Jody’s Devotionals

July 4th : Taste and see that God is Good!

Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.    Psalm 34:8 (WEB)

We are coming up on one of my favorite holidays – July 4^th! Like most holidays it involves great food and family. What more could you want? FIREWORKS!!! I am a watcher of fireworks. I will be checking the TV listings to make sure I watch every firework display that is presented. I like seeing them in person but this year I will be at home watching on TV.

July 4^th is a time that we remember the joy and victory of our freedoms. We recite portions of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution like beautiful pieces of poetry. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Kennedy Inaugural Address bring tears to the eyes that only truly inspired works can do. It is a feast for the spirit as we share a gastronomic feast among family and friends.

I hope as we celebrate we also remember our Lord who was there every step of the way. As we celebrate may we also raise our voices in thanksgiving for our Lord who did not leave us on the battlefields nor sleep while we debated and voted our way through 44 presidents and thousands of laws. As we sit around the table and share wonderful memories of picnics passed, may we also share stories of how our Lord fed us when we could not feed ourselves. It is not about preaching or arguing to win a point – it is about telling our story, “Look what the Lord has done!”

Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous works that he has done.

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children, that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments, and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.     Psalm 78:1-8 (WEB)

On July 6^th what will you remember about the holiday weekend? Will you be able to know that you shared a piece of your heart as you told the story of how Jesus helped you through the week? Will you dismiss the question because you did not want to offend someone? Will that hold up as you look at Jesus and explain that the truth is – you were ashamed of Him. Will He be ashamed of you? Will He bless you with the rest of one who has “done well, good and faithful servant!”? I pray that it is so – for you and me. God bless America! See you back here on Monday!

Take a Step

…Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

I have been thinking about how Jesus leads me a step at a time. He shows me or shows my husband a vision of the goal or mission but He does not give us the whole plan. He does not give me, personally more than one step at a time. If Jesus is giving Henry more than one step, He is also telling him to keep them under wraps!

I believe Jesus only gives me one step because He knows me. He knows that if He gave me several steps I would try to tweak them – just to give it a little more efficiency or improve it a bit! SO – Jesus wisely tells me only one step!

Since I only know one step, Jesus is building my trust level, isn’t He? I do not know what is around the bend on this journey I am on so I trust Jesus to bring me through whatever mountain or moat I am about to encounter. I know that nothing takes Him by surprise so Jesus knows the route I need to take through this obstacle. I may not know all these events but I do know how the story is going to end.

The one step journey also increases my prayer life as I want to build my spiritual muscles for the journey at hand. Any concerns (that’s another word for worry), questions, even fears, I take to Jesus to sift through the emotions and bring the truth to my mind. Conversations with Jesus happen at any time, day or night, and bring me to the place where I am ready for the next step.

Do I step with joy? Do I step with thanksgiving? Is my step firm or tentative? Do I march like a soldier or do I drag my feet? Ouch.

Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.

Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:129-133 (WEB)

Put Your Hand in His Hand

Right away, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away.  Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later that evening, he was still there.  By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves.   A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples.   When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.  At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.”  Peter replied, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.  But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.  Right away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?”  When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.   The men in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!” Matthew 14:22-33 (CEV)

I’ve heard preachers and teachers use this story many times over the years, and normally they make a point that Peter must have turned his eyes away from Jesus and thus been overwhelmed and begun to sink.  But as I was re-reading the passage recently, I notice that it doesn’t mention anything at all that Peter did in order to start doubting other than that he saw the wind and was afraid.

As I read it this time I pictured Peter, battered by the wind, with the waves pouring over him, beginning to think that he couldn’t possibly stay on top of the water.  And as he apparently was sinking, he cried out.

Was it because Peter is sinking or because he cries out in fear that Jesus calls him “little faith”?  I suspect it was because he didn’t trust Jesus to get him through the waves.  I don’t think Jesus lost control of Peter’s situation for even a moment.  To Peter, and to the apostles in the boat, it may have seemed that Peter was sinking.  But Jesus was faithful to what he had told Peter he could do.

When we step out of our boat to walk where Jesus has told us to walk, do we need to be afraid?  If we are following the command of Jesus, we can know that HE will be faithful, no matter what problems we may have.  We may feel that the wind and the waves are too great.  But they are not too great for Him.  We may feel that we are sinking, that all hope is lost, that we must have taken a wrong step.  But regardless of where we’re looking or what we’re doing, He is still there.  And even if he says, “Oh you with little faith” Jesus nonetheless stretches his hand out and leads us through to safety.

