More to Life Today

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well."

Psalm 139:14 NKJV

When I don't feel good about how I look in the mirror, or when it comes to how I see myself, I say these words: "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I used to believe that I was not beautiful. I was guilty of listening to the lies of the enemy, telling me that I wasn't good enough, or that I would never be or look like her—the perfect girl I see in magazines.

I tried to drown out those voices, but all I could hear was, you will never be like them. And part of that voice was right—I will never be like her, and I'm fine with that. I don't need to be like her. I need to be the version of me that Jesus wants me to be. But sometimes it can be hard when you look at someone who seems more talented, more beautiful, has that so-called perfect body, or just appears to have it all together—except you.

You look in the mirror and see crow's feet, dark circles under your eyes, and the grey hair that keeps popping up. Then there's that stubborn baby weight that doesn't want to come off, while you see other women at church who just had their babies months ago and are already back into their size six dresses.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

(Proverbs 31:30 NIV)

Sisters, I have news for you: we are not supposed to compare ourselves with others—especially our sisters in the Lord. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Master, and He makes no mistakes.

There have been times when I wished I was like a certain sister in the church—beautiful, thin, and successful. But we don't see how they got there. We don't see the struggles they face, or how they may stand in front of the same mirror saying, I wish I were like her.

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

(Proverbs 31:26 NIV)

We don't see how she may be comparing herself to others. We just assume she has it all together, when she could be struggling with anxiety, depression, or even an eating disorder. We don't see each other's struggles because we're so focused on the greener grass that our neighbor seems to have, instead of focusing on the blessings God has given us.

At some point, we must make peace with our bodies and their flaws and say, "God, I am going to be content with how You made me." Because His Word says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made—and God does not make mistakes in His creation.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

(Proverbs 27:17)

We were handcrafted by the Master—the ultimate Artist—who makes no mistakes. He took His time creating us and the earth. He looked at what He made, at the first man, Adam, and saw that it was good. Then He created Eve—strong yet delicate, beautiful, and the perfect companion for Adam.

"But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man."

(Genesis 2:21–22)

Sometimes, we can be our own worst critics. We become the judge, jury, and executioner just by looking into one object—the mirror. But we need to look into that mirror and say, "God, despite the wrinkles, the extra weight, and the dark circles under my eyes, I am Your creation."

I may not be perfect, but I know the Master makes no mistakes. We need to start rebuking the enemy when he tells us we are not good enough. We're not meant to be "good enough"—we're meant to be more like Jesus. When we focus on Him, those extra wrinkles or pounds won't matter as much.

If you want to take care of your health, do it in a way that glorifies God—not for a quick fix or to meet the world's standards. Want to lose weight? Join a gym, eat healthier, and be a good example for your f...

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

There is a story in the Talmud of a poor man who had no wagon or donkey to carry his heavy bundles. He had to carry the load on his back and walk many miles with his burdens to the village. A wealthy man with a large wagon rode by. Seeing the poor man struggle with his burdens, he stopped and offered the man a ride. The poor man was more than grateful to have his burden eased.

After traveling for some time, the wealthy man noticed that his companion was sitting with his bundles still upon his shoulders. "Why don't you put your belongings down?" asked the wealthy man. "There is plenty of room in my wagon to lay your burdens down. Are they not heavy?"

"Indeed, they are," sighed the poor man. "But you have been more than gracious to offer me a ride, and I do not wish to take advantage of you by weighing down your wagon."

Have you ever seen yourself in this story?

Often, we come to the Lord with a need or with something that is troubling us. Knowing that the Lord has heard our prayer, we thank Him for hearing us, and for meeting our needs. Then we get up and go about our daily chores, still carrying a heavy burden on our hearts, wondering and worrying about how things will turn out.

Jesus hears us every time we pray. He already knows our need before we even ask. So, when we give it to Him in prayer, we can leave it there and just trust that the answer is on the way. We can trust the promise given in Isaiah 53:4 "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows."

