Wrapped in a Bow

(An Easter devo)

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NASB 1995

To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 KJV

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB 1995

I strategically placed a bright yellow stuffed chick, peanut butter and chocolate eggs, and candy filled, pastel colored plastic eggs in a basket. All surrounded by handfuls of fruit-flavored jelly beans, nestled in neon colored “grass.” Smiling, I stood back to admire the grandkid’s Easter baskets, knowing how excited they will be to tear into the carefully crafted baskets. The only thing lacking was a beautiful bow. And I was fresh out.

Real life comes with lots of no-bow-in-sight scenarios doesn’t it?

Wouldn’t it be awesome if life always came complete with wrapped-in-a-bow endings? But that’s not reality, is it? Even for followers of Jesus Christ, if you’ve lived longer than ten minutes, you understand that no one is exempt from the pain of life. Because of sin, life often comes to us with the somebody-forgot-the-bow disappointments and the “cracked eggs” of childhood challenges, addiction, abuse, regret, rejection, depression, fear, disappointments or (you fill in the blank). Wrapped in a bow, it’s not.

But even in the midst of that reality, our God is so good. So faithful. He uses the cracked eggs of bitter disappointment and regret, or the somebody-forgot-the-bow pain of addiction, despair and hopelessness. Giving us beauty for ashes as He causes all things to work together for our good and His glory. Offering us not just a new beginning, but a new birth. A new life. And this was all made possible by the no-bow-anywhere-in-sight crucifixion of our Lord. The great exchange. Taking on Himself our sin and offering us His righteousness. But just like the Easter basket gift, we must reach out and take the gift offered us.

I would love to tell you, that accepting this gift will wrap every life circumstance in a big, beautiful, bow, but we both know that isn’t true. What this gift will provide is eternal life … along with strength, wisdom, soul-deep peace, and authentic hope as you walk through the challenges of real life. And when the time comes for you to breath your last breath here, you will experience your first breath in His Presence. I’m sure He’ll have lots of bows!

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

Billy Graham

Lord Jesus, Please give us eyes to see You, even in the no-bow-in-sight situations of real life. Enable us to trust You, even when all around us are cracked-egg difficulties or I-don’t-understand trials. Thank You for taking our sin and giving us Your Righteousness. We are so thankful, Lord!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus

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As We Near Good Friday and Easter…

Though it’s been over 20 years, the memory is fresh in my mind. Smugly (though not realizing my own heart of spiritual yucko at the time) I sat back in the theater seat to watch on the big screen the movie The Passion of The Christ, praying those around me would see their need for the Savior. As I type those words, I choke at my own spiritual better-than-you attitude that permeated me.

As I settled into my seat, it was then that I “heard” the Lord speak to my heart… “I don’t want you to think about what I did for them…I want you to think what I have done for you.” So, it was with that unexpected mindset I took in, moment by painful moment, the price my Lord paid for ME. For MY sin.

As the movie came to an end, I sat in stunned silence. Making my way out of the theater, the words of Isaiah the prophet played like a mental loop in my mind…“He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, He bore our shame…” My iniquities. My lying, my lust and my idolatry. My hatred. My shame.

Arriving home, I nearly ran to the kitchen, where I grabbed my Bible that had been lying on the counter and began reading out loud, Isaiah 53. As tears streamed, and in barely a whisper, I choked out the words…Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, O that I could express to You the depth of my gratitude…the gift You bought with Your life’s blood I could never repay…

That prayer became the Easter poem you see below. I pray that you reflect on what Jesus Christ has done for YOU. Whether this is your 1st or 50th Easter as His child…recall again the price He paid, the love He showed and the mercy He has granted. To YOU. To ME. And praise Him!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus …. O that I could express to You the depth of my gratitude…the gift You bought with Your life’s blood I could never repay…

Becky White

My Jesus

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…

O, that I could express to You the depth of my gratitude. 

The gift You gave bought with Your life’s blood, I could never repay.

Your flesh ripped…

Your face slapped…

Your body pierced…

You willingly suffered such torment,

For me… how can that be?

It was my sin… not Yours,

My guilt and shame… not Yours.

Yet You traded,

Giving me Your righteousness

And taking on Yourself the guilt of my sin.

O, Jesus… Jesus….Jesus

I surrender my life to You as an offering.

A token so small…

For the One Who gave me His all.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

O, that I could express to You

The depth of my gratitude….

