religion Archives - Page 19 of 21 - Tabetha’s Devotions

September 7, 2017

Mine!

Isaiah 43:1b

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

Mine! What a wonderful word!

Webster’s Dictionary defines mine as meaning that which belongs to me.

Recently, my daughter welcomed our first grandson into this world. My son’s daughter who is almost two was very excited to meet her new cousin. We talked about it all day. We showed her pictures and kept telling her his name. Then we left to meet them at the restaurant.

We walked in and her mommy got to hold the new little bundle of joy first. My granddaughter was just fine with it. She sat next to her mommy and cooed over the little boy. Then the unthinkable happened. MawMaw took the baby.

These were fighting words. She was OK sharing her mommy, but she quickly stated, “My MawMaw!” She climbed up on my lap and squeezed her way between the baby and I. “MawMaw is mine!”

As much as I love to claim things are mine, it is an even better feeling to be claimed!

When I read Isaiah 43:1b, I can see Satan standing there pointing out all of the rotten things I have done in my life. Trying his hardest to show God I don’t measure up. I am not worth it. I am broken. I am nothing more than a piece of trash. No one would ever want me. Then Jesus stands up and simply says, “I have redeemed her; I have called her by name. SHE IS MINE!”

Even as I type these words, goosebumps are going up my arms and tears are trickling down my face. I am HIS! I belong to someone. He wants me, flaws and all. Just like my granddaughter wanted me that day.

There are many words I love to hear:

She is my teacher!

She is my wife!

She is my mom!

She is my MawMaw!

She is my daughter!

She is my aunt!

She is my friend!

But my favorite words by far are hearing that Jesus wants me and calls me His!

SaveSave

September 6, 2017

No Hope?

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

This week my World History students have been studying five major religions of the world. I took away a valuable idea from all of them.

The key focus of my lesson was how do our religious beliefs influence the way we live our lives. At first, my students struggled with the concept. Then we began to talk about each religion’s idea of what happens to us when we died. They quickly realized all the religions had one thing in common, hope and faith in the fact there was something else after we died.

What I took away from this lesson was a sadness for those who do not have this hope and faith. I can’t imagine walking through life without either of those. Why would I get up in the morning? Why would I even try to live my life or improve upon it?

I suffer from depression and PTSD. I know what those dark hopeless days feel like. It is Isaiah 40:31 I often turn to remind myself that my hope is in the Lord and he will renew my strength. He will give me wings to soar far from this depression and I will be able to run and walk again. Without that hope, I would stay crumpled up emotionally and sometimes physically in the fetal position unable to go on.

I am so thankful for my religious beliefs. They bring me comfort and strength. They do influence the way I live my life. I want to share this hope and faith with everyone I meet. I pray for those who have nothing to believe in.

I leave you tonight with this one thought:

If there is no God and Heaven when we die, what did I truly miss out on while I lived?

If there is a God and Heaven when we die, what will I miss out on forever?

September 5, 2017

I Need You to Just “Be”

Psalms 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

I sat and listened as my friend poured out her heart and soul. She was devastated, frustrated, angry and felt totally alone.

I remember a few years back this same friend had come to my rescue. After a simple phone call at 10:00 at night, she showed up on my doorstep. She wasn’t there to fix anything. She was there just “to be”!

This concept of not fixing something can be very difficult for some people. Not to sound sexist or anything, I know for men it can be extremely difficult. They are naturally born fixers and problem solvers. However, there are many times we women don’t need “fixes” or even solutions. We just need someone “to be”.

There are many times in life where there are no words to fix things. I am reminded of a song by Jason Gray, Not Right Now.

Don’t tell me when I’m grieving
That this happened for a reason
Maybe one day we’ll talk about the dreams that had to die
For new ones to come alive
But not right now

While I wait for the smoke to clear
You don’t even have to speak
Just sit with me in the ashes here
And together we can pray for peace
To the one acquainted with our grief

I know someday
I know somehow
I’ll be okay
But not right now
Not right now

This song always reminds me of Psalms 40:1. There are many times I wait for the Lord because I just want him to listen to my cry. This verse tells us he turns to us and listens. He is just there. We are not alone. We are not forgotten. He is listening. He is just “being”.

