My Strength and Shield

 As I am struggling to keep my head above water at work, I took a minute to read today's devotional in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and the words were just what I needed, so I am going to reproduce them here, if only for me to try to help my mind and heart internalize them:

I am your Strength and Shield.  I plan out each day and have it ready for you long before you arise from bed.  I also provide the strength you need each step of the way.  Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what's on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with ME. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication.  Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield.  But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active.  My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers.  Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  

I pray that the Holy Spirit will give me what I need, and will help me to "refuse to waste energy worrying."  I am a worrier at heart, but I am trusting that the Lord will give me the strength to refuse the fear and the worry as soon as they start creeping up my back.  I claim the words of Psalm 28: 7

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.

I rest in You, Lord.  In Jesus' Precious Name.  Amen!

You Are the Potter and We Are the Clay

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” Jeremiah 18: 1-2

As a teacher, I'm always looking for ways to "show" rather than just "tell" my students what I want them to learn.  I try to replicate in the classroom real-life situations that will help them get much needed practice, which is key for their second language acquisition process.  I see it with Dylan as well.  He learns best when he is immersed in an environment where he can witness the lessons come to life...where he can do more experiential-hands-on style of learning activities.  That's when he really "gets it."

Among everything else, Our Great God is an Amazing Teacher.  Nobody beats Him in the classroom of life.  He wins all the excellence in teaching awards, no contest!  One of such instances, of the Teacher-Nature of Our Lord is clearly seen in the passage above.  For 17 chapters we see Jeremiah's ears been filled by God's judgement for His People Israel...which will still continue in the coming pages...but here, at the beginning of chapter 18, God gives Jeremiah a classic high-impact/experiential learning practice, where His compassion for Jeremiah's battered heart is demonstrated...as Jeremiah takes his first step into the Potter's House.

The Prophet goes down to the Potter's house and he sees him working at the wheel.  What a precious image.  Like Jon Courson's commentary says, Jeremiah witnesses, even without God pointing it out, that there is purpose in the Potter's work, "he is not playing or amusing himself with the clay. He was making something of the clay." The analogy came to life right in front of Jeremiah's eyes...and he got it:  God is the Potter, we are the clay, and the wheel, the instrument He uses to shape us, is life itself.  The wheel of life can be grueling at times.  Its constant spinning could be dizzying.  Often, the Potter reshapes us completely...but the ultimate truth is: we are always in His hands.  The clay cannot resist the Potter's hands.  Imagine if it did...what a disaster that would be.  With the utmost care, the Potter's hands just smooth out all the rough edges, and as the wheel turns round and round, His tenderness molds us until we are finished and become what He had intended...a most beautiful creation.

Like the eyes of my students sparkle when they "get" the lesson after I put them in a situation where they can see it and touch it and experience it, Jeremiah's eyes were open to the teachings of God and to His Truth.  And we benefit from it, for the lessons learned by the prophet so long ago, come to life today in us.

May we remember we are the clay, and that we are always in the care of Our Divine Potter's loving hands, regardless of how mad the wheel is spinning below us.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Women's Retreat

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1: 56

One of my most cherished activities our church organizes is the women's retreat.  I've tried to attend as many as I could over the years, and each time I've been able to go, it has been a most comforting, re-energizing, spiritually-filling experience.  As everything else in the entire world, our beloved women's retreat has been impacted by the unending Covid-19 pandemic.  But, there is hope for this year to bring it back, and I can't wait!  I sure hope it is on a weekend I'm available given the requirements of my current job...

At any rate...the women's retreat is a time when women gather together, at a location away from home, to enjoy fellowship and to help each other refocus our sight on Jesus, encouraging one another, bringing to life Proverbs 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

There's nothing like time spent with sisters in Christ to renew one's joy and strengthen one's soul for the journey ahead.

If I'm allowed some speculation here, I believe with all I've got, that Our Lord, knowing the depths of the female psyche and heart, which He designed Himself with all its intricacies and complexities, gave Mary this time with Elizabeth as a sort of women's retreat to strengthen her for what was to come.  It was out of His mercy and love, that God's provided Mary with the support and comfort she most needed at that exact time.  He knew she could not find it at home.  He knew she needed a kindred spirit...a spiritual sister who was going through a very similar situation, to guide her and help her remember who God is and that she could truly trust Him.

