Living life without regrets

11 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Quotes Tags: , , ,

Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death. ~ 2Co 7:10 (CEB)

It is hard to live without regrets. There are things that follow me around. Things I wished I hadn’t done. Things I wished I had. Things I should not have said. Things I should have had the courage to say. One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that regrets are not from God. Regrets are from Satan whose aim for us is death. He doesn’t want us to live in victory so he reminds us of our mistakes. He likes to play that old familiar tune called guilt and shame. Guilt and shame are traps which produce death.

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians there is a verse that could easily be overlooked. But this one verse says so much! Godly sadness produces a change of heart and life that leads to salvation leaving no regrets. What is Godly sadness? Godly sadness is when we realize that we are not living in the way that God wants us to live. Our eyes have not been on Him and His will for us. When we repent of our sins it means that our eyes have been opened and we are choosing to line our lives up with God’s will.

The good news is that Satan only knows one tune. Once we realize this truth we can beat him at his game. Christ came into the world so that we can know God’s truths. Christ came so that we could know how to live a life without regrets.

I thank you Heavenly Father for sending your son into the world so that I might have life. Help me to remember that you want me to live a life of joy and that when I have lined my life up with Your will for me that I can live that life free of regrets. Amen.

Offspring of the Creative One

10 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , , ,

When I look up at your skies,

at what your fingers made—

the moon and the stars

that you set firmly in place—

what are human beings

that you think about them;

what are human beings

that you pay attention to them?

You’ve made them only slightly less than divine,

crowning them with glory and grandeur. ~Psalm 6:3-5 (CEB)

One of the things that I love about running first thing in the morning is that it gives me time and space to see the beauty around me. Running is about as “still” as I can get sometimes. What I mean is that there are so many noises around me. So many things that pull at my attention. Most of it seems to stem from technology. Technology is a wonderful,but it is hard to get away from it. Sometimes I even feel enslaved to it. When I run,it is a time that I can truly get away from all screens and distractions and my mind begins to wander. I think my best talks with God and observations about the world around me happen when I run. When I run, I can find that still quiet voice that lives inside of me.

Because technology seems to crowd into more and more of our “still” time, I can’t help but be aware of the dangers of losing touch with God. Time is given less and less in creative endeavors. Writing, drawing, painting, and gardening all tap into that part of me that reminds me that I am the offspring of a Divine Creator. When I create, my soul converses with God. When I create, wisdom often emerges out of my soul’s conversation with The Creator; the truth is smaller and less universal.

Karla M. Kincannon, in her book Creativity and Divine Surprise says, “While we exile creativity to distant corners of our existence, our ability to perceive the things of God in our life and in the life of the world radically diminishes. Without creativity we are deaf to God’s call; what we are to be and do remains a conundrum. The truth of our existence lies in the heart of God, and if we cannot perceive the Divine Presence, we cannot make meaning of our days.”

Lord, help me find meaning in this day. Help me search for Your voice in all I do. May I take time to look around me at all Your creation so that I may remember that You have formed us to join you in the work of shaping the world. A world that reflects Your design for unity in diversity among all your creations. Inspire in me today a holy creativity greater than I could ask for or imagine. Amen.

Getting lost

09 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Quotes Tags: , , ,

Jesus answered, “Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ~John 14:23 (CEB)

This time of year it seems that I just run, run, run. My schedule is changing moving from the school year into the summer months. Classes are ending, year-end programs and award ceremonies are crowding into the schedule. Sometimes I look at my calendar and wonder just how I can be three places at once. Truth is I can’t but I still will stand there hoping for a miracle so I won’t have to choose between all of the seemingly equally important commitments that I have gotten myself into. On paper my schedule always works, until May or December.

On a regular basis I am easily distracted. I get so caught up in my cares and errands and worries. I forget what matters most. So easily I can get lost, wander off. It is even worse during those hectic times. All of a sudden I realize that God is not with me. Did He leave me? No, He didn’t go anywhere. I am the one who wandered off. Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to get lost than it is sometimes to find your way back. If I am paying attention I may only stray just a little and within a couple of turns I can find my way back to the road I am supposed to be on. Sometimes though I am so busy with life, talking with my children, running them places, doing laundry or working that I don’t notice that I haven’t only missed one road but several turns. By the time I look up I am hopelessly lost once again. Being lost physically or spiritually is a very scary feeling.

Often when I have found myself lost again, I take a deep breath and realize I am really okay. I know what to do. Put time with God back in my day. John 14:23 tells me if I love God I will keep His word. When I keep God’s word in my heart He will find me. He will make his home with me. Once I stop panicking, I realize God will never leave me I just need to be still for a moment, take a deep breath and look up.

Heavenly Father, save me from myself. Rein me in when I wander off. Help me to keep my eyes on you and not my circumstances. Amen.

