Matthew 13:43 – Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (NIV)

Jesus often ended His parables with this phrase: "He who has ears, let him hear". I have a friend who has just returned from a family vacation in Hawaii. She was commenting on how she would sit on the beach in the early morning for her "alone time" with God, with the large waves crashing on the shore. But during the day, when she was busy with her family, she realized that she didn't even notice the sound of the waves. They were still there, but if she didn't stop to listen, she wouldn't hear them.

This made me think back to a time in my youth when I would go and visit one of my friends in Nova Scotia, Canada, whose home was next to the train tracks. For the first couple of nights, all I would hear was the trains going back and forth, but after that, I discovered that I would sleep quite peacefully and not even hear the trains at night.

I wonder how often we miss hearing God's voice in the same way. Maybe, we have to stop and listen. Just like the waves crashing against the shore or the noise of the train, God is with us — He hasn't gone away. Let's take the time today to stop and listen to His voice.

Prayer: Lord, we thank You that You are always with us. Help us to stop and listen to Your voice in our lives. Help us not to get so busy with the affairs of our life that we forget to listen to Your voice. Amen.

Romans 5:3 – And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance. (NKJV)

He stood and talked to his brother, never realizing that in a few moments his life would change forever.

When I became his pastor, he was a vibrant man and a diligent church worker. Some years before, his life had been changed when he was diagnosed with a type of cancer most don't survive. But he had.

Then, it happened. Not the return of cancer, but something more permanent. Neither he nor his brother knew what was happening but that something was, was evident. A stroke slithered into his life. Although he incurred no permanent paralysis, he did suffer life-changing brain damage. For months, he couldn't stay alone. His short-term memory, for all practical purposes, disappeared. He blurted out things he wouldn't have dreamed of saying before in public. Time dragged along, but he learned he must adapt to his new normal.

Paul says what we don't enjoy hearing: troubling times produce perseverance — and perseverance ushers in new norms. More than once, God has sent troubling times my way that tested my faith. I haven't enjoyed any of them, but I have learned to find peace in the new norms.

When God sends faith-testing trials, He doesn't design them to destroy but to hone our faith. God rarely gives us the inside scoop on why He's testing our faith, but we can know it's for a good reason. He may need to stretch our faith or prepare us for a new assignment. Either way, when we endure the stretch with the right attitude, we enter into the new normal with a right spirit instead of a bitter spirit.

Rather than resist the new normal, God wants us to adapt, learn, and enjoy the new place He has brought. Typically, the new norm will give us opportunities we've never experienced previously. Using what God has taught us during the stretching period allows us to make good use of the new opportunities.

Rather than resisting your new norm, enjoy it and use it for God's glory.

Prayer: Father, give us faith and courage to live in the new normals You bring. Amen.

Psalm 104:24 – O Lord, what a variety you have made! And in wisdom you have made them all! The earth is full of your riches. (TLB)

Some unusual plants grow in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, USA. My husband and I read about them as we explored the Ajo Mountain Drive, a 21-mile (34-kilometre) driving loop in Organ Pipe National Monument.

The park is named after the organ pipe cactus, a towering plant taller than a person. This cactus originated in the larger part of the Sonoran Desert in Mexico, but has adapted to life north of the US-Mexico border. In this protected area, there are only a few frosty nights a year. The organ pipe cacti grow on bare, south-facing slopes covered with dark volcanic rock. During the day, the rocks absorb heat, which is released at night to keep the plants from freezing. God provides a perfect blanket!

Certain desert trees act as nurse trees for the saguaro cactus, which also grows in the Monument. The palo verde, a small-leafed tree with a green trunk and branches, the creosote bush, or the ironwood tree all function in this role. They protect young saguaro cacti from the sun, flooding, and the occasional frost. The cacti flourish in their "care", gradually crowding out the nurse tree and taking over its water source. You could say the tree gives up its life for the cactus.

