Category: Devotion

Devotion

A BUSY Friday!

A. Knight

So many things going on today! First thing—before you ever roll over to get up—I will be at Laced with Grace! (Treasure Finder!)

Then—I am setting out to pay my friend Gina a visit! (Chats with an old lady!)….and then I’ve got to head in to work. . . .all I can say at this point…girl–I am glad Friday finally arrived!

I did my devotions in my Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest”…for this week. I put a couple of them online. I cannot begin to tell you how the Lord has affected my life by what I have read!

One thing I want to share from the 7th of January. I have been chewing on this—it is speaking to place in my heart where I need it. “Intimate with Jesus” is the title of the day. Oswald makes a statement that really blew me away.

“Friendship is rare on earth. I means identity in thought and heart and spirit. The whole discipline of life is to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ.”…then at the close he says, “The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature has been satisfied by Jesus. The only impression left by such a life is that of the strong calm sanity* that Our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.”

An unhindered way in each of our lives is exactly what Christ Jesus wants from each heart! By giving Him full control—we are allowing Him to fully show up and as Beth Moore frequently says, “show off” in our lives! Having an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ—as His Bride reminds me of the way we were (Jeff and me) as newlyweds. Constantly thinking of things to delight the other. Wanting to spend every single minute together. Since he worked off-shore then, time was extremely valuable to us! (Still is!) Christ wants us to long for Him as we do the love of our lives! He is, in fact, the Only One who is the purest Love. He is “Love”.

Have you ever thought of the relationship with Jesus as His Bride? That is something I have thought of many times over the past few months. I desire a spotless gown! Pristine White! I am determined to do all I can—everything—and everywhere He leads!

One thing I discovered in my book vs. the book depicted in the picture. Mine is from the original text of Mr. Chambers. The old way of speaking. It takes a bit more chewing sometimes. The one I found on Christian Book Distributors, in case you are interested, is a more up-to-date language style. Same devotions, yet easier to understand. But you know, I think the Lord meant me to chew. I have told Him that I want to KNOW HIM MORE. Reading, meditating on His word, and conversing daily, even moment-by-moment is the only way to fully know Him more!

I hope and pray you have a blessed Friday—a gloriously peaceful weekend and thank you—for stopping by my place for a visit! You have no idea how much I appreciate my friends and sisters in Christ!

Be sure and head over to Laced with Grace (don’t forget the give-away) and Gina’s place! So much to do!

*After next week, I will share what this meant to me this week. Are you in suspense? Good. I am too!

Devotion

Deliberate Worship

A. Knight

Sometimes it begins with the smallest–most simple act on our part.

While driving down the road to work each day—I look at the sky. The painting of the colors —even in the cloud formation takes my breath away!

And I worship.

I tell Him how magnificent it all looks to me. I marvel at the sculpting of the mountains when I visit there. I smile at the ocean’s waves as they roll in and out from the shore. The things that God has created takes my heart to a place of worship when I stop long enough to realize—-He did this for our enjoyment!

Every star—every color of the rainbow—it’s for us. For US! He certainly didn’t need it–I mean look at the details of His Kingdom in Heaven! But He has created this place for US—to enjoy while we live our days here—and it’s a place where we can freely worship. Him. The Creator of it all!

In the bustling busyness of our days—take time to worship Him. You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your day. Abraham did. Genesis 12:8 is the verse Oswald Chambers uses today.

“And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.” (NKJV) With Bethel as the symbol of communion with God and Ai the way of the world—Abraham pitched his tent between the two—I like to think, with his face set toward God and his back on the world. He carried on the traditions that had been set before him. Worship and offerings to God.

I read a book years ago called “Job’s Niece”, by Grace Livingston Hill and in the book, the characters, the mom and dad returned to the ways of their own parents after having to deal with many family disturbances brought about by leaving God completely out of their day-to-day living.

They neglected worship.

