No Matter the Weather, the SON Always Shines!

It has been a dreary few weeks here in West Virginia. I don't think it has stopped snowing and the temperatures are about 25 degrees below normal. We haven't seen the sun in weeks - until today! I woke up this morning and looked out my window expecting to see what I have seen the last few weeks - snow on the ground and still falling. But to my surprise and delight I looked out to no snow falling and the sun shining. Granted it is still cold outside but we are supposed to have a high of 23 degrees today! But the sun is shining!

I immediately thought of how dreary the weather had been and how dreary it had made me start to feel. While I cannot always get out of the house due to physical limitations, it is still depressing to not be able to do anything even if I feel like it because of the weather. And for such a long period of time. I haven't even been able to celebrate the holidays with my daughter yet because of the weather.

But then I thought of no matter how dreary the weather is and no matter how long it is that we don't see the sun, God's SON always shines and is always there for us! What a comforting thought to know that God's son Jesus Christ is always there to help us through the cloudy times! He is our encourager when times are gray. He is our shelter from the storms of life. He can turn sadness into gladness, gloom and despair into hope and reassurance.

Lord, thank you for your SON who always shines. Thank you that no matter how dreary our lives may seem and no matter how many storms we may face, He is always there for us to brighten our day, to protect us, to love us, to shelter us. Thank you, Lord!

When Jesus spoke to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

The Son Always Shines!

I think we all have days when it feels like the sun just won't shine! We may not feel well We may have had a disagreement with our children or spouse. We may not like the way we look that day! Someone may have said something hurtful to us. We may be lonely. For whatever reason, a darkness settles in and the sun doesn't shine!

But no matter what is going on in our lives, the Son really does shine! He lifts our spirits and makes the clouds go away. We can turn to Him when we are lonely for He is always there. He never leaves our side. He will never say anything harmful to us. His words are uplifting to us. No matter what is going on in our lives, He can turn the darkness into light.

Lord, I thank you for always being there for us, for never leaving us lonely. I thank you for the brightness and joy you bring to our lives. Thank you for letting us know that we are loved and adored by you. Thank you for turning our darkness into light!

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29

New Life in Christ

Today I was cleaning up the house. I had to throw away a plant that was given to me a few weeks ago. This plant was a mum and was absolutely beautiful! I had never seen such vivid colors in a mum plant before. I loved it! But, as usual, I killed it. To save my life, I cannot keep a plant alive! No matter how much sun it got, how much I watered it, or how much MiracleGro I used, I still killed it!

While I was throwing away this plant and lamenting my lack of a green thumb, I began thinking of how we can come to God all beautiful on the outside but dead on the inside. But God takes us no matter what condition we are in and helps us to grow. He doesn't care how dead we are on the inside, what our sins are, what our past is. All He cares about is whether we turn our lives over to Him. When we do, He makes us grow into the beautiful creatures He intended us to be. When we live our lives for Him, He becomes our "MiracleGro"!

I am so thankful, Lord, that you take us as we are and help us to grow into the people that you want us to be. Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins. Thank you for never giving up on us. I am so thankful that You never throw us away because we are dead on the inside. Thank you for the beautiful new life that we have in You.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Being a Servant of God

It has been a very long time since I wrote a devotion. Life just seemed to get in the way. First there was my daughter's graduation from WVU and then came her engagement and all of the wedding planning! Then the big day came! Her wedding was everything she had ever dreamed of and that made me so proud and happy. I had put a lot of time and effort into making it a day that the newlyweds would never forget! And I had succeeded. But at what cost? I don't mean monetary - although that was a huge cost. But the real cost of ignoring what God really wanted me to do. I was working so hard to make it the perfect day that I became deaf to what God had planned for me. And after the big day had come and gone, I felt empty. I felt like there was nothing for me to do in life. But no matter how empty I felt, I continued to ignore the voice inside. I pushed aside whatever God was telling me, listening to what He said but not doing what He said.



As many of you know, I had written this devotion website for a while before life got in the way. I fully admit that I am no biblical scholar and that the words in the devotion were words from God. I became down, though, thinking that the devotions did not mean anything to anyone and that I wasn't reaching anyone so I used every excuse I could think of not to write them. Lately, however, I have had numerous people tell me that they missed the devotions and wished I would write them again. And even more important, I feel God has been telling me to write these devotions and that if I would just do as He wanted then He would provide the words for me to write. So, here we go! I am putting all my trust in God to help me find the words that He wants me to write. I am no longer going to ignore what He is telling me and will follow His will. I hope you are blessed by these devotions and by God's word.



Being a servant is one of the most important lessons that we as Christians can learn. But we are often afraid. Sometimes it is so hard for us to entrust ourselves to others . We want to be the boss. We want to have control over everything in our lives.



But God is the greatest Master of all! He will never abuse us or misuse us. He always has our best interests at heart. And what other master do you know that would lay down his life for his servants? Being a servant of God fills us with hope, makes us complete. When we are servants of God, we are filled with His own image. He fills us with the Holy Spirit to empower us to become all that we can be, all that He wants us to be. If we would only listen to what He is telling us, obey Him and follow His will for our lives, we will become more of whom He created us to be.



Has God been talking to you and you have been ignoring what He is saying? Open your mind, your ears, and your heart to what He is telling you. Serve Him in whatever way He is leading you and you will be truly blessed. Remember God is a master unlike any other. He is worthy of our service!!



When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you not understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13: 12-17

RUNNING AWAY FROM OUR PROTECTOR

Yesterday I was doing a lot of driving around - going to garage sales, running errands, getting my haircut - just normal Saturday routine. But it seemed like everywhere I went I would see this beautiful dog. She was a golden colored, probably was part golden retriever, and fairly big. The first time I saw her yesterday was when I was passing by the Rail Trail. I thought she just was walking ahead of her master and didn't think much about it. Then about an hour later I saw her again - all alone - walking down a very curvy, dangerous street. I was so frightened for her. She looked like she was trying to find something to eat. She was grabbing at things on the ground. I pulled over and called my daughter and told her to look up somewhere we could take her if I could get her to come to me. I could tell she did not have on a collar so there was no way I could call her owner. I got out of the car and got a closer look at her. It was obvious she had had puppies recently. I tried to go up to her but she ran off. She would not let me anywhere near her. She ran around the corner and I heard a car blare its horn. I just wanted to cry. I just knew that she had been hit. But when I drove around the corner, she was nowhere to be found. I drove home in tears, I was so worried about her.

About 30 minutes later, my daughter and I were getting back into my car at my house to go get something to eat. My daughter was backing out and all of the sudden stopped and shouted "Mom, is that the dog you were trying to help?" I looked out my window and saw her!! I couldn't believe she had made it to my house, which was probably about 3 miles from where I last saw her. I jumped out and we once again tried to get her to come to us and, once again, she took off running with her tail between her legs. I couldn't believe it! All I was doing was trying to keep this dog safe!!

We got back into the car and started to pull out of our complex. All of the sudden we heard brakes squeal and looked up and there she was again! Just slowly walking across the street, right in front of a car! Although she was terrified of people, this dog seemed to have no fear of cars!

Once again, we took off after the dog. We saw her on the street next to ours and got out of the car and tried to get her to come to us again! Bet you can guess what happened!! She ran off again and once again towards a busy street!! There was nothing we could do and we drove off in tears. I was so worried about her and worried about her puppies that were probably missing their mommy, but I just didn't know what else to do. It was a horrible feeling.

Later on last night I started thinking about the situation again and I realized that this dog's behavior is similar to our own behavior sometimes. When God tries to lead us in the right direction, we run off and try to do things all on our own. We think we don't need Him, that we can take care of ourselves. And sometimes we are so afraid of how much we do need Him that we just don't want to admit it and we run and hide! But when we choose to ignore God or to run away from Him, all we are doing is running into traffic ourselves! We need Him to protect us from the "traffic" that we run into! We need His protection and His love and His grace!

Thank you, Lord, for being our protector! Thank you for watching out over us. Help us not to run from you, Lord, but to run TO you!


