Tenderness | Kristi's Morning Devotional

November 22, 2020November 22, 2020

Give Thanks During Adversity

I would be unfeeling and lacking in compassion if I didn’t acknowledge that there are some of you who just don’t feel like being thankful. The words “Happy Thanksgiving” set you on edge.

Some are facing a physical battle for your very lives. Others have lost loved ones this year and your hearts are aching. Still others of you may have experienced the closing of a family business and financial insecurity. There’s just not much, if anything, to be thankful for.

It’s important that we learn how to give thanks in the face of adversity. It’s also important for those of us who are in a better place to be compassionate, understanding and supportive of others.

“But let the godly rejoice.
    Let them be glad in God’s presence.
    Let them be filled with joy.
⁴Sing praises to God and to his name!
    Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
    rejoice in his presence!

⁵Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
⁶God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.” Psalm 68:1-5 NLV

I cannot express enough the Father’s ever-abiding presence. He does not desert us or abandon us. He is always with us giving us comfort, strength and help.

Jesus experienced heart ache and loneliness. His accountant stole money from his business. His family didn’t understand Him and even His closest friends abandon Him in His greatest hour of need. He experienced all that and made us a promise that we would never have to go through those things without His help.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! ¹⁶So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-15 CEV

Having a grateful heart during adversity becomes our victory song. Not thankful for the adversity but thankful we aren’t alone and thankful that we have the Father’s promise of help.

No matter the circumstances we face we can give thanks – thanks that God never lies, He is faithful to His word. He brings the help we need!

September 24, 2020September 24, 2020

Growing Strong

I love babies!!

We have two grown grandchildren, three young grandchildren and one great grandchild. I’ve been working on photo boards and attending birthday celebrations during the last couple of months. First birthday, third birthday and fifth birthday…lots of pictures to look at while I reminisce.

I remember holding all six of these precious ones in my arms, speaking softly, swaying gently as they slept in my arms. What a blessing to hold a sleeping babe! As much joy as that brings no one wants them to remain babes forever. We desire to see them grow strong and healthy.

It’s a routine with babies – eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. It’s required for growth.

They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to eat and they let us know about it. We quickly learn which cries mean I’m hungry, tired, mad or wet. As they get a little older we learn signs long before they can articulate their request.

We need to follow their example.

“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” I Peter 2:1-3 CEV

We need to be like babies – sincere, innocent with an overwhelming desire to grow – to eat spiritual milk (the Word) and learn of the Lord’s goodness.

Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong. Babies also get thirsty and sometimes just need a drink of water and not a feeding of milk. It keeps them hydrated and all their organs working well. We also need water, but the living water, that only Christ can give.

“Jesus answered, “You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.”11 The woman said, “Sir, where will you get that living water?…13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”15 The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.” John 4:10-15 ERV

When little babies are hungry they cry and their parents get them a bottle and provide them with nourishment. Scripture tells us that our Father runs to our cry.

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy” , because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

When was the last time we cried to let the Father know we are hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? When we do, we will be filled.

March 6, 2020March 6, 2020

Lessons From Glory

Those of you who have been reading my blog any length of time have heard me refer to Glory on a number of occasions. She is my morning buddy and has sat with me through countless hours of Bible Study and prayer. Yesterday, Dave and I had to make the hard decision to let her go. Her little heart had given up; the vet said it was used up.

So, this morning for the first time in a very long time I’m at my computer alone. I just had to re-share one of the many lessons the Lord taught me when Glory was here…

It was a typical Saturday morning. Dave was busy working on things outside and I was getting the house cleaned. Somewhere in all that our little dog Glory got very nervous and unsettled.

She wasn’t a dog to jump up on people but she was that day. Jumping up on Dave and then on me. She was obviously upset. Her world wasn’t as she thought it should be and the only way she knew to do to make it safe was to be with one of us, on our lap.

It made me think, what do I do when my world seems to be wrong? Do I get upset and just work harder, not smarter? Do I hide myself away from family and friends? Do I try to escape the situation by running away – into the television, on a vacation, a shopping trip? Or do I go to the Father, jump up in His lap and let Him assure me things will be alright?

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

This morning I am spending time in my Father’s lap and letting Him dry my tears. It’s where I am finding the comfort I need. It’s the best place to be!

February 27, 2020February 27, 2020

Joy Comes in the Morning

How did you sleep last night?

