Dee2rites Blog

Tag: devotional

  • Waiting for Granddaughter

    “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your

    book all the day’s [of my life] were written before

    ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of

    them.” Psalm 139:16 ( The Amplified Bible)


    Two weeks from today my daughter will be having her second child.  We know from the sonograms the baby is a girl; the doctor knows her approximate size and weight and the position the baby is in right now. Modern medical technology makes it possible for doctors to have valuable information about an unborn baby. But as miraculous as that is, God knows even more. God was there when she was conceived; He’s been there as she was developing and growing inside her mother’s womb and He will be there as she makes her entrance into the world.


    As we eagerly anticipate the birth of this new grandchild, I wonder what will she look like? Will she have her mother’s beautiful blue eyes like her older brother? Will she be outgoing and talkative like her mother or will she be quiet and introspective like her dad? These are questions parents and grandparents ask while waiting for a new baby, and there are deeper questions we ask as well. What will her life be like? Will she make good choices?

    As we wonder, God already knows. He knows each one of us intimately. He knows the very number of hairs on our head. He knows our very thoughts; there is nothing in us that is hidden from Him.  Knowing us so intimately even before we were born, He has provided for us everything we need for life and godliness.

    “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3,4 (New International Version)


    Through Jesus Christ, God has provided us with the means to live our lives as He intended them to be. Through knowing Jesus Christ, we not only have eternal life after we die, but we have the tools we need for this  life. Without Him, we can never fulfill the plan God laid out for us.

    I can trust God to give my new granddaughter, and well as my grandsons, the tools they need for their lives. My job is to help their parents teach them, to love them and to point them to Jesus. God will do the rest.

    “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
    I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
    You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
    You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
    Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
    The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.”     Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message)

    Peace and Blessings

    Dee

  • Memorial Day 2009

    Vietnam Memorial Wall Traveling Replica

    Next Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember all those who have died in the service of our country. Sadly the holiday has lost much of its significance since Congress changed the date from May 30th to the last Monday in May, creating a three day holiday.  People are more interested in starting summer vacations and outdoor parties and barbecues than in thinking about fallen soldiers. While vacations and barbecues are not bad things, let us not forget the significance of this day.

    We need to always be aware that the freedoms we take for granted came at a heavy cost. Today, more than any other day, let us honor their memory and give thanks to God for their sacrifices for our freedom and for our safety.


    Recently my husband and I saw the traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Every name that is on the Memorial Wall in Washington DC is on the smaller replica. There are now 58,260 names listed on the Memorial and approximately 1200 of these are listed as missing (MIA’s, POW’s, and others).  So many names, so many lives lost.


    One of those names is a young man I went to school with. Alan was an average student, a little shy but he had the most beautiful smile. Alan joined the Army weeks after graduation and was sent to Vietnam weeks after he finished boot camp. A few weeks later, just 19 years old, he was killed.
    Every name on that Memorial Wall represents a real person, who lived, who had dreams and plans for a future. And for every name, there is a family who was left to grieve. For Alan, it was the grandmother who raised him. Others left behind parents, spouse, siblings and some even children.


    We honor our heroes, it is only right. But let us not forget that for every fallen soldier, sailor, police office and fireman, there is a family who also sacrificed for us. They too should be recognized.  Today as we remember those lost, let us also say a prayer for family and loved ones left behind.


    And let us pray also for those serving today, all over the world and on our streets, for God’s protection over them and for His blessings on their service. I can think of no better way to honor those fallen than to support those serving now.

    Peace and Blessings,

    Dee

  • Preparing for the National Day of Prayer

    Next Thursday, May 7, is the National Day of Prayer for our country. If there ever was a time that we as a nation need to come together in a time of prayer, it is now. We have an economic crisis resulting from years of greed, sin is not just tolerated but is exalted as “alternative life-style”, disrespect and disregard of life is rampant, and now our government is heading us down the slippery slope to socialism. Yes, we need to call on God, Who brought this nation into existence over 200 years ago, Who called us to preach the gospel to all the world and to be a friend to Israel; we need repentance as individuals and as a nation. We need to obey the command of 2 Chronicles 7:14:


    “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV)

    It’s not enough to just have some religious groups meet or have some prayers read in town hall meetings.  We can’t just go through the motions of calling it a Day of Prayer with no repentance and expect to see any positive changes in our nation.

