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Excerpt for Heartfelt Devotionals, 366 devotions for common sense living by Brenda J Wood, available in its entirety at Smashwords

Heartfelt Devotions

Brenda J. Wood

366 Devotions for Common Sense Living

Smashwords Edition

SAMPLE DEVOTIONAL January 1 The Resolution Cure

Philippians 4:1 -My dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. (MSG)

I continue to slog away at my weight. I lost 30 pounds last year but the eating season is once more in session. For many of us the New Year brings the same old resolutions. Smokers try to stop once again. Spenders vow to reduce charge card totals. Overweight folks like me struggle with diets, scales and portion control.

Do not despair. During those failure years, we learned what doesn’t work and now we are ready for success!

My mouth is filled with God’s praise (Psalm 145:21- MSG).

Think about it! If we praise God with our mouths, we can’t use those mouths for words like “Give me a carton, or chocolate bar, please.”

“I may walk slowly, but I never walk back” (Abraham Lincoln).

Prayer - God, again you hear tired prayers about our addictions and bad habits. Thanks for showing us the way out. No. Not another past program or worldly method, but a continual turning to you. Amen.

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All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. Unless otherwise stated, all writings, poems, puzzles, comments and errors are the copyrighted work of the author, Brenda Wood.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

If stated:

The scriptures are taken from the King James Bible.

The Scripture quotations are from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by Permission.

The scriptures are taken from the Good News Translation - fourth edition, copyright by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

The scriptures are taken from The Revised Standard Version used by permission of the Division of Christian Education, National Council of Churches. Zondervan Publishing House, License.

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Heartfelt

366 Devotions for

Common Sense Living

January

January 1 The Resolution Cure

Philippians 4:1 -My dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. (MSG)

Do not despair. During those failure years, we learned what doesn’t work and now we are ready for success!

My mouth is filled with God’s praise (Psalm 145:21- MSG).

Think about it! If we praise God with our mouths, we can’t use those mouths for words like “Give me a carton, or chocolate bar, please.”

“I may walk slowly, but I never walk back” (Abraham Lincoln).

January 2 Mentoring Anyone?

Galatians 2:2- I went because it was specially and divinely revealed to me that I should go, and I put before them the Gospel [declaring to them that] which I preach among the Gentiles. However, [I presented the matter] privately before those of repute, [for I wanted to make certain, by thus at first confining my communication to this private conference] that I was not running or had not run in vain [guarding against being discredited either in what I was planning to do or had already done] (AMP).

I wish I’d learned this lesson years ago before popping out my own half -baked, unformed Christian ideals onto a waiting audience. A word from the wise would have corrected my errors before I spouted them in a more public place. I embarrassed myself on more than one occasion, while my mistakes were corrected in larger forums. Oh, the personal words I would carve out of people’s memory banks. It is too late now. Still, there are the words not yet uttered. Those have some hope of containing Godly wisdom, insight and truth. This is a mentor’s job.

We all need someone who will take the time to direct us to the right path. The world calls them mentors, but God calls them “those of repute.” Need some life direction? Ask one of those folks for a few minutes of their time? Learned a few lessons? Pass them on!

Prayer-Father God, we are ready to ask advice from others in the areas where we falter. Help us do the same for someone else. Amen.

January 3 Counterfeit Wisdom

1 Timothy 4:1, 2-But the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times, some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron (NASB).

I recognized them when they were safely bottled in my kitchen but the bridal shower organizer placed small amounts of pantry ‘whites’ in clear plastic bags. Guests had to decide which was baking powder, flour, sugar, salt. It was hard! Baking powder looked like the salt and the salt like the sugar. I guessed them all correctly and won first prize.

Did you know that bankers don’t study counterfeit money? They only study the real kind. That familiarity helps them spot the counterfeit.

Do we handle God’s Word every day? Can we discern the real from the counterfeit, even when they look alike? Daily doses of the Bible help us recognize the real thing. God.

James 3:1- Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment (NASB).

Prayer-Lord, thanks for the warning. Fill us with your wisdom so that we never fall away from the faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 4 It Will Never Happen To Me

2 Peter 3:15b-17- Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures too, destroying themselves as they do it. But you, friends, are well warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers (MSG).

My friend hung her purse on the back of the public bathroom cubicle door. While she was otherwise engaged, someone stole it. “Once bit, twice shy,” I said. “I guess you will never do that again!” To my astonishment, she replied that since it likely wouldn’t happen again, she’d still use the supplied hooks! Stores are full of shoppers with the same attitude. Unguarded purses, pocket books and wallets adorn shopping carts while owners wander up and down distant aisles. All express surprise when their belongings disappear.

In 2 Peter 3:14 God calls us to guard, not purses, but our spiritual conditions.

