Devotional Christian » Devotional Links

On or Off! Light or Darkness?

Patricia Day — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:39:53 +0000

Deuteronomy 28:66 Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. (NKJV)

On one of my recent excursions into town, I had a disconcerting moment. The dashboard, in my car, suddenly went dark. My heart sank, because later in the day, if I didn’t get it fixed, I’d be driving with no direction from the dials.

My husband tried to reassure me that it was only the automatic light sensor (or equivalent – bear with me here, I’m not a mechanic) that caused the lights to switch off it was not cause for a garage visit. I know the lights come on and then off, according to the light of day – but this time it seemed the lights had failed for no apparent reason. Hence my alarm!

After my Bible study group ended that evening, it was with bated breath that I left, got into my car and started the engine. Of course, I was half expecting darkness to confront me (from the dashboard), but thankfully, there was light. Whatever had caused the earlier glitch now seemed fine. Where there had been darkness, now there was light. What had switched off was now on again. In my heart I could not rest until I saw the lights.

As we journey through life, there are times we travel through darkness and many others where light prevails. Our faith suffers on and off times and we struggle with issues that are so overwhelming and they plummet us into a dark or a doubting place.

We are reassured that God will guide us through these dark times, and will bring us through to a place of light. Our faith can be switched on again, when we follow direction from Jesus Christ.

Job 22:27-28 You will pray to Him, and He will hear you. And you will keep your promises to Him. Anything You decide will be done, and light will shine on your ways. (ICB) International Children’s Bible

So, where are you today? Are you switched on or off? Do you trust God’s direction? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you trust that He can provide all that you need?

Prayer: Abba. We need Your Son, Jesus Christ, in our lives, because only He can bring light into the darkness of our lives. Where our faith has switched off we want to switch it back on. We want to stop doubting You and start trusting You. We can only do that with Your help. So please refresh our ON buttons today. We choose light. Amen.

PATRICIA DAY
Innisfil, Ontario

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

Author of: Eleanor’s Story – A Stolen Childhood

The Falcon and the Songbird

Patricia Day — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:12:15 +0000

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV)

The song bird swooped and soared, singing as it went oblivious to hazards above. It was in territory it flew often. It felt safe.

The falcon, high in the sky, looked down. It was watching for prey, while flying the skies. There would be no safety, beneath its wings.

The song bird continued its joyful flight until suddenly, it was silenced! The falcon had spotted it, dove, struck and captured. Now the little song bird was in its talons, being deprived of freedom and fighting for its life.

Satan wanders the earth, while we continue our daily lives. We are not seeking anything in particular, just living as we know how. We are just trying to find our way in life. On the other hand, the enemy, Satan knows exactly what he wants. He wants prey! He wants to destroy anything good or beautiful! He is looking for weakness, complacency, innocence – he wants to defile and degrade, with his evil ways.

Stalking the unwary, he easily spots his victims. He strikes and attempts to destroy. The enemy cannot tolerate song for the sheer joy of it! Be on your guard and do not be tempted into unknown territory, because he will find you. He never misses an opportunity to conquer.

God, on the other hand, seeks to bring us safety, and joy beyond our comprehension. He wants us to sing and to be happy. He desires to give us more than we can ever imagine. But we have to choose Him and live His way; a way that is safe and forgiving, not destructive.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. (NKJV)

Patricia Day
Author of Eleanor – A Stolen Childhood (in process of publication)

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

New Life!

Patricia Day — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:42:32 +0000

Ephesians 5:8 – 8 You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light. (CEV)

3 John 1:4 – 4 Nothing brings me greater happiness than to hear that my children are obeying the truth. (CEV)

This time, last year, we had chickadees nesting at the side of our home. They were making use of a nesting box in a small stand of evergreens, protected from predatory attack and shaded from the elements.

It was such a joy to hear and watch them and I greatly anticipated the day the new little ones would be seen. However, sad to say they left without my having the opportunity to see them; that, or perhaps they did not hatch. I had to forego the joy of watching little ones emerge and mature.

