If you know my husband, you know that he is a human road atlas. He has a GPS in his truck and literally challenges every direction it gives.  If the GPS says, “take the next right,” his response is to take the next left and still get to his destination.  

There is an exception to my husband’s insistence on going his own way.  Life; he seeks direction daily from the Word of God. However, life’s road can have some unexpected turns and some pretty deep pot holes even when we follow the directions!   

Life is a trip; thankfully, Jesus traveled the same ‘roads of life’ that we do and left us directions in the Word. Scripture says that Jesus was tested in every way as we are, but was without sin!

Sometimes, even with directions, you and I can still get off on a wrong road.  But, when we read the Word everyday, we can make course adjustments and find our way back. Jesus understands how the scenery could mess us up and get us off track. He has traveled this road Himself and knows how important it is to keep focused.  

The Bible has not only reliable directions, but instructions on how to find our way back to the right road when we detour off in our own direction. God’s Word provides both directions and faith (Romans 10:17) for day to day living.

The circumstances of life may change through the ages, but the temptations and trials are still the same. Stop making excuses for going down the wrong road; life is a trip—get directions and stay on course.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

When I was a child, I loved to spend the night with my Aunt Violet.

Whenever I went to her house, Hide and Seek was one of our favorite games together.

Part of the fun was that I could hide SO good, she wouldn’t be able to find me!   *)

Aunt Violet would look behind the coat rack, on the sun porch, in the cubby beside the refrigerator, laughing and calling, “Where are you?” 

The whole time, I’d be crouching down, in plain sight, beneath the dining room table, giggling into my fingers as she walked by. 

After a few moments of hiding, I’d jump out and run into her arms! Of course, my Aunt new exactly where I was all along; but she would let me hide as long as I wanted.  

As adults, sometimes, we play hide and seek with God. Like my aunt in the childhood game, God knows exactly where we are all the time. We only think we are hiding.

There are a lot of reasons why we hide from God.  Maybe we’re hiding inside our pain. Or perhaps we’re hiding behind our busyness. Sometimes, we disobey God and we hide under our sin; like Adam and Eve in the garden.  

Whatever the reason we’re hiding, God not only knows exactly where we are; He knows why we’re hiding.  No matter why we are hiding, God stands beside our hiding place and calls to us, “Where are you?”

God knows where we are. But, the first step of our choosing to not hide anymore is for us to stand up and say, “Here, I am.” Once we stop hiding, we can run into His arms, open our hearts to confess our sins and receive complete forgiveness.

When we admit to ourselves the real reason for our hiding game, God reminds us that He gave His son so that we can have relationship. We no longer need to hide, not for any reason.  He welcomes us back into His presence and holds us close.  

If you’re playing hide and seek with God; He’ll let you hide as long as you want. But, every moment that you continue to hide is a moment that you could be enjoying the intimacy of His presence. Come out, come out, wherever you are.  

Genesis 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Prayer:   Father, help me to be obedient to your Word and not fall into sin.  Those times when I do fall to temptation, remind me that nothing is hidden from you; I can come boldly before you, confess and be forgiven. Thank you for your mercy and grace. I love you. Amen.

What is it about faith? Some people say if you pray and you don’t get what you want, you don’t have enough of it. 

If you believe even when it looks impossible, people say that you have lots of it.  

James 2:19-22  says if you have tons of it but don’t do anything with it, it’s worthless. Jesus said it only takes a little.  (Matthew 17:20)  

Jesus’ first miracle was at the wedding in Cana. (John 2:1-11) His mother didn’t ask Him to change the water into wine.  She simply stated the fact, “the wine is all gone.”  Then, she turned to the servants and with the confidence of faith, simply told them, “Do whatever He tells you to do.”  

Jesus had not yet done any miracles. His mother had the head knowledge and the Spirit’s confirmation that He wasn’t an ordinary child.  And, with that, the heart knowledge that grows from close relationship. She had no proof that He COULD do miracles.  She didn’t know HOW He would get more wine but, she knew that He would.

In Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus ignored the Canaanite woman who pestered Him about her demon possessed daughter. Jesus finally told her ‘so what’ and was, in fact, really kind of rude to her.  She responded about how even the dogs eat the crumbs under the master’s table. 

