Devotions by Meredith

The Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:20, 21

20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 

Being around people a good portion of my life and daily work, there is a common thread among some. That thread is for them to always fall on the negative side of thought and speech just about every time a controversial subject comes up. Others will try to admonish them, shining light and encouragement on what is going on, yet inevitably the stubborn side of their brain has been exercised and rooted in negativism for so long, it won’t easier change course. Where is God in all of this? What about the myriad of sermons, teachings, Bible studies and personal Scripture reading they have sat under and experienced? What about all the miraculous answers to prayer, words of direction from the Holy Spirit and the precious presence of the Lord experienced in their lives? What about thinking and speaking out the faithfulness of God, the great care and compassion of God, the all-knowing of our God and the everywhere presence of God? Do they remember that He is all powerful? Maybe it takes more energy and effort to speak life rather than death. Proverbs 12:14 tells us “A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.” It drives me crazy when something happens and there’s always someone that has to rant on about it, telling you every negative aspect from decades ago up through time about what should have happened and didn’t, as if everyone else didn’t already know this information. In the meantime, positive, fruitful discussion cannot not begin until the ranters have spewed their poison all over the rest of us. I often think to myself when I’m caught in this situation and they have finally finished the rant, “I’m glad that is finally over.” Proverbs 13:2, 3 says, “2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life. But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. In spewing out negativity and fear, does it give people an adrenaline rush? Is that what it’s all about? And God help us if there are two or more that talk it all up together! It feels like they will never end as they try to outdo each other’s bad report! God forgive us and help us to speak words of life, hope, and love. Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Cleanse us, Lord and rewire our brains and mouths to speak life and not death, hope and not despair. “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer.”

What about you? What is your speech like? Are you hopeful, prayerful, kind and gentle, or are you negative and all doom and gloom? Pay attention to your speech today. Be a person of faith in God and not a naysayer. Have a great day in the Lord.   

God’s Healing Ways

I Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Were you ever emotionally injured as a child or teen? You’re fortunate if you weren’t. These happenings can be devastating to both those who have suffered this kind of cruelty and to those who are around them. Maybe you lost a parent at a young age or maybe you lived through your parents separating and finally divorcing. Maybe you wonder why do I still avoid getting close to anyone or those who are around you wonder why you just don’t “get over it,” and move on. One time I was in the middle of one of the worst seasons of my life, nothing that was of my own making. Everyone, unfortunately, in my circle of colleagues and friends all knew. I felt like when around them, as if I were a leper. Once in a prayer circle, someone wanted to pray for me and asked my how I was doing. Honestly, I think I was in a major depression, yet another person in the group so flippantly said, “Oh, just get over it!” Needless to say, it was like someone took a sharp knife and cut deeply into my already worn out psyche. These things effect you and these kinds of injuries take time to heal. We are looking at the most vulnerable parts of our heart. To be strengthened and healed takes time. This is what Paul, the Apostle is speaking of in our verse. The person feels the pain and will go into a sense of shock. If there is loving support, their heart can melt again, and the pain may return again. As the wounded spirit draws back into relationship, the old adage “sometimes things have to get worse before they get better,” may apply. Yet, this causes us to grow and get stronger, by learning how to exercise our thoughts and emotions in a healthy way. It is emotional processing and it takes time. Have you ever had a broken bone or muscle surgery? I had a knee replacement, and the doctor told me to get on my stationary bike the very next day and put my foot in the stirrup of the pedal and just swing my leg gently back and forth. I wanted to heal, to strengthen my joint, ligaments and muscles. I tenderly helped lift my foot into place and swung my leg back and forth. Wow! You can only imagine what that felt like, yet each time throughout the day, it got a little less painful. This is not unlike our emotional wounds and hurts that the enemy of our soul would want to use to bind us up into a depressive state. Our verse tells us we are to encourage the disheartened, help the weak and be patient with everyone. As well as those who may be able to you heal, be someone who can listen, really care, and be there as a tool in God’s healing process as it takes place. He encourages us to do so.

What about you? Do you have hurts, memories, and happenings that you need inner healing? Ask the Lord to direct you through this process. Are you willing to be someone who can be a friend, healing to be a listener, encourager, and prayer person for someone else the Lord may send your way? God can use you. Have a healing day for you and possibly for someone else in need.  

Do Not Fret

Psalm 37:8

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret. 

