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 47 Archives
Year 5; Day 324 His Original Design
Yesterday sister shared a post she wrote from 5 years ago. In it she said she had to trust God to take her back to His original design for her. The phrase "original design" captured my attention immediately. I enjoy some of the antique/treasure hunting/restoration shows on television. The value of an item increases when it has its original parts and paint and finishes. God's original design for us was to share this world with Him in a sinless state. Choices were made to the contrary and free will allowed us to deviate from His original plan. But God wasn't stymied. Psalm 139:16 says, "...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." How close or far from God's original design for me am I? I know there have been wrong choices, poor decisions, and willful turnings. Add some (a few...many) layers of stubbornness, resentment, and plain old disobedience and the original design gets coated over with layers of sin and selfishness. I know the cleansing work that Christ did on the cross can strip away, clean away what I have accumulated. I know the Holy Spirit can repair and polish me. But...the original design also had an original plan and purpose. Am I willing to be used, to do, to accomplish all He has set for me? Yes. Mostly. I want to want to. Today is Monday. I continue to be His work in progress.
Yesterday sister shared a post she wrote from 5 years ago. In it she said she had to trust God to take her back to His original design for her. The phrase "original design" captured my attention immediately. I enjoy some of the antique/treasure hunting/restoration shows on television. The value of an item increases when it has its original parts and paint and finishes. God's original design for us was to share this world with Him in a sinless state. Choices were made to the contrary and free will allowed us to deviate from His original plan. But God wasn't stymied. Psalm 139:16 says, "...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." How close or far from God's original design for me am I? I know there have been wrong choices, poor decisions, and willful turnings. Add some (a few...many) layers of stubbornness, resentment, and plain old disobedience and the original design gets coated over with layers of sin and selfishness. I know the cleansing work that Christ did on the cross can strip away, clean away what I have accumulated. I know the Holy Spirit can repair and polish me. But...the original design also had an original plan and purpose. Am I willing to be used, to do, to accomplish all He has set for me? Yes. Mostly. I want to want to. Today is Monday. I continue to be His work in progress.
Year 5; Day 325 Happy in Jesus
I was reading a book yesterday and in it the words to the hymn "Trust and Obey" ( by John Sammis and Daniel Towner) were quoted. I don't ever remember not knowing that song. I have sung it many times but as I read the lyrics, a phrase stood out as if I'd never seen it before. "...happy in Jesus..." is part of the chorus. None of the other words registered except "happy in Jesus". All I could think of is, "Am I happy in Jesus? Why should I be and what would that look like?" Am I happy in Jesus? Happy?? I am thankful and grateful....but happy? Should I be happy? The world and everything in it seems to be going from bad to worse... scandal after scandal, incompetency, greed, horror, tragedy...often I can't watch the news past the local weather. What's to be happy in that? Nothing. But in the midst of this mess, Jesus offers salvation, hope, and an eternal future. That is something to rejoice over. What might "happy in Jesus" look like? Words of hope and encouragement. A genuine smile. A helping hand. Peace despite circumstances. As I was thinking about the phrase, the "how" seemed elusive. But the "how" was right there in the chorus. "Trust and obey, For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey." Trust and obey. Trust His promises. Obey His words. Today is Tuesday. "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Be happy in Jesus.
I was reading a book yesterday and in it the words to the hymn "Trust and Obey" ( by John Sammis and Daniel Towner) were quoted. I don't ever remember not knowing that song. I have sung it many times but as I read the lyrics, a phrase stood out as if I'd never seen it before. "...happy in Jesus..." is part of the chorus. None of the other words registered except "happy in Jesus". All I could think of is, "Am I happy in Jesus? Why should I be and what would that look like?" Am I happy in Jesus? Happy?? I am thankful and grateful....but happy? Should I be happy? The world and everything in it seems to be going from bad to worse... scandal after scandal, incompetency, greed, horror, tragedy...often I can't watch the news past the local weather. What's to be happy in that? Nothing. But in the midst of this mess, Jesus offers salvation, hope, and an eternal future. That is something to rejoice over. What might "happy in Jesus" look like? Words of hope and encouragement. A genuine smile. A helping hand. Peace despite circumstances. As I was thinking about the phrase, the "how" seemed elusive. But the "how" was right there in the chorus. "Trust and obey, For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey." Trust and obey. Trust His promises. Obey His words. Today is Tuesday. "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Be happy in Jesus.
