Devotionals Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Simply Gathering Grace

TRADE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS FOR THE ASSURANCE OF GOD

November 19, 2015 By Mikki Jo 10 Comments

The glass is always half empty. She always sees the difficulty instead of the opportunity. She always fears the storm instead of looking for the rainbow.

Yeah that’s me. How do you see your glass?

Only days ago, I explained how this is natural. It’s human nature. It’s survival. It’s how we protect our hearts and minds from pain and disappointment. Pessimism is okay, as long as you use it to protect yourself and those you love.

What a lie I’ve been telling myself all these years! I’m thankful to have found this out. While listening to a message from my Pastor this past weekend, I realized negative thoughts can lead to a “critical” spirit. All these years I have been discouraging myself, not protecting myself. I had thrown a wet blanket on the fire of the Holy Spirit, and stifled my HOPE in God. A pessimistic spirit had somehow set up residence in my life and kept me discouraged and expecting the worst in every situation.

There is no way we can have hope if we continually speak discouragement or see the glass half empty or fail to consider God’s purpose in the midst of difficulty. With no hope is distrust. Let me tell you, we need not think we will journey any distance with the Lord if we don’t trust Him.

So, after walking in a circle of my own creation I am soooo excited to step out and shed this cloak of discouragement, this spirit of pessimism. A stronghold that has remained safely hidden for many years calling itself protection.

Not only do we shut out the hope of God when we respond to circumstances with discouragement instead of encouragement, but we teach it to our children without even realizing it. Teaching them to always expect the worst instead of the best. “Don’t get your hopes up, in case things don’t work out. That way it won’t hurt as bad.” I’m just shaking my head at myself right now. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Pessimism is born out of fear, fear of the unknown. This is not what God wants for us. He desires to deliver us from fear. Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and he answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.

In our life bad things will happen. Don’t be afraid to expect good things. Don’t be afraid to hope for good things. Trust in God to calm the storms of life. Psalm 107:28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

There’s hope in every situation with the Lord. Always, hope. Psalm 130:7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.

Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

The hope we have in Jesus swallows up discouragement.

HOPE

A MOTHER’S LOVE

November 7, 2015 By Mikki Jo 9 Comments

Today I attended my niece’s wedding. It was beautiful. As I looked at her beautiful face and I saw the strand of pearls she wore that belonged to my precious Mom I smiled. They were perfect. They were a special Christmas gift to my Mom from me and my siblings. She asked that we keep them before she passed away so all the girls could wear them on their wedding day. I missed her today. But her love was felt by all of us. Grandma is proud Cassidy Jo.

A Mother’s love is draped over her child as a covering of protection and strength. Tucked in tightly here and there to leave nothing exposed. The mind, to safeguard against ungodly things. The feet, to strengthen the long journey ahead. The hands, to prepare for a life’s work. The heart, to soften for the acceptance of love.

The covering of love has been anointed by the Holy Spirit. It’s been given the wisdom of God. It knows when to un-tuck a corner, and when to tuck another corner in even more tightly. A Mother’s love is not perfect. But it’s pure and loyal and beautiful.

The day comes when that Mother shall take her last breath. She is gone now. Where is the covering of love? Is it also gone? Oh no, it will never leave. This is when the mantle of love reaches it’s maturity. It comes full circle now. That love shall cradle the child, bringing strength and comfort. A Mother’s love spans all generations, and death has no hold on it. A Mother’s love, it is miraculous. It’s passed from generation to generation.

WHEN THE LIES MAKE YOU WANT TO QUIT

November 5, 2015 By Mikki Jo 21 Comments

It was picture day and I sent my child to school in a shirt that perfectly matched the pale blue background he sat in front of. When the cameraman said, “Say cheese,” I’m shocked he never said, “Where’d you go kid?”

The garbage man drove by. I’m sure he shook his head, again, as he saw the 12 bags of trash sitting on my porch that never made it to the dumpster.