Were you blessed with restful, peaceful sleep? Be thankful, so many weren’t. There are those who were up standing watch over their cities; firefighters, police, EMT’s, hospital staff. Then others were assigned to their posts of protecting our Nation; Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Border Patrol. They all have a daunting task to perform in keeping us safe and they do it willingly.

Others I know were up half the night grieving over the recent loss of a loved one. The sadness, the loneliness covers them like a roaring wave, crashing on the shore. Last night, for many, was filled with travel; a flight taking them home to family and loved ones or taking them too some exciting destination. Then there were those who sat beside a dear precious soul getting ready to leave this earth for their heavenly home.

“The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning we can sing for joy!” Psalm 30:5b ERV

Over twenty years ago, I began each morning by reading Psalm 143 and Psalm 145. No matter what had happened the night before, I greeted each day focusing on God’s love and provision. I felt compelled to share this with you today. I have no idea what your night was like but God does. His purpose is to bring you joy this morning, lasting joy.

“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. ⁹ Rescue me, O Lord, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You. ¹⁰ Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. ¹¹ Save my life, O Lord, for Your name’s sake; In Your righteousness bring my life out of trouble. ¹² In your lovingkindness, silence and destroy my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my life, For I am Your servant.” Psalm 143:8-12 AMP

“The Lord lifts up people who have fallen. He helps those who are in trouble. ¹⁵All living things look to you for their food and you give them their food at the right time. ¹⁶You open your hands and give every living thing all that it needs. ¹⁷Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is. ¹⁸The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help.” Psalm 145:14-18 ERV

I hope your day is joy-filled. The Father is reminding you of His lovingkindness.

February 23, 2020February 23, 2020

Hard Hearted

If we aren’t careful life has a way of making us calloused. Do you remember the days of three television networks? Those days when Ricky and Lucy and Rob and Laura slept in separate beds even though they were married. It was a time when the newscasters shielded us from the brutal graphics of war and harshness of life.

We were a more tender hearted people back then. We weren’t blinded to the situations of life; we felt compassion. Our hearts ached over injustice.

Tender hearted -> a condition where we can be easily touched by another’s adverse or favorable circumstances; an attitude that allows us to be open and accepting.

Hard hearted -> cynical, calloused, disbelieving, selfish and self-centered

Pharaoh was a hard hearted man. The plagues that came on Egypt were a result of his hard heartedness. He was unwilling to let the Israelites go and worship God. He was unyielding and stubborn. When Moses told him what plagues were coming, he actually had his magicians create the same plague just to prove he was in control. When Moses asked him when he would like one of the plagues to end his response was tomorrow.

“All right,” Moses answered. “You choose the time when I am to pray for the frogs to stop bothering you, your officials, and your people, and for them to leave your houses and be found only in the river.” 10 “Do it tomorrow!” the king replied.” Exodus 8:9-10 CEV

The Egyptians were suffering because their leader had a hard heart. He wasn’t willing to give in to the Lord. After several of the plagues had passed even his advisors encouraged him to let the Israelites go but he refused. A hard heart!

Jesus grieved over people with hard hearts when he was here on earth.

“Then he asked, “On the Sabbath should we do good deeds or evil deeds? Should we save someone’s life or destroy it?” But no one said a word. 5 Jesus was angry as he looked around at the people. Yet he felt sorry for them because they were so stubborn. Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his bad hand was healed. 6 The Pharisees left. And right away they started making plans with Herod’s followers to kill Jesus.” Mark 3:4-6 CEV

Verse 5 in the King James version says He was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts. The Pharisees were more concerned about keeping the law than they were about the man being healed. Their traditions meant more to them than the well-being of one of their neighbors.

Sad to say, we all go through times that our hearts are hardened. However, that can be remedied as we spend time in God’s word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The outer shell will crack and fall away revealing the tender heart that comes from the Father.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV

When we focus on what God has done in our lives we will be more tender hearted to others. A heart transplant.

If we have to be hard hearted it should be toward sin and evil. Resist the devil (be calloused) and he will flee from you. As Jesus was hard hearted to sin and resisted temptation we should be too. He hated sin and the enemy who brought its effects into the world but he loved the sinner and did all He could to set them free, that’s why He died for us.

So, let me encourage you today to be tenderhearted to others and hard hearted to evil. This is a Christ-like attitude.