Category: Random Thoughts

Patience is a virtue. Have you heard that saying? There is truth to that, but not everyone is blessed with that virtue and waiting can be hard for anyone, especially when you are waiting for something really great. Recalling back when my husband and I were dating, waiting until the next time I saw him was probably the most impatient I have ever been in my life. I still get a bit impatient waiting for him to get home, mostly in the good I can’t wait to see him kind of way. As Christians, we have that same expectant waiting as we wait on the coming of Christ.

During my devotion this week, the verses and narratives echoed what we are learning on Sundays as we study the Book of Acts. Jesus promises. all believers, that he will send us a helper, the Holy Spirit, to be with us while we wait for his return. A simple understanding of that promise might be that He will send us the patience we need to wait. However, it is not the job of the Holy Spirit to help us wait patiently and quietly for the Savior.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8

When Jesus first sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles they were gathered together in the upper room. The minute they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit they became active. They began preaching the Gospel of Christ, ministering to the public, attending temple service to praise & worship, and performing miracles in His name.

Our waiting time here on earth is not intended to be stagnant either. We are to be actively waiting by sharing the gospel of Christ, being in fellowship with one another, praying, worshiping, and ministering to the needs of others. This is the daily help that the Holy Spirit provides to give us the resources needed to carry out crisis work here on earth while we wait on Christ’s glorious return.

First Sunday of the New Year, and we had a lovely teaching on the Book of Acts today. Our pastor this morning taught on the Doctrine of Ascension and it’s inherent promises for the church as inspirationally laid out by Luke in the first chapter of Acts. One of the talking points that resonated with me is the realization that we, today, continue the Book of Acts! Just as in the early days of the church, what we do and say reflects on whom we claim to follow, Jesus Christ. This reminded me of one of the attributes of God that we learned in Women’s Bible Study this past semester.

Jehovah-Nissi: God Our Banner

Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines Jehovah-Nissi as “…the title given by Moses to the altar which he erected on the hill on the top of which he stood with uplifted hands while Israel prevailed over their enemies the Amalekites (Ex 17:15).”

Banners are everywhere in today’s world. People put up banners to announce a birthday, new baby, retirement, etc. Seasonal parades are filled with banners announcing what groups are marching past. Some people even wear sash banners for pageants and/or special events.

Not too long ago, however, banners were used for a more specific and somewhat frightening purpose. Banners were carried ahead of marching armies to announce not only that an invasion was coming, but also, under whose name the army marched.

When I march out into the world, whose name is on the banner I carry? Jesus Christ. What tells the rest of the world that I march out under the banner of Christ?

Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.

Matthew 7:20

My actions and words say more about whose child I am, than any banner I could carry. This is my challenge this year, to go through life purposefully, with the intention of announcing Jehovah-Nissi through my words and actions.

To bookend my yearly reading activities, I thought I would try to start and end 2020 reading a favorite and/or classic book. Thankfully, my very thoughtful husband gifted me a beautiful classic edition copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. This is one of my all-time favorite stories, however it’s been a long time since I’ve actually read the books. It will be interesting to see what I remember and what might not quite match up with my recollections.

Thanks for joining me!

When today began I had no idea that I would be headed down this path. This morning was the final session of the women’s Bible study I attended this fall semester. Throughout the study, I was drawn each week deeper and deeper into the Word of God, while being expertly guided by the faithful women who designed and ran the study. Today, all the women from the Bible study joined in a time of praise & worship, sharing the good works the Lord had begun in all who participated. As I left the church and made my journey home, the Holy Spirit moved in me, sparking a desire to continue to share & praise the Lord. By the time I made it home I had the title of this blog and the conviction to follow the challenge. Only the Lord knows where this journey is headed, but I shall faithfully share all that is put on my heart and pray that the Lord do all according to his will.

The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge. — Ruth 2:12