Are You Walking With Jesus?

 

Hey gang, you all know I am not a creative writer, but I do a lot of reading. I praise God every day for those with the gift of words to express things I feel: some are wordsmiths like Max Lucado, teachers like Chuck Swindoll, some, story writers like the Bodie Thoene , and some Daily Devotional writers like I read in Daily Guideposts. 

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that Abba Father is always with us and even knows what is ahead – Like this example from Guideposts, Friday June 24,2022. 

 

Friday, June 24 

“And my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:19

When my brother retired as a commercial airline pilot, I flew to Louisville for his last landing ceremony and retirement party.  Because there were so many family members in town for the festive weekend, my son, grandson, and I stayed at the house of one of my sisters-in-law’s best friends.  Barb was out of town for the weekend and her home was better than a five-star hotel.

In the morning, as I enjoyed a cup of tea and raisin toast in the Kitchen, I noticed a plaque on Barb’s wall that read, “Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride.” I pondered my own journey through life and decided that I am, indeed, enjoying the ride, even though sometimes it feels like the struggles outnumber the easy times.

But another plaque in Barb’s beautiful home said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. God is already there.” Well, now, if that didn’t take care of the struggles part of my life, I don’t know what did.

It Is such a simple truth, but one I often forget: God is already there, no matter where my journey is taking me.  Whether it be through scarry travels, sickness, death of a loved one, health problems, financial struggles, or sad times with friends, God is already there to comfort me and lead me through the difficult times.

So, wherever I go in this world, I try to picture God Himself arriving there just ahead of me, welcoming me with open arms, with comfort, and compassion, and with a warm hand in mine, as we take the journey together.

Heavenly Father, never let me forget that You are the power behind my comprehension – One who is there for me every single minute and step of my journey………… Patricia Lorenze

 

Digging Deeper: Matthew 6:8; Philippians 4:10-13; Hebrews 6:4-6; Revelation 21:23-25

 

I trust in these trying times that you will know and recognize that God is already there to walk with you. Be strengthened and encouraged.

Blessings,

Gma J

Juneteenth and Father's Day

 

Hey , gang, Today’s devotional, Mornings with Jesus titled ‘Juneteenth and Father’s Day, stirred many memories in my heart and mind.  First of course, my earthly father who was a Godly example of a father and who taught me to trust and love my Heavenly Father. 

This week I learned more about Juneteenth. It was signed into a Holiday by President Biden in 2021 a national Holiday but is not a paid day off in many states. Texas declared slaves free June 19, 1865.  

 My Mother was born and raised in Missouri about 50 years after the Civil War.  She had close relatives who fought on both sides, and the war was still an open wound to many.  I grew up singing many of the Spirituals that came from those in slavery but had freedom in Jesus!!

 

Devotional Juneteenth and Father’s Day by Barbranda Lumpkins Walls

“Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom.” II Corinthians 3:17

I was in college when the ground-breaking TV mini-series ROOTS premiered in 1977. My friends and I gathered around the television on eight consecutive nights, riveted by the story based on Ales Haley’s family history that detailed the enslavement of Haley’s African ancestor Kunta Kinte to his descendants’ liberation.

 While ROOTS was unsettling to me and my African American friends, it gave us a real appreciation of our ancestors and all they overcame to survive. The characters in Haley’s story talked about the LORD and called on Him for help and protection throughout their trials.  Although they were in bondage, they dreamed of freedom.  But when I stop to think about it, many of these people were already experiencing freedom in their minds and hearts because they knew Jesus.

 I believe my own enslaved ancestor’s faith in God and the presence of the Holy Spirit is what sustained them during the dark times.  They, too, believed they would be free someday. I’m not shackled in physical chains as my ancestors were, but from time to time I still battle things that try to hold me captive, fear of failure, guilt for sins past, present and more.  But as one who knows Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit, I am Free!

 Unlike many of the enslaved people who had to wait to get word or the freedom long after their official emancipation, I have been free ever since the day I gave my life to Jesus.  He gives on-the-spot liberation to all believers, and that’s the reason to celebrate today!

FAITH STEP:  What is holding you captive? Your job? Financial worries? A past sin? Lnow that there is freedom in Jesus.

Blessings.

Gma J

 

 

FLAG DAY JUNE 14

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Hey Gang:  I had a wonderful friend whom I respected for many years with all my heart.  I was honored when the family asked if I would do his eulogy.  When anyone asked who were the people in my life that impacted on my life, Bill Porteous was always among the top of my list. 