There are times when we can become fixated on something that is going on in our lives. It may be for a son or daughter, or a situation that we have no control over. In raising five children, there were many challenges throughout the years, from teething to potty training, to science projects to math challenges, to first crushes, to all five having chicken pox at the same time and to top it all off, during a vacation! Yet even as adults, my mother’s heart now has enlarged over their mates and all of my precious grandchildren. I want God’s very best for each of them. As well, we have helped to support our Kenyan sons and daughters throughout their journey through their educations and happenings of their young lives. And here’s one more layer—all of our precious church family who we love deeply, praying daily and walking with them throughout their highs and lows. Believe me, there is much to take before the Lord in prayer. I hate it when someone is ill or struggling in their marriage. Maybe its a financial need, or an addiction they are struggling with because of deep pain and hurt. Then what about Stephen’s and my own personal struggles—maybe its physical or an emotional challenge of sad memories or deep sorrow that we may be struggling with. Leaders often struggle alone, yet not alone for the One who knows it all, sees and cares, touching and soothing even those who must be strong and a comfort to those they lead in their great times of need. Dear One, God sees and knows all, every struggle, every emotion, every word spoken and unspoken and asks us to look to Him for every concern and need. I remember as a child, when my Grandpa would pick me up and hold me close. My little mind and body would need comforting and a need to feel safe, that an unspoken sense to engulf me that everything would be alright. He always smelled of fresh cut wood that to this day, when I come in contact with this smell, it floods me with peace and I relax. This is how it is with our Heavenly Father. He knows how to hold us, how to cause His voice to be heard and cause our psyches, emotions and even the muscles and sinews of our body to come to deep rest. We simply must let go. I know, I know, easier said than done. Yet our Father is telling us in labor into His rest today. Wait patiently for Him and stop fretting. Psalm 40:1 tells us, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Whatever your challenges may be today, whatever may be tempting you to pick up and fret about, pour it all out to the Lord. He hears it all and is more than able to bring you answers and great victory. Give it all to Him today.

What about you? Are you nerved up and fretting about someone or something? God is bigger than your worry. You may not have answers, but He does. He is for you, and He is with you. You can trust Him completely today. Eyes on Him all the way, all throughout your day.   

My Precious Bo

Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man regards the life of his animal. 

My best friends throughout my life have been my animals, whether a sixteen-hand quarter horse, a crazy Siamese cat, or a fabulous puppy. When I was just five years old, I lost my dad to ALS. My wonderful, thoughtful Uncle Phil walked a couple of miles to bring me this moving feed bag and place it on the lawn and then told me it was mine. Inside was this amazing, gorgeous German shepherd pup who became my constant companion and therapy dog, Major, although back then they were just called dogs. The other night we came home after being with a precious family whose young husband and father was dying. My heart was heavy at losing him and heavy for his dear family. I just needed to be alone and process my emotions and just breathe. Bo, my buddy, a handsome, young German shepherd, was hanging out with me. It felt like he sensed my mood and wanted to cheer me up. He went to his dog sack and got out the biggest stuffed toy in there. He came and dropped it on my lap. As soon as I reached out for it, he quickly grabbed it and started a tug-of-war, shaking and yanking the stuffed toy as hard as he could. Thus began a crazy, fun tug game that went on until there wasn’t a piece of the poor stuffed character left. He made me laugh and pat and grab and slide off my chair throughout the game. When it was all said and done, the room was covered in white, fluffy stuffing, all over the rug and floating in the air. He had ministered comfort, laughter and togetherness to me. We ended with big cuddles and tender nuzzling. Dogs are smart having instinctual intuition put there by the One who knows all, and our heavenly Father knows just how to precisely bring release to us as humans. We humans don’t know exactly how our pets have these mental capabilities, other than Almighty God has engineered them into their DNA. Dogs can be so empathetic. My dogs have sensed when I have become sadly overwhelmed when I had received the news of a loved one’s passing. They both, Peanut, our miniature Schnauzer, and Bo, both wanted to be near me and kept checking on me with watchful eyes and gentle nudges. Our dogs trust our judgment and will look to us for guidance. They want to enjoy things and happenings with you. They may not be hungry but see you putting samplings and tidbits in your mouth while grilling, and just want to be a part of it all with you. I’m thankful for my constant friends, these two loving and constant companions. Even as I write this devotional, Peanut is asleep at my feet cuddled as close as he can get and is dreaming and quietly barking in his sleep. I look forward to bedtime knowing he will find his spot snuggled up as close as he can get beside me. What a powerful, caring and thoughtful God to create such creatures for us mere mortal humans. His great love for us is past finding out. I want to thank Him now for creating my loving pets throughout my life and honestly, I believe I’ll see them all again in heaven. What fun that will be!