Jesus Christ gave up His life for us. Not only do we receive eternal life from Him, but He provided the means to adapt to a hostile world. During Jesus' earthly ministry, His disciples and followers thrived by having their teacher among them. When Jesus announced His departure, they were dismayed. They couldn't conceive of life without Him — a severing of their relationship, they thought.

Our heavenly Father, however, planned an adaptation for them and consequently for us. He sent us the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 – But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor — Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. (AMP)

Like the blanket of warm air allowing the organ pipe cactus to exist in a harsh environment, imagine the term "Comforter" like a cozy blanket, wrapping us in the Lord's protective care.

Like the nurse trees in the desert, our "Strengthener" nurtures us, reminding us of the things Jesus has taught us, allowing us to flourish in a world contrary to God's values.

Revelation 4:11 – You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased. (NLT)

Marvel with me at God's provision, both in creation, and for us, here, today!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the provisions You have made for us as we live in an environment contrary to Your values. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Proverbs 4:23 – Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV 2011)

Sienna, my Yorkshire Terrier, had a lump which was growing. Thinking it was an infected sebaceous cyst, which are common in older dogs, I made an appointment with the veterinarian to have it checked.

At the clinic, they took Sienna into the examination room to ascertain just what they were dealing with. A short time later the technician appeared with Sienna and a sealed glass test tube. Inside the tube was a botfly larva a little over half-an-inch long. A botfly had planted an egg on Sienna, where she must have had a tiny nick in her skin. The egg hatched and burrowed further under her skin where it proceeded to grow, making Sienna very uncomfortable as it ate into her flesh and moved about. Left untreated, the larva would have continued to grow until it burst through her skin, a painful process which often results in infection or abscess.

This botfly episode reminded me of today's Scripture and the importance of guarding our hearts, only allowing what is good and right to dwell within, that which builds us up, for all else corrupts and infects our very way of life. The apostle Mark makes this clear when he pens in chapter 7:20-23 these telling words: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" (NIV)

We must thus take very seriously Solomon's words of wisdom to guard our hearts, for everything within it eventually flows out of it, godliness as well as ungodliness. How, though, do we guard our hearts? We guard them by paying attention to what we hear, watch, read, and think about. Our actions come from the way we think, and when we fill our minds with ungodly influences, we also begin to act in ungodly ways. Whereas when our hearts or minds are filled with the things of God, we act with godliness.

Therefore, as the apostle Paul has written in Philippians 4:8, let us guard our hearts today by filling them not with the ungodly actions, thoughts, and words of this world, but with "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." (NIV)

In light of these words of truth, what we will allow to enter into our hearts today: godliness or ungodliness? The choice is ours; may we choose wisely.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that we have the privilege of knowing and meditating upon Your Word, that our hearts might be filled with all good things, which in turn direct the pathways of our lives. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 55:11 – So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (KJV)

For many years I worked for the Post Office. I was always intrigued by letters that would come to people, especially letters which you could tell were from friends or relatives. At the end of my postal career, I reverted to being a letter carrier, and it was fascinating to watch the faces of people when I handed them their mail and they flipped through to see what they had.

My greatest joy was seeing the face of some elderly person light up when they realized they had a letter from an old friend or relative. They would positively glow. Often, they would tell me who the letter was from and who the person was. The next day, I would sometimes be invited in for tea and hear all about Aunt Mary or the long-lost son or daughter.

Now, I have changed professions; I am a minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church. As one of my best friends said to me the other day, "Really you haven't change professions; just the Boss is different." It took me a while to figure this out, but then I realized I still do carry the Word to people. This time the Word comes from a loving heavenly Father. The Word now is much more than a pick-me-up, even though it can be that. Now, the Word is a matter of life and death, an invitation to a party, an invitation to come home and to join Abba (Daddy) at His banquet table.

When you think about it, each of us, as Christians, shares in this awesome responsibility to deliver God's Word. We deliver it to anyone who will hear: friends, neighbours, relatives, and, yes, even strangers.