So every evening they had their children sit down after dinner in the living room and the father read to the children from the Bible. They returned to the ways of worshipping God. Of course the teens balked at this, but were obedient, albeit with very sulky faces. However, Grace Livingston Hill, wove the story around until the situation righted itself as one by one the teens and children alike all turned their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ.

Deliberate worship. Daily worship. From the sincere heart is a offering of sweet incense to the Father!

Sometimes when I’m driving it begins with a simple word. Hallelujah! Over and over I may say it out loud! AND with much feeling—and when I do—when I put my whole heart and soul into expressing my gratitude to Him—-He FLOODS my heart and soul right back with a washing with tears and a cleansing and readying for my day…the day He blessed me with.

It makes all the difference in my day. When I am deliberate about my worship.

Join me?

You sing your song to Him, I’ll sing mine. He will love them both!!

Devotion

The Afterwards

A. Knight

“Lord”, Simon Peter said to Him, “where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” (John 13:36 Holman CSB) Oswald Chambers uses the KJV and I love the way it reads…“but thou shalt follow Me afterwards.” Afterwards.

Girls, I just have to tell you—today’s words has brought the tears to the forefront. Stuck in my throat and threaten to burst as a waterfall. Maybe it’s partly due to the post I finished tonight called “Letter from Heaven“. But I also believe that once again—the Lord has confirmed to me that this book—this devotional tool, was the correct one for this year. Words I spoke today—BEFORE I ever opened this book are on this page. (If you have the book—read today!)

Following Christ Jesus has been my determined path for some time. More determination than before, however, lit my heart afire this past year. Actually, the fire began rising higher in 2007.

Between the first calling of “Follow Me” from Jesus to Peter to the second calling was one of the “blank spaces”. What Peter did in his blank space is, I’m afraid what happens in many of our lives in our blank space. Chambers’ words, “Between these times Peter had denied Jesus with oaths and curses, he had come to the end of himself and all his self-sufficiency, there was not one strand of himself he would ever rely upon again, and in his destitution he was in a fit condition to receive an impartation from the risen Lord.” Sound familiar?

It does to me. For I found HIM only at the end of myself. Realizing I had no power to change any circumstance of my life…but He had all power. As Chambers closes this page, his words ring true and fresh tears sting. “There is only one lodestar in the life now, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Lodestar. Guiding star. Point of reference. My trusty dictionary.com says this about lodestar:

1. a star that shows the way.
2. Polaris.
3. something that serves as a guide or on which the attention is fixed.

Today, where is your attention fixed? Are you at the end of your abilities? You will never find the end of His. Without Him, we have no ability, but Jesus said four times in the Gospels, “with God all things are possible…..”….”If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.”….”With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”…..”And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee”….(Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; 10:27; and 14:36)

What are you believing Him for? Are you at the “afterwards of your blank space?”…are you looking at the horizon and feel the end of yourself? That is where I found Him. At the very end of me. No longer self-sufficient…but God is sufficient for me.

Posted by Picasa
Devotion

The Eyes Have It!

A. Knight

Today—is the beginning —not of the New Year, for that day has come and gone, but it is the beginning of new studies—new reading—fresh moving of the LORD!

The picture above has absolutely nothing to do with what the topic is today. But I believe he’s a cutie pie—and he is so proud to be 7 years old!

As 2008 was ebbing out and 2009 was on the horizon, I had started thinking about what devotional book I would use for my devotions this year. I had several to choose from and I had used a gift book from mother last year written by Beth Moore, “Breaking Free Day by Day.” This year I wanted one to “write in”. I knew—the LORD had one particular devotion in mind. I believe that for all aspects of our lives. When we leave the choice with Him—He chooses the best.

I pulled out a couple of different “women’s devotionals” from my shelves that had been given as gifts over the past few years. They had not been written in before, mostly because I didn’t take the “time” to set out on a yearly journey of learning in one particular book—and the other part—I never could decide.

