Light of the Word

 

Advent 2025 is here!  I aim to select a theme for each Advent season that will bring home the meaning of Christmas.  This year I have selected ‘light.’  Talking with so many of you, 2025 has brought wonderful and happy circumstances, yet, it has also yielded dark and disappointing moments.  I felt ‘light’ would help us to remember the light that was gifted to us during Christmas.

Today’s verse focuses on the words of light.  The Bible is chock full of books, chapters, verses, and words that help give us light.  Reading the entire Bible like a book can seem daunting.  Yet there is something in there for each of us, in every dark situation we may have.  The beauty of God’s Word shines in each page. 

The complexity of life today can seem overwhelming.  Technology, with all the positive aspects it has brought to life, has also made life more difficult.  The speed by which we live our lives can prove too much to bear.  God’s Word provides us what we need when we need it.  Reading His words gives us understanding of the complexity of life.  We do not need to be scholars in theology to have God’s Word touch us and bring us hope in the darkness.

I have had moments when I did not know where to turn or how comfort would surround me; moments when the light of life has dimmed.  This is when I turn to the only One who can provide me light – light in His Words.  When I open my Bible, I find what I need to bring comfort and light in my darkest moments.  God’s Words provide us the hope to move on, in a way that directly connects with my heart and soul.

Dear friends, as we explore the light of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit this Advent season, I pray you will see the glory of the light that shines around us and in us.  Remember, always, that God’s love and light shines bright from the pages of His Word.  Open the Bible that is sitting on your bedstand.  Read about God’s light – and how He fills us with hope.  Here is to a light-filled Advent 2025!

Video that compliments this post:  Light of the Word

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Your Words to light up our lives.  Please guide me to the words that will light my heart to new heights and bring brightness to darkness.  Amen!

Small Thanksgivings

 

Here we are, a few days before Thanksgiving!  Families have a variety of traditions to help bring forward the importance of taking time to be thankful on this special day.  When our children were little, we used to pass out construction paper strips at dinner.  Each would write what they were thankful for, and we would make a paper chain.  I always enjoyed hearing about thanks from our children’s perspective. 

Last week, the blog discussed ways for us to be watchful in thanksgiving, seeking out times throughout our days where we were blessed and ensuring we provided praise to God, immediately.  This week we are focusing on the little blessings in our lives.  Today, we highlight the small things in each of our lives that provide us with a sense of peace.  This may be a small experience or a small item that provides you with a pause at that moment and a heart of gratitude.  I am certain that we all have these, throughout the day, small thanksgivings.

What do small thanksgivings look like?  It could be the five minutes a busy mom finds before the family wakes up – her ability to breath in deep the day ahead.  Perhaps it is the executive about to enter a meeting and grabs a coffee for comfort.  Envision an elderly member of our community who receives a smile from a passerby.  I have experienced being in the grocery store in the flower section and seeing a flower that reminds me of my father who passed.  Small thanksgivings – moments where our hearts were full and we found peace in the simplicity of our days.

Friends, small thanksgivings are a vital part of the numerous ways God blesses us.  God drops these moments into our day to remind us of His goodness.  I have often found myself moving so fast that I did not stop and enjoy the small thanksgiving He gave to me.  It takes nothing out of our day to move our thought to appreciate the moment, breathe in peace, and provide thanks to God. 

I pray, as we walk through the days ahead of us, especially during the busy holiday season, we take the time to experience small thanksgivings.  What has been placed within your day that brings a smile to your face?  What has been shared by God that brought you peace?  Those are the treasured moments where providing thanks is so important.  May you take the moment to say, “Thank you God, I needed that!” 

I pray that Thanksgiving provides you with an opportunity to be thankful for the small blessings in your life along with those that were seen through a ‘watchful eye.’  May the grace of God fill your heart and homes with thanksgiving and joy.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Video that Compliments Blog Post:  Small Thanksgivings

Dearest God, thank you for the small thanksgivings in my life.  May I take the time to ensure I pause long enough to realize the blessings you have bestowed upon me.  Amen!

Watchful Thanksgiving

 

Hard to believe we are less than two weeks from celebrating Thanksgiving!  I do not know about you, but this one seemed to creep up on us quickly.  During this time of year, we spend time reflecting on the blessings that the Dear Lord has given to us.  It is important to take time and contemplate the events of our life this year and give thanks for all the great things that have happened.  As difficult as a year that this may have been for a person, there is always at least one thing to be grateful for.

The verse for today, though, provides more intent to thanksgiving.  To be very honest, this verse is a new one for me, and I enjoy the goodness it brings to us.  Depending on how you may look at prayer, devoting yourself to prayer can be a challenge.  I know for many years I believed prayer needed to be formal and I needed to come to our Lord in a traditional manner.  What I have learned is that Jesus wants to hear from us, to talk to him, regardless of the formality.  Once my view changed, my ability to devote myself to prayer has become more immediate in nature.  Similar what you hear at airports, “See something, say something.”

This brings us back to our verse for today.  If we keep a watchful eye on times throughout our day when we should be saying, “Thank you Jesus,” take the time to devote a moment in prayer – thanking God without delay for His goodness.  Devote yourself through an immediate prayer of gratitude.  This means we need to be active with the following:

1)       Focus on Good: Throughout our days, there are a number of moments when good things occur.  We need to be on the ‘lookout’ for those moments and not let them pass by as ‘karma’ or ‘coincidence.’   I am certain if we change our focus towards good, we will more plainly see the good that is around us.

2)      Stop to Pray:  Take a few moments to thank the One that provided us the good – Jesus.  Intentionally praying about the goodness that God provided to us, thanking Him for that goodness, is all God is asking.

Devoting ourselves to prayer by being watchful and giving thanks will soon become a part that is easily identified throughout your day.  Our focus on watchful thanksgiving, and giving thanks to the One who provides, will bring you closer to our Lord.  Have simple faith!

Video that Compliments Blog: Watchful Thanksgiving 

Dearest Jesus, thank you for providing us the opportunity to come to you in prayer.  May we focus on all the blessings you provide for us and may we take the time to thank you.  Amen!

Comfort

 

On days when life may not be going along the way I thought it should, filled with happiness and joy, I look to find comfort.  If I am sad or distraught, I may not have all the answers to fix the situation.  I may just want to ‘feel’ better.  Unfortunately, I tend to drown my sorrows in food – not the best solution to a dreadful day.  When I know better, I may seek out my husband or a friend to chat with.  What I have learned later on in my years, is that the One I should seek first for my comfort, is Jesus.

This verse says it all.  When that certain day may feel bleak, I find myself opening the Bible so I can hear Jesus talk to me.  I may turn to a particular verse that has great comfort for me.  Often, I will just open the Bible and be amazed at wherever my eyes my be drawn to, that verse has incredible comfort.  In the toughest of situations, Jesus is my great comforter.  He pulls me into His arms and lets me know that it is safe to feel the way I am feeling and to go to him for a sense of hope and peace.

In our focus verse for today, we find that it is our responsibility as Christians to be that comfort for others when they are going through tough times – having affliction.  Jesus wants us to be ‘that’ person for another who may be sad or distressed.  You may be thinking, “I’m not sure how to comfort another person.”  Comfort can come in many ways.

·       Lend an ear - people may just need to talk and are looking for someone to just listen.

·       Guidance – someone may be seeking a guiding word.  You may share a verse that means a great deal to you with them – it could be the hope they need as well.

·       Silence – silence is golden.  There are times when all someone needs to know is that they are not alone.  Holding their hand could be the greatest comfort of all.

·       Love – sharing that you love them, and that you are there for them, could be the comfort that is sought.

My friends, let us take the opportunity to comfort another as providing Jesus’ love.  It is our chance to show others what Jesus’ love means to us, and how our hope, peace, and comfort come from the great I AM!  Have simple faith that you can be the comfort for another.

Video that Compliments Blog:  Comfort

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being the One I can always go to when I need to feel comfort.  Please help me to be that person to others.  Amen!

Intentional Kindness

 

The world is in a tough spot these days.  There seems to be a strong wave of discontent.  Whether it shows itself through war, violence, rage or insults, kindness seems to have been replaced by cruelty.  Making a difference seems to be a far-reaching dream versus a goal to be achieved.  Why bother trying to make an impact?  I am only one person on this earth with billions of people.  How can I change the world?

Let us step back for a minute and look at the word “sow.”  It is defined as planting by scattering on the earth!  Typically, we think of sowing seeds in the spring so that we can reap a harvest in the fall.  Today, I ask you to think about sowing in a bit of different aspect.  Is it time to ‘sow’ intentional kindness?