    In the Old Testament, the Jewish people had gone into captivity and in time some were living in Persia under King Xerxes. One of his officials hated the Jews and persuaded Xerxes to publish an edict that on a certain day, all the Jews were to be killed and their possessions to be confiscated.  Mordecai the Jew, who also served King Xerxes, sent word to Queen Esther and asked her to go to the king and appeal to the king on their behalf. When she finally consented, she instructed Mordecai to call all the Jews in the city and “fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days and nights. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

    We have a more just King than Xerxes. The One to whom we appeal is eager to receive us and to hear our plea. But we must go before him with clean hands and a pure heart.

    Job 11:13-15 says, “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
    Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.”     (New Living Translation)

    Prepare our hearts. How do we do that? Esther fasted. Daniel fasted and prayed.  Moses fasted and prayed. Jesus before starting his ministry on earth spent 40 days and nights in the desert fasting and praying.  Before we can effectively pray for our nation, we must first be sure our own lives are pure before the Lord. Maybe not everyone can go three days and nights without eating or drinking, but we all can give up something to spend more time with the Lord. Instead of watching the evening news, spend that time reading the Word and praying. How much time do we spend every day doing non-essential things, not that there is anything wrong with them, but maybe just for three days we can give those things up to spend more time praying and seeking God’s face. If every Christian would spend the next three days devoting more of their time with the Lord on behalf of our nation, this year’s Day of National of Prayer could be the “re”-turning point for our nation.

    Peace and blessings.
    Dee

  • Learning from God

    Godly relationships are vital in our walk as Christians. The Bible is clear that we are to assemble ourselves together regularly to study the Word and for worship.


    “…not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching”. Hebrews 10:25 (The Amplified Bible)


    I just completed an 8-week ladies Bible study where we met each Tuesday evening. There were about 20 of us sharing what we’d learned the past week and with our group discussions, each one gave the others a glimpse into her life. As the weeks progressed, we all became very dear to one another and now we cannot wait for our next session to start again.

    In addition to corporate fellowship in church and Bible study groups, God brings individuals into our lives to encourage us and help us grow.


    ”As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)


    God has brought several such women into my life during different periods of my life. Those friendships are precious to me and I cherish the times we’ve spent together praying and sharing the Word together. They are all dear sisters and although some of us are separated by miles now, we are still one in the Lord. I continue to pray for them as they do for me.


    As much as I cherish those times, with individual friends and group Bible studies, the times I’ve grown the most spiritually have not always felt pleasant as it was happening. It was hard because I felt alone. Of course I had my church and my family, but I was missing that “Paul & Timothy” relationship I was used to having. Now, looking back I see those times too were God ordained. It was in those alone times I had to totally rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me the Word. When you have no one but Jesus to cling to, you learn to cling with all your might.

    In the Old Testament, before David became king, he was a keeper of sheep. Alone out with his sheep, he learned to totally trust in God.


    “My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.
    He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken    . Psalm 62:1,2 (New American Standard)


    After God anointed him to be king, David went through some hard times. Saul tried to kill him, and later even his own son tried to kill and overthrow him. If David had not learned how to trust in God alone in the field with his sheep, it would have been hard to learn it when men were trying to kill him.

    Don’t despise the lonely times; listen for God’s voice and stay in His Word. We don’t always know what God is preparing us for in those times but we can be sure, everything God does in our lives is for a purpose. We just have to trust Him.

