I walked in to the doctor’s office with my grocery list of symptoms. I try to get as much out of one visit as possible, so I make a list of things to discuss so I don’t have to take the time off work to drive there and then sit for 45 minutes waiting for my appointment, etc. (I think that if we are made to wait more than 10 minutes from our appointment time, the fee should be reduced $10 for every 10 minutes we are made to wait). Anyway, I was ushered into the examining room after the dreaded weigh-in, blood pressure and temperature routine. I sat on the examining table with list in hand waiting for the doctor to see me. Finally, she came into the room – spotted the list and said, “I don’t have time to deal with all those, pick 2.” I was stunned. I quickly scanned my list hoping I selected the 2 most vital issues. My opinion of my former doctor dropped a few notches that day.

Recently, I was thinking and meditating about God and it occurred to me that I have never and will never enter His Throne room to hear Him say, “I don’t have time for all that, pick 2.” NOT EVER will He be too busy or too distracted by the affairs of nations and people or the workings of the heavens with the sun, moon and the billions and billions stars He is keeping in orbit to push me aside as unimportant. EVERY TIME I enter His Throne room, He gives me undivided attention as if I was the only one in the world. It is amazing to me that at that very same moment you, too, could enter His Throne room and He would give you absolutely undivided attention, as if YOU were the only one in the world. How great is our God!!!

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Psalm 66:19 “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

Diane

Recently, I’ve experienced what I would dub the most stressful time in my life, in a very, very, very long time. My emotions have run the full gamut, covering deep sadness, happiness, major irritation, glee, concern, sorrow, compassion, resentment, etc., etc., etc. I’ve never longed so much for peace. Peace, simple quiet peace, in my space, in my mind, in my soul and in my spirit.

What is peace? Webster’s Online Dictionary defines peace as “the absence of war or other hostilities; freedom from quarrels or disagreements; inner contentment; freedom from strife; the absence of mental stress or anxiety.” The list could continue, but I’m sure you get the point. When there is no peace, everything in you craves it, wants it and earnestly desires it. I can tell you, sisters, I have never so urgently desired peace as I have these past weeks.

Some of you may be wondering what was producing such stress in my life. I can assure you it is of little importance in comparison to what our faithful, loving, longsuffering Father has exposed in my own heart and life.

On the surface, I’ve learned that I do not personally have to be at war with anyone for my own peace to be disrupted, destroyed or stolen. A simple glance through recent history bears this out. How many men, women and children are awakened in the midst of their slumber by guerrilla warriors, who press in and take what does not belong to them? In an instant peace is gone, replaced by fear and trembling, and a plethora of many other untapped emotions.

Similarly I do not need to be full of hostility or anger to have my peace disturbed. Any number of you reading this devotion may live with or know someone who seems to live in a constant state of angst and whether he’s coming or going, he can have an impact on you.

On a deeper level (which brings us to the bottom line) my own lack of peace existed for one primary reason. The answer was made plain to me in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

The same passage in The Message Bible, beginning with verse 28, Eugene Peterson paraphrases it like this, “Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch His breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts…but those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”

In conclusion, dear ones, I spread my wings, I ran in my strength and I got tired! My strength was not sufficient to handle what was laid before me. I did not wait on God.

Today, with a loud voice I praise God that He is enough and I am ever so thankful that He never, ever sleeps or pauses to catch His breath.

My challenge for you is to make time with God an absolute priority. Even if you must secure it by force, do not neglect time with Him. He is the only Peace Giver and it is He alone who can calm the deepest longing our souls have.

Cling to Him sisters. Our lives depend on it.

Stephanie

We can learn much about wisdom not just in Proverbs but throughout the entire Bible. Each page, from Genesis through Revelation, is filled with wisdom, examples of those who were wise and those who were not. There is much for us to learn from those who did not walk in the way of wisdom and from those who were wise but failed to continue to put it all into practice and walk in obedience to God.

Solomon. The wisest man who ever lived. God blessed him with so much more than wisdom. In Second Chronicles 1:12 God says, “…And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” It is very sad however to read further on about King Solomon. Yes, he possessed great wisdom but somehow he failed to practice what he preached and that brought him to a very low state in his later years. King Solomon allowed the other blessings God showered on him to go to his head and lead him astray.

Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 “I thought to myself, “Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who had ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly…”

Ecclesiastes 2:10 “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure…everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind…”

There it is, Solomon seemed to have left wisdom behind and caved into any and all desires of the flesh that he could find. This is heartbreaking, the man that God blessed in abundance with wisdom, knowledge, riches, and power took his eyes off the One who gave it to him and chose the desires of the flesh which are meaningless and only temporary in satisfaction.

