God's Protection Over Us

When I first sat down to write my devotion tonight, I truly had no idea what I was going to write. Before I write these devotions, I always pray to God to give me the words that He wants me to write. But I just wasn't hearing what He was telling me to write. Oh, how fast things can change!

I was sitting down, all comfy in my recliner with my laptop and Bible in my lap, getting ready to write a devotion. I was praying for God to give me the right words to say. All of a sudden all of my smoke detectors starting going off and the house started filling with smoke! I had just turned on the heat - I normally keep it at about 58 (yes, I am menopausal and cheap!) but decided to go for it and set it up to 60! Well, that was a mistake! I really started panicking. When I was in 7th grade one of my best friends died in a fire. I have never gotten over his death and am deathly afraid of fires now.

Well, I turned off the heat and immediately called the fire department. The operator told me to get out of the house and wait until the fire department arrived. I grabbed my warm coat and off into the night I went in my sweats, tee shirt, and flip flops! Soon one fireman arrived, followed by five more firemen. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life! These six firemen were wonderful! They calmed a close to hysterical woman and explained to me that the smoke had to do with my furnace and I would need to have it checked out. They told me not to run it until I did have it checked (thank goodness for those hot flashes!).

Once the firemen left and I calmed down and started thinking about the events of the evening, I started thinking about how just like the firemen were there for me tonight, God is always there for us. He is there to calm our fears, to protect us, watch over us. I am so thankful for his protection over us. I am so thankful that we can go to him with our doubts and fears. I am so very, very thankful that He is always there for us - I don't need to dial the phone to have him come to my home - He lives here, with me, every day, all the time!

Thank you, Lord, for always being there for us. Thank you for your protection. Thank you for peace that only you can give us! Thank you for always living within us, each and every day! Thank you, Lord, for protecting me tonight and keeping me safe!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

Acts of Kindness

Today was another wonderful day even though it didn't start out too great. I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment this morning but I was so exhausted and weak that I just couldn't get out of bed and get dressed and drive myself to the doctor. I called and cancelled and took it easy this morning.



Early this afternoon the day began to change. I received a phone call from the volunteer office at the hospital where I volunteer. I thought they were probably calling to see if I could fill in for someone. But boy was I surprised. You see, the volunteer group is going to see the NYC Rockette's Christmas program in Pittsburgh next month and, oh, how I wanted to go. But it was not in the budget so even though I was disappointed, I knew that I just couldn't do it. Well, the call today was an offer of a free ticket to go! Someone who had bought a ticket cannot go and they wanted to give the ticket away. My wonderful friends in the volunteer office thought of me and called to see if I wanted the ticket. I was blessed by an act of kindness by a stranger and by friends! What a huge blessing! I am so excited and grateful!



Then this afternoon I was supposed to volunteer at the hospital for a few hours. Well, this brain of mine had the time wrong - I thought I should leave the house at 3:00 and be there by 3:30. Well, at about 2:45, when I was only about half dressed, I realized that I was supposed to be there by 3:00. I knew I was going to probably be late and I felt so bad. I finished getting dressed as best I could - no jewelry, not sure I even looked in the mirror to make sure I was decent! - and ran out the door. I got to the car and realized I had forgotten my volunteer jacket so I had to run back in the house and get it. Needless to say, I was a little stressed! On the way to the hospital, I called to tell them I was on my way and would be there as soon as possible. Well, the traffic did not want to cooperate today. Normally I do not have any traffic on the way to the hospital but today was a different story. I was trying to make a left turn but cars were coming in both directions! Finally someone stopped and let me turn and I was on my way! I was only about 5 minutes late so things were fine. Even though it was a small act of kindness to let me turn, it was a blessing to me! I felt less stressed and got there pretty much on time!



There are so many acts of kindnesses we can perform to show God's love to others - a simple smile to someone, a hug, a listening ear, a ride to the store, reading stories to a shut-in, bringing meals to someone who is ill, a phone call just to say hello and that you were thinking of them, holding a door open for someone - anything you can do to help someone and make their day a little better! It doesn't have to be anything major - just something to show you care can mean all the difference in someones life.


Lord, help us to show others your love by the acts we perform. Let others see You in our actions and in our words.



Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said "Here I am. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

WHERE IS YOUR HOME?

I have been trying to decorate my home a little more lately. While I don't own my place, it has become my home and I believe God truly led me here. It is the perfect size for me, the perfect price for me, just the perfect place for me right now. There are some things I would change but for now, it is the perfect fit.

But I started thinking that my home is not found in the house where I live, nor in the community I live or the state where I grew up. I could travel far and wide and never settle down (seems like that is what I did for awhile!), I could lose all my belongings, I could say goodbye to those I love most, and still my home would not be lost. How can this be?

It is true because the home is where the heart is and my heart is truly with God. He is my truest home. No matter where I have lived, He has always been my truest home. I can always come home to God.

Where is your true home?


My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18

GOD'S TALENT SEARCH

Another season of American Idol has begun. Simon, Randy, and Paula are crossing the country looking for new talent, the next American Idol. To many of this generation, this show may seem like a new concept in entertainment. In actuality, it is hardly a new idea. In the 1980's there was Star Search, in the 1970's there was the Gong Show, and probably the original of these genre was Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour. It really has been on ongoing theme - looking for the next great talent!

We are always searching for fame and fortune. But the true timeless search is God's own search of hearts that are available for His work in the world. He is not seeking the most qualified or the most talented. He is seeking those who are available, willing, and dependable. In those lives, He will show Himself to be strong and He will be glorified.

All God wants to know is "Are you available?" He will take care of the rest!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying "Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here I am. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

START EACH DAY WITH PRAYER

I got up one morning and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't take time to pray.
Problems just tumbling about me, and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me," I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day tolled on, grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me. He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.
---- Author Unknown

I don't know about you, but there are days that I just crawl out of bed without giving God a second thought. I don't thank Him for another day, for getting me through the night, or ask his blessings on the new day. And I have to admit on the days that I do neglect to pray to God, my days certainly don't go quite as well! The burdens seem heavier, the tasks greater, the direction harder to find.

Let's all try to remember to start our day with prayers of praise and thanksgiving and direction. Our days will certainly be blessed!

"My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the earth learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9