Psalm 55:22 (NKJV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

Thought For Today: "And wonder of wonders, the heart that was breaking, the pain that was hurting, the trial. Is no longer my burden—but His, and my portion is gladness, and joy, and a smile." (Poem 'Behind The Burden' by Mildred Allen Jeffery)

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him." Job 23:14

My Bible reading for the last few days has been in the Book of Job. It is not the most comfortable book in the bible to read, but it has a lot to teach us if we listen carefully. I have been reading it in the New Living Translation, as I find it easier to understand than the King James Version.

Job sat there in the ash heap, in pain and agony. Not only was his body covered in boils, but his heart was filled with grief over the loss of his children and most of his possessions. Besides that, his so-called friends were accusing him of wrongdoing. Can we blame him for questioning God?

And yet in the midst of it all, he kept his hope in God. Let's look at Chapter 23 from the NLT:

Verse 3 "If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court."

Verse 6 "He would give me a fair hearing."

Verse 7-9 "I go east…west….north….south, but he is concealed."

Verse 10 "But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold."

Verse 11 "for I have stayed on God's paths."

Verse 14 "So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny."

Today we do not have to go searching after the Lord like Job did. Because of Jesus coming to earth, and shedding His blood for our redemption, we have a mediator. He is just as close as the mention of His Name. We know that he hears us every time we call on Him, and that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He knows our past, present and future, and He controls our destiny. Nothing can separate us from His love.

I trust that none of us will ever have to face all the things that Job did. But whatever comes our way, we can call on the Name of Jesus and know He is right there listening to our cry. He knows where we are and where we are going.

Thought For Today: Job 19:25 "For I know that my redeemer liveth."

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths "Proverbs 3:5-6

I like to plan things. When I am going somewhere, I like to know all the details before hand. If I am meeting someone, I want a definite time and place. I would rather be fifteen minutes early than five minutes late. When someone cannot make it at the time planned, I want them to let me know.

When it comes to our walk with the Lord, He does not give us all the details. He asks us to trust Him completely and take one step at a time. Sometimes the next step we must take is clear. Other times we are not sure just what He wants us to do. Those are the times when we must put this verse in Proverbs into practice.

Sometimes what we think we want is not what God wants. In His love and mercy, He sometimes gives us what we want to prove to us that it is not what we want at all. We see this in Israel's story.

Psalm 81:11 "But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So, I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh, that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies and turned my hand against their adversaries."

There are other times when the Lord may pry from our fingers the things we clutch the hardest, so that we have open hands to receive what He wants to give us. The blessings and gifts that the Lord has for us are so much better than what we think are important. I am reminded of the famous quote from Jim Eliot, a Missionary what was killed in Ecuador in 1956: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep gaining what he cannot lose."

We all like to make plans. But rather make plans and then ask the Lord to bless them, we earnestly seek His will, and the guidance of His Holy Spirit as we plan. Often, He may ask us to wait a while. Remember our timing is usually emotional, but God's timing is intentional. He sees the future, knows the bigger picture, and has our very best in mind. He always shows up just in time.

Thought For Today: Trust the Lord, He knows what is best for us.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Almost every verse emphasizes the importance of the Word of God. The Psalmist likened it to a lamp that a person would carry in the darkness to light the pathway, so that they would not stumble or fall. In God's Word we can find the answer to any questions we have.

I want to share a list I recently saw of how we should treat God's Word:

Delight in It. verse 35 "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight."

Love It. verse 97 "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day."

Reverence It verse 161 "My heart standeth in awe of thy word."

Trust It verse 42 "So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word."

Long For It verse 131 "I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments."

Rejoice In It verse 111"Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart."

Obey It verse 67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word."

Be Led By It verse 133 "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."

Meditate On It verse 15 "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

Seek to Understand It verse 27 "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works."