There is much for us to glean from the life of Solomon. We are truly blessed to have Solomon’s book of wisdom, the Proverbs, but we have to remember the example of his life as well. If you and I possess wisdom and understanding but fail to daily walk in obedience, we will also fall into seeking temporary pleasures of the flesh that will lead to our downfall.

After all was said and done in Solomon’s life, after all his pleasure seeking, he concluded:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandment, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing whether it is good or evil.”

My prayer for you and for me is that we will seek wisdom.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

But also that we would always put it into practice and never take our eyes off the One who gives it.

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Hosea 14:9 “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”

Mary Ann

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 35 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of two grandsons. She serves at America’s Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Have you ever prayed for wisdom? In my prayer time this request comes up often. Though too often I think I’m more worried about acquiring more “knowledge”…about the Bible, God, and Jesus. Knowledge is very good but knowledge alone is not wisdom. There needs to be knowledge combined with wisdom. However, there is still another essential ingredient that must be added to these two, otherwise all my knowledge and wisdom will be rendered useless. And that ingredient is the practice of wisdom…putting feet to the wisdom God has given…living in obedience to what God has revealed to me through His Word.

When Solomon became king of Israel, he understood that the task before him was great and daunting. Solomon succeeded his father as King of Israel. His father was King David and God himself said David was a man after God’s own heart….How in the world could Solomon follow in David’s footsteps?

In the beginning of Solomon’s reign, God came to him in a dream and asked, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (2 Chronicles 1:7) Solomon could have asked for anything but he knew he would need one thing more than any other. He was very young and inexperienced and so he knew what he needed beyond all else.

2 Chronicles 1:10 “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Can you imagine God saying to you…go ahead ask for anything you want and I’ll give it to you? I certainly can’t. I would like to think I would ask for the things Solomon did. Solomon knew that he needed wisdom and knowledge more than anything – even riches – to be able to rule as king of Israel.

King Solomon is still known as the wisest man who ever lived. God truly blessed him and we have the book of Proverbs filled with wisdom for all of us to glean from.

Proverbs 8:10-11 “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 3:13-14 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

Proverbs 2:1-6 “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 2:10 “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”

So what about you? Got wisdom?

Mary Ann

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 35 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of two grandsons. She serves at America’s Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:9

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15b-16

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:5-7

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Revelation 21: 23-24

Though we deserve darkness…He gives us light. He is light. We walk in the light because He is in the light.

Doesn’t the eternal city sound amazing (Rev 21:23-24)? Where there will be no need of a sun or moon because the glory of God will give us light!! I, for one, am looking forward to that day when all darkness will be dispelled, never to be experienced again and we will forever live in the visible presence of HIS LIGHT.

Diane

It doesn’t matter how right you feel, how justified you think you are, or that you think you are righteous enough to somehow be exempt from being a forgiver. The truth is, apart from the grace of a holy, just and always right God, you and I will always sin and fall short. We can’t live right enough to hold another person’s soul captive in his sin.

And, just in case you think I don’t get it, read what the Word of God says in Romans 3:9-11, “…what then? are we better than they? Not at all….for it is written, ‘there is none righteous, no not one.'”

That means apart from the atoning, shed blood of Jesus – we have nothing. Before a holy righteous God we stand clean in Christ alone. It’s in Him alone that our hope is found. It’s in Him, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, that we live and move and breathe and have our being.

So what does this mean? It means, we have to choose to let go again, again, again and again. And sometimes it means we have to pull the scab back and let the poison ooze out so we can heal.

Hey, I’m right in there with you. None of us has arrived or yet attained the prize. Let us not lose heart. Let’s keep the faith. Let’s finish the race. Let’s endure for the prize, “the crown of righteousness,” through Christ alone!

Stephanie

“If you are harboring a root of bitterness, if you’re holding onto unforgiveness, you need to examine yourself and see if you’re really a Christian.” –Dr. John Gerstner

When I first heard that statement I didn’t like the sound of it at all. But as I ponder it, I think it is a fair question for someone to wrestle with.

Forgiveness is characteristic of those who are followers of Christ. If we are who we say we are then we must be marked by forgiveness.

One thing I can guarantee you is this, it ain’t easy!! Not even a little bit. But I can promise you this – it is possible. How do I know? With God all things are possible!!

Something that God has to show me again, again and again is at that exact point that I am willing to hold an offense, a hurt, a wrong deed done against my brother or my sister – in that moment – I stand naked before God and in need of forgiveness myself. No exceptions. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

I’m not sorry to tell you that you will never come up with a scenario from your life that will justify the harboring of bitterness, anger and resentment. So without being morbidly introspective, let’s ponder the following questions for the purpose of being brutally honest in evaluating our own heart and life.

If you don’t think you can be objective in this evaluation, ask someone whom you trust to help you.

* Are you a forgiver? – Do you choose, choose, choose to practice, practice, practice forgiving?

* Do you mull over, nurse, rehearse the things that are done by your husband, family, friends, etc?

* Do you withhold forgiveness until it feels right?

* Are you waiting for the offender to come and seek your forgiveness for hurting you?

* Are you holding them hostage by withholding affection, kindness, patience, love, intimacy, etc?

* Are you entertaining thoughts of how you can get justice?

* Are you praying for them?

* Are you keeping a list and checking it twice?

* Are you a Christian?

Dear sisters, I can tell you from experience and from observation, unforgiveness is poison. It will destroy you while you wait to do the right thing. See Acts 8:23

Stephanie

To say that there is much confusion, misunderstanding and angst surrounding the word forgiveness would be a gross understatement. Forgiveness is a word that many of us are quick to say we practice and, of those who say so, much unforgiveness abounds.

I’ve heard a plethora of explanations that attempt to justify why forgiveness is not being offered and every single one of those explanations/excuses falls short of the standard clearly laid out for us in the pages of Scripture.

In Leviticus we read the following statement again and again: “In this way the priest will make atonement for them and they will be forgiven.”

What’s the premise? Atonement made; forgiveness granted. The end of it all is this -once atonement was/is made forgiveness/freedom comes. The offense no longer carries a penalty.

Leviticus 6:7 says, “In this way the priest will make atonement for him before the Lord and he will be forgiven for any of these things he did that made him guilty. Even those who sinned unintentionally were forgiven.”

Let’s look at a few more verses and see the foundation laid for us to follow:

Matthew 6:12 clearly says, “forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

In Matthew 9:2, Jesus forgives a man who didn’t even ask for forgiveness simply because He saw his faith. Now that’s one to pause and ponder. From whom are you withholding forgiveness simply because they haven’t asked you yet?

In Matthew 26:27-28 Jesus took the cup, drank from it and said, “this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Luke 6:37 says, “do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.”

And finally, going back to Matthew 6:12-14, we read, “forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.”

I don’t think it can get any plainer than that. Do you?

So it’s as clear as can be that we are never, ever given the freedom to hold an offense against another, not ever.

Stephanie

While I was walking one day memorizing Scripture, which I sometimes do when I walk, I was memorizing Psalm 119:36-37. Psalm 119 is my favorite Psalm. It is obvious to the reader the Psalmist’s absolute delight in God’s Word. It is also the longest Psalm with 176 verses. Verses 36-37 encapsulate my heart. It says many things: “Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Establish Your Word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.”

First, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies…” I know that in my flesh, I am more inclined to my own testimonies. My heart represents the deepest part of me, my motivations, my desires, my attitudes, my longings, my beliefs. That part of me that needs to be delighted in God’s testimonies, His word.

Second, “and not to covetousness…”. If I were honest, I would have to admit, I can so easily be distracted by people and things.

Third, “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,” This goes along with covetousness. So much in the world can draw our hearts away from total devotion to God. Ps 86:11, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” An undivided heart; that’s what I want.

Fourth, “revive me in Your way.” I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, God’s way is the right way and when all is said and done, the only way. If He will revive me, may it only be in His way, because my way hasn’t worked out so good.(I know that’s not good English).

Fifth, “Establish Your Word to Your servant…” God’s Word is vital to our growth, change and healing.

John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” God’s means of sanctifying us (growing us in Christlikeness) is His truth. His word is truth. Although God uses other means to communicate His truth to us, His primary means is through His Word. Being in the Word is vital to the health of every believer. Don’t let Satan win by fooling you into thinking you can get by. You may think, “I listen to Christian radio” or “I go to church,” etc. You need to be ingesting the Word on your own.

You may say you have never done this. Well, it takes purpose, commitment, perseverance, and faith. Start small, with a 10 or 15 minute commitment a day. Everyone can squeeze 15 minutes out of their busy schedule, if it is important enough. If you see it as vital to your spiritual health, you will do it. If you don’t, you won’t.

Finally, “to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.” Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” I want to devote myself to fearing God.

Diane

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired? Tired of carrying the burden of suffering? Tired of carrying the burden of anxiety, fear, depression? Tired of carrying the burden of trial? Jesus says, “Come to Me…”

Why can you rest in God? Really rest….

1. You can rest in His ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE; nothing escapes His notice or catches Him by surprize.

a. Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

2. You can rest in His almighty POWER.

a. Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

b. 1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

3. You can rest in His TRUTH and His PROMISES.

a. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

b. 1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.

c. 2 Peter 1:3-4 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

4. You can rest in His FAITHFULNESS.

a. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

5. You can rest in His PROVISION AND CARE for you.

a. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

b. Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

Are you tired and weary? Come find rest in HIM.

Diane