It is not hard to see how trying to have an influence, trying to do ‘good’ in this world, could not lead to exasperation.  This is especially true as we see all the negativity this world is showing us recently.  My friends, as Paul shared with us in Galatians, if we continue to do good things, we will reap a harvest.  The caveat?  We cannot give up!!  We need to continue to do good; we need to continue to sow good things, scatter kindness to the world – one seed at a time.  If we sow to others, I guarantee we will be ‘sowed’ upon as well – our hearts will reap the harvest.

How do we do this?  Often, people point to doing random acts of kindness – the opportunity to sow kindness to others without revealing who you are!  I subscribe to that effort but ask us to look at this a bit differently.   What about INTENTIONAL acts of kindness?  Possibly continue with the anonymity of the act but truly build intention to the kindness you want to share.  Is your passion for the elderly?  Focus on sowing kindness into elderly establishments.  Food insecurity?  There are a number of ways to sow kindness there.  Do you have efforts you would like to support?

Let us be intentional about kindness.  My husband and I recently decided to select a different effort each week, being intentional about doing a kind act to help at least one person – maybe more!  If enough of us are determined not to grow weary in doing good, imagine the impact we could have!  God wants us to sow good and kind acts.  Imagine the harvest you will reap, we all can reap, one intentional kind act at a time.

Companion Video:  Intentional Kindness

Dear Jesus, help us to be intentional about sowing kindness in this world.  May our minds be drawn to people who need to have kindness shared with them.  Please open our hearts to receive the harvest that only You can bring.  Amen!

Vulnerable

 

Vulnerable!  The word alone can stir a variety of emotions.  One can feel fear, anxiety, and insecurity.  The greatest can be a sense of exposure – letting the world see weaknesses that you may have.  I happen to love the word.  I associate vulnerable to humility – understanding that I have weaknesses and difficulties and I am not perfect.  Being vulnerable takes humility to the next level; it is where the risk of opening up about your gaps, the insults you may have endured, or the difficulties you have experienced is met with the anticipation of working to close the gaps to bring connection or healing. 

This is beautifully illustrated in our verse for today.  Paul speaks to the community of Corinth and shares his experiences with them.  When I sit quietly and reflect on this verse, I believe Paul is speaking to me as well.  It is hard to imagine a person delighted with the areas Paul addresses in this verse.  Yet, the glory and strength come from God in those moments Paul shares.  How so?

Weaknesses & Difficulties – We are not perfect creatures, only Jesus can claim that!  When I explore myself, there are numerous areas where I am weak.  We may want to try and build on those weaknesses with people here on earth, but when we rely on God to close those gaps, we create a relationship with Him that builds trust in Him.

Insults – Have you ever endured insults being hurled at you?  I have, and it is a horrible feeling that someone would actively work hard to make you feel miserable.  God reminds us that in His eyes, the only eyes that matter, we can gain inner strength to withstand insults that are projected to us.

Hardships & Persecutions -   Throughout this world, people are graced with hardships and are persecuted every day for their belief in our Lord.  Graced hardships in our lives?  Yes, my friends.  These situations that we endure help us to go to God, knowing we will be safe in His arms and grow in our faith.

When we expose our own vulnerability to the weaknesses that we have, it is then that we can go to our Lord for the strength that only He can provide. It is when I am weak that my faith becomes strong, my reliance on Jesus becomes strong, and my growth in God can be strengthened.  Let us explore those areas of weakness and go to God, in Simple Faith, and ask for His help!

Click here for the video companion: Vulnerability

Dearest Father, thank you for being my strength when I am weak, when I ensure hardship or difficulties.  May I grow closer to you during these experiences.  Amen.

Instructions

 

I am sitting on the porch watching my husband put together a toy car for our grandchildren. As he does with most items that come in a box that need to be assembled, he gets a few tools and away he goes. Who needs instructions? For 95% of his projects, this method is successful. Yet the other 5%? Those usually involve an immense sense of frustration and possibly some choice words.

It reminds me of our lives. How many times have you heard, “wouldn’t it be great to have an instruction manual for life”? This is probably shared the most by new parents, referencing the challenges of parenting. How often do we set off in search for that instruction manual? Maybe we look to a self-help book. Possibly we gain the instructions from friends of family members. Other times, we may find ourselves much like my husband, “Give me the tools and I’ll wing it!” Friends, we DO have an instruction manual.