What about you? Are you a pet owner who loves their pets so much? Or maybe you don’t like having a pet, yet there are other things that bring joy and comfort to you. God knows us intimately and knows how to draw close especially in our times of great need. Notice His great love and care for you today and give Him high praise and thanksgiving for His love for you. Blessings on your day.   

The Narcissist

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Have you ever had to be around a person who always wants to be seen as wonderful and absolutely perfect and the most all-knowing person, knowing everything already before everyone else, the biggest, the best, etc.? And then when they feel slighted in any way, they keep an inner score of how many times you’ve upset them, and they carry imaginary ills you have caused in their life, then they conveniently retaliate. Their behavior becomes destructive when things don’t go according to their personal imaginings and all hell can break lose. It’s very difficult to have consistent trust with someone who always has to make everything “about them” in some way. Life can become very difficult when you do not know what kind of drama you will get on any given day with them. They tend to get overly dramatic, demanding others complete attention, and they somehow keep anything good from happening. Eventually people just get sick and tired of this behavior and shut down on working with or having to be with this narcissist. It is hard to be around and even sometimes have to work with someone who is like this and on top of it, the person can be prone to anger, either in a personal or work relationship. Outbursts, rage, overly emotional or even explosive. Wow, not fun! Deliverance and inner healing are what is needed from the Lord. Proverbs 22:24 tells us, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” But here’s the real clincher—am I like any of these behaviors that have been described? What am I like; what is my personality like? Do others enjoy being around me? Am I an encouragement or a discouragement? A help or a hindrance? A support or uncaring? Do I talk about others in gossip? Am I divisive? Am I a know-it-all or a good listener? Proverbs 17;9 tells us that a gossip “separates close friends.” Proverbs 11:3 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Many relationships personal and professional have been ruined by those who are either dividers or cannot keep a confidence to save their life. Relationships are destroyed as well as home and working environments. If you recognize any of these behaviors as red flags to you in your life, ask the Lord to help you specifically, and ask Him for an understanding heart, a listening ear, a pure conscience and a growing, improving character. Let’s keep growing and moving forward in our behavior. 

What about you? Are you growing and going forward in the Lord, daily applying His Word to your heart? What are some areas you could do some improvement in? Talk to the Lord about your character. Press into His Word for guidance and everyday happenings. He is faithful to help bring maturity in Him to greater places of blessing and growth. Call out to Him today!

Wise People

Proverbs 15:31

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. 

The kind of wise person the Bible is referencing in this verse possesses an essential personal trait that is apart from intelligence. You can be a highly intelligent person, yet not have this ability. This ability is to be able to fully listen to someone confronting them about their own behavior, take it in and fully own it, taking a deep breath and then deeply apologizing, wisely learning from it, and here’s the biggest takeaway, they behave differently from having been corrected. The most common response to correction is acting with defensive anger and then continuing to turn against the person who brought the correction. A wise person will actually be grateful that someone cared enough to talk to them concerning their mistakes or errors. Proverbs 9:8 NLT says, “Correct the wise, and they will love you.” When you are dealing with a wise person, the conversation will feel open, tender-hearted, and fully engaged and and really listening. Excuses are not readily made, nor is blame shifted to someone else, nor do they try to avoid the consequences by pushing off and shirking their responsibility. The discussion goes well, and it ends well, listening, caring, learning, feeling sorry, and open to directions for change. This is the atmosphere for deep honesty and deeper exchange if someone has been hurt in what has happened for reconciliation to occur. This can only happen if the person is wise. Unfortunately, there are not that many wise people today. The Bible speaks often about mockers and fools. They are the very opposite of the wise. Wise people will do well when corrected or confronted, Mockers or fools will get their dander up and become defensive and will come up with all kinds of excuses and blame shifting to try to deflect from their own behavior. Proverbs 9:5-9 tells us, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still.” These unwise do not even come close to taking full responsibility for what they have done or how they have hurt you. They usually blame you or someone else for what has happened. When a discussion over the happenings is in process, they are very defensive, angry and attacking. Proverbs 9:7 tells us, “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.” Don’t give up hope for this person! Matthew 18:15-18 gives us clear direction how to deal with this kind of person. Take time today to carefully read God’s way of dealing with them and pray for God’s skillfulness and wisdom how to proceed from there. 

What about you? Are you in a hard situation with someone who is very unwise? Do you feel like running in the opposite direction? Seek the Lord for His wisdom. Heed the direction of the Scriptures and listen to how the Lord would lead you. God has answers for each and every situation. Blessings and peace on your day.

Inexpressible Joy

John 16:24

Until now you have asked nothing in My Name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 15:11

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 

In one translation of the Bible, the English Standard Version, the words “joy,” “rejoice,” or “joyful” appear a total of 430 times, compared with “happy” or “happiness,” which appear only ten times. Joy is lasting, and it satisfies the heart in a unique and awesome way. If Jesus dwells within you, then joy will become a characteristic that you can have throughout your whole life. We have this joy because we realize our position in Christ: who you are in Him, and what He has done for you. Happiness will come and go in our lives. It is fickle and demands happy circumstances. Sticking around is exactly what joy does. It doesn’t run and get chased off by troubling times. Lamentations 3:17 says, “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.” Yet the Holy Spirit gives us supernaturally great and lasting joy, even when we are faced with difficult and challenging situations. I have witnessed the unending suffering of some who are wheelchair bound, with no hopes of ever walking, yet they are so personable and full of joy. I’ve thought at times, what my character and heart posture would be if that were my circumstance in life. Sorrow and suffering will most likely effect all of us in one form or another in our lives, and much of it will pass, but joy continues in spite of hardship. Eternal joy is what Jesus has promised us. If it is not right there in the exact moment, yet Jesus said it was to be our portion, that He was for us, and that His joy will rise again and come again at last. Psalm 30:5 says “For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Dear one, whether in happy or sad times, in comfort or pressing difficulties, we can find joy in the Presence of the Lord. Put your focus on who He is, what He’s done to bring us salvation, and what His promise is to keep us—this remembering will bring His Presence and supernatural joy that will never compare with the temporariness of happiness. I’ve suffered great loss and in the midst of it, ponder would I ever be joyful again. The secret was finding my hidden place in Him, casting all my care onto Him, and then grasping the understanding that life goes on. You put one foot in front of of the other, smile and let the healing process work its anointed work. Joy will come. Trust His ways. Trust His purposes and know His joy will be your strength. He loves you so.

What about you? Share your heart with the Lord today. Pour it all out to Him, the good, the bad and the ugly. Let His healing balm bathe your tender soul. You will begin to experience is rest, peace, and joy seeping into your heart and mind. He knows the way that you take, and He will be ever there with you, walking and pouring into you throughout your day. Have a great day in Him full of the joy of the Lord. 

God Always Pays Attention

Psalm 66:19, 20 TPT

19 But praises rise to God, for He paid attention to my prayer and answered my cry to Him! 20 I will forever praise this God who didn’t close His heart when I prayed and never said no when I asked Him for help. He never once refused to show me His tender love.

There are many people who can tell you how God answered their prayers. They are more than willing to give Him praise and tell the story of what He has done for them. Yet, our psalm for today also tells us that if we close our eyes to our sin, and pretend its not there, the Lord God will close His ears to our prayers. Be honest before Him. We must remember that the only worship the Lord will receive is the worship of those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Don’t ever think that our heavenly Father turns a deaf ear and ignores our sincere, honest prayers. He hears every word, sees every tear and even hears our every sigh. The Lord will never close His heart to you! Others may fail you, not our heavenly Father. The story of the prodigal son tells us that he spent all of his inheritance, turned his back on his family and especially his father, went and squandered all of his money on foolish and sinful living, and ended up working for a pig farmer. He was a Jewish lad, working for a Gentile pig farmer and ending up eating the swill that the pigs eat. Then he came to his senses and realized the servants at his father’s house had it much better than he did standing in the middle of a big pen. This sad young man got out of the pigpen and made his way back to his father’s house. The story tells us that when the father saw his wayward son coming up the road back home, he left the front porch, gathered up his robe and ran with open arms to meet him! This is a parable Jesus told of how our heavenly Father receives us, even when we have been foolish and wandered away from Him. He still hears our prayers and receives us unconditionally with open arms. He pays attention to our prayers and answers our cry to Him, no matter the circumstances. You may be going through a heavy trial presently. Know that when you pass through fire and flood, the Lord will bring you out better than when it began. Process may take time, yet He is growing you, maturing and deepening you. The mighty trees that go through the hardest storms are the ones that are used because their wood is so beautiful for creating magnificent furniture. Hold on, dear one as you pass through the storm of testing and trial! The Lord is hearing your prayers! He never turns a deaf ear to you! He hears every word you have prayed from the very first prayer when you began to pray. Trust Him completely today.

What about you? Are you struggling in your trust in the Lord? Are you wavering in your faith that He is listening and will answer your prayers? He hears you. He is constantly with you and the answers to your fervent prayers are on the way. Trust Him completely today. He is listening and working on your behalf even right now. Rest in Him today. 

