Author: David LaFrance

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

Yesterday, our house was up early, excited to see what was under the tree.  The joy of specific gifts made me smile as Mom and Dad sat back with their coffee in hand.

As we turn the page on a day we celebrate worldwide, I pray for us to find daily moments to remember His birth.  The birth of Jesus was not only about a baby being born in the manger but also a plan that God had the whole time for a savior to come to save us from the ways and life He knew we would live. In between the returns, vacations, and excitement of new gifts. His birth provided me a transformation from a life once lived to an eternal life we are promised.

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Jesus was willing to do what God asked. He was willing to make the sacrifice.  Christmas is a great time to remember the birth and the sacrifice.  Jesus came to do everything necessary to guide, sustain, and protect us until eternity with Him is our final home.

Celebrate that today!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The job promotion we thought we should have received.  The argument that left you saying and doing things that you later regret. The loss of a loved one that came out of nowhere. The diagnosis of a medical condition that alters the life you were used to. The betrayal of a friend whom you had trusted. The expectations were set on a holiday season that didn’t go according to plan.

Job’s story helps us look and think about our human sufferings and how we can remain faithful in the midst of suffering.  Job was going through tremendous suffering. He had lost everything he thought was dear to his life. He didn’t know the answers to why he was suffering, and the advice shared by friends was a mixture of truth and error, providing no answers and intensifying his pain.

Job 17:15 where then is my hope— who can see any hope for me?

How about you? Any suffering? Are any questions not answered causing more physical or mental anguish? I can confess I have had and currently struggle and will probably run into something new tomorrow.

I know my suffering is not comparable right now to what Job endured. Yet even in these times of pain, frustration, and loss, Job never gave in.  After being encouraged to throw in the towel, he fought back.

I wrestled in HS and college.  Throughout those years, the tougher competition in practice and during a wrestling meet made me better.  The more challenging competition helped me to train harder, be more intentional in my preparation, and challenged me to have more grit. Job wrestled with God.  Jacob fought with an angel of the Lord all night. (Genesis 32:24-30) Peter argued with God. Acts 10:9-16) Job dug deep and asked hard questions, prayed with purpose, repented his sins, and never let the world talk him into giving up.  The world wants us to give up. God wants us to grow.  He gives us these moments of fear, pain, questioning, and doubt, not to give in but to wrestle.  To grow in our spiritual walk.  This wrestling can help me grow from a less mature understanding of God than before.

In the end, Job, even though he suffered much, trusted God to rescue him. Will I? Will you?

Job 19: 25-26  I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.  26. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.

Today’s Reading: Job 15-17 & Revelation 14

Today’s Readings: Ezra 7-10, Psalm 97, Revelation 4

In today’s reading of Revelation 4, John shares the worship that takes place to our God, who is on His throne. John shares the voices heard and the praise of a Heavenly Choir singing glorious praise to the only one who deserves it all.

Regardless of what comes upon us regarding tests and trials, as Christians, we know that our final outcome will be in the presence of this throne.  If you believe, all places will lead to His Eternal Kingdom.  Will you take a moment to repeat this praise to Our Heavenly Father?

8 “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

Heavenly Fathe,- coming off Thanksgiving and having these special moments to praise you are the best part of my day.  Lord, help us to focus more on You and less on ourselves. Let us know that this life and everything that happens daily come from you. Lor,d help us realize that everything we have is on loan and will one day be back in Your presence.  You are worthy of our best every moment.  Help us to give You that.  Amen

 

 

Today’s Readings: Ezra 3-4, Psalm 92, 1 John 1

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

In reading the verses for today, I paused when I got to Psalm 92. I started to think about the warm beach and loved the connections the writer of Psalm made to palm trees. Palm trees have a very distinct root system compared to other trees.  They have a fibrous root system.  Palm trees are known for their long life. Flourishing for a palm tree would mean to live long. Palm trees can even bend 40 to 50 degrees without snapping and withstand hurricane-force winds. The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet and up to 30 feet in circumference.  Cedars are solid, strong, and immovable.  These verses let us know that as believers, we will stay upright, firm, and immovable despite the winds of our circumstances.

Jesus warns us that those without strong roots are easily shaken by trials and fall away (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21). Without strong roots, a Christian cannot endure the storms of life.  The righteous, in contrast, are not easily shaken.

Where are your circumstances right now? Do you feel the breeze blowing? If you are going through your own storm right now, first know that God is with you. If you hold true to His promises, He wants us to come through stronger than before and ready to flourish. Stay strong, keep your faith firmly in God.

Lord, thank you for making me strong in You. I pray that whatever happens around us helps us remain strong.  We ask that in the storms that will come, we use them to help us grow.  You are working in and through our storms. Thank you, Lord, for keeping our mind and heart focused on You.  Amen

 

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 21, 34, 37, Psalm 79, James 5

In each passage from today, I read about the daily prayers given and asked for others.  The true conversation with the Lord is available every day.

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I read these passages today, I feel grateful and blessed by the grace you have given us.  These passages remind me of your comfort in every conversation with You and how I feel security, strength, peace, identity, and hope. Lord, you have provided everything we need for this day.  You have provided a 24/7 time we can come to you in prayer.  Lord, I ask for those gentle touches when I stray.  When I think I have it figured out, when I’m too proud when I’ve lost my way.  Lord, please humble, comfort, and remind me to go to You in prayer and nowhere else.

Father, I come boldly before Your throne of grace, thanking and praising You for this day. This is the day You have made; therefore, I shall rejoice and be glad in it! You said that if we acknowledge You in all our ways, You will direct our paths in every situation. Let us commit everything to You, Lord.   Amen

From the time we wake up until the moment we fall asleep, there is decision after decision to be made. There is a question we all live out, including what we will do in the next 24 hours.

The world offers plenty of options.  I can reach for my phone, go to the fridge, work out, turn on t.v., cater to my kids, the list can go on and on, looking different for each of us.

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 8,

⁸ I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

Today, test the sincerity of your heart.  Where will you put your time, mind, heart, actions, and words? Paul was reminding the Corinthians and us to

7.  excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Sadly this test I have and will fail over and over again. I am so grateful for His grace.  I pray that I look to Him every day from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep.  Even though the world may paint the picture that we serve ourselves, I pray for the heart and sincerity to love others.  To point everyone to God, who sent His son to die for us all to walk in the grace provided to me today.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

 

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 49-52, Psalm 69, 1 Corinthians 14

1. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

The fear of drowning is real.  I know the pressure I feel when I try to show my kids how long or far I can hold my breath underwater.  The feeling of not being able to gasp for breath.  Did you know that when you dream of drowning, it is usually related to having too many things going on?

Psalm 69 – The psalmist David provides a vivid picture of a person dealing with so many pressing issues at once that he feels as if he were drowning.  David was inspired to prophesy more details of Jesus’ agony at this separation from His Father.

Let’s take water away and think of our lifestyle.  Have you ever felt you were metaphorically drowning? I know I have.  Maybe it’s the start of a school year? A season of crazy with your kids’ schedules? A new job with all new expectations? Medical bills? Paperwork?  We have all been there at some time.

Even Jesus felt like He was drowning when living on Earth.  It seems impossible to even fathom what Jesus had to endure.  When facing all the attacks and drowning struggles, Jesus prayed to His Father.

But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

So many things vie for our attention in our complex world.  Take a moment to lift your head out of the water and pray to our Father.  He is loving and full of grace.  He knows everything we have done and will do and still calls us by name.  There are days when we can feel like we are drowning.  Turn to our Lord to be rescued.

God provides a space to breathe and live. God saves his people from drowning.

33 The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

Have a blessed day!