Our guide has been around for thousands of years and is 100% verified, the Bible. Within those pages, we can find the instruction for a God-pleasing life. In the Holy Word, we learn where our priorities should be, what our purpose is, how to act and what to say. Yes, within those hallowed pages we learn how to live our lives with God at the center.

Sure, it may be fun to go through life without a manual. Flying through life without any guardrails! What happens when you have too many ‘screws’ left over after a life project? Where do you go when you come to a crossroads and you don’t know which direction to take? It is typically those times that find us crying out for the map to life - crying out to God.

Friends, before the life here on earth becomes too difficult to manage, go get instruction, go find directions! Go to God’s Word, the Bible, and find the right road for your life. God has all the answers you need and the best directions to assemble a healthy and happy YOU!

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the best instruction for life, your Word. May we turn to the Bible for guidance and direction. In your name we give thanks, Amen!

Our Purpose

 

I am lost!  Not in the physical GPS sense, but with my purpose.  I had plans when I retired a few months ago.  I was going to spend time with my mom - having lunch, taking her on drives through the New Hampshire scenery, chatting. I was looking forward to doing the things that plagued me while I was working long hours.  Then the unimaginable happened, she went to see Jesus two weeks before I retired.  The last few months have left me a bit empty – how do I fill the space and time I was going to spend with mom.

Funny how we can have OUR best laid plans changed up so quickly by JESUS’ best laid plans.  His plan was different than mine.  I cannot share with you how many times that has happened in my life!  How about you?  When has your purpose or your plan changed dramatically when our dear Jesus intervened?  The diversion that Jesus created may have been seen as a barrier to what we wanted to accomplish.  The path that Jesus took us down was completely different than our path. When we reflect on those times, we always see that Jesus’ way worked out for our benefit. 

This verse crossed my devotion a few days ago and hit my soul.  Whatever I am supposed to be doing, whatever path I should be going down, whatever purpose I should have, I know that my Jesus is with me.  If I look to Jesus for that purpose, then I will be doing His will.  I will be living out the life Jesus has for me.  That sounds reasonable, but how do I know what Jesus’ purpose is for me?  I need to listen.  I need to be still and look at what Jesus has put in my path, what Jesus has put on my heart.  It is in those moments that my Jesus will let me know how to proceed.  With purpose in hand, I can gladly shout from the mountain tops the goodness of our Lord.

Friends, finding out what we should do, what we should say, where we should go can be intimidating.  Having that lack of clarity can be scary.  These are the times we need to rest in the arms of Jesus and let Him guide our path.  Let us open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to see what He has in store for us.  One thing can be guaranteed – if we listen to Him, our purpose will be in His light.  I know that is where I want to be, walking in His light for my life.  Let us take our purpose journey with Jesus.  Let us have simple faith He will always know best!

Video complimenting this blog post:  https://youtu.be/oMVA1raDXEg

Heavenly Father, guide me to my purpose in You.  Help me to do Your will and give You all the praise!  May I bask in your goodness for my life.  Amen!

Stepping Stones of Faith

 

Recently, we had our sidewalk and driveway replaced.  They dug out the old driveway, rescaled it all, and then added layers of gravel and paving to make it look great!  It was an interesting process of layer upon layer until the final result was just what we expected.  Susan, why are we talking about your driveway?  Stay with me!

During devotion this morning, I came across these verses and it pressed upon my heart to share it.  It always amazes me how the Lord shares with us nuggets that we have never seen before.  I absolutely love these verses – so get ready – I believe there will be a blog series in the future.  Today, let’s look at these great stepping stones to add to our faith!

Just as the driveway had to be developed layer by layer until we saw the true beauty, so does our faith.  These beautiful aspects to add to our faith show the world God’s love is something we can be reminded of! 

Goodness – The ability to be good and virtuous.  We are sinners, and ‘being good’ does not happen every minute of every day.  If we make a conscious decision to share goodness with others, that goodness can spread.

Knowledge – Acquiring facts and information.  As Christians, our knowledge comes from the Word of God, the words of the Bible.  There, our facts and information are real and are what we can stand on.

Self-Control – Regulate our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.  This one will get us every time!  It is important to have self-control over things such as the words we use so we don’t hurt others, the thoughts we have so sinful thoughts do not cross our minds and regulating our behaviors on things that are not good for us (gluttony, financial debt, etc).

