Updated on July 3, 2014
My Own Personal Miracle
They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” – John 6:30-33
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Lately I’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of chatter about “my miracle”. People say, “When will I get ‘my miracle’?” They make Facebook pics to share that say, “From the darkness you will walk out into ‘your miracle’ that God has prepared for you.” They pass around on that same social media site, “share this and in 20 minutes God will do something amazing for you.”
Really, people? Really? Ok, I have to say it again… Really???
It is so easy, especially in a life burdened with chronic illness, pain, and disability, to reach for the miraculous. To cry out for the divine touch. To believe that God has a miraculous moment waiting for you that will end your hardship once and for all. Maybe He does. I’m not discounting that people do receive healings. God is able, there is no doubt.
But I challenge you today, as you sit waiting for your miracle, to consider that maybe it’s already come. Let’s look at the above scripture. Even in those days, people desired miraculous signs and wonders. But Jesus didn’t offer them that.
And He doesn’t offer us our own personal miracles, either. What ever made us suddenly feel like we have claim to our own personal miracles, anyway?
The reason God doesn’t offer us a miracle of our own is simple. He wants to offer us better. He wants to offer us the best. He wants to offer us something eternal. And so He sent His one and only Son. What miracle do we need beyond Jesus Christ and the promise of our eternal salvation?
“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:34-35
Jesus is our personal miracle. He is mine, He is yours. Will we be like the ones in Jesus’ day who demanded more? What could be more?
Heavenly Father, I repent today for my desire for more than You have already given, when You have given everything. I thank You for the gift of Your Son, and all of the other wonderful things You do for me each day. I love you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
Strobe Light Symbolism
But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. – James 1:6
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Have you ever been to a party that used a strobe light? I went to a haunted house attraction once that used a strobe light. And do you know what that strobe light reminded me of? Our lives. Sometimes my dark days and my moments of bright, glorious, blinding light come so close together, and change so rapidly from one to the other that it seems like I’m back in that strobe light!
I can tell you, if you’ve never been in a strobe light, that it is very disorienting. Everything looks like it’s going in slow motion, but because it really isn’t, things seem to almost rush up on you when you perceived that they were in slow motion! Some people have even been known to become sick or have seizures due to the effects on their mind and eyes from a strobe effect.
The Bible tells us in our verse for today how to deal with these times. We are to keep our eyes fixed on Him. (Romans 12:2) We are to refuse to be tossed to and fro like a restless wave. (James 1:6)
If your dark and light seem to not be able to make up their mind which it will be today, if the craziness of it all is blinding you and changing your perception, hold to the truths you know about Christ. Get our your Bible, and remind yourself who He is!
If you must close your eyes against the slow motion rapid attacks, and you feel sick from the false images, that’s a perfect posture in which to plead in prayer to your Maker. Prayer is powerful and changes things, and God can fuel your faith through prayer.
Because this we know: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
Father in Heaven, shed your light over our confusion today. Thank You for being the One Thing we can always count on to be solid and true and bright. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
The Forest Through the Trees
Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld—what do you know?
It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. – Job 11:7-9
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The bark is a dark brown, and in some places shading to gray. It feels rough under my fingertips, bumpy with deep gouges. The trunk is huge, I can’t wrap my arms around it, and the many large branches shield me from the sun and much of a view of the sky. The leaves are green all year, and the moss that drapes over the branches drips moisture through most of the night.
I know this tree. It is a live oak, from my childhood in South Louisiana. It is majestic and beautiful and reminds me of home. It smells damp and woodsy and the smell comforts me.
The tree is part of a forest. What other trees are there, you may wonder? I have no idea. None. Nada. Zilch. The only tree I know is this one. I have a problem called “Can’t see my Forest for my Tree”. Maybe you’ve heard of it.