 My Lord, my God and my King….

easter-my-jesusDownload

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Even if He Doesn’t

We had hoped He was The One… Luke 24:21

Lord, if You had been here…. John 11:21

Even if He doesn’t… Daniel 3:18 NLT

And we know that God causes all things to work together for our good and His glory.

Romans 8:28 Becky’s version

Though the following story occurred several years ago, the emotion and memory feel like it happened just yesterday…

As I read and reread the text on my phone screen, the lump in my throat grew and the tears began to well, as what-if thoughts engulfed me… “This can’t be. Oh Lord…” Reminding myself that God is able to do above and beyond all that I could dare ask for or imagine, I tearfully, though confidently, prayed for my loved one. Certain that “A” would be the outcome of this crisis and not “B.” I was just sure…

As sure as the disciples were that Jesus was The One – the long-awaited Messiah.

As sure as Joseph, when God gave him lofty dreams of royalty and influence for his future.

As sure as Mary and Martha, when they sent word for Jesus to come quickly and heal their brother.

As sure as the three Hebrew slaves that God would deliver them in their fiery furnace crisis.

Yet Jesus was wrongfully convicted and then crucified.

Yet Joseph became a slave and then a forgotten prisoner.

Yet the three Hebrews were thrown into the fiery furnace.

Yet Lazarus died.

And yet my heart broke as I watched “B” unfold in the life of someone I love.

Listening in on the three Hebrew slaves, who were eventually thrown into the fiery pit – they made this mic-drop statement to the mad tyrant who seemingly held their life in his hands. “Our God is well able to deliver us O King, but even if He doesn’t, we will not bow down to you or your image.” (See Daniel 3)

Did you catch that? Even if He doesn’t…. Seriously? Can’t they smell the oversize grill, sizzling behind them? Where’s their positive confession?

Do I have the kind of faith that will carry me through even- if-He-doesn’t scenarios? Or is my faith resting on/dependent upon a particular outcome? As I wrestled with the reality of what happened in my outcome “B” scenario, I came face to face with my own heart, a heart that felt like God had let me down. Dropped the ball. Forgot about me. I realize it’s not spiritual to admit that, but it’s necessary …it’s real. As the Lord and I walked through that painful conversation, in the end, I told Him, “Father, even if this doesn’t change … help me trust You. I choose to trust You, even through pain and tears and whatever else is around the corner.  I know You are good. I know You are faithful.”

The same heat that melts wax, hardens clay.

Unknown

Is there an outcome “B” scenario crashing through the door of your life? Has it revealed a crack in your faith or shaken what you’ve thought could happen to a Believer?   Or maybe your outcome “B” has caused deeper, stronger roots, though mingled with real tears.

My challenge to each of us is to not allow our circumstances to drive our faith. To not allow our circumstances to define God. But instead, to look at our circumstances through the lens of God and His Word. If He has allowed it, He will use it for our good and His glory. We may not have all the answers, but we can choose to trust Him in the dark. He gave the life of His Son for us, surely He has “earned” our trust, even if He doesn’t .…

Father God, would You take my outcome “B” scenarios and use them to deepen my trust in You? While I intercede/pray in faith for the issues of life, grant me the capacity to walk on the water of my circumstances – come what may. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Insufficient Funds

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day …”

“…to give His life a ransom for many.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NASB   Mark 10:45

It feels like only yesterday when I walked into the Big Bear grocery store… To my embarrassment, the grocery-bill total was greater than what my wallet contained. Hoping no one noticed the exchange taking place, I quietly pointed out to the cashier which items to remove from my grocery order, items we could live without until my next paycheck. Though this happened several decades ago (a few times), it’s still recalled with a twinge of embarrassment and shame.

As we near Good Friday and Easter, and I think deeply of what Jesus Christ did for me, for you, this decades old grocery exchange came to mind. Having insufficient funds to pay for bread, peanut butter and a few boxes of mac and cheese is nothing compared to being unable to pay the staggering price to redeem our soul. The price so high and the debt so great that  we are left entirely helpless and even worse – hopeless. That is our state.

And yet… And yet God so loved the world (that’s you and I) that He gave His One and only Son, that whosoever believes (trusts) in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

This giving of His Son for us is not a pretty, pastel-colored Spring scene. It is a blood spattered, spit dripping, whiskers pulled, muscles contracting and torn – scene of the great exchange taking place. On that first Good Friday, the only begotten Son of God ransomed me. Ransomed you, with His very life. From the Greek, He literally, paid the slave price for us. He exchanged His righteousness for our sin so that we can stand before God sinless. The debt beyond our ability to pay has been paid for us. We add nothing but a grateful, thankful heart for what He has done.