Jesus told her, “Woman YOU have GREAT faith.” and delivered her child from the demons. Why was ‘her‘ faith great? She had (probably) seen, or at least heard about, the miracles. In spite of impossible circumstances, she knew that He could so she persisted.  

The first miracle, (water to wine) was done through a heart’s awareness that existed because of an intimate relationship. The other (demon cast out) was done because of a persistent faith that came from knowledge. 

When we have an intimate relationship with the Lord that acknowledges His sovereignty; our faith is perfected.  Faith is  knowing that He “can.”  Perfect faith acknowledges that He is Lord while trusting that He works all things for our good because He loves us.  (Romans 8:28) 

Perfect faith acknowledges the sovereignty of God. So, how DO we acquire perfect faith (?); through intimate relationship in prayer and the confirmation in knowledge that comes from Bible study.

 Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Prayer:  Father, help me to strengthen my faith. Show me your faithfulness through your Word, the witness of the Holy Spirit and through my own memory of your faithfulness. I love you. Amen.

Scripture References:

James 2: 19-22 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?  Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Matthew 17:20  He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

John 2:1-11 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,  and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside  and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Matthew 15:21-28   Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

One of the magnets on my refrigerator door reads, “Lord, give me patience, but do it NOW.”  

The hardest part of patience is waiting; I want what I want and I want it now.  

Sometimes, when patience is discussed, the example of Job is brought up.

Most people have, at one time or other, referred to “the patience of Job.” People talk about the patience of Job when it is the patience of God, Himself, that is beyond comprehension! 

God created us for relationship with Him then gave us the choice to choose Him—OR not.  Patiently He uses the circumstances of life to draw us toward an intimate relationship with Him.  

It’s interesting to note that Christianity is entirely about relationship. We were created for relationship with God. Sin ruined that relationship.

God sacrificed His own son, Jesus, so that relationship could be restored.  Jesus sent us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so we could not only have relationship but have intimate relationship.   

The Lord of all creation has literally given and done all that can be done in order to make relationship with Him possible. Now, God patiently waits on us to — respond.   

II Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

(Hebrews 11:6)

#scriptures written out at end of devotion#

One day, I was praying through the house anointing the door posts with oil.

Lost in prayer that God would touch my loved ones and friends; I knew that I was alone and could pray without hindrance or interruption. 

Prayer consumed me as I poured out my heart to my Lord.  As I walked through the kitchen door, anointing the doorposts as I went, my kitty awoke from her nap and decided it was time to play.  

Troublemaker (appropriately named–) jumped off the top of the refrigerator onto my shoulders! Oh. My. Mercy. Sakes.  I screamed, I yelled, I danced flailing my arms and finally fell breathless onto a chair. 

I’m always happy to feel God’s presence but; not EVERY feeling is from God. There’s a lot to be said for–discernment. Mercy. Sometimes, when I pray, God’s presence IS so real. At other times, it seems my prayers hit the ceiling and fall back to my feet. How can I make sure my prayers are effective, since ‘feeling’ is not a reliable reference? 

One of the first things I do, before praying, is ask God’s forgiveness for my sins. We all have sin, if we think we don’t, we are lying to ourselves (I John 1:8). Through the blood of Jesus, we are brought back into relationship with God. (Romans 6:23) 

If there is a damaged relationship, a fuss or fight with another person, Jesus said to take care of that before I pray (Mark 11:25).  If there is a problem in my marriage, my prayers can be hindered (I Peter 3:7). It’s important that I come into God’s presence with a pure heart; without the hindrance of broken relationships. 

One thing I must remember is that God is sovereign. He works through circumstances, relationships, conflict and experience to make us into the vessels He planned for us to be.  Sometimes it is the hurts in our own life that make us sensitive to the needs of others (II Corinthians 1:3-5). 

When my heart is pure through the blood of Christ, my prayers are answered. It doesn’t matter what my eyes see or how I feel, Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the evidence of what we know; that God is faithful. 

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Prayer: Father God, I love you and I want my prayers to be effective. Help me to know through your Spirit and personal Bible study, the things that hinder my prayers. Forgive me my sins and teach me your ways.  Amen.