Prayer- God, we’ve been careless with your reputation, our lifestyle and our choices. Help us walk in newness of life, never again neglecting what you told us to guard. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

January 5 Avoiding The Skid

Luke 10:23- 24-Then turning to his disciples, He said privately, Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those whose eyes see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see and they did not see it, and to hear what you hear and they did not hear it (AMP).

Part of Canada’s great beauty is its winter snow. I like to admire it from my window (near the fireplace and with a good book). Regularly though, I brave the elements and venture into the real world. The first snowfall is always a surprise. We act as though we’ve never seen it before and forget everything we ever knew about driving in the stuff. Recently, I read an article explaining (once again) how to drive in snow. It said -Your car will go where you are looking.

How like our Christian walk! We mindlessly gaze at constant advertising and wonder why we eat so much, or buy too much. We watch off-colour movies and are astonished to find ourselves swearing. If we kept our eyes on Jesus, what would we see, buy, eat, say?

1 Peter 2:21b-Christ also suffered for you, leaving you (His personal) example, so that you should follow in His footsteps (AMP).

Prayer-Father God, We’re looking in too many wrong places. A skid lies ahead. Give us grace to keep our eyes where they belong, fixed firmly on the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Jesus. Amen

January 6 Growing Patience

James 1:2-4- Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when you patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete (LB).

Spaghetti sauce covers the floor. Tiny fingerprints caress the patio door. Wet towels clog the washing machine. We haven’t seen the news for days because Odyssey and Sesame Street are the order of

the day. My daily routine has been squeezed into a new dimension because the grandchildren are visiting. I am a little unnerved at how staid and structured I had become. Who knew that a cut finger or a dropped donut could send me over the edge?

My patience needs a little watering. Let’s face it. Life grows our character.

We are God’s children. We drop and spill all over our lives, yet His attitude will never be anything but patient and forgiving. Should we be any less to those around us?

Prayer-God, give us the courage to stop squirming out of our life’s circumstances. We want to be like ketchup bottles. When life squeezes us, we want only the patient, forgiving blood of Jesus to come out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 7 Oh, My God

Exodus 20:7- You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain (AMP).

Most Christians cringe when they hear profanity in the world. “In the old days,” the misuse of God’s name seemed to come only from hard living, tough-looking fellows standing on street corners. Now, even television makeover shows end with the owners examining their newly-renovated spot and thoughtlessly crying out, “Oh my God.” My husband insists that those programs need to rename themselves the “Oh, My God Show.”

Common usage of brand names like Jell-O and Kleenex, may cause them to become generic terms for gelatin and tissues. Just so, God’s name is being used inappropriately, everywhere by almost everyone.

Make no mistake. God is not and will never be generic. He has strict standards for the use of His name. Let’s carefully examine our mouths. Are we using God’s name inappropriately? Do we stand quietly by while others do so?

Psalm 141:3- Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips (MSG).

Prayer- Lord God Almighty, forgive us for the times we have foolishly misused your name. Forgive us for once again falling into the ways of the world. And Lord, give us courage to speak up when others do the same. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

January 8 Three Little Dots :.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10- And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore will I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong (KJV).

I don’t remember much from my high school math classes and some might say that they were a waste of time. Those folks don’t know how often I’ve used one of the symbols I learned there. Three little dots, :. placed in the shape of a triangle stand for the word therefore.

I’d spend ages working on a problem before I could write a clear conclusion that went something like this. Because of thus and so :. (Therefore) such and such is true. I don’t do fancy math anymore, but every time I see the word therefore in scripture, I mark it with those three little dots. Then I study to see what the therefore is there for.

Paul had a problem to solve and this is his conclusion.

God’s grace + Paul’s weakness = Christ’s Power :. (Therefore) when Paul is weak, he is strong in Christ.

Tired, worn out and weak kneed? Struggling with family issues? Now we are in the best place. We can draw our strength from Christ!

Prayer-Lord, do a little math in us. Help us rejoice in our weaknesses and your strength! Amen!

January 9 The Icks

Exodus 14:22-And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left (KJV).

I laughed aloud loud when I saw the cartoon picturing the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. They were in the centre of a major miracle, crossing the seabed on dry ground as banks of water towered over their heads. One person looked down and cried, “Ick! A fish!”

It made me think of the lovely party I had attended the day before. Unfortunately I was seated beside an

“ Ick.” The food was too spicy, her children never visited, and so on…..and so on…….and so on….!

It only takes one doesn’t it? One negative crank whose negative comments spoil a party. One undisciplined child who will have what it wants or else. One seeker of all that is negative quickly poisons the attitude of a crowd. Only a few months after the Red Sea crossing Moses found himself leading an entire crowd of “Icks.”, each and every one polluted with the spirit of complaining.

