“I Erased That”

Dec16

Romans

As I sit at the kitchen table sipping my coffee, I’m listening to my grandchildren playing in the other room.  There is much joy and laughter, then I hear my 8-year-old grandson say “You can’t do that.  It’s against the rules, and I wrote the rules on the board.”  With a very serious voice my 5-year-old granddaughter replies, “Yes, but I erased that board.”  As I take another sip of coffee and chuckle, I hear You say, “I did that.  I erased the rules from the board.”  Yes, Lord you did!  When Peter had written his dietary rules on the board, You erased them by telling him that nothing You created could be unclean (Acts 10:15).  When the disciples wrote the rules of 5000 men plus women plus children minus money to buy food to feed them, You erased those rules with a little boy’s lunch that his mama packed just for him (John 6:8-13).   When people had to constantly offer a blood sacrifice to atone for their sins, You erased those rules by saying “I’ll leave my throne in heaven and suffer a cruel death on a cross so sins can be forgiven once and for all” (Hebrews 10:5-9).  Thank you, Jesus, for giving so much to make it so easy for me.  I am a sinner; You are savior.  My sins were written on the board.  You erased them when I asked you into my heart and acknowledged that You are the way, the truth, and the light (John 14:6).  Like David, I am glad and rejoice (Psalm 35:9).  Thank You, Lord for Your eraser.

Doubts and Discouragement

Dec11

Hebrews 13:6: Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (HCSB)

 

Psalm 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (HCSB)

 

 

coffee and computerLord, I’m sitting here with my coffee and my computer trying to focus on You and not on the voice in my head putting doubt and fear in my heart.  I heard You speak to me about writing a devotional, but like Moses I thought  “I can’t do that” and thought You must be giving the devotional to my husband and asking me to support him as he wrote.  I came to realize that You were giving it to me.  You made it so clear to me that I accepted but asked You for 30 devotionals in 30 days.  I was amazed at Your works ……..until one morning when You didn’t tell me what to write.  Then came the doubts and fears.  What if this is all from me?  What if I was right the first time?  What about those 30 devotionals in 30 days?  Then I heard You say “I promised 30 days but not 30 consecutive days.”   I know that I need prayer support, but I can’t tell anyone that I’m writing devotionals.  What will people think?  Will they think I’m being a prideful show-off by saying that God speaks through me?  I know someone who is writing a book – will people think I’m just trying  to copy her?  What if I tell people and things don’t work out?  They will think I’m a failure, or worse, a nut job.  What if I look foolish?   Lord, I know that these messages are from You, so why do I care what others think?  Hebrews 13:6 tells me that You are my helper and not to be afraid because man can’t really do anything to me.  Lord. I am scared and I am humbled and I am not at all confident that I can do this, but I know that I need to hold onto Your promises and Your truth for the security I need.  Lord, it is a little crazy that You want me of all people to do this.  It’s a little crazy that I hear You speak to me.  It’s a little crazy that I expect people to read what I write.  But, Lord, it was a little crazy that Peter stepped out of that boat (Matthew 14:29).  It was a little crazy that Joshua had people march around the city (Joshua 6).  It’s a little crazy that You allow me to be a part of Your great plans.  Your word tells me 365 times not to fear.  It’s a lot crazier that I would ever doubt You!

Making a List

Dec8

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 19:21: You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

(New Living Translation)

I am sitting here this morning with my coffee and a pen and paper.  I’m making ato do list!  I love a list.  Sometimes I will have more than one list going at the same time.  I have a grocery list, a packing list for vacation, and a list of what I need to do before we go on vacation.  I love the control I feel by knowing what needs to be done now and what needs to be done next.  I especially love checking things off my list.  It makes me feel as if I’m accomplished great things, and there are days that I need to know I’ve at least accomplished something, even a small thing would be good!  Sometimes I will put something on my list that I have already done just so I can check it off!  Lists make me feel accomplished. Lists make me feel in control.  Lists let me know that I’m doing things right.  The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-27) also loved lists.  He loved to have a list, and he loved to show people how he had checked off the things on the list.  He said that he had kept all the commandments, and I believe him because You didn’t call him on it.  He probably had the list in his pocket ready to show everyone how many items he had checked.  Lord, You were trying to show him that obedience to the commandments would not give him eternal life, that only comes through a personal relationship with You.  And a personal relationship with You means spending time with You.  You try to show me that too.  A list makes me feel in control of the situation, but You are in control of all that was, that is, and that is to come.  I like knowing what’s happening now and what will be happening in the future, but Lord, You tell me that worry (or planning or even making a detailed list ) won’t add a single day to my life.  I have the opportunity to accomplish great things today – not by working at worldly things that I can check off of a list but by sitting at the feet of the One who created all things and listening to His plans for my day.  Your word tells me in Jeremiah 29 that You know the plans You have for me.  In Proverbs 19, You tell me that I can make plans, but Your will prevails.  Lord, I know that following a plan isn’t a bad thing but listening to You and following Your plan is so much better.