My response to my friend was simple. I told her I was sorry. I wish I could fix it, but I know I can’t. I could give her a million “Christian” things to say and verses of encouragement, but I knew they wouldn’t help, right now. So, I offered to just listen and empathize with her. I told her when she needed me to be her cheerleader and encourager I would, but today I was just going to sit with her and be miserable with her so she was not alone. I was just going “to be”.

September 4, 2017

We Were Not Called to Climb Every Mountain

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I have come to the realization, I can’t live anyone else’s life and I don’t want to.

I have a friend who sells jewelry as a side job. Her hopes and dreams are for it to take off so she can quit her full-time job. She loves selling this jewelry. She loves wearing it and she loves the smiles on her customers face when they first put it on and they realize they are beautiful!

Recently she made a confession to me. She belongs to various social networking pages specifically designed for consultants that sell this jewelry. She was reading peoples successes and she began to feel very jealous. She wished she could be them. The Holy Spirit quickly pricked her soul and said, “No, you don’t! You don’t want the trials and tribulations she has been or is going through.”

When she told me this I realized I have done the same thing many times. I have looked at magazines or watched TV, social media or even just saw someone walking down the street. I have said things like,

“I wished I looked like _________.”

“I wished I had that person’s _______.”

“Wow, I wish I could do _______ like that person.”

God has marked out a path just for us to travel. He has equipped us with just what we need to walk that path.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked for us.

Why do some paths lead down pitfalls and rocky roads, while others seem to walk on rainbows and sunshine? I don’t know, but I can promise you something, no one is always walking on either one. When you see those people who seem to be on the high, you never know the cliffs they climbed to get there. What’s more, you weren’t meant to make that climb.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

Let us throw off the jealousy, envy, covetousness, enviousness, green-eyed monster, jealousy, resentment that entangles and let us find our own path of blessings, grace, mercy; favor, kindness, mitzvah, advantage, aid, assistance, gift, help, relief, support, comfort, consolation, solace; bonus, extra, delight, joy, and pleasure.

September 1, 2017

WWJD

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

The WWJD movement is so cliche now that it is almost cliche to say that it is cliche. That made so much more sense in my head ;o)

What would Jesus do is a question or phrase we often pass around when we don’t know what else to say. How often do we REALLY ask that question and expect an answer or seek an answer?

Have you found yourself in a painful situation and seriously stopped and asked what would Jesus do if he were in my shoes right now? Well, let me tell you what he would do.

He would feel pain (John 19:1 & 2)

He would feel sorrow (John 11:35)

He would feel betrayal (Luke 22:48)

He would feel fear (Luke 22:44)

He would feel anger (Matthew 21:12)

He would feel alone (Matthew27:46)

What do all of these things have in common? He would FEEL! It is Ok to go through something and feel pain, sorrow, betrayal, fear, anger or alone. Jesus felt these things also.

Today, he is feeling them with you. He is going before you. He is walking along beside you. He is not going to leave you and he certainly will not forsake you. Feel your feelings. Walk through them. Don’t be afraid of them and don’t get discouraged with yourself.

Next time you are going through a rough patch in your life, ask yourself what would Jesus do. Then remember what he would do. He would feel and keep on moving!

August 31, 2017

Keep it Up! Reap the Harvest!

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

“I give up! I can’t do this!”

As a teacher, I often hear these words. Introduce anything new to a class and the meltdowns begin. I don’t care what age group you teach, no one likes to struggle with something new. I shake my head and try to explain (once again) everything is always hard at first. That is why I am teaching you how to do it. If you just stick with it, before long you will able to teach someone else.

I wonder how many times God is shaking his head and saying the same thing to me?

How many things have I given up on just when I was about to have a breakthrough?

How many harvests have I missed out on?