Year 5; Day 326 Sufficient and Happy
My last few posts keep rolling around in my head. Knowing something and living it are two different things, aren't they? If we know that Christ is all sufficient---His love, His grace, His forgiveness, His mercy, His strength, His power---then we should never feel or say, "I don't know how I am going to get through this." But we do...or I do. Not all the time but there are times. Yesterday husband and I went into "town" (St. John's). I went into a specialty store with a handful of coupons. The check-out girl was young and breezy and I couldn't follow what she was doing. When I got in the car, I rechecked my sales slip and she had charged me twice for an item. When I went back in, she was floating around the door. I told her I thought she charged me twice for an item and she nonchalantly replied, "Oh, probably. You'll have to get in line again to get it fixed." I felt a little irritated and "be happy in Jesus" popped right into my head. Not "ha-ha" happy but blessed and fortunate happy. No matter my situation...how major or minor the circumstance...I can be blessed-fortunate-happy in Jesus because my Lord is all sufficient for me and all my needs. If I truly believe that, it will be reflected in my thoughts, words, and actions. I'm working on it. Today is Wednesday. "...we consider blessed those who have persevered..." (James 5:11)
My last few posts keep rolling around in my head. Knowing something and living it are two different things, aren't they? If we know that Christ is all sufficient---His love, His grace, His forgiveness, His mercy, His strength, His power---then we should never feel or say, "I don't know how I am going to get through this." But we do...or I do. Not all the time but there are times. Yesterday husband and I went into "town" (St. John's). I went into a specialty store with a handful of coupons. The check-out girl was young and breezy and I couldn't follow what she was doing. When I got in the car, I rechecked my sales slip and she had charged me twice for an item. When I went back in, she was floating around the door. I told her I thought she charged me twice for an item and she nonchalantly replied, "Oh, probably. You'll have to get in line again to get it fixed." I felt a little irritated and "be happy in Jesus" popped right into my head. Not "ha-ha" happy but blessed and fortunate happy. No matter my situation...how major or minor the circumstance...I can be blessed-fortunate-happy in Jesus because my Lord is all sufficient for me and all my needs. If I truly believe that, it will be reflected in my thoughts, words, and actions. I'm working on it. Today is Wednesday. "...we consider blessed those who have persevered..." (James 5:11)
Year 5; Day 327 A Hug From God
Yesterday we received a hug from God. I say "we" because there were two of us. Friend has been working on a quilt that was made in 4 sections. Put the sections together and you get a lovely pattern...except it didn't seem to be working. I went to Value Village (a second-hand store) on our trip to St. John's the day before. It was my happy day because there were 12 quilting magazines and it was seniors' discount day to boot. I never looked at some of the magazines until around 9:30 Tuesday night (I drank too much Mt. Dew). In a 2014 issue there was a feature on the very quilt pattern friend was making using the same techniques. When I got to quilting yesterday, friend had laid out her sections but the design wasn't evident. I showed her the article, we reoriented the sections, she added a few rows, and voila! There was the correct pattern in full display. Friend said she hadn't slept well just thinking about it. She knew it wasn't right but didn't know how to fix it. So she prayed, "God, do You know how to fix this because I don't." He did. And He let me be a part of the answer. I only looked at 5 of the 12 magazines....one being the exact one needed. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap...and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Indeed we are! Today is Thursday. It was a good hug.
