Stand Strong

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

Rain pounded the windows. Lightning lit up the sky and thunder roared. April showers had let loose in our area. After one particular storm, I went outside to check on the daffodils and tulips. Some of the leaves smashed to the ground in defeat, but one tulip stood tall. A lovely lavender tulip had stood strong and courageous. It held its own against the mighty wind.

Amidst the storms, I learned that one of my writer friends, Cynthia, went home to be with the Lord. She had fought cancer for several years. This sweet, kind woman stood strong throughout her illness, and continued to write. Each time I had written to tell her I was praying for her, it never failed for her to respond with inspiration and uplift me. She loved God and wore his full armor. She inspired and uplifted others even as she suffered with pain. She was a beautiful warrior who encouraged and loved. I can only hope to be like her.

God didn’t give us the spirit of timidity, instead he gave his followers the spirit of courage to stand up for others, to encourage others, to love others and to stand firm in faith.

Later in Ephesians, Paul wrote to wear the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Carry the shield of faith, wear the helmet of salvation, and hold the word of God.  

Verse 18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” I love this verse. It’s simple, but so powerful.

Pray for each other. Love each other, and Love God. Stand strong in him.

Toadshade Trifecta

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Trillium: a plant with a solitary three-petaled flower above a whorl of three leaves.

In March as Tim, Rosie, and I trekked through the woods, I kept my eyes open for the first trillium—a sure sign of spring. The toadshade variety is common in Ohio. (I have to chuckle as I picture a little toad hidden under the leaves in the umbrella like shade.) 

I spied one. It reminded me of the new life we experience in spring.

As I gazed at the forest plant, The “tri” in trillium reminded me of the trinity. The three petals and the three leaves brought to mind the Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God, who created life, loves me with all his heart. Jesus Christ gave his life. He lived on earth, even though he knew his life would be cut short, and people would hate him, and eventually nail him to the cross. His love overcame death and reunited humans with God. The Holy Spirit lives with me in my life. He connects me to my Father God through prayers and prompts. His love guides me on my daily walk.

As I squatted down to photograph the trillium, it hit me how so much of the nature our God created reminds me of his power and the hope I have in Jesus. I rarely take a walk that I don’t experience the Holy Spirit urging me to pray. In God’s majesty, I draw closer to him.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 

Freedom to hope, freedom to love, freedom to live a life in fellowship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Is Your Heart Troubled?

John 14:25-27
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Some years ago, Tim had to have a heart valve replaced. Even though he was the one with a physical ailment, my heart was troubled, while at the same time thankful. Troubled because we had to go through surgery involving the organ that kept him alive and thankful the doctors had discovered the issue in time to correct it. Praise God, the surgery went well and every check-up since has been excellent. Yet, returning each year for the doctor to take a look brings me a bit of anxiety, but Jesus’ peace covers me.

At the rate of speed life changes and everyday expectations shift, fear rears its ugly head. And I do mean ugly. When Jesus shared his future with His disciples, he knew he had to prepare them for change, sorrow, verbal attacks, and outright anguish. In His wisdom and truth, He assured them the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, would dwell with them and teach and guide them. Jesus left His peace with them. He asked them not to allow their hearts to be troubled, but to be at peace.

We have this promise today as followers and believers in Jesus. His peace passes any understanding I have and creates a calm and trustworthy hope as I maneuver through this world. I have to choose His peace and allow it to work in me by trusting Jesus.

No one said life would be easy, but with Jesus it’s a whole lot better.

Seek His peace.

Friends

James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 

Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

If you’ve watched the Toy Story movies, you’ve heard the song You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman. Who doesn’t love seeing Woody and Buzz and all their friends stick together as they journey with Andy as he grows up?

God has placed people in my path who have become great friends—from childhood until now, I’ve been blessed with many people who have walked alongside me.

I remember my neighborhood friends playing tag and softball in the field. My college buddies and I still keep in touch. My children have grown to be my dear friends, as have my siblings, and my husband and I are the best of friends. And I can’t forget Rosie May—our faithful companion.

We could learn a lot from a dog. Rosie’s loyalty and unconditional love pours out of her. She sticks by us and is always happy to see us.