Here’s how it goes… I hurt, I can’t get out of bed today, I had another bad visit with a doctor who doesn’t want me as a patient, today is the 88th day since I have left the house (for anything), no one knows what is making me sick… and it goes on and on and on. What else is going on in my life? I don’t know. Not a clue. And some days I don’t have the energy to care.
Because my chronic illness, my pain, my disability can be so consuming that is drowns out everything else. My illness is my tree. I know it’s every surface, it’s width and height and girth, it’s smell. And some days that knowledge… knowing something in a life of so much uncertainty, so many questions and so much mystery… can actually be a comfort. It’s twisted, but true.
What I need to recognize, though, is that there’s a forest beyond my tree. And somewhere in that forest is hope, and joy, and promise. In that forest, working all around me and my tree, is GOD.
What He offers is real answers. Certainty, and an unveiling of truth. Actual comfort. Time to take my face away from my tree and find what God has to offer in the rest of the forest today. I don’t know what it will be, I don’t know where He will take me or what I will experience, but I have faith that it will be amazing. Because my God is.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Dear God, help me to see beyond myself and my circumstances today. Thank you for creating wonderful new things for me to experience! In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 10/27/13
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Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16
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Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Read the Word
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:17
Today’s recommendation is straight from the Scripture writers, and from God Himself! (Deuteronomy 6:-9) If we want to stand against the wiles of the devil in this difficult life, we have to be able to refute Him with scripture, just as Jesus did! (Matthew 4, Luke 4) If we want to know when we hear someone talk about Christianity and God, whether what they are saying is the truth, we need to understand the nature of God. If we want to be able to offer words of comfort to others, and even to ourselves when the road seems winding and dark, we need to have that scripture at the ready in our hearts and minds!
I recommend starting in the New Testament for a bible read-through, so that as you then follow with the Old Testament you will see be able to see how God’s planned was worked throughout, with Jesus’ fulfillment of each prophecy there.
So go ahead, grab your favorite beverage, snuggle up, get comfy, and commune with your Lord!!
I’d love for you to comment and share with me something new He has shown you in His Word as you read along!
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Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
On Your Hands and Knees
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. – Hebrews 12:12
Reading in one of my favorite books of the Bible, Hebrews, this week, I saw this scripture. Now maybe that’s the hundredth time I’ve seen that scripture, but one of the greatest things about reading the Bible over and over is that each time you approach the scripture, there’s a new nugget to be gleaned.
Maybe it was just that I was in a different frame of mind that day, but here’s what I got from this verse this week: Hold on and don’t stop praying!
When we are given advice for hard times from the book of Hebrews, we are told to strengthen our tired hands. Yes, chronic illness and pain have tired our hands. Sometimes to the point where they can no longer even function! But if we grasp hold of the supernatural power of our risen Savior, we can get a new grip. He will renew our strength! My weak hands are never too tired to hold out, empty, to my Lord. I’ll never pull them back to myself less than completely full and refreshed.
We are also advised to strengthen our weak knees. This could mean to get back up, but I choose to apply it to my prayer life. Some days, as powerful as I believe prayer is, I am just weak. I am tired, I am discouraged, and it feels useless to continue to pray. But it never is! Getting back on my knees will strengthen my soul, and a strengthening of my soul will in turn strengthen my prayer life. Getting on my knees should never be a last resort, it should be my first instinct during the hard times!
I challenge you today to take the advice of the Hebrew writer, as I have. Hold on and don’t stop praying! And please leave me a comment to let me know how God blessed you for taking Him at His word!
Dear Lord, thank You for never leaving us at a loss. Please strengthen our weak knees and help us to get a new grip today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
How Does God Feel When His Children Are Suffering?
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I again have the pleasure of writing for Rest Ministries!
I want to share that devotional with you today, if you will head over to this link:
How Does God Feel When His Children Are Suffering?
I hope you’ll enjoy the post, and I hope you’ll take the time to look around and see what wonderful things that
Rest Ministries has to offer those of us looking for Hope, Comfort and Relationships through this journey of chronic illness.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 21, 2013
Follow the Leader
But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. – Matthew 19:30
There’s nothing like a good rousing game of follow the leader… or at least that’s what millions of school children think. Most of the time it seems that’s what grown-ups think as well. And we all know what the coveted role in that game is… everybody wants to be the Leader!
At one point in my life, I was a leader… I led classrooms of children, in both school and Bible class. I led Ladies Bible Class. I led co-workers in committees. I led parents in the volunteer organization for my kids’ school. I led in many areas, and they were all good works! I loved being involved, and most days I loved being the leader.
Then I was struck with chronic illness and disability. I could no longer lead those classes and committees, and some days I couldn’t even follow. I struggled for a long time with how to fit into God’s service in ANY way, and it never occurred to me that I could still lead. How could I lead if I couldn’t know from one week to the next if I would even be present? How could I lead if I had too little energy to put into even being a part of an event, much less planning and organizing it? How could I lead if I couldn’t walk, or sometimes speak? How could I lead if my memory was patchy and my moods shifted like the wind? In my mind, no one would ever trust me with a leadership position again.
But God did. Jesus reminded me that the servants are the true leaders, and I knew that I was going to be ok, after all. By my circumstances and my abilities, I am now “the least of these”. Now I serve in whatever small ways God reveals to me, and I am feeling so blessed that He still has use for me in His kingdom.
I recognize on a daily basis how many small jobs there that are neglected in the Lord’s body, simply because everyone is trying to be the leader. And honestly, I have never felt happier or more fulfilled than when I am filling these roles! Leadership doesn’t hold a candle to servanthood. I wish I had known that all along. But I’m glad I’m learning it now.
Dear Lord, serving you is so much sweeter than I ever imagined it could be! Thank You for showing me a more perfect way. Thank You for the leaders who are still willing and able. Thank you for giving me a place in Your kingdom work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
Erosion Reveals the Awesome
Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!” The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends!His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” – Lamentations 3:17-24
I’ve had the privilege to live in some pretty amazing places in the U.S. Places that showcase the wonders that are caused by erosion. Erosion can carve deep canyons, uncovering sheer red-rock walls and inspiring wonder in all who experience the drops and beauty.
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Erosion can chip away at a surface, leaving windows that reveal the beauty just past what seems to be an impassable obstacle.
Erosion can carve inviting secret hiding places that offer shelter and spark the imagination.
Erosion can form a bridge that shows a clear and straight path to something that may have been obscure before.
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Erosion chips away the flaky and temporary. It leaves the bedrock… the strong foundation, that with each bit of erosion only becomes taller, more prominent and obvious.
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Sometimes our lives are like that. Chronic illness is erosion of the most potent kind. It chips away all of the temporary, all of the superficial, all of the unnecessary. Often what gets chipped away feels necessary, vital in fact.
But just as with erosion in nature, we can trust that the changes, however painful, will reveal a beauty that would never have been known if not for the loss.
If we depend on God through the process, our canyons will reveal his beauty.
If we search our trials with God’s eyes, we will see the beauty revealed by the erosion in the seemingly impossible obstacle.
If we lean into our Father in the hard times, He will be sure to use our erosion to provide hiding places in the cleft of His rock.
The erosion I am going through will provide a more clear path straight to God, if I am only willing to follow even when my steps are slow and heavy. It can bridge my old life and the beautiful one to come.
Most importantly, if I have a foundation on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, all of my loss and erosion, every trial that I endure will cause others to see only Him. It will showcase His height, His strength and His glory.
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Yes erosion can be a beautiful thing. Today I challenge myself, and all of you, to focus on what we will become, and what we can do for Christ, instead of focusing on what we have lost. To God be the Glory…. great things He has done… and will continue to do!
Dear God, thank you for offering us such beauty in the midst of all we endure. Please help us to always stand on the solid rock of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on July 3, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 10/20/13
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It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. – 1 Peter 1:12
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Shelly
