Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week Eleven Archives
Year 5; Day 71 A Sure Foundation
Well, we are still here. After a day and night of destructive winds our house is still standing and intact. Not so for some others. Shingles have blown off, car windows have blown in, buildings under construction have blown over, street lights are dangling, and anything not battened down is probably no longer there. But we are. Our foundation held and while the siding creaked, we were safe inside. Isaiah 33:6 says, "He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge..." What a wonderful, personal promise, "...a sure foundation for your times..." We can look to the past. He created a world specifically for us. A world that has provided and sustained and given to us what has been needed to feed, shelter, and warm us. Our physical needs can be met on this Earth alone...due to God's wisdom and foresight and power. Looking to the past, we have Biblical and historical examples of God being a sure foundation in guiding history. Adam and Eve. Noah. Abraham. Joseph. Moses. Israel. Esther. Ruth. David. The prophets. Mary. The birth of Christ. His crucifixion. The spread of the Gospel. The Dark Ages. The Reformation. Martin Luther. Explorers. Inventors. Kings and queens. World leaders. Civil wars. World wars. God has been there as a sure foundation through all of humanity's stages, struggles, and strivings. Sometimes He seems silent, perhaps even absent, but His Word says He is always there, always working on our behalf. And He is here for our times. In history and in our personal lives. A sure foundation of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. He is never outdated, never unprepared, never in need of an upgrade. A sure foundation for "our" times...whenever, whatever, and wherever they may be. And so when the storm rages without, we can be calm within because our foundation is "sure". Today is Sunday. "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13) For our times...my times...your times.
Year 5; Day 72 A Crowd/Cloud of Witnesses
Last night was an exciting night in Newfoundland and Labrador sports history. NL won the Brier Cup Championship in curling. Even better, the Canadian tournament was held in St. John's and the home crowd got to cheer the Brad Gushue team all the way to victory. The NL team had an Olympic gold medal but not the Brier Cup. Now they do. And many Newfoundlanders got to witness the week-long journey not only on television but at the stadium. Gushue has had dreams and goals in the sport of curling and another one was achieved...one that had eluded him. Even though I have only seen Brad on television and I don't know him personally, I felt proud and happy for him and his team. They worked hard and journeyed long to arrive at this point. At different times the camera panned the audience. There were people with flags and signs and costumes and face make-up. The crowd watched intently and cheered loudly. When the final stone was thrown by NL to secure the 7-6 victory, what joy erupted. The crowd roared and the team jumped and hugged and hugged some more. Arms were raised in victory as the team and Brad acknowledged the people who witnessed this exciting victory. I could not help but think of a verse found in Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...let us run with perseverance the race set before us." Just as Gushue had people to help him along his sporting journey...family and friends and coaches and teammates and fans and examples from the past, so do we. We have God's Word filled with mentors and examples, we have the Holy Spirit to lead and direct and instruct, we have Christ, and we have family and friends who are often a part of the journey. And we have "friends" we haven't met yet. People who cheer us on indirectly through prayer and influence. Angels, strangers, people at the right place at the right time, divine appointments. Witnesses, seen and unseen, as we journey and persevere through this life. There was much rejoicing in the stadium last night over a sports victory. How much more will there be when a soul victoriously crosses into eternal life? Today is Monday. Until then, we carry on!
Year 5; Day 73 Evidence
The other day I saw some threads on the living room carpet. When I bent over to pick them up, I saw there were a "few" more that were smaller and lighter...just not as visible from an upright position. As I was eating breakfast yesterday morning, there was a nice white thread on my pajamas. I have not sewn for a few days and definitely not in my pajamas. I have picked threads off my coat, the recliner, the bedspread, my socks, my pant legs, my shirt, and my husband. The aqua threads around are evidence of the last project I worked on. Anyone around me for very long would see enough thread evidence to wonder if I did some kind of sewing. If they inquired, I could take them to the room where I quilt and then they would know. The evidence is overwhelming. There is a sewing machine, cutting board, cutter, ruler, pins, several projects, and fabric...a number of containers filled with fabric. Any amount of time spent with me and a person would have no doubt as to why there were a "few" threads around. Can the same be said for my faith? Would there be bits of evidence that even a stranger could see? Maybe by the expression on my face...smiling...approachable...open...friendly? I sat by a stranger once on a Greyhound bus. I heard her quietly humming choruses from church that I knew...evidence of a walk with Christ. We had a grand conversation. Would casual conversation make someone wonder if I were a Christ follower? Maybe saying grace quietly in a restaurant or returning rudeness with warmth? And if someone saw some evidence of faith, would a closer inspection confirm it? Would they find a well-read Bible as obvious as other reading material? Would there be a picture on the wall, a placque, or something to indicate a spiritual direction for living in the house? Would spending time with me confirm a genuine faith or just a superficial interest? Just as my threads lead to confirmation that I am a quilter, so should the "fruit" of my lips and behaviour and attitudes confirm I am a follower of Christ. "Thus, by their fruit you will know them." (Matthew 7:20) The fruit confirms what the tree is. Today is Tuesday. Is the fruit of our lives enough evidence to confirm our faith even upon closer inspection?
