Tag: Devotions

How Then Shall We Live?

musingsalonglifesjourneyLeave a comment
The view in our yard, the glory of God shown on an autumn day

Yes, God is on the move in a mighty way. We are called to a high standard as those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord. It’s imperative that we learn from those who go before us. Let’s look at some passages from the book of Colossians, which the Apostle Paul wrote from prison to a congregation deep in the midst of secularism.

Captivity

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Hollow & Deceptive Philosophy

Photo by Andrii Nikolaienko on Pexels.com

Hollow and deceptive philosophy? Think of the worldly wisdom coming from all angles on social media, advertisements, TV shows… many human traditions… even legalism in churches.

Each day,  I hear another  “doctor ” who knows just which foods or supplements, exercises or sleep things you should never do… or should always do. “Just watch this video to find out this simple household trick you can do to loose pounds.” Which leads to their special formula for supplements that will cost you $49.95 for a month’s supply. It’s sourced from the best things on earth, and you’d better order multiple bottles, because supply is limited. Then you’ll see ads connected to this video in your Facebook feed, as well as your YouTube watching.

Human Tradition

2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

In Paul’s time, he was talking about the Jewish leaders and idol worshippers. Today, all religions get caught up in these things.

2:17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Elemental spiritual forces

Photo by asap jpeg on Pexels.com

Elemental spiritual forces? Do you remember the earthly elements God attacked with the 20 plagues in Egypt? All the things they deified and worshipped. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of Matchu Pechu in South America.  [Spell Check didn’t even balk at this name, it’s currently so popular] What about aliens, the occult, crystals, “global warming”, Yoga, Reikei… calling in the elements to work for them, especially for healing the body and the earth.

2:20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.

Living in Jesus Christ

Set Your Heart On…

3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Questions: What things is your heart set on? What is your mind dwelling on? What kind of fruit is developing in your life from those things? How deep is your connection with Christ Jesus?

Devote Yourselves To…

4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Paul repeatedly speaks about thankfulness and gratitude in Colossians.  This is God’s will for us, to be prayerful, watchful, and thankful. Doing these things leads us away from grumbling, complaining, depressive, worldly thoughts and actions.

Be Wise…

Photo by doTERRA International, LLC on Pexels.com

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Pastor Josh Gmmiter reminds us to “see the one in front of me”. If we minister to that one with what the Lord has given us, we will share a supernatural encounter with them. You never know how you might bring down from heaven just what that person needs.

Your Conversation…

6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

What does this look like in our lives? Grace means not being critical or judgemental.  Seasoned with salt means sharing something that might irritate, but helps that soul thirst for the Word of Truth. Being tapped into the Holy Spirit helps you know what to say in each situation.

In Conclusion

May we all strive to make the most of each day, living in the grace and admonition of our Savior.

Grace be with you in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Battle Tactics From Nehemiah

musingsalonglifesjourneyLeave a comment

What an excellent book to be reading at this time, the book of Nehemiah! Today, I am using the NIV, reading in chapter 4. Join me as I lead you through.

The Enemy Taunts

In Nehemiah 4:1-3, Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite, in the presence of the army of Samaria, were taunting the Jews… “Even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Is anyone taunting you? Despising you?

The godly pray

The Godly Pray

Nehemiah prays, “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads.” (4:4)

Note: Jesus tells us to do good to our enemies, bless and do not curse. These days, we hear testimony of how taunting captors surrender to Jesus through prayer and love.

Angry Plots

After Nehemiah prayed, the Israelites worked with all their hearts.  Sanballat, Tobias, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard the repairs continued. They became very angry, plotting together to fight and stir up trouble against Jerusalem.

Is anyone trying to stir up trouble, angry with you, or plotting against you?

Pray And Guard

Nehemiah tells us, “We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”

Oh, that we may pray to God, our help and our salvation, and do our part to guard what belongs to us as His children.

Discouragement

Meanwhile, the people of Judah were discouraged.  “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we can not rebuild the wall.”  On top of this, the Jews living near, ten times over, said, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” This hopelessness reminds me of Job’s wife telling him, “Curse God and die!”