Remember:  In everything we do, Jesus is still there and he is still faithful.  AND Jesus reaches out his hand to us.

Touch

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”     Mark 8:22-23 (NIV, my emphasis)

My pastor spoke about ‘touching’ yesterday. He used Mark’s passage that described Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the bleeding disease. (Chapter 5) As he often does, my pastor made me think.

In this passage from Chapter 8, a group brought a man to Jesus who was probably their friend and was blind. They had heard about Jesus and thought that maybe the rumors of miracles might be true! “Let’s take our friend, Jimmy, to this guy Jesus. Maybe he can do something!” They want Jesus – no they begged Jesus – to touch their friend. Just touch him. And Jesus does. Not exactly in the way they thought He would!

When I cry out to Jesus and ask Him to touch me – I do not expect Him to spit on me! Why did He do that? I have no idea. What I do know is that Jesus, more often than not, will make me come out of my comfort zone to meet with Him! Maybe Jesus is building my faith and trust level?! Maybe Jesus is asking me to trust that He does know what He is doing!

Jesus brings me out and away from the crowd and meets with me. Jesus touches me in the way that will get my attention. Jesus wants to heal what needs to be healed in me, not what I may think or present to Him to be healed. Jesus wants the best for me.

Do I see myself being healed? Too often my inner child tries to tell me that I am not worthy to be healed. I’m not. But I am loved. I am loved by Jesus and that is the beginning and the end of it. I am healed because of love. That is something to soak in.

Jesus was about touch. He touched lepers, the dead, Gentiles, children, and all who would come. His peers and society may consider Him “wrong” or “crazy” – but He did not live for them! These were His hurting children and He wanted them to know His healing love.

Touch is not just about physical touch. It is about investing in another person. Jesus showed me by His example that every person that comes across the path He has given me is important. I have an opportunity to touch someone every day. I have the opportunity to be touched by Him every day. Both are essential to my life.

Reach out and touch and be touched.

Who has the Authority in Your Life?

It happened on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, that the priests and scribes came to him with the elders. They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”

He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me: the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”

They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.

Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8 (WEB)

This has been a week of great news. Yesterday was the second day this week that I received great healing news! A young man, just before graduating from high school this spring was diagnosed with cancer and began chemo. The scans this week show his tumors has shrunk more than 50% – much more than the physicians expected! YEA, GOD!

It would be easy to tell both these stories and give the credit to the treatments that each of these men received. It would not be honest to do that. It would also not be honest if I did not say that they did receive medical care. In my mind, as a nurse and a Christian, God is the reason for these victories! If God did not have His hand on these people, it would not matter what medication they received. It is God’s strength and His wisdom and creation that brought us medically to this point.

The leaders in the Scripture did not want to acknowledge Jesus as God. They were given the facts and had seen Jesus in action and yet did not want to publicly point to Him as the source. They made a choice to take the safe path to maintain the status quo.

There is not a day in my life that does not have the hand of God in it. I could explain away the events with the safe, usual explanations but I would be a liar. Every day, God acknowledges His love for me in so many ways, big and small.

Stand in Love

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (WEB)

Finally, be all like-minded, [in harmony] compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For,

“He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil,

and his lips from speaking deceit.

Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer;

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12 (WEB)

Someone just sent me an email invitation to join a group that is going to stand outside an abortion clinic with red tape over their mouths with the word “LIFE” on it. She states they are standing for the un-born babies who can not speak for themselves. This kind of behavior – INFURIATES ME!!! Do the people in this group think that we women entering the clinic do not have any feelings? Are they just cold-blooded murderers in their minds? Or are the women just collateral damage in the ‘war’ against those who run the clinics?

Jesus was compassionate to the sinners. Yes, He did not condone sin and He did not hesitate to identify sin in a person’s life but His verbal condemnation was reserved for the synagogue leaders.

He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens.” Luke 11:46 (WEB)

We, His disciples, are to lift the burden of sin – not give the killing kick when they are laying on the ground bleeding! If you weep for the unborn child, then invite a mother to come live with you and help her through the process of giving her child for adoption. Raise money for group homes that give a realistic alternatives to abortion. What an awesome local mission for your own fellowship to support!

When we see sin, we should feel righteous anger against the prowling enemy who throws those seeds of pain and filth! But the one who has allowed the sin to take root in their life is to receive God’s grace and mercy. How much sin did God forgive in Jody on that night in July? A lot! Let the light of God’s love shine, showing the prodigal the way home.