Just as we need our daily food to keep our bodies strong and healthy, so we need the Word of God to grow spiritually. Whether you are a new follower of the Lord Jesus, or someone who has served Him for many years, never neglect spending time each day in His Word. 1Peter 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."

Thought For Today: Is Bible reading part of your daily routine?

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"The king's daughter is all glorious within." Psalm 45:13

Last week I was talking to another sister in the church. She expressed that when she looked in a mirror, she was not happy with her profile. I reminded her that when we look in a mirror, we are looking at a face that God loves. He sees beyond the external features and looks at what is in our hearts.

Ladies, we are daughters of the king. This means that we are His child through faith and adoption. He has chosen us, accepted us, and we are deeply loved by Him. We have been forgiven and set free. Our past is gone and all things are new. We are safe and secure. We have hope of a permanent home in heaven.

The world may not consider us beautiful, but we are created by God. And so, each morning we prepare for our day. We wash our faces, clean our teeth, comb our hair, and choose our clothing for the day. As becomes a true princess, we dress neatly and modestly. We are representing our King.

The next step is to take some time to address our spiritual body. A slot and a spot where we read the Word of God and spend some time communicating with Him. We check His mirror, asking Him to look at our heart, showing us places that need some cleansing. He knows what our day will hold, and so we ask for the guidance of His Holy Spirit through the day. Our prayer is that the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in all we say and do.

The following scripture was addressed basically to wives, but it has a message for all of us who are "a king's daughter" whether married or single.

I Peter 3:3-5 "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves."

We cannot change the face or body with which we were born. But we can change our inner being, as we yield ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our outward appearance will reflect that inner beauty.

Thought For Today: Remember Who's daughter you are.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion." Psalm 20:1-2

All of us go through times in our lives when we do not want to pray. When we are in pain, or when burdened down with sorrow, we find it hard to reach out to the Lord in prayer. That is when we depend on the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Like David when he was in trouble, we ask the Lord to move upon someone to pray for us.

As I look back over my life, I remember times when I was going through something difficult and did not feel much like praying. Knowing that others were praying for me, gave me the strength to trust God. I am so thankful that the Lord understands those periods in our lives, and He had someone else pray for me.

So, as we go about our daily life, often the Lord will bring someone to mind, and nudge us to pray for them. We may never know what they are going through now, but the Lord knows. He hears our earnest prayer and meets their need.

Scripture admonishes us to pray for one another.

James 5:16 "Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Rom 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

As you rise each morning, let the Holy Spirit direct you as you pray. He knows who needs prayer and will lay them upon your heart.

Thought For Today: Somebody prayed for me, Who can I pray for today?

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

For many years loud noises bothered me, and I thought my hearing was excellent. As the music in church became louder and harder to listen to, I made a choice. Rather than staying home or getting frustrated, I used earplugs. By blocking some of the volume, I could enjoy the service so much better.

But as we get older, our hearing deteriorates. It does not happen overnight. We are not aware of it, until we find ourselves asking people to repeat what they have said. After a hearing test and a visit with a Specialist, I am now wearing hearing aids. Adjusting has taken time and persistence. But it has been worth it. Life is easier.

Our spiritual hearing is more important than our physical hearing. When Jesus was teaching, He often used the expression, "If any man has ears to hear let him hear." Consider some things that can cause our spiritual healing to be deficient and the remedy we can find in Scripture:

Lack of stillness. Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God." Our quiet times with the Lord should be a priority in our lives.

Luke 11:4 "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us."

Hebrews 12:15 "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

James 4:6 "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." God speaks to us through His Word. As we read it, or as we hear it preached, the Holy Spirit will illuminate it to us.

Luke 11:28 "Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it."

Thought For Today: Have you checked your spiritual healing recently?

Devotion by Anne Johnston

"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour." Ecclesiastes 10:1

I've often thought about the picture Solomon gives us in this verse. The ointment of the apothecary was valuable, fragrant, and carefully prepared. Yet something as small as a dead fly could contaminate it and cause it to lose its pleasant fragrance. It makes me think about our lives.

Imagine the apothecary as our relationship with the Lord. The ointment represents the fragrance of our worship, our love, our testimony, and the life we are carrying for Christ. And the fly represents those little things we continually wrestle with—the things we may consider insignificant because they seem too small to matter.

Sometimes, the thing hindering us from moving forward with God may seem small, yet it can affect every area of our lives.

A little bitterness left unchecked can become resentment. A little compromise can become a pattern. And a little insecurity can keep us from walking confidently in what God has called us to do.

The problem isn't always the size of the fly. It's what happens when we allow it to remain in the ointment.

Every one of us has things we wrestle with. Perhaps it's pride, worry, insecurity, fear, or envy. Some things need to be repented of, and other things need to be surrendered, healed, or brought into the light. Whatever it is, don't dismiss it simply because it seems small.

What we tolerate today can become what controls us tomorrow.

The beautiful thing is that when God reveals these things to us, He isn't trying to shame us. He is trying to restore the fragrance.

Sometimes we ask God for more power, more anointing, more peace, or more joy when He is gently asking us to deal with the little thing we've been carrying.

So take a few moments today to become quiet before the Lord, and ask Him:

"Lord, is there anything in my heart that is stealing my joy, disturbing my peace, hindering my growth, or affecting the fragrance of my life?"

Don't be afraid of what He reveals. The God who shows you the fly is also the God who can remove it.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

There's a shift in the air; even though it's still 90 degrees in Maryland, I can sense autumn drawing closer. It seems like the gentle zephyr of crisp air is going to greet me in the morning, and I will start wanting apple crisp and brown butter lattes. In short, seasons do not last forever, and even though summer is by far my favorite season, I feel ready for a change.

There are seasons in life that we wish we could hold onto forever, and there are seasons we desperately wish would end. Some seasons are filled with joy, growth, and answered prayers. Others are marked by uncertainty, disappointment, grief, or simply waiting for God to do what we cannot do for ourselves.

But one thing is certain: the season will change.

The season you are in right now, good or difficult, is not your forever.

Maybe you are standing in front of a closed door, wondering why God has not opened it. Maybe you are walking through a door that has led you into opportunities you never imagined. Maybe you are somewhere in between, waiting for God to reveal what comes next.

Whatever season you are in, remember this: God is present in every one of them.

Winter is my least favorite season. I long for warmth and sunshine, and when summer begins to fade, I find myself wishing I could hold onto it a little longer. But wishing for the next season does not make the current one disappear any faster.

And sometimes, if we spend too much time longing for what is coming next, we miss what God is trying to do in us right now.

We can become so focused on the next season that we fail to prepare for it.

Waiting on God is not the same thing as waiting around.

Waiting on God is active.

While we wait, God is preparing us. He is developing our character, strengthening our faith, teaching us obedience, and planting things within us that will be necessary for the season ahead.

So instead of asking only, "When will this season end?" perhaps we should also ask, "God, what are You trying to grow in me while I am here?"

That changes everything.

So I ask you:

Are you preparing, or are you simply waiting around?

What seeds are you planting in this season?

What kind of harvest will those seeds produce in the season to come?

If you desire to see souls birthed into the Kingdom of God, then this is the time to plant the Word of God into people's hearts.

If you are praying for a harvest, plant. If you are believing for revival, prepare. And, if you are asking God to use you in the next season, let Him develop you in this one.

You are the living, breathing church of God, and you carry His presence and His power wherever you go. You do not have to wait for a different season to be useful to the Kingdom. There is purpose in this season, too.

Not every season is easy. Some seasons will stretch you. Some will humble you. Some will require you to trust God when you cannot see what He is doing. But don't be so eager for this season to end that you miss what God wants to accomplish in you while you are in it.

Ask God what He wants you to plant, what He wants you to learn, and who He wants you to become—right here, right now.