What or who is causing you to despair?

Our children, our children’s children, their children’s children…

Remember God/Generations

Nehemiah posted families with weapons at the most exposed places. Then, after looking things over, he said,“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Currently, the Sprit is putting emphasis on the generations and our responsibility towards those coming after us. Discern your vulnerable places and don your Spiritual weapons. Let faith and love keep your fear away. As Pastor Josh Gmmiter said in his sermon October 18 & 19, we should fear the Lord God Almighty more than we fear anything else!

Be Aware & Prepare

Their enemies heard that they were aware of them and that God had frustrated their plot. The people returned to work, half of them building and half guarding. Those who were carrying materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.

Identity In Christ

How do we go about our day? Do we realize the war that’s raging in the spiritual world as well as the natural? Daily putting on our godly armor will equip us for what’s ahead. Wisdom is discerning who we are in Christ and who He truly is to us – relationship!

Sound The Trumpet

Nehemiah kept the trumpeter at his side because “the work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Our work is also extensive, and we are also widely separated. Let’s sound the unifying Trump of the Lord. Remember, our God still fights for us! We are to work faithfully to spread the glory, love, and salvation this world truly needs.

Here’s an interesting quote by D. L. Moody, that’s on my calendar: ‘”Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” Lord, thanks for Praying Hyde and Father Nash, two praying saints behind previous moves of God that come to mind.

Pastor Josh Gmmiter, October 18th & 19th,
ACF Church

The End of One and Something New

musingsalonglifesjourneyLeave a comment
The final leg of the journey home

Some days, I think it’s not good using The Daily Bible for my 2025 devotional. I did  extra readings the days King David’s son, Absalom, attempted a takeover of his throne behind his back. Then came King David, setting things up for his son Solomon to succeed him, amassing the things Solomon would need to build God’s temple.

Daily Bible in its carry case

An Invite

The good thing about the extra readings is that I caught up to the actual date in the readings. That date has been off since I began this Bible after my trip to Uganda. Speaking of which:

I was invited to a luncheon at my son Alex’s church on May 10th. I will be the featured speaker, sharing about the Uganda 2025 trip. If you’re in the Malone/Helena area, contact me, and I’ll get you the details.

Devotions

In The Daily Bible, I am reading through the Psalms. Each day’s reading is up to 6 psalms long. This means I could write many pages from what the Spirit is sharing, but as I decide to, I’m on to the next day’s reading, and there’s more I want to share!

Such is my writing journey. Many times, it’s not a LACK of things to write, but deciding WHAT to write from my many thoughts! This is just as immobilizing as “writer’s block.”

A Trip

Here we are, on our last trip to the Finger Lakes area for Onsite Testing Services. [Monday/Tuesday] Long days because we’re testing mostly school bus drivers, who can only be tested between bus runs. This means breaks in the schedule of several hours.  We can only spend so much of these times finding places to eat and eating.

Although the foods we had today were good – we just had a fish fry from Mark’s Pizzaria in Geneva – where we’re spending the night – it was good to park at a ShurFine parking lot for a little nap early this afternoon. We turned in all our equipment at the office this evening when we completed our two days in the Finger Lakes area.  Another era of our life completed!

A Questiion

A common question resurfaced recently.  If God is good, why is there evil? And the companion question… If God made everything, why is there evil?

I am working on a lesson from one of my students from Crossroads Prison Ministry.  He’s working through the course “Biblical Truths In Depth”. This is Lesson 3, and I’d like to share some Scriptures that may settle these questions.  Caution, this may not fully satisfy!

Bible-study

In God’s providence and plan, “Though it is a great mystery,  even evil and human sin are somehow  included within this plan, yet God is perfectly good.” Biblical Truths In Depth  – Lesson 3, p. 29.

Job 2:9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

Peter said of the crucifixion under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration:

Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Even this heinous crime carried out on God’s Son was according to the Father’s plans.

