Author: cslacey

          Oh God, I wonder if I even know You. When the word speaks to me of Your amazing attributes, promises and gifts that are stored up and available for me to receive, I am overwhelmed with how little truth I walk out in my daily life. Grace that empowers me with favor for every need, wisdom, your generous gift that enables me to chose wisely. Power to overcome every weapon Satan throws at me, mercy, forgiveness for every poor choice that frees me to forgive other’s barbs. A transformed mind, availed simply by reading and obeying Your word. Protection because I dwell in Jesus, the secret place of the Most High

          My daily devotional echoed my struggle, encouraging me to visualize God, to see Him reaching out to me in nature and to deliberately turn my thoughts on God. Futility comes, it said, because “we have lost our power to visualize.” That it is given to believers by God so we can “go beyond ourselves and be firmly planted into relationships we never before experienced.”

          Lord, help me to enter Your hidden storehouse of blessings, ever accessible to those called by Your name, that I might visualize all You are and walk in the intimacy You have laid out for me, pleasing You. Amen

“I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure.” Ps. 119:162 NKJV

What is it I wish you? Of course a Merry Christmas time filled with family and friends and love and a happy, healthy new year. But beyond the traditional wishes, I pray that each one of you finds a deeper knowledge of God’s unending love and mercy. I hope that doesn’t sound generic, my heart is that in all you face in the new year, those truths carry you beyond your own ability, into trusting wholly in the One who never lets go of your hand. 2020 has been hard on each of us but knowing Jesus, the anchor of our souls, who will always fight our battles and restore our joy, is our comfort and our peace. So I pray all the blessings God has stored up for you will be revealed to you and keep you safe in His care, now and forever.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the (heart) knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2

We planted a red bud tree in our backyard years ago and every spring I can’t wait for it to blossom. It had grown tall, and this year looks gangly with bare, flowerless limbs near the bottom. The branches near the top have some flowers, but they are sparse and remind me of the frailty of life. The tree had its day, glorious in its fuchsia flowers and black trunk, but like me it is in its last days, time has taken a toll on its strength. In front of it is a pear tree in the prime of its life. Every twig is covered with white blossoms fit for a bridal bouquet. Its branches sway in the breeze, blocking my view of the redbud, oblivious that its time too will end. As I walk out to visit my old joy and beauty, I see promises of the pods it will drop in the fall. My heart swells at the promise of new life that will come after the axe falls and it’s gone. Hope arises at the prospect of new life to come in those who come after me, as the seeds I’ve planted mature and blossom.

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it who indeed bears fruit…” Matthew 13:23

Mark 14 Giving away something precious or costly, something dear to your heart for the sake of God’s kingdom, is an act of worship. Like the woman with the jar of costly perfume, it is a sacrifice of love. Giving in Jesus’ name and for His glory is a commitment of the heart. Time, an irreplaceable, valuable gift, once spent is forever gone. Giving it away is like giving part of yourself that can never be recovered, except in the economy of Him who restores the years the locust have eaten away. Recently on a very frustrating day, I listened for an hour to someone who needed to vent. The next day three problems I couldn’t solve supernaturally worked themselves out. We cannot out give Him who keeps good records. Our decision to give of our self with time for one who needs a listening ear, or a meal or help with something, is another way of worshiping Him.

“And walk in love as Christ has also loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Eph. 5:2 NKJV

In Mark 8 Jesus explains what being His follower means. He uses words like disown your own life, share my cross, surrender to My ways. My mind wrestled with how to truly put this into practice. He’s my Lord and I want to please Him. Disown? Surrender? Am I to put aside my responsibilities and dreams? How do I experience dying to self when so many things needing my attention don’t come with a choice. Do I do nothing but wait for a word of direction from the Holy Spirit, do I  listen for His whisper “this is the way, walk ye in it?”

After praying in the Spirit I heard, “Grant unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.”It seemed God was saying, go about your day doing what life requires, but be ready and willing to die to self-centered desires, your plans and your will when a tough choice arises And surrender to My ways when temptation to do your own will calls for a decision. Let go for Jesus’ sake and the sake of the Gospel. Life in this world demands it due, but giving God my best, my time, strength, will, and all that is in me, sets me free to trust He’ll lead me through each day.

“I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back,”

          Winter is early this year, temps in the 20’s and teens at night. Fall, a time of preparation, is fading and there’s a need to build up our faith reserves to head off the gales of hardship to come. And they come. The beautiful white snow can’t hide the need to overcome. We hunker down, grateful for the promise He will not leave us helpless. His word encourages, a daily reminder of His love and care that blizzards cannot bury.

          And just when our hearts are weary with the fight, spring’s sunshine peeks through the bitter cold, melting our fears like the last bit of ice on the lake. It washes away the doubts that change won’t come, and touches our soul with the promise of new life, confirmation He’s still with us. We joy in every promise the first violet and even the pesky dandelions portray.