God must also, experience sadness when His new little ones (born again Christians) fail in growth and maturity. He must watch us, with great anticipation and joy, come to His home through salvation, only to have us fail to grow.

Perhaps, a lifestyle that excludes Him is a bigger magnet, or a mindset that causes us to ‘think’ we can still manage life and don’t need Him. We then move further and further away, until one day we’re gone! He no longer hears nor sees us, no longer has fellowship with us. How sad He must feel to watch us; hoping to see us grow and become His free children only to lose us to a life without Him.

Mark 10:15 – 1 5 I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” (CEV)

Matthew 18:3 – 3 Then he said: I promise you this. If you don’t change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. (CEV)

Prayer: Father God, we ask and pray that we always choose to be close to You. That we choose to stay in the shadow and protection of Your wings. In Jesus mighty name, Amen

Patricia Day

more at: http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

Some Storm!

Patricia Day — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:42:17 +0000

Isaiah 4:6a …. for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain. (NKJV)

The winds increased in intensity, and the rain suddenly became a deluge! The storm hit quickly and ferociously.

My family and I were vacationing on the shores of Lake Huron. The weather had been perfectly calm and warm, for the first few days we had been at the cottage. Then out of the blue the storm arrived. It became so intense, we wondered if the cottage would remain standing – it literally shook, as the gusts of wind struck.

My husband planned on joining us for a few days, and this was the day he was driving to be with us for the weekend. It would prove to be a challenging journey.

The cottage survived, but my husband’s journey was one of treacherous driving conditions, road closures, downed power lines and torrential rain. He nevertheless persevered and arrived safely, even if he was much later than he planned to be.

The tale he told was a shock! This storm was in fact a tornado! It had caused major damage to the Bruce Peninsula. We were a few miles from where it had hit. We were, therefore, very thankful to have been spared the worst of the storm.

The spiritual journey we travel through life can be hit with many unexpected storms. Some are slight causing little obvious harm, some however can be devastating – bringing illness, job loss, relationship breakdowns, financial losses – all of which, leave debris in our lives. We can be overwhelmed with these events and wonder how on earth we will survive. God promises a safe place, in which we can shelter when times get tough.

The Bible is filled with passages of hope and refuge, full of wisdom to give each of us the right next step, that will help us survive those times.

Isaiah 25:4a …… a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm (NKJV)

It can be a challenge to read and trust the words. Harder still, to have faith that they can make a difference. We want to hang on to our stuff, because if we let go we’re afraid of the consequences: but letting go is what God wants us to do. He cannot step in and help calm our storms, if we choose to block His way with our doubt.

So let’s take a deep breath and LET GO! Let go, and let God take control. He is the only One able to bring calm into our storms. Let’s be able to say, ‘Whoa, that was some storm but thank I God, because He brought me into a calmer place’.

Prayer: Father, we all suffer from troubles. Some are small while others tend to be enormous and out of our control. That is when we want You to take over and be the bringer of calm and resolve. Thank you, for all You have done in the past, what You are doing now and for what You will do in the future. Amen

Patricia Day

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

See a photograph of a stunning sunset, taken after this storm. BruceGreySimcoe website.

Darkness into Light

Patricia Day — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:15:05 +0000

1 Corinthians 1

In its day, Corinth was not a nice place to be. It was a pleasure seekers paradise, where fleshy lusts could be satisfied in as many ways as were desired. The temples were certainly not Godly places. 1,000 prostitutes were available at meetings, to satisfy certain needs! This was not a church. It was infected with immorality and the people split among themselves. It was an ugly society filled with the darkness of evil.

Thankfully, Paul steadfastly brought about change. He planted God’s church there and converted as many as would be converted, to become followers of Christ. The darkness of their former ways became light under God’s guidance.

