-
Jesus Christ is Almighty
“The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, ‘Of course, He can’t do anything about this.’ We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, ‘It can’t be done.’ You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look…
-
Jesus, My Help
I’m sure there have been times in your life, just like my own, when you have sought the Lord through tears and pain; asking God to do something that we think he should do and in the ways we want Him to do them. Those cries in the middle of the night when we are desperate. “Oh Lord, please help me or help (your loved one)!” We need to hear from God, to see Him move and do the thing that we know only He can do. We cry out with all of our being waiting, watching, praying, hoping. Wondering if He is hearing our cries. Does He really hear…
-
Baby Girl
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 My youngest daughter, whom I call “Baby Girl”, arrived into this world like bright sunshine! She came three weeks early and with a very rough delivery (36 hours of labor)! She has a big personality, a warm empathetic heart, makes friends easily: commands attention when she enters the room! By the age of two, she had mastered the English language, charming all she met and could articulate her position well on just about any topic! I recall taking her to the pediatrician. He asked me “What is going on?”. She looked at the physician and told…
-
Divine Appointments
Photo Credit – Alexander Schimmeck 1Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Each day, as we look around us, there are different opportunities to serve, to help someone or to offer encouragement. Sometimes it’s the small acts of kindness that mean so very much: a…
-
The Joy of the Lord is my Strength
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Phillippians 4:4) For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. (Isaiah 55:12) In Psalm 127:3 the Bible tells us “Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” This is so true! Children are amazing gifts from the Lord! But, how difficult it is when you long for children for years and yet, your hope goes unfulfilled. You pray, beg, try different options and your womb remains empty. There are painful emotions that run rampant: sorrow, guilt, shame and wondering Why? Thankfully, I have three beautiful healthy…
-
Sometimes it is not what you say; it is the way you say it.
Zechariah 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel who was speaking with me with gracious and comforting words. Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. Have you ever had to have an important conversation with a person or group of people? Have you ever had to try and explain a difficult detailed and possibly controversial position on a project? There were many times in my corporate career that I had the opportunity. Some, I handled well. But there was one time that I recall, that I failed miserably. At the time, I did not…
-
Through Water and Fire
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” A few years ago I went through a very difficult trying season with a pain filled unhealthy relationship. My focus was shifted off of Jesus and onto myself. This is never a good thing no matter how you try…
-
Fervent Prayer and other things…
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit...." Ephesians 6:18 "Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice." Psalm 55:17 "The Lord is far from the wicked; But He heareth the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29 Over the past few years, I have read several books on prayer. “Fervent Prayer” by Priscilla Shirer is, in my opinion, one of the best. You may find several thoughts and quotes from her inciteful book as I write. I have found that journaling my prayers is helpful. Then, I can go back and see the goodness of the Lord in…
-
God’s Victory Through Support
I was blessed to be able to pray for a very special group of ladies who serve the Lord in a particular ministry one day. As we were praying, I felt a Word fall into my Spirit. I want to call this God’s Victory Through Support. We know how tiring it can be to serve others in any capacity. There are times we become so weary. There are times we feel so alone. The Word I received that day can be found in Exodus 17 as Amalek (aka the enemy) comes to fight against Israel (aka God’s chosen people/servants). Moses tells them he will station himself on the top of the…
-
Snow
“Come now, let us settle the matter, “says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) The snow sparkles and glistens as it covers the ground in a blanket of white. It appears fresh, pure, beautiful, untouched when it first falls. Within minutes, there are car tracks, footprints, dogs running and playing. The purity seems to fade quickly. Isn’t this similar to the way sin entered into our world? In Genesis chapter one, God creates a perfect world; filled with purity and beauty; perfect. Yet, by chapter three of Genesis,…
-
Shut Mouth Grace
In the Bible, James tells us “but no human being can tame the tongue, It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”(James 3:8-10). Last evening with my prayer group, we talked about “shut mouth grace”, again. This has been a hot topic that has come up quite frequently over the past few months. A few years ago, I had a good Christian friend tell me that her pastor had…
-
God Speaks Through Nature
This morning it is gently snowing outside. The birds at the feeder are numerous and beautiful: 3 sets of cardinals, several blue birds, snowbirds, finches and a variety of woodpeckers. They come faithfully, daily. They bring their friends and forage in and around the feeders. When praying for the name of this website, several ideas were brainstormed. Then, the word “forager” came out of nowhere. Immediately, I went to a dictionary for a definition. The definition given “a person or animal that searches widely for food or provisions.” As I pondered, the name Faithful Forager, kept spiraling around in my head. My first thought, God is faithful. In Hebrews 10:23,…
-
Lent Journey
Lent Journey Forty-day journey towards the cross Ask, Seek, Knock, Yearn, Ponder the Sacrifice, ultimate cost. It cost God His only Son To redeem us, pay the price for our sin; render the curse undone. Jesus faithfully knew there would come a day The price of sin with His blood would pay. He did not turn away and run. He knew who He was; God’s own Son. He knew the price. Willingly, laid down His life, became the sacrifice. When the nails pierced his hands and whips tore his flesh, He was “still” and demonstrated holiness. The people spit and yelled; mocked His name. He knew He bore our guilt…
-
Forty Day Journey To Lent
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent; forty days to journey towards Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time of introspection, reflection and preparation of our hearts. What does God want us to see, hear, feel, do today, each day? How can we draw closer to Him? How has He prepared us to serve? Will we be faithful to obey what He is asking each of us to do? This morning the words that resonate with me from my daily devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, is “simple things.” This morning in the Midwest the temperature is -4 F. It is bitterly…
-
God’s Beauty
God’s beauty abounds. We just need to look around. It is in the sky as the sunsets. It can be seen in the plumage of the egret. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; each day, appreciated as I grow older. Beauty is seen in flowers that bloom or in a bird’s plume. We need to look inside of the heart to see some internal characters of true beauty; a gentle spirit, kindness, love, and caring. These are the gifts that we should be bearing.
-
Faithful Forager
We fix our eyes on Jesus; confess Him as LORD. We feast daily upon the Bible, God’s Holy Word. We are filled with the Holy Spirit; seek to be like Jesus and serve. We are His disciples; from the narrow path do not want to swerve. In Jesus, we have been set free. We look forward to His return and with Him, spending eternity! We have faith of a mustard seed. We believe in the power of prayer; for others, family and friends, intercede. We fellowship and stay connected in the Vine. We serve and exist for others to bring them to Jesus; the Holy One Divine. He is our…
