by Stacey | Mar 11, 2015 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
When the battle rages and exhaustion overwhelms, I devour the only medication that truly heals the soul. I rewrite comforting selections of Scripture and remind myself of my total dependence upon on the Lord. Here are some bits from Psalm 86 and 88. They are medicine for my soul.
O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you, incline your ear to my cry. My soul is full of troubles. I am a man without strength.
You are perfect in love, you are the answer to every question, to every need. Your word is the medicine that I need.
You, O Lord, are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give your strength to your servant.
Teach me your ways so I may walk in the truth. Unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you Lord with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forever.
by Stacey | Feb 12, 2015 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
This world is not our friend. It does everything to open innocent eyes and awaken inappropriate desires. This sex-saturated society dismisses traditional values as outdated and boring. It portrays God’s morals as restrictive and close-minded, pitting God against racy movies and titillating novels.
Yet, God’s voice—not the voice of culture—needs to be the main influence in my life. How do I remain pure? How do I protect my eyes from things I cannot unsee? How do I protect my ears from things I cannot unhear? How, when sex is everywhere? Television. Music. Magazines. Online. The enemy steadily increases exposure to unholy things effectively decreasing our sensitivity creating a tolerance for things that should shock our souls.
And my whole being just aches for this generation. It is hungry for deep and wild love and is looking everywhere but where God promised it could be found. In Him.
Anything enjoyed outside of God’s established boundaries will never fully satisfy.
How do I stay pure? In Psalm 119:9-16 the Psalmist shows that the way to remain pure requires action on my part. Purity doesn’t just happen. It is pursued, fought for, and treasured.
Psalm 119:9-16 (ESV)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
- I seek God with my whole heart and ask for his help to remain faithful.
- I store his word in my heart, memorizing it, and pondering it. The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.
- I choose to obey and not sin. It is always a choice.
- I declare God’s truth.
- I delight in God more than I delight in any other thing.
- I meditate on his teaching.
- I fix my eyes on His way.
- I delight in his rules understanding his boundaries are for my protection.
- I remember his Word.
If you are seeking God with your whole heart, treasuring and delighting in Him, declaring His way and pondering His commands, He will by His grace and power guide you and teach you.
by Stacey | Feb 5, 2015 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
It started in a small group at church. Collecting answers. Gathering reminders. An annual tradition of pouring it empty, giving words to faith, remembering to believe.
Slips of plain paper etched with plain truth. God’s answers are everywhere.
- In the obedient child.
- The pretty basement.
- Food in the belly.
It is a discipline to train my eyes to see His answers. To look for extra in the ordinary. To open my heart and pour out praise everyday.
- for surrendered hearts.
- for changed behavior.
- for ears that listen.
One a day for one year. It is not too much. One acknowledgement of His goodness, His mercy, His unchanging dependability. Training the eye to see. Choosing to remember. Believing He hears and He answers.
- through discipline.
- exposing sin.
- convicting souls.
It sits on the windowsill holding truth. Collecting praises waiting to be poured out. Reminders that my God is good. Always good.
365 praises. My pile of stones that give witness to God’s action. A beacon shining from known past into an unknown future. A reminder that I’ve been here before. Waiting. Praying. Listening.
Lord, give me ears that hear, eyes that see, a heart full of praise.
- I praise you for leading our Elders to no and providing the clarity we sought.
- For two vehicles when we had none.
- For shelter that provides more than just shelter.
- For both publication and
- rejection.
- For more than enough
- For sustaining us.
- Employment
- For an unexpected bonus
- For rest
- For difficulty that changes me
This is more than a pile of paper in a jar, more than a pile of rocks by a river. It is a reference point, a story for the next generation. This is where I met God, where His powerful hand provided. It is a waiting story. A story waiting to be poured out so others may also know and believe.
by Stacey | Jan 22, 2015 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
She hates knowledge, despises correction, and refuses God. She reaps disastrous consequences and is easily deceived by others and herself. She mocks the righteous, chasing unobtainable goals. With no interest in understanding, she loudly expresses her lofty opinion. She is emotionally driven, giving full vent to her spirit. None who go to her come back. Her smooth words seat guests in the depths of Sheol.
She is Foolishness.
Wisdom offers love, promises that she can be found, and that she will satisfy. She dwells with prudence, is discreet, insightful, strong, and worth far more than jewels. All that you desire cannot compare with her. She speaks noble and right truths. If you receive her words, if you call out for insight, if you seek her, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. She has lifted her veil and revealed the Lord gives wisdom.
Both women are loud, calling from high. Both lobby for our attention. One leads to sorrow the other to life.
To whom do you listen?
by Stacey | Jan 15, 2015 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
My soul waits.
Waits for my God of hope—my solid rock—my salvation—my fortress—my safe place—to do what He says He will do.
I wait in full confidence. His foundation is firm. His resources never run dry. His strength never weakens. His wisdom founded the earth. His understanding established the heavens. By His knowledge the deep broke open and the clouds drop down the dew.
His wisdom. His understanding. His knowledge.
I wait for the Lord.
I pour out my heart. Over and over and over, as many times as it takes to actually leave my heart in his hands.
He strengthens me. He gives me courage. He gives me hope.
My soul waits.