Year 5; Day 74 Come to Me
I called the other day to make an appointment and was put on hold while she "went to find her book". Ten minutes later I finally hung up figuring she had forgotten me as the business was not that big. When I called back her first words were, "I forgot you were on hold!" I called another place for some info and she couldn't help me and directed me somewhere else. Later, I called about an explanation on a statement and while a live person answered, she couldn't help me so put me through to another area. I was on hold for a number of minutes with the most annoying music and constant reminders not to hang up because my call was important. I finally got an agent who explained the term for me but couldn't do anything about it. That would take another phone call. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Me/I. That's it. Just Jesus. No angel receptionists. No harp music. No being on hold. No chain of command. No screening process. Just "come" and "I will". Jesus can handle it all...whatever all may be. Jesus will handle it all...whatever all may be. And there is no small print, no exceptions, no fancy language. It is a rather sparsely worded, yet very encompassing promise. Come to me with whatever has wearied and burdened you. Finances...come. Health...come. Worries...come. Relationships...come. Job...come. Family...come. The future...come. The past...come. The present...come. Insecurities, problems, issues...come, come, come. And He will give rest. Not necessarily an instant solution...there may not be an immediate one. But we can have rest...refreshing...renewal...reassurance...encouragement...comfort...strengthening...a sorting out...a greater definition of purpose and path...a shifting of the burden from our backs to His feet. Today is Wednesday. Come and He will. He said so.
Year 5; Day 75 Learn From Me
The focus verses for this week's Beth Moore Bible study is found in Matthew 11:28,29. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Sometimes we get weary in our souls, don't we? It is not a physical weariness but something much deeper...something deep inside. As I read these words, I noticed the phrase, "learn from me". We all wear a yoke. Something that points us in a direction, drives us. It could be ambition or pride or money or a career or a relationship. Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him. Learn what? What can I learn from Jesus? Christ knew His purpose and never lost sight of it. It shaped His days, gave Him direction, and influenced how He behaved. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38) Christ came to serve...serve His Father, serve us. And He did it with a willing obedience...unlike Jonah. Jonah eventually went to Nineveh but it was begrudgingly. Nineveh was saved but Jonah missed out on a sense of rewarding obedience because of his attitude. Really, when I think about it, the most important thing I can learn from Christ is humble obedience. He left heaven, He put aside His divinity, just to obey. And His obedience didn't garner Him anything He didn't already have. What did Christ get out of leaving heaven and coming to earth? Fulfilling prophecy. Being God in the flesh. Sharing the Gospel message. Misunderstanding. Persecution. Crucifixion. Reconciliation between God and humanity. He didn't need it. We did. And so Christ obeyed so we could have. Nowhere is there a hint of regret on His part. This is one of those moments when my eyes are filled and my heart is full and I am very aware of my own unworthiness. I don't understand why there is such love for a people who mostly don't care, aren't interested, and want to go their own way. But He does and I am glad. Today is Thursday. I want to learn from Him.