With the 90 Day’s with the One and Only completed before Thanksgiving—I sat back and reflected over those 90 days. I needed them. I learned through them. I was fed in a way during that study—that even going to church Sunday after Sunday had not accomplished for me. Why? This study was One on one. My personal—private tutoring with the One and Only. Jesus.

I wanted more of that. My heart craved it. I want in depth study. Not just surface stuff. I need what will get me through the tough days. I find it in His Word.

So. Back to my dilemma. Which one. Well—as I turned the first pages of several books—I found a special one among some books that had been given to me after Wanda passed away. Only fitting that this year—one of her books lead me to a closer walk with Him. It is none other than “My Utmost for His Highest Journal” by Oswald Chambers. Yes, I know. You’ve probably already read it. But I haven’t.

I have to tell you this, after I made my selection, I wandered back over the shelves in my study and found another Women’s Devotional which Wanda had given me in 2000. I had received another one just like it and had saved it. I briefly toyed with the idea of changing my mind over my choice…but something beckoned me to Mr. Chambers writings.

I don’t “peek” ahead to the days in the book. I want it to be a surprise. So, if you are a regular reader, you will be joining me on my surprises as I find nuggets just for me, from the Master amid the pages penned by Oswald so many, many years ago.

I will begin with sharing today. The fourth of January. I won’t go back to the first of the month on the blog—but if you have the book—read them for yourself. I just have to say—God hit me between the eyes with the very first day. And just when I started wondering if I had made the right book choice—He let me know without a doubt—I had. This was it! The second day’s readings came on the heels of a statement made by Jeff that morning. I didn’t get a chance to do the devotion until that night…and boy-howdee—did it EVER speak to my heart!!

John 13:37 “Peter said unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now?” A question of timing. Oswald leads off with this statement, “There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do.” (Been there??) “When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait.”

The blank space. How many times have we tried to fill in the blank areas? Like the silence in the room that you don’t know what to do with—sometimes, though, silence is the best choice. The blank spaces of our lives are for a reason. Sometimes to prepare us for “something”…other times—it may be used as a “rest” from something. I’ve had some blank spaces. We run around thinking—this doesn’t “feel” right. God simply says—wait child. I have something here I want you to “get.” Get it?

Oswald Chambers makes another statement—I would have sworn my mother made up! “Whenever there is doubt—don’t. Never run before God’s guidance.” You will find trouble every time.

There is much meat to chew on in the Word. Take some time and read that chapter (John 13). I am actually reading about Saul’s troubles when he started doing things on his own in 1 Samuel. Pray before you begin your reading. Ask the LORD to open up His word to you. Reveal things to your heart that needs attention. Kind of like “cleaning out closets” at home—I have been working on that too!

I pray that you have a blessed day—and come on back and share with me what you are learning!

Posted by Picasa
Devotion

What He Wants for Christmas…

A. Knight

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the
desires of thine heart. Psalms 37:4

If we truly delight in the LORD with all we are—His desires will become our desires. We will long for more of Him in our lives. More of His Holy Spirit operating in our hearts and lives on a daily, moment-by-moment, continual basis.

Take a moment—this moment. Don’t rush to make a comment to be counted. As I have told you before, comments is not what it’s all about. It’s about getting the message of Jesus Christ out there. To those that want HIM. To those that NEED and desire HIM. Close your eyes and sing along—go to the throne in your mind and give yourself to Him —ask for more of His Spirit. He will gladly pour His Spirit out on your life in such a way—you will be amazed…and so will those around you…

What about your lost loved ones? What about those watching your life? We all have those. Ask God to be WHO they see.

I love you girls! I am truly glad you came by.

Bible Study, Devotion

My Favorite Time of Year…

A. Knight

Fall, with all it’s gloriously vibrant colors is my favorite season. The vivid blue of the sky, the bright oranges and rusty reds as the trees change their garments is one of the most spectacular beauties in God’s creation.