Perseverance – Moving forward despite difficulty.  To continue the journey regardless of how tough it gets can be exhausting.  If the journey takes us to a closer relationship with Jesus, it is worth the difficult times!

Godliness – Conforming to the laws and wishes of God.  We need to know those laws in order to work hard to try to conform to them.  We will fail, yet striving to be the people God wants us to be will help us to serve God.

Mutual Affection – Shared feeling of like between individuals or groups.  My friends, how we need mutual affection in our world today!  My mom used to say that although we may disagree with others, we can always find one thing to like about the other.  We need to do better – we need to find that common denominator to get to like!

Love – An intense feeling of deep affection.  This is what we strive for.  Building upon all the other ‘steps’ to achieve the love we can share to others – to show God’s love to others.  If we can show all the love that Jesus has for us, all will win!

During this next week, take some time to add one of the stepping stones to your faith character!  Let us show the world Jesus’ love!

To view the companion video:  Stepping Stones of Faith

Dearest Jesus, thank you for these stepping stones of faith.  May they live deep within all of us.  Amen!

Spiritually Balanced

 

How often have you thought, “I have to do all the work while they sit around and do nothing?”  In my mind, more times than I care to mention.  It can be difficult to feel like you are the only one doing the work while someone else is drawing their attention to a different place.  And that is where our story of Mary and Martha takes us!  Every time I read this Bible story, I learn something. Today, it was focusing on being spiritually balanced.

There is a balance between action and listening, especially in a spiritual context.  Jesus wants us to action His love.  He wants us to act on His love for others.  Yet, Jesus makes it perfectly clear that our salvation does NOT rely on our works.  Ephesians 2: 8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

It can be difficult to refrain from doing works, as mentioned above.  Often, we want to help others.  God wants us to help others as well.  Yet, when doing works takes you away from listening to God’s word, this is when the struggle of spiritual balance begins.  Having a listening ear on our Lord outweighs everything else.  This does not happen on Sunday morning alone, but every time we have the opportunity to be closer to Jesus.  This happens most strongly while reading His words.  Focusing on what Jesus is saying to us, listening for Him, will outweigh that load of laundry any day!

The same can happen with those around us.  Are we so intent on ensuring the items are checked off our to-do list that we are not listening to our child tell us about their day?  Is the list of things you did not achieve weighing on your mind more than what your spouse is sharing with you?   Having balance in our days is important – listening is important.  Taking time to listen to those around you versus ensuring all the chores are completed by the end of the day can be the best choice for balance.

Nothing will be a better choice than listening to Jesus!  I identify strongly with Martha.  As many of you know, I am a make a list and get it done kind of gal!  Taking any time away from that list can seem ‘unproductive.’  Ah, my friends, quite the contrary.  When I spend time deciding to reflect on a Bible verse or delve into a chapter and verse that catches my attention, I can hear Jesus talking to me.  It may be as subtle as, “You made the right choice, Susan.”  It could be something more definitive as, “Finally, I have your attention, Susan.”  Either way, the balance of action and listening is better when I am listening to God!  We need simple faith that Jesus will guide us there.

Spiritually Balanced Video:  

Dearest Jesus, thank you for giving me the story of Mary and Martha.  Help me to be more like Mary with her intent to listen to Your word.  Bring my attention to you, Lord, and help me to listen to Your words!  Amen.

It's Coming

 

I realize I may be VERY partial, but it is coming – the best season of all – autumn!  Yes, the other three seasons have their good points, but nothing beats all that autumn brings.  The pumpkins, the apples, the mums, the crisp air and best of all, the changing leaves!  There is absolutely nothing better than walking down a path or driving down a road and seeing the colors of red, orange, and yellow adorn the trees.

Although autumn really kicks in during October, in September, you can tell that autumn is coming.  There is a hue of light-yellow gracing the trees.  I cannot even begin to share with you how excited I get when I see the first leaves changing.  It is the hope that autumn will soon be here, and the trees will shine in all their glory.  Meanwhile, I have been preparing – since mid-August!  Usually no later than the 15^th, I have my autumn décor up in the house.  It is filled with beautiful pumpkins of all kinds, mood candle lighting, leaf garland, you get the idea.  I can sit and enjoy each room with the small hints of autumn – all prepared and ready to celebrate.  The best thing is knowing every year will bring a new autumn experience.

