Corona Devotionals

(1) Those who trust in the  Lord  are as secure as Mount Zion;  they will not be defeated but will endure forever. 2  (2) Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, s o the  Lord  surrounds his people, both now and forever. 3  (3) The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,  for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong. 4  (4) O  Lord , do good to those who are good, w hose hearts are in tune with you.  ~Psalm 125:1-5  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Those who trust in the  Lord  are as secure as Mount Zion...  (Psalm 125:1) Lord, we DO trust in You!  I love Your word and how it grounds me in an ever-changing cultural climate and my fickle emotional climate too!  I trust in You, and the flip side of that (this verse proclaims), is your promise of my security.   We are secure when we are with You, Lord.  The opposite of security is insecurity.  Comparing ourselves to...

To the lady chosen by God  and to her children, whom I love in the truth —and not I only, but also all who know the truth —   2  because of the truth,  which lives in us  and will be with us forever:  ~2 John 1:1-2   Full disclosure here-I do not know what "lady" John is writing to here, and in doing some brief research, I could not find an exact answer.   So, how about us?  If you are a mom or grandma or teacher (and even if you are not!)--let's take this to heart and claim John's message from the Lord for ourselves today.   He was writing to a woman who knew the Lord, and since we are also "that woman", let's open John's letter: 3  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ,  the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.   ~2 John 1:3 Ooooo! I love the proclamation of  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ  over our lives!   I once...

Regardless of a child's age--4 or 14, has anyone ever noticed that the time when they are most open and willing to share their lives with you is at bedtime?  When I am dragging, drooping, about to peter out-- that's when they most often bare their souls to me.  Here's a parenting tip--it's worth staying awake and attentive for!  Anytime they are willing to share themselves with us, it is valuable. Last night, when my eyes were heavy, I had one such opportunity.  Our 13 year old began talking me to me about his friends who disagree with him about being a Christian and what the Bible says.  I asked what they argue with in the Bible?   He said that their #1 stance to disqualify the Bible is that "it tells people to have slaves".  What?   I don't remember reading that command, but it got me to thinking.  People have always twisted God's word when they felt convicted or judged by it. And most often, I find that people have just plain nev...

Anyone speaking out to proclaim God's ways is often teaching a counter-cultural and socially unpopular message.   The life of a prophet was a tough row to hoe back in the days of the Old Testament.  Basically, the Israelites (God's people) had chosen to walk away from God's laws and honoring Him, and their lives were steeped in sinful pleasure and idol worship...and they were happy for it. Then came the age of God's prophets, who were men chosen by God to speak out to the people about their sinful ways, and hopefully turn the people's hearts back to the Lord.  The Lord used the prophets and their lives to make dramatic points to the Israelites, and these men were amazingly obedient to God, in order to advance God's truth and purpose. One such prophet was Hosea.  The people of Israel had turned away from the Lord, and were worshiping many false idols and living for their own pleasures.  Our God is loving and kind, but He is also holy.  And He i...

The sweetest breaths that I will take in all year occur today and for these few days. Lilacs are in bloom! Their scent is a special perfume to my nostrils that brings a smile to my soul.  I just love the aroma of these little lavender bursts of bloom.   They might be tiny, but they are so fragrant!  And alas, they only last a couple treasured days.  But I breathe them in as deeply as I can for this special week each year.   We are not so different from the lilacs.  Sometimes our days can seem unending, but the truth is: our lives sprint past us in a blink.   “Remember that my life is a  breath ;"  ~Job 7:7 "...surely all mankind is a mere  breath !"  ~Psalm 39:11 "Man is like a  breath ; his days are like a passing shadow."  ~Psalm 144:4 We don't like to discuss it, but death will come to all of us one day not so far down the line.  It is inevitable, but it is also not to be feared....