Struggling always come with some pain. No one likes to struggle. Sometimes even everyday things that you know how to do can become so mundane you feel like you are burnt out and can’t do them anymore. You are ready to give up!

That is the exact time you need to press harder. When you find there is something you can’t do or can’t do anymore, look at what you can do. Concentrate on that part of the problem. What can I accomplish right now?

Right now in my life, I am working on my doctorate degree. I am preparing to take my exit exam. It consists of two papers. When I read the first scenario I wanted to run! My brain was so overwhelmed with what in the heck they were asking I wanted to give up. I heard a small whisper in my spirit telling me to take a deep breath and do what I do best. Write!

I grabbed my notebook (paper not electronic) and a pen. I read through the scenario again and wrote down ANYTHING that popped into my head. Before I knew it, I had a plan of attack.

By not giving up and concentrating on what I could do, I had a harvest!

Image result for never give up never surrender — *Galaxy Quest 1999*

I know there are days and tasks to come that are going to rock my world. I also know that some of them I am going to probably just melt down and quit. However, I hope and pray that I will at least try to remember to keep on going and not give up on all of them. I want to continue to do good and reap a harvest!

August 30, 2017

Love Doesn’t Mean Agree

Galatians 5:14-15For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

I have lived through several Presidents. Each one has had his good points and bad points. Each one has had his supporters and his non-supporters. Unfortunately, over the years access to information and the ability to express one’s opinions on said information has sky rocketed. The last President and current President have had it the worst. FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter and any other number of social outlets have turned human beings into mortal enemies.

I am not going to get political here I promise. I don’t care who you voted for. I don’t care about your beliefs. What I do care about is your reactions to fellow human beings.

I am over joyed at the many pictures that are coming out right now of people helping people in Texas. No one is stopping to ask who you voted for? What is your sexual orientation? What are your religious beliefs? What color are you? Do you hate cops? Are you a thug? No, people are just reaching out a hand.

Loving your neighbor does not mean agreeing with him or her. Loving your neighbor does not mean liking who they are or what they do. Loving your neighbor means being willing to take the time to listen. Agree to disagree. Defending without offending. Yes, that last one is possible.

I am going to add one more I don’t care to this blog. I Don’t Care What Your Religious Beliefs Are! The above saying came out of the Bible, but you can find the concept in many other religions. For those nonreligious people, you can also say it is just plain old good common sense.

Loving one another makes peace. Hate does nothing but destroys us!

August 29, 2017

H.U.G.S

Psalm 119:130

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

That is me…S-I-M-P-L-E…simple!

I like the straightforward, easy, uncomplicated, uninvolved, effortless, painless, undemanding, elementary, candid, frank, honest, sincere, plain, absolute, unqualified, bald, stark, unadorned, unvarnished, unembellished, unpretentious, unsophisticated, ordinary, unaffected, unassuming, natural, honest-to-goodness, and some might even say country-fried.

So why is it life never seems to be any of those?

I think one reason is we tend to try so hard to make it simple, but we just end up complicating everything. For instance, have you ever thought of just relaxing? Sounds simple enough right? BUT….

Where am I going to relax? Stay at home? Which room? Living room? Couch or chair?

What am I going to do to relax? Read a book? What book? Where are my glasses? Maybe I will watch TV? Netflix? Hulu? Amazon? Vudu? Maybe I should rent a movie? What movie? Do I go to Redbox? Video Store? Back to Amazon?

What should I wear to relax? Am I in a PJ’s mood? Sweats? Jeans? Is it hot or cold? Do I need a blanket? Which blanket?

What should I drink? Do I need a drink? Coffee? Tea? Hot? Cold? Soda? Water? Which glass?

Do I turn my phone off or ignore it? What if it is an emergency and someone needs me? Maybe I should just silence it.

Seriously, I think it might be easier to order a cup of coffee at Starbucks! One venti, double shot, extra cinnamon dolce latte with almond milk, hot, please!

Believe it or not, according to various internet sources it is estimated that an adult makes about 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day. How can anything ever be simple if we average that many decisions just to make it through one day?