Although I am always excited about the coming of autumn, there is something that excites me even more, the coming of Christ.  The promise that Jesus shares in this week’s verse makes me even more excited than autumn arriving!  Jesus makes three confirming statements for me to be excited about – He has prepared a place for me, He will come back, and He will take me with Him.  I do not know about you, but even for this autumn-loving girl, those three promises make me giddy and more excited than cider donuts!

Just as I prepare my home décor for autumn, NOW is the time for us to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ return.  How do we do that?  To be the best version of ourselves that Jesus intended.  Continue to take in His word.  Show His love to others by actions and words.  Spread the good news.  Listen for God’s direction.  Grow closer to God!  By ensuring our hearts and souls are prepared for His arrival, our lives will be filled with His goodness.

As you look to the trees in anticipation of autumn, do not forget to look to the sky in anticipation of Jesus.  Get excited!  His promises are as certain as the returning autumn.  “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 4:17. Have Simple Faith!

Dearest Jesus, I cannot wait for you to come and get me to spend an eternity with you!  Help me to prepare myself by pouring your love to others.  Amen!

VIDEO: 

Time to Learn

 

As a kid, I always looked forward to Rally Day!  In the churches I have attended over the years, it is an opportunity for us to get back to Christian Education.  For children, this meant Sunday School!  I was eager to see who my Sunday School teacher was going to be and what we would be learning.  I loved hearing the Bible stories and doing crafts that linked with the stories.  As an adult, I was a Sunday School teacher for many years with my dear friend, Marcia.  We deeply enjoyed the opportunity to share stories and songs with the two- and three-year-olds. 

Rally Day reminds me of our verse for today, starting children off on the path of educating them about Jesus and the Bible – hoping they will utilize the foundation provided for the balance of their lives.  I still remember some of my Sunday School teachers and the impact they made on me!  As parents or any adult who interacts with children, whether it is at school or church, assisting and ensuring we do our part to provide them with solid footing by which to stand when the road gets rough is important.  “Impress them (the commandments) on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:7

Rally Day is also a time for adults to engage in Christian Education!  For adults, this means Bible Studies may be starting!  Christian learning does not end when you are confirmed or head off to college.  It is life-long and that means getting back into God’s Word and learn the endless wonders of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!  It is an exciting time to not only learn yourself, but to show the children around you the importance of continuing their Christian education long after Sunday School. 

Jesus wants us to dive deep into His Word.  He wants us to live out what we have learned and help others to do the same.  Learning and growing in God’s Word does not just provide a great foundation for children, but for adults as well.  Becoming grounded in scripture offers us the opportunity to turn to scripture when times are tough.  Having Bible verses we can turn to in difficult moments helps to provide strength.  “Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:9   Take time to learn, help to instruct our children – all of it is good in God’s eyes!

Heavenly Father, thank you for Rally Days across the world.  Help us to know the value of Christian education and may always have a learning mind for your word.  Amen!

Link for the Video:  

Go Seek

 

Can you imagine having a roadmap for your life?  At any crossroads we may find ourselves, to have a sign that says, “This Way,” leaving us no doubt as to which way we should turn.  I look back upon my life, and even where I sit today, and have contemplated, “Should I go this way or that way?”  As teenagers graduating high school it may mean workplace, education, or trade.  As young adults it may mean staying in a hometown or exploring another area.  Relationships come into our lives, and questions such as if the person who is in your life is your lifelong partner.  Then comes decisions about children, career decisions, retirement decisions.  I am sure you get the idea.  Life has a way of doing that for us, providing us with options and opportunities that we had not considered or wondered if we were following the right path.

These life decisions can prove to be too much for us to manage at times.  We seek friends and family for their opinions.  We try and understand better what we should be doing and make a pro/con list.  Although all those items may assist us in deciding which road to take, it does not replace the one who truly knows exactly which road is best for us, God!  This verse beautifully shares three key words, Seek, First and His.

Seek: When we need to find help, when we need to find our path, we need to seek past our own perceptions.  Seeking is an important part of finding assistance. 

First: Determining where to seek first is important.  Our minds can easily get crowded with other thoughts and opinions if we do not seek first the best opinion.

His: Our Dear Lord!  When we seek (go to), Him first (before all others), what we need will be shared with us by Him.  Often, we may ask ourselves is it God speaking to me or just me?  Remember who lives in each of us, the Holy Spirit.  With God in us, and reflection on God directly, our plans are there for us. 

