Mark 4:39-40 “He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’  Then the wind ceased and there was a dead calm.  He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid?  Have you still no faith?’”

I was looking back in my prayer journal over the last few days and seeing the blessings of prayers answered.  There has been healing from sickness and change of heart to reconciliation.  There have been other prayers answered in ways I could not have imagined.  There are times in each of our lives where we feel like we are on the boat in this passage.  The storm is raging and the boat is quickly filling up to the point of sinking.  Fear takes hold of us and we cry out to our Lord for rescue.  We feel like He left us in this storm without realizing our plight.  We call out to “wake” the Lord and make him aware of what we are going through, as if He did not already know.  I can just see my Lord calming the storms I have ridden through.  He comes and in his infinite mercy, he stills the winds and calms the waves.  He looks at me in love and says something similar to what he said to the disciples then.  “Why are you afraid?  Have you still no faith?”  After all he has brought me through, everything he has protected and guided me away from, how can I doubt?

Lord,

You continue to amaze me to the depths of my soul.  In mercy, forgive my doubt and unbelief.  In grace, take my hand and lead me once more through sunny days and stormy nights.  I walk in trust, with you by my side.  Amen.

Matthew 2:1-2,12 “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their country by another road.”

Today we celebrate Epiphany.  We remember the wise men coming to worship the baby Jesus.  Do you think they packed their bags and loaded up their camels in a hurry or were they thoughtful and deliberant?  I imagine they wanted to hurry but realized deep inside of them that they needed to take time and be prepared.  Matthew says they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.  These are not gifts of haste.  I also imagine when they arrived they were ready to rest for a while.  They would pay homage and then take their time resting and preparing for the long journey home.  A dream warns them and they leave then by a different road.  They had an epiphany, an awakening when they saw the star and when they received this warning.  What epiphany will we receive if we are open and listening?  What road are we being led to take?  Just as He guided the wise men long ago, he guides us so we too can come and worship the Christ.

Lord,

Thank you for the promise of steadfast guidance and mercy through Jesus.  Help us accept these gifts and then turn to worship Christ the King in adoration and praise.  Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

This passage is familiar to so many people.  I would write the whole thing, verses 1-8 but I would run out of room to write and it would take away the urge for you to read it for yourself.  Two things came to me during the reading and meditation of this passage.  The first is this:  How can we measure time when we live in eternity?  There is no end and so what is the purpose in measuring something eternal?  Measuring time is like measuring a circle.  We can decide to begin at a specific point and measure from there but we simply continue around and around with no end.  My second thought is that in the midst of eternity there are truly times or seasons.  We watch the seasons on earth change, we see the seasons of human life from infant all the way to old age.  What is it time for?  What season is it now?  As the verses lead us is it time to be born or time to die; time to plant or time to reap?  Even in this passage the circle is evident.  As we plant we already begin to think of harvest.  As we break down we have already begun the process to rebuild.  This passage brings hope and peace to me today and I pray that it does for you as well.

Lord,

Thank you for these verses.  Thank you for the bigger picture.  As winter continues on outside, moving closer to spring, so the seasons in my heart continue to move forward.  Help me release the old in order to receive the new.  Amen.

John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

In this passage of John, Jesus talks about the vine and the branches.  He is the true vine and we are his branches.  God the Father prunes branches so they bear more fruit and he cuts off branches that are not bearing any fruit.  I remember seeing a tree that had been planted or grown very close to barbed wire fence.  As the tree grew, the fence and its barbs were enveloped into the very meat of the tree.  The branch simply swallowed up the part of the fence that was in its way.  That can’t be healthy for the branch or the tree.  If I am that branch, and I easily could be, I need God to remove the barbs that I have swallowed up so that I can grow without hindrances or disease.  As He painstakingly and lovingly removes the disease and damage from me, I know he will bring healing to me so that I can bear more fruit for His kingdom.  I will follow Him to the ends of the earth and beyond.  His word speaks to my heart and His Spirit guides my path.  I am a disciple of the Lord and I strive to be a healthy and strong branch on His vine.

Lord,

I am precious to you, we all are.  As we step into a new day, give us the strength to be your disciples.  Use your word and your Spirit to guide each of us and I ask you to bring healing and wholeness to me and all of your children, my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I ask all this for your glory and praise.  Amen.

Galatians 4:4-5 “...God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.”

I know a few adopted people.  Two families I know have adopted kids and countless others I knew growing up.  The thing is that maybe there were more but I never knew it.  Parents of adopted kids do not treat those kids any different than they treat blood related kids.  When someone decides to adopt a child, they open their hearts and bring that child in as their own flesh and blood.  I remember one of my friends growing up telling me they were even more special because they had been chosen and not just given.  God has chosen each of us as his adopted child.  He opened his heart and has brought each one of us in to his arms as his own flesh and blood.  It amazes me to think about that.  He sent Jesus to erase the barrier between all of us and Him.  Now, because that was done, we can run into the arms of our Father anytime.  We can come in joy, in sorrow, in anger, in frustration; anytime.   Let’s go out into this day with love in our hearts because we are special.  We have not only been created by God, but we are chosen, adopted children of the Almighty.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Lord,

As we prepare for the day, infuse us with your love.  Whisper in our ears and our hearts to remind us that we are your children; chosen and special.  Guide our steps in obedience and in celebration of your love.  Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

It is about all I can do to try and watch the news anymore right now.  The leadership of our country seems unable to move forward with anything.  There are battles about taxes and money and there are battles about gun control.  These issues are only a scratch on the surface of things they talk about but do very little about.  It is kind of like watching little kids bickering about who is smarter, bigger or stronger.  When I watch kids arguing about these kinds of things I can only shake my head and the lack of insight they seem to have.  Can’t they see that they are all created in their own unique way with strengths and struggles, each one of them?  As I gaze upon that picture in my mind, I can clearly see God doing the same thing to me.  Why do I compare myself to anyone else?  Why do I forget that I have been created in my own unique way with strengths and struggles to serve a purpose in His kingdom?  As I step into a new phase of growth and healing this year, I need to remember to trust in the Lord with all my heart, not in my (lack of) understanding.  Keep focused on Him through every step and His guidance and mercy will be clear to me.

Lord,

Keep me close to you, I need you every step.  Guide each of us clearly in the path you have chosen and help our hearts give you the glory for everything good.  Amen.

Psalm 57:10-11 “For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.  Let your glory be over all the earth.”

Let the New Year begin!  Last night reverie began to celebrate the New Year commencing.  Today the celebration continues with parades and family gatherings.  Releasing the old and embracing the new is cause for celebration.  As we continue our celebration today I encourage us to remember that each new day, each New Year is a time to praise the Lord.  He rules the nations and his steadfast love is as high as the heavens.  His faithfulness extends beyond the stratosphere; beyond the clouds.  Eat your feasts, set off your fireworks, and watch your football games.  Whatever it is that you do to ring in the New Year, do it with praise and thanksgiving to our God.  He is to be exalted above the nations and above the heavens; above all things!  As we lift his name we will spread his glory, let it be spread over all the earth so everyone can live in hope and peace.

Lord,

Your name is above all names; your kingdom is above all kingdoms.  As we turn the calendar to the next year help us turn our hearts to you even more.  It is because of your love and faithfulness that we can celebrate new days.  Help us bring glory to you so that it fills the earth and all come to know you as the King of Kings.  Amen.

Blessings and a joyous New Year!