Exodus 16:2-In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron (NIV).

Any “Icks” where we live? God forbid that any of them would be us!

Prayer-Oh Lord, You are a God of majesty and power. Help us catch your vision instead of looking for herring and catfish along our path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 10 Snowed In

Job 37:6, 7 –For He directs the snow, the showers and the storm to fall upon the earth. Man’s work stops at such a time so that all men everywhere may recognize His power (LB).

I used to be a snowbird wannabe. When my parents scurried off to Florida at the first sign of a winter blow, I wanted to climb right into their back seat. Not a fan of ice, snow and cold, I found that in the sunny south, I had trouble adjusting to things like a Santa wearing shorts and Christmas afternoons on the beach.

My happiness seemed to lie in neither quarter. Eventually, I learned that true contentment comes from a ‘trusting God attitude’ no matter what the weather. Here in Ontario, we will continue to have lots of snowed-in experiences to talk about. On those days we can’t travel where we want or keep our demanding worldly schedules. The most important thing to remember is that God sends those storms and He is using them to show a disbelieving world that He is in control.

What is our attitude when God’s weather is not co-operating with our personal life plan?

Prayer- Lord, let the white drifts of snow keep us ever mindful of the Christ who died to make us white as snow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 11 Exercise This

Philippians 3:10-That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (KJV).

My exercise club recommends that I show up at least three times a week to work out. Experts have concluded that three sessions a week offer the bare minimum necessary to achieve a healthy body. I do try to keep to their standard. However, when life interrupts, I must personally make the choice to set aside my body health or not. My excuses sound reasonable. Still that’s what they are, even though they are called names like family, work, sleeping in, company, laziness, or weather.

Spiritual health requires more than three sessions a week. Paul’s goal and standard for his spiritual health was to know God. He understood that getting to know someone involves time. That time often slips away as something called by any other name than what it is. Excuse.

Psalm 46:10a- Be still and know that I am God (KJV).

God offers us His time. Are we letting life steal opportunities to share ours with Him?

Prayer-Lord, our spiritual exercise today includes lifting our hands to You (Psalm 141:2), singing your praises (Psalm 89:1), and folding our hands in prayer (Proverbs 24:33). Amen.

January 12 Bank Machine Blues

Jeremiah 17:5- Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord (NASB

We faced it the Canadian way, with calm panic! Most of us were not prepared for the great blackout of 2003. We had little cash on hand. Because the local convenience store owner had to keep his portable generator going, he kindly opened his doors to a steady supply of customers. He even accepted their I.O.U.’s. Those I.O.U. customers, depending on the undependable, had expected their bank machines to always be there. We all depend on cars that stop, bodies that give up and people who let us down. Let’s turn our whole-hearted attention and trust to the unchanging God that never stops loving us, never gives up on us and never lets us down.

Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord (NASB).

John 3:18- Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind God when introduced to him (MSG).

Prayer-Dear God, when our hearts wander past you, the substantial, to that which inevitably fails, pick up the pieces of our misplaced trust and teach us to depend on you. In Christ’s name. Amen.

January 13 Comfy Shoes

Ephesians 6:15- having shod your feet in preparation (to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and readiness produced by the Good News) of the Gospel of peace (AMP).

A large variety of shoes attended the event. Of course they were all attached to people’s legs! Experienced feet wore dark lace-up oxfords with support inserts while younger toes sported three inch heels, open toe sandals and bright colors. (Let’s not talk about what I was wearing!) My high heel days are in the past. Now I opt for comfort over fashion. Still, fancy shoes attract lots of attention, even though they pinch a little and leave long-term effects on the old tootsies.

When we first ask Jesus into our hearts, our new way of life is like high heel shoes. We stand out a little in the crowd. While we learn to walk in a Christ-like way, we get a little pinched and yes, hopefully there will be some long-term effects as we learn about Christ. But later, we are tempted to drag out those old comfy loafers to avoid the very things that attracted us to Christ in the first place. Old habits, like comfortable old shoes can drag us down if we aren’t careful. We would be wise to regularly check the fit of our spiritual shoes.

Prayer-Lord God, we confess that our lives have become too comfortable. Revive us. Nudge us out of our too comfortable ways and into shoes that pinch a little. Correct us where we need it. Amen.

January 14 Victory, Never Defeat

When we think we have no power, feel like a failure, are sure we can’t hang on, we would do well to remember God’s truth. After we write our names into the blanks below, let’s read, reread and then memorize the truth of victory with Jesus.