I love it! As I drove to work this morning, a heavy cloud of smoke hung in the air over the fields on either side of the highway. Obscuring the brightness of the sun, it almost looked like a thick fog, but when I rolled down my window to get a picture of the field, the smell of the brownish-gray haze nearly choked me. I quickly rolled it back up and turned on the air. Unfortunately, that too, pulled in a bit of the smell. Or, had it embedded itself, that smokey smell, into my nose and head so that I couldn’t tell what I was inhaling. It looked like one thing….but smelled all together different.

Sin is like that. Appearances can be all too deceiving. We must stay alert and aware—at all times, for the tricks of the enemy will become ever more crafty. Just as we are growing closer to the Father, so the enemy of your heart, the saboteur of your own soul is seeking ways to stumble your running feet.

“Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Let’s look at Job’s life. You’ve read the story, or heard the story probably many times in your life. But think about your life while you read it. What would the LORD GOD have to say about us? I thought of my own. I’ll tell you in a minute. Read on.

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. “Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth–a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. Job 1:6-12

When I read this I thought to myself, “Is there anything in my life that the Lord could be proud of in me? Could He say I was totally sold-out-dedicated to Him? Could He say I was completely EVERY TIME obedient to Him? Could He say I was never distracted by the world and was devoted only to serving Him? It has really given me many areas to pray about in my heart.

I guess what got me started was remembering past sins. Last night I was working on the Bible Study for Sisters of Faith site that would post this morning. We prepare them day by day. Every single day. We have enjoyed it so much, and I told Aimee this week, “God has really been dealing with me and working on some areas in my life since we started this journey.

Yes, I admit, it has been hard at times juggling schedules. Difficult even. Time stretching. I have neglected watching TV. I am sure that my favorite shows stopped coming on since I have not watched them in the past 67 days. Surely they did.

But in the past 67 days, God has done 67 days worth of repair work. Needed repair. Necessary for growth repair. And growth is taking place. What about you? What if you turned off something and turned in you Bible more? Maybe a 90 study is too much. What about a 60 day study? A 30 day? What could you fast from? I tell you from my experience in this, the changes taking place in my heart and my vision is worth missing the TV. I want my eyes to view the world as He does. With the compassion needed to reach hungry hearts. There are so many out there. Hungry for God. Reaching out. Needing an ear or a shoulder. Some are hungry and they really don’t know what they hunger for…but we do. Don’t we.

Honey-pie, before you start thinking that I have got it so in control…think again. Remember me and traffic issues? Yeah. They happen everyday. But you know, I have discovered, if I am singing a song to Him, or talking to Him, the traffic issues in downtown, Hometown are not nearly as bothersome. When did I make this discovery? This morning. Do you know when I’ll need to be reminded of this? In the morning. I’m not perfect. But as my cousin Alice’s daughter Kristi, used to sing when she was wittle bitty, “He’s Still Working On Me”….to make me what I ought to be….it took Him just a week to make the Moon and the stars, the Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars, how loving and patient He must be….’cause He’s still working on me.

What about you…what’s your favorite? What’s going on with you these days?

Posted by Picasa
Devotion, faith, Life

What now Lord?

A. Knight

I awoke this morning around 4’ish….(you do remember me and sleep–right?)The craziest phrase rolling over and over in my mind. “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Remember it? The phrase was created in 1867 by Charles E. Weller merely as a typewriting exercise.

However, the real need is this: For all (men, women and children alike) to pray. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:” Acts 2:17-18

This was from Peter’s first sermon which took place in Jerusalem–he was quoting from the Scriptures, the Prophet Joel. (Read the whole book of Acts-you will be encouraged by what you find.) The power of the HOLY SPIRIT was given to all who seek Him.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38-39

If your children have a need…who do they go to for that need to be met? You. We have an extreme need. A need to be filled to overflowing with the POWER of the Holy Spirit. I have told my oldest child many times, “in the last days we will need the power of the Holy Spirit to see us through the tough circumstances of life.” The unexpected. When you don’t know what to pray…the Holy Spirit does so for you. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

I am urged on as never before to seek more of God in my life. There are many that feel that some things that the world partakes of is alright. It may be for them, but it is not for me. I WANT the Spirit to speak to my heart when I am about to step into an area that is not “for me”. I WANT the Spirit to direct my footsteps and yes, even the words I say. Matthew 12:36 says, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Christ’s own words. Think He meant it? Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Right. He meant it. Big time sister.