Yesterday we received a hug from God. I say "we" because there were two of us. Friend has been working on a quilt that was made in 4 sections. Put the sections together and you get a lovely pattern...except it didn't seem to be working. I went to Value Village (a second-hand store) on our trip to St. John's the day before. It was my happy day because there were 12 quilting magazines and it was seniors' discount day to boot. I never looked at some of the magazines until around 9:30 Tuesday night (I drank too much Mt. Dew). In a 2014 issue there was a feature on the very quilt pattern friend was making using the same techniques. When I got to quilting yesterday, friend had laid out her sections but the design wasn't evident. I showed her the article, we reoriented the sections, she added a few rows, and voila! There was the correct pattern in full display. Friend said she hadn't slept well just thinking about it. She knew it wasn't right but didn't know how to fix it. So she prayed, "God, do You know how to fix this because I don't." He did. And He let me be a part of the answer. I only looked at 5 of the 12 magazines....one being the exact one needed. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap...and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Indeed we are! Today is Thursday. It was a good hug.
Year 5; Day 328 Where Are You Going?
Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for what was coming. He told them He was going "away" and they couldn't follow. "Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?..." (John 13:36) Sometimes I ask myself that question too. Where am I going? I know I am going to heaven. Not because I deserve it but because I believe the Word of God. I believe in His love for me, His Mercy towards me, His grace, and His gift of salvation. That is my final destination. But sometimes the here and now has me wandering in circles, going off on tangents, and sitting down to wonder just where I am headed. How many times have I walked into a room and stood there because I couldn't remember what I came in there for? Or had to give "clues" to a word that I knew but just wouldn't come to the surface of my brain? Am I headed to the land of dementia, memory loss, and eventual residential care? If I live long enough, I expect I'll have all my major joints replaced or else end up in a wheelchair. Some new symptoms have popped up that are in the process of being explored. Maybe it's nothing...maybe it's something. Right now I don't know where my health is going. Just living in this world can drain you mentally and emotionally. As I write this, a verse that wasn't there when I started has dropped into my mind from nowhere...not nowhere...from the Holy Spirit. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5,6) Where am I going? Wherever the Lord takes me. Today is Friday. Where are you going?
Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for what was coming. He told them He was going "away" and they couldn't follow. "Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?..." (John 13:36) Sometimes I ask myself that question too. Where am I going? I know I am going to heaven. Not because I deserve it but because I believe the Word of God. I believe in His love for me, His Mercy towards me, His grace, and His gift of salvation. That is my final destination. But sometimes the here and now has me wandering in circles, going off on tangents, and sitting down to wonder just where I am headed. How many times have I walked into a room and stood there because I couldn't remember what I came in there for? Or had to give "clues" to a word that I knew but just wouldn't come to the surface of my brain? Am I headed to the land of dementia, memory loss, and eventual residential care? If I live long enough, I expect I'll have all my major joints replaced or else end up in a wheelchair. Some new symptoms have popped up that are in the process of being explored. Maybe it's nothing...maybe it's something. Right now I don't know where my health is going. Just living in this world can drain you mentally and emotionally. As I write this, a verse that wasn't there when I started has dropped into my mind from nowhere...not nowhere...from the Holy Spirit. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5,6) Where am I going? Wherever the Lord takes me. Today is Friday. Where are you going?
Year 5; Day 329 I Will Follow
I was thinking about yesterday's post. Jesus was instructing His disciples about what would soon happen (crucifixion) and how His resurrection and ascension would not allow the disciples to follow where He was going (back to heaven). The message wasn't clear and so Peter asked "...Lord, where are you going?..." (John 13:36). A good question for all of us. It's not the final destination...I know that...it's the in-between that can be tricky. Where is my health going to take me...to a gym, to an operation, to more medication? I don't know. Am I going to end up like my parents with almost no short memory retention? Pleasant but having no memory of what I ate for lunch five minutes after leaving the dining room? What will happen to all my "stuff" if something happens to me? I could worry myself right into a headache (which I rarely ever have). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." (Proverbs 3:5) I trust the Lord. It is the "with ALL your heart" that can get a bit sticky. "All" is more than "a lot" or "most everything". It really means "all". Trust Him for old age...even dementia. Trust Him for health. Trust Him for the future and tomorrow and today. How? "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (verse 6) "with ALL your heart...in ALL your ways". There is nothing partial about following Christ. He wants all of us because that is the only way for us to receive the full benefit of "all" He has for us. I'm in. Today is Saturday. I am secure in knowing that even though I don't know all the "in-between", He does. So I will follow Him.