This does not mean that our own freewill will not get in the way.  This does not mean there will not be trouble.  What it does mean is that if we seek God’s plan first, and hold steadfast to Him, our path will be the one on which we should proceed.  What is beautiful is the verse after our focus verse for today.  Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

God will provide for our needs.  God will provide our path.  God will share which direction by which should proceed.  Our job is to seek God first and have simple faith that His path is our path.

Heavenly Father, help me to seek you FIRST on this path of life.  Show me the directions and plan you have for me.  Help me to trust in you and all you give to me.  Amen!

Division

 

Being in the field of Human Resources for more than four decades, I have certainly encountered my fair share of folks who cause division.  In my line of work, we labeled it as dissension.  Causing division or dissension is quite different than disagreeing.  I respect someone who may disagree with me.  Having a different opinion or perspective than mine has been extremely helpful in my life.  It has helped me to open my eyes where I may have been narrowly focused.  It has assisted me to consider options that I may not have considered on certain topics.  Disagreeing can be very constructive.

Causing division is a much stronger destructive behavior.  When people cause division, they are in it to create hostility, assert superiority, and actively seek to erode any collaboration or trust that may be evident.  There is an intense sense of negativity, gossip or even exclusion.  I would liken it to bullying behavior.  I am right, you are wrong, and you are going to feel the effects of that – either directly or indirectly.

This book of Titus is short and worthy of reading.  It is a letter from Paul to Titus, who is in Crete.  Paul helps to provide instruction for Titus on the leadership in the church, right living in the church and right living in society.  We can all take a few moments to learn the lessons Paul was teaching Titus.  Friends, we will have people who may disagree with us on many distinct aspects of life.  That is okay – it is free will.

Yet, when you have people around you who are causing division, especially when it comes to Holy Scripture and diverging from its truth, you need to be vigilant.  If dissension is their primary focus, take a lesson from Titus 3:10.  Provide warning – if it does not stop, then YOU need to remove YOURSELF from them.  Notice how this verse does not state to keep at it, trying to reason with this person.  It states that you should have nothing more to do with them.

This can be hard.  Especially if the person who is causing the division is a close friend or relative.  Please note, this is not saying we should not forgive people.  Nor does it say we should not continue to pray for people.  What it shares with us is that we should remove ourselves to ensure we do not fall into the deception that is being played out.  Let us remember to check ourselves as well!  We do not want to be the one causing dissension either! Keep our focus on God and have simple faith that God will bring justice and clarify to the situation. 

Heavenly Father, help me to have strength and faith when I meet someone who is causing division.  Provide me the words of warning, but if they do not work, help me to walk away from them and towards You.  Amen!

Togetherness

 

The world of today seems to have taken a drastic turn from the times that are spoken of in our verses for today.  Imagine a world where everything I have is yours, everything you have is mine, and we live together in harmony.  I think of times like that and wonder how we could incorporate that into times of today.  How can generosity take a greater focus on our lives?

Generosity of treasures, time and talents mean different things to different people.  The ability for us to give is many times overshadowed by what we need to do every day.  Maybe we work so many hours it is hard for us to give up any more time for others.  Maybe it is all we can do to keep food on our own tables, never mind giving it to others.  Do I really have a talent someone else may benefit from?

It can be difficult to find the time, release the money, or recognize a talent that can be shared in a larger community.  Yet, chances are, if we reflect long enough, there is something we can do.  It does not have to be grand in nature.  It just needs to come from your heart. 

·       It may be financially difficult for me to buy a big bag of groceries for the soup kitchen, but making a pot of soup for an elderly neighbor is possible.        

·       Finding time to work in the soup kitchen can be tough for me but purchasing a few extra items during grocery shopping this week is possible.

·       My talent may not lie in running the soup kitchen, but volunteering to make the meatloaf is more in line with the talent I possess.

Friends, giving all that we can to help those in need is living out Jesus’ love.  Helping others with a helping hand can be exactly what someone needs.  Our greatest ability each of us has to help others.  Praying!  We can all add someone in need to our prayer list.  We can all take a couple moments to raise up another in prayer. 

Yet, when the time comes when we see an open door to give more, let us do so with a warm and giving heart.  Let us take the time, share our treasures, or offer our talents to those around us.  Will it help someone else?  Yes.  Will it help you?  More than you will know.  Have simple faith!