 Bill was drafted into the Army during the Second World War and spent his time preparing in boot camp and when the day arrived for him to debark, as he was waiting for his turn to go up the gang plank, he became seriously ill.  After a series of test in the hospital it was determined that he had polio and spent the next year or more in an iron lung fighting his own personal war. 

 He eventually won the battle, but it left its scars on his body.  As I sit here at this moment, I can still see Captain William Porteous at dusk lowering the flag that he faithfully raised in the morning before going to work.   I always thought he never stood taller than when he religiously, and with great loyalty to his country, lowered the colors.

 My bride found the following story in a 2005 Guidepost of another person who loved the stars and stripes and originated a day that our nations should honor our flag.  It saddens my heart that many people of our country do not honor or love our flag or nation as the warriors who laid down their lives to protect this once great nation.  I am proud to have served the United States of America.

 Take a moment and put all things out of your mind and honor stars and stripes that represent the multitudes of men and women who have laid down their lives to protect its shores. 

Tuesday, June 14, Daily Guidepost

 Scripture: And, behold, God Himself is with us…. ---II Chronicles 13:12

 I doubt the Wisconsin school teacher who originated the idea of Flag Day in 1885 could have ever imagined the places he could see the Flag displayed today. (2005).  Today I saw a flag flying on a car antenna, stuck on a store window, pinned to a man’s lapel and even painted on a rock.  No doubt, early Flag Day supporters would never have imagined the flag on the surface of the moon, or held aloft by six proud men, 5 Marines and a Navy corpsman, on the Pacific Island of Iwo Jima during a world war,  or raised by three New York City firefighters amid the rubble of a place of unspeakable tragedy know as Ground Zero.

Such images remind me of the song “Ragged old Flag” by the late country-music legend Johnny Cash.  A visitor to a small town notices the disheveled courthouse flag, and he is told that the wear and tear has come from a lifetime of experience – from the hole it got when George Washington crossing the Delaware River to the beating taken through several wars.  Yet it still flies, and folks remain proud and thankful for all it represents.

 When I look at the flag, I see threads --- freedom, tragedy, joy, triumph, sorrow, independence, faith--- an intricate history woven together over the course of years since Old Glory’s birth.  Today, as that flag flies outside my own front door.  I pray that God will bless our Nation with strength and endurance.

 Lord, on this Flag Day, wherever in the world our flag is flying, please bless that place----Gina Bridgman

PS Gramps and I were blessed to be ones who sewed stitches as part of repairing this flag from Ground Zero.

Ask and It Will Be Given to You!

Friday, June 30, 2017

“So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Luke 11:9  (Read the context)

 

When Jesus implored His disciples to ask, seek, and knock, He told them (and us) a great deal about what a life of faith looks like.

 Hey Gang:  Many years ago, we had the opportunity to hear a converted alcoholic turned Evangelist, who also had been a very successful executive in a major company connected to the space program.  He was asked, “If you prayed for healing for someone and that person dropped dead, what would you do?”  His response, “I would go to the next person who needs healing and pray for them!” 

 Did you ever ask God why bad things happen to good people? Or ever wonder why you do as God said: “Ask, seek and knock” but the fruits of your prayer fail to materialize?  “Why, Lord, did you not hear my prayer?” or “Why, Lord, did you not say…”  “Did you not hear my prayer, Lord?”  You did say, “Ask and it will be given to you,” didn’t you?”

 As I have looked and asked these very questions, throughout my 83 plus years of walking through many valleys and shadows, I believe there has come a degree of  understanding.  I have begun to understand that below the surface of these Words is the humility of fervent prayer, the vigorous activity of seeking after God, and the persistence to overcome any obstacle that is placed between us and God!

 I have also learned that God’s ways are always far and above and better than my ways.  The Bible tells us God's ways are not our ways, neither his thoughts our thoughts.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts” (Is. 55:9). 

 Does this not sound a lot different from the self-serving, first impression we often associate with this passage?   Careful young friends, that you do not accept a shallow, worldly interpretation of Jesus’ words. The blessed, deep, rich meaning that Jesus intended requires maturity in Christ that only comes through walking ever closer to Him. Focus on Him first. What will glorify Him, not just my desire. 

As you take your petitions before the Lord this morning, keep in mind Jesus made a promise in this teaching: Good things, very good things will come to those who actively participate in the asking, seeking, and knocking of faithful living, just not always as we want or expect! (see Matthew 7:9-11). And that, my good compatriots, is an irrevocable promise from the throne room of heaven. He wants His best for us; that is not usually the easy path!!

Blessings,

Gramps