You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

FALLING IN LOVE

Falling in love is such a wonderful feeling! And watching your child fall in love and start planning their future is even better! The sparkle in their eyes, the joy in their heart - it is all so wonderful to watch!

As much as I am enjoying this phase of my daughter's life, I look back on all of her young life and how I have cautioned her to be very careful who she dated because she never knew who she might actually fall in love with and she should make sure that if she did fall in love with someone, he would be the right one - in her eyes and in God's eyes. I do believe she has found the right one and while they may not do everything that this mother thinks they should, what child does? I think they are perfect together. She always worried that she would never find someone but I always told her that once she found the "right" one, she would just know.

Isn't that how is is with our relationship with Jesus? Once we look into his wonderful face, how can we not be captivated by his beauty? When we compare him to others, there is no comparison! Once we have seen Jesus for who he is, all the other things of this world pale in comparison. Money, fame, power - they may all be nice things to have but nothing compares to the love of Jesus and the relationship we may have with him!

Don't fall in love with the first thing that catches your attention. Get to know Jesus and develop a deep relationship with him. When you do, all other earthly things will pale in comparison!

Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:2


TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers out there. This is kind of a sad day for me. My dad passed away two years ago and I still miss him terribly. But when I think about it, I always have him with me. I have a lot of my dad's traits which is really interesting because he was not my biological father. But he was my Dad. And he influenced my life more than he will ever know. I have tried so hard to be the kind of daughter that he would be proud of.

One of the biggest ways my Dad influenced my life was in the way he showed his faith and, more importantly, lived his faith. He was a true Christian man and one that I was proud to call my Dad.

But even though my earthly father is no longer here, I know that my heavenly Father is always with me. He walks beside me every day, through good times and bad. And when I feel like I can't walk anymore, He carries me. He never leaves me. I can celebrate everyday because I have a Father in heaven!!

Thank you, Lord, for the dad You gave me. Thank you, Lord, for being my heavenly Father. I am so grateful that because of your love that one day I will be with You and my dad and mom again!

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16

KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

Have you heard the story of the young college student who wrote her parents a letter telling them of her new boyfriend? She told them that he had dropped out of college in his junior year to marry his girlfriend but they had divorced about a year ago. She told them that they had been dating for several months and that she had dropped out of college so she could marry him.

On the next page of the letter, the young student told her parents that everything she had told them on the first page of the letter was false. She had, however, failed one of her classes in school!

It was obvious in this letter that this young girl was trying to make her parents keep the fact that she had failed a class in perspective. We should all do that in life. We complain and feel sorry for ourselves and the problems we have. In reality, there are others who would change places with us anytime!! That is not to say that we don't have problems and that there aren't times that we struggle with things in life. But we should keep things in perspective and thank God for the blessings that He has given us!

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have given us. Help us to remember our blessings and to keep our problems in perspective. Help us to remember that our struggles can help us grow stronger if we keep our faith and trust in You.

Many, O Lord My God, are the wonders You have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE

We have all heard the saying that "One man's trash is another man's treasure". I am finding this more and more to be true as I am starting a new business - an online flea market. I have gone around to different garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores to find items to put on my new website. It is amazing the items that you can find - some are fantastic! I don't think some people realize what they have! And others make you wonder "What were they thinking when they bought that? That is junk!" But I have actually purchased some of this junk and turned it into something wonderful for my home or to sell. You just never know what you could do when you turn your mind to it.

Sometimes we feel like we are junk in God's eyes. We make mistakes. We sin. How could God possibly love us and our junk? But everyday, He takes rebellious sinners and transforms them by His power into something beautiful and valuable!!

Before you give up on yourself or someone else, before you get too discouraged about how your life has turned out, always remember that you have the potential in the hands of God to be turned into something wonderful and valuable!!

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 21:21

HELP ME TO FORGIVE AND BE GRATEFUL

I am so frustrated and angry. I live in a condominium complex and we have a communal laundry room. Everyone has their own washer and dryer but they are all in one room. I have lived here for over two years, have grown to love it, and love the neighbors that I know.