During a time of devotion on our Sisters of Faith Retreat 2008, I told the dear sisters that I felt that even the “thoughts” of our mind would be accountable to Christ. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

When provoked to the point of anger, where does your mind go? I know EXACTLY where mine goes. And I have to pray. The mind is a dangerous place for some. For men, when they see a woman on the cover of a magazine—half naked—where do you think their mind goes? Same for women. The body of muscles rippling on a naked torso on a man sends some women into a frenzy of lust. And almost every single magazine you pick up from the newstand screams that today.

As I watched the movie Fireproof last night (Denise, we finally had our date!), I was reminded of the book by Beth Moore, Get Out of That Pit where she describes many pits that are waiting traps—and many we dig ourselves right into…

I have plunked myself straight into the pit of depression…all because I did not capture the flailing thoughts and I allowed the enemy to plant seeds of doubt and discouragement there. And I sat idly by as he (the enemy) watered those same seeds until I was a complete and total mess. Only through the power of prayer—the POWER from the Holy Spirit was I ever able to break free from the debilitating grip of the enemy in my life. Over my mind and heart. It happens. As surely as a panic attack can come on some, despair can come on others. Depression. I’ve been there.

I used this passage yesterday…but it’s needed again today. “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 I have committed my heart and mind to following Jesus Christ. As the song says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”

Allow HIM to come into your heart and life today. When you give HIM full control over your heart and mind….He will do some amazing things …on a daily basis. I know. I am there.

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21

(picture from Bella Lino linens–not my bedroom—only wish!)
Devotion, Life, love

Prison of a Prodigal

A. Knight

My mother has a “serious business” prayer….when it is “serious business”. It’s called the “whatever it takes” prayer. The words of this prayer mean e-x-a-c-t-l-y that! WHATEVER IT TAKES….LORD—SAVE THEIR SOUL.

I don’t take this prayer lightly. I have prayed this prayer three times in my life. When this prayer is prayed….well, as the saying goes—”Katie– bar the door!” Or —you better look out!

I remember as a young woman, praying this prayer about my dad. He was a dad….running as hard as he could from God. He had been in and out of church all of his “decision making life”. When he became old enough to decide for himself whether or not to go….well, it was hit and miss.
I can clearly remember kneeling in a small church, at the front pew, and a sweet elderly lady kneeling beside me and asking me what I was praying for. I told her simply, “my dad”. “I want him to know Christ.” In the way that his mother before him had known Him.

When I was a young teen he had left our home—never to return as a resident. My parents divorced by the time I was sixteen and I remember how hard that decision was for my mother. I remember how hard that was for all of us. But my mother continued to bring up her children in the way of the Lord. To teach us “right from wrong”. I believe she succeeded. But I digress.

I prayed this prayer, “Lord, whatever it takes, save my dad. Don’t let him die and go to hell.” That was my fear. I knew that he was much like the prodigal son. He had taken what was his and left to live his life for himself. But he was still prayed for. He was prayed for by his mother. A very godly woman that never laid her head on her pillow at night without calling out the name of each of her children to the Lord. He was prayed for by my mother. Even though their lives together would never be the same, she still cared. He was prayed for by his children. He was dad after all. He was loved.

The prodigal path that he chose, became the “whatever it takes”. The “whatever it took” had an impact on all of our lives. But when you pray that prayer, you really don’t think of what it might actually take. The prodigal pig pen became a prison for the prodigal .