Well, I might not be able to help you make everything simple, but I can help you find your answers. It is as simple as turning to God and His word.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130 NIV).

God has said we can come to him with every decision. Yes, you read that right EVERY decision. He is there and wants to help us with all of life, not just the big “Christiany” things.

So instead of K.I.S.S – Keep It Simple Stupid, let’s shoot for H.U.G.S – Help Us, God, to Simplify!

August 28, 2017

Frazzled

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

A dear lady named Hazel Straub from Crown of Glory International Ministries recently wrote this,

“Today is a new day. God calls for us to release old mindsets of fear, doubt, and unbelief. Stop complaining, instead of reigning. Release the trauma, drama and hurts of the past. This will make room for the good things, God wants to give you today.”

It seemed to fit my life on Sunday so well!

I serve as a greeter upstairs in our elementary school area at church. It is my job to check kids in and make sure child and parent have matching tags. Then at the end of service, I make sure anyone coming through the doors has a tag. Yep! I am a church bouncer! Ha-Ha-Ha! No, really it is a wonderful system that keeps all of our kiddos safe. Well, it is a wonderful system when the “system” is working.

My partner and I quickly ascertained that the computers were not going to cooperate. So we had to go old school and dig out the bracelets. We also improvised some name tags so small group leaders would know which kid was which.

Now, I have to tell you something. I am a little OCD. OK, OK, I am a LOT OCD! When things don’t go as planned I tend to get a little frazzled.

My partner stepped up and looked at me with a grin and said, “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.” I started giggling and was able to pull an Elsa and Let it Go! Let it Go!

You know too often we let little stuff just pile up and get the best of us. It festers kind of like the popcorn hull I had stuck in my gum this morning. Ouch! How can something that small cause so much pain?!?!?!?

I know it is easy to get wrapped up in the past or even caught up in the moment. But really what good does it do us? Is my worrying going to make the situation go away or even get better? Nope!

So from now on, I am going to be the blessed flexible and not get all bent out of shape!

August 25, 2017

Greater Good, Hypocrite, or Sinner

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I am once again drawn to Dr. Strange today. In the very beginning, we see the “bad guys” coming to steal forbidden ancient magic. When the Ancient One attempts to stop them they call her a hypocrite. ***SPOILER ALERT**** We find out later the Ancient One has been alive for a VERY long time because of using forbidden ancient magic.

It is the beginning of a new school year and we have passed a new school rule. No Cellphones in Class! If you are seen with a cell phone you are sent to your dean where they will confiscate the phone until a parent comes to get it. On the first day when this was announced you would have thought we were taking their lives away from them.

I look around the many classrooms and students, for the most part, are complying. We have the occasional text peaker. When they are caught most teachers give them the warning and it is put away. However, we have a few who are pressing every limit they can and get sent to the dean.

I had to laugh a little when I heard the teachers getting so angry over the students who try to peak or even all out start texting in class. I set in meetings all of the time and look around and see lots of peakers and all out texter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest checkers. The same complainers!

Now, before you think I am going all “I am so Holy” and pointing fingers please know I am typing this when I should be in a meeting. So, no judgment from me!

We all tend to use “yeah but” excuses when we try to push the limits. Many times we start out just rubbing up against temptations. Then we stick that toe out. Before you know it we have jumped the line and are full out sinning.

Like the Ancient One, we may say, yeah but we did it for the greater good or didn’t think it would hurt anything. Only later we find out it not only hurt us but others as well. For the Ancient One, it hurt lots of people and even lost a faithful follower and friend to the dark side.

I am going to try harder to remember there are always eyes watching and small things quickly snowball into big things.

Tag: religion

Mine!

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No Hope?

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I Need You to Just “Be”

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We Were Not Called to Climb Every Mountain

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WWJD

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Keep it Up! Reap the Harvest!

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Love Doesn’t Mean Agree

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H.U.G.S

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Frazzled

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Greater Good, Hypocrite, or Sinner

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