Thursday, June 27, 2024
God Is Moving In The Now
If you’ve ever played a sport, you know one of the biggest challenges you face is getting stuck in your head. Being worried about how many more points need to be scored, or that bad play you had a couple of minutes ago. Maybe it’s the score the other team got that they shouldn’t have…it’s easy to become so distracted about the past mistakes or future goals, that you forget to be in the game and make the next move, play, or point happen. We can become so caught up in those moments that when it’s time do something in your present place, you can’t or you’re not able to do it to the best of your abilities.
Distraction is often times satan’s most used weapon, at least for me it is. I get distracted by the prayers that weren’t answered the way I expected and miss the miracle of how others were. I get distracted by the things to do and finish, looking in the future and missing opportunities in the present. Something I have had to ask myself is, “what is Satan using as a distraction to me now?” Is it my worry, doubts, errands, control, disappointment, desires…? What is it for you? As you are reading this I challenge you, is there anything you have allowed yourself to be distracted away from?What things are you dreading giving attention to? It’s most often the first thing that comes into your mind that you quickly try to get out of your mind. I challenge you to sit with it. Truly consider it and pray with the Lord on it. Surrendering to God only goes as far as you allow it, what things are you giving more worth to than God? Maybe you are being called to a mission or service, but are too concerned with the finances. Perhaps you are called to reach out to a friend but you are caught on how much time it would take. Whatever it may be, I challenge you to be smart but also be in the moment. We get so wrapped up in the future, the past, or circumstances and forget to be where our feet are planted, where God has us in this present moment. If you are reading this in your home, what friend could you reach out to after to check on, maybe send them a prayer. If you are in a coffee shop, maybe pay for someone’s coffee and tell them God loves them. We are called to be bold in our faith, and to be here now. Look at where God has you and make the most of those moments.
I had heard a quote the other day from Craig Groeschel that said, “surrender the past you can’t change and trust God with the further that you can’t control.” Do we have that confidence in the Lord? Can we allow time for His movement in our life. God allowed there to be interruptions in His walk, even on the way to certain destinations, He was present enough to see the blind man on the side of the road, to see Zacchaeus and eat with him, and to stop to help the disciples, walking to them on the water, instead of just meeting them on the other side as intended. God allowed time for interruptions, I have to ask myself if I will do the same.
Verses:
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us THIS day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.””
James 4:13, 15 NKJV
“THIS is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24 NKJV
“And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.””
Luke 19:5-7 NKJV
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.”
John 9:1-7 NKJV
“Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Mark 6:47-510 NKJV
Monday, June 17, 2024
Eager Anticipation
I asked dad what topic he wanted written on for this weeks devotion. His response was “what I’m going through”. He had just mentioned how he feels trapped and worried to be a burden on us. He mentioned feeling like he is in a cage. Even still we are reminded of Paul; sharing the Gospel while legitimately in a cage, in shackles. While dad has been laying in the hospital, his testimony and love for the Lord has spread. Nurses all throughout the Neurology ICU floor have talked about how involved they feel to take care of their Godly friend…whom they only saw awake for a day. That says a lot to leave a legacy for God in a few hours span. To strengthen your testimony even under tribulation. A lot of times in life, we are going after something but feel trapped or stuck. Maybe something is legitimately in the way… prison bars, sin, or fear. Maybe it’s us saying we are stuck out of not truly wanting or feeling ready to make next steps. Perhaps we are so caught on where we want to be, we can’t find how to get there. In the midst of waiting, struggling or figuring, we are called to be patient but also called to be ready to move when the Lord clears the path. We can live life in ministry to others while waiting for our opportunity ahead. Are your current circumstances being used to create Christlike interactions? In Psalm 40:1, The Bible calls us to “wait patiently” which some say closer translates to “eager anticipation”. In Basketball, dad always taught me to be ready to jump in, get the pass, or make a move, no one will pass you a ball if you don’t stand looking ready to get it, and do something with it. Are you letting your comfort stop you from being ready to get the next moves from God? Are you making a difference even as you wait?
Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.” (NASB)
James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (NASB)
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (NASB)
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (NASB)
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Fix Your Eyes and Walk
While I was down in Florida, I found myself trying to cling to every single blessing and every sliver of hope. After spending over 30 hours in airports not knowing what would happen while I was on the other side of the country I had finally made it to see my dad. I got to see my brothers for the first time in two and a half years, I got to meet my niece Ember, and I got to witness the first few miracles God had in store for my dad. I knew I had to focus on every good moment, big or small, because the second I took my eyes off of God’s blessings I couldn’t hold myself together.
I started thinking about Peter walking on the water with Jesus. In Matthew chapter 14 we read that Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him so he could take time to pray. While the disciples were crossing the sea a huge storm surrounded them. As they struggled through the wind they suddenly saw a figure walking across the water to them. The disciples were terrified, but Jesus called out to them to not be afraid. Peter recognized and believed that it was Jesus walking to him and he called out “Lord if it truly is you, command me to come to you on the water”. Jesus replied “Come”.
I know if I was in the middle of the sea during a huge storm, my last thought would be “well why don’t I just get out of the boat and walk to this figure that just appeared out of nowhere,” but Peter knew that if it was truly Jesus walking towards him that he could do the impossible. He had God in the flesh standing in front of him, arm stretched out to him, and calling him to walk. So he stepped out in faith and while his eyes were trained on Jesus he was able to do the impossible, but the second he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the storm around him, he began to sink.