James, Jesus’ brother, tells us Abraham, who led people through the desert to the promised land, but never stepped foot there, was called God’s friend. What a joy to be a friend of God. No one is more faithful than the Lord. He loves His people, He’s always available, He stands beside me as I grow in Him and as a person with purpose. God never fails me or gives up on me, even when I want to give up on myself.

There is no better friend than Jesus. He sticks closer than a brother. He closed the gap between God and people. He gave His life for me and you.

You’ve got a friend in Jesus. Take His hand and follow Him.

The God of Hope

Romans 15:12-13
And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

We spring forward, spring into action, and we may even have a spring in our step.

I look forward to the crocuses, daffodils, hyacinth, and tulips as they spring from the ground. (you see what I did there) Spring is a season of hope and new life. The grass and trees green up and the bees get excited about the blooms. The flowers poking through the soil tell me the sun is warming the earth, and soon they’ll give a colorful show.

At the park this week, with the sun shining, a lot of people and dogs walked the path and trails. People smiled and nodded friendly greetings. Joy and hope filled the air.

My favorite word in the English language is HOPE—to expect with confidence.

Hope for my family and loved ones, hope in Jesus, who came to mend the tear between God and people, hope in grace, and hope in heaven—my eternal home.

As I look toward Easter in the coming months, I want to focus on the hope I have in Jesus. This world is a difficult place to live in. It’s easy to take on the burdens of the world myself and get dragged down. Instead, I continue to seek Jesus in prayer and through scripture and hold on to the hope I have in God. He’s never let me down. He walks beside me every day, and He loves me.

Hold on to the hope that fills you with joy and peace.

Ask and Trust

James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

It's one thing to seek wisdom, but it’s another to have faith in God and the wisdom He gives.

Recently, Tim and I and other family members have had to make difficult decisions for people we love. With each choice, we’ve stepped into a space where we need guidance and wisdom. What’s the best for our loved ones? How do we help them move forward and stay safe?

In my sixty-seven years, I’ve made a lot of decisions. I am sad to say; I haven’t always asked God for wisdom or listened for Him to impart his wise words. In those times, I’ve fallen on my face and then my knees, before the One who generously gives His wisdom, if only I trust Him.

The picture Jesus’ brother, James, paints of the person who seeks God’s wisdom, but fails to believe smacked me in the head. It struck me that I ask for wisdom, but at times don’t believe God will share it with me. I’ve tossed about like the wave and doubted God’s help. Shame on me.  

Will you join me in seeking wisdom and believing without doubt—before making decisions, before commenting on social media, before stepping out of bed in the morning? I don’t know about you, but I need God’s help through every single day of my life. And He gives it to us, if we simply ask and trust.

God loves us and wants the absolute best for us. He’s created every human with the opportunity to choose wisely.

Seek God’s wisdom.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

The Good, Good Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 18:12-14
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

I'd find the widest maple tree in the yard and squeeze myself as small as I could, behind it. The child who was 'it' would call out "Ready or not, here I come" to let us know they were searching for our hiding place. As a kid, my neighbors, cousins, and I spent endless hours playing hide-and-go-seek. We especially loved playing from dusk to dark. But in the game of hide-and-go-seek, we didn't want to be caught, or we'd be the 'it' person.

As an adult, I rarely play that old childhood game, unless one of my grandkids talks me into it. But I can tell you there have been times when I've played hide-and-go-seek with God. I've buried my head and ignored his wisdom, his call, or his word. I've run the other way in shame, rolled myself in a cocoon of misery and regret. But you know what, he came after me. He sought me out. Why? Because he loves me no matter what. The God who created the universe called me by name and told me I am his child.

Jesus is often called the Good Shepherd. As a shepherd, he searches for that single sheep that strays away from the flock. He chases that one little lamb who lost his way. He seeks in the shadows, climbs the mountains, tears down the walls to find that one who is lost. Once he finds us, he holds us, loves us and gives hope beyond hope. Jesus said he's happier about finding that one lost sheep than about the ninety-nine who stayed put. Why? Because Jesus wants every child of his to be found, to be saved from the evil in this world. He wants every soul to rest in him.

Jesus loves like no other. Love him back.