Ruth 2:12 “May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!”

Motive... I read this verse yesterday and have been pondering it off and on since then.  When I came back to it this morning I realized that at this moment in time, this verse is speaking to me about motive.  What is the motivation for the things I do each day?  Do I seek to be praised or do I seek to praise God with my tasks?  It became clear to me that I have actually become derailed; completely off the track lately.  I do not seek praise but I have lost my motivation to do anything in praise either.  When I look at what I have on my list of “to do” I do not know where to begin and I become derailed.  If I keep this verse in my heart, I know my motivation and ability will return and I will be able to serve in praise to the Lord.  These times of derailment happen to me on occasion and it is frustrating for everyone in my home, I am sure.  I know I am not alone in spinning my wheels only to find that I am not even on the track.  It is time for me to seek refuge in the Lord, be placed gently back on track and then move forward again, one chug-a- chug-a at a time, in service to the Lord.

Lord,

Renew my servant heart.  You know it has been broken and needs repair.  I long to serve you and somehow I lost the drive to do my tasks in honor to you.  As I clean my house, teach my children and cook meals, let all those things and more be in service to you.  When I do this, I know I receive all the reward I could ever desire.  You are a gracious and loving God; help me praise you in my service.  Amen.

Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions.  They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

Actions speak louder than words.  I remember hearing this growing up and as I grow older and “wiser” it is easy to see this old adage is true.  Our mouths are easily led to speak deceitful words.  We do not want others to know our truth.  We can even deceive ourselves without too much effort.   There have been many times when I sat in quiet meditation asking to be forgiven of things I knew I needed redemption for.  Then, God in His wisdom and grace showed how my actions did not speak to my faith or my love of the Lord.  Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things in Christ, who strengthens me.”  I know this to be true because when I call on Him, He is always ready to come to my aid.  He will not aid my selfish will.  I need to come, in humility, ready to submit to His will for me.  It is not easy but I want my actions to show my love for God.  I do not want to be detestable and disobedient!  I know He redeems us when we are ready.  He will give us the strength we need to walk with Him.  He is faithful to his disciples, what a gift of love!

Lord,

Please forgive my actions and my inaction that have drawn me away from you and your love.  Help the words of my mouth speak the truth of my heart and guide my heart in your truth.  Help me rely on your strength to do your will in my life.  I pray this for myself and all who read this.  Amen.

John 2:5-6 “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’  Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.”

These verses are part of the story in which Jesus turns water to wine at a wedding.  The thing that struck me first when I read this passage was this statement of Mary’s.  How easy is that instruction?  All we have to do is follow directions from Him and he will take care of the rest.  I know I am guilty of making things harder than they need to be.  Some things seem so simple and it just can’t be that easy in my mind.  Then there are the purification jars ... I never realized that the jars used to hold the wine were for purification in the Jewish tradition.  Jesus takes those jars and uses them to bring communion and celebration to the wedding.  He takes the old and turns it into something new and better.  Is it ironic that he uses the water in purification jars and turns it to wine in purification jars?  Then just a few years later he uses wine to symbolize his blood being given for the purification of our sins?  He takes the mundane and makes it holy.  He asks us to do mundane things at times but he uses those tasks to do holy things.  Draw some water and fill up the water jugs.  Allow Him to use those simple things to his glory.

Lord,

You ask us to love.  You ask us to listen and follow.  These things seem so easy but we still struggle to do as you ask.  Help us realize the mundane things we are led to do are simply a means to an end.  You know the plan, help us follow your guidance and trust in you.  Help us to love, listen and follow.  Amen.

Isaiah 58:6-7 "Is not this the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?"

Years ago my oldest daughter rode the city bus to and from school.  One day I received a call from her while I was at work.  She brought a homeless woman and her two children home with her so she could feed them and give them some of her old games and toys to take with them.  Of course, I raced home to make sure my 14 year old was safe and as kindly as possible usher these strangers from our home.  As I read this passage I was horrified at my reaction in the past.  I know keeping my daughters safety in the front of my mind was not a bad thing but I suspect I did not make that Mom feel loved or welcomed very well.  I will do my best to make a better impact now that I am more aware. I will do my best with the help of God to share with my kin and my neighbor; with all who are in need.  We are all being called to make this world a better, more loving and giving place to live.

Lord,

May my home and my heart always have space for those who need help and love.  You have blessed me and I am called to bless others with that abundance.  Help me follow your will in this and in all ways so that I am an instrument used to bring your love and grace to others.  Amen.