Romans 8:37-39-Overwhelming victory is _____’s, through Christ who loved _______ enough to die for __________. For ________ (is) convinced that nothing can ever separate __________from His love. Death can’t and life can’t. The angels won’t and all the power of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away from ___________ . _________’s fears for today, __________________, worries about tomorrow or where ____________ (is),high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing will ever be able to separate __________ from the love of God, demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He died for ____________. (Paraphrase, LB

Prayer- Now Lord, help us live as though we really believe you! Amen

January 15 Black Sheep

Judges 11:1a-Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior but he was the son of a harlot (AMP).

My school friend just couldn’t get past her ‘past.’ She constantly complained about her poor upbringing and how it affected her current life. She blamed every missed opportunity on her parents and their reluctance to have a relationship with her. Since she saw every problem through the eyes of what could not be changed, her future looked dim. Just call me “Black Sheep” she would moan. When someone challenged her stinking thinking, she started to make choices that reflected who she really was, a very smart, talented gal with lots of get-up-and-go. Haven’t we all been stuck there at one time or another?

Judges 11:10- The elders of Gilead replied, “That’s it exactly. We’ve come to you to get you to go with us and fight the Ammonites. You’ll be the head of all of us, all the Gileadites (MSG).

Instead of moaning about the past, great Christians of the Bible and of world history turned their eyes to the future. They moved forward, doing great things for God. Let’s be one of them.

Prayer-God, we are ashamed of hanging onto the black-sheep areas of our lives. We give them to you and we move forward into the future you have planned for us. In Christ’s name. Amen.

January 16 Talk Show Junkie

Deuteronomy 11:18, 19- Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands, foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night (MSG).

A former TV addict, I recovered by simply not learning to like any new shows. I freed up an hour every time one of my favorites vanished. Until recently, however, I still taped and watched some old favourite.

Then one day I caught myself quoting something from one of the shows. “Hold on,” I thought. “Why am I doing this? I want to speak Jesus into lives, not worldly celebrity advice.” Now my aim is to spend more time with Jesus than with old TV shows, so that when I speak into lives, people will learn about Christ. Every one of us complains about time shortages and restraints. Are we really willing to take a serious look at how we spend our time?

Prayer- God, reveal any areas of wasted time to us and help us to set it aside to use as a meeting place with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 17 Today’s New Year

Job 36:10 –And He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from evil (NASB).

The January 1st crunch of resolution has passed and so has most of my resolve. I struggled with my weight-loss plans from November right into January. That is, I had a plan, but I wasn’t trying hard to follow it. My weight went up. I blamed relatives who brought food, parties I attended, the general way we all celebrate Christmas, and the presence of food every where I looked, (including my own home).

However, this is the reality. I said to myself, “I have no discipline. One little bite can’t hurt. I reached out my hand, picked up the food, bent my elbow, opened my mouth, swallowed and gained weight.

Discipline is remembering what you want. What is it that we want? Furtive swallows of health-harming foods? A quick smoke out in the freezing cold? Temper tantrums? Harming a reputation with gossip? Greed? Selfishness? Disobedience? Or would we rather walk in love toward a Holy God, glorifying Him with our bodies, His temple?

Prayer - God, we have been undisciplined. The world tells us that if we break a New Year’s Resolution, all is lost, that we must wait until next January 1st to start again. But God! Your word says that your loving kindness is new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, Oh God! (Lamentations 3:23) Meet us in our fallen state; give us courage to go on. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

January 18 Having a Bad Day?

Job 19: 25-I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth (NIV).

The day started off badly. My hair simply wouldn’t lay flat in certain places. My breakfast bagel burned. It was raining and that meant I couldn’t work in the garden. I dreaded the meeting I had to attend. My sinus infection, coupled with straight-up-in-the-air hair, red nose, runny eyes and bad temper certainly didn’t help.

In spite of my not-so-pleasant beginning, I made the effort to read my Bible. The Book of Job gave me a reality check. Job lost 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, his servants and all ten of his children on the same day (Job 1: 2-3, 13-19). Then he developed terrible sores all over his body (Job 2:7). Yet, Job still remembered this basic truth. In spite of how terrible his life had become, he stood fast on this one thing. “I know my Redeemer lives!”

Is there a bad day brewing in the house today? Will we moan and concentrate on the things that didn’t go our way? Or will we count our blessings and thank God that no matter what, this one thing never changes. “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Prayer-Oh God, help us see past ourselves to the one thing that really matters……You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 19 Sunday Eyes

Psalm 69:20-Insults and reproach have broken my heart; I am full of heaviness and I am distressingly sick. I looked for pity, but there was none and my comforters, but I found none (AMP).

We had been living through a long bad patch. Cancer, a broken back, a broken jaw, diabetes, house struck by lightning….the list seemed endless. Some of the troubles were too personal to even share with my church friends. As a consequence, I allowed myself to wallow in misery. You know. “Nobody loves me, I don’t fit in, why do I always have to be the first to speak! I think I’ll go out into the garden and eat worms!”

