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?

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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).

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

“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.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

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.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

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.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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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Are We Ready?

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Arrow

Luckily, I had mentioned to my husband that I had a 9:00 physical therapy appointment. It wouldn’t have appeared so, the way I went about my morning activities. Quiet time, fiddling around in my office, and working out. Then I heard, “You know it’s twenty to nine, right?”

What!? I had been casually looking at our analog clocks, focusing on the minute hand, completely ignoring the hour!

Timing is everything, even in Scripture. Besides the birth and resurrection of Jesus, the Bible mentions another world-rocking event. And, like me haphazardly glancing at the clock, most of us are not paying attention.

This event is on God’s master calendar, but we don’t know exactly where to place it on ours. Referring to His return, Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. . . .Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:36, 42).

My prayer is that in 2025, you find yourself ready. And in case you are unsure, being ready includes having a personal relationship with Jesus. It means you believe He is God’s Son and you attempt to reflect that decision in your life. Know that a relationship is not a casual nod at the neighbor you barely know. Real relationships include regular, intimate time together, sharing and listening.

That relationship translates into being ready to join Jesus when He returns. At that moment, all believers will rise to live a new, extraordinary and eternal life with Him beyond anything we can hope or imagine!

Now, that is an event worth being ready . . .  because ready or not, Jesus will return!

(And yes, I did make it to PT on time!)

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Delivered on Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Arrow

What special gifts do you think you will receive this Christmas? What will be inside those packages wrapped in holiday paper, topped with ribbons and bows, or gracefully placed in a gift bag gushing with tissue paper?

In one of Jesus’ recorded prayers, He states repeatedly what God sent us on Christmas … or rather who.

  • Referring to His disciples, Jesus said, “and they have believed that You (Father) sent Me” (John 17:8).
  • Praying to the Father, Jesus said, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18).
  • Jesus continued, “… that the world may believe that You sent Me” and “that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:21, 23).

What I have omitted so far is the opening lines of Jesus’ prayer where He reveals the incredulous reward of receiving the One delivered to all the world on Christmas, the gift of eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Simply put, God sent His best, His Son, God in human skin. When we believe that fact and receive this incomprehensible gift, we are promised eternal life with Him.

My prayer is that you have received Jesus, the Son of God, delivered to you on that first Christmas.

May your Christmas be blessed!

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Hark!

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Arrow

“Hark, the herald angels sing …” 
Hark? Listen carefully, pay attention, focus, hear and consider.

Listen up, shepherds:  Your Messiah was born today in Bethlehem. You will find Him wrapped in cloths in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12)

Listen, Mary:  You have found favor with God. You will be pregnant and give birth to a son. He will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:30-35)

Listen, Joseph:  Take Mary as your wife. The child is from the Holy Spirit. Name Him Jesus because He will save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

These real-life characters, not just figures in a nativity scene, actually heard a word from the Almighty God.

And God continued to speak. When Jesus’ body was transfigured, appearing in a glorious state, God spoke from a cloud. “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7b). And Jesus spoke these encouraging words about His followers. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

God continues to speak to us today. Whether your Christmas is noisy and hectic, whether you experience a calm, silent night, or perhaps, a blend of both, may you take time to listen to what God is saying. He has a message especially for you … if … you … listen.

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Vision Division

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Arrow

We live in a nation that is divided. This comes as a surprise to no one. Each person has their own opinions and beliefs. God gave each of us a mind and with it we make decisions based on the input we receive. Hopefully, we seek godly wisdom and discernment before making life-altering choices.

Jesus explained that His very coming into this world as a human caused division. The disciple John records Jesus’ words. “I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39b).

Again, people were allowed to have their own opinion and choose whether to believe or reject who Jesus claimed to be, the Son of God. And, we still have that choice today. Just remember, choices come with consequences.

For example, if I ignore my cancer diagnosis, opt out of surgery to remove the tumor, and refuse follow up treatment, my prognosis does not look good. Disbelieving the lab results and refusing to follow the recommendations of the oncologists does not mean my cancer magically disappears.

Again, choices have consequences. According to Jesus we can either see or be blind. Here, Jesus is referring to spiritual blindness and sight. Those who reject Jesus as the Son of God have spiritual blindness, are unable to comprehend their need for a Savior, their need for forgiveness, and perhaps even refuse to acknowledge their own sin.

Having spiritual sight, on the other hand, includes seeing and surrendering to God’s guidance from Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Hear the apostle Paul’s warning. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

May your eyes be opened to see the Light of the World, Jesus!

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