    Peace and Blessings,

    Dee

  • We Are One Body

    “So we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.” Romans 12:5 (Young’s Literal Translation)

    Last Sunday evening our church had a very special worship service. It was a glimpse into the future of our church, and perhaps even the Church as a whole, the Body of Christ.
    There are four distinct churches that meet on our campus every Sunday and at various times through the week. The main body, the host church, is made up of a diverse group of believers, of every age, cultural background, economic and social group. Our pastor encourages the members to reach out to the community and his desire is for our church to reflect the diversity of our community. As a result, God has opened doors of opportunity for us as a church to do just that. Presently, there are three additional churches that meet on our campus for worship and Bible Study in their native languages.
    There is a Korean church, an Iranian church and a Chinese church that all have their own services and programs on Sundays and through the week. They are all independent of us and of one another, yet we are all part of a greater whole.
    Last Sunday evening, all four churches worshiped together. There were songs in English we all sang together, and songs in Farsi and Chinese I could not understand. But the message was clear – we are all one body in Christ. And as one body we worshiped our Lord, all in one accord.
    Some members were political prisoners before becoming believers. Some were bound in false religions before confronting the living Jesus. Many were foreign born but God brought them to this place as part of His divine plan. The common denominator is knowing we all were sinners and have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. And we all will fall at the feet of Jesus to worship Him when we see Him face to face.
    “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:4 (New International Version)

  • Chaos to Calm

    We’ve been doing some remodeling in our house the past few weeks. We moved out a wall enlarging our family room, added some built-in bookshelves, repainted the walls and ceiling, and today will get new carpet installed. Meanwhile, all the family room furniture, including my husband’s big-screen TV, is in the living room, the hallways, and office. There are stacks of books and board games everywhere there is available space to stack. Not to mention that all the dust generated from the construction covers every surface in the house. To say my house is in chaos at this moment, is a fairly accurate statement. But once the job is finished, the furniture moved back in and everything is back in place, it will be beautiful. The room will be larger and more comfortable for family and guests when they visit. It will be more comfortable for my husband and me to sit and watch “Dancing with the Stars” together. We’ve had to endure the chaos to get to the improvement.
    I don’t like my house not being in order. I don’t deal well with clutter and I’m ready to get it organized. I’m tired of cleaning only to have a new layer of dust re-cover everything I just cleaned. I’m ready for everything to be complete and for the enjoyment of a new room.
    Sometimes God takes us through a re-construction phase.  Sometimes we need to have some things moved around or moved out in order to make way for the new.  Old habits need to be broken and replaced with new ones. Maybe instead of watching the morning news on television, we need to spend that time in the good news of God’s Word. Maybe we need to replace that bedtime snack of ice cream and a soda with a piece of cheese and some fruit, or some of us should just give up that late snack entirely.
    Maybe a job has become too comfortable and we’re looking to it for our provision, but God has something else He desires for us. When I left my job last October, I left a job I enjoyed with people I liked and enjoyed working with. But it was taking all my time and God called me to be a writer. I’ve known that for many years, but I kept finding other things I “needed” to do first. God made it very clear to me that it was time to leave my old job and to obey His call. It’s not been easy giving up a paying job in a climate where jobs are disappearing daily. But God is faithful and He is taking care of us. The blessings I have in being obedient are greater than any other reward on earth.
    The chaos of hurts, disappointments, and hard times come into all of our lives. Jesus said that as long as we are in this world these things will happen, but He also promised to get us through them all.
    “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)
    Yes, He will take us from the chaos in our lives and to a place of calm, but we have to trust Him and keep moving through.
    Peace and blessings.
    Dee

  • What is humility?