Like mentioned before, Mary's song, The Magnificat, my Mom's most beloved prayer, ends sort of abruptly, with the mention of Mary's retreat at Elizabeth's.  However, when we see the whole picture, we can appreciate this is a very significant conclusion.  In the song, we witness Mary's act of surrender in her intentional effort to remember, to bring to the forefront God's mighty deeds not just in her life but throughout history.  That's exactly what she needed to do at this most complicated crossroads of her life: to take some uninterrupted time to remember.  

God's gift to Mary is to allow her exactly that, the much needed time to regroup and to meditate on everything she knew about God...to continue on with her recounting of God's mercies, promises and goodness...so she could be equipped for the journey ahead.  And what best way to do that, that in the fellowship of a small "women's retreat."

I am moved to tears as I think of this, because it brings to my mind a bit of the mind of God and how tenderly and lovingly He tends to the heart of women.  He knows what we need and often, He gives it to us even without our asking.  

I pray that the Holy Spirit leads us to where we need to be, so we can experience the comfort, support, love, care and strength that fellowship with the body of Christ can bring, especially, among our spiritual sisters.  May the Lord allow the women's retreat to come back.  I sure am ready for it.  In the precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

God is Faithful

...remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1: 54b-55

I avoid making promises.  It is very, very rarely that anyone would hear me say: "I promise," to anything.  I know myself.  I'm too fickle.  And people love to rub unfulfilled promises on one's face...so I avoid making any, so I don't have to hear anyone saying to me:  "but you promised!"  When Dylan tries to pull that one on me (he doesn't do it much any more because it has never worked), my customary reply is: "No I didn't.  I never promised you anything!"

Thank Goodness Our God is an Awesome God, who is Faithful beyond measure!  Although He knows humans are fickle, He does not share this trait with us.  Praise the Lord!

A commentary I read about these last verses in Mary's song stated how she was confident that God fulfills the promises which had been spoken to the Patriarchs and specifically the covenant promises to Abraham and to his seed forever. The commentary continues saying how by mentioning Abraham and his seed Mary is proclaiming a reminder of God’s promise to send the Messiah through the seed of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 17:19; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). And that Mary believes that God will fulfill this covenant promise through the baby in her womb.

Mary is reminding herself and all who would read her song in Luke chapter 1 from that moment on, that Our Lord is Merciful and Faithful.  She is reminding herself and us that He will take care of her and us forever, for He Who Promised is Trustworthy. 

I am grateful for the reminder.  I am thankful that I don't have to judge God's designs by my own actions...for, I don't want to enter into any promises to save my own face, but God promises to save our souls.

Regardless of our circumstances, may we, like Mary, always remember...

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23: 19

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10: 23

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

1 Corinthians 1: 9

Receivers and Givers of Help

He has helped his servant Israel, Luke 1: 54a

As I have shared before, I don't really do New Year's resolutions.  Instead, I think of a word that I try to carry with me throughout the new year as a sort of reminder of areas I want to focus more on.  This year, I was a bit torn as to what my word would be.  However, I decided on "HELP."  The way I think of this concept is two-fold: help, as in asking for help.  And help as in helping others.  So, when I read today's verse, I couldn't help but to pause on the word "helped."

I agree with what I read in a commentary saying, that Mary is expressing her trust in God's current actions for her as an individual in the light of God's faithfulness to His children throughout history.  God has helped her by giving her a sympathetic supporter in Elizabeth and a husband who is not going to abandon her in Joseph.  He has given her help in the form of strength so she can carry out her most holy mission.  He has helped her by giving her the ability to recall His blessings, including, the way God has helped His servant, Israel.  She is Israel and she claims His help for His chosen ones as one of them.  

On the same token, I wonder if she is also seeing the two-fold nature of God's help fulfilled in the baby who is miraculously forming in her womb?  I wonder if she comprehends the full extent of how she is part of that help Our Lord offers His servant Israel.  She is claiming the help, but she is also the vessel that God uses to dispense help.  

Like Mary, we are in that same position.  We are the blessed receivers of God's help, and we are the ones He calls to help our brothers and sisters.  That is the reason for the blessing: so we can bless others.

Mary was carrying the One...we carry Him too.

May the Holy Spirit manifest Himself through us and use us as vessels of His Light to end the darkness of this world today.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

How Rich Are We?

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. Luke 1: 53

How rich are we? You might not feel like you're rich at all, but compared to many parts of the world, Americans are wealthy in every sense.  We don't have to go too far.  We only have to look at our neighbors from farther south in this side of the world, and we will find deep poverty.  In a country devastated by natural and political disasters like Haiti, some estimate the average monthly income to be around $100 (one hundred dollars a month...yes...$100 a month).  That is the average, which means, some make less.