There are sinners who have not reach the bottom of the pit and do not want forgiveness. Actions of sinners often cause pain and suffering in others. However, God has not assigned me to judge and exact consequences on others. That is His job.

Let us not respond to evil with evil. Let us stand in witness to the grace and mercy each of us have received and is available for everyone!

Run with Thanksgiving

Your service of giving is not just supplying the needs of God’s people but is also causing a tremendous overflowing of thanks to God. This service has been a proving ground for you where you walk obediently the gospel of Jesus Christ in your life inspiring people with your life and generous spirit. In their prayers for you they are praying from their hearts because of the generous grace that God has given you. Thank You, God, for your gift that is beyond description!     2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (my paraphrase)

The devotion yesterday was about gratitude. It was a day of deep gratitude! My friend, Pastor Steve received word that the cancer that the doctors thought had little chance of responding to any treatment – is shrinking – disappearing – to the doctors’ amazement!!! HALLELUJAH!!! As I shared the news, someone remarked, “I wish this could have happened for your son, James.”

Each of us has been given a race to run, the writer of Hebrews says. (Chapter 12) We must run this race with perseverance and run the path we each been given. And that is the key – the obedience of running the race that you have been given. To wish for the race that another has is – a waste of time and energy. God equips us to reach the victory He has planned in each race for the one who is to run that race!

Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, make you complete [equip you!] in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.     Hebrews 13:20-21 (WEB, my emphasis and addendum)

I am thankful this morning. Whatever the day brings…I am thankful. In the race that I am running there are long, steep hills that bring on the burn in my spiritual muscles. There are unexpected hurdles that must be taken without a flinch. There are refreshment zones where worship abounds and my spirit is renewed. There is encouragement when I run with the team. There are times of alone-ness that bring the Holy Spirit closer and the quiet for me to hear Jesus’ steps as He paces me and encourages me.

“I am thankful, Lord, for Your extravagant love and mercy. I will run my race and keep the faith You have given me. I want You to be magnified to all who come my way. To You be all glory and honor, Jesus. Thank You.”

Family Protection

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (WEB)

Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (WEB)

I recently read that medical research is discovering (they are slow!) that gratitude is the one emotional trait most likely to benefit physical health and recovery. A thankful heart is a healthy heart! Let’s take that premise and look at these two scriptures.

In Paul’s letter to Thessalonica, he tells us that we should give thanks in everything! Notice that he says before that to be delighted always and pray without stopping! It occurs to me that if I choose to find the joy (look for it, ask the Holy Spirit to show it to me!) and PRAY! that the thanksgiving will grow from those seeds.

To the Philippians, Paul gives another slant on his words about the fruit that will come when you mate your life with the Spirit. Joy, gentleness, steadfastness, and peace will come as we build our relationship with God. In that relationship we converse (pray) and let our requests be known to God with thanksgiving. In asking from God, we stand on the promise that He will always answer with the best answer and the right time and so we give the thanks even before we know the answer. And that sweet promised peace will guard us against the enemy and keep us bound to Jesus Christ.

I could not write this today without my mind going to arguably the most talked about subject – Jon and Kate Gosselin, their eight children, and their pending divorce. Now whether you agree with the media frenzy that has covered this very sad event, I suspect divorce touches most families in the U.S. It has touched mine.

Marriage requires a lot of thanksgiving. As a Christian, my life is dedicated to Jesus Christ and so if I choose to also be married, that marriage must come secondary to my life with Jesus but at the same time be bound with Jesus so that cord of three strands that Solomon wrote about in Ecclesiastes 4:12 is formed. That cord is what binds the family together and relies on Jesus for leadership. A wise person once gave me the illustration of a triangle with God at the top point and the husband and wife at the two lower points. As the husband and wife grow closer to God individually they come closer together as a couple AND they come closer to God as a couple. WOW. When the priorities and intentional focus of a couple in marriage come away from God and seeking His will, then the eyes of the husband and wife are looking at their own wants and an expectation takes root that the spouse will provide happiness – and failure is lurking under every bush.

Give thanks every day. If that means using a notebook to make a list or deciding to send emails every day to give thanks – GIVE THANKS! Be thankful for your wife or husband. In all things – look for the thanks. The enemy – that one who prowls around like a hungry lion just waiting to pounce (1 Peter 5) – can not come around a thankful, joyful heart! He hates that! Guard your family, your life, with a powerful weapon – thanksgiving!

