Month: April 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Gatekeeper

Remember to shut the gate!

“You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.”

If you’ve ever owned a pet you may have heard this reminder. A fence around your home provides protection, but the gate allows you to let your friends or deliveries in while keeping your children and pets safe. Still, you must keep your eye on the gate because unwanted people or predatory animals might enter if it’s left open.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
1 John 5:21 New Living Translation

wooden gate-cabin (1)When walking through the gate of this life we enjoy the freedom that Christ has given us through his death and resurrection. Yet we must guard our hearts and minds. Each day we make choices about what we allow to enter the gates of our mind. Some thoughts appear innocent at the time. It seems harmless to let a cute bunny into our yard until we discover him eating the lettuce in our garden. Thoughts invade that lead to compromise. Choices are made daily that threaten to corrupt our relationship with Christ. Our soul’s gate may need repair. Only the gift of His peace can guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

“So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.”
Colossians 1:28 New Living Translation

Christ may lead others to our gate.

Many are caught up in seemingly harmless beliefs that are not the truth and will end in destruction. As we are allowed through other people’s gates, we share the good news that God loves them.  We help lead them to the gates of heaven.

Guard your gate!

 

Copyright photo and text Desiree Bustamante

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Secure In His Leading You Higher

 Forever Higher in Him.

“You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.”

Climbing rock formations and wildflower covered hills to the highest reachable points is breathtaking. It’s exhilarating to go higher and higher to get to a mountain top, or the edge of a rock cliff, to photograph the magnificent views or see whatever treasures wait. While the ascent is thrilling it can be a little scary, and arriving at the top and standing on solid rock again to catch your breath gives a sense of security. Looking out over the landscape there might be a sunset, or a beautiful grove of trees or a lake in the distance. It is always a blessing and God feels closer than ever.

Bighorn sheep youth
“The one true God is my mighty refuge;
he removes the obstacles in my way.
He gives me the agility of a deer;
he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.”
2 Samuel 22:31-34 New English Translation

God blesses you as you climb higher and higher in your walk to know Him. It can be a frightening climb up the challenging times of life—illnesses, aging, financial worries, fears—and trudging through the rocky places of temptation, sorrow and defeat. But climb with the confidence that you will make it up the rocky terrain, because God promises to keep your way safe and give you strength to reach the high spiritual places if you take refuge in Him, our Rock who is forever secure. And he blesses you along the climb with transformational views of His presence and a landscape of love that outweighs any personal landslides you may be caught in along the way. He is the Rock that is higher than any high you will ever know.

 “From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61 English Standard Version

 

Text and Picture Copyright Desiree Bustamante

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Access to Grace

Even in times of struggle, God provides access to his grace through Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” 
Psalm 145:16 New Living Translation

Spring snowstorms are typical in Colorado, but that doesn’t make them any less bitter. Before this snowstorm hit, I had (note I said “had”) two beautiful daffodils growing next to my driveway. Every year they seem to struggle but not this year, at least until they were covered with snow.

April 19The birds arrived early this year and were quickly eating me out of birdseed, but I haven’t seen one of them today. And even if they did arrive, they would find it difficult to eat. One side of this feeder is completely blocked off by snow, but notice how the other side remains open. If a starving bird arrived, looking for food, it could flit its way to the protected side to find seeds.

When we face turbulent times it seems that our way to God’s nourishment is often blocked. Many people have told me that during their struggles they cannot pray, read the Bible or gather with others who follow Christ. I’ve been there, too.

However, the truth of King David’s words to Israel are also meant for us today. God opens his hand and satisfies the desires of our hearts even when it seems that the way to his grace and mercy is blocked. He satisfies us when we’re experiencing grief, bitterness, and fear. God’s grace is always available because of Christ.

By the way, I just looked out the window and two birds were eating from the feeder as the snow falls and wind howls. Indeed, God provides. He satisfies the desires of every living creature.

Text and Picture Copyright Douglas P Brauner