“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
Peter had a faith bold enough to step out on the water but it wasn’t sustainable when the storm did not immediately cease.
So often in life we become distracted by the storms around us, we take our eyes off of God, and focus on the things of the world instead. We may be willing to take that first bold step out, but are we able to continue in faith when we are scared of our circumstances. Sometimes we step out boldly expecting God to immediately make the situation better for us. But it is only through learning that God is there, ready to pull us out of the water even when we falter that we can strengthen and grow our faith. It is when we learn to keep our focus on God that we can faithfully weather every storm. So take a bold step of faith, fix your eyes, and walk.
“You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” Isaiah 26:3 CSB
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Written by Christa Glass
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
When Our Miracles Don't Seem Miraculous June 5 2024
I've been praying for a miracle. It’s funny how often times, at least for myself, I forget to recognize miracles, unless they’re extravagant and obvious... Obvious in the sense that it’s the one I wanted, or the one that was most convenient. With everything that my fathers been through , the fact that he’s alive is a miracle. It’s a miracle that he is able to breathe on his own now. It’s a miracle that he is starting to move. It’s a miracle that he’s interacting. In my mind, they were all good things and absolutely blessings, but I still found myself wishing God would perform a miracle . A miracle to me, would have been that my dad was out of the hospital and out of his bed, or that they ran his tests, and he was miraculously healthier than before.
I once read a book called Disobedient God: Trusting a God Who Goes Off-Script by Albert Tate. The book talked about how to handle God when he is “disobedient” to our plans and our desires. The words from that book have been spiraling in my mind throughout these past three weeks. On page 120, Tate says “One of the greatest strategies that Satan will use to get you to lock into your doubt and never confess is the embarrassment and the fear of you being the only one.” So let me be far from the first to say, I want to fully trust God's will, but I still have an idea of what I think God’s will should be and when God’s will starts to look different to that, I find myself questioning His judgment. I sometimes think my plan would have been better. Deep down, I know all the right things to say, and do in these scenarios, but it’s hard to put into action when it involves someone you love, and you feel helpless. I know, with confidence, that this is all in God's hands and His will and His plan is better than mine, but I also know that if that will doesn’t look the way I had hoped it, I easily become disappointed. But I do not want to get myself in the habit of negating God’s powerful moments. Just because my dad is still fairly unresponsive, doesn’t change the fact that the amount of response he has given is still miraculous. It’s made me look hard at my life at how many times I think I don’t see God in a situation. In reality I don’t see the version of God that I wanted in that situation. For example, I recently was playing in the Mercedes Benz Stadium for Flag Football Nationals. I felt like I had worked hard to get there and was expecting to have more playing time. When I didn’t get much, I was pretty disappointed and confused and lost track of what an incredible opportunity I had just to be standing on the field and the blessing it was to play on it, even if it was for a short time. I have a bad habit, I want God to always make sense. Denying myself, denying control is one of the hardest things I have had to learn. I don’t know that it’s something anyone could ever perfect but it is worth aiming to achieve. The peace that comes with having your life in the hands of God who is on your side and loves you, someone you can trust no matter the outcome is worth pursuing. In the wise words of dad, found in the lullaby he wrote for us “Rest, be still, know that God is real, and He wants to take care of you”.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Job 5:8–11
As for me, I would seek God, and to God would commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
Below are some songs that Christa felt tied in well with this devotion.
I once read a book called Disobedient God: Trusting a God Who Goes Off-Script by Albert Tate. The book talked about how to handle God when he is “disobedient” to our plans and our desires. The words from that book have been spiraling in my mind throughout these past three weeks. On page 120, Tate says “One of the greatest strategies that Satan will use to get you to lock into your doubt and never confess is the embarrassment and the fear of you being the only one.” So let me be far from the first to say, I want to fully trust God's will, but I still have an idea of what I think God’s will should be and when God’s will starts to look different to that, I find myself questioning His judgment. I sometimes think my plan would have been better. Deep down, I know all the right things to say, and do in these scenarios, but it’s hard to put into action when it involves someone you love, and you feel helpless. I know, with confidence, that this is all in God's hands and His will and His plan is better than mine, but I also know that if that will doesn’t look the way I had hoped it, I easily become disappointed. But I do not want to get myself in the habit of negating God’s powerful moments. Just because my dad is still fairly unresponsive, doesn’t change the fact that the amount of response he has given is still miraculous. It’s made me look hard at my life at how many times I think I don’t see God in a situation. In reality I don’t see the version of God that I wanted in that situation. For example, I recently was playing in the Mercedes Benz Stadium for Flag Football Nationals. I felt like I had worked hard to get there and was expecting to have more playing time. When I didn’t get much, I was pretty disappointed and confused and lost track of what an incredible opportunity I had just to be standing on the field and the blessing it was to play on it, even if it was for a short time. I have a bad habit, I want God to always make sense. Denying myself, denying control is one of the hardest things I have had to learn. I don’t know that it’s something anyone could ever perfect but it is worth aiming to achieve. The peace that comes with having your life in the hands of God who is on your side and loves you, someone you can trust no matter the outcome is worth pursuing. In the wise words of dad, found in the lullaby he wrote for us “Rest, be still, know that God is real, and He wants to take care of you”.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Job 5:8–11
As for me, I would seek God, and to God would commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
Below are some songs that Christa felt tied in well with this devotion.
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