Year 5; Day 76 Learn From Me, Pt. 2
Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn for me..." (Matthew 11:29) I think one of the biggest and most important lessons we can learn from Christ is humble obedience. Christ came to earth in obedience to His Father's will to fulfill God's plan for humanity. For me, there are two other things that quickly come to mind that I can learn from Christ. The first is how He carried out His ministry with compassion. It is His compassion that, at times, seemed to keep Him going. Matthew 9:36 says, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Christ could have been dominated by so many feelings...frustration, contempt, weariness, disdain...but it was compassion that Scripture often used to describe Jesus' emotions. Compassion for individual needs, whether they were physical or mental. Always he had compassion for the spiritually lost and shared the Gospel message wherever He went. Even when He was tired from constant preaching, teaching, and healing, He saw their needs and compassion caused Him to keep at it. If we are to learn from Christ, I would think compassion would be a prerequisite to becoming more like Him. We have to go from seeing people as pains and nuisances and inconveniences to seeing them as lost and guideless and in need. Another trait that stands out to me along with Christ's compassion is His constant sharing. He was constantly giving or sharing in one capacity or another. He personally trained 12 rag-tag, diverse men to carry on His ministry. He shared the Gospel message of God's love. He shared His power by healing many diseases and conditions. He ministered constantly to individuals, crowds, in synagogues, on the hillsides, while travelling, and when called. He shared His vision and His purpose and His mission. He never sat back or felt entitled. He never took. Humble obedience to His Father. Compassion toward others...especially the lost and needy. Sharing the love of the Father by word and deed. Today is Friday. Oh, yes. There is much I/we can learn from Jesus if we choose to yoke ourselves to Him.
Year 5; Day 77 Unfailing and Enduring
If you were asked to give the greatest overall desire of humanity, what would you say? Money? Power? Prestige? Recognition? Love? Scripture says, "What a man desires is unfailing love..." (Proverbs 19:22) Not just love but unfailing love. Love that never fails...ever. Love that never forgets. Love that never betrays or ends. Love that doesn't die out, wear out, or walk away. Love that is a constant, that doesn't have a lifespan or a best before or an expiration date. Love that only has our best interests at heart. Love that endures. Who wouldn't want to be loved like that? And how often do we say we love like that? "I will love you forever" is still a desire but less and less a reality. Our "forever" is limited . It is limited by how long we live, how long we stay committed, circumstances, and even feelings. Our "forever" is very subjective. There is only One who has unfailing love. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love..." (Psalm 107:8) His unfailing love...His love that endures forever...a real forever because He is eternal. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever...to him alone who does great wonders...to the One who remembered us in our low estate...and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1,4,23,24) Unfailing love. Enduring love. We are limited in how unfailing and how enduring our love can be. Limited by our humanity, by sin, by our shortcomings, by our lifespan. But God is not limited. Not by time. Not by distance. Not by capacity. Not by humanness. It is hard to comprehend such love because our love has become so sexualized, so situational, so dependant on circumstances and feelings. Unfailing love. Enduring love. That is what He gives to each of us. Today is Saturday. "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:22)
Well, we are still here. After a day and night of destructive winds our house is still standing and intact. Not so for some others. Shingles have blown off, car windows have blown in, buildings under construction have blown over, street lights are dangling, and anything not battened down is probably no longer there. But we are. Our foundation held and while the siding creaked, we were safe inside. Isaiah 33:6 says, "He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge..." What a wonderful, personal promise, "...a sure foundation for your times..." We can look to the past. He created a world specifically for us. A world that has provided and sustained and given to us what has been needed to feed, shelter, and warm us. Our physical needs can be met on this Earth alone...due to God's wisdom and foresight and power. Looking to the past, we have Biblical and historical examples of God being a sure foundation in guiding history. Adam and Eve. Noah. Abraham. Joseph. Moses. Israel. Esther. Ruth. David. The prophets. Mary. The birth of Christ. His crucifixion. The spread of the Gospel. The Dark Ages. The Reformation. Martin Luther. Explorers. Inventors. Kings and queens. World leaders. Civil wars. World wars. God has been there as a sure foundation through all of humanity's stages, struggles, and strivings. Sometimes He seems silent, perhaps even absent, but His Word says He is always there, always working on our behalf. And He is here for our times. In history and in our personal lives. A sure foundation of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. He is never outdated, never unprepared, never in need of an upgrade. A sure foundation for "our" times...whenever, whatever, and wherever they may be. And so when the storm rages without, we can be calm within because our foundation is "sure". Today is Sunday. "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13) For our times...my times...your times.