Dearest Jesus, please open my eyes to see the open doors in front of me where I can give to others.  May I have simple faith that I know I can give to those around me.  Amen!

Welcome In

 

Inviting someone into our home is something I always look forward to.  It may not always be the neatest home when a guest arrives, but that does not stop me from saying “Come on in!”  Whether someone is coming over with intent or just quickly visiting, I always enjoy saying those three words, come on in.  Once in, there is always an offer of, “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”  This does not mean I have something readily available if it was a surprise visit, but there is always toast and PB&J!

The vision of today’s verse makes me happy and warm all over.  The physical nature of this verse is what excites me.  To have Jesus knock at my door, looking to come in to have a meal with our family?  As they say, Priceless!  Now here is where I admit my gap!  If Jesus showed up, either planned or unplanned, I am almost certain that my inner ‘Martha’ would come out and I would race around to see what I could offer.  Of course, there’s always spaghetti, right?

Welcoming Jesus into our lives, into our home, does not mean we always have to have all our ducks in a row or be ‘ready’ to say, “Come on in.”  If we wait to invite Jesus into our lives, our home, until we are the flawless Christian, Jesus will have an exceedingly long wait.  We will never be fully prepared.  We will never be fully faultless to have Jesus see us as the perfect Christian.  Good news all!  That is not what Jesus expects for us to invite Him into our lives.

Jesus wants us to say, “Welcome in,” regardless the state of our heart and mind.  He just wants to be invited into our lives. He wants to come in, sit at the table with us (the communion table), and let us know that when we are filled with the body and the blood, we will have eaten well, and we will be full.  That can only happen when we say to Jesus, “Come into my life, my heart and my soul.”  Once we do that, our sins are forgiven and we can eat at the banquet table, both on earth and in heaven.

My friends, when Jesus is knocking at your door to come in and have a meal, always say “Yes”!!  Our houses and our hearts do not have to be immaculate.  We do not have to have a banquet ready.  A dirty house and PB&J will be fine.  Jesus only wants you to invite Him in – He will take care of the rest.  We just need simple faith!

Dearest Jesus, always feel free to enter my home.  Become a part of my heart and my house, sitting at the table together for full nourishment.  In your name I pray, Amen!

Follow the Light

 

I find sunflowers to be amazing!  Every year, my daughter and I attend a Sunflower Festival in New Hampshire.  As you enter the parking lot, you see acres and acres of sunflowers.  It is so breathtaking.  We wander the fields and are able to cut some and bring them home to revel in their continued beauty.  Usually, we cut some of the larger flowers, but this time, we focused on some of the smaller ones and marveled at their beauty.  Here are a couple of pictures from our time at the festival.

                       

Sunflowers stand so tall, well above the average person.  Their stalks are strong; although the flower head can be well over a foot in diameter, the stalks never fall over.  The bees get to their job and pollinate from flower to flower.  Yet, the most amazing feature is how they follow the sun.  Their heads actually turn to where the sun is.  It is incredible!  There is much science to this, but to me, it is the wonder of God.

The sunflower can teach us so much about how we should live our lives with Jesus.   Let us explore a few:

Follow the sun:  As Jesus shares in this verse, if we follow Him, the Son, we will never walk in darkness.  Jesus brings light to all of our darkness.  By walking in His light, as the sunflower follows the light, we will grow strong in our faith.  Holding onto Jesus’ light can bring us out of the difficult situations in our lives and provide us hope.

Stand tall: Be a sunflower stalk.  Stand tall in your faith.  There is much in this world that can have us hang our heads low or fall over in despair.  My friends, our faith in Jesus should help us to stand tall in this world and shine our flowers to all those around us.

Be a pollinator:  Get busy as a bee and share Jesus’ love to all the sunflowers around us!  Go to the people around us and share the light that you walk in.   Different people may need different things from us.  Some may need to hear the Word of God.  Others may need you to hold their hand.  Others may need a prayer of healing.  In all instances, be the pollinator of Jesus’ love.

Whether your ‘flower’ is large and broad or your ‘flower’ is small and reserved, by following Jesus’ light we can all be a sunflower to the world around us. Follow the Son, stand tall in your faith and be a pollinator of Jesus’ love to all you meet.  Find joy in the simple faith that brings us to Jesus!

Dearest Jesus, help us to take lessons from the sunflower.  May we always follow you, the Son of God, and may your light shine upon us and bring us the hope and peace we need.  Amen!