Well, I went to do my laundry this morning and someone had stolen the empty laundry basket that was on my washer, all of my fabric softener and fabric softener sheets, and one bottle of detergent. They were kind enough to leave one bottle of detergent. I was so angry. I know it doesn't seem like much but I save every penny I can and laundry supplies are not cheap. But more importantly, it was a horrible feeling to know that someone stole from me.

Of course, I got all in a dither and decided that I was moving! It didn't matter that my home is perfect for me - the right size, the right location, the right price, and, for the most part, great neighbors. I didn't care - I was moving!!

I went outside to sit on my porch and read the paper (the real estate ads!). I have worked hard to make my patio look nice - put lots of plants out, got new chairs, and hung my bird feeder. I love to watch the birds come up to the bird feeder. They will actually come up to it and eat even while I am sitting right there on the porch. It makes me happy to watch them and always puts a smile on my face!

Well, while I was out there steaming about my laundry supplies and looking through the ads, I looked up and there were several birds on the feeder and several more actually walking around my porch. I put the ads down and watched the birds. I began thinking about how grateful I am for my home, how much I truly like it, how perfect it is for me, and how easy it would be to just put my laundry supplies away where no one can get them. My problem would be solved and I am still happy in my home.

God has so truly blessed me with my home and everything in my life. I am so grateful that He opened my eyes on this situation - instead of continuing to be angry and frustrated, He gave me a solution and a peace about the situation. Although I have to admit, I am still a little angry, I feel sorry for whoever stole my things. I would gladly have let them borrow some if they needed it instead of them stealing it. But I am more grateful for the wonderful neighbors that I do have, the ones who have been true friends and have helped me in so many ways. God led me to this home and I believe He wants me to stay here.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have given me. Thank you for the peace You give me even in bad situations. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me and help me to be a good example to them in these situations.

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:35

PRIORITIES IN OUR LIVES

We live in such a hectic world today. Family, work, social activities, church, home -so much to do and it seems like so little time. Sometimes it is hard to decide what we should do and what we should let slide. In other words, it is hard to determine what should be the priorities in our lives.

Obviously, we have to work. We need money to pay our bills, to put food on our tables, to put a roof over our heads.

We need to take care of our families. We need to get our children to school and to their activities. We need time to spend with our spouse or significant others.

We need to have time to spend with our friends. Friends are so important in our lives and it can be so easy to let friendships go by the wayside when we get so busy.

And does there ever seem to be an end to the chores - washing, vacuuming, ironing, cooking, gardening, and the list goes on and on!!

So much to do in life and so little time. Oh, wait, I forgot to mention God!! I really didn't forget - it just seems like sometimes we put Him last on our priority list. We get so busy that we just don't take the time to spend with God - we don't read our Bibles, don't go to church, don't pray. Seems like we get so tired and busy that it is just easier just to let our relationship with God be put to the bottom of our priority list.

In reality, God and our relationship with Him should be NUMBER ONE on our priority list. Absolutely nothing should come before God - not our spouse, our children, our work, NOTHING!! And even though it may be hard at times, when we do make God number one in our lives, we are truly blessed!! Our schedules and lives may still be hectic, we may still be stressed, but we are truly blessed!!

Lord, forgive us for not making you the most important part of our lives. Forgive us for placing others before You. Thank you for always being there for us and for never putting us to the bottom of Your list!!

"You shall have no other Gods before me." Exodus 20:3

WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR WHEN WE TRUST IN THE LORD

Fear is a horrible emotion. People have fears of many things - heights, water, spiders - just to name a few. My biggest fear is of fires. I had a friend who died in a house fire when I was only 12 years old, and I have never gotten over that. I am very afraid of fires in my house.

Last night this fear "flared" up. My daughter was drying her hair in the bathroom when the plug starting making noises and sparking. I did not know what to do, other than shut the fuse off. When I did that, however, it also shut off the refrigerator. I had a refrigerator full of food and didn't want it to go bad. So I turned the fuse back on, did not use the plug again, checked all my smoke detectors in my house, and basically stayed awake all night and prayed that my house would not catch on fire. I called the electrician the first thing this morning and he replaced the outlet. Things are fine now but it made me really think.

