In the quiet,in the still,perhaps in the sanctuaryof the early morning,David wrote,“O God, You are my God;Early will I seek You;My flesh longs for YouIn a dry and thirsty landWhere there is no water.I have looked for You in the sanctuary.To see Your power and Your glory.” (Ps 63:1-2) In the sanctuary of the earlyContinue reading “In the quiet, in the still…”
Tag Archives: peace
Not I, but Christ in me.
So many hard things. People I love are walking through such pain. Things have happened in the life of our family that hurt so deeply. I don’t understand. I can’t write the devotional and tie it up in a pretty bow. I’ve sat in a puddle of tears— so many cares to cast on Jesus.Continue reading “Not I, but Christ in me.”
When you need to remember again…
In the middle of the night, I confess, I have sometimes laid awake with worry. Should I have done things differently? Did I make the right decisions? Did I say the right things? In the dark of night, I feel myself tempted to believe it’s all up to me. Fear begins to surround me asContinue reading “When you need to remember again…”
Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.
The evil one is masterful at deceiving even God’s children into believing God can’t possibly forgive them and that they will always be defined by what they have done in the past. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard others say… I can’t be used by God because —I can’t serve atContinue reading “Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.”
No turning away. Even when we don’t understand.
To watch someone suffer pain and hold on to God, knowing He could’ve stopped it, but chose not to, is truly a holy thing to witness. My words don’t seem worthy to even attempt to describe such. Yet, little has encouraged my faith as much as this story has. It’s one I’ve closely watched unfoldContinue reading “No turning away. Even when we don’t understand.”
People are increasingly upset by truth.
For years, I’ve merely studied the Bible and written what I’ve learned. I’ve been encouraged by so many who study with me. But others, including some friends and family, have not liked what I have written on things like marriage, abortion, gender identity, homosexuality etc. Most are fairly kind in theirdisagreement, but I’ve also receivedContinue reading “People are increasingly upset by truth.”
Are you one of these?
We are all tempted to sin, but we don’t have to give in to that temptation. In chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul offers wisdom for living out our lives in obedience to Christ – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right handContinue reading “Are you one of these?”
How on earth do you do THIS?
As I come to the end of Chapter 2 of Colossians, I’m struck by Paul’s last sentence. “These things have the appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” If I don’t want to indulge my flesh, I can’t relyContinue reading “How on earth do you do THIS?”
When Temporary can feel Eternal
Temporary problems can get us all down. But we need to have our theology straight in order to not get consumed by them. There have always been those who want to take away from the Bible and those who want to add to it. When Paul wrote his letter, many of the Christians in ColosseContinue reading “When Temporary can feel Eternal”
Have you had this happen?
Beware. Paul said, “Beware”. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col 2:8) The false teachers of Paul’s day were combining worldly philosophies with the gospel and people were being deceived. This deceitContinue reading “Have you had this happen?”
We need both
Paul begins his letter to the church at Colosse in the way he begins many of his letters- he tells us who he is writing to (saints and faithful brethren). This is a letter to Christians. Keep this in mind as you read. Paul will both encourage and warn believers, because believers (yes, believers) needContinue reading “We need both”
Christmas Eve
All across the world, Christians will gather to light candles in Christmas Eve services tonight. We will likely hear the words of the prophet Isaiah— a people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isa 9:2) What must it have been like all those thousands of years ago? Christmas Eve —a people walking inContinue reading “Christmas Eve”
He stepped into our brokenness.
My Dad, who loved Christmas and being with family so very much, passed away just days after Christmas two years ago. As I sit looking at my home, decorated as it always is this time of year, with the word “JOY” literally all over the place, tears well up in my eyes, again. I missContinue reading “He stepped into our brokenness.”
He is doing what He promised.
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible, and wrong. How dark the world seems right now. Just turn on the news and you’ll know what I mean. (Or, maybe don’t 😳) But how dark, how impossible, it surely seemed over twoContinue reading “He is doing what He promised.”
Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17) As Paul wrote those words in his letter to Timothy, I wonder if he sat his pen down, lifted his hands to Heaven and was overcome with praise to the Lord?Continue reading “Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…”
I’m a grandma and funny thing…
When I was younger, I’d look at women that I now resemble in the mirror and think, “I’ll have it all together then….” I remember thinking, they are wise. They know what to do every single time a concern heads their way—in less than ten seconds probably. I thought I’d feel like a wise grownContinue reading “I’m a grandma and funny thing…”
Peace when I’m overwhelmed…
When my heart is overwhelmed, when I long for peace, joy and hope, I know I can no longer look to this world. I have been led to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps 61:2) I’ve tasted and seen that He alone is good. I have been blessed to take refuge in Him.Continue reading “Peace when I’m overwhelmed…”
I want to be on the other side…
I want to be on the other side. You know the other side of the current problem impacting my life. I want to feel the rejoicing that comes AFTER the pain and worry have subsided. I know what that is like.I’ve seen God be faithful before. But right now.I’m in the “not yet”. I’m inContinue reading “I want to be on the other side…”
How do you keep going when life is crashing down?
What do you do when you get the phone call, the diagnosis, the news you never saw coming? What about the hard thing thet you thought wouldn’t still be this hard? What then? Are you destined to continually be consumed by the trouble and pain and spiral further downward into a pit of despairing emotions?Continue reading “How do you keep going when life is crashing down?”
The pretty lie that leads to death and where real JOY is found.
A while back, I woke up way too early and found myself watching a World War 2 documentary hoping to fall back asleep. I listened as old men recounted stories of death and sacrifice. The narrator detailed the war effort at home, a country coming together, people denying themselves for a greater good. “Denying ofContinue reading “The pretty lie that leads to death and where real JOY is found.”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 