John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”

Anyone who knows me very well knows that my memory is less than stellar.  If I don’t write things down, they will likely be forgotten or confused in my mind.  I know I am not alone in this “phenomenon”.  We are so busy, running non-stop most days; there is not time to sit and mentally store all of the information we receive.  People have all kinds of tools to help them remember things that are important.  There are calendars, day timers, electronic alarms and the list goes on.  All these things can help us keep our schedules straight so we remember things that are important to us.  When we don’t see it, we tend to forget.  Jesus knew the human heart.  He knew once he left this earth that we would need reminders and guidance to stay focused on what was important.  The Holy Spirit is always with us.  He is there bringing scripture to our hearts and minds so that we remember.  He brings lessons to us through people and scripture continuing to teach us in the ways of the Lord.  I may not remember the reference numbers when I recall scripture but it gives me peace and comfort to know there is One who brings the message clearly to me when I need it.  Oh, and I never need to recharge this reminder.  There is an endless source of energy!

Lord,

Thank you for sending your Spirit.  We would surely be lost souls without It.  Thank you for teaching us through your words and your Spirit.  Thank you for sending reminders.   Your word is written on our hearts and you bring it to mind when we need it.  Open our ears so we may hear.  Amen.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.  When you search for me you will find me: if you seek me with all you heart”

These verses are part of a letter Jeremiah wrote to the exiled Israelites.  As I sat pondering this passage and these verses, I was interrupted by my little boy.  As I prayed to God asking why I am getting this interruption again today and asking “how I am supposed to hear and listen; seek with all my heart with these interruptions” I received this answer.  There are interruptions and distractions every day, all through life.  As the Israelites were told to make the best of where they were in exile, God asks us to make the best of things where we are as well.  In spite of the daily interruptions and distractions, we are still supposed to call upon the Lord, come and pray to him.  We are still supposed to search for Him and trust that we will find Him and hear Him.  As we drive to work, make lunches for kids and do our daily tasks, we are called to seek with all of our hearts.  As my little boy snuggled on my lap, as he asked me what we could play, I strove to pray to the Lord and seek with all my heart.  What I found was the confirmation that the Lord hears over my chaos and He will speak to my heart in spite of all the chaos.  I need to be listening to hear Him.  I need to open my eyes to see Him in the midst of my daily tasks.

Lord,

As your word guides, I trust that you hear me when I call on your name.  Help me keep you in front of me, beside me and behind me throughout the business of my day.  As I seek to serve in my surroundings, keep my whole heart seeking for you.  I ask all these things through Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Last night I dreamt about being in a group of my friends.  We were gathered to enjoy each other’s company and share in each other’s lives.  The blessings that I receive from these times are abundant.  This morning I am taking my kids to a home-schooling group.  We will teach all kinds of classes from preschool on up and the kids get to learn in a group setting.  I am very excited because I know that the Lord will be invited to this gathering too.  Since this is a Christian group, we will pray.  God will be talked about in every aspect of teaching.  My daughter and some others are studying astronomy for one of their classes.  What a gift that God, the creator, will be a part of those teachings too!  Koinonia is a Greek word that means Christian fellowship, according to my dictionary.  It is a gathering, a fellowship of people that share a deep common bond of faith.  This verse in Matthew tells us that when we gather in His name, he will be there.  We know from scripture that the Spirit is always here, but when two or more are gathered together, I sense the Spirit so much more.  Next time you gather in a group invite Jesus, and then take a moment to sense the presence of the Lord.  The experience of His presence in a gathering of believers is so powerful and uplifting.  Blessings abound!

Lord,

We often gather, sometimes we forget to invite you.  Wherever we go, whatever we do, you are there.  Tap our shoulders; remind us to invite you into the party so that your presence can transform us all.  Fill us with your love and presence today.  Thank you for being here among us.  Amen.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Yesterday was the first time I can recall where I truly approached the throne of grace with boldness.  I knew, in my heart and soul, that because I have been redeemed through Jesus, I could come to God being clean and righteous in His sight.  With this claim strong in my heart and trusting in the word of God, I came to Him in boldness.  My misgivings have kept me at a distance in the past.  It is easy for me to see boldness as arrogance but they are not the same.  We are told many times in scripture that we can come to Him in confidence, in boldness.  We are also reminded many times in scripture that we need to walk with a humble heart.  There is a fine balance there but as in all things, when we stumble, our Savior is there to help us, forgive us and renew us to start again.  As I study the word of God and strive to know more of Him, I am finding that the message is no different than what I have heard so many times from childhood on up.  What is different is the depth of the message in my heart.  As I grow closer to God, His call to me becomes clearer.  As I strive to live as He calls me to, His grace become more real to me.  I am left in awe of His mercy and grace many times and today is no different.  It is truly amazing!

Lord,

Your grace allows us to come to you in confidence and boldness to ask for what we need.  Often times I do not listen before asking and so many times when I finally listen, I find you have already answered me.  Thank you for unending grace and mercy.  Thank you for allowing us to ask and trust that you will provide for our needs - always.  Amen.

Genesis 2:7 “then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed in to his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.”

This morning, when I woke, I had a song about God making beautiful things out of dust going in my mind.  I spent some of my quiet time searching the scripture for different verses and passages where it talks about dust, ashes and clay and this is the one that I heard best this morning.  When I visualize this scene, God is kneeling on the ground.  He gathers dirt and water together, and like clay, carefully molds the first person into shape.  His final step in this creation is to lift the lifeless body into his arms and breathe his life into the airways and blood, the cells and organs of man.  Life is brought forth.  We have eternal souls living in perishable bodies.  God created each of us to be unique and he loves each one of us, every creation he makes.  We are placed on this earth and given a purpose.  Whatever that purpose is, whatever our work is on earth, I believe we are called to do it in response to the love we receive from God.  As I live this day, as I take breaths to fill my lungs and bring oxygen to my body, I hope I can live and breathe in thanksgiving to my Creator.  Take in the breath of life.  Feel His presence fill you up and live in the calling he created you for.  You are his unique creation!

Lord,

You created me just as I am.  Let my breath and movements today remind me of that.  I am created by you and for you.  I pray that my actions and thoughts will glorify you and bring your love to all those who are around me.  You make beautiful things out of dust!  Thank you Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 77:12-13 “I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds.  Your way, O God is holy.  What god is so great as our God?”

As I ponder the world around me, the earth and all His creation, I am in awe.  The universe is so vast, filled with stars and planets, moons and space.  This planet is placed just so far away from the sun, not too close and not too far or plants and life would not survive.  There is an atmosphere placed around the earth keeping the earth and all who live on it protected from harmful elements in the universe.  Trees and plants produce oxygen that animals need to survive.  We produce carbon monoxide which the plants need to survive.  God brought his people out of bondage and sent messengers to guide his people.  He sent Jesus to teach us about His love and broke the barrier between the Divine and humans through the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior.  The Spirit lives in us and guides us.  I see all these things; all these mighty deeds and raise my voice in praise and thanksgiving.  How can anyone doubt the Creator?  How can anyone think all this vast orchestration is random?  I cannot imagine it!  The works of my God are mighty indeed.  Not only did He create all we can see and cannot see, he bends to touch each heart of his beloved children.  There is no god as great as our God, not one.

Lord,

You are the Almighty Creator, you are Abba, Father.  There many names for you but above all you are the Ruler of my heart.  I revel in your creation and your love today.  Open our eyes to see the care you have for every living thing on this small planet in your vast creation.  Then we will bow and worship your holy name.  Amen.

Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we must pay attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”

This passage in Hebrews is a reminder of who Jesus of Nazareth truly is.  It is a reminder of what scripture of old said about the Savior and the testimony that declares he is the Messiah, the Savior of the world.  There are many distractions that pull us away from this message even as there were back in the time this book was written.  As I sat in my quiet time and then walked in the light of dawn, I allowed my mind to wander in this verse.  Not only do we need to pay attention to what we have heard about Jesus.  We need to pay attention to what Jesus is telling us today.  I am first to admit, there is much chaos going on in my mind when I sit down for quiet reflection with the Lord.  Some days it takes a lot of refocus to keep my whole being centered on being still in the presence of the Lord.  In those moments of true stillness, I am blessed to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit.  It is this “voice” I must pay attention to.  As I continue on this journey of devotion, I trust the stillness will become less of a struggle, and I will be able to hear the guidance of the Spirit more easily.  Listen for the voice, He speaks to each of us, we only need to pay attention.

Lord,

Through the chaos and noise of our days, open our ears and hearts to hear your voice.  Help us to pay attention to what we have heard and what we hear from you and then guide our steps so we do not drift away from you.   Amen.