          And one bright day, the times we cherish arrive. Our hearts dance in the warmth of the blazing summer sun. Freedom from fear and unbelief melt like ice cream on a hot day and we rejoice in times of less stress, less scheduling. We dive into the warm waters of His love and rejoice in the acceptance we receive and pass on to others. His grace falls like a soft summer night until once again the winds of change whisper in our ears.

          Thank you for the seasons of our life, Lord. Help us embrace each one with the hope you’ve planted within us, welcoming change as part of our journey, anticipating our final resting place, safe in your arms forever.

          “To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven….He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 11

          Preparing for a day at the beach included putting my driver’s license in the small zip pouch in my beach bag, along with my cell phone. Water from our drinks spilled into the pouch I failed to zip, but I was in a hurry and didn’t give it much thought. When we unpacked after a long, lazy day in the sun, my heart fell. My license was gone! I grabbed my keys and my cell phone and drove back to the beach. I couldn’t lose my license, I’m the driver now. On the way, “be anxious for nothing,” buzzed in my spirit. It was so strong, I told the Lord, “OK, I’m giving this one to you. I cannot fathom how I’ll find it, but nothing is impossible for you. I commit finding it to You.” Both the entry place and the beach store said no one had turned it in. I ran back to my car to grab my phone, prepared to search the beach, all the while affirming it was in God’s hands. When I picked up the phone, there was my license, stuck to the back by the water that had drizzled into the pouch! I was filled with such joy and gratitude, knowing God knew where it was all the time, but wanted me to see His grace and mercy and help in time of need. .

“Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

          “These meds you need to be on for a year can cause loss of eyesight, hearing and damage your liver,” the Dr. said, covering the worst case scenarios. I spent the night wrestling Satan’s “what ifs.” I thought I’d committed the battle to the Lord, but at each awakening had to rebuke thoughts like “what if you lose your eyesight? Your husband can’t drive…what would you do? How would you cope with not being able to read or hear?”

          I believe God has healed my lungs and His path of healing for me is through these antibiotics, but the possibility of side effects lingered, bringing fear, doubt and unbelief. “Commit your way unto to the Lord and it will be established,” came to me in the wee small hours before dawn.

          1 John 4:18 became clearer as I read “Perfect love casts out fear because fear brings dread and torment.” I needed to examine my heart. Am I fully convinced God loves me? Isaiah 41:10 reminds me to “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed (look around in terror, Amp. Bible adds), for I am thy God…”

          A timely Gary Wilkerson message read, “God puts ‘Fear not,’ into His word more than any other command.” It reminded me that the Spirit in me is greater than he who is in the world, that we’ve been given incredible authority by the Spirit as we face our enemy/tormentor.

          The Lord, God, who sent His Son to die for my salvation, healing and peace, will never let me down but will freely give me all things. He has promised if I drink (take in anything deadly), it will not harm me. I believe it. Of whom then shall I fear? His perfect love casts out fear and I will trust in His ongoing promises. Amen

“My eyes are continually toward the Lord, He will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalm 25:15

          We arrived at a huge, beautiful home where the small group met. The hostess smiled a welcome and spoke in broken English. The host was an unassuming man who spoke so quietly I couldn’t understand what he said. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of business had brought such success. The woman’s hair and dress were different than that of most Americans, less pretentious. Within moments I was drawn to her gracious personality, her concern for our comfort and easy manner. During the discussion, her strong faith and love of people oozed from all she said. I remember thinking how much I liked her, wanted to know her better.  

A shameful thought flashed. “Would you have felt that way if you’d met her on the street or under different circumstances? Would you have wanted her for one of your peeps?”

 I knew it was the Lord and guilt bombarded me. Noting on the outside had made it likely I’d choose this woman for a friend.  

 Thank you, Lord, for Your unfailing forgiveness and the lesson to not be a respecter of persons, to look at the heart, not the vessel.    

“I takes more courage to be humble than it does to be prideful.” Matthew Hagee

          “…let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25:2

       

          My heart felt heavy. I couldn’t get past that I said a careless word that hurt my friend. I asked forgiveness for being so insensitive and she lovingly forgave me. Why can’t I let it go? I determine to forgive myself and go on, but guilt, my old nemesis, nags at my soul.”Now what will people think of you? You really blew it, and on and on.

          Please wash me, Lord, of this people-pleasing mentality and image of spiritual maturity I try so to uphold. Psalm 17 spoke to my wavering soul. Vs 1 affirmed my cause is just, I am truly sorry, my lips are not lying. Vs 3 God has looked into my heart and found nothing not confessed, no justifying my actions, and that I have purposed that my mouth bring it in sincere truth.

          Why do I hold so tight to a need to be accepted and loved by all, to hide my flaws and humanity from everyone but You, Lord? Is it because I know You love me just as I am in spite of all You see and know? That You see me through Jesus?

          My past shaped me into who I am, but I am so grateful You are transforming me into Your image, from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.(2 Cor.3:18) I haven’t arrived but I am on the journey. Thank You, Lord

          Hebrews 4:16 Come boldly into the throne of grace and find mercy and help in time of need.

          If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. Max Lucado