Back to my grocery dilemma. Suppose a stranger overheard my situation and offered to pay what I could not, but out of compounded embarrassment, I said, “No thank you” or simply ignored the offer. Though the offer was made, it would do me no good if I were unwilling to swallow my pride and accept the gift. But if I were willing to admit my need, and accepted the payment offered to me, I could leave the store with all my groceries, debt free. The choice is mine.

We add nothing but a grateful, thankful heart for what He has done.

Becky White

Unlike my grocery bill, which only caused embarrassment, having insufficient funds to pay for our sin debt has eternal consequences. Either we pay the debt ourselves by an eternity separated from Him or we humbly reach out and take the gift of payment graciously offered on our behalf. The choice is ours.

I pray that He enables each of us to grasp even a thin thread of what He has done, of what He has provided for us through the ransom paid those many years ago. To Him be the glory, great things He has done!

Father, I am speechless at Your mercy and grace toward me. As Your word says, I am privileged to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.” In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

For a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths, click the products page

Learning to Trust Him as we walk along STONY PATHS – 09.24.2021Download

Look Out Below!

Written by guest author, Aaron McGlone

When I was young, there was this kid that lived behind us that I liked to hang out with. He lived with his grandparents and had all these cool toys. One of those cool toys was an Atari game system with the game Pitfall. The goal of Pitfall was pretty simple in that you just had to get your character through the jungle and miss falling into these random pits or lakes. Whenever you came to a pit or a lake, you would jump onto a vine and swing over to the other side. As simple as the game was, I, for whatever reason, was really bad and always ended up falling into the pits.

A few years ago, as I was thinking about this game, I thought to myself how I tend to view life like I’m playing Pitfall. Like sometimes I’m just going along, minding my own business, and boom, there’s a pit and I fall into it. Then other times I feel like I’m more alert, and I see it coming, so I grab onto anything that looks like it might help, and I get to the other side. Truthfully, sometimes I just make it worse than it was when I started.

Now I’m sure some of you are thinking, “Wow, this feels super encouraging. Thanks, Aaron!” Well, I’m going to show us what God’s Word says about the pitfalls in our life and how they can actually be for our benefit. So, let’s look at the book of James and start with verse 2 of chapter 1: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

Okay, so what I hear when I read this verse is when I get to a trial or pitfall, I should be happy about it and make sure to look Christian. Now that is called taking a verse out of context, which is the opposite of how you should approach God’s Word. But I have to be honest with you; I have more often than not done that very thing, and with this verse even.

Okay, with my confession out of the way, let’s move forward and see this in context with verses 3 and 4, so we can see the full truth. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

We see now, in full context, these trials or pitfalls that we all face, allow our faith to be tested, and that causes patience; or we could even say endurance as some translations put it. That endurance is what we all need to be able to walk through this life as believers. The reality is being a Christian isn’t easy and without a strong faith, we would never be able to finish well. That faith we have is simply our trust in God, who is all powerful and can do anything, and He is always allowing us the opportunity to learn to trust Him. The reality is that these opportunities, whether we like it or not, will graciously come in situations where we may feel pain. See only when we can see that God is our only refuge and strength will we then find that we have all that we need.

Now I’m not saying that God is going to overload your life with pain, but I’m also not saying it will ever be pain-free either. What I am saying is nothing is wasted in God’s Hands, and in nothing you go through will you walk alone. We have to learn to praise Him on the mountaintops and learn to trust Him in the valleys. He loves us and He will never leave us or forsake us and we will never walk alone and when we do fall, He will always be there to pick us up.

He is always allowing us the opportunity to learn to trust Him. The reality is that these opportunities, whether we like it or not, will graciously come in situations where we may feel pain. See only when we can see that God is our only refuge and strength will we then find that we have all that we need. – Aaron McGlone

“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still” – Corrie ten Boom

Written by Aaron McGlone   03/20/2026

For more devos by Aaron, check out the Guest Author page here.

It’s a privilege to offer a platform for aspiring writers who love the Lord, seek His glory above all, and have a message of Biblical hope and encouragement. Allow me to introduce to you my first guest author, my oldest son, C. Aaron McGlone.