We all have painful times to live through but there is a way out of the pit, and the writer of Psalm 69 gives it!

Psalm 69:30-32- I will praise the name of the Lord with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that has horns and hoofs. The humble shall see it and be glad: you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him (as your first need), let your hearts revive and live (AMP).

Prayer- Lord, we’re hurting and nobody sees. They wear their Sunday clothes, but nobody sees what is under the façade. We’re hurting and nobody sees. Lord, are we just as blind to the hurts under the Sunday smiles? Help us reach past our own pain, to comfort a friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 20 Scissor Edge

Hebrews 12:13-Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed (NIV).

While I do like to salvage and recycle our old Christmas cards, I didn’t ever think that I would become one of those modern day scrap bookers, until I came across a wonderful box of scissors, selling for a mere pittance! Twenty pairs and each one has a different edge, a different cut.

I can trim edges in any shape. I can cut scallops, waves, hearts, sunflowers and dozens more. I tell you, I have become a wild woman! There isn’t a shred of paper free from my enhancement!

I wondered though, about our lives and what kind of paths we are creating. Are they are wavy or scalloped? Are we letting them meander in crooked paths that take us far from God? We are not slips of paper, yearning for decoration. No. We are God’s children and we are called to a solid path, in a straight line, toward God.

Prayer- Father God, when we stand before you, you will ask us about our walk and the paths we choose over our lifetime. We will have to explain why we waffled when we knew to stand firm. We will try to explain our jigsaw journey around something you placed in our path. Our tears will be unending when we finally understand the harm we did by not walking on your straight and narrow path. Lord, help us to straighten up before it’s too late. Amen

January 21 On Every Page

John 1:1- In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (KJV)

Lois Sweet’s new book, “Writing with Spirit,” says all there is to say about writing. It covers everything from researching and interviewing to grammar and ethics, time management and selling. I can skim the text and choose what ideas to make mine and what methods to use in my writing. Ms. Sweet dedicated the book to her aunt, Hannah Moor, “who set the bar high” and the text is generously sprinkled with her life’s writing wisdom. As I read the book in its entirety, I learn about a person, not just a method. As Lois’ book is to writing, so the Bible is to living. Our Bibles are not a method or a tool, but an instrument. Only as we read every page, do we discover the person of Jesus Christ spread throughout.

2Timothy 3:16, 17- Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience and for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work (AMP).

Prayer- Lord, forgive us for rushing through your Word on the way to another life appointment. Forgive us for only reading the easy sections, the pretty parts, and the happy thoughts. Give us courage to meet both you and your Son, face to face, on every page of your Living Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

January 22 Here Or Hear?

Deuteronomy 1:24-26- They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and explored it. Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, “It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us.” But you were unwilling to go up (NIV).

Here or Hear?

Moses called his people into a bright and vibrant land,

As witnesses in all the earth for those who didn’t understand

That the God who made creation, the God who freed from sin,

The God who’d send his Son to die had called his people in.

Called to build community, the burden ours to carry,

Knowing God’s purpose in his will? It’s true we must not tarry.

Our focus not to be on improving where we are.

Our focus needs to focus on the new land not so far.

Let’s not falter now, as people do who focus on the fear.

It’s time to reach beyond our selves to stop the here and hear!

Prayer-Lord, unstop both our ears and our feet. When you call us to a new place (and you will), give us courage and enough faith to answer with a resounding YES. In Jesus name. Amen.

January 23 My Shepherd

Psalm 23:1-2- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters (KJV).

The restaurant had a buffet line larger than my entire house. Did I want family food? Italian? Sushi? Chinese? Chocolate-covered, cream-filled desserts? YES! My knees weakened when I checked out the chocolate line. That’s when I recognized that my long-lived love of food had become an addiction. As a recovered bulimic I knew my eating capacity. I knew I was capable of eating fifty thousand calories or more at a sitting.

Blessedly, the verses of Psalm 23 began to run through my mind. I certainly was in a green pasture. A gal like me could eat all she wanted and more, for only $9.99. (Beverage extra!) But if the Lord is my shepherd (and he is, I muttered to myself) , then I shall not want! I could lie down (alright a little loose translation here!) in this place and be satisfied. I prayed for strength, and turned and stumbled back to my chair with only one serving of woman-losing-weight food. And the waters of greed, and poor me stilled.

What is yelling at us over the quiet, still voice of God? Is it our overloaded credit card? Does our smoking, eating, or gambling desire whine to be fed? Whatever our “feed-me” more problem, let us consider that the Lord is our shepherd and then rest in the peace of knowing that we shall not want.

Prayer-Shepherd God, help us choose to lie down in tempting green pastures. Still the waters of our riotous minds and fill us with yourself. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

January 24 Under Where

Mark 7:37-They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (NRSV).