Scripture reference:

1 John 1:8-10 (NIV) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a]Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mark 11:25 (NIV)  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

I Peter 3:7 (NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

II Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

 I Peter 2:9

At the conclusion of Valentine’s Day, my 12 year old grandson was standing with a friend at the car loop waiting for their ride home.  The friend was holding a box of chocolates, a fuzzy teddy bear and a bright red heart balloon in his hands; all gifts from his girlfriend. Another friend walked up and began taunting, “You have a GIIIIRLLL friend!”  The first friend who stood with many gifts said nothing and friend two kept on with the teasing.

Finally, my grandson turned to the taunting friend who stood with no gifts and said, “DUDE!  The man has a box of chocolate candy, a cute little fuzzy bear AND a big red balloon—while you and I stand here with NOTHING because we don’t HAVE a girl friend. Who should be making fun of whom here?  Hello?”

The world does the exact same thing to Christians.  We stand, with our sins forgiven and the up close and personal moment by moment attention of the God of the universe.  Yet, the world makes fun of us!

The scripture says we will be persecuted.  The persecution comes because we are really and truly a ‘peculiar,’ chosen, called out, different kind of people.  The world can’t understand the meaning of the evidences of our committed lives.  The gifts we bear are not discernable through the eyes of the world.

When people mock us for our faith, remember we stand with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, joy, peace and love.  With those gifts we have the personal attention of the Lord God Almighty, divine direction and the knowledge to handle life’s problems through God’s Word.  Remember whose you are and know you are loved.  Ask God to show you opportunity to tell your friends about Jesus so they can know perfect love too.

 I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into my life, forgiving me of my sins and making me your child. Help me to remember how loved I Am and show me how to lead my friends to you so they will experience this great love. Amen.

My daughter in-law, in England, wanted a cookbook. Pleased to be able to do something for her, I made my selection from a web site and proceeded to “check out”.

The site would not accept the APO address. I clicked, “if you have problems with your order, try our on line chat with a live representative”. Relieved to have personal   contact, I clicked the button.

“Hello, my name is Jill, can I help you?” appeared.  I typed in my problem.  Jill responded that she needed my credit card information. I quipped “you promise you won’t use it to get a condo on the beach?” 

“Jill” responded, “I don’t understand your request.”  This response seemed strange, but, ok, after all, she’s at work; business is business.  I typed the information and waited. Time passed, I typed, “hello? Is anybody there?” 

Jill typed, “I don’t understand your request.”  Frustrated, I told my husband that it would have been faster if I’d have wrapped the book and held it in my teeth while I swam to England.  

Weary of waiting, I added, “It doesn’t help that the rep I’m working with has the personality of a stump”. Dan laughed, saying, “There’s no rep there! It’s all computer generated; certain words are recognized and the appropriate response is given.” 

In disbelief, I turned back to my computer, where I was still waiting for “Jill” to finish the paperwork to make my purchase. Timidly, I typed, “Are you real?”  She typed back, “I don’t understand your request.”  Horrified, I realized that my husband was, —MAYBE—right.  

Still not entirely convinced, I typed, “There’s no company rep eager to serve me, is there?” Jill immediately responded, “Thank you for choosing to shop with us”.  Feeling totally betrayed, I typed, “Your mamma is a circuit board.”  Jill responded quickly with “I don’t understand your request.” 

One of the many things that my heart cherishes is that when I speak to the Lord, He hears me.  He doesn’t tell me he’s busy or give me a number and tell me to get in line. He ALWAYS hears me and understands me. (Psalms 91:14-15)

My Lord never hands me off to an automated program.  He is there, first time, every time, all the time (Isaiah 65:24).  My Lord loves me, hears me and answers me. That’s not customer service, that’s RELATIONSHIP.

 Luke 11:9-10 So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened to you.

One day I had the pleasure of spending some time with my 7 year old British born grandson, Gregory. We had gone to my favorite coffee shop to have a cup and enjoy one another’s company. 

As we were leaving, I noticed that Gregory had a chocolate covered spoon in his hand. I’d seen the spoons in a basket on the counter. Knowing that I’d not paid for the spoon and to my knowledge, neither had he, I asked him how he’d gotten it. 