Deep Soul Search

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Most people will confess their failings often in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to make them aware of things they may be ignoring or not realizing. The Holy Spirit is so faithful, not condemn us but to shine his light into our souls and show us, revealing to us anything that we may be unaware of. Maybe I had a really bad attitude towards someone that was not kind and caring, but harsh and cruel. I’m sure it grieved the Holy Spirit. That’s only one possibility, in which I am positive there are a myriad of ways we can grieve Him every day. There may be content within me that is not in alignment with God’s Word and Spirit. It may come from my culture or upbringing, such as having a dislike of another culture which may stem from my heritage. Maybe we may have a distorted view of God or others or even ourselves. These illusions do not leave easily and need to be worked through in the Presence of the Lord as He shines His light deep within us. One needs to ponder if they consciously or unconsciously attack and judge others. I know I easily do, especially when someone is seemingly rude or uncaring about others. Temper rises to the surface way too fast, without considering that there may be other factors why someone is behaving as they do. Have I learned to love those who are less attractive or intelligent? Do I seek out the learned and “with it” individuals, or those who are challenged and a bit annoying within my span of attention to notice and interact with? Do I avoid those who have flaws that are irritating and even try to make them feel less than because of it? I think the psalmist was a realist, wanting the Lord to examine him truthfully and honestly, the good, the bad, and the ugly. When we begin to see ourselves in the light of our heavenly Father’s bright, intense light, He can see a lot more than we ever thought was possibly there. There are times when I clean my home, and then there are times when I deep clean my home. I decided the other day to deep clean my kitchen. Wow! What a shock! There were cobwebs where I would never have guessed they could be. Tiny spider webs in corners and crannies, mud splatters on baseboards, skid marks on the floor in weird places. When the bright shining light was put on different areas, it was a wakeup call of what really was going on there. It took more time and elbow grease to really clean and spit polish each area. It wasn’t a quick sweep and fast dusting this time. This is the way with our souls. Let’s slow down and as our verses for today speak—search us, test us, O Lord, and see what really is deep within us. Let’s thank Him today for His great mercy!

What about you? Are you willing for the Holy Spirit to really shine His bright light on you? Will you take time today to set yourself aside for this to happen? You will be glad you did. Blessings on your time with Him and all throughout your day.  

Are You Merciful?

Psalm 18:25-27

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; with the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. For You will save the humble people but will bring down haughty looks. 

Nahi was a gorgeous, golden blonde Palomino mare who once was mine. Mares can be very temperamental, and Nahi was no acceptation. The least little thing could set her off into being frightened or even angry. One of her worst habits was when she got a little tired, she would slowly lay down with you on her back, saddle and all. She suddenly would decide she wanted the rider off her back, positioning herself to be set free to do as she pleased. You really had to work with her to get her up and on her feet again. Once in an overly nervous session, (frightened of what I still don’t know to this day), she stepped on her reins, tightening them extremely tight around her neck. My stepfather, trying to help me, as she was quite a large horse out of control, grabbed her reins and loudly and sternly began to give her unfamiliar commands to stand still, etc. It wasn’t working. Nahi continued to lose her ability to breathe fully, and she was going into an even greater panic. She was about to drop to her front knees for lack of air. My stepfather was totally perplexed and angry now, not knowing what to do. Out of desperation, I started walking slowly to her speaking soothing, familiar words and sounds to her. Her ears perked up straight and her breathing became a little slower and more regular. Moving slowly yet calmly, I was able to get to her and loosen the tightened, painful reins from around her neck, as she quieted right down. She sensed the calm and mercy that was being extended to her. As a young teenager, when an adult came at me in an angry, loud tone to try to correct me, I would shut down. I’m the same today. If someone approaches me angrily and with a “I’ll get you told” tone, I’m not going to listen. It’s hard to bear an approach like that for anyone. Why would someone think bullying and belittling is the way to go, or talking down to someone? Our passage talks about being pure and not devious as well. Lying and being deceitful is hard to take for anyone as well. No one wants to be used and mistreated that way. Animals can sense cruel, harsh people, and if we are at all tuned in, we as human beings should be able to discern it as well. The Holy Spirit will give you a check in your spirit to warn you something is off with that person. As the old writer, Hannah Whitehall Smith says, “Mind the checks.” This means when you feel funny about someone, their behavior or demeanor, get away from them. Don’t be dubbed and taken advantage of or mistreated. Always show yourself humble and kind. Don’t ever be haughty thinking you are better than others. Remember how God says He will treat you—exactly as you have treated others. 

What about you? Can you examine your approach and response to others honestly? If you’ve not practiced being kind and humble, ask your heavenly Father to help you. Forgive those who have mistreated you, showing mercy to them, yet if they continue to do such, get away from them. Have a pleasant and kind day in the Lord.