While we may never be able to completely get rid of our fears, no matter how rational or irrational they may be, we truly have nothing to fear when we trust in the Lord. He is always there for us no matter what. And while I was truly afraid last night and didn't sleep much, I did find some peace in praying to God to protect my daughter and myself through the night. Every time I would roll over and wake up, I would pray to God to protect us and then I was able to go back to sleep. It may have been a long night, but it certainly would have been a lot longer night had I not had His peace and comfort.

Lord, thank you for the peace that you give us through all situations. Thank you for the peace that passes all understanding.

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER YEAR - THANK YOU, LORD!!!

Today is a beautiful day outside - sunny and warm! A beautiful day to celebrate another year! Yes, it is my birthday! And to be honest, it is a birthday that I wasn't sure I would ever see! My doctors have never been overly pessimistic but at the same time, the longer my illness drags on, let's just say they are not overly encouraging about living to be 100!

That is why I am so grateful for every day that God has given me! He has blessed me in so many ways, and one of the greatest ways He has blessed me is getting old!!! Of course, I don't think I am old but my body has a tendency to disagree with me! But when I woke up this morning and saw how beautiful it was, I was so truly grateful! I have had such a beautiful day - lunch with my daughter, opening the presents she gave me, crying my eyes out when I read her card and the words she wrote, calls from friends, and looking forward to a dinner tonight hand cooked by my precious daughter. I can't promise that I will never complain again about getting old, but I do promise that I will be more and more grateful for the wonderful life He has given me!

Even though I know that one day I will spend eternity with the Lord and that when that day comes, I will have no more pain or suffering and I know that I don't fear that day, I do admit that I am not quite ready for it yet! There is so much I still want to accomplish here on this earth. But when God decides it is my time, I will truly rejoice!

Thank you, Lord, for another day and another year! Thank you for the knowledge that as I grow older and my body ages that there will come a time that I will be with You forever without any pain or sorrow, only joy and happiness!

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

I went to Atlanta for a few days with my daughter over her spring break. To be honest, I was very nervous. I was afraid to see people I hadn't seen in several years - feared I had aged too much and looked too ill.

In hindsight, how ridiculous that fear was! I had a wonderful time. I got to spend Easter with two families that I care very much for and laughed more than I have in a very long time. It was so good to catch up on old times and make new memories! Although I did not get to see everyone I wanted to because I did not have a car while I was there, even those I did not see were in my heart when I thought about all the wonderful memories.

So much has changed in my life over the last 10 years. Nothing is like it was or like I thought it would be. But, it is how God had it planned, and it is perfect!

Sometimes I wonder how I will make it financially, how I will make it physically and emotionally, but God is always there and always gets me through. He has brought so many wonderful friends in my life who mean more to me than I could ever express, and they are my friends no matter how far apart we are.

I was so grateful that my daughter and her boyfriend let me ride to Atlanta with them because I couldn't have gone by myself. The trip truly helped me realize, once again, that I am right where I am supposed to be but that no matter how far away I am, I truly have friends and family in Atlanta and wonderful friends in West Virginia, and lots of places in between! I truly never have to be lonely - I do have "family"!

Thank you, Lord, for the family you have given me. Thank you for the gift of friends who are just like my family. You have truly blessed me with the most wonderful friends and family to help me through the hard times and to share the good times! I pray that I can be just as good a friend to them as they are to me!


God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:6

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. Mark 5:19

HAPPY EASTER!!

Happy Easter to all! I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend but among the wonderful food and the Easter egg hunts, remember that what we are truly celebrating is that Christ died on the cross for our sins but conquered death and rose again!! Praise God!! We all can have victory through Christ!


But thanks be to God!! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:57



ARISE MY LOVE - Newsong

OH THE PAIN!!

My back has been hurting so much. The arthritis is getting worse I think. I can't even sleep in my bed - have to sleep in a chair and take pain medications just to get to sleep. I am way too young for this!!!

