold. Thank you for loving and watching over me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

*Update on puppy in 'comments.' - Donna

Immutable God

For I am the LORD, I change not. Malachi 3:6 kjv

Today is my 29th wedding anniversary. I posted a wedding picture a while back, and several people commented that it didn’t look like me at all. A lot has changed in the past almost-three decades. I grew up, and managed to nurture two children to adulthood. My husband and I have changed in many ways, and the world around us has become drastically different than the one on which we stood and made our vows.

I’m thankful that even as the world and people around me change, the Lord does not. He is ever faithful, not subject to whims and changing times. There are many things beyond my control, and at times, I may have difficult adjusting. That’s why the stability of God is so important.

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

God’s love does not waver. His Word will stand forever. His promises are sure.

I talked to a young girl not long ago, and in the course of the conversation, she mentioned a cartoon she liked. I could relate as this was one I watched as a child. She said, “Donna, does it make you feel old when you realize the cartoons that were new when you were a child are on Vault Disney?”

“Vault” Disney? I didn’t even know of such a show! And yes. I did feel old. But only for a moment. Most of the time, I still feel like the young woman in my wedding picture, determined to be the best Christian, wife, mom, and minister for Jesus that I can be. I pray that’s one thing that will never change.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for Your love has saved me, and sustains me. I praise You, and rest assured in Your constancy. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Bird Nerd – Part 5

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Luke 12:6 niv

As I write this, I’m so thankful I can walk with relatively little pain.

My penchant for observing the hummingbirds got me into big trouble. We were going to eat, and my husband had already gone to start the car. He opened the door and yelled, “Come see what’s in the garage.”

I ran down the two steps into the garage, and saw a tiny hummingbird fluttering around the ceiling. Since I spend considerable time waiting for them to come to the feeder, I stopped to watch in awe as its wings flapped so fast they blurred, an almost imperceptible hum emanating from its fluttering. Then I remembered their need to eat every few minutes, and since I didn’t know how long this one had been trapped in the garage, I got concerned. I went back up the two steps to reach in and turn out the lights it seemed to be so enamored with.

I turned around, and still focused on the bird, I went down the first step, and you guessed it, totally missed the next one. I landed on the cement floor on both knees. Crack! I cried out in pain, and flipped myself over to start massaging them. I yelled for my husband to go get ice, and began to pray.

Even with knees throbbing, I still managed to get up, go get my feeder, and tried to get the bird to come to it. Instead, he fell. I hobbled over to him, and picked him up. His little body quivered, glistening far more beautiful than I’d ever seen in a photograph.

While I held him, I thought of the verse in Matthew. Jesus said, “Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” (Matthew 10:29 nlt)

God keeps track. He knows when each bird falls. As I thought of this, it occurred to me that He knew about my fall, too. I said another quick prayer for my knees, and, I admit, for this tiny being. The hummingbird took off! I hope he found his way back home and to find nourishment.

My knees are sore, but I’m ambulatory. Thank God! After my ordeal, I took off – to go eat, too.

Prayer: Thank you, God. I rest in the promise You watch over me, and nothing in my life happens without Your knowledge. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Blogging for Jesus

I’d only heard about ‘blogs’ a few short weeks ago. Now I’m participating in two. I’m amazed at the number of people who blog. There is no editing and many times, no planning involved with the posts. It’s fun to get a glimpse into people’s lives.

I’ve used my personal blog to post devotionals. Because I’m using it in a more formal way, I suffer from ‘blog angst.’ Right before I hit the submit button, I think - Is anyone going to read this? Will anyone care to read what I wrote?

I’m constantly making notes, jotting ideas down, making observations. I ask for the Lord’s leading, write up the piece, and then almost chicken out. But God is faithful, and in this new endeavor, I have felt His leading.

One of my goals is to put together a book of devotionals, but I also have a slew of children’s poems I’d like to compile. Oh, and a couple of early chapter books, and I can’t forget the picture book, and …… See what I mean? I also need to be careful I don’t spend hours reading the blogs, too! It’s difficult to balance all my responsibilities. I feel like I got a late start on all this (and no, I’m not telling my age) and always playing ‘catch-up.

My intent is to take one day at a time. It’s easy to get caught up in planning far into the future. After all, if I had a book accepted for publication today, it would be many months, possibly years, before I would see it in print. Instead, I focus on today. I don’t want to presume upon tomorrow.

Jesus said, “He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:33-35 nlt)

I'm seeking the face of God, and want to please Him. I pray that as I write, I’ll glorify and exalt Him. That alone is enough to be looked on as an accomplishment for the Kingdom. What are you doing today that will glorify and show your love for the Lord? Let’s praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, I lift Your Name and give You glory. Thank You, for You alone are my provision. My desire is to draw others to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Test

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Luke 12:34 niv

Recently I finished a college course, and needed to make arrangements for my final exam. I reserved a room at the local library. I took the test in that small, windowless place.