Gregory happily told me that he had gotten it in the coffee shop, “Wasn’t it great and it was free!” I told him I was sure they were not free.  He said that he was quite sure they were free because there had been a sign that said, “TAKE ONE.”   

Trying not to laugh, I told Gregory that the sign had meant take one and pay for it, not take one and leave.  He got a horrified look on his face; his mouth agape, he gasped, “Oh!  Mamaw, do you mean that I’ve STOLEN it?” 

I assured him that stealing was when you took something and didn’t pay for it on purpose.  What had happened was a misunderstanding. Together, we went back in the coffee shop, we all had a good laugh and I happily paid for the spoon. 

One of the first things I noticed when I accepted Christ as my Lord, is that I saw things differently than I had before.  With the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit whispering into my heart, I began to see situations and circumstances through the eyes of Christ. My attitude changed from self centered to the heart of a servant; my entire life was different.   

II Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come.

Prayer:  Father, help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that I make wise choices. Show me your will and your way.  I love you and want to serve you in every area of my life. Amen.

A new Children’s Church series was starting soon. In preparation, I had been singing the  song for the puppet skit again and again.   

After several weeks, I finally had the words committed to my brain. After weeks of practice I was not singing it when I picked the grandkids up. Noticing the silence, my grandson, Max, said HE WANTED to sing it some MORE! 

His older brother, Zac, quickly responded, “ok, but do you want to sing it the way mamawl sings it —or the way it’s supposed to sound?” (Oh mercy sakes!)

The world is watching to see how we handle every day life as Christians. Is our life “sounding” the way Jesus REALLY sounds? Or have we made our own version of the way Jesus “sounds?”

When I say, “I’m a Christian,” I’m saying, “I represent Christ.” It is important that I’m in the Word and in close relationship with Jesus.  Spending time in God’s Word changes me from the inside out, making me more Christ like. (Hebrews 4:12) 

When I allow the ways of the world to influence me more than God’s Word does, my “version” of Jesus doesn’t “sound right.”  God’s Word is powerful and effective; I need the constant cutting away of worldly influences that being in the Word provides. (II Timothy 3:16)

Do those around me; my spouse, my children, my extended family and friends see Christ in my priorities, attitudes and goals? How does my every day life reflect Godly principles?  Does my life ‘sound’ like Jesus or have I made up my own version?

John 14:23-24 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Prayer:  Father, help me to show the attitudes of Jesus to everybody around me.  I want to be an influence, not a stumbling stone.  Thank you. Amen.

Scripture references: 

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

II Timothy 3:16  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Have you ever had somebody hurt your feelings or make you just down right MAD?   

Sometimes, stuff happens in life that can make your heart bitter as a lemon!

There is a saying that when life hands you lemons, make a pie. However, making a pie requires effort and determination.

A mile high lemon meringue pie doesn’t just miraculously appear because you acknowledge that it ‘can’ be done.  Making a lemon pie takes effort, patience and work; but, it’s ALWAYS worth it.  

Satan wants the trials of life to make us bitter. Anger is one of satan’s tools (Ephesians 4:26-27).  Proverbs 29:11 says that fools look for revenge.  Romans 12:19 specifically says to NOT get revenge, let God handle it.  Psalms 4:4 says anger can lead to sin, it’s best to be silent.   

When we are angry at people, that anger separates us from intimacy with Jesus. (Matthew 5:21-23) Satan wants to use sour circumstances to drive a wedge between us and our Savior. We DO have the choice of what we do with the sour things in life! 

We can allow bitterness to make our hearts mean, callous and vengeful. Or we can do the things necessary to change the bitterness into tenderness and sweetness.  

Action is required; bitterness can destroy if left unattended to.  We must emotionally, mentally and physically do the things that turn the bitter into better.  Don’t get even—-get busy and make something good out of those lemons.  

Prayer is the first step toward transforming bitter fruit into the fruit of the Spirit.  Ask God to help you forgive the person you are angry with. 

When you forgive rather than get revenge, you are taking action to turn the bitter fruit of anger into the sweetness of the fruit of the Spirit.  

Galatians 5: 22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.