Oh, what a complainer I am, but when I truly think about it, I have absolutely nothing to complain about! I went to see the Passion Play at my church Sunday night and once again was reminded of the love Christ has for us and the pain that He went through on the cross for us, and He never complained! The physical pain He went through must have been unbearable! And the emotional pain knowing He was betrayed!

But He suffered all that pain for us - so that we will have eternal life. We will one day live a victorious life with no pain, no suffering, only joy and gladness!!

Lord, help me not to complain so much. The pain I feel is absolutely nothing compared to the pain You went through! The joy I feel in the Lord, however, is unlimited!!

Thank you, Lord, for forgiving us of our sins and for suffering on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life! Thank you for this Easter season!


This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of the wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Acts 2:23-24


I hope you enjoy this video - I think it is truly perfect for this Easter season

HE'S ALIVE

SO TRULY BLESSED!!!!

Sometimes it is so hard to be faithful. Sometimes the circumstances of life make you just want to give up. They make you wonder why you should be faithful and good if only to find yourself in the bad circumstances you are in - bad health, poor finances, lack of relationships.

But then you have one of those days like I have had today where everything seems to be right. I have to admit I haven't felt very well but that just hasn't seem to matter today. I have talked to a friend who is out of town whom I miss a lot when I don't see her. I have done some redecorating of my house - didn't spend much money, must changed things around and it truly feels like home. And I had a truly great financial surprise today - to my benefit. God has truly blessed me!!

While things over the last few years have not been easy, while keeping a good attitude has not always been easy, I have been so richly blessed and instead of giving up, my faith has truly grown stronger. I am a much better and stronger person than I was when this journey that I have been on began. I am so grateful for a God who never gives up on me and blesses me in ways that I don't even see at the time!!

Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings! Help me to keep growing in my faith and in Your word!


A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20


How Great is Our God, My Savior My God, Wonderful Maker

PRAYER OF FAITH

God is my help in every need;
God does my every hunger feed;
God walks beside me, guides my way
Through every moment of the day.

I now am wise, I now am true,
Patient, kind, and loving too.
All things I am, can do, and be
Through Christ, the Truth that is in me.

God is my health, I can't be sick;
God is my strength, unfailing, quick;
God is my all; I know no fear,
Since God and love and Truth are here.


---Hannah More Kohaus

RISE AND SHINE AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY!!

"Rise and shine and give God the glory" is a refrain from a popular children's song. Each day as I awake to face the new day, I am so grateful - grateful to be able to wake up and complete whatever God wants me to do with my life for the day! I am grateful for the tasks and grateful for the enjoyments that He has given me, and grateful for another day to share God's love with others.

On those days where I may not feel as well, where times may be more troubled, I am grateful for the blessings that He has given me and that I can turn to the light of God within that illuminates my course.

Lord, help me to let my inner light shine and to share my joy with others in my life. Help me to rise and shine and give You the glory everyday!!


"Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:15-16

ON THE TABLE SIDE BY SIDE

On the table side by side
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide
One is well worn but cherished with pride,
Not the Bible but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No! It isn't the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
So, they open the book in which they confide --
No, not the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
The Word of God is seldom read,
Maybe a verse as they fall into bed,
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, but watching TV.
So, then back to the table, side by side,
Are the Holy Bible and the TV Guide,
No time for prayer, no time for the Word;
The plan for salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible, no on TV!!

----Anonymous


As I was reading this poem, I had to admit to myself that I have not always been as great at reading my Bible as I should have been. My intentions were always good but I didn't always carry through with them. I try to live my life according to the Word, but I didn't always take the time to read it. I made many attempts to start reading the entire Bible but have just never completed it.

The more I do these devotions, the more God speaks to me. There are many days where I just don't know what to say or what verses to use. But I truly believe that God has lead me to write these devotions. I pray and ask for His direction and words, and it never fails that He leads me to just the right passages and gives me the words to say.

I hope that these devotions are inspiring you to read God's Word more and devote time each time to prayer and devotion. I know that by following His directions, I truly am becoming closer to Him and I thank Him for that everyday!

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3