Bio –

“My name is Aaron McGlone and I am living proof that God has, and still does use
donkeys for His plans. My wife Carlena and I have been blessed to be married for
25 years and we have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons. I enjoy reading,
listening to sermons and going for walks with my grandsons and I get to serve
each week at the Columbus Dream Center. I have been a Christian for 22 years and
through the ups and downs of my walk with Christ He has shown Himself to always
be faithful. My desire is to live my life in such a way that it brings God glory
whatever that looks like, because nothing left in Gods hands is ever wasted.“

– Aaron McGlone

Prison Doors and Prison Walls

Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name. –Psalm 142:7b NKJV

In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free. – Psalm 118:5 BSB

It’s a routine, yet bursting with meaning, procedure. Grasping the thick handle, we open the heavier-than-it-appears door, walk to the counter and exchange pleasantries as we slip our coats and belts into a plastic bin and slide it to the person behind the counter. Walking through the metal detector, we then hand- over our ID and sign under the “volunteer” column of the lined paper. After getting our hand stamped, we walk through another heavy door and wait as the group of us pause for someone to buzz us through yet another heavier-than-it-appears door. And so begins our evening of serving the Lord by serving those behind physical prison walls and prison doors.

As I have had the privilege of listening to and sharing with the ladies behind those hauntingly thick walls, barbed-wire fences, and heavy doors, I am reminded that prison walls come in all shapes and sizes. Physical walls that we can trace our hand across and feel the cold, sterile concrete, but there are also walls and doors that bind us emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and mentally.  The ravages of abuse, addictions, hurt and regret, to name just a few.

True freedom, soul-deep freedom, is possible, even if thick walls and heavy doors surround us.

Jesus Christ came to set the captive free, to proclaim liberty and announce freedom to those who are captive and bound. He says to us (those who admit that we are bound) “Come out into freedom, leave the darkness and walk in the light.” Whether we are bound by addiction, unforgiveness, anger, fear, or shame, He can set us free, even if/when physical walls surround us. True freedom is found in Christ alone. Not in a location. Not in ideal circumstances.

Freedom is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not lack of heavy doors and thick walls.

There are “free men” living as prisoners to their passions/addictions/bitterness or chained to the shame/pain of their past. And there are “incarcerated” folks living in soul-deep freedom.  Understanding their usefulness to the Lord isn’t dependent on circumstances or location or concrete walls.

We are limited only by our choice to surrender to Him or our pain, to Him or our bitterness, to Him or our anger. Surrendering to Him or our continued cycle of bad choices, blame and self-imposed bondage. Freedom is found in a personal relationship with Christ, not lack of heavy doors and thick walls. I have seen it first-hand as I’ve listened to the stories shared behind those prison walls. And though I’ve never been bound by physical walls, I was once a woman who walked in chains of bondage just as restraining as concrete and barbed wire. But He set me free, Oh, thank You Jesus, I am free!

Are you? He stands ready to pardon and redeem. Call out to Him now.

Father God, our Deliverer and Burden-bearer, please enable us to surrender completely to You and Your will. Help us walk in the genuine freedom that Your Son purchased for us with His Blood  on the Cross. Regardless of our circumstances. Thank You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Scripture references used:

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1b NKJV

The LORD sets the prisoners free, the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down. Psalm 146:b-8a BSB

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ Jeremiah 6:16 BSB      

The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. Luke 4:18b CEV

The LORD sets the prisoners free. Psalm 146:7a BSB

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ Psalm 149:9 NLT

Hebrew: Freedom: A sending away, a letting go, a release, pardon, complete forgiveness. From aphiemi; freedom; pardon.

Hebrew: Rest: Resting place  

Rock of Ages, Cleft for me

Recently, while praying over a friend and thinking deeply about all they’re walking through, this old devo came to mind. I pray it encourages you today. He is our Rock of Ages. – Becky

Listen to devo

I called on Your name, O Lord, Out of the lowest pit. You have heard my voice…

O Lord, You have seen my oppression.

Great is Thy faithfulness.

Who is among you who [reverently] fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor [in his heart]? Let him rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord, and let him lean upon and be supported by his God.

Lamentations 3 selected verses NASB   Isaiah 50:10 AMP

Jeremiah, the prophet, begins this section of Scripture by “crying out from the lowest pit” and ends by boldly declaring, “Great is Your faithfulness.” He said this, when as yet, his circumstances remained lowest-pitish. If we step back further into this book of lamenting, we see that he came near to the brink of hopelessness – often. So how did Jeremiah go from despair, to declaring God’s faithfulness? Did he watch a master-class on living an overcoming life?  No, this real-life man, known as the weeping prophet had a relationship with the One True God and had learned to lean into that relationship, to trust the Lord God, in spite of all that was wrong and difficult and heavy in his life. His circumstances did not dictate his faith or view of God.