Year 5; Day 72 A Crowd/Cloud of Witnesses
Last night was an exciting night in Newfoundland and Labrador sports history. NL won the Brier Cup Championship in curling. Even better, the Canadian tournament was held in St. John's and the home crowd got to cheer the Brad Gushue team all the way to victory. The NL team had an Olympic gold medal but not the Brier Cup. Now they do. And many Newfoundlanders got to witness the week-long journey not only on television but at the stadium. Gushue has had dreams and goals in the sport of curling and another one was achieved...one that had eluded him. Even though I have only seen Brad on television and I don't know him personally, I felt proud and happy for him and his team. They worked hard and journeyed long to arrive at this point. At different times the camera panned the audience. There were people with flags and signs and costumes and face make-up. The crowd watched intently and cheered loudly. When the final stone was thrown by NL to secure the 7-6 victory, what joy erupted. The crowd roared and the team jumped and hugged and hugged some more. Arms were raised in victory as the team and Brad acknowledged the people who witnessed this exciting victory. I could not help but think of a verse found in Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...let us run with perseverance the race set before us." Just as Gushue had people to help him along his sporting journey...family and friends and coaches and teammates and fans and examples from the past, so do we. We have God's Word filled with mentors and examples, we have the Holy Spirit to lead and direct and instruct, we have Christ, and we have family and friends who are often a part of the journey. And we have "friends" we haven't met yet. People who cheer us on indirectly through prayer and influence. Angels, strangers, people at the right place at the right time, divine appointments. Witnesses, seen and unseen, as we journey and persevere through this life. There was much rejoicing in the stadium last night over a sports victory. How much more will there be when a soul victoriously crosses into eternal life? Today is Monday. Until then, we carry on!
Year 5; Day 73 Evidence
The other day I saw some threads on the living room carpet. When I bent over to pick them up, I saw there were a "few" more that were smaller and lighter...just not as visible from an upright position. As I was eating breakfast yesterday morning, there was a nice white thread on my pajamas. I have not sewn for a few days and definitely not in my pajamas. I have picked threads off my coat, the recliner, the bedspread, my socks, my pant legs, my shirt, and my husband. The aqua threads around are evidence of the last project I worked on. Anyone around me for very long would see enough thread evidence to wonder if I did some kind of sewing. If they inquired, I could take them to the room where I quilt and then they would know. The evidence is overwhelming. There is a sewing machine, cutting board, cutter, ruler, pins, several projects, and fabric...a number of containers filled with fabric. Any amount of time spent with me and a person would have no doubt as to why there were a "few" threads around. Can the same be said for my faith? Would there be bits of evidence that even a stranger could see? Maybe by the expression on my face...smiling...approachable...open...friendly? I sat by a stranger once on a Greyhound bus. I heard her quietly humming choruses from church that I knew...evidence of a walk with Christ. We had a grand conversation. Would casual conversation make someone wonder if I were a Christ follower? Maybe saying grace quietly in a restaurant or returning rudeness with warmth? And if someone saw some evidence of faith, would a closer inspection confirm it? Would they find a well-read Bible as obvious as other reading material? Would there be a picture on the wall, a placque, or something to indicate a spiritual direction for living in the house? Would spending time with me confirm a genuine faith or just a superficial interest? Just as my threads lead to confirmation that I am a quilter, so should the "fruit" of my lips and behaviour and attitudes confirm I am a follower of Christ. "Thus, by their fruit you will know them." (Matthew 7:20) The fruit confirms what the tree is. Today is Tuesday. Is the fruit of our lives enough evidence to confirm our faith even upon closer inspection?
Year 5; Day 74 Come to Me
I called the other day to make an appointment and was put on hold while she "went to find her book". Ten minutes later I finally hung up figuring she had forgotten me as the business was not that big. When I called back her first words were, "I forgot you were on hold!" I called another place for some info and she couldn't help me and directed me somewhere else. Later, I called about an explanation on a statement and while a live person answered, she couldn't help me so put me through to another area. I was on hold for a number of minutes with the most annoying music and constant reminders not to hang up because my call was important. I finally got an agent who explained the term for me but couldn't do anything about it. That would take another phone call. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Me/I. That's it. Just Jesus. No angel receptionists. No harp music. No being on hold. No chain of command. No screening process. Just "come" and "I will". Jesus can handle it all...whatever all may be. Jesus will handle it all...whatever all may be. And there is no small print, no exceptions, no fancy language. It is a rather sparsely worded, yet very encompassing promise. Come to me with whatever has wearied and burdened you. Finances...come. Health...come. Worries...come. Relationships...come. Job...come. Family...come. The future...come. The past...come. The present...come. Insecurities, problems, issues...come, come, come. And He will give rest. Not necessarily an instant solution...there may not be an immediate one. But we can have rest...refreshing...renewal...reassurance...encouragement...comfort...strengthening...a sorting out...a greater definition of purpose and path...a shifting of the burden from our backs to His feet. Today is Wednesday. Come and He will. He said so.