Holy Spirit – Prayer Warrior

The Holy Spirit helps me when I am lost and confused. I do not know sometimes for what and even how to pray – but the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for me in ways words can not adequately describe. The Spirit intercedes in accordance with God’s will and connects that to me because – He knows my heart. Romans 8:26-27 (my paraphrase)

I have been thinking a lot this weekend about what God wants in my relationship with Him. Not exactly a novel idea but the more time I put my thoughts on God the less whining I do!

In this passage of Scripture, while familiar, I found a new perspective as I read it through several times. And as I often do, the words came out of the familiar translation and went to my own way of speaking. It was like sitting on my deck and having a glass of tea with God. I had several things to consider in our conversation.

First, has the Holy Spirit found a home in me? A home is:

• a welcoming place.

• a non-judging place.

• a joyful place.

• a place a visitor sees beauty.

• an open place for everyone (including visitors); not for those who consider themselves enemies.

• a real place that has no pretense or facade.

Jesus gave me the Holy Spirit 2,000 years ago. (John 16) The Holy Spirit dwelling in me implies that I am a ‘home’ to the Spirit. We live together! Just as I make choices in my own earthly home that makes it more than a structure/house, so I make choices in my life to create a spiritual dwelling for God. Just as God determined Israel’s king in David, not by his stature but by his heart, so God decides to live in me not because I am physically gorgeous but because I choose to make a home for Him in my life. My spiritual home is not usually as clean as I would like it – as God would like it to be for us – but God, again, looks at my heart and helps me or shows me how to clean!

To consider the words that the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for me brings to mind some of the most difficult but now most joyous moments in my life. In the agony of Gethsemane when all I could do is weep, the pain so great, the terror so real…the HOLY SPIRIT spoke a TRUE and RIGHTEOUS PRAYER – FOR ME!!! Yes, He did do that. I was not squeaky, Mr. Clean pure – but I had a ‘roommate’ that knew my heart. He knew that I knew that I was casting all my cares on God and calling the only One who could answer and so the Holy Spirit connected my heart to God. I cannot say that I knew at that moment the extravagance of His love. I knew relief and that peace beyond my simple mind to understand. From the distance of some years, I see more now and know more that is a testimony that leads me to invite the Holy Spirit to speak for me before I find myself in Gethsemane. And He is there. Ready. Never slow. Never sleeping. My Counselor. My Comforter. As promised.

Servant Like Jesus

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. 12:10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; 12:11 not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12:12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 12:19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 12:20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

12:21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21 (WEB)

This has been a week in which I have been meditation on the whole of my life, considering what I am to be about and what I am not to be about! In this passage, Paul the great orator speaks his words firmly and yet so beautifully.

Love should be expressed truly whether to my husband or to a complete stranger. I am to always be real. When my heart is focused on Jesus then I will find myself able to express compassion to “even the least” so naturally and sincerely.

The next verses roll off Paul’s pen like poetry. It almost seems to have a cadence to it. I wonder if Paul repeated this to himself throughout the day. Did he become saturated with the mind of Jesus so that these characteristics flowed from him? And now it is time for me to soak in these words. Read verses 9-13 again. If I speak those words every morning, commit them to my heart, I wonder how different my day might be?

And then Paul brings the big hammer and says I should BLESS – truly speak blessings – on those who hate me! This is a sincere blessing, not a sarcastic, said through gritted teeth blessing!

Instead of zooming through my life, I need to listen and be aware of the opportunities that God brings into my life. When there is a moment to rejoice – savor it! When there is a time of sorrow – do not ignore it! Both are essential to good health and a balanced life that acknowledges joy and sorrow in this God-given life.

Verses 16-19 speaks to my pride. Jesus was the most “right” person and yet He did not have to argue every point or win by the world’s way of thinking. He laid His hand down on the cross and asked the Father to forgive us for what we have done – because we did not know. Even at that moment, Jesus was teaching and giving all that He had. Jesus chose to lay down His life. He shows me how to do that. He shows me that in the end – just as Paul said – vengeance – even judgment – will be the Father’s to execute. No matter what comes or who comes in my life – it is for God to take care of the evil. Never do I lower myself to that level! Striking back at evil is only adding to its weight. Keeping my focus on what is good (Philippians 4:8) takes all the steam out of evil and leaves it lying in the dust.

Jesus said that I am a branch on His vine. (John 15) I allow my roots to sinker deeper into that which is Jesus – a servant. My heart becomes a servant heart. My life gives glory to God.