Under the Circumstances

“Under The circumstances: We often hear folks say,

And truly there are many as we go along life’s way.

Sickness, pain and suffering, hurts of every kind.

Losses, problems, pressures, strain body, soul & mind.

“Under the circumstances” is a stressful place to be.

Faith is dampened. Hopes are crushed. The light we cannot see.

Above the circumstances is where God would have us dwell,

Where simple faith reminds us that He doeth all things well.

By Edith V. Wood- used by permission.

What is our circumstance today? What are we doing under there?

Prayer- Lord, forgive us for not seeing you in every situation! Give us new eyes to see you doing everything well and for our best. Amen

January 25 The Repairers

Isaiah 58:12- Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall rise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in (NRSV).

After many years in the kitchen, some of my best talents concern food repair! You might even call me a food mechanic. I know how to fix a dish that is overcooked, stale, lumpy, salty, bland, wilted or curdled. Some people would find it easier to throw these things out. I find it a challenge to correct what seems unfixable.

Just like food, some of the folks around us have been overlooked by life’s circumstances and set aside by the world to grow stale, wilted or curdled. Some have become too salty or too bland. They look like hopeless cases when actually they are simply waiting in God’s repair shop for His mechanics to take action.

In Isaiah 58:6-7- God calls us to help the hungry, homeless, naked and not to hide ourselves from our own kin. Where can we serve you today, oh God, the Great Repairer, by being your hands to the needy?

Prayer-Lord, open our eyes to the less fortunate and help our actions speak Jesus into their lives. Thanks for the opportunity to be your repairers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 26 The Goal

1Peter 5:10-And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (NIV).

Our fitness friend arranged our chairs in neat rows and convinced us to obediently follow her instructions. We did but we laughed when she added the source of each one!

1. Arise and walk - Genesis 13:17

2. Shake your feet - Matthew 10:14

3. Clap your hands - Psalm 47:1

4. Lift up your heads - Psalm 24:7

5. Rise up - Psalm 139:2b

6. Sit down - Psalm 139:2a

7. Look at one another - Acts 3:4

8. Laugh - Luke 6:21

9. Stand - Psalm 135:2

10. Shiver - Psalm 147:17

11. Dance - Ecclesiastes 3:4

12. Hug - Ecclesiastes 3:5

Found the perfect exercise program? Remember that long before our hips expanded, God planned firm and steadfastness for all areas of our lives.

Prayer- Oh, Lord, we’ve been slipshod in some places. Show us how to attack them with your energy. Make us a people willing to endure a little suffering for the end result. In Jesus‘ name. Amen.

January 27 A Line Or Two

2Timothy 4:2- Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching (NRSV).

Point it at the couch and change the channel. Aim for the ceiling and shut off the T.V. Our remote gadget does its job, even from the next room. What a great Christian witness it would make! Imagine what it would be like if we were like that remote, and used every opportunity to be God’s witnesses. Think about the changed lives at the office water cooler, the neighborhood gas bar or the local grocery store.

We may not share the complete Gospel every time we open our mouths, but we are capable of one liners like Maybeth and John’s. When it rains, Maybeth tells her listeners that it’s God’s garden and he can water it if he wants to! John tells his dentist to book an appointment but follows with this line. “You can mark me in but if Jesus comes back, I won’t be here!”

The world’s number one fear is public speaking. Fear of death is distant five. Will we let our fear of speaking up separate a friend from God forever?

Prayer-Lord, every one of our lives shows evidence of your presence. Give us a line or two of truth, a word of encouragement to share with the world, so that people will be drawn closer to you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

January 28 The Anchor

Hebrews 6:19-20- This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven, where Christ has gone ahead to plead for us from his position as high priest, with the honour and rank of Melchizedek (LB

A huge anchor is set in stone in a park on the corner of Old Yonge Street and Doane Road, just north of Toronto, Ontario. The sign says: The Holland Landing Anchor. Forged in England for a warship on the upper lakes, the anchor was drawn here from Kingston in 1815 by oxen. By the time of its arrival here, the war of 1812 had ended and the anchor was abandoned on sleighs at Soldier’s Bay. In 1820 it was brought to this site. Weight 4000 pounds.

One of my husband’s ancestors drove one of the teams that carried this anchor to its final resting place The family cherishes that memory and even holds reunions there. While this anchor missed its real calling, Jesus, the strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, did not! The Son of God was born to die on a cross and pay the price for our sin. He rose from the dead and lives right now as our personal intercessor. Have a fond family memory about God? Why not make a brand new one, one that puts us into eternal relationship with him. It’s just a matter of asking his forgiveness. Today, the prayer is personal.