A prison can be a place of real physical metal bars, but can also be a place of steel deep in the mind and heart, created by the enemy. A place that seems to over take your life in such a way, you see no way out. That is exactly what the enemy of your soul wants you to see. He wants you to believe that “your family no longer cares”. He wants you to feel that “you are too far gone”. That you’ve done too much “sinning”, that you cannot be forgiven. That surely, by now, you are not important. Maybe he has even told some prodigals that they have even been replaced.

A child can never be replaced by another. This prodigal son was just as important to the frail praying mother as her other children. The tears that stung her eyes for the other children, fell just as hard for this prodigal. The “whatever it takes prayer” was taking a long time.

How much longer Lord? Isaiah 40:31 tells us this:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

Waiting is hard to do. Praising and worshiping while waiting, is even more difficult. But His word says “wait”.

I would like to tell you that it was just “a little while” before he gave his life to God. But the road to realization is sometimes a long one. It was many years. Many battles—many heartaches. And many prison bars. The battles and heartaches are felt not only by the “prayed for”, but by the “individuals on their knees”.

Max Lucado is a favorite author of mine. In his book “Grace for the Moment”, on March 7, these words are his… “Though the road to the palace takes a detour through a prison it eventually ends up at the throne.”

When the prodigal comes home….every battle, every scar, every trial is worth it. His mother would tell you that. But she’d have to lean over the portals of heaven to do so. But she would. She would tell you that every night spent in anguishing prayers over her son was worth the fact that he did finally come to know her Lord and Savior…. I was reminded this past week, we don’t pray for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit over their hearts like folks did when I was growing up. Why? What happened? Did we feel that was too harsh? Is there such a thing when it comes to a lost soul? I am asking your opinion. I for one, want the Holy Spirit to continually speak to my heart and mind about things I say or do that are not Christlike. I am praying for Holy Ghost conviction over my loved ones as well.

Father in heaven, I am so thankful that as I kneel before your throne, I am joined by those that have prayed that “hard prayer”. That “whatever it takes” prayer. For some, it took a lot. For others, they came more swiftly. But Lord, no matter how long it takes, we continue in prayer for those that are lingering on the edges of the most important decision of their lives. We ask that you simply keep talking to their hearts. Keep stirring up their sleep! May the Holy Spirit convict them continually, of everything that is standing in the way of them giving it all up to You. Until they all come home. I love you Father —- and am thankful that You never left. You stayed through all the tough times. You have always been my Father. I will always be your daughter. In Jesus most precious name I pray~Amen.

Picture: Art.com (Charles Schulz)

Devotion, faith, Reflection

The Table He Prepares

A. Knight

The following devotion is from the archives, originally written and posted on November 3, 2007. So very long ago. Or so it seems. Much has happened—and God continues to watch over our lives.

I will be back over at Sisters of Faith this week along with my baby sista, Aimee. She will get us started again in the morning with day 8 of our Bible Study! It has been so uplifting to fellowship with the other precious ‘sisters’ in the LORD that have joined us on this journey! You are invited over. Come and sit with us every day if you get the chance! Comment to let us know you are there!

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 NIV

I want to focus on two sentences here. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

I heard this complete text read several weeks ago and a clear mental picture formed instantly in my mind. I became so excited as it unfolded in my mind and heart. I thought about it during the night and even called my sister Aimee the next morning on my way to work. Still excited, but not able to adequately form the words to such a degree as to get my “picture” from my mind, over to her, she asked me to blog it. Easier said than done at times. Several other devotions came to my mind and heart between that morning and this. I blogged those, unable to wrap my mind around the exact way I wanted to express my thoughts from that heart message. But here goes—

Let’s break it down. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” When we prepare a table for our loved ones, what do we put on it? If you said “the best”, then you are right, the very best. In speaking of food, we prepare their favorites. I know when I am going to my dear mother-in-law’s house, and it is a “planned” meal, she always has rutabagas. For me. Because she loves me and she knows that they are one of my favorite vegetables, and one that I rarely cook myself. In fact, I can count on one hand the times I have prepared them (probably using only 3 fingers!). It is a lot of work! Since I am the only one with a great love for them, I don’t go to the trouble at home for just me.

