“…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 2:1b

One mornings as I was driving my very basic 12-year-old rusty Fiat, I suddenly became aware of the locals around me driving their shiny, new, beautiful Mercedes, Volvos, BMWs, and Fords. And just as suddenly I experienced a strong surge of jealousy.

But the Holy Spirit was “on duty” and brought this to mind: “These men don’t actually own those cars, the bank does. And they have a big payment each month. Plus, think how much it costs for upkeep for these expensive cars. Yours is simple, 1950’s technology, easy and cheap to fix!”

These simple facts snapped me out of my selfish jealousy, and launched into thanking God for what I had. It got me there and back and that was all I needed! Focus on God. Be thankful for what you have; be glad for others for what they have.

Picture: Do I need this? Or is what I have adequate? Be thankful, think truth.

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.” 1 Tim. 1:17

You, Yahweh, are the God who is

pure in motive,

perfect in planning,

persistent in values,

perceptive in understanding,

purposeful in love.

You are flawless in execution,

abundant in mercy,

rich in resources,

overflowing in love,

generous in giving,

gracious in provision,

limitless in creativity,

slow in anger

and positive in patience.

You are a marvel,

you are majestic,

you are trustable,

you are great.

To you be glory both now and forevermore.

Prayer: “Lord,in the  midst of uncertainty,

I praise you now for how you are going to work things out for me.

I give you honor without seeing the end, for you are absolutely trustable.

Keep me thinking these truths,

help me to respond with love and grace and goodness,

to fight the real enemy with praise, prayer and persistence in obedience. Amen.”

Picture: The Majesty of God our Rock and Light

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:10b

Facing me is a situation where others, who are at odds with me, are going to decide my future. In this I am weak–and that is good. Yes, good, but uncomfortable.

Praise you, Lord, that being comfortable is not the measure of anything important, spiritual or significant.  You call us to a higher level, “If any man would come after  me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Matt 16:24. Knowing your Word, trusting you, living in praise, obeying what we know to be true, these are what is important. In the midst of insecurity, what is uncomfortable, I can deny myself, take up my cross and follow wherever He leads.

As Lilias Trotter, pioneer evangelist in Algeria in the 1800s, said, “Swinging out over the abyss without anything other than you, Lord, rejoicing in this need to trust in you and your power, praising for your goodness before any solution can be seen, this is trained faith.” (1)

Praise you, Father that you are at work in ways I cannot see or foresee. I praise you for what you are doing and whatever you will do in my situation, for you are great, you are good —you are God. As your Word says,  “Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” Psalm 37:8  I have tasted and seen that He is good, so I can rest in what He will do for me and to me.

[1] A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lillias Trotter by Miriam Huffman Rockness

Picture: the world’s view of weakness, just the opposite of God’s “My power is made perfect in weakness” 2 For. 12:9

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

Praise you, Lord, for “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5

Had some God sightings recently. Let me back up and tell you about them.

I am blind in my right eye, so it is difficult to see everything when I back up. One day recently I was at the post office, got in the van, checked my mirrors and backed up. Then Bang! I got out and saw that the lady parked across from me had been backing out too, which put her in my blind spot, and probably me in hers. We examined her car, nothing, praise God! Then I looked a little closer and saw that her plastic bumper was raised a bit at the joint. But when I pressed on it, it popped right back in place! We were both glad there was no real damage.

Some days later, I was at the bank. Looke  in my mirrors, nothing, so I carefully backed up and BANG!  I got out to look and the other driver got out, “I’ve had this brand new truck for 3 weeks and you backed right into me!” He said loudly. I bent down to look at his pickup’s bumper. There was nothing, not a scratch, no scuff, nothing!  “I’ll have it checked,” he said, but I’ve heard nothing.

Then today at Walmart, again I checked the mirrors and slowly backed out, then suddenly I caught sight of a car across the way also backing out. But this time the other driver saw the bump coming and pulled back into his parking place!

The Lord is watching over me. As much as possible I try to park in a space I can drive out of, but sometimes it’s not possible. I do think, though, that I will get a backup camera installed in my 2006 van so I can see better! He has been so good to me, but no point in testing God any more than necessary!

Note your God sightings, nurture your faith, fall more in love with Jesus, our good Shepherd.

Picture: OOPS!