In Panama, a country which is relatively stable and well off, the minimum salary is about $250 a month.  This means, the minimum any employer can legally pay any full-time employee is $250 a month.  Notice, in most Latin American countries, salaries are calculated by month, not by hour or year.

At any rate, what is the measure of wealth?

For Mary, a young woman most likely raised in extreme poverty, wealth meant having good things to eat.  When you have nothing...having one's basic necessities met is considered wealth.  In today's world, a world of excess and extravagance, wealth might be having your own private rocket ship to take for a spin around the earth.  But, what is Mary talking about here? Is she implying that God sends away the rich?  Can a rich person not be a child of God?

Well, Jesus addressed this dilemma in Mathew 19: 16-26.  Jesus exchange with the rich, young man who asked him what must he do to enter heaven, and later reflection with His disciples gets to the very core of what Mary is hinting at in her song.  I believe the key is in Jesus' reply to His astonished disciple's inquiry of "who then can be saved." (Matthew 19: 25)  To this most crucial question, Jesus answered,

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19: 26” 

Before uttering these words, scripture says, "Jesus looked at them."  Can you picture the scene? The puzzled disciples, staring at the Lord, expectantly awaiting His answer, and He looks at them...as if in silent reply...hoping that the mere sight of Him would reveal the response:  I AM.  I AM who makes all things possible.  I AM salvation.

Mary's contrasting comparison serves to illustrate the importance of our priorities.  I don't believe it is indicative of the damnation of the rich just because they are rich.  I think it has more to do with the fact that as we enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, we must never make riches our god.  Our heart, so easily corrupted, must be guarded as the material blessings flow, so we don't take our eyes off of the One from Whom All Blessings come, and turn to worship the blessings and forget the Giver.  Our disposition must always be one of an open hand.  The minute we start clenching our possessions in a close fist, that's the minute we forget that it is all His...and that He gives and He takes away.

I pray, as I bask in the gift of middle class America, that I never forget who My Lord is.  May Jesus, the Great I AM, keep us very near His Heart, and make the impossible possible by His Precious Sacrifice.  In Christ's Name.  Amen!  

Bringing Down the Rulers

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. Luke 1: 52

"God's economy is up-side-down," I've heard preachers of the Word say often...kind of like the last-are-first-Theory (Matthew 20:16). The Beatitudes and the whole Sermon on the Mount vividly illustrate the ways of God and how they differ from the ways of humankind (Matthew 5-7).  It does not come as a surprise then, that Mary is expressing a Holy-Spirit-Inspired version of God's design.  She presents a short list of examples on how this topsy-turvy economy works...and it is no surprise that she highlights humility first.  Mary has traditionally been associated with this virtue, so it's natural to picture her here...a humble young woman, poor in status as far as the world is concerned...lifted up by God because of who she is in Him.

And, that's the basis of humility, right?  ...Believing that we are who God says we are, not who the world pushes us to believe we are.  I read in a blog, that biblical humility requires "embracing who you are in Christ over who you are in the flesh. To be biblically humble is to be so free of concern for your own ego that you unreservedly elevate those around you." (Gentle Christian Parenting)

Sigh...I don't know about you...but...I don't think I can count myself among the humble.  My ego gets in the way, making my feet stumble.  The whole "third from first" concept, Pastor Dan was talking about in his sermon the other day...yeah...I have found myself occupying higher spots than third.  Like Dylan said about himself after hearing the sermon:  "I'm third...but also second...and first."  Yep, at least he's honest, AND, at least he was listening, which is HUGE for Dylan...at any rate...the struggle is real.

What is most interesting to me about the definition of humility above is the bit about "embracing who you are in Christ over who you are in the flesh."  Actually, I never thought of that part being such a significant aspect of humility.  And that might just be the key.  That might just be the reason why my ego keeps trampling my every step in my frustrating pursuit of humility: I don't fully believe and accept...I don't embrace who I am in Christ.  I keep believing that there isn't anything beyond who I am in the flesh.  Isn't that the story of so many of us?  Isn't that the story the enemy wants us to believe?  Isn't that the story that keeps us separated from God, walking parallel ways to the ways of Our Lord?

I am a sinner in the flesh.  That's who I believe myself to be.  All my sense of inadequacy, all my insecurities stem from that belief.  My ego...my pride...doesn't want the world to see me the way I see myself...so I have prideful reactions to try to compensate for and to try to hide my perceived faults; therefore, my efforts at becoming more humble crumble.  

The problem is...I am only seeing or believing a half-truth.

The full truth is that, yes, I am a sinner in the flesh, but thanks to the Precious Blood of Christ and His Sacrifice on the Cross, in God's upside-down-economy I am forgiven.  His blameless flesh was pierced and sacrifice for the salvation of my sinful flesh.  

The full truth is:

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 8

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2: 24

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16

I am the ruler that needs to be brought down from her throne.  My ideas of who I think I am need to be toppled over to finally give way to the real me to emerge, clothed in the humble garments of a sinner who is aware and conscious of how much she has been forgiven...of how much that forgiveness cost...and of how much I DID NOT deserve it. May the Holy Spirit guide us in our quest for a humble life as we fully embrace who we truly are.  In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Pride and Idolatry

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Luke 1: 51b

What images come to mind when you think of the concept of pride?

In my mind, I tend to associate pride with self-centeredness and self-sufficiency.  The image I see is of a person standing alone...believing they don't need anyone, because needing others is a form of weakness...and weakness is for the birds!

To me, pride is thinking I'm too good to be flexible...my ways are the best so why should I change them?

At any rate, to me pride is visible.  It's easy to spot.  In my mind, prideful people can't hide their pride because, well...they're proud of it!  

Then...reading this verse from Mary's song caused me to pause a bit.  Starting with this verse, Mary begins a short series of contrasting thoughts that are meant to keep our eyes on the Holiness of God.  Yes, He is loving and great and has done marvelous things for us...but...don't forget He is Holy, and as such, He will scatter those who forget He is the Almighty, and worship idols instead...example #1...the proud.

Pride is a form of idolatry in which the object of worship is self.

And what this verse reminds us is that pride is not always boisterous.  Pride can actually be hidden...usually, under heavy layers of false humility.  Pride can be hidden in our "inmost thoughts."  And that is the pride that often causes many of us to have a rupture in our relationship with Our Lord.  Perhaps, you don't struggle with this kind of pride or any pride at all.  I, however, do.

Deep, in my inner most thoughts, there is pride festering.  The thing with pride is...it is rooted in an all-too-damaging feeling of insecurity.  At least, in my case it is.  My pride springs into the surface when I sense my insecurities might be exposed.  "No, I don't need you to do the dishes, I'll do them."  "No, I don't need you to order dinner out.  I'll whip something up."  "I'll clean the house."  "I'll take care of the kids."  "I don't need you to remind me how awful of a wife, mother and housewife I am...I am acutely aware of it, thank you very much!"

See what I mean?

A blanket of prideful self-sufficiency descends to cover my insecurities...and the problem with that is, that it becomes an idol: "Why do I have to always do everything around here?  Why doesn't anybody EVER help me here??? UHG!"

I'm at the center of it all...me and my issues become my idols.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.  All I know is that reading Luke 1: 51b made me realize that pride is not always visible and easily spotted.  It is possible to carry pride deeply hidden in the dark corners of our minds.  And the trouble with pride is, it takes our eyes off of Christ...and it makes us worship idols of our own making.  

Today, I pray, the Holy Spirit inspires us and guides us in our quest for renewal of our minds, so all that is found in our innermost thoughts are the thoughts of whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—[that we may] think about such things (Philippian 4:8) and leave all pride behind.  In the Precious name of Jesus, the Lord of ALL our Thoughts.  Amen!

The Deeds of His Mighty Arm

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; (Luke 1: 51a)

For some reason, Dylan decided he wanted to re-watch the Lord of the Rings movies.  It was a kind of a random request...but hey, I'm a fan, so we started watching over the weekend and finally we wrapped up the trilogy last night.  I have to tell you, I fell in love with the characters all over again.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for Aragorn...and the actor who played this role in the movies did a really good job wielding the King's sword with his strong arm...sigh...

At any rate...these movies and stories are all about power and might.  The epic battle scenes are a delightful show of strength and resolve.  They portray the relentless war between good and evil from the whole, all the way down to the individual.  Swords flash.  Heads roll.  Flesh is slashed. Victory is won.  

Mary's words in the Magnificat took me back to those images in the movies.  When Aragorn, symbolic of Christ as the Righteous King, swings his sword fighting Orcs double his size, I can't help but be reminded of how Jesus has been fighting my battles since before I was even born.  He has, indeed, performed mighty deeds with His arm in my life.  Born to parents in their 40s as a "mistake," I've walked through life on pathways not always paved...but never alone.  His Presence has been with me all along...even if unbeknown to me. His Mighty Arm has performed amazing work on my behalf...many of which I'm not even aware of.  His Sword has won many victories in my name...making me an overcomer, because He has overcome.