In Genesis 22:3 Abraham set out for a “place in the distance.” This was to be a place to test Abraham’s faith. God told Abraham He wanted his son, Isaac, as an offering – a total sacrifice, fully offered up. For Isaac, this truly could have been a ‘final exam.’

In that same place, God spared Isaac, and provided the sacrifice. The Lord knew Abraham truly feared God and obeyed in spite of the cost. God promised to bless Abraham with descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. His descendants would take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through his offspring all nations on earth would be blessed. Why? Because Abraham passed the test!

In the New Testament, Jesus gave a test to an eager, young man who asked, “What good thing must I do to have eternal life?" The man claimed to have kept the entire Law. In an effort to show the condition of the young ruler’s heart, Jesus told him to sell his possessions, and then come and follow Him.

The man loved his possessions more than the desire to follow Jesus. That young man failed his test. He may have been wealthy, but he was spiritually bankrupt, and poor of faith. There is no good thing we can do to have eternal life, except to believe on Jesus Christ as Savior.

Abraham son, Isaac, didn’t die as a sacrifice, but God did give His Son as our sacrifice. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 niv

What’s hindering you from following Jesus Christ? If God were to test your faith and love for Him, would you pass or fail?

Prayer: Lord, I pray nothing comes between You and me. I love You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Thank you for eternal life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Are You Being Bullied?

We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 nlt

I got almost all the way through school without ever being bullied. Not being the confrontational type, I maintained a low profile when trouble brewed. That changed during my junior year of high school.

As I foraged around in my locker for a book, I saw two girls standing a few feet away. They whispered something to each other, and then one walked over.

“Donna, I thought you ought to know. Someone’s threatened to beat you up.”

“Me? Who in the world would want to do that?”

“Do you know who Brenda Greene* is?”

The name sounded familiar. “Isn’t she the girl who likes Danny*?” I still couldn’t figure out what this had to do with me.

“Uh-huh, that’s her. She thinks you want to steal Danny from her.”

All I could do was shake my head. Where would she get that idea?

I turned around to go to class, and as if on cue, here came Brenda with two of her friends. She gave me a withering look. My pulse quickened when she passed less than a foot away. She towered over me.

For the next week, threatening messages promising future harm made their way to me. For someone as timid as me, this uncharted territory caused me great distress. I took great pains to ignore Danny even though I considered him only a friend. A couple of times, I saw his look of confusion when I rushed by as he called out my name. Didn’t he know his attention might cause me a few lumps to the head?

The other thing I couldn’t fathom was why this Brenda Greene, tall, beautiful, and slender, with short blonde hair and blue eyes, considered me a threat. I’d noticed the eyes when they shot shards of ice my way.

Most of the time, I kept friends with me. Finding safety in numbers seemed the wise thing to do until this thing blew over.

I made a quick trip between classes to the girls’ restroom. When I exited the stall, I came face to face, or should I say, face to chin, with Brenda. She shot me one of her now familiar, yet still fear-inducing looks. I glanced around. We were alone.

I walked stiff-legged over to the sink. I pulled my one hundred, ten-pound frame to my full height, and stared straight ahead.

Brenda stood to my side, never moving a muscle as I washed my hands.

Once I escaped to the hallway, all I could think was, “Thank God!” and then I thought, She’s not so brave without her ‘gang’ around her.

About that time, Brenda swept by. She looked over her shoulder to smirk at me, but the icy glare had dissipated. Maybe she respected me a little. After all, I didn’t dissolve into tears or beg for mercy.

A bully’s main weapon is the ability to instill fear of consequences, real or imagined. I’d never been in a fight before, so I couldn’t imagine the outcome being favorable for me.

Who is the biggest bully in your life? If you are a Christian, the answer is Satan. In 1 Peter 5:8, the word of God cautions us. “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” (cev)

Satan tries to bully Christians into cowering in fear. He wants us to think he can bring devastation into our lives. Even God’s people, who know the voice of God, can often be found cowering in fear at the intimidating roar of Satan.

But there is another Lion. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the only begotten Son of God. With one last statement, as He hung on the cross, He overcame every roar from Satan. “It is finished.”

At that moment all of the power of the adversary was broken, and the power of sin forever crushed and placed under His feet. We have no reason to dissolve into tears or beg for mercy. Victory over Satan begins when we understand that victory has already been won through Jesus Christ!

I found strength in numbers when I felt bullied by Brenda. Find strength by surrounding yourself with other Christians. Go to church. Pray with others. Get into a good Bible study.