Sadly many societies today, still hold on to ancient – even pagan – traditions of satisfying the body, while ignoring the soul. Children and youth are abused and used! People of sick and evil ways and minds, use them to bring about their own gain, caring not one bit about the wellbeing of the innocence they destroy and the youth they traffic.

Mark 2: 17 – Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. (NKJV)

God’s Grace is never denied to anyone. Jesus can bring healing and cleansing to our spirit for He is the bringer of light, in a world ravaged by the darkness of sin.

Prayer: Today, Abba, let us be mindful of all those who need You in their lives. Let us pray for redemption for each of them, and remember to pray for hope and rescue for the abducted, imprisoned and abused. Let us pray for legions of Your angels to surround the innocent’s of this world and bring them to safe places. Let us continue to pray for Your intervention in bringing the perpetrators of dark acts, into the light of the law of society and be accountable under Your laws! Amen!

Patricia Day

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

Why is today called GOOD Friday?

Patricia Day — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:21:12 +0000

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (NKJV)

“Good Friday” is certainly not the only thing we could call this day. In Latin countries, it is called “Holy Friday.” In Germany, it is called “Mourning Friday” or “Friday of Mourning.” Norway refers to it as “Long Friday” (a reference to the length of the day’s services). The Orthodox Churches call it “Holy Friday” and “Great Friday.”

All of these names are instructive and understandable. So how did it come to be called “Good Friday” in English-speaking lands? The reality is that we do not know for sure. After scouring the internet and other sources, there appear to be three plausible alternatives.

1. An archaic meaning of “good” is something akin to “holy.” Thus, it used to mean “Holy Friday.”

2. It was recognized that the evils of that day lead to the greatest good, the salvation of mankind. Thus, despite the bad, the day was truly good.

3. An archaic meaning of “good” is “God,” just as “good-bye” means “God be with you.” Thus, it used to mean “God’s Friday.”

Each of these alternatives is apt and instructive. But perhaps the one most relevant to our culture and times is the middle one. Despite the evil of that day, God evoked the greatest good from it. But by good we do not mean happy or a time of celebration per se. As stated well by Chris Armstrong in Christianity Today:

Of course, the church has always understood that the day commemorated on Good Friday was anything but happy. Sadness, mourning, fasting, and prayer have been its focus since the early centuries of the church. A fourth-century church manual, the Apostolic Constitutions, called Good Friday a “day of mourning, not a day of festive Joy.” Ambrose, the fourth-century archbishop who befriended the notorious sinner Augustine of Hippo before his conversion, called it the “day of bitterness on which we fast.”

Many Christians have historically kept their churches unlit or draped in dark cloths. Processions of penitents have walked in black robes or carried black-robed statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary. And worshippers have walked the “Stations of the Cross,” praying and singing their way past 14 images representing Jesus’ steps along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha.

Yet, despite—indeed because of—its sadness, Good Friday is truly good. Its sorrow is a godly sorrow. It is like the sadness of the Corinthians who wept over the sharp letter from their dear teacher, Paul, convicted of the sin in their midst. Hearing of their distress, Paul said, “My joy was greater than ever.” Why? Because such godly sorrow “brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Cor. 7:10).

For me, the day is a somber, reflective one. I focus on all that Jesus gave up and suffered for his Church. The humiliation, pain, and death are a sacrifice on our behalf. Today, we appreciate the price of that sacrifice. At the same time, however, we should not forget the great good that Jesus’ sacrifice effected. After all, Resurrection Sunday is on the way.

Taken from http://christiancadre.blogspot.ca

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

Immovable!

Patricia Day — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:56:11 +0000

I needed to shampoo my hair, but the shampoo would not cooperate. I had shaken the container once, twice and more times – each shake progressively more vigorous than before; but the shampoo remained unmoved inside! I wanted to give it freedom; admittedly a freedom to benefit me.

It reminded me of times when I had remained unmoved in my thinking. When I had approached a crossroad in my life, refusing to take another path; preferring to stay where I was.