Wind in my sails

08 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , ,

 

He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong. ~2 Cor. 12:9-10 (CEB)

My son showed me how his cut was healing today. Just a tiny scab here and there left of what was a traumatic afternoon for us a few weeks ago. He was very lucky and was shook up from the incident. I went around telling everyone that the “wind had been knocked out of his sail”. He isn’t back up to full steam yet. A little cautious still. I can’t help glancing at the rest of him. My eyes landing on this scar and that one. I remember each incident. Some were minor. Some where more heart stopping. They each tell a story.

Injuries become scars. Scars remind us of moments that we survived. We should never be embarrassed to share the stories behind our scars. Even the ones that are not visible. They are part of who we have become and a testament to those things we have survived. I carry around with me many scars on my heart. As I have come to share their stories they have lost any power they might have had. The more I share the more I feel the wind lifting up my soul and preparing me to set sail.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for Your Holy Spirit that fills my soul with hope. Help me to not feel shame for my past. For the scars that were not of my doing… and for the scars that are. Help me to feel Your strength through this day. Help me hold my head up high so that others may see the Light that lives behind my eyes. May the scars I bear help others to know that they are loved too. Amen.

Do you love Me?

07 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: ,

When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? Simon replied, Yes, Lord, you know I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs. Jesus asked a second time, Simon son of John, do you love me? Simon replied, Yes, Lord, you know I love you. Jesus said to him, Take care of my sheep. He asked a third time, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, Do you love me? He replied, Lord, you know everything; you know I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. ~John 21:15-17

Here, just before verses 15-17 we find that after Christ’s resurrection, Peter (Simon) is a little lost and has gone back to his old life of fishing. It had confused the Disciples that things had not gone the way they thought they should go. They kind of felt lost. That happens to me, I think I understand what it is God wants me to do and before I have all the information I am  making my plans, organizing things in the way I think they should go. When I look up I realize I have gotten lost again. I took my eyes off God’s plans and started making my own plans thinking I knew just what God wanted. Sometimes I get it so wrong that I almost feel that I have lost faith for a little while. Maybe I even lose faith so much that I go back to my old way of living.

I feel in this scene that Peter lost his way for a little while. So he went back to what he knew best, the fishing business. But this story is such a story of hope. Christ didn’t give up on Peter. He didn’t say I can’t believe after ALL I have shown this man he goes back to his old way of life? No. Jesus went out and met Peter where he was. He never judged Peter in this moment. He knew he was confused so Jesus brought him back to the simple truth. “Peter do you love me?” Yes Lord , You know I do.” “Peter do you love me” Yes Lord, You know I do… and Jesus asks him a third time. “Peter do you LOVE me?” Jesus knew Peter loved Him, but Peter had forgotten that Peter loved Him.

Just like Peter I have doubts some days and I find myself back in my old life. Jesus comes out to where I am, looking for me. He calmly reminds me of the truths I have in my heart. The love I have for Jesus gives me strength that can get me through even the tough times of getting back on track.

Lord, when I find that I have muddied life up again, I can be confident that you will find me in the cloudiest of waters. You patiently remind me of the truths I have stored in my heat. May I answer your call with a sound, Yes Lord, you know I love you. Amen.

Second chances

06 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: ,

This is why I tell you that her many sins have been forgiven; so she has shown great love. The one who is forgiven little loves little.” ~Luke 7:44 (CEB)

When I read this story of the woman who sits at Jesus’ feet washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair I often find myself asking, “Is it true? Does it take devastating moments in our lives to feel much love for Christ?”

While the woman is washing Jesus’ feet He begins to tell a story about a certain lender who had two debtors that owed him money. One owed enough money to pay five hundred people for a day’s work. The other owed enough money for fifty. When they couldn’t pay, the lender forgave the debts of them both. Then Jesus asked, “Which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled.” “You are right,” Jesus says. (Luke 7:44-43)

Hmm, when you put it in terms of money it seems to make it clearer. It is obvious in Jesus’ illustration that the one whose debt was larger would be more thankful. So often it takes us hitting bottom (sinning much/getting into great debt) before we can realize how great our God is. God is a God of second chances. When we have much to be forgiven we are more grateful for those second chances.

Heavenly Father, please help me to grab hold of my second chances and make them stick. Amen.

Temptations

05 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Uncategorized Tags:

No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it. ~1 Cor. 10:13 (CEB)

It is important to realize that I will be tempted. It’s an unavoidable part of life. It’s not a question of if but when. I can beat temptations but not by my own might or strength. Relying on myself is a sure way to succumb. But when I put God’s Word in my heart, when I rely on His strength and trust in His promises, there’s no temptation I can’t overcome.

Even though God wants me to take issues as they come, wisdom looks ahead. I need to be prepared with an answer or avoid situations that I know would not be good for me. I told a teen group that was doing a Bible study with me that they needed to think ahead to what their answer would be to drugs and alcohol before they were asked. If an answer wasn’t ready they could be caught off guard and end up doing something that they really didn’t want to do.