Prayer: Lord, help me to deliver Your Word to Your people — not my word, but the Word You wish to speak through me. Help me to remember that even though I may see no reaction to speaking the Word, You promised through Isaiah that Your Word will not come back void. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

My car was nine years old and had 120,000 miles on it. This particular make is known to keep going for easily 200,000 or more, but it had a few issues and, at my age, I wasn't comfortable keeping an older car. So, I started searching for a new (to me) car. Eventually, I found the perfect one, only four years old, and, due to its low mileage, still with its original 100,000-mile warranty.

This car comes with a variety of safety features that take some time getting used to. For instance, pressing a certain button enables a feature that keeps track of where my car is between the lines on the road. If I stray too close to a line on either side, it beeps. Not only that, but it actually pushes my car back into the centre of the lane! I've had the car almost three weeks, and it still startles me when the steering wheel involuntarily moves under my hand.

This button also enables a feature that somehow keeps track of whether or not I'm paying attention to my driving. If my hands are off the steering wheel too long or the car appears to be wandering, I'll hear a warning tone. It keeps track of when I last took a break and may even display a cup of coffee on the screen to let me know that it's time to stop.

These features, and others built into the car, are forcing me to drive more safely. Sometimes, I'm careless about making lane changes without signalling, especially if no one is nearby. But I've found that if I turn on my blinker each time, the steering wheel will stay under my control and I won't hear that beep. I'm also more careful about staying alert, as those beeps can be irritating.

James 1:22 – But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (NLT)

Those safety features on my car are for my protection. So is God's Word, the Bible. It gives us warnings about dangers we may face, so that we won't disobey Him, like the Israelites, who "did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." (Judges 21:25b NLT) Through His Word, He can figuratively "take the wheel" and guide us back into the right path. He can help us heed Peter's advice:

1 Peter 5:8 – Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (NLT)

Psalm 32:8 – The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." (NLT)

Let's take advantage of all that is offered in God's Word and pay attention to the warnings and guidance God gives us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word that gives us guidance, commands, encouragement, and comfort. Help us not only to read it, but also to do what it says. Amen.

John 17:19-21 – And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. … Just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (ESV)

Back in the late autumn, I got fed up with having to pump up a rear tyre on Caroline's car. This particular tyre had been leaking, week in and week out, and I wrongly guessed that the wheel rim seal or valve was faulty.

So, I took it to the tyre refit shop where the mechanic advised me that it was time to change all the tyres, because, as it transpired, all the tyres were at the end of their life's duration. Being a nosy/curious person, I always watch the mechanic when the tyres are being replaced to check the state of the metal wheel rims to make sure nothing is missed when sealing the tyres onto them.

As he removed the leaking tyre, we spotted that the tyre had split on the surface of the inside tyre wall — out of sight. This was why there was a leak: a broken tyre! It was an accident waiting to happen, which was a bit of a shock. I realised this was why I had been given a prompt from above to get the car checked out.

As the rubber hits the road in our daily life, the world presses down upon us as we hit a few bumps in the road. We need the Holy Spirit to call us into God's presence for a checkup.

If we do not come before God regularly, we are heading for unseen trouble. Through trial and temptation, it is easy to lose our hope and faith in a God Who died that we might live eternally. Pierced and bumped by life, we will gradually lose sight of God.

When we talk to Jesus and share His Word with others, we will be fortified, repaired, and pumped up by the presence of the Holy Spirit, to face everything the world has, until finally, we come to the end of the road and take to the air on our journey into heaven.

Jesus is the One Who aids us in our walk, through faith and hope. He waits for us to take our brokenness to Him for repair and replacement of old, damaged thoughts with new. Maybe it is time for us to take ourselves into God's presence once more.

Prayer: Lord, we keep on deflating and getting it wrong, and yet You will always receive us and refit us, no matter where we have been through the day. Forgive us when we fail in life. Lord, as we come to You, fill us again today with Your Holy Spirit to aid us on our journey with You until we reach heaven. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Genesis 2:15-17 – Then God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it. He told him, "You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except the tree that gives knowledge of everything. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day." (GNB 1976)

Isn't it interesting that, even after Eve and Adam ate the fruit in order to know everything, we find that we still don't know much: Why do "bad" things happen to good people? Why do people get old and die? Why do we get sick? Why does my mother have Alzheimer's disease? Why …?

