Rise, Run, Reach

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Arrow

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2).

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I love that God speaks to us through His creation! Who has not stood in awe of a sunset or at an ocean’s edge, been struck by the magnitude of a mountain range or touched by a snowflake’s uniqueness? Creation is a gift that speaks to our hearts. Today, let’s see what the sun will teach us.

Psalm 19 continues with a beautiful metaphor of the sun:
“which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat” (Psalm 19:5-6).

The sun sets a good example for us. It rises each day to fulfill its God-given purpose. Portrayed as a bridegroom and champion, the sun eagerly and joyfully sets out. It runs or goes forth with love, confidence, and strength. It stays on course, not wandering off its assigned path. And along its way, it reaches out, touching and influencing for good.

Like the sun, may we rise to do the work God has called us to do. May we joyfully “run the race” God has set before us. Go through our day, strengthened by His Word and His Presence, reaching out and reflecting His love, blessing others along the way.

Remember Jesus’ words, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14a). May we shine for Jesus as we rise, run, and reach!

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Locked Out

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Arrow

I did it! I locked myself outside of my car at church. Worse yet, my keys and phone were locked inside the car!

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I was stumped. The church office was closed. There was absolutely nothing I could do to help myself.

Then, out walked a friend. And that friend had a phone that contained my daughter-in- law’s number. Thank the Lord! My daughter-in-law answered, came to my rescue, and took me home.

Wow! If I think about it, we have all been in a similar situation.

We have all made mistakes called sin. That sin prevented us from having direct access to the Father. Essentially, we were locked out of heaven and denied a personal relationship with God. There was absolutely nothing we could do to fix or change our circumstances. No amount of money or apologies or good deeds could erase our sin.

Then came One who could help. God’s Son left heaven to come to earth to rescue us. He alone could bear the sins of the world and take our punishment, making us holy and righteous before our heavenly Father.

All we have to do is call on Him and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Then the way to a new relationship is opened. We have clear access to the Father.

“For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one (Holy) Spirit to the Father—so that we are able to approach Him” (Ephesians 2:18 The Amplified Bible).

May we believers remember that once we were locked out, but because of Jesus’ broken body and shed blood, we are now welcomed into God’s Presence and will one day enter our eternal home. (Also, a good thought for communion meditation.)

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We Can’t Help It!

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Arrow

You find an incredible sale, come across a delectable recipe, or see a cool cleaning or gardening hack. What do you do? If you are like me, you tell someone!

The same thing happens when you hear good news. An engagement, a pregnancy, a promotion, a criminal caught, a mystery solved.

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This is just what the disciples experienced after the resurrection of Jesus. They had witnessed His crucifixion, grieved His death, and been overwhelmed and confused about what it all meant for their future. Then they heard the tomb was empty, that others had seen Jesus alive!

Soon they saw the resurrected Lord with their own eyes. They talked with Him, ate with Him, and soaked up His teachings. The message of salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross meant that the sins of the world had been erased for all who would believe Him to be the Son of God.

Then the disciples watched Jesus rise into the sky. He was physically gone from their presence but soon they were filled with the promised Holy Spirit. That Spirit prompted, guided, and most of all, empowered them.

Instead of hiding behind locked doors, the disciples interacted with those around them. They prayed for those in need, saw prayers answered, and gave God the glory. As they shared the good news about Jesus, those in authority commanded them to be silent. Their response, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

May we boldly do the same. Let’s reach out and pray for those in need and share what God has done in our lives.

May God empower us so that we can’t help but tell others about Jesus.

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The Furnace of Affliction

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Arrow

Sometimes you hear a theme so encouraging you want to share it. That’s what’s happening today. A note was sent to me on Messenger where the timing was impeccable. It was only later that I realized the post was sent in April. I received it in December! Apparently, God was holding it until just the right time.

The scripture verse was rather alarming. “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10). Because of Israel’s stubborn and unfaithful heart, Jerusalem had fallen and God was exiling the nation to Babylon. There, God would refine them.

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Being refined is not a pleasant experience. Having impurities removed typically includes trials or testing. In the heat of that furnace, we choose whether we will give up, become hard-hearted and bitter, or if we will surrender to God’s will. The process may include the difficult act of forgiving those who have hurt us or refusing to be easily offended. We may be challenged to work on uncomfortable relationships by reaching out and extending mercy and grace.

In order to move forward, we need to keep believing even though circumstances feel impossible. We strive to remain faithful even when situations are completely unfair. We hang on even when we don’t see the answer we desire.

Recall the three faithful men in the Old Testament who were placed in a fiery furnace by a wicked king. Remember, they were not alone. A fourth “man” was seen with them. The three then walked out of that furnace unscathed, not even smelling like smoke! (Daniel 3)

Know that God is also with us in our trials. With Him, our faith grows stronger and we become ready for God to use us for a higher purpose.

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Action Required!

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Arrow

I pray we have all heard from the Lord this week. Perhaps we studied a passage of Scripture, attended a church service, listened to a sermon, or read a devotion.

When we make time for these things, we want to be sensitive to God’s voice. We hope to experience the Holy Spirit’s tender touch.

If so, do we follow up with a change of heart? Do we make an attitude change? Do we decide to do something differently or take a step of action?

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When God spoke to people in the past, it was most always to lead them to action. Abraham was instructed to leave his home and go to a new land. Esther was encouraged to enter the king’s presence and plead for the lives of the Jewish people. David was challenged to take on Goliath. In the New Testament Joseph was urged to marry the virgin Mary and the apostle John was told to record the visions he’d seen. Thankfully, these people of faith obediently took action.

If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within us. We should regularly hear His voice speaking to our hearts. When we don’t, it’s usually because we have gotten into the habit of ignoring that small whisper.

Evidence of active listening includes some kind of action, a step of obedience. James, an early church leader, warned, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).

God calls us to action, not paralysis. He calls us to life, which includes living out what He calls us to do. An action step may be internal or external. Once we take that step of faith, we will never be the same.

May we experience God’s power and blessing as we step forward in faith!

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A Sure Future

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Arrow

One of the wonderful things about being a believer is that we know the God who knows the future. We can hope, predict, and plan, but we cannot be sure what our earthly future holds.

In the Old Testament, God knew that Jacob’s family would one day face a famine. It was no coincidence that his son, Joseph, was sent ahead, actually sold into slavery, and eventually became Pharoah’s right-hand man in Egypt. Joseph ended up providing for his family as they sought the food God had guided Joseph to stockpile.

During New Testament times, we find God still well aware of the future. Knowing that horrid king Herod was plotting to extinguish any threat of the King of the Jews born in Bethlehem, God sent an angel to warn (a different) Joseph to flee with Mary and young Jesus.

Knowing that God holds our future can be reassuring and frustrating. We witness how He provides and guides, even in unusual or challenging circumstances, but sometimes we are confused because things are not going as we hoped and planned.

One thing we can know for sure, God will be with us through our todays and tomorrows. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). In addition, Jesus explained, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth . . . he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

Our part is to listen and trust. We need to remember that He provides and prepares us for whatever lies ahead. King David wrote, “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:14-15a).

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Thankful we are in the best hands!

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Our Problem-Solver

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Arrow

Don’t you hate it when the meteorologist predicts bad weather? More snow, more unseasonably hot or wet or dry conditions.

The prophet Elijah had just delivered bad news to a bad king. No rain for the next few years! Trouble was sure to come looking for him, so God instructed Elijah where to hide and promised to provide him food and water.

Eventually, the brook that Elijah drank from dried up. But God gave directions to the home of a widow who would supply his food.

When the son of the widow died, do you think Elijah knew who to turn to? Absolutely! Elijah “cried to the LORD, ‘O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!’ The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived” (1 Kings 17:21b-22).