Back when Brenda bullied me, I called Danny. “What’s with your girlfriend and all the threats?”

“Well, first of all, she’s not my girlfriend,” Danny said. “And I didn’t know about the threats until today. You really don’t know why she can’t stand you?”

“If I did, would I be calling you? Tell me!”

Danny hesitated – unusual since he was never at a loss for words. He cleared his throat, and then said, “She’s figured out you’re the one I want to be my girlfriend.”

I’d never thought of Danny ‘that way.’ I sat with the phone cradled under my chin, and pondered this new revelation. Shouldn’t I have figured this out? I liked Danny a lot, and didn’t want to ruin our friendship.

“Danny, you know I like you…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Danny sighed into the phone. “Don’t even finish that.”

“Friends then?”

“I guess. I gotta go.”

Danny must have talked to Brenda, because the messages quit coming, and the intimidation ceased. That week was one of the longest of my life.

Wondering what happened to Danny? He and my ‘tormenter’ ended up getting married!

Prayer: Lord, I praise You! Because You are victorious over sin and death, I have hope. Thank you for the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

By Donna J. Shepherd

*Names changed.

I Stand in Awe

Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven. – Job 25:2 niv

Recently I attended the Face-to-Face Conference hosted by New Life Ministries. I listened to godly, uplifting teaching, and wisdom given through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The chairman and one of the hosts of New Life Live daily radio program, Stephen Arterburn, spoke on coming face to face with Jesus using the life of Zacchaeus as his inspiration. As an aspiring writer, I sat in awe. Mr. Arterburn is the author of the Every Man’s series of books, which have sold over a million copies, as well as over 40 additional best selling books. I would have loved to talk to him, but his time was limited.

When we broke for the lunch break, I decided to take a shortcut through a side door to my car. Who was coming my way but Stephen? I reached out to shake his hand, and he graciously slowed his step, and I came face to face to with this best selling author I so admire.

Later as I sat listening to him speak, I thought that, as honored as I was to shake his hand, the moment pales in comparison to the time when I will come face to face with Jesus. Oh, the joy of reaching out to touch his nail-scarred hands! And I won’t sit in awe. I’ll stand in awe of the love and sacrifice He made for me. Time won’t be limited either. I’ll have all of eternity to worship my Lord.

Do you stand in awe* when you contemplate the love of God? “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!” (Psalm 66:5 niv)

And perhaps, when I get to heaven, I’ll have a conversation or two with Mr. Arterburn, too.

Prayer: O, Lord, my God in Heaven, I so adore and stand in awe in Your presence. May I never exalt anyone above You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

*To listen to an audio clip of the song "I Stand In Awe," click here.

A Whim Before the Wedding

Donna 

Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is s nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah. - Psalm 39:4-5 NIV

With my wedding less than two weeks away, I decided to do something different with my hair. A beauty shop had moved into town, and I’d heard rave reviews of one particular beautician, Carla. I cut a picture out of a magazine of my ideal style, and made my appointment.

When I arrived, I showed Carla my clipping. “Oh, no problem. That will look very pretty on you.”

She spun me around in the chair with my face away from the mirror, whipped out a cape, and wrapped it around my shoulders with a flourish. For the next twenty minutes, we made small talk about my upcoming wedding and current events, with the snip, snip of the scissors keeping an erratic beat.

“All done!” Carla spun me around in the chair and I stared into the mirror.

My hair, once flowing in long layers around my shoulders, now barely came past my chin, which began to quiver.

“You don’t like it?” Carla’s eyes grew wide as she saw my obvious distress.

“It’s fine. I’m sure it’s fine.” I needed to get out of there before I dissolved into a sobbing mess. I paid her, even adding a tip, ran to my car, and bawled all the way home.

I cried on the phone to my fiancé, “My hair is gone. There no time for it to grow back.” In my eyes, I looked nothing like the girl in the picture I’d shown Carla. Once my hair was cut off, it lay in piles on the floor. There would be no putting it back.

Have you ever thought about time like that? Hair grows back, but time, once wasted, is gone. I couldn’t pick the hair up off the floor and add it back, and we cannot re-live yesterday or add days to our lives. Each day is a precious gift from God. Let’s aim to make the most out of every single one.

Once I got over the shock, I decided to make the most of my new look. Regret would only be a waste of time. Two weeks later, I managed to get my hair to look somewhat presentable, and you know what? My veil covered up most of it anyway.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the very breath you give me. I pray I will be faithful with the use of my time each day. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Treats and Trials

Angel 

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – I Peter 1:6-7 NIV

When I go down into my basement to exercise, I take my puppy, Angel, so she can get her workout, too. For the last few weeks, I’ve hidden treats in nooks and crannies. The purpose is two-fold. It keeps her busy while I walk, and keeps me entertained watching her.

I hid a treat on top of a table just out of paw’s reach. Angel pondered the situation and finally decided to jump up to retrieve it. The glossy finish set her legs to scrambling. She gobbled up the treat, and scampered down.

The next day, I wanted to test Angel by setting another treat on the table. When she spotted it and realized she’d have to jump on the table again, she walked over to my treadmill, sat down next to it, and began to bark as if to say, “Go get that for me.”

As I stared into her brown eyes, they seemed to beg me to make her life easier. How many times have I prayed to God, “Lord, can’t you just do that for me?”

Many times God tests us. We develop patience and character when we go through trials He allows us to experience. We learn we can trust God to bring us through. How would we mature as Christians and grow in our faith if the Lord handed us everything we requested or answered every prayer immediately?

”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4 NIV

Ask God to show you the joy in trials, knowing you will be more mature if you persevere and prove your faith to be genuine.

After a few minutes of barking protest, I took a break and got the treat for Angel. Her test didn’t last long, did it?

Prayer: Lord, I thank You because I know You will bring me through every trial. Help me to consider them pure joy, because I know You are with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Final Exam

I'm so blessed to report I came in first this week in the Writing Challenge on Faithwriters. I've had so much fun participating. Here's the link if you'd like to read my winning entry!

Final Exam

Running the Race

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

I’ve seen several of the Olympic athletes on Christian programs proclaiming their love for God and faith in Jesus Christ. I’m so proud of them, and appreciate their hard work and sacrifice.

Eric Liddell, a missionary to China, ran in the 1924 Olympics. He is quoted as saying,

“I know that God has made me for a purpose; to be a missionary in China. But he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

To feel God’s pleasure! What a thought! God made each of us for a purpose. When Eric left China to run in the Olympics, he stepped (or ran) in the will of God. The Lord used his ability to witness to thousands. And did you know the movie “Chariots of Fire” is about Eric? So in that way, he continues to witness to this day.

I desire that the Lord would find pleasure in my life, don’t you? The second verse in Hebrews 12 says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. In the coming weeks, athletes will have their eyes on the prize – an Olympic medal. In our Christian walk, we strive for the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ. We won’t be awarded medals that soon pass away, but an eternal home in heaven.

You might feel as if you can’t be a witness because you don’t preach or teach. In the body of Christ, all the parts are important. Every Sunday, a gentleman in our church cleans a glass, fills it with ice-cold water, and places it under the pulpit for our pastor. Very few people know he does this, but he is faithful. It is his ministry.

Ask the Lord what He would have you do. Perhaps you wait tables or work on cars and have a difficult time imagining how this could be God’s place for you, but God uses us if we are willing. Ask the Lord to open up opportunities for you to be a witness for Him. When you honor God in all you do, He will honor your obedience with a life that counts for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for opportunities to be a witness. I pray for endurance to run the race set before me. Thank you for the assurance that when this race is run, I will find rest in Heaven. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Back to School Already?

Got kids? Visit Saplings Magazine to read a back to school poem by Donna in the August Issue called "School Lunch."

Saplings Magazine

You're welcome to leave comments about the poem here. Thanks!

Rescued

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

As a little girl, I had nightmares, vivid dreams so disturbing I can remember them to this day. On more than one occasion, I’d climb out of bed and sleepwalk and talk trying my best to rid myself of the images playing in my head.

My mother would hear me bumping and stumbling around in my room and she’d come to my rescue. Usually when she turned on the light, I’d wake up. But a couple of times, I didn’t believe she really stood there. I didn’t recognize her. Only her persistent voice saying, “Donna, it’s me. I’m right here” awakened me and gave me comfort.

Are you stumbling around in life? Do you need to be rescued? Sometimes events cause us to feel as if our life is a bad dream. It’s during those times you may feel as if God isn’t really there.

In Matthew 14, we read how the disciples got into a boat without Jesus who went up on a mountainside to pray. After night fell, Jesus walked on the water out to the boat. Isn’t that amazing? The disciples didn’t recognize Him.

Then Jesus said, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Vs. 27 NIV)

Just like my mom’s presence alleviated my fear and calmed me, Jesus’ presence brought peace and comfort to the anxious disciples

Paul told the believers in Philippi, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

How do you ‘present a request to God’? You cry out to Him. I’m thankful that when I cry out in the midst of the storms of life, God comforts me. Is your life in turmoil? Cry out to God. He brings a peace that transcends all understanding to His children.

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for the promise that when I called upon Your name, You saved me. Thank You for peace and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.