Yes, we have lots more knowledge about many things, especially in the last century, when 90 percent of all scientists who ever lived are still alive, and in fields like health, where knowledge doubles every year.

But most of us realize how very much more there is to learn and unlearn before it might be possible to know why things happen as they do. And most of our knowledge hasn't seemed to help us do other than destroy the beautiful earth over which we have been given dominion. But God has reasons that are far beyond anything we can imagine.

Perhaps the role of human beings is not to know everything, but to know God by doing what Christ taught us to do: to love one another, and to learn how to listen to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, rather than to listen to our ego. And we need His power to do it in the very short time we are allotted: each moment.

Prayer: Help us to remember to let our love radiate, without concern for the results that we request, but knowing that Your will will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Teach us to hear, to understand, and to obey Your still small voice within us. Amen.

Psalm 70:1,5 – Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay. (NIV)

As I read these verses, I am reminded of how many times I say, "Hurry, God, save me. Come quickly!" Most of us can understand having a great need for the Lord to hurry and help. My prayers are never more fervent as when I am found in the middle of a crisis.

My daughter, Nealy, and my granddaughter, Cati, arrived at church early on Christmas morning because they were scheduled to sing. Upon arriving, they were taken aback to see that there were no cars in the parking lot. Wondering what was going on, they made a few phone calls, only to find out that there was no early service. Our pastor's wife, Cindy, who was also early, saw them in the parking lot and let them in to the church. Thinking that they would have more time to practice, they began discussing the song and who would sing what part. As they sat in the cold sanctuary, an old man walked toward them. He, too, had shown up for the early service. The man appeared to be distraught and confused, so Cindy and my daughter asked if they could pray for him. As he trudged almost robot-like to kneel at the altar, my daughter saw the deep hurt and pain in his eyes and asked him what he needed. She explained that she knew pain in her own life and could feel that he also had a great need. At that, the man began to weep and tell of his deep sorrow. His wife had passed away only weeks before, his own health was failing, and to top it all off, his children were at his house that day going through his wife's things and fighting as to who would get what. This man was poor and needy of spirit and in need of our caring Lord and deliverer. Because God is always on time, the man left with a hope that only God could give.

Nealy and Cati sang their song without as much practice as they would have liked, but with a new song in their hearts! They had called on God, Who works all things together for good, to come quickly and help this one who was poor and needy, and he was delivered into hope!

Many times, I have asked God to come quickly on behalf of my sweet Nealy, all the while asking why she should have to endure so much pain. We will never know the answer to all the whys, but I do know my daughter looked into the eyes of this dear man and saw his pain because of the pain she has been facing for so long.

Prayer: Come quickly, Lord. I love You because You are my help and my deliverer! Amen.

Matthew 9:37-38 – Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

Mark 16:15 – He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (NIV)

John 20:21 – Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (NIV)

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on this cold -44 degrees Celsius morning, from a fellow brother in Christ Jesus, who called to say hello and to say that he is receiving his PresbyCan Daily Devotional, but that he hadn't seen anything from me recently. This call made me stop and think about the numerous similar questions I have been asked recently: "Have you stopped writing?" or "I haven't heard from you for a while."

Over the past few months, I have not been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in print, not because I don't love Him, but because I have been working for God in other ways. God often changes our assignments when He sees other things that we need to do for Him. With His grace and mercy, we can always do more for Jesus if we stay focused and on track, while spreading the gospel as we do His work and everything else in between.

1 Peter 3:15-17 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (NIV)

What I have come to realize is that when I took time out from spreading the good news in print to God's people who are looking and waiting for the message from the gospel, they miss receiving it.

Christians must not take time out from spreading the good news to everyone who needs to hear the Word of God because:

• Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV)
• Proverbs 4:23 – Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)
• Romans 15:4 – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)

What have you previously been doing for Jesus Christ that you have not done for a while? "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to serve You with our whole being in more than one way. We can do this with Your help and in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!