In week #1 of this devotional, I vowed to seek joy and contentment instead of happiness and elation. Consider this an update of my progress on my journey to be content.  So far, so good. I’m not even complaining about the snow and temperatures! Go, me!

 I must admit, current circumstances have given much opportunity to reflect on the bad instead of the good. With viruses making frequent visits to our home, and the hospitalization of a family member, there has been much room to complain. The challenge of being “older parents” has been made very clear, as my husband and I care for our children and elderly parents at the same time. I have worn many hats this past week. Some of them have been heavy and cumbersome, while others offered encouragement and blessings. Although I feel tested on some levels, the peace of Christ has permeated me. The realization of His presence has been the sustaining force getting me through these days. I have used my sleepless nights to really focus on prayer. The hours of sitting by bedsides have given me treasured quiet time with God, and opportunity to listen for His voice.

So, this abbreviated devotional is just a testament to God’s faithfulness. He gives me just enough grace and energy for this day, and His mercies are new every morning. I can rest in His promises and be content in all my days. And this is why I am blessed, not stressed.    
Romans 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Thank you, Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, I am grateful for your unfailing love and sustenance. Thank you for giving me just what I need. May you continue to be with those who are ailing and give relief from their pain. These things I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

Love:     A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person

                A strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal                       ties

                Warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion

                Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another

                A person’s adoration of God

As I read these definitions, I attach different people, places and things to each. I love God. I love my husband. I love my children. I love my dog. I love to write. I really love food! All of these, I love differently. But most, I love conditionally. Food needs to be fresh and appealing. Writing needs to come easily. The dog needs to behave and not pee in the house. The conditions placed on my husband and children are less defined, but they affect how well and how frequently I show my love to them. Right or wrong, friendships and family relationships are largely based on conditions. What return will I get from my investment? It sounds harsh, but feelings are, well, liars. We allow them to dictate our actions and reactions. Our emotions trick us. Even amplify our circumstances to be greater or less than they actually are.  Granted, our feelings indicate pleasure and pain and are imperative for our safety and wellbeing. We need to feel pain to avoid danger and pleasure to ensure nourishment and sustenance. But we should give less credence to emotions and more to trusting God when it comes to love. We expect unconditional love but do not give it. No human does. How many of us expect to be loved when we are moody, sarcastic, bitter, negative and unlovable? How many of us are willing to show love to others who are all of those things? It requires sacrifice and is not always reciprocated. Hmmm…does that remind you of anything?

God’s love is truly unconditional and requires only a response to His invitation. He loves you today and for eternity, despite your flaws, and even when you don’t give him the love back that he deserves. His love is deep and wide. (Ephesians 3:14-21) John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

So, as many of us celebrate Valentine’s Day this week, may we model the love of Jesus. Let’s be deliberate in our approach to our families and friends. Be intentional as you show your love for others based on their needs, not your own. Remember that we are all broken and need the love of Jesus and each other. Don’t just feel love. Do love. Live love. Be love.

And remember the greatest love of all is the love poured out on us by almighty God as He sent Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
                       

          Accept this gift and spread the love!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to love more selflessly and more genuinely. We know love comes from you and we give you all the glory. Thank you for the love and mercy you show to us daily.In Jesus' name , I pray. Amen.

Six more weeks of winter. No real surprise. Poor Phil; what a rude awakening. Slumbering peacefully in his burrow to be awakened by bright lights and clamorous crowds. The shadow is cast. The forecast recorded. On to business as usual.

While some predictions are for fun, others have much larger ramifications. Old Testament writers speak of the coming of a Savior. The extreme expectancy of the believer permeated his being. He worshiped with great fervor. A promise, not a prediction was to be fulfilled. The ultimate sacrifice. The final atonement for sins.
These prophecies foretold what we now know to be the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
Isaiah 7:14 says “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Matthew 1:23 answers with “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"(which means “God with us”).

Wow! If you have not heard this compelling evidence, you must be burrowing with the groundhog. But now that you have, here are many more prophecies to study and absorb.
Entering Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt (Matthew 21:4–10; Zechariah 9:9).
Betrayal by a friend (John 13:18; Psalm 41:9).
Jesus dying a sacrificial death for us (Matthew 27:50; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 53:8).
He would die with criminals / be buried with the wealthy (Matthew 27:57–60; Luke 23:33; Isaiah 53:9).
He would rise from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Psalm 16:8–11; Isaiah 53:10).
He would say things from the cross and be mocked. People would gamble for His clothes (Psalm 22:1, 8, 18).
What an awesome God we serve. He takes the guesswork out of believing. It really isn't blind faith, but faith in real promises from a very real God.

  We as Christians anxiously await His return. Revelation 21:4 promises “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  

So, while we are not surprised by the groundhog’s prediction, many will be surprised at the time of Jesus’ return. But, why? The promise of salvation is available to all who hear and believe. We live in a nation where most all have heard the good news. But while we are inclined to tune in to a media frenzy about weather and a rodent, we turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the Gospel.

I encourage you today to listen and believe that Jesus is God incarnate. He came to save you from your sins.Accept him as Lord of your life. Read and study the bible. Get involved in a Bible believing church. Believe what God has in store for you; not just for the next 6 weeks, but for all eternity.  You will receive peace now and life forever.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that all who hear your Good News today will believe and be saved. I pray this in the name of Jesus-Amen