    When I was in school, I had a friend who was very popular. He was extremely good looking, athletic and very smart. All the girls wanted to date him and all the guys wanted to be him. And yes, he loved the Lord. He was in church every Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday night. He was a leader in both school and church.
    Too many people with all that going for them tend to be arrogant and snobbish, even some Christians. But not my friend. He was a genuinely nice person who treated everyone with respect. He would seek out people no one else paid any attention to and eat lunch with them. He always had time to help anyone needing help but never boasted about what he had done. He never bragged about his good grades or successes on the athletic field. Any honors given to him, he graciously accepted always giving credit to others for helping him. He exemplified humility.
    We all probably know or have known someone whose life demonstrated humility. But have you ever considered the humility of God?  Philippians 2:8 tells is that Jesus, although he was God, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on the cross. I’ve read and heard that many times, but the reality of God being humble never really sunk into my consciousness.
    “Who is like the Lord our God, Who has his seat on high
    “Who humbles Himself to regard the heavens and the earth.”     (Psalm 113:5,6 The Amplified  Bible)
    God humbles Himself. He is God – He does not have to pay any attention to man or the affairs of man. He is far above all. Yet he chooses to reach out to man.  Just as a parent kneels down to pick up their child, the Creator of heaven and earth kneels down to us so that we may reach up to Him.
    “For though the Lord is high, yet has He respect to the lowly [bringing them into fellowship with Him].” (Psalm 138:6a The Amplified Bible)
    God is God. He never changes. There is no weakness in Him, there is no deficiency in His nature. He could withhold Himself from us because we are so unworthy, yet He has respect for us and brings us into fellowship with Him.
    “To Him Who [earnestly] remembers us in our low estate and imprinted us [on his heart], for His mercy and loving-kindness endure for ever;
    “O give thanks to the God of Heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure for ever!”     (Psalm 136:23, 26 The Amplified Bible)

    Peace and blessings
    Dee

  • A WOMAN TO BE PRAISED

    “A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies”. (Proverbs 31:10, American Standard Version)

    I have a lovely friend at church we call Miss Dorothy. A little past 90 years old, Miss Dorothy has beautiful snow white hair and piercing blue eyes, but her real beauty comes from her gentle and loving spirit. A person does not have to be around her very long until they see Jesus in her. She is a tiny woman and looks very frail, but she goes out and walks every morning. It’s a rare Sunday that you don’t find her in church and Sunday school class. She ministers to friends and loved ones by sending them cards and letters. Yes, she still writes letters that go through the mail. She wants no credit or recognition for what she does, but she blesses the countless number of people she’s known through the years. I want to be just like her when I grow up.


    “The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
    She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.”     (Proverbs 31:11-12, American Standard Version)
    “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33, New International Version)

    Miss Dorothy’s late husband was a pastor and I suspect his life and ministry were blessed by having such a godly wife as his partner. When she talks about her husband, the light in her eyes tells you how much she loved and respected him. All of us wives could learn by following her example.

    “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31: 26, American Standard Version)

    When I was in a Bible class with Miss Dorothy, she was never quick to voice an opinion as some were. We usually had to beg her to share her thoughts or what she’d learned. But when she did speak, it was worth hearing. Her daughter-in-law told me that for Christmas this year she gave her children copies of her journals she’d kept over the years, telling the story of her life. What a wonderful gift!

    “Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]: Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
    Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.”     (Proverbs 31:28-30, American Standard Version)

    Peace and blessings

    Dee

  • WHY I’M NOT BALD AND TOTALLY GREY


    “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” Proverbs 22:6 (New Living Testament)

    Many years ago when my son was in high school, one of my neighbors shocked me when she asked how I managed so well to have a teen-age son who never got into trouble. She went on to say I always seemed so calm with my kids and not worried about anything. She wanted to know why, what was my secret?

    The surprise was not her thinking I had good kids. My husband and I thank God every day that they gave us few problems. But I knew all too well that we were NOT perfect parents. I lost my temper and yelled and screamed as much as any mother. I made impossible demands on them and had to repent daily. Too often I was anything but calm.

    After I had picked my jaw up off the floor, I tried to give her the best answer I could – “I don’t know. It’s not me.” That was the truth. It was not me. It was God and His faithfulness. I shared with her that I prayed for my children daily and then left them in God’s hands. My husband and I took them to church and taught them at home. That was the best we knew to do.

    It’s never easy being a parent, and being the parent of teen-agers is especially challenging. It was hard in the late 80’s when my son was in high school and it was harder in the 90’s when my daughter was in high school. The challenges and temptations that face our children today are even greater. But God does not change. He is faithful and His word is true. We can rely on Him to guide us through every situation. There were days when it didn’t look so good for one or the other of my children. Those were the days when I had to just trust God that His Word would not fail and that His promises to bring my child back would come to pass. I had to believe the Word more than I believed what I saw.

    Jesus said, “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about what to say in your defense, for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are standing there.” Luke 12: 11, 12 (New Living Translation)

    Most of us here in the United States will never be brought to trial for the gospel, or be called to account before authorities. Sometimes the one judging us is an angry teen-ager. Maybe the one we need an answer for is a defiant child.

    My daughter Rachael thanked me a couple of years ago for something I’d forgotten had even happened until she reminded me. One Friday night she’d made plans to go with some friends to a party. When she came out of her bedroom to leave, I took one look at her and told her to go change clothes. She had on a skirt she’d borrowed from a friend that was so short no way could she sit down without exposing her backside. She pitched a fit, said there was nothing wrong with way she was dressed. I stood my ground and gave her the option of changing clothes or staying home. She continued to argue so I told her she was grounded. She stayed home and pouted the rest of the week-end.

    When my daughter and I were talking about this, she told me that she remembered telling me she hated me that night but how sorry she was now. She thanked me for not giving in because now she understood why I was concerned and that I was acting out of love for her.

    WOW! That’s the best gift any mother could ever have.

    Yes, God is faithful to His word. His Word is true. When we obey our part, He will do what He has promised. My job was to train them up. God’s job was and is to keep them on the right path. God is no respecter of persons, what He’s done for me He will do for anyone.

    “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth” Isaiah 43:5, 6 (New International Version)

    It doesn’t matter where your child is, pray over them and put them into God’s hands. Remember God loves them even more than you do. Trust Him to bring them back if they’re gone astray. Trust Him to save them if they’re lost. God is faithful and what He has promised, He will do.


    Peace and blessings.
    Dee

  • HOW IS YOUR LIGHT?


    “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
    Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house.”     (Matt. 5:14, 15, NKJV)


    This is Jesus’ instruction to us who profess to believe in Him. As I have gone through life, I’ve met people I knew were Christian before they ever said one word about God, church or what they believed. Their character and way of conducting themselves or their business told the world who they were. Sadly, I’ve known others who professed loud and long they were Christian, some even boasting about their positions in their church. But after being around them in day to day business, I wondered. The first group of individuals were indeed lights set on a hill offering light to the world. The second group, no real light emanated from them.


    Jesus went on saying, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16, NKJV) The Amplified Version says “…that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds…”
    We are instructed to be light not only to show others, but to cause them to glorify our Father in heaven. Those who say they are Christian but don’t act like Christ, bring dishonor to God. How can we be a witness to the world and lead them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ when we act like sinners ourselves? There is a reason that some nonbelievers complain about hypocrites in the church – too often it’s true.  Some even reject Christ because they were mistreated by someone who  professed to be a Christian.


    The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8-10 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”


    “…finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”  How do we do that? The answer starts in Matt. 5:17. Jesus goes from talking about us being the light of the world to the law. Yes, I know we are no longer under the law, we are under grace. However, Jesus said He did not do away with the law, but He fulfilled it. The rest of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7 deals with how we are to live. He teaches us how we can be the light of the world. The old saying goes “actions speak louder than words” and we know that to be true. When we live as He instructs us to live, our actions will speak in a way that glorifies our Father and our words will be heard more clearly when we do speak of the things of God.


    Father, I pray that I may become blameless and harmless, a child of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom I can shine as a light in the world. In Jesus Name, Amen. (Phil 2:15)

    Peace and blessings.
    Dee