a Mighty Word ~ go

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 

'Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?'"... Isaiah 6:8

Who will answer His call?  Will i?  Will you? 

Lord, let it be us, we pray.

we are loved and chosen by God,
May we live like we believe it,
veneal

ready for a change

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. 
21 He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2:20-21

With the recent heat waves, no one can doubt what season we are in.  But evidently, i am wrong.  On my morning walks, there's a lone tree i pass fully dressed in out-of-season foliage.  

Its blazing glory of red, gold and orange leaves shout out, "It's fall y'all!"  And while we might wish it were true, we know it's not.  But we are assured in due time, a change of season will come and a welcomed, cool relief will surround us.

Are you experiencing a difficult season now?  Do you need a reprieve? Is sweat pouring from your head? Do you long for a new beginning?  Are you in an unbearable situation? Are you anxious for a change?  

Hear this Good News.  God sees and knows all about our circumstances.  We might be ready for a change this instant, but God may be saying, "It's not time for this season to be over. Trust Me." 

Father, increase my patience. May i trust Your perfect timing for me in everything. Only You know how long i need to be in my current season --- For there is a purpose in all things.  

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it!
veneal

One for all

"For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" Romans 5:10

Thank You, Father.  Whether enemy or friend, You came to save all.  You sent One for all; and, i pray for all to belong to One.

What a love... What a Father... His Grace is beyond understanding.

we are ALL loved and chosen by God, 
may we live like we BElieve it, 
veneal

in the heat of the day...

"Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness  you have done wonderful things... You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." Isaiah 25:1, 4

Today will be the hottest day of the year so far.  Can we safely survive the scorching heat?  Yes, by taking cover under our Protector.

Thank You, Father, no matter what our condition is, our state of being, or our circumstances we are in Your loving, caring, capable Hands. And You are enough.  Thank You.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it!
veneal

is this possible?

"You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Every time when passing a particular street sign, i've had to chuckle. Why would anyone name a street, Jolly Cemetery?  Of all the oxymorons, this one surely ranks high in the strange category.

Wouldn't you agree a routine visit to a cemetery is normally far from jolly?  It is usually accompanied by silence, tears, hurt, fear and maybe anger. But this sign has caused me to reconsider. Maybe i've been looking at it from the wrong side. It's not what happens on the way to the cemetery, but what happens after it. 

Father, how are things looking up in heaven?  With no more pain, no more sadness, no more loneliness, no more tears, i'm thinking life Above is jolly for all there. Singing, dancing and praising You all the day long... what could possibly be sweeter? The best is yet to come.  Thank You!

Jolly Cemetery... i am liking the name of this street more and more.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may be live like we believe it!  
veneal

against the current

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Don't you love a good lazy river?  It's so relaxing... no work, no resistance, no sweat. Just  an easy, breezy ride. 

But, have you ever tried going against the current? I joined an exercise class one morning thinking, "fun!"; Ha! I could barely move afterwards.  Walking against the current was a struggle, but then running and exercising were practically impossible. Drifting is mindless fun, but flip around and you are facing a constant battle.  So, why do it? Because the future rewards outweigh the immediate ones.

As a child of God, we are plunged daily into temptations of becoming a lazy-believer. The world taunts us constantly in putting our wants and desires first. The easiest decision is to just go with the flow and to fall prey to worldly ways. We can expect immediate delight, but, oh, how much more will be gained by taking a more difficult path.

Father, help me possess the strength and boldness to go against the ways of the day. I don't want to get caught in the swirling currents and miss all Your treasures, blessings and joys.  What glimmers and shines momentarily don't begin to touch what You have in store for us.  

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

spread the News

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you, (your name), will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Act 1:8

It started out as one, but quickly exploded into a yard of mushrooms.

It what I'm hoping for this summer... a mushrooming on the telling of God. Share with others how you are seeing and witnessing God's presence in the ordinary day.

So, what's up with you?  Do tell.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may be live like we believe it,
veneal

feeling clingy

"I cling to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:8

Placing a bird feeder next to our new plant, our suspicions were confirmed.  The plant contained a runner. In no time the vine wrapped securely around the pole, sprouting leaves and blooms along the way. With the support needed, the plant is now flourishing beautifully.

Father, as believers may we run and cling tightly to Your Mighty Arms and Ways. Supported, strengthen and guided by Your Love, we also can flourish allowing others to see and witness Your awesome glory.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

i challenge you...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

People often ask me how i come up with devotions.  And i promise you, it's easier than you think.  All during the day whatever i am doing, seeing or thinking i'm trying to imagine it through God's eyes.

So, this summer i challenge you to do the same.  Look for God around you in just the ordinary moments.  Sometimes it's very direct, and sometimes it requires more thought.

Here's one i spotted the other day, reminding me of one of the most cherished verses of a believer.

Here's your sign... God is forever around us watching; we just need to keep our eyes open for Him too.

I look forward to you sharing with me your signs of Him! 

Stop. Look. Listen. He is there.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ believe

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:2

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we BELIEVE it,
veneal

let freedom ring!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

May the bells of freedom be heard everywhere today!

For the many who dedicated their life and even died for my freedom, I humbly give thanks. Did i do anything to deserve such a sacrifice? Not at all; it was completely their desire to save and serve others.

Sacrifice...
God, You started it all with the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross.  You determined me worthy of saving, even before I spoke Your name.  Such a love I cannot fathom. Grace beyond measure. Mercy deeper than the universe.  I celebrate freedom and peace in You. Thank You.

And to the many selfless public servants and soldiers who have and still fight to protect my life and my homeland, I salute.

I am thankful to be a child of God, and I am thankful to be an American. Long live the free and the brave. May His Peace reign in my heart always.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal