"Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them." Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
Spring is my favorite season! Just as the earth begins to dance after a long, dormant winter season, so my soul smiles with these new beginnings. For about a week now, I have been in the Sandhills of North Carolina, dogwood country! I LOVE dogwood blossoms, and the dogwoods are dressed in their finest this time of year. Dogwoods are everywhere; some old, some wild, some maturing, some beginning, some struggling, some flourishing, reminding me of the many journeys in life, reminding me of the HOPE in new beginnings.
Like many of you, my week is marked with the violence at the Boston Marathon. While many of us know people who were present at the race and most of us know people who are safe and not hurt, the whole world feels the tragic loss of the few who died, and weeps for the life-changing injuries suffered by those present. We describe our reactions with words like angry, sad, shocked, frustrated, confused, overwhelmed, and when we get good news, with thankfulness and relief. With each new act of senseless violence, there is another fresh underlying threat woven into the fabric of our lives. We cannot help but examine our emotions of vulnerability.
In Ecclesiastes, we find the wisdom of King Solomon which shakes up our comfort zones, opens up our gates of protection. Bad things happen and happen to all people and happen suddenly without warning. We do not like the injustice of these truths. Words fail us. Grief captures us. Reality consumes us. When our security is threatened, the truth of our frailty reveals itself. We desperately long for a HOPE that is ever-present!
The last verse in Ecclesiastes (12:14) says this: "Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil." Unfortunately, the vulnerabilities in life enter into our lives daily while on this earth. Our HOPE is always in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, the redemption of Jesus Christ and the Sovereignty of God. These NEVER change, not with situations, not with seasons. His Presence must be our Comfort zone, our Gate of protection. HOPE is ever-present! Where are you looking for HOPE? ~dho
God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. . . You've always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all...... And I'll be the poet who sings Your glory! Psalm 61:1, 3, 8 The Message
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Worn
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me.
Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how
to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or
ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll
learn to live freely and lightly."
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Jesus - I AM the Resurrection and the Life
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives?
Thank you for the opportunity to share the Extravagant Love of God with you during this Easter Season. For more devotionals throughout the year, see my blog: BreathingRoomForMySoul.com Donna Oswalt, Mangrove Ministries ]
Jesus said: “I am the
resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die like
everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in Me
and will never perish.
John 11:25-26 NLT
Easter
Sunday is full of joy, praise and hallelujahs that celebrate once again
Extravagant Love! His love not only precedes us, it exceeds us. Resurrection
marks the transition between life and overcoming death. His resurrection bears the marks
of His Passion for mankind. This Everlasting Grace conquers the spiritual
death. With certainty we find our Blessed Assurance even in the darkest times.
The resurrection of Jesus restores life, offers new life to all, and gives enduring peace. Holy, Holy, Holy; Holy is the LORD. Christ
is risen. Christ is risen indeed.
- Celebrate the resurrection; consider Extravagant Love.
- Share the resurrection; offer Christ to another.
Holy One, such love wraps my life with
assurance of life, and Grace weaves my life into Your community of believers.
Mark me as Yours; restore my soul. Hallelujah to the Love Most High! - dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Christians
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
Jesus came and told His disciple,
“I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands
I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of
the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
A.W.
Tozer: People who are crucified with
Christ have three distinct marks: they face only one direction, they never turn
back, and they no longer have plans of their own. Those who profess their
faith in Christ become part of His church. To be part of Christ’s church is to
become the heart and hands of Jesus. Not only in thought but in words, not only
in words but in deeds, we are to be Christ to others. Before returning to the
Father, the last words Christ offers His disciples is to go and make disciples and teach these new disciples. As followers
Christ, we are to focus on Christ, be persistent and intentional, and choose
God’s plan. Which way are you going?
- Will you put down your agenda and follow God’s plans?
- Re-read the Scripture. Find Christ’s promise.
Jesus, You come to each of
us, find us exactly where we wait. I want to turn my eyes toward You, let my
heart be open to the needs You see. Fill my mouth with Your Words. Let my life be marked for You. Thank You, for always being
with me. – dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Friday, March 29, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Transition
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
And they all continued in amazement and great
complexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" Acts 2:1-13 NASB
These first verses of
Acts 2 describe the beginning of Pentecost. This is the day God sends the Holy
Spirit. The disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in
other languages. Symbolically, the languages confirmed that God's children
would come from all nations. This marked the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to the beginning of the
church. All people can come into the Kingdom of God.
Weeks earlier, we find
Christ arrested, beaten, and crucified. His death confuses those who had
followed Him. Most all of them desert Jesus; fear rules. Believing that
Jesus would become an earthly king; confusion and chaos take control. The
cross, too, is a time of transition, a time of uncertainty. Who is this Jesus
anyway?
Today, we often let fear
rule; confusion and chaos disrupt. We live in uncertain times. Our mark of
transition is when we choose to live for Jesus. This spiritual transition is
just the beginning of the everlasting life that comes only through Jesus. Choose Life!
- Can you mark your transition from lost to redeemed through Christ?
- If you Choose Life, will you share this Everlasting Life with someone else?
