Month: September 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

The Exam Room

So, how is your spiritual health?

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

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.”
Psalm 139:1

I took this picture recently when I went to see my doctor for a physical exam before a minor surgery.  His assistant, Anita,  took my weight, temperature, oxygen saturation, and did an EKG.  Doctor Dan listened to my heart, lungs, asked me questions about my health, and read my EKG.  “Everything looks good,” the doctor said.

 

Sept 08bSo physically, I am in pretty good health.  And that can be determined through various diagnostic tests.

But what about my spiritual health?  How can that be determined?  Am I in good spiritual health or not? What doctor or team of medical personnel can give me a spiritual exam?

Fortunately, I don’t need a doctor to inform me of my spiritual health.  Psalm 139 tells me that before I was even born, the Lord God knew the condition of my soul and everything about me.  The Lord has “searched me and knows me.”  No one can hide their spiritual condition from God.  Jesus said that even the hairs of our head are numbered by God.

And what does God know about me?  He knows my sin condition, that I have an incurable disease of disobedience.  He knows that even my best efforts fall far short of His holiness and purity.  And He knows that the consequences of that sin condition is death.

What shall I do?  I can try to hide my condition, deny it, cover it over.  But that won’t fool God.  And so instead, I confess that I cannot save myself, that I need the healing only the Lord Jesus can bring.

For God’s permanent healing, only one drastic medicine would work; the blood of His own Son.  The blood of Jesus forgives my sin, heals my disobedient heart, gives me eternal life.

The Lord only asks that I admit I need His healing and quit trying to hide my sin disease.  Praise God that He who was unafraid to touch lepers reaches out to me…

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying that I might live.  Please forgive me for trying to hide from your loving gaze.  Heal me with Your blood and your forgiveness.  Amen.

Text and Picture Copyright Steve Nickodemus

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PWTE Daily Devotion

The Road to Eternity

Facing life’s roadblocks with Christ.

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

Independence Pass in Colorado is notorious for its snowfall, which closes the road for months in the winter. The tight curves and sheer drop-offs make it unsafe to travel with any snow or ice on it, so this road doesn’t open again until the snowplows push through the drifts in time for Memorial Day. The road closed sign and barrier keep people safe from the drifts on the road ahead.RoadClosed FX

It’s no secret that as we navigate life’s roads we often run into obstacles along the way. Yet we still feel surprised that roadblocks can happen to us, even though God’s word has many warnings that life on this earth will be difficult.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
Matthew 7:13-15 New Living Translation

When the winter snow melts and spring finally comes, it’s such a blessing to see the trees bud out and flowers break through the ground. It’s a joy worth waiting for. That’s also why we endure the difficult roads of our life. The journey is worth the beauty at the end of the road—spending eternity with Christ in Heaven. And we have help reaching that goal, for God does not abandon us along the way. We call on Him to travel with us on our road.

 “Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
Lead 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 New Living Translation

Put your hope in the Lord this day and He will point out the road He has mapped out for your journey.

Photo and text copyright Desiree Bustamante

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Safe in the Cactus

Taking us under His wing.

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

NestInCactus FXThis cactus was seven feet tall when my husband needed to trim it down so we could paint our house. In the middle of the cactus, invisible to us until it was cut away, was this nest perched among the cactus spines. It was ingenious of the birds to create a home with this kind of protection. The neighbor’s cats and the squirrels in our yard wouldn’t go near this nest with the hedge of spiny barbs protecting it. I did wonder about the baby birds who ventured out of the nest. It turns out that birds that live in cactus are good at spreading their weight out over lots of spines. They also weigh so little that they don’t exert enough pressure on the spines to pierce their skin. They are well protected.

As followers of Christ, We are also well protected from any spiritual harm that could happen to us. God has placed protection around us.

“How great is the goodness
    you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
    blessing them before the watching world.

 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
    safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence.
    So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!”
Psalm 31: 19-20, 24 New Living Translation

Unlike the birds, it’s not just about survival but also about reaching out to others. With courage and our hope in the Lord that He will always protect us, we can also be a safe haven for others who need it. As a mother bird covers her young with her feathers in the nest that she built in a cactus to protect them from enemies, God protects us even more as we are His children whom He loves.

“Yes, you have been with me from birth;
    from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
    No wonder I am always praising you!

My life is an example to many,
    because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you;
    I declare your glory all day long.”
Psalm 71:6-8 New Living Translation

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your amazing love and constant protection!

Photo and text copyright Desiree Bustamante