When we read this action-packed chapter, we assume each need was met as soon as it was suggested. But I am sure that much happened, or didn’t happen, in the time and space between sentences.

For example, how long did Elijah fear for his life or wonder where to hide before he heard from God? How did Elijah feel as he watched his brook, his only water source, diminish to a trickle? Did he stress as he searched for a spring before receiving his next assignment? Did he panic before he prayed over the death of the widow’s only son?

Whatever the details and timeline, Elijah learned who he could turn to in time of need. He had experienced God’s faithfulness again and again and so can we.

The Lord is our Problem-Solver, our help in time of trouble. Whatever our need, we can turn to Him.

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“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).

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A Time for Quiet

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Arrow

Imagine quiet. Stillness. Take a deep breath and exhale l-o-n-g, releasing the weight of the day. This is a time to purposefully be with God. No one else.

It takes effort. The phone needs silenced, TV turned off, tasks set aside. A place is chosen and time is made.

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And there you are . . . you and God. You are aware God is with you all the time, but this is different. You enter His Presence for the purpose of being with Him.

Kneel, sit, or lay before the Lord. “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7a). Hear Him say, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). Imagine God in His majestic magnificence seated on His throne. Bow in silence and awe.

Pray for open ears and a tender heart. Wait and listen for His Spirit.

And worship. Be amazed by His love and kindness, His justice and righteousness, His mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Bring the Lord an offering of praise, aloud or silent. Declare His greatness and give thanks for the ways He has blessed you.

Take time to read God’s Word, His love letter to you. It is full of encouragement and guidance. Hear the words of an Old Testament prophet. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Stop and meditate on that scene!

Soak in His peace. Bask in His Presence. Then joyfully reflect His lavish love.

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Barely Hanging On

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Arrow

People overwhelmed by their current circumstances painfully admit, “I am barely hanging on!” Difficult seasons hit us all. The loss of a loved one, a health crisis, someone we care about deconstructing their faith, or something else.

Envision someone “hanging on by a thread,” but a thread is too fine, too weak. So, replace the thread with a strong nylon fishing line. But even a fishing line is hard to grip. Okay, let’s imagine a thick rope. Now we’ve got it. And that rope is tied to a heavy chain which is attached to a large, sturdy anchor.

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But what do we to hook our anchor to while in the midst of life’s storms? We do not want to find ourselves in a ship lost at sea or blown and tossed by the wind and waves. That could lead to being capsized! No. We need our anchor hooked securely on Jesus, our Rock!

The author of Hebrews included nautical terms writing, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19a). Readers are encouraged to “take hold of the hope offered to [them]” (Hebrews 6:18b). And finally, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Now recall the time Peter decided to walk to Jesus on water. When Peter turned his focus to the storm, he became afraid and began to sink. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:31a).

May we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and our hope anchored in Him. Know that His hand is always ready to grasp ours in time of need for He is faithful, firm, and secure. So . . . reach out and hang on!

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Kick It

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Arrow

Apparently, I have a little OCD, obsessive-compulsive behavior. I notice that when I walk our neighborhood, I have an overwhelming urge to kick stray rocks off the sidewalk. Not all the rocks, mind you. Just the ones that are naturally within my stride. For some reason I feel the need to punt the neighbors’ landscaping back within the boundary of their yard.

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Then I started thinking, am I actively doing this in my spiritual life? Am I kicking out things that don’t belong? Or am I just letting them sit there, taking up time and space and allowing them to pile up into bigger problems? Whether it’s an annoyance, temptation, or distraction, I must discern what does not belong in my life.

Here are a few Scriptures to help us identify what definitely needs kicked out!

  • “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).
  • “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).
  • “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). In other words, sometimes even relationships must end or be given boundaries.
  • “[L]et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1b).

There are also many verses in the Old Testament warning to get “rid of false idols”, a good reminder that nothing should take priority over our relationship with the Lord God.

May we kick out what doesn’t draw us closer to God or reflect His character.

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