Year 5; Day 75 Learn From Me
The focus verses for this week's Beth Moore Bible study is found in Matthew 11:28,29. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Sometimes we get weary in our souls, don't we? It is not a physical weariness but something much deeper...something deep inside. As I read these words, I noticed the phrase, "learn from me". We all wear a yoke. Something that points us in a direction, drives us. It could be ambition or pride or money or a career or a relationship. Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him. Learn what? What can I learn from Jesus? Christ knew His purpose and never lost sight of it. It shaped His days, gave Him direction, and influenced how He behaved. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38) Christ came to serve...serve His Father, serve us. And He did it with a willing obedience...unlike Jonah. Jonah eventually went to Nineveh but it was begrudgingly. Nineveh was saved but Jonah missed out on a sense of rewarding obedience because of his attitude. Really, when I think about it, the most important thing I can learn from Christ is humble obedience. He left heaven, He put aside His divinity, just to obey. And His obedience didn't garner Him anything He didn't already have. What did Christ get out of leaving heaven and coming to earth? Fulfilling prophecy. Being God in the flesh. Sharing the Gospel message. Misunderstanding. Persecution. Crucifixion. Reconciliation between God and humanity. He didn't need it. We did. And so Christ obeyed so we could have. Nowhere is there a hint of regret on His part. This is one of those moments when my eyes are filled and my heart is full and I am very aware of my own unworthiness. I don't understand why there is such love for a people who mostly don't care, aren't interested, and want to go their own way. But He does and I am glad. Today is Thursday. I want to learn from Him.
Year 5; Day 76 Learn From Me, Pt. 2
Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn for me..." (Matthew 11:29) I think one of the biggest and most important lessons we can learn from Christ is humble obedience. Christ came to earth in obedience to His Father's will to fulfill God's plan for humanity. For me, there are two other things that quickly come to mind that I can learn from Christ. The first is how He carried out His ministry with compassion. It is His compassion that, at times, seemed to keep Him going. Matthew 9:36 says, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Christ could have been dominated by so many feelings...frustration, contempt, weariness, disdain...but it was compassion that Scripture often used to describe Jesus' emotions. Compassion for individual needs, whether they were physical or mental. Always he had compassion for the spiritually lost and shared the Gospel message wherever He went. Even when He was tired from constant preaching, teaching, and healing, He saw their needs and compassion caused Him to keep at it. If we are to learn from Christ, I would think compassion would be a prerequisite to becoming more like Him. We have to go from seeing people as pains and nuisances and inconveniences to seeing them as lost and guideless and in need. Another trait that stands out to me along with Christ's compassion is His constant sharing. He was constantly giving or sharing in one capacity or another. He personally trained 12 rag-tag, diverse men to carry on His ministry. He shared the Gospel message of God's love. He shared His power by healing many diseases and conditions. He ministered constantly to individuals, crowds, in synagogues, on the hillsides, while travelling, and when called. He shared His vision and His purpose and His mission. He never sat back or felt entitled. He never took. Humble obedience to His Father. Compassion toward others...especially the lost and needy. Sharing the love of the Father by word and deed. Today is Friday. Oh, yes. There is much I/we can learn from Jesus if we choose to yoke ourselves to Him.
Year 5; Day 77 Unfailing and Enduring
If you were asked to give the greatest overall desire of humanity, what would you say? Money? Power? Prestige? Recognition? Love? Scripture says, "What a man desires is unfailing love..." (Proverbs 19:22) Not just love but unfailing love. Love that never fails...ever. Love that never forgets. Love that never betrays or ends. Love that doesn't die out, wear out, or walk away. Love that is a constant, that doesn't have a lifespan or a best before or an expiration date. Love that only has our best interests at heart. Love that endures. Who wouldn't want to be loved like that? And how often do we say we love like that? "I will love you forever" is still a desire but less and less a reality. Our "forever" is limited . It is limited by how long we live, how long we stay committed, circumstances, and even feelings. Our "forever" is very subjective. There is only One who has unfailing love. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love..." (Psalm 107:8) His unfailing love...His love that endures forever...a real forever because He is eternal. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever...to him alone who does great wonders...to the One who remembered us in our low estate...and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1,4,23,24) Unfailing love. Enduring love. We are limited in how unfailing and how enduring our love can be. Limited by our humanity, by sin, by our shortcomings, by our lifespan. But God is not limited. Not by time. Not by distance. Not by capacity. Not by humanness. It is hard to comprehend such love because our love has become so sexualized, so situational, so dependant on circumstances and feelings. Unfailing love. Enduring love. That is what He gives to each of us. Today is Saturday. "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:22)