Temptations are just a part of everyday life. Some things we learn to get past quickly. Other things seem to take greater effort. I just need to look for the “out” that God has promised to supply, tackling each temptation as it comes. God has instilled within me the ability to conquer and with endurance victory will come.

Help me hide your word deep in my heart Lord, so that I may draw strength and confidence from your truths. Give me your wisdom to think ahead to situations so that I may be prepared for battle. Amen.

 

Self-centeredness

04 May 2014 1 Comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions

I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. ~Gal 5:16 (CEB)

I have a very independent spirit. I elude myself with the thought that I just don’t want to bother other people when in reality I just don’t want to reach out to others. This is not what God intended for me. He made us for relationships. Being part of a community is not just helping others but also allowing them to reach out to me in my times of need.

It is very easy to carry this independent spirit over into my Christian walk as well. I refuse at times to depend on God. “I’ve got this covered God you can go help someone else who has a bigger need than me”. Relying on myself is self-centeredness. Self-centeredness is selfishness. Selfishness is self-worship. Hmm, I think I remember somewhere reading that I was to have no other gods before God. (Exodus 20:3)

Relying on myself quickly leads to frustration which is a red flag that God has been removed from the situation. Gal 5:16 tells me “be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires”. Allowing myself to be guided by the Holy Spirit helps me to keep God in the picture and me out of the center of my focus. God didn’t save us from ourselves in the first place to then just turn around and leave us alone. No, He has eternally saved us, which means if we depend on Him, He will guide us and help us. In allowing Him to guide me, my selfishness begins to subside and frustration becomes less and less of an issue in my daily life.

 Heavenly Father, guide my steps in all I do this day. Thank you for saving me and allowing me to depend on You for guidance in every situation. Please continue to save me from myself. Amen.

God’s Armor

03 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags:

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. ~Eph 6:10-11 (CEB)

Verses 14-17 continue to tell us to fasten truth around our waist, put on the breastplate of righteousness, to put on shoes of proclamation so that we can spread the good news wherever we may go, to take up the shield of faith in defense of Satan, to place the helmet of salvation on our head and to carry with us the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Finally verse 18 says to pray in the Spirit at all times, to keep alert and to always persevere.

How does this translate into some everyday actions that I can do? The armor of God is what we do to act healthy and to stay in touch with God. So that when life attacks we have something to battle back with. Armor is music, scriptures, prayer Christian fellowship, worship. All these things help us stand firm in our faith so that we can withstand the “evil of the day” as verse 13 says.

If I want to have strength I need to look to the Source that is above all other sources. I need to look outside myself for that Source of strength. I need to fasten tight the truth of who I am in Christ. Not hold onto what others might think of me. I need to carry in my heart God’s love for me and be willing to share His love with others.

May I not leave my house today O Lord, without being fully dressed so that I will not be destroyed as I go out into the world doing your service. Help me to hold onto truth and give me strength to do Your will in everything I do.

Run over

02 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: ,

 

I am hunched over, completely down; I wander around all day long, sad. My insides are burning up; there’s nothing in my body that isn’t broken. I’m worn out, completely crushed; I groan because of my miserable heart. Everything I long for is laid out before you, my Lord; my sighs aren’t hidden from you. My heart pounds; my strength abandons me. Even the light of my eyes is gone. My loved ones and friends keep their distance from me in my sickness; those who were near me now stay far away. ~Psalm 38:6-11 (CEB)

Have you ever felt like you have been run over by a semi-truck and then dragged behind it for a few miles? These words from Psalms reach out to me in those times that I feel like I have been beaten up by life. You know the kind of beat up where even your friends avoid you because they just don’t know what to do or say to you.

In those times I see these words in Psalms and I say, Yes Lord! This is how I feel! Completely broken, my spirit is crushed and my heart is in pieces. But you know my heart Lord, so you know all that is within me, my sighing, and my groaning you know it all. Strength has abandoned me Lord and my eyes can’t find the light. Then as I continue to read through Psalm 38 I see in Verse 15, “But I wait for you, LORD! You will answer, my Lord, my God!” Here is assurance that God will be there for me and He will answer the cries of my heart.

It is in our troubled times that we learn to lean on God and not on ourselves. Each trouble we go through we gain more and more knowledge of God and these moments add up to build trust in Him. 2 Cor 1:10 says “God rescued us from a terrible death, and He will rescue us. We have set our hope on Him that He will rescue us again.” No matter how beat up I feel. No matter how near death I am sure my heart has come, I have knowledge from God’s word that He well be there and that I can set my hope on Him.

Mender of hearts, I put my heart in Your hands. I trust you to help me keep it whole no matter what life may throw at me. In You I know that my eyes will find the light that they seek and that I can have hope for this day. I thank You that I can trust in You. Amen

Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries