Scripture for Today: John 12:37 “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.”

This cute little guy pops up all over the mountains, delighting hikers. He is the Alpine marmot and is part of the squirrel family. He lives in underground burrows, is a vegetarian and hibernates most of the winter. In North America, we know him better as the groundhog. Just yesterday, the most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter by seeing his shadow. Had he not seen it, legend says that spring would come early. For some it is a sign but perhaps most people would not believe it.

In today’s verse, Jesus is performing true signs with His miraculous power. These signs fulfilled what was said of Him in prophecy, that He would give sight to the blind, cause the lame to walk, cleanse the leper, cause the deaf to hear, raise the dead and proclaim good news to the poor. (Isaiah 35:5-6 & Matt. 11:5) These signs were to prove His identity as the Son of God. And even though there was proof before their eyes, many would still not believe.

So, for some seeing is NOT believing. But God graciously continues to reveal Himself through what He has miraculously created. (Romans 1:20) And He continues to reveal Himself to me through His Word. I also see evidence of His love for me daily and I am humbled. Everything that is good in my life comes from His hand. (James 1:17) But the biggest sign He gives me is the unseen reassurance in my heart that I belong to Him and He belongs to me! That close growing relationship with Him continues to strengthen and with it my faith.

Thank you Lord, for giving me every sign I need to believe in You.

(Merci, Jean-Luc Zaepfel, pour l’image!)

Scripture for Today: Luke 7:41-42  “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender.  One owed him five hundred denari and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debt of both.  Now which of them will love him more?”

With the exception of houses and cars, we normally do not purchase items “on time.” But early in our marriage we made an exception for this piano. My husband knew how important piano playing was to me and so one day he surprised me. He had it wrapped in a big red bow! When the monthly bills began to arrive, the amount of interest required took the joy right out of that purchase! In fact, it bothered him so much, we quickly paid the piano off ahead of time.

In today’s verse, Jesus is speaking to Simon, a pharisee. Simon is appalled that a sinful woman would dare to anoint the feet of Jesus. This pharisee’s self-righteous thinking was challenged with a short parable. Those who have been forgiven much will love much. Those who have been forgiven little will only love a little (verse 47).  Both debtors have had their debt erased. But the one with the bigger debt is more motivated to show love and gratitude.

The more I realize the enormity of my sin, the more amazed I am that Christ paid my debt. The more I realize the ugliness of my heart, the more grateful I am for His cleansing. When I take a good hard look at myself, I realize that Jesus has forgiven me “much.” My debt for sin was huge and impossible to pay. How thankful I am that He paid my debt! And how much better to be indebted to His grace!  “Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be.”

Thank you Lord, for erasing my debt!

(Look familiar? This is another repost from 2014)

Scripture for Today:  II Thessalonians 1: 3b-4  “…your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.  Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

When I first saw this picture I wondered why on earth someone would intentionally poke holes in a lawn.  Obviously, I am no gardener or I would know all about aerating soil. What looks like destroying a patch of lawn is actually good for its health! Aerating soil allows oxygen to reach plant roots. Water and nutrients can be absorbed more easily. Without aerating the soil, toxins increase, plant disease develops and plant growth slows down. This process looks brutal but not only is it good for plants, it encourages roots to grow even deeper.

Today’s verse describes the spiritual health of the Thessalonian church. Paul is proud of their growing faith and love for one another. Their faith has been growing as a result of persecutions and trials. Like aerating soil, the process is hard, but the results can be seen in a growing and healthy faith. Because of the hard times, their roots have grown deeper and they are able to endure.

The seed of God’s Word has fallen on good soil (Matt. 13:23) and I am thankful. But for my faith to continue to grow and be healthy, God is allowing hard times to come and test my faith. He is aerating the soil to keep me growing. It certainly does not feel good. And some of these trials sure seem to last a very long time. But hopefully, the beautiful result will be roots that grow deeper into Him and His Word. I do not ever want my faith to stop growing.

Thank you Lord, that You know what You are doing in my life.  Help me to trust You.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 26:15  “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.”

The slug is a disgusting creature. It has to be part of the curse! Surely, the new earth will have no such nastiness! They munch on flowers and greenery and leave a nasty slimy trail. At our home in France they would especially come out at night and we would have to be careful where we stepped! At least they move so slowly that removing them is no problem, just very disgusting. There are plenty of products that poison them, but so does a good shake of salt!

Today’s verse describes the sluggard, not a slug. But it is easy to equate the two as both are slow. The sluggard is so lazy he cannot be bothered to lift his hand to his mouth, even to eat! Proverbs has a lot to say about the sluggard. He is mentioned fourteen times and always in a negative light. He will sleep all day and would rather beg than work. He will use any excuse not to leave the house, even an imaginary lion outside! (Prov. 22:13) 

I would not be honest if I did not admit to sometimes feeling like a sluggard, most notably after a large meal! There are those lazy moments when we are self-indulgent and quite frankly do not feel like lifting a finger! Hopefully, those moments do not characterize my life! With faith in Christ I have received a new nature. Lazy habits can be left behind with the old nature! The Lord keeps me motivated to move, to work, and to advance towards goals. He gives me purpose. He gives me energy. And He keeps me balanced. Serving and glorifying Him with my life leaves no room for laziness!

Lord, thank you for keeping me motivated!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 125:2 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forever.”

During our four years in Grenoble, France, we were spoiled with beautiful mountain views. The city sits in a basin, surrounded by several mountain chains. There is the Chartreuse, the Vercors and the Belledonne chains. It was nearly impossible to look up and not see mountains! Grenoble is considered the capital of the French Alps and we never tired of gazing on those magnificent mountains surrounding us! It was a constant visual prompt to consider the grandeur of our God.

Today’s verse likens the love and protection of the Lord to surrounding mountains. Jerusalem is not surrounded by a ring of peaks, but it is situated in a mountainous region. God’s care is as constant and unmoving as mountains. The permanence of mountains reminds us of His faithfulness to His unchangeable word. Those who trust in Him and His care are not shaken (verse 1) but are themselves like Mount Zion.

What a wonderful assurance to know that I am surrounded by God’s constant faithful love! There is nowhere that I can turn that I cannot see it and feel it. Like a ring of mountains, His love surrounds me. He reminds me with every mountain view just how wide, long, high and deep His love is for me. (Eph. 3:18) He especially reminds me when I read His Word with His promises of love. There is nothing I can do to remove those mountains far from me. His love is too strong! Nothing can separate me from that love. My view of it may be blocked by my own waywardness or doubts, but it continues on. His love continues today, tomorrow and for eternity!

Lord, may I feel your love today, surrounding, supporting and reassuring me.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014)