God attempts to shake us up. He wants us to move from our comfort zones and reach out and trust His promise. He wants us to share Him and His longing to give us more than we can imagine while here on earth, as well as an eternal kingdom filled with His freedom!

Instead, we often stubbornly refuse to cooperate? We choose to remain stuck – unmoved – snug inside our bodies and our mind sets. We are either comfortable or we are stuck! Either one can keep us from the growth and the amazing blessings that God wants us to enjoy!

Hebrews 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom, which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (NKJV)

Prayer: Abba, we seek Your guidance and ask that you keep shaking us up in order to get our attention to what You need us to do for You. Amen

Patricia Day, Innisfil, Ontario

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

Empty Shoes

Patricia Day — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:56:31 +0000

In church yesterday, a little boy fidgeted in his seat. He wanted to move to another place rather than sit quietly in his seat. As minutes ticked by he gave up his efforts and resolved instead to remove his shoes. I suppose he thought if he couldn’t walk then why keep them on?

So off the shoes came and he curled up in his chair eyeing all who were around him instead. The shoes sat empty on the floor – he had no use for them if he couldn’t get down and move around. He chose to give up – which in this instance was probably a good thing; he could have been distracting as he did things his way.

Jesus longs for us to follow Him in all His ways. He asks us to walk in His shoes! He wants us to walk His way because it will lead us to a better place and yet, so many of us choose not to. We want to walk on our own chosen path in life, whether it is comfortable or not! We won’t persevere in doing things His way because we feel it would be too hard for us. We prefer to remain in our unfulfilling lives, in other words we give up!

The shoes that Jesus gives us are always a good fit, the trouble is we won’t know it unless we try them on and walk in them. Just as the little lad discarded his shoes because he no longer felt a need for them, we do the same to Jesus as we decide to go it alone and do things our way.

Proverbs 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. (NKJV)

Prayer: Abba, we don’t want to remain empty and unused. We want our lives to be meaningful and worthwhile. We choose to follow You and we choose Jesus to lead us to the path designated for us alone. In His mighty Name, Amen!

Patricia Day

Innisfil,Ontario

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

Storm Clouds

Patricia Day — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:13:17 +0000

Today, the day began with a storm; actually a thunder and lightning storm! In March! In Ontario!

The weather this winter has been very different to what we normally receive. There have been few snow storms – I can count them on one hand – and so a thunderstorm this morning really came as no surprise.

I am content with this because I don’t “do” snow sports. There are many though who depend on the snow and ice to make a living and I sympathize with their losses.

Life can be unpredictable too! We can have good days when everything is in perfect harmony, then there are days when we seem to be sitting underneath our own storm clouds. We get hit from all directions with trouble of one kind or another, and we can’t seem to catch our breath because of the intensity of life.

When times like this occur, it is a huge help to open your bible – or a bible – and search for words of comfort. There are many to be found, but you do have to open the book and turn the pages in order to find them!

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.

Seeking peace through prayer to God, can fill us with a calm and solace beyond our meagre understanding. He will honor our diligent and sincere prayer, and will meet us where we have greatest need of Him.

Psalm 119:135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. (NKJV)

Prayer: Abba – we come to You for some peace and quiet. There are too many storms in life and we need the reassurance of Your presence. Please take control and guide us according to what You want for our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Patricia Day

Innisfil, ON

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

I Wait with Bated Breath!

Patricia Day — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:37:33 +0000

Psalm 42:2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before Him?

The cold and snow do nothing to encourage me into the great outdoors – I look onto the whiteness all around with anxious longing for warmer temperatures

I wait with bated breath for the appearance of robins back into my garden. The usual scenario (of the last few years anyway) is sighting a slightly bedraggled robin wearily landing seeking food and, I guess some much needed rest! It often amazes me to see any back when there is still so much snow around.

Seeing the robin return is guaranteed to lift my spirits from the doldrums of the winter! It brings with it the promise of spring and brighter, warmer days. It is a gift from God.

I continually seek His prompting and His ‘nourishment’ for my spirit, relying on Him for all that I require to sustain me. When my days in this season of my life come to an inevitable end, I will anticipate His presence and invitation into His garden of eternal life.

He will ever be my source of rest and solace not for one season but forever.

Romans 6:23b … the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)

Prayer: Abba, we pray that on the day we appear before You we have earned Your solace, food and rest. Let each one of us be filled with awe and anticipation as we grow through the coldness of life on earth and with bated breath, anticipate life with You in the wonder of the eternal season before us. In His Name, Amen.

Patricia Day

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

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A Dream Come True

Patricia Day — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:08:33 +0000

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (NKJV)

A very dear friend of mine married recently. She had suffered the gauntlet of loneliness and uncertainty, but during that time had totally relied on God’s Grace and trusted in His Will for her life. There were desolate times while she waited, but then God revealed a very special gentleman chosen to become her husband. This man is a deeply devout man of faith. He places God first and foremost in his life, as she has done.

It was my privilege to attend their wedding. It was a glorious day of celebration and thanksgiving and prayer, as well as lots of fun!

When I hear from her, she is transformed from uncertain and doubtful into confident and sure, knowing she is exactly where she should be in her life. No more dreaming of wonderful things to come or change – she is living her dream and now her reality is good! She had put her trust in God and He gave her the desire of her heart.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

God longs to give each of us the desires of our hearts, although the dream will be different for each of us. We are not all intended to marry of course, but we will each have learned life skills to equip us for our specific callings. Such great expectations are not given to us quickly either, sometimes our wait is so long that we think our dreams will never come true. What is important is that we persevere and trust God to reveal the right path in life for us, knowing it will be worthwhile and timely.

It is when we are content to accept that His plans are best for us and we welcome and embrace all He wants for us, that He can transform our realities into dreams come true. He is the One and only giver of all things good, and by trusting in His promises in the Bible, we can all reach a happier place in life. We will find our dreams really have become our realities.

Prayer: Father God, when our lives are in turmoil or in the shadows of doubt, may we totally lean on You. Please lead us along the pathway of life that You have determined for us: grant us the perseverance to await Your perfect Will for our lives, no matter how long it may take. Make our reality a good place to be and let us rejoice in You always. Amen.

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

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I’M HERE – WHERE ARE YOU?

Patricia Day — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:54:45 +0000

John 14:1-3 “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you. And you know where I am going and how to get there”. (NLT)

We are a one car family and so when I need the use of our car, I have to get my body out of bed early enough to travel with my husband, into town and deposit him at his workplace. At the end of the day, I reverse that order and journey to bring him back home again so he can relax and enjoy the comforts of home. Hopefully, it welcomes him with a modicum of order after I have spent the day doing necessary housekeeping through the day, hopefully making it a place for each of us to enjoy come evening.

I tend to be very punctual and so when my husband is not at the appointed place at the agreed time, I begin to display my ‘antsey’ disposition. “Ok, I’m here, where are you?” or “Come on, Mister, I’ve worked hard at home cleaning and preparing supper and I’m tired too, I need to get home” or “I’m here, come and find me then I can take you home”. I agree – it is sadly not the best attitude and certainly not a Godly one.

Thankfully, God is infinitely gracious and patient and will wait for us to meet Him, anytime and in any place. He wants to be welcomed into our day and into our lives. He waits for us to meet and greet Him and allow Him to take us along the path that leads to His heavenly abode – our eternal home, where, He has promised He has already prepared a place for each one of us: all we have to do is welcome Him and agree to take that journey with Him, trusting that there we really will find promised rest and comfort. That being said, there must be days when He looks for us with the words , “I’m here, where are you?” in prominent place in His heart.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. (NLT)

Prayer: Father God, Help us to look for You and wait for You and follow You on the journey of life that is Your choice for each one of us. Help us with our attitudes and grant us grace. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Patricia Day

http://pattersmatters.wordpress.com

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