Prayer-Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross to pay the price for my sin. I believe that you rose from the dead and that you are alive right now. Please come into my life, forgive my sin and make me a member of your family. I now turn from going my own way. I want you to be the center of my life. Thank you for your gift of eternal life and for your Holy Spirit who has come to live in me. Amen.

January 29 Sharing The Good News

Matthew 18:11-For the Son of man came to save [from the penalty of eternal death] that which was lost (AMP).

We were calmly waiting for our appointment when the lights flickered. One of the secretaries gasped out, “Oh no, I was working on an article!” The other laughed and replied, “You didn’t save it, did you?”

I so understood her horrified look! Please don’t misunderstand me. I like my computer and for the most part it does what I tell it to do. That’s because my family has taught me how to negotiate on the computer’s terms! Still, I have lost many an article in its depths! Why is it that we worry so much about a lost computer article but a lost soul hardly ever crosses our mind?

For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God) and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation (Romans 10:10, AMP).

Let’s ask God for the opportunity to share this with someone today.

Prayer- Oh Lord God, I want to know you personally. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross for my sins. I believe that you rose from the dead. I confess my sins. Please forgive me and come into my life right now, as my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

January 30 From The Very Appearance

Proverbs 13:11-Wealth [not earned but] won in haste or unjustly or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use [such as riches] will dwindle away, but he who gathers little by little will increase [his riches] (AMP).

This week, friends offered us free tickets to see one of our favourite musicians. What a nice thought! We were pleased, that is, until we discovered that the show was at the local casino. We politely turned them down.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness

Isaiah 55:2, KJV

He who has an evil and covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not the want that will come upon him.

Proverbs 28:22, AMP

Abstain from the very appearance of evil

1Thessalonians 5:22, KJV

What would the world be like, if all the money spent on gambling was used to feed the hungry, house the homeless, find cures for disease, and establish scholarships for needy students?

Prayer-Father God, help us to walk in your truth, ever mindful that we are but stewards in this world. Then, too, Lord, give us courage to walk so that others will not stumble. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 31 The I’s

Proverbs 18:9-He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide (AMP).

The first time I read this verse, I got an attack of guilt. I set out to heal myself. I made a list of personal rules about what kinds of exercise I’d do, how many hours I would do it, and with whom. Then I attacked my eating. I made plans on when to eat, how much, what and with whom. By then I was so tired that I had a snack and laid down for a nap! Thankfully when I woke up, I read the next verse.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and is strong (Proverbs 18:10, AMP).

I restarted my plan but first I asked for God’s help in the planning and then in the carrying out. Our strength is not in ourselves. If we will begin with God, He will give us safety, elevate us above evil and be our strength.

Prayer-Lord, forgive us for running ahead of you and yes, even running in the wrong direction! Give us the wisdom and courage to run into the strong tower of your name! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

February

February 1 How Cold Is It Where You Are?

Revelation 3:13-17- “I know you well-you are neither hot or cold: I wish you were one or the other. But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. You say “I am rich with everything I want; I don’t need a thing.” And you don’t realize that spiritually you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.(LB)

Never one for cold, my dad, Floyd Treanor, describes a Manitoba winter in his book “Two Years North of 53 Degrees.”

We got a fire going and sat around getting warm. I said, “Do you fellows take your clothes off when going to bed?”

My brother in law, Mindi said, “You had better leave them on tonight and see how you make out”.

They made a bed for me with a mattress on top of some fish boxes. When I saw them pull their socks over their heads, I knew I was in trouble.

Dad had a new definition for the word ‘cold!’

God called the Laodicean church lukewarm (that is neither hot nor cold). Content with material wealth, they had no idea that they were spiritually poor. What about us? What is our temperature? If we are cold toward God, let us at least own up to that and confess that our feelings for Him are in the deep freeze. If we are lolly gagging around at the halfway mark, let’s admit. Lukewarm won’t make a good cup of tea, let alone a worship.

Prayer- God, You are always clear, today even painfully so. Help us check our temperature gauge and then make appropriate adjustments in your favor! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

February 2 The Body

1Corinthians 12:12-For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (KJV)

The Body

The body numbers many, Lord. It’s everyone You call.

It’s everyone You save from Hell’s unheavenly fall.

The foot is of the body. The ear belongs there too.

Disagreement and refusal to take part, dishonors You.

The eye is of the body, the nose is one also

Lord, You’ve put us where you want us to fight the foe.

Oh Lord, give us the courage to love, not run away,

For by Your Holy Spirit, You keep enemies at bay.

We’ve much to learn, dear Father, about loving everyone,

Thanks we are all family, inheritors with your son.

Lord, help us love each other in the church of Jesus Christ

And leave the weeding out to You, who dearly paid the price.

1Corinthians 12:25-That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care for one another.(KJ)

What can we do today to encourage unity and love in our own church?

