Month: August 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

My Time

“Giving up my time…”

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

“My times are in your hands…”
Psalm 31:15a

I have a confession to make.  I like to have my own time.  Time that I don’t share with anyone.  Time that is just mine.

photoI might spend that time doing something I like; like playing solitaire, or reading, or dreaming.  I want my time, my way.

You see, I don’t have a lot of problem with giving God my treasure and my talents.  I just don’t want to give Him my time.  He might ask me to do something with my time that I don’t like, like listening to someone when I’m tired, or asking someone forgiveness when I don’t really want to ask, or hearing someone tell me something about myself that I don’t like.  No, I want my time, my way.

I also don’t like being reminded that God is the one who made my time, gave me my time, and can take away my time any time He wants to.  I want to be the rich fool who pretends that I have my time to do with what I want.  Instead of the reality that the time I have is a gift from God and He expects me to give it to Him for His use, not mine.

Ouch, that really hurts.  Can’t I have some time just for myself?  Just for my own private use where God can’t see it?

And I know the answer.  My Lord Jesus is standing at the door of my heart, knocking kindly but persistently.  “Steve, give it up.  You know you can trust me with your time.  I love you and have a great plan for your life.  Just let it go.”

How can I tell him “no?”  He gave up everything for me.  He, at the proper time, gave up His own life for me.  Hours in Gethsemane and on the cross, He gave for me.

I am afraid to let go of the control.  Will He really use my time well?  Can I trust Him?

And suddenly, I let go.  With a gasp, I release my coveted time.  And I see that He holds my times in His hands, His nail scarred hands, His worn Shepherd hands.  I am in Your hands, O Lord, my times are in Your hands, Lord Jesus.

Lord, forgive me for holding on to my time as if it were not a gift from You.  I do trust You, Jesus. Amen.

 

Picture and Text Copyright Steve Nickodemus

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

“Silver Lining? Give Me a Break!”

It's easier to see the silver lining when the struggle is someone else's.

 

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

I took this picture the night that devastating hail and rain pounded portions of the Pikes Peak region near my home. What I saw as beautiful clouds forming over Cheyenne Mountain and the eastern high plains killed animals, ripped siding off homes, and destroyed many cars. In fact, as I was breathing in the beauty and composing my pictures, friends of mine were already posting pictures of the brutality of this storm.

It's easier to see the silver lining when the struggle is someone else's.
It’s easier to see the silver lining when the struggle is someone else’s.

So where’s the silver lining?

Clichés are just that, clichés. They’re an attempt to make us feel better about our situation, but do they? Do clichés reach deep into our broken souls and heal us? They might give a short respite from the overwhelming sense of hopelessness, but the reprieve doesn’t last. Silver linings are clearer to those who are on the fringes of tragedy. It’s easy for me to see the silver lining since my home, my car, and my pets weren’t touched by the hail.

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.” 
Psalm 22:1-2 New Living Translation

Why is this happening to me? Why have you chosen this path for my life, O God? Why is all this pain pounding on me now. Why can’t I see the silver lining?

King David’s gut-wrenching lament finds its ultimate voice in Jesus’ cry from his cross. And since David’s cry, and ours, reaches it crescendo in Christ, we can sing the rest of David’s words.

“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.” 
Psalm 22:3 New Living Translation

For those of you going through sorrowful times, express your pain. Lament before God, yet let the cross stand between you and your lament. And with Jesus’ cross before your eyes, sing with David your hope in his saving presence.

Text and Picture Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

“Thank You!”

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances.

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

“Be joyful always; pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When we were dividing up my folks’ possessions after they both passed away, I asked if I could keep this print of a famous picture, often seen in many households.  An old man has set aside his glasses and book, and is praying over his humble lunch, a bowl of soup and a small loaf of bread.

August 08What struck me about this picture is about how seemingly insignificant it is:  a simple prayer of thanks over a simple lunch by a common person.  This is not our Lord Jesus in Gethsemane praying for strength to do the Father’s will.  This is not the President of the United States announcing a day of prayer during a national crisis.  This is a commonplace person doing a seemingly common thing, saying thank you to God for his meal.

Often when I think of the words, “give thanks in all circumstances,” I think of Christians valiantly giving thanks in the midst of suffering and trials.  And certainly that is one application of this verse.  But is it not just as important that you and I, in common, everyday circumstances, continually give thanks for every blessing, no matter how insignificant others may think it is?

After all, Jesus Himself said that if you give a cup of cold water to a child because you are His disciple, you will not lose your reward.  True love and true thanks are not always great, grandiloquent gestures of sacrifice in the midst of crisis, but are often the day in, day out “small” acts and prayers of thanks that life is full of.

I remember our Norwegian exchange student being shocked when we prayed as a family in a restaurant.  He said that he was surprised that we gave thanks in front of others in a public place.  I replied, “Whether we are at home or whether we are in public, we always give thanks to God for our meal.”  Kjartan smiled and said, “I guess I have a lot to learn about America.”

Whether at home or in public, whether over a grand banquet or a simple meal, whether in good times or bad, we give thanks.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all you do in our lives, for all blessings, large and small.  Especially we give you thanks for our Lord Jesus and His Gift to us of Himself.  Amen.

Picture and Text Copyright Steve Nickodemus