Does this help us understand this verse? Ecclesiastes chapter 11:1                                    As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

There is one thing clear from my reading of the Psalms:  we must bow in humble adoration before the great and mighty LORD we serve. His plans are good, and He is always faithful!

An Interview

This is the Randy Kay interview I just watched. Robert shares something that makes sense to me. He said time did not begin until the fall of Adam and Eve. Before sin entered mankind, all was eternity. This is why we can’t make sense of the timeline of creation.

Thank you to those who support me by reading this blog.

Wow! So much happening!

musingsalonglifesjourney1 Comment

Philippians 1: 6 … being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

So much has happened since my last post. The Lord will need to let me know where to start. I have been back from Uganda since the 14th, and as my husband John says, I’ve been on “couch duty” several of these days. We’ve had snow events, inauguration day, and more during my days of reverse culture shock.

A winter sunset in Henderson, NY

With head cold type symptoms since our final flight to Syracuse late last Tuesday evening, it’s been difficult to start anything. Of course, physical things came to a head- looking like thrush in my mouth- during the holiday weekend. Then we were snowed in yesterday, so I finally got to the doctor for diagnosis and medicine today.

Along the road in Uganda

Coming home two weeks into our church’s 21-day January fast, I wasn’t sure how to join them, but God knew! We fasted our regular diet and living conditions while in Uganda, then I’ve been having smoothies for breakfast, only eating two meals a day, because of my sore mouth since I returned. The reason for fasting is to buffet your soul to let your spirit rise up. That mission is accomplished!

This is the book I’m currently working on. Carlie really puts forward a good explanation of the basis of fear, beginning with Genesis 3. Eve had an identity crisis. We need to understand our identity in Christ. Through the 10 spies, she shows how we fear because we think we’re responsible for taking the land the Lord has for us.  No matter how many mighty acts God performs, we fear because we forget He is able. Through examples from the Bible and personal experiences from her husband Ashley, other friends, and her own life, I recommend this book as a primer for living a life free of deception and fear which come from the enemy

I’m deciding what to use for my devotions again this year. I knew I didn’t want to start while I was busy on our trip, which is why I started Carlie’s book. Yesterday, I was watching a friend on LinkedIn (sorry, I can’t find her videos I watched or think of her name). She’s a biblical scholar and was talking about how to read the Bible. She recommends using The Daily Bible, and it sounded like a good place to start for 2025. I found the Daily Bible in large print on Amazon, and they tell me my delivery will arrive on January 29th, so I look forward to working my days around the daily readings through January 2026.

What are you using for your own devotions this year? Read any good books lately? Let’s start a conversation.

This is my David’s Kidz sponsor child, Winnie

I will share about my actual mission trip in my next post. I pray that your year is starting well and that the Lord’s favor shines brightly for you.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Psalm 5 and What’s going on?

musingsalonglifesjourney2 Comments
A visual for the battle… spiritual and natural

Welcome to this week’s musings. A battle is raging on earth and in heaven.  Many are asking where God is in all of the turmoil. You probably guessed that Psalm 5 was my Wednesday chapter in my devotions this week.  Let’s take a look at what David had to say… to… and… about God in this Psalm.

A Prayer for Guidance
To the Chief Musician.                                With flutes.                                                           A Psalm of David.  

5 Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
2. Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.

In the first two verses, David implores the Lord to hear and consider what he’s saying, thinking, and agonizing over. He reaffirms the Lord as his King, his God.  He knows from experience that no one else can help him.


3. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You,
and I will look up.                                         David knows where to direct his voice.  He knows the morning is an apt time to seek the Lord. Notice that he directs his voice to look up to Him.

4. For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You.

David has a track record with God. He knows God is not pleased with wickedness, and evil can not abide with Him. Next, David shares what God thinks of the boastful and those who work iniquity:
5. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.

David continues to enumerate the things God abhors:
6. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

In light of his knowledge of the Lord, David now turns to Him with his response to the situation.

7. But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You, I will worship toward Your holy temple.

David realizes that he can’t overcome his enemies on his own. He asks God to lead him and make his way straight because he knows God’s right-ness. As you read on, think about what we are dealing with these days.                 8. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
make Your way straight before my face.

9. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.

Are you watching the debates or the news commentators?  Maybe you have a battle above and beyond the election fracas? Read  the next verses with this in mind.
10. Pronounce them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own counsels;
cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against You.

Thank God for the grace sinners have because of Jesus Christ.  Are you rejoicing in the midst of what’s swirling around you? Read on as David shares a godly way to respond to these people.                                                                  11. But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.                                       12. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor. You will surround him as with a shield.

A God who blesses us with such glory in the clouds should make us pause and meditate on things. What an awesome God we serve! He loves us so much. He can handle our cries and complaints, but temper them with magnifying His Name. He truly is worthy!

I leave you with  Luke 23:34.

23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

Love them anyway…  the paraphrase on a sticker on the back of my phone case. Even our worst enemy doesn’t deserve the dark, evil, torturous, eternal fires of hell. Rescue the perishing and speak life where death is trying to overcome. Let the light of Jesus Christ break through the darkness that encroaches.

Until next time, Shalom to you all.             Don’t forget to pray and vote!

Trials Shall Come…

musingsalonglifesjourneyLeave a comment

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Yes, Jesus assured us that trials (tribulation) not only may, but truly will, come into our lives. What do we do when they come? I believe trials can break you down, wear you out, cause you to lose hope. Can anyone say … depression?

Don’t Waste Your Sorrows!

But… when you lean into Father God, trials bring you deeper into your relationship with the Lord. They strengthen your faith as He proves His goodness through it all. To comfort others in their trials, we need to experience our own.

Comfort Others, Gain Experience

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Trials develop our compassion. Experience is gained so we can raise our levels of understanding.  We learn more about this life compared with heaven, and we understand more how God works in human lives. The accounts in the Bible make more sense.

Compassion gained from experience in action

Find the Hidden Gems

Trials develop patience. They are fertile soil to grow, making us more like Jesus. We experience goodness in those who walk the rough road with us or help us out at just the right time. When we begin to see the light, joy resurfaces.

I’m currently working through these devotions.

Trust God

We serve a God who knows the end from the beginning,  who has been from beginning to the end of all our lives. We can trust him that our sorrows will be turned to joy for His glory and our good.

I leave you to meditate on the following verses in Romans. I pray that the Holy Spirit will bless your understanding, and you will see the jewels in your darkness.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”

36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

When morning guilds the skies… my heart awakening cries… may Jesus Christ be praised!

Due to the early times we need to leave for our new job, this is actually a sunrise photo instead of my usual sunset!

Bible Chapter 8:1-8 Hebrews

musingsalonglifesjourneyLeave a comment

In this edition of this series, we delve into the new Priestly Service we have obtained through Jesus Christ.  Just a basic taste of the riches we have in His sacrifice.

New Priestly Service
8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

Who have I in heaven but You? Our ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, has now been seated at the right hand of our Heavenly Father in heaven. This is not the earthly tabernacle that was destroyed in 70 AD, but one that will never be destroyed. The earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the one we have now.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.

Paul is clarifying, comparing the earthly high priest with what we have in Jesus. What did Jesus offer?

4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

God commanded Moses to follow His pattern, a copy/shadow of what is in heaven. Jesus came to earth to open the way to the actual tabernacle in heaven. Because Moses was obedient to all that the LORD instructed, we have a good idea of what it is. Although we need this background to understand what we have in Christ…

6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

He is now our Mediator, and we have a better covenant and better promises. Let’s see what this means.

A New Covenant
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—

So, the first covenant did not fit the bill, so a second covenant needed to be made. We are now in the days when we are heirs of this new covenant, along with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In this new era of God, it’s time to stand up as manifest sons and daughters of God and let His glory shine through us until it fills the whole earth.

My children Christopher, Harold, Eliza, and Alexander

We were blessed to have our four grown children together on Easter Sunday.  If you have read my book, I introduced them with their families in the introduction. I pray that you experience a deeper intimacy and appreciation of the rich blessings we have in Jesus, our Christ. Shalom dear ones!