Do you see the picture here? We prepare the favorites. We use the best dishes. The best glassware, the best serving dishes, the best of everything we can find in the house for the special guest. We try to find out what their favorite dessert is. If it’s a cake…then of course I track down the recipe for my sweet Jeff. If it’s a pie or pudding, then that would be my delight. I love the look on my son-in-law David’s face, when April tells him that “daddy” has made a “German Chocolate Cake”. We know it’s his favorite. We delight in pleasing our children.

God delights even more so in pleasing us. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:9-11) He shares this insight of the Father’s love for us. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gift to those who ask him!”

That is plain “as the nose on your face”. It is clear that God loves us more than we can comprehend. So if He is “preparing a table” for us, what do you suppose is on it? His best!

Let’s look somewhere else. In Joel 2:25-26 we read, “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army with I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” (KJV)

I used the KJV here for a reason. It gives particular names of the types of locust. They are all in the locust family. Simply put, locusts are swarming grasshoppers and they devour crops and vegetation. Sound familiar? Sounds like the work of the enemy in our lives. We are very aware that he comes to “kill, steal, and destroy”. However, God promises to restore. To give back—in plenty—go back and pick up verse 24 of the same chapter. He will “overflow” our restoration!

Picture this: A long banquet table covered with a crisp white linen cloth, of the finest quality imaginable. This is the table He prepares for us….on my table I see all the things that the enemy of my life has taken from me. All the things in my life that the enemy has damaged or caused me to suffer pain from are laid out for all me to see that my Father is now “restoring to me”.

Gilded ornate frames, with pictures of my dear loved ones that have wandered from the most holy path of our Father sit among the various dishes on the expanse of white. I see a big platter of “joy” that the enemy continually tries to steal. I see “compassion” in a delicate porcelain bowl. For it is in the busyness of our lives we tend to lose our compassion for others.

“Peace”, pouring from an endless silver fountain sits firmly in the center of the table. “Trust” is plenteous, for my Father knows that bit by bit the enemy has wrecked havoc in my life regarding trust. Vision is clear in the crystal goblet on the right hand of my filled plate. Our “vision” to see the lost come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, many times, has been stolen right before our very “eyes”. Hope is brimming over, along with purpose. Distinct, clear purpose.

Our purpose and His calling are now restored with clarity as never before experienced! As I stand at the table, He has so lovingly prepared for me….in the presence of my enemy, I am overwhelmed at the fullness of joy I now feel. I see the enemy, but I am not afraid. For my Father has him completely bound and subdued.

The enemy in my life is the same enemy that you have faced. He may have worn different clothes, but his purpose was the same. His actions were the same. Bit by bit, things have disappeared in our lives that God has so lovingly given to us. Maybe we didn’t even notice.

If your couch suddenly went missing, you would notice right away. But if someone took only took one cup from the cabinet—-would you notice? If one sock went missing—would you notice? Probably not until you “needed” it….hmmm. I see that now you have the picture.

We neglect protecting our valuables that have been bestowed upon us, until many times, it is too late. We don’t have what we need—-at the very time we need it!

However, He is a restoring God! He will cover your table with every nic-nac that has disappeared from your life. Look around your spiritual house. What has gone missing? As I fall down on my face before the throne, the Father begins to “set my table”. He has anxiously been watching the driveway for me to seek Him out. To seek out His company. His divine Presence.

As I am seated in His Presence, He “anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows.” His lavish blessings overflow my life as His Holy Spirit is pouring on my heart, mind, body and spirit. His anointing represents my life dedicated for service to Him. As kings and priests of old were anointed for service, so does the Lord desire to anoint each of us for service to Himself.

My heart overflows with the love of my Father as He tenderly cares for my needs. We will share in this table of plenty that He has set before us….and we will remember—-to carefully guard all that He has restored in our lives!