Let’s be real.  Sometimes circumstances don’t change. Sometimes our “lowest pit” remains. The truth is, there will be seasons of no “shining splendor” in our hearts, but instead, darkness and deep trouble. Even for those who “reverently fear the Lord and obey His voice.” Our “lowest pits” may be canyon-deep crises that threaten to send us over an emotional cliff, like an unfaithful spouse or a rebellious teenager, an unexpected illness or the death of someone we love. A pit may be the day-to-day challenges of life that come like a steady and sustained drip of difficulty, wrapped in the form of a dead-end job, disappointment with life or struggling to make ends meet. If you’re breathing, I know you have a lowest-pit of your own that’s coming to mind.

It’s one thing to trust God for a particular outcome, but another thing all together, when we learn to trust Him no matter the outcome. Period.

To simply trust Him.

You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings.  

01/04 Streams in the Desert

The Lord has literally kneaded these truths into my heart, maybe He’s done the same for you. Through the death of two of my children. Through the, not-enough-money–for-the-month life as a teenage mom, to heart wrenching betrayal. And even the ache of regret from my own past mistakes.  I have found that though the difficulties were seldom removed, when I leaned into God, He provided the ability to stand. To walk through. And I came out with this truth on my lips – Great is His faithfulness. Lean hard into that truth dear one, He will not fail you.

Father, I.  Trust. You. it’s so much easier to say the words than to walk it out, Lord. Help me trust You in spite of the pain, and in the midst of all that appears wrong… with disappointments, with crises that overwhelm or monotony or the fear of what if… I choose to lean hard into You, Father. You are worthy of my trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen

 Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a *FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life. *(Along with other free products).

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

I’ve Got This… Not.

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.  Psalm 54:4 NASB

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 2:9 BSB

My busy, rush-hour morning commute is usually heavy with red tail-lights and I-hope-someone-lets-me-in lane maneuvers, this particular morning was no exception. As I made my way through traffic, and as part of my normal routine, I talked with God about two particular sections of the freeway that always cause me to pray. “Lord, here it is, this section is so hard for me, please help me find a lane,” as I leaned my head forward and looked to my right for an opening to steer into.

But this morning as I prayed, a thought occurred to me for the first time; “Does that necessarily mean that I think I can handle the rest of “it” without God’s help?” Recoiling at the very idea, I literally spoke out loud, “Yeeesh, I can’t believe I thought that!  Lord, the breath in my body. The energy to get up in the morning. The cognitive skills to drive a car. You provide me with everything. But somehow, in my mind, I realize that think I only need you for “this hard part over here, I can take care of the rest.’”  Oh, the subconscious pride embedded within the human heart!

Then the question grew… How often do I do that with other areas of my life?  (How often do you?)

Of course, some of us go the opposite direction and only ask the omnipotent God for “manageable” requests. Nothing too big and certainly nothing we would deem impossible. Just simple things like a parking spot or His blessing over a meal. Let’s not bother God with what we can do ourselves. Ouch.

Listen closely. Bend down, cup your ear. It absolutely honors the Lord when we turn to Him for everything. Bringing every need, every challenge and even every joy to Him with a grateful heart of thanksgiving. Of course it’s important to pray about challenging traffic, crying toddlers, heavy workloads and the ache of loneliness. The point that the Holy Spirit was making to me this morning was that I need Him in all areas, at all times. Not just traffic or even weightier matters like heart surgery, a family member’s cancer diagnosis or prodigal children. We (I) need Him to supply our next breath until He’s ready to call us home.  He wants us to know; really know He is the Giver and Sustainer of life and honor Him as such.  And yes, thankfully, He even cares about what lane of traffic is open.  

“There is nothing that moves a loving father’s soul quite like his child’s cry.”– Joni Eareckson Tada

My Father, I need You for everything. Please show me where I’m trying to do things on my own without relying on You, Your power, Your wisdom, Your strength and Your grace. A traffic jam is such a silly example, but You took the time to use it to point out the unrecognized layer of pride of my heart and loved me enough to put Your finger where I needed it. Not to condemn me, but to grow me.  I love You Lord! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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Remember?

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did. Deuteronomy 4:3

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children. Deuteronomy 4:9

Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Deuteronomy 5:15

Be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 6:12 Deuteronomy, chapters 4, 5 and 6 BSB

“Remember what your eyes have seen the Lord do.”  In reading through this Old Testament book, those words grabbed my attention. “Remember what your eyes have seen.” Reading further, I noticed that theme repeated several times. In context we’re reading about the ancient Israelites, but as always, we must apply His Word to our own lives as well. So, I asked myself; “What have my eyes seen the Lord do, what was my “land of Egypt” that required deliverance and am I remembering?” The question caused my thoughts to tumble back in time to a church service, some 45 years ago.

Pushing the yellow polka-dot stroller as I walked along High Street in the Short North area of Columbus, I arrived at the store-front church that was adorned with a large bygone-era lighted cross. The old country-style church embedded in an ultra-urban setting, was affectionately called, Old Time Religion Hall. Once inside, I pushed the stroller, and my now awake *infant son, down the narrow hardwood-floor aisle, lined on both sides with bare wooden pews. Also, from a bygone era. Adjusting the stroller to fit snuggly beside me, I slipped into the pew and exhaled even as I breathed in a still unfamiliar, but an amazing and soul-deep peace. His peace.

Rising to my feet with the rest of the small, mostly elderly congregation, we sang songs like Amazing Grace, Peace in the Valley, and Old Rugged Cross. Songs that were unfamiliar to me, but with words that clearly articulated what had happened in my life just a year earlier. So new to this “new” life, I was stunned that someone had penned the words of my own heart, not yet realizing that millions had gone before me as new creations in Christ.

I was also, utterly unconcerned at being the lone teenager in the gray-haired crowd, or who might hear my very off-key singing. Loudly and with great enthusiasm, I belted out the words, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.”   Tears were a common occurrence as I took in the reality of the miraculous deliverance from a life of rebellion, heartache, and anything but peace. A gift that Jesus Christ had purchased for me with His Blood. So undeserved.

Remembering what my eyes have seen … not to necessarily remove my difficulties, but to walk me through them. And through them He has walked me! Not over, or around, but through.

What do you need to call to mind, what can you purposefully remember? What has the Lord done that your eyes have seen? Remember … thank Him, and then share it!

Precious Lord and Savior, though words can never adequately express our profound gratitude, we simply bow in worship and say, “Thank You.” We love You, Lord. Be gloried in and through our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus.

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Guest Author

The Flames of Anxiety

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.… Philippians 4:6-7 Berean Standard Bible

Faith refuses to judge God by circumstances.

The distressing phone call came at such an inconvenient time. (Is there ever a good time for a crisis?). In the middle of an already challenging workday, the unwelcome news added a heavy layer to her heart. Creating a tangible struggle to maintain peace in the midst of it all. Her mind raced as she felt the anxiety level growing, until the “waters” of anxious thoughts seemed to reach her very nostrils. As if from the old days of routinely-practiced elementary school fire drills, she knew exactly what to do. She’d been here before. She’d worked through the steps many times.  So, talking to the Lord, she reminded herself of His Word, and began quietly playing worship music and continued on with her work day.

To her frustration, the anxious feelings and racing heart didn’t budge so easily. Not this time. Instead, she had to walk through the fire of “what if,” as the flames licked her heals. She had to trust that God’s Word was, and is, true and that the flames of anxiety would not scorch her in the process.

Focusing her heart and mind on the Lord and His promises, in spite of her body’s physical reaction, felt a near impossibility. Eventually, taking pen to paper and quickly writing out her thoughts in the form of a prayer to the Lord, though the crisis remained, her mental and spiritual equilibrium returned. And with that, the hand-to-hand combat was over. For the moment. His Word, wielded through the sword of memorized scripture, had prevailed. Some enemies don’t fall easily do they? But fall they will as we learn to be persistent and stand on the Truth.

As the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, though we walk through the fire, we will not be burned, He will be with us in the floods and in the flames. It is enough to know He is with us and that He controls the heat. There will be times when we must simply take God’s hand and walk through things. Not over or around, but through. And make the choice to trust God in spite of all we see, in spite of the pain or uncertainty embedded in our trial.

God does not promise to deliver us from our circumstances, but to be with us in the midst of them.

– Anne Graham Lotz

It’s my prayer, that even as the flames (of whatever sort) lick your heals, you will trust that He is with you in the fire and is sovereign over the heat. Now, let’s pick up our swords and wield them by the power of His Holy Spirit who lives within us!

My Father, How grateful I am for Your presence, with me, in these flames of difficulty. I choose to rest in You and lean hard on the truth of Your Word, as I speak it out loud to my spirit, You have promised that when I submit to You, resist, the devil, he will flee. Amen! In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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