10
Apr '20
Do You See What I See?
10
Apr '20
by Jess Slenker
Yes, I know this is a line to a Christmas song. Yes, I know this is a Lenten Devotional. But when God shows you something, you don’t question it. This title has been going through my head for a little more than a year now. I really wish that everyone could see what I see.
I have the opportunity to teach the little ones who come to Christ and I get to see His light shining through them. As I’m typing this, so many faces are flashing in front of me and it moves me to tears. It’s all because of what God has done in their lives. The thing that amazes me the most is how unashamed they are to share the Gospel. So many times I have been teaching and looking at their precious faces and expressions and can see how much they truly love God.
My favorite part of teaching is talking about salvation. Those who have declared Jesus as their Savior have the biggest smiles on their faces! You can see they want everyone else to experience that same love they know.
I sometimes joke that I’d like to wear a camera because I want everyone else to see what I see. I am so honored that I get a glimpse at what God sees. I see the outward expression of what is on the inside, but God gets to see their hearts.
Just like kids, we make mistakes, get off path, and do things we ought not to do, but God sees our hearts and that we believe in who He is! He doesn’t see that ugly human nature; He sees our smiling faces beaming with His love and grace. Each day we grow closer to Him and more like Him, just like our children. I am so proud of the kids I have the privilege to spend time with and God uses them every day to teach me new things about Himself! Do you see what I see, or better yet, do you see what God sees?
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
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09
Apr '20
Destructive Little Foxes
09
Apr '20
by Melissa Myers
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” (Song of Songs 2:15 NIV)
When my daughter Sara was a toddler, we developed a ritual for the times when her feelings would be hurt. She would come to me and, in sobbing wails, explain some insult from one of her playmates. I would kiss my finger, touch it to her heart, and then place a Band-Aid over it. The tears would immediately stop and she’d bounce away to play, never recalling the incident again. If only our emotional wounds were so quickly resolved in our adult lives!
Most of us hold our emotions close; we don’t want to appear weak or overly sensitive. Too often, it’s the little unspoken offenses (foxes) that build into a destructive result. Bitterness and the inability to forgive can consume a relationship. This is especially true within the church, where we hold a higher expectation of being loving and sympathetic. It’s never a good feeling to learn that you’ve offended someone and it may seem easier to avoid an awkward conversation when you feel insulted. However, when the air is cleared, our relationships are spiritually stronger and we are freed from the burden. Being vigilant in mending our wounds strengthens the church and encourages good fruits. Certainly not every minor insult need addressed, but when a thought becomes pervasive, we need to conquer it before it takes root.
As a sensitive person, I have learned that getting beyond a hurt is a conscious choice. When I invited God into the process, I was amazed at how easy it is to accomplish. Thankfully, we have God’s promise to “bind up our wounds” if we turn it over to him. There is strength in being vulnerable enough to acknowledge a hurt, share it, and most importantly, release it to God.
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 NLT)
Is there an offense burdening your heart today? Are you willing to step out in faith to resolve it? Will you accept your loving Father’s promise to heal?
“All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude.” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV)
Father God, give me the courage to show a tender heart and make amends when I’ve wounded a friend. May I have your strength when I need to bring an offense to light. Cover our wounds and make a path to peace as we seek to love one another.
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08
Apr '20
Bummer Lambs
08
Apr '20
by Pat Bentzel
Ever since Pastor Todd did several sermons about Psalm 23 last year, I have started to read more about sheep and how the shepherd cares for them. The analogies of how sheep are cared for by the shepherd has given me a better understanding of what my Lord wants me to know and do. I really enjoyed the story of a bummer lamb from author Sheila Walsh in her book, Loved Back To Life:
Every once in a while, an ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once an ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind. These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken. These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone.So, do you know what the shepherd does? He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first? That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately. It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. It’s not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced that love one on one.So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heart beat. We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.
Our good shepherd is always working in my life and loving me!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)
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07
Apr '20
A Refuge
07
Apr '20
by Vicki Becker
When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)
God has led our daughter, Sara, to have an active faith. Not too far from her home in New York City, she is volunteering for an organization that works with immigrants. She accompanies them to court where they try to get a court date in order to stay in this country permanently. She doesn’t know how they came to be here: work visa, tourist or illegally. She just knows they want to call America their home.