I never made it to Grandparent’s Day at school, I was having an “I don’t like old people” day. But how do you explain depression and anxiety issues to a 6 year old?

These are a few things that cause me to hear that voice that says…

You’re not good enough, you’ll never be good enough.

Give up, you’re never going to change.

God has no use for people like you.

You’re a loser with a capital L.

Okay, so I’m not perfect. Actually I’m far from perfect. Those first 3 paragraphs are only a short list of my best messups! I may list a few of my worst ones later on down the road, but that’s for another time.

What I’ve learned is, we don’t have to be perfect for God to use us. We don’t have to be Mom of the Year to be able to encourage someone. We don’t have to be happy happy happy, to offer someone a smile. We just need to strive to be more like Jesus.

I struggle with depression and anxiety, I’m forgetful, I’m impatient, please don’t make me go on. How about you? Does the enemy fill your head with lies? In yesterday’s post we talked about fear. When the enemy corrupts our thinking with lies, like fear, this too is a stronghold. Saying you’re not good enough, is satan’s favorite bluff.

Know who you are in Christ. Reject anything that goes against the Word of God. Don’t be bound by lies but bind the lies with God’s truth! When he calls us “loser”, remember he is the accuser. Revelation 12:10b For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

And he is the father of lies. John 8:44c When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The thing is, I have learned that lies from satan are just that. Lies. When we have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior who does God say that we are?

1 A child of God

John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God —

2 I am His friend

John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

3 I am blessed

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

4 I am forgiven

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

5 I am a citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

6 He chose me

1 Thessalonians 1:4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you,

When we have those bad days, and we will have those bad days, run to Jesus and pray like your hair is on fire, for yourself and each other. The bible calls it, “praying fervently.” Now that we know who we are in Christ, let’s grow together and encourage one another in our “not so perfect” lives. Praying one for another. James 5:16 (KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

DO YOU TRUST FEAR MORE THAN GOD?

November 3, 2015 By Mikki Jo 11 Comments

Has fear consumed your life? Does it captivate your every thought and even cause you to live your life based on that fear? I have lived like this, and it’s miserable. You are a prisoner.

Fear is a stronghold that satan uses to paralyze our walk with God, stunt our spiritual growth, and eventually lead us to TRUST our FEAR more than we trust the PROMISES of GOD.

If we don’t trust Him, we can’t possibly have faith in Him. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

No amount of fear will keep a loved one safe, or bring them to the foot of the cross, or keep us from becoming sick or keep us from losing a job.

Fear cripples, faith walks. Fear hides, faith shines. Fear falls, faith stands. Fear gives up, faith takes down. Faith takes down the strongholds in our lives.

The enemy attacks us and uses fear to control our thoughts and actions. Faith is the gift of God to strengthen our thoughts and actions. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This don’t mean we will never experience fear. But we can’t allow fear to rule our lives. Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Pray, read and study the Word of God. Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Allow the Lord to grow our faith by studying His word and praying. 2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

In Ephesians 6:11-18 We learn about the armor of God and how important it is in our battle against satan. So remember, trust in the Lord, not in your fear!

BETTER THAN PASTEL SKIES AND APPLE PIE

October 22, 2015 By Mikki Jo 8 Comments

The last dish is put away and I join the rest of the family on the porch. There’s a slight chill in the air on this fall evening and the conversation is, “That apple pie was delicious!” And everyone is in agreement.

I smile.

Everyone has a full belly and just enjoying each others company. Family, food, love. Peace and contentment fills the atmosphere as we watch the lazy pastel sky. Cotton candy sky is what my sister Jenni calls it. A beautiful sunset, family, and apple pie. Ahhh, what could be better than this?

I wish I could take this sweet time of contentment and can it like apple pie filling and put it on a shelf, so I can pull it back down when I need it. Life can become so crazy and overwhelming. Chaos always seems to plop down right in the middle of my tenderest moments.

