Thursday Devotional - Faithful God Through Quiet Work (8/3/23)

Last week I mentioned one of my prayers for the summer was that we would be witnesses in our interactions. Sarah’s coach noticed her positive attitude, but I wondered if she knew it was God’s joy in her. So, I prayed more specifically for natural opportunities to mention God, Bible study, prayer, etc. In answer to that prayer, God provided a couple different opportunities later in the week to naturally mention Bible study and prayer as I talked with a couple parents!

Then, I got an unexpected email from one of Alexis’ coaches. It said “I just wanted to tell you how much I love having Alexis in my group. She’s not only very talented, but she works very hard as well. I’m very impressed with her behavior. It’s a nice break from some of her teammates!”  

While the coach didn’t say “I can see Jesus in Alexis,” maybe she will eventually realize He is behind the difference she sees in Alexis versus her teammates. I realized I needed to be thankful for the small and quiet opportunities to reflect Christ, even if others don’t recognize Christ in us right away. Our Faithful God is powerful enough to work through one quiet moment or combine thousands of quiet work opportunities to accomplish His purposes in the lives of those around us!

Psalm 106:1-3 Praise the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
    or fully declare his praise?
³ Blessed are those who act justly,
    who always do what is right.

We can’t fully give God the praise and honor He deserves. However, He chooses to give us blessings through our meager obedient work. What a Faithful, Generous and Mighty God we serve!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God Through Disqualification (7/27/23)

It’s been an exciting and busy week with all 4 kids swimming and diving in their championship meets this week! Both girls got disqualified in one of their races, though. However, when Joe was talking to the coach about Sarah’s disqualification, the coach said “but Sarah’s still smiling!” Yes, Sarah doesn’t let things like that bother her. She is usually happy and content.

No matter what is going on around us, we always have something to be happy and joyful about – our Faithful God!   

Psalm 68:1-3      May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
    may his foes flee before him.
² May you blow them away like smoke—
    as wax melts before the fire,
    may the wicked perish before God.
³ But may the righteous be glad
    and rejoice before God;
    may they be happy and joyful.

I pray our joy is contagious to those around us. I’m glad Sarah’s coach sees her as a happy girl, but my prayer has been that we would be witnesses in our interactions this summer. Maybe there will still be opportunities for others to realize that our joy comes from God (not our own self-talk or positive thinking)! He’s our Faithful Savior! Whether we win or lose, He’s already victorious over our greatest problem!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God Encamps Around You (7/13/23)

James loves playing soccer, but he wasn’t thrilled about going to our church’s soccer outreach event on Tuesday. James participated last summer, but several of the boys had been mean. He didn’t want to have to deal with their actions and comments. In fact, he begged not to go.

After praying about what to do, I talked to James about this being an opportunity to be a witness to some of the kids from the community that come out to play. We also talked through how to handle some of the situations that might happen. I told him I would be there to watch.  

Of course, God is always watching. As we look to Him for direction, we can trust that things will turn out for His good purposes.

Psalm 34:7-9      The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.

We lack nothing because we always have God on our side, encamped around us! Things won’t always be easy or turn out the way we want, but as we obey Him we can be assured we are in His will.

For this week, God worked it out that none of the mean boys came! That may not be the case next week, but we know God can help James through any challenges that come. God will also bring blessing as a result! He faithfully watches and encamps around us!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God over Our Fears (7/6/23)

This week we’re continuing to memorize Psalm 34. It tied in with some of the big and small fears we faced.

Psalm 34:4-6      I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.

I mentioned a few weeks ago how terrified Edmund was to start swim and dive team practice. This past weekend he and Alexis successfully completed several swim races in their very first swim meet! Edmund went from holding the lane line all the way down (a week ago) to diving off the block and swimming with side breathing.

Alexis had originally not been scared the first week, but she got terrified to swim in the deep end without also holding the lane line. One time, while swimming on her back in the deep end, she said she prayed to God when she was really scared.

Whether our fear is rational or irrational, we can take it to God. He will listen and can help us. As we follow His direction and trust His lead, we can know He’s got it! He’s Faithful!

Alice 

Thursday Devotional - Faithful and Praiseworthy God even in Disappointment (6/29/23)

With the wildfire smoke from Canada, we’ve now had several activities cancelled because of the very unhealthy air quality! The kids have been disappointed.

We did get to attend several fun outdoor activities this past weekend, though!

One was a picnic after church. The sermon was on Psalm 34 which includes the verse: Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (verse 8). The pastor tied that right in with our picnic! 😊

Later that day, the kids, Joe and I decided to memorize part of Psalm 34. We’ve learned a verse a day, the past 3 days.

Psalm 34:1-3 I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

We talked about how hard it is to praise God when we are mad, sad or hurt. However, we owe everything to Him! If we can remember that, we’ll be able to praise Him in all situations, whether it is a small disappointment or a huge tragedy.  

How will you praise Him today?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Uncertain and Scary Moments 3/31/22

My new nephew, Michael, is still in the NICU. There have been several uncertain and scary moments this past week. As I’ve cried out to God for healing and help, He’s reminded me that He loves and cares for Michael the most. He has Michael in His hands, has a plan for his life, and will fulfill His plans. He is with Michael through all of this, each step of the way. God is Michael’s Creator and sustainer!

Psalm 139:13-17   For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!

As I’ve prayed for Michael, God reminded me of several of these truths from Psalms. God already knows all his needs. God has a plan for Michael and will complete it. God knows what is wrong and how best to help his body function as intended.  

God created you, too, and has a plan for your life! Let’s remember He’s our Creator and Sustainer, especially when we face uncertain and scary moments. He is with us!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Love Letter

At the beginning of the month, the kids and I pulled out our Valentine decorations. James was curious why we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Sarah suggested I ask “Period” (which is what James use to call Seri, for some unknown reason! 😊) I looked up the origin, but there isn’t anything concrete and no one knows for sure. It could possibly stem from the martyr of a St. Valentine. One was killed for secretly marrying people and the other wrote a letter to his sweetheart on the day of his death, supposedly February 14^th.  

After not being able to answer James’ questions, he continued decorating. With some heart sticks we pulled out (picture attached), James decided we should each hold one and then go around and say what we love about the other family members. Then, he suggested we wave the heart sticks up and down 3X chanting “God loves you, God loves you, God loves you!” It was a great way to start the “love” month. God is the perfect Valentine. He’s the One who first loved us!

I John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

I John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

God gave us the best Valentine gift – Salvation through Jesus Christ.

God gave us the longest, most helpful and encouraging love letter – the entire Bible!

Last week we talked about the need to read and know the entire Bible. The Psalmist knew the importance of this, as well.  

Psalm 119:73-77      Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.

Which part of God’s Love Letter will you read and delight in today? 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Righteous Reflections

Happy New Year!

My parents, my family and my sisters and their families were all together for the new year (see attached picture). We were reflecting on this past difficult year, while remembering God was with us through each difficulty. He didn’t remove or prevent several of the difficulties, but He was with us through them (and continues to be with us). He heard each of our prayers and provided direction.

We each went around and shared our biggest challenge or difficulty from the past year and our greatest joy. Later, we also talked about plans and goals for the coming year. We were encouraged knowing God has given us clear direction in numerous big and small decisions in the past. Then, as I re-read and meditated on Psalm 34 yesterday, I was further encouraged!

Psalm 34:15-18 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to blot out their name from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The Lord is always available, always hears, always sees, always desires to give direction and is always ready to comfort us. We can cry out to Him with our fears, frustrations, and for our future. Let’s continue to reflect on His faithful provisions in the past. Then, we can confidently seek Him first and foremost this new year for His plans for each one of us! 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - 2018 Christmas Letter/Picture

For this week’s devotional, I thought I would include our Christmas letter and picture that we’re in the process of sending out.

Merry Christmas! Every year life seems busier, but God knew just what we needed as we faced several health crises for my parents, asthma attacks for James, another basement flood and decision dilemmas. We clung to verses such as Psalm 59:16 “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

James (6) started kindergarten! He loves that his grand mom comes for reading time and lunch on Mondays. This Fall he also started going with me to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and kept me accountable to learn the weekly memory verse with him. Gymnastics is another new favorite activity for him and Sarah.

Sarah (4) loves preschool three mornings a week! Her teacher said she sang to (and calmed down) a kid throwing a tantrum. Most importantly, she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior (partially through James’ invitation). The Holy Spirit’s work in her life is evident. She uses memory verses to encourage others.

Joe continues to counsel. In his free time, when he’s not dealing with a rental unit problem, he tackles our never-ending home projects. We both enjoy this year’s new BSF study and having the same leadership role! At church, we started teaching our preschool class and continue with the pre-service prayer team. In addition to work, I continue to write the Thursday devotional for believers at work (and externally post at: https://trdailydevotional.blogspot.com).

I pray you and I will seek and focus on God and His gift of Jesus our Savior, whether Christmas is merry or not.

Psalm 27:1-2, 7-8 and 13-14        

The Lord is my light and my salvation—   whom shall I fear? ²The Lord is the stronghold of my life—   of whom shall I be afraid?

⁷Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. ⁸My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”   Your face, Lord, I will seek.

¹³I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. ¹⁴Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Timely Encouragement

My Dad’s been back in the hospital this whole week with lots of fluid on the left and right side of his lungs. They gave him strong medicine to help drain the fluid, but he still can’t move much or breath well. Yesterday, they surgically went in and drained another liter of fluid and he’s still not a lot better. On top of that, he got a hematoma where they made the incision in his back. So, it’s been a scary week for all of us. He’s lost over 20 pounds since he’s been in the hospital, so now he’s down to only 160 pounds (and he’s 6 feet tall).  

The doctors still don’t know why fluid is pooling or what the underlying issue is. He had stents put in a couple arteries back in the summer, changed his diet completely and got an excellent report back in September. However, now his heart function is very poor and they don’t know why.

We know we can trust God and ask Him for guidance and healing and care. We’ve been crying out to Him. In God’s perfect timing, we’ve been studying several chapters in the Psalms in Bible Study the last couple of weeks. I’ve read and re-read them. Here are a few of the verses that are especially encouraging right now.

Psalm 59:17  You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 23:4    Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 139:13-16      For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

Maybe you are going through something difficult or you know someone going through something difficult. Which of these verses encourages you and which ones will you share with someone else to encourage them?

Alice