If you walk a few blocks from Sara’s apartment, you can look out in the harbor and see the Statue of Liberty – there, welcoming all who want to come. I look and see our Father saying, “Come.” We are reminded that all are foreigners in this land but He continues to welcome us in. He doesn’t care who we are, what we’ve done, or where we’ve been. He stands with open arms, wanting to love and care for us. We just have to come.
Like Jesus, her work and her joy is to be a friendly face. To show them that someone cares. To extend a hand of comfort and a heart of encouragement.
Father, in these troubled times, let us stand with open arms and welcome in those who are foreigners (by culture, race or land). Let us help them know someone cares, that we are a refuge from the storm. Amen.
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06
Apr '20
Holding Steady
06
Apr '20
by Christina Hice
2019 was a challenging and change-filled year for our family. High school graduation for one, college graduation for another, second-guessing choices, new starts, old frustrations, job searches, health concerns, heart concerns.More often than not, when someone asked, “How are you?” my reply was, “Holding steady.”
I think of that and wonder if I should have been more positive. Maybe. But the truth is that our year was filled with unrelenting, unyielding, and unmoving situations, and only the passing of time affected them.
Did my reply of “holding steady” indicate a lack of faith in God’s faithful provision, care and unceasing love for us? Did it reflect a lack of appreciation for all the good and positive moments in the year? Were my words reflective of a negative heart attitude?
And yet, what really fit, when asked how I was doing, was that I was holding steady. It was (and still is) an honest reply. As I continue to think about this, and pray about it, I understand that there is an underlying strength that is in my reply. And it is not my strength.
My stress, worries and fears might have been in my mind, but my “holding steady” was (and is) a profession of faith and a verbal confession of steadfastness from my heart. But not in myself, not in my circumstances, and certainly not in my ability to affect a thing.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7)
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. (Psalm 108:1)
I think it is okay to hold steady, if we are holding steady to the One who never changes, who loves us more than we will ever truly understand, and whose faithfulness is great… Immanuel, God with us.
Lord, help us to see not what our circumstances may be, but that You are with us through them. Please restore our hope when things seem hopeless and secret your joy in our hearts, that we may continue to step forward in faith, to attend to the tasks that you bring us each day. Amen.
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03
Apr '20
The Beginning and the End
03
Apr '20
by Pastor Todd Witmer
Lori and I find ourselves in a chapter of life where beginnings and endings are intersecting. Within the past twelve months, we witnessed the beginning of life for two granddaughters. During this same time, my mother has continued in the physical and mental decline that takes her closer to the end of her days. From this unique vantage point, I have noticed a few things.
Waiting holds a prominent place in the experience of both beginning and end. The last few weeks and days prior to birth are often filled with an anxious anticipation. So much has been prepared—clothing,
furniture, work and home schedule changes. Now, the family waits for things to get started. When will this baby arrive? Waiting is a reality for the end of life as well. Tasks that can be performed quickly and independently become few and far between. Less mobility results in an increase of times when one must simply wait.
A second factor common to both beginning and end could be summed up in the phrase “hard work required.” As it is often remarked, there is a reason the birth process is called “labor.” Mothers know there are feelings of relief and joy with the beginning of this new life, coupled with the feeling of being run over by a truck (a first-hand report I heard during the past year). Hard work continues at home, as feeding, sleeping, and changing schedules may overlap and mix together in the first few weeks. Conversely, approaching the end of life demands hard work of a different form. Formerly simple tasks can take on a level of complexity that results in fatigue. It takes hard work to remain positive and keep trying when the activities that were taken for granted are now challenges nearly beyond ability.
He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.’ (Revelation 21:6)
The above verse from John’s vision in Revelation reminds me that God is Lord of both beginning and end. Just as He will bring this world to an end and establish a new heaven and earth, so, also, He is present with us throughout the span of our lives. I can trust that He will bring to completion all of the loose ends of this world, including those in my life.
Will you trust Him with your beginning, end, and everything in between?
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