I don’t like chaos. I don’t like change. I don’t like surprises, sometimes I don’t even like good surprises.

I like unchanging, same, stable, settled.

I equate insecurity with change, fear with surprise, irritation with interruption.

As long as we live there will be seasons of change, and surprises. Life is as ever-changing as the pastel skies. God wants us to seek His plan during change. We tend to make plans and forget to consider His plans. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

We see interruptions as an inconvenience and sometimes even blame it on satan. (Yes the s in satan is supposed to be capitalized, but I have always refused to give him a capital s.) The truth is, the best of plans maybe edited by God for any number of reasons. It may be for our protection, for our spiritual growth or a need for ourselves or someone else.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. There’s that word TRUST again, I spoke of trust in the last devotion. Keep our mind upon Him and trust Him, and He will keep us in perfect peace. I love that! In the middle of the CHAOS that got plopped down in my lap I can have perfect peace? Yessss, that’s what I want! Perfect peace IS contentment.

Let a contented spirit be the contentment we seek. This world will never give us the contentment our heart hungers for. Jesus Christ is the only one who can fill that void. Prayer and daily reading of His word will help us to walk closer with Him. 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

We can remain content no matter our circumstances when we cling to the fact that Jesus never changes. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

How about you, don’t you want that? I think we all do. Let’s choose to trust Him with our life, our changes, our chaos and our fears. Lord keep our minds steadfast, that we may learn to trust you more and live in the perfect peace that you speak of. Perfect peace and contentment, nothing is better than that.

WHEN BROKENNESS TURNS TO HOPEFULNESS

October 21, 2015 By Mikki Jo 8 Comments

Have you ever been accused of being drunk? In the Bible Hannah was. She was in such anguish she poured her heart out to God and Eli the priest assumed she was drunk. She wanted a son and prayed for years for the Lord to give her one.

Her husband’s other wife made fun of her because she was childless and she herself had many children. I’ve met some catty women in my day. It’s hard enough being heartbroken and then to have someone rub salt in the wound hurts even more. (Catty women need prayer too.)

God saw Hannah’s brokenness, and He answered her prayer and gave her a son. She named him Samuel. What a beautiful story of God’s love and mercy in 1 Samuel Chapters 1 and 2.

Whatever our situation is, for whatever reason we are distressed and broken, God has the answer.

A broken heart that comes to God with complete trust will be healed. If we trust Him with our eternity we can definitely trust Him with our heart. Sometimes we have to be broken before we learn to fully trust Him. Sometimes we have to be broken for Him to use us to minister to others that are broken.

One of my favorite things, (did I just sound like Oprah?) is an old sugar bowl that belonged to my Grandma. Once while I was in Kentucky me and my sister and Mom stopped at an old flea market. I looked on a shelf up high and there was a teacup that matched my Grandma’s sugar bowl. It was cracked, and had a huge chip out of the rim. But I didn’t care, I took that little teacup home with me.

I love my cup with it’s big crack and huge chip, and I don’t even notice them. I enjoy drinking my tea from this cup. I’m surprised it don’t leak with such a huge crack. But as I said, I love my sweet cup and I think it’s beautiful.

I know with every fiber of my being that God loves us, with all of our brokenness and cracks and chips. He loves us. He wants to mend our broken hearts.

In Him we have hope, eternal hope is the anchor of our soul. Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20a Where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf

Is your heart broken, is your spirit crushed? The only one with the answer is Jesus. He brings us victory in our distress. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

He tends to our wounded heart. He heals us. Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

In all of our brokenness we can come to Him. If we are willing He is more than able. He’s waiting now. Pour out your heart to Him like Hannah did. Don’t let your circumstances allow you to remain broken, place your hope in Jesus.

Give it to God; all of it. And let Him heal you and make you whole.

p.s. I wrote a short poem about my little teacup. You can click on the highlighted word to go there now.

