October 11 posted October 12

 

Today was a total scramble. I spent time with the Lord, then rushed to fill my SUV and take a load of boxes to our new house and unload it. From there, home again to be there for a friend who came to help with the heavy stuff. I grabbed a bite to eat, directed traffic from house to vehicles, then back to the new house to do the same. And unload. Then home again to reload more and back to the new house to unload it.

After that, hubby wanted to return some unused purchases but realized the receipts were at our first home. When we got there and headed to the store, he remembered the items for return were not in my vehicle, but at our new place in his vehicle. So we picked them up, after grabbing a hasty lunch. One item to one store, the other two to another store. Then we had to go back to the new house for a reason I cannot remember, return to our house to have a nap, which didn't happen, then loaded up two coolers to empty the freezer part of our fridge and take it to the freezer in the new house, left there by the former owner.

Home again. Somewhere in all that, I thought I posted my devotions for Friday , but this morning (Saturday) realized it didn't happen. The taxi was soon arriving to take us to the airport. I remembered to shut off both computers and grab my laptop and computer glasses. However, I also checked and realized I'd not posted devotions for the 11th. So I transferred them to a flash drive to do it at the airport... rushed up to grab suitcase and carry-on, jumped in the taxi, and halfway to the airport realized I forgot the flash drive.

Despite all that, I did think about what God showed me in the morning and it helped -- realizing that emotions, both negative and positive, are rooted in what I am thinking. If I'm relying on my own strength, it shows up in my thoughts and emotions.

PRAY: Lord, these days are easy to produce scrambled thoughts. We are vacationing in the middle of a move. Sheer craziness, but tired bodies and minds may well need a rest! Thanks for You and that I can write about yesterday with amusement instead of feeling messed up. More later...

Don’t go barefoot!

 

Anyone who has walked around outside with no shoes knows that some areas are off-limits when you're barefoot. I always wear shoes because when I don’t, I invariably drop something on my foot or stub a toe.

MacArthur illustrates the importance of proper footwear in sports. When I see women in extreme high heels, or wearing shoes that are too big or too small, I almost feel my own feet hurting. Sore feet can interfere with much of life. This is why footwear illustrates part of an effective piece of spiritual armor against Satan’s efforts to ruin Christian living . . .

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14–15)

In Bible days, the Roman soldiers wore the right shoes for protection and good traction to move quickly. As a warrior in the army of God, I need to be properly shod too, but this verse is not about shoes but being ready to engage in battle by going on the offense and sharing the Gospel of peace with God with others.

This preparedness is being focused on all that Jesus has done to save me and to save other sinners, then when opportunities arise, this good news message will easily come out in my speech. Because I have put on this preparation, not just to protect myself from Satan’s lies such as, “How can you be a Christian? You are so useless” etc. I am eager to say what God has put in my heart.

It works like this: when I am thinking all day about the ache in my arm or the bruises on my legs, I’m apt to talk about that when someone visits me. If I think about my children all day, or about the quilt I am working on, those also become topics of conversation. However, if I am wearing the shoes that God gives, then I’m thinking about the amazing grace and love of Jesus. With Him on my mind, He is more easily on my lips.

A song titled “I Speak Jesus” says, “I just want to speak the name of Jesus, over every heart and every mind, because I know there is peace within Your presence, I speak Jesus.” It blesses the fact that with Jesus on my mind I want to put Him in the mind of others, if not with words to them, then in prayer to God. His Spirit can speak of peace with God to those who do not know Him, and the peace of His presence into those who do. So can His Word:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1–5)

The peace of God is often beyond comprehension. Philippians 4:6–7 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God shows His love and gives His peace when it is least expected, like a time long ago when one of our children disappeared, or when I was in terrible pain, or when my hubby had a heart attack, and even during and after my recent tumble down a staircase.

His peace, as today’s devotional says, affirms that God is on my side. He cares about me and makes war with me against sin and evil. Nothing can stop Him from loving me:

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31–39)

PRAY: Jesus, keep me well-shod, always with You in my thoughts, knowing You love me, knowing I have peace with God and the peace of God because of You. May I always be prepared to speak of You whenever possible.

PONDER: Consider the best ways to keep my focus on Jesus. Google this and read some links about spiritual disciplines and follow through. Also run to Him each time my weaknesses show up.