Mary is right in including in her song a verse to exult the deeds of God's Mighty Arm.  We need that reminder every time we enter into battle.  It's also good to remember that unlike in J.J.R. Tolkien's work, the author of Lord of the Rings who had to write three separate characters to represent Christ, we have the Real Lord...All in One.  His Name is Jesus, Precious Jesus, The King of Kings.  In His Name we pray.  Amen!

The Peace of His Mercy

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.  Luke 1: 50

What do I want in this new year?  Well, I want many, many things.  I wand good health for me and my loved ones.  I want Covid-19 to be history.  I want to travel a lot.  But I also want peace.  I want the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  I want to breathe in that peace and exhale thanksgiving.  I want the peace that comes from trusting His provision.  I want the peace that comes from being aware of His presence.  I want the peace that comes from knowing His mercy...His forgiveness.

I want a peace that is unshakable...a peace that remains stable regardless of my circumstances.

One thing that helps me and all who pursue such peace is to remember.  As we remember that the nature of His heart is love, peace overcomes our souls.  

At the core of Mary's Song in Luke chapter 1 we see how this young woman, at the crossroads of her life...at that very moment when she realized her days were about to change forever, and not for the better...at least not by human standards...she remembered.  She took time to remember the nature of God and what He had already done not just for her, but for His children as a whole.  She remembered that He had done great things already.  She hit the pause button in the middle of the whirlwind of her days and remembered that God is merciful and that His mercy extends to those who fear Him...not just to her, but to all, not just now, but always...from generations of old to the present and on and on, from generation to generation without end.

There is such peace in that...there is such peace in knowing we can rest in His mercy.

I imagine Mary, with every word of remembrance and exultation to Our Merciful God, beginning to breathe again.  And the same way, I could too...we could too...find the current of peace sweeping us off our feet as we let go of our cares and dive into the river of His Love, Power, Presence and Mercy.

May the mercies of our Lord fill our hearts with much needed peace...may we remember that they are, indeed, new every morning, and that Great is His Faithfulness forever (Lamentations 3: 22-23).  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Holy is His Name!

...Holy is his name. Luke 1: 49b

Well, the Christmas season is over.  A new year has come.  We give thanks for the year that has just ended...its blessings, its heartaches, the joy that it brought us and the hurt that lingers.  We close the curtain on its days...regretting the time we wasted, pondering the torturous ideas of whether we could have done anything differently...contemplating the misery that brings to our soul the nagging thoughts that perhaps, there was something we could have done that would have changed the disastrous course of an event...wondering the futile "what ifs." We wake up on another January 1st, excited, but mostly scared about the new and completely unknown challenges that await us...unable to stop our mind from going to its darkest corners...maybe you don't...but I certainly do...

After we clinked our sparkling wine glasses, if we had the blessing to have someone to celebrate the ushering of the new year with, we went to bed still tasting the bitter sweetness caused by standing in between a beginning and an ending. We closed our eyes and drifted into a restless sleep, cluttered by images of what should have been, what was and what should have never happened...not sure if the light will ever shine again...

At that moment, when we know despair can so very easily grab a hold of us simply because hope seems to vanish as a vapor through our helpless fingers...that moment when we know we could so very quickly get lost in the dense fog...that's the moment when the Way is revealed to us by the Light of the Truth.

That's the moment when we hang on with all we've got to the Word and His promises, guided by the Truth until we see His Light that will show us the Way to the Life He has prepared for us and that remains even when we seem to have lost it all. That's the moment when we remember that "Holy is His Name!"  Like Mary did, as she knew she was entering a most difficult time in her life.  That's when she recalled the truth that never changes: no matter what, "Holy is His Name!"  Holy: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness...set apart. (Merriam-Webster)

Those are the moments when we hold on to the Truth and claim His promises and believe He is, indeed Holy, completely worthy of our entire devotion because He is perfect in goodness and love...and that regardless of our current circumstances, He will come through and deliver us in His perfect will and perfect plan.

Those are the moments when we surrender, because we trust Him and because we know of His great love...no matter what.

As the new year crawls in, let's not be nervous.  Maybe you're not...but I sure am...so I need the reminder that even when all seems wrong, tragic, sad, confusing, unfair, complicated or unbearable, He is still lovingly in control...and He is always Holy!  In Christ's Precious Name.  Amen!