SPRINGTIME BLOSSOM TO LEAVES OF AUTUMN

October 20, 2015 By Mikki Jo 20 Comments

If a maple tree and a rabbit could talk…..

“Why are you crying?” asked Brown Bunny. The Maple tree sighed. “My leaves have turned and will soon fall away,” she said. “Of course Miss Maple. Just like they do every year,” said Brown Bunny as he nibbled on long blades of crunchy grass.

“Well, I wish for once, that I would stay forever green, like Mr. Pine,” said Miss Maple sadly. “Oh but why on earth would you desire to stay forever green?” asked Brown Bunny. “I would be beautiful all year round then Brown Bunny! But instead, I change from green to red. Every. Single. Year. And then, I stand bare all winter long.”

This was the conversation I had with Brown Bunny many years ago, and my life changed forever. This is what I learned.

Every spring I burst forth with newness of life, just like my risen Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. We celebrate His resurrection every springtime.

My leaves grow larger until they completely cover my bare branches. Like the grace of God covers man’s sin.

Now with my thick full leaves, you can rest in my shade when the heat of the day gets to be too much. As you also rest in the shadow of the almighty when this world makes your heart heavy.

Then Autumn comes, and God paints my leaves a brilliant red. His glory shines through us.

As my leaves begin to fall and I let all the dead things go, only then can I live again. Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I now stand bare, all of my weakness and scars can be seen. Then winter time comes and covers them with glistening snow, they sparkle like diamonds. I stand strong in Him, because I allowed my weakness and scars to be seen. He covered me with His grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Springtime is soon on it’s way, and my branches burst with new life. New green leaves cover my branches, the wind blows and I bow and clap my hands in praise. Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Seasons of life bring exciting, crazy and sometimes difficult changes but the Lord is a constant strength through it all. He is unchanging. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

DO YOU SHARE YOUR AHA MOMENTS?

October 11, 2015 By Mikki Jo 4 Comments

I have been reminded that not everyone is going to like me. Not everyone is going to like what I have to say. And you know what, that’s okay. It’s really okay. Sometimes it seems easier to just quit and then I remember it’s not about me. I’ve been called to serve others.

We can jump in head first, or we can walk out slow and deliberately, ankle deep, and keep walking until we’re fully immersed in God’s will. Whoever God blesses through us will be exactly who He intended it to be. Nothing we do for Him is wasted.

And then again, maybe we’re well liked but they just don’t care to hear what we have to say. And that’s okay too. Because as I said, if we are faithful to do what God is leading us to do then you can bet somewhere along the way someone, and the word He sent you with, will beautifully collide. And God’s purpose will have been met. That’s the beauty of following the Holy Spirit’s leading.

One of those someone’s is ALWAYS me. When God is dealing with me about something or I have an “aha” moment, I really get excited and I love to share it with all of y’all!

The most important thing is to not give up, keep doing what we know the Lord is leading us to do. Be faithful. This was our message in church this morning, “Faithfulness is love hanging on. Just like Christ was faithful and hung on the cross for you and me.”~~Brother Larry J. DeWitt

Larry’s message really spoke to my heart this morning. I’m thankful that God is faithful.

Whatever God has called you to do, do it. Be faithful, you are making a difference. As a writer I need to want to see people’s names written in the Lamb’s Book Of Life, MORE than I want them to see my name written on a blog, or the cover of a book. Maybe you don’t write, maybe you’re a nurse or a teacher or a stay at home Momma. Whatever we do, do it in the name of Jesus. Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters Be faithful in what He has called you to do. Show up and say Here I am God, and let Him do the rest.

Writing is one way I walk with Jesus, how I worship Him and how I serve Him. Tonight I praise Him for what He is doing in my life and yours. He is faithful.

Psalm 117:1-2 O PRAISE the LORD, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

GUARD MY FINGERS TOO LORD

October 9, 2015 By Mikki Jo Leave a Comment

The wind is blowing and the waves crash, I have no control. I’m being tossed back and forth. I almost lose my balance, and then I hear Jesus speak. “Peace. Be still.” Mark 4:39 There’s my escape.

I quickly step back. A flaming storm of gossip was at my fingertips, attempting to take over my keyboard. Okay, I was a tad dramatic here. But gossip is gossip whether the tongue speaks it, or the fingers type it.

It always starts off innocent enough. You start private messaging your girlfriends and all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of a story-line straight off of daytime television. Then we’ll say to our self, “Self, it’s okay to repeat. Because you know for a fact it’s TRUE.” Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Lord help me to guard my words and lead the conversation away from anything that would separate me or my friends from you.

I spoke yesterday about WORDS. How words can bring encouragement, and how words can injure the soul.

It can be so easy to fall into the trap of gossip. It’s like quicksand, the more you talk the deeper you sink. Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

If we stay constantly aware and ask the Lord to stand guard at the door of our mouth that door won’t be so easily swung open. The Holy Spirit will nudge you even before you open the door.

Remain watchful, aware, and on guard. The Lord’s commandments are pure, enlightening the eyes of our heart. His law converts our soul and turns us back from where we once were. The testimony of the Lord blesses us with wisdom.

BE RESTORED, BE WISE, BE JOYFUL, BE ENLIGHTENED. Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in the sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

AUTISM: WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH

October 8, 2015 By Mikki Jo 22 Comments

He reaches for my hand and leads me to the kitchen. He pushes my hand toward the cabinet where I keep the peanut butter. He loves peanut butter. I make him a sandwich, he takes it and runs off. My grandson Aiden, oh how I love him.

Words.

My thoughts drift back here where I spend a lot of time with words. I pray for God to share His words with me so I can share His heart with you. I want to grow in Christ. I want us to walk so close with Him we can hear His heartbeat.

I’ve read so many blogs the past few days about writing, about the importance of words.

Words speak to the heart, words connect people.

Words.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. This is my daily personal prayer. Every. Single. Day. I pray this scripture over the words of my mouth.

Words are powerful. They can bring encouragement, or they can injure someone’s soul.

I pray daily for myself, to be able to write words. Words that will bring glory to God and words that will inspire us all to desire a closer walk with Jesus.

I pray daily for my grandson Aiden, to be able to speak words. Words that will tell us what he needs and words that will tell us what he’s thinking. He has nonverbal autism.

My words weave stories of my life. Aiden’s inability to speak words weaves a quietness in my heart. I’ve always said, Aiden speaks with his heart. Just because he doesn’t talk does not mean he has nothing to say.

I still question God sometimes and ask Him to show me what His purpose is. When I seek God for Aiden, at times I just feel stuck and I don’t know how to pray. I struggle in my heart with this. I give it all to Him and know He is faithful. Do you feel stuck friend, do you struggle with the “how” of your prayer? We can seek God to show us His purpose, to align our will with His, and rest in His promise that ALL things work together for good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

God is bigger than our circumstances. When our status changes from good to bad or bad to worse, He remains our rock. He remains unchanging. He is still our deliverer, our healer, our savior. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Today Aiden is happy and healthy. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye and giggles. He puts his arms around me and kisses me, I am blessed. There are times when even words can’t express what we want to say, so my sweet Aiden speaks with his heart.

HE SPEAKS WITH HIS HEART

He stops to smell the flowers

he’s never seen a gloomy day

He celebrates a cloudy sky

and dances in the rain

He doesn’t see your faults

or laugh at your mistakes

He speaks with his heart

and listens just the same

He keeps no account of wrongs

or forces his opinion

He sees us through eyes

with the purest of vision

What a beautiful soul

we could all possess

If we would learn from him

and simply seek to bless

I think he speaks to Jesus

and dances at His feet

He hears Him when He says

come and dance for me