Hosea 6:3 “Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

I love the rain.  The sound of the drops on my house and the smell of the rain are soothing to me.  We had a rain just a couple of mornings ago and rain in the morning is pretty unusual in Colorado. If we start the day with clouds and rain it is likely that it will just be a rainy and cloudy day all day.  On this particular morning the sun broke through for a few minutes and the result of the sunshine on the wet earth was so beautiful.  All the colors were brighter; vivid.  The green of the trees and the grass, the black of the street and the dark sky as a backdrop were all striking.  This is how I feel after I have spent time with God.  When I come away from my devotion time, I have been forgiven and cleansed.  His love and grace have showered down on me like the spring rains and I shine brighter, my soul is more vivid.  It is this renewal, this cleansing and grace that keeps me coming back to know the Lord more and more.  As I know more of the Lord, I feel his grace more deeply and I can walk in better step with Him.  It is so easy to stumble on the path.  An enticing little temptation on the side of the road can lead us astray in a heartbeat.  We are human and we will fail.  This verse calls us to press on.  Press on to know the Lord, He will come and He will shower his love and grace on each of us when we come in truth and humility.  Thank you Lord!

Lord,
Thank you for rain and thank you for the sun that always follows.  You are as sure as the dawn and your promise to come to us in love and forgiveness is humbling.  Search our hearts for dust and grime; for sin and darkness.  Help us release those things to you so that we can receive your grace like a shower of spring rain.  It is in this exchange, this blessed time with you, that we will know you.  You are ever a mystery, give us the desire to press on and know you more.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:15 "And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them."

Yesterday was a crazy day and today is filled to the brim with things too.  One of my friends asked me when I could have coffee this week and I have no time on my calendar until Friday!  How can this be true?  I stay at home and home school, I should have all kinds of free time, right?  As I thought about my schedule today in light of this verse I realized all the things I am doing today can be done in glory to my Lord.  I take my 3 year old to a Christian preschool so he can learn social skills in a wholesome environment.  I home school my 6 year old so I can teach her in the ways of the Lord as she learns the skills of reading, writing and arithmetic.  I buy grass fed beef and go to the chiropractor in an attempt of a more holistic way of living.  I need to buy a computer part so that my computer can be fixed, give this loaner back to my very generous friend and still write my devotions.  We are closing on our refinance today so that we are better stewards of the gifts God has given us.  I can run around like a chicken with my head cut off, feeling stressed and overwhelmed with tasks but it seems that if I go through my day with this frame of mind, I am living for me.  If I can keep the mindset that all I am doing is in glory to the Lord, I live in the hope that peace and grace will fill my day despite all I am doing.  To God be the glory!

Lord,

Thank you for the refreshing view of my day and the reminder that all I do is done to honor you.  I pray for the peace that passes all understanding to fill all those who are reading this today in the midst of all they are doing today.  We carry a heavy load but if we can carry it in honor of you, it is much lighter.  Open our eyes to see if we are living for you or for ourselves so that we can change our lives where needed.  We are created to glorify you in all we do, help us do what we are created to do.  Amen.

Blessings,

Sally

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

How many times have I taken heart in this verse without really taking the time to understand it fully?  I cannot count them!  This verse is filled with hope for all who believe, this is so true.  What does it really mean though?  To be in Christ Jesus is to be in full communion with Him; walking with him and abiding in him.  To abide with the Lord we need to be following him as his disciples.  We can say we believe but do our actions back up our words?  I know many times I have said I believe and I really have believed in Jesus as my savior for a very long time.  Yet, as the passage before this discusses, the flesh is weak and when I have relied on my own strength and my own desires, it has invariably been disaster in the making.  When I finally let go of the reins again and turn it all over to the one with true strength, good things beyond my imagination are in the making.  I shake my head at myself when I think of all the times I have been rescued from my disasters only to thank the Lord and then turn right around and start relying on myself again!  Will I never learn?  I know this to be true:  I am weak, He is strong.  He loves me and when I walk in his way, he sets me free and his grace is indescribable.  Release your desires, accept your weakness and embrace the strength and grace of living in Christ Jesus.  It is not easy at times, but it is rewarding and we cannot be condemned when we are doing this. Blessed assurance!

Lord,

When I come to take the reins of control again, gently remind me of the pain and suffering I have caused because of my actions in the past.  Remind me that it is only in you, that I can show strength, your strength.  I come in humble knowledge that I am weak because I am human.  We are designed to need you and we deny you over and over again.  Break down our arrogance, bring us to our knees and when we finally accept and embrace you fully, allow us to walk in your grace.  Amen.