Prayer-Father, Your love is our goal. Show us how to accomplish it in our own church body. Amen

February 3 Fifty Things

Philippians 3:13-14 -Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (KJV).

Years ago, I made a list of fifty things to do before I die. Some were really idle thinking, the stuff of dreams. When the paper surfaced from the depths of my file cabinet, I check-marked my way through it to discover that I had actually accomplished many of my goals but that the results were not lasting.

Number nine -plant winter bulbs (Did this in 1997. We moved in 2000!)

Number ten - use up all my fabrics. (Not possible unless I stop buying!)

Number eleven- finish all craft projects. (got new ideas and more craft stuff!)

In hindsight some goals seemed rather foolish. Why visit a chocolate factory when history shows that chocolate is not good for this body? Why determine to ride the Niagara River on the Maid of the Mist, when the very thought terrified me?

Paul didn’t plague himself with a long list of things to do. His one aim was to forget the past and reach ahead, by pressing on to God’s high calling on his life. His list has stood the test of time. Will ours?

Prayer-Dear God, Thanks for making life so simple! Our list only needs to read as follows. Goal one through fifty. Press on toward Your calling for us in Christ Jesus. Amen

February 4 Guard Duty

2 Timothy 1:11-14- For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know that the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. (LB)

In this day of prepasted wallpapers, most people don’t remember how our grandparents had to mix their own paste and apply it by hand to the paper. The package logo displayed two pieces of paper glued together. An elephant was chained to each paper and both elephants were hauling for all they were worth. The two-way bond held firm.

Stick To It

Adhere and trust, rely on. Be positively persuaded.

He’s guarding all there is to guard. The debt? Jesus paid it.

In turn we guard and keep, with all the greatest care,

Most precious, excellent truth as Holy Spirit meets us there.

Prayer-Dearest Father God, thanks for guarding everything that concerns us. In turn, we thank You for trusting us enough to guard the holy truth of the Gospel. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

February 5 Not the Type

Romans 3:23-For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (KJV)

I watch the speedometer carefully and keep my eye out for changing lights and traffic signs so a ticket for illegal parking was a shocker! Apparently, snowplow season changed all the parking rules. I sighed, accepted the ticket with a modicum of grace, but kept my mind on it all the way home.

When I zoomed past the local school, another policeman appeared out of nowhere. As he wrote me a speeding ticket, I said to him, “You don’t understand. I am not the type to get traffic tickets.”

Then I looked over to my passenger seat, where lay my other ticket.

Dear friends, we are all the type. The only difference between us and the folks in the news headlines who murder, rape, maim, and steal, drive drunk or do drugs --is Christ.

Romans 3:24 - yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ who in his kindness freely takes away our sins. (LB)

Perhaps we might open our hearts a little and pray for those people who pain the world with their behaviour. Oh, that Christ might make a difference in their lives as He has in ours.

Prayer- Lord, we praise Your name because of what You have done for us. Give us the grace to pray for people whose lives You would change, if they only knew you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

February 6 Reaping the Rewards

Galatians 6:9-And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. (LB)

It was hard to say no when our children wanted candy instead of vegetables and dates instead of homework. It was annoying to be wakened by their ‘reporting’ phone calls when they were out. It would have been easier to be the “current friend’s” mom. “She fed her children nothing but cookies and soda pop. “She” permitted dates on weeknights. Why, “she” didn’t even care if her children stayed out till three am! Lots of times, we were not popular with our children.

Many years have passed and Ron and I are finally reaping the rewards of persevering in our children’s lives. Yes, children have minds of their own and they may turn away from a parent’s teaching, but that should not discourage us. After all, God promises that we will reap a harvest of blessing if we just don’t give up.

Prayer-Lord, you are present in every hard area of our life. You know what it costs us to walk in your way. Thank you for your promise, a harvest of blessing, if we just don’t give up! In Jesus’ Name. Amen

February 7 Who Loves Ya, Baby?

1 John 4:9-11- In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique (Son) into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us so (very much), we also ought to love one another. (AMP)

Actor Telly Savalas played the part of a police chief on a 70s TV show. Every show included his ‘tag” line, “Who loves ya, baby!” Sometimes it was offered tenderly to his sweetie, but more often he said it to the guy he had just arrested. His heart wasn’t really in it!

Lots of the people aren’t very lovable. Sometimes they are me. When I’m tired, ill or just plain cranky, I’m not much fun to be around. Fortunately, there are people in my life whose job it is to love me anyway. When I am down in the dumps, and being a less than perfect companion, my husband will hug me and say, “Who loves ya, baby?”

When life is too hard for living, there is our God, whispering love through His Word and through His people, asking “Who loves ya, baby?” What a tragedy if we miss the opportunity to pass that message on to another.

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