I was thinking about yesterday's post. Jesus was instructing His disciples about what would soon happen (crucifixion) and how His resurrection and ascension would not allow the disciples to follow where He was going (back to heaven). The message wasn't clear and so Peter asked "...Lord, where are you going?..." (John 13:36). A good question for all of us. It's not the final destination...I know that...it's the in-between that can be tricky. Where is my health going to take me...to a gym, to an operation, to more medication? I don't know. Am I going to end up like my parents with almost no short memory retention? Pleasant but having no memory of what I ate for lunch five minutes after leaving the dining room? What will happen to all my "stuff" if something happens to me? I could worry myself right into a headache (which I rarely ever have). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." (Proverbs 3:5) I trust the Lord. It is the "with ALL your heart" that can get a bit sticky. "All" is more than "a lot" or "most everything". It really means "all". Trust Him for old age...even dementia. Trust Him for health. Trust Him for the future and tomorrow and today. How? "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (verse 6) "with ALL your heart...in ALL your ways". There is nothing partial about following Christ. He wants all of us because that is the only way for us to receive the full benefit of "all" He has for us. I'm in. Today is Saturday. I am secure in knowing that even though I don't know all the "in-between", He does. So I will follow Him.
Year 5; Day 330 Where I Am Going
I am still thinking about Peter asking Jesus where He was going when Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples for His leaving them. In the next chapter of John, Jesus continues the conversation and says, "You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:4) This time Thomas pipes up and says, "...Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (verse 5) The disciples just didn't get what Jesus was trying to tell them concerning His death, resurrection, and ascension. Then Jesus answered Thomas with words I know by heart but feel like I am seeing for the first time. "...I am the way and the truth, and the life..." (verse 6) Where am I going when I follow Jesus? I am going His way...the way of obedience to the Father and fellowship with the Father. I am going the way offered through the redemptive work on the cross. I am going to follow His truth...the truth of His revelation of God in the flesh. I am going to follow the truth of His fulfillment of prophecy, the testimony of His miracles, and the power of His promises. And when I follow Christ's way and truth it will lead me to life...a new life...a second birth. A life here on Earth that has already been specifically ordained for me. But that is not the end...it is only the very beginning. While life with Christ starts here by receiving Him into my heart, it carries on for all eternity. And what a crossover that will be...from earthly death to eternal life! Today is Sunday. Where am I going? Wherever His way and His truth and His life lead me.
I am still thinking about Peter asking Jesus where He was going when Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples for His leaving them. In the next chapter of John, Jesus continues the conversation and says, "You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:4) This time Thomas pipes up and says, "...Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (verse 5) The disciples just didn't get what Jesus was trying to tell them concerning His death, resurrection, and ascension. Then Jesus answered Thomas with words I know by heart but feel like I am seeing for the first time. "...I am the way and the truth, and the life..." (verse 6) Where am I going when I follow Jesus? I am going His way...the way of obedience to the Father and fellowship with the Father. I am going the way offered through the redemptive work on the cross. I am going to follow His truth...the truth of His revelation of God in the flesh. I am going to follow the truth of His fulfillment of prophecy, the testimony of His miracles, and the power of His promises. And when I follow Christ's way and truth it will lead me to life...a new life...a second birth. A life here on Earth that has already been specifically ordained for me. But that is not the end...it is only the very beginning. While life with Christ starts here by receiving Him into my heart, it carries on for all eternity. And what a crossover that will be...from earthly death to eternal life! Today is Sunday. Where am I going? Wherever His way and His truth and His life lead me.