In Him | Kristi's Morning Devotional

April 7, 2020April 7, 2020

Hope & Healing

I’d like to build on what I was writing about yesterday, the Good Shepherd. I know I spent several days on Psalm 23 a few weeks back and I hope you were encouraged to know that the Lord, our Shepherd, takes care of us in every circumstance; beside still waters, in green pastures, confronted by our enemies and in the valley of the shadow of death.

Yesterday we were reacquainted with the fact that our Good Shepherd gives His life for us, his sheep.

Jesus taught his disciples about the Father’s love and diligence when he told the story of the Shepherd that had lost a sheep from His flock. He left the whole band and went searching for the one who had strayed. He searched until He found it and then brought it home to safety. That’s what a good shepherd does.

“Let me ask you this. What would you do if you had a hundred sheep and one of them wandered off? Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go look for the one that had wandered away? ¹³I am sure that finding it would make you happier than having the ninety-nine that never wandered off. ¹⁴That’s how it is with your Father in heaven. He doesn’t want any of these little ones to be lost.” Matthew 18:12-14

Did you know that sheep learn to recognize their Shepherd’s voice? Just like dogs, cats, horses, etc. they can remember and recognize familiar sounds. The voice of the Shepherd is comforting, soothing, reassuring. Other noises can create anxiety and fear but Shepherd brings peace. Jesus said that we, as His sheep, will hear His voice and follow Him.

“But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. ³The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. ⁴He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice.” John 10:2-5 ERV

It’s important that we listen for the Shepherd’s voice. He is always speaking to us; giving us direction, leading us to a place of rest and refreshing, guiding us through the rough places. I had just been reading these verses on hearing and following the Shepherd yesterday morning when I “heard” the Shepherd’s voice through the words of these verses in Psalms.

“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. ²The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. ³The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” Psalm 41:1-3 NLT

Reading those verses I recognized the Shepherd’s voice. He says he will rescue us, protect us, keep us alive and restore us to health. What wonderful promises and reassurance during this difficult time! Is it any wonder why I love reading the Bible so much? Every page contains expressions of the Father’s love and protection.

“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. ⁵Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:4-5 NLT

As we listen to the voice of the Shepherd (read His word), and follow Him. He will lead and protect. In Him we have hope and healing.

August 18, 2019August 18, 2019

Stay in Character

Mom has been here with us the last ten days and we loved having her. We always learn new things about our family history. Yesterday it was time for her to go home and we met my sister and brother-in-law at the half-way point and they took Mom home. It was a long day and I slept in this morning so I am recycling something I shared a few years back. As I read it, it really reminded me of where I am “in Christ”. I hope it will be an encouragement to you.

I was reminded of a theatre phrase this morning as I was doing my Bible reading, “Stay in Character”. I once read an article on Jeff Bridges. He spent time with a Texas Ranger to gain background on a role he was to play. He said he learned a great deal from this man, his mentor.

If you’ve been around “church people” very much you may hear them use this phrase “In Christ or In Him”. This is the message that Paul is delivering to us through all his letters. In fact, he says that this was the reason God called him to be the teacher that he was.

“God’s plan was to make me a servant of his church and to send me to preach his complete message to you. 26 For ages and ages this message was kept secret from everyone, but now it has been explained to God’s people. 27 God did this because he wanted you Gentiles to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery. And the mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory.

28 We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. 29That’s why I work so hard and use the mighty power he gives me.

I want you to know what a struggle I am going through for you, for God’s people at Laodicea, and for all of those followers who have never met me. 2 I do it to encourage them. Then as their hearts are joined together in love, they will be wonderfully blessed with complete understanding. And they will truly know Christ. Not only is he the key to God’s mystery, 3 but all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away in him. 4 I tell you these things to keep you from being fooled by fancy talk. 5 Even though I am not with you, I keep thinking about you. I am glad to know that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.” Colossians 1:25-2:5 CEV

The mystery that God the Father had kept hidden for the ages was that Christ lives in us and He brings all of his power into our lives. We are “In Him” and our lives are complete “in Christ”.

This morning I urge you to study your role, spend time with your mentor and stay in character. The character of Christ. Don’t become discouraged because you haven’t learned all the lines or because you enter from stage left when you should be coming from stage right. This is dress rehearsal. Stay focused and when the curtain goes up on Opening Night, you will find all of His power and knowledge are there for you.

As Christians, we aren’t just “playing” a part. No, we are taking on a new life. A new life that has us wrapped completely in Him.

August 3, 2019August 3, 2019

Learning More

So yesterday morning Dave and I sat here and discussed how far technology has advanced in our life time. I told you a couple days ago that I remember when television broadcasting ended each day with a poem and a test pattern. And…there were only three stations – NBC, ABC, CBS. But what a marvel that was, our parents had thought the radio was a major advancement.

Telephone was absolutely amazing; when Dave’s parents got their first phone they had a party line. For those of you younger than 40 let me explain, a party line was a phone line that had several households using the same connection. Each home had a distinctive ring and you didn’t answer if it wasn’t your ring because the call wouldn’t be for you.

Now we have smart phones! No more three rings and talk; it’s an amazing little computer in your pocket. Does everything for you – gives you directions, alerts you to upcoming appointments, aids in your banking, does a search, shows a video, makes a call. About the only thing it doesn’t do is dress you in the morning and feed you lunch. I’m sure that’s coming.

But with all the technology, all the advancements in information gathering people still feel weak and inadequate. Stress levels are as high or higher than they’ve ever been, feelings of inferiority grip so many who live around us and suicide is rampant. We have more modern conveniences and “time-saving” products to help deal with the small daily chores and we find ourselves working harder and longer.

Somedays it’s really hard to face the day. Those feelings that you’re unappreciated or under valued for who you are flood in. If that’s the case then here’s your answer to end those days of malize. The answer comes from God’s word – it’s time we learn more about God’s plan and desire for our lives. Technology cannot improve on what God has said.

“I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 16 So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.

19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20 when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. 21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. 22 God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.” Ephesians 1:15-23 CEV

The Lord wants us to have an understanding of the hope that He has given us, the power that He has made available to us (raising from the dead power) and what it truly means to be a part of the body of Christ!

I know this is a weak analogy but I will use it just the same. Many christians are like a new smart phone user. Only using their phones to make calls and send a few texts. They don’t know how to use it anymore than that…

It’s time to get educated about who we are in Christ. Download the apps, take pictures, use the GPS, on-line banking, the language translator, etc. Utilize what’s been given to us. The data plan is unlimited and we’ll never have a power outage or dropped call. The Father has given us wisdom, understanding hope and power.

I’ve been at a place where things seemed hopeless and I felt left out and alone. I didn’t realize all the Lord had made available for me. Through believing God’s word I have found that life with Christ is unlimited and I’m still learning more each day. I pray that we all will learn more about what God has made available to us.