Jesus, the cross gives me
the opportunity to change, to make a commitment to serving You. In silence I
consider the cost of my soul. The cross always wears the mark of transition
from death to life. I choose Life! – dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of the Nails
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
Maundy Thursday
But Thomas (who was called
the Twin ), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other
disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see
the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails
and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
John20:24-25 NRSV
From fellowship to
betrayal, so goes this day over 2,000 years ago. Christ knows His path, but the
disciples do not understand. Now, over 2,000 years later, Christians can
recount the story and explain its meaning because we have the Holy Spirit to
lead us and teach us about God's word; yet, if we are honest, we struggle with
understanding how God could love us so much.
Isaiah 49:16 God said, "Behold, I have engraved you on the
palms of My hands." God makes is clear that He will not forsake us,
that His compassion and mercy will be with His children. This is the mark God
bears. Jesus wears the mark of the nails, signifying His unfailing,
unconditional love for His own. He has us engraved on the palms of His
hands. Jesus bears the marks of total surrender, wounded and pierced
for the sins of all people.
- Write down words to describe the Divine Love.
- Do you believe God really, really loves you? Believe it!
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Love
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
"This is My commandment, that you love
one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that
one lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:12-13 NASB
Jesus models sacrificial
love and expects us to love like He loves. The verse most people quote from the
New Testament is John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He sent His
only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. This
sacrifice of God is the greatest example of love. 1 John 3:16 reminds - We
know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren.
Scripture tells us over
and over to love God, to love with our whole heart, to love one another. It
also reminds us not to love the world or the things of the world. Love comes
from God, and we know how to love because God loves us. If we love, God abides
with us. Genuine, sincere love marks the heart of a Christian. For us today, to lay down our lives for another can mean that we simply postpone an errand, decide to skip a movie, or lay down any personal agenda to help another in need.
- What is your favorite Scripture about love?
- Have you ever put down your own life moments to lift up another"? What did you do?
Father, love sounds so right and feels so
good, but sometimes it is so hard to do. Touch my eyes to see others as you see
them. Help me love like You love. - dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of God on the Heart
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
It's the mark of God on your heart. . . Romans 2:25-29 MSG
For centuries the
Israelites use circumcision as a mark of their covenant with God, beginning
with Abraham. Don't forget, however, that God makes His covenant with Abraham
BEFORE he is circumcised, not because. This is a mark that distinguishes God's
people from foreigners, Still today, as over many years, this mark of God remains important to the Jewish people.
When Jesus redeems the soul, His
grace covers our sins, and we are baptized as our symbol or mark of our
relationship with Christ. Circumcision as an outward mark is no longer
necessary; rather, God wants our hearts to be circumcised, wants our heart's
inward promise to mark our faith in Him.
- Read Genesis 17 for the account of God's covenant with Abraham.
- Jeremiah 4:4 says to "circumcise your lives for God"; Deuteronomy 6:5 explains. What does this mean?
Lord, You are greater than anything or anyone.
You alone are worthy of Worship. I want the world to know I love You, I trust
You, and depend on You. - dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Monday, March 25, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Suffering
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Luke is the only Gospel
to record Jesus weeping over Jerusalem upon His triumphant entry into the city
on the day we now call Palm Sunday. Praises and palm branches, hosannas and
hallelujahs roar as plots and hostility whisper in secret. Why does Jesus weep
for Jerusalem? Jesus knows the hearts of the people. In a few days, these very people will
cry "crucify!" Jesus knows the destruction of Jerusalem is coming;
the rejection of the Messiah will bring divine judgment.
During the study of John, notes from Bible Study Fellowship give this insight: Indeed, throughout Jesus'
suffering His joy was a distinguishing mark of character that separated Him
from them. Jesus' suffering leads to
joy. He accomplishes God's will on the cross of redemption and now sits at the
right hand of God. Paul writes: for I
bear on my body the marks of Jesus [Galatians 6:17] What does he mean? Paul
bears the wounds and scars of persecution for Christ's sake. As believers, our
joy is grown in trials, and our endurance is increased in difficulty. Soul-full joy in spite of suffering marks our true faith in Christ.
- Thinking about the sufferings of Christ, do you think Christ was ever discouraged?
- Can others see Christ's mark of suffering [JOY] on my life?
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Jesus, I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
Palm Sunday ~ 5th Sunday of Lent
Jesus said: “I am the way,
and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 NASB
This is the sixth of seven
"I AM" statements that Jesus gives us about His deity. Jesus clearly
states that there is one way to the Father and that way is through Him. Jesus
is the way to God, and Jesus is the truth of God. Jesus is the true and
everlasting life. Scripture tells us the way is "narrow" and the
"broad" way leads to destruction. There will be those who only
pretend to follow Jesus, but the Truth knows the heart. Jesus is the only way
to salvation; He is the bridge back to God.
I AM the righteous road,
the truth-fulfilled Savior, the life-giving Spirit that leads to eternal life.
Jesus said, "Follow Me!" We are to walk the righteous, narrow road of
integrity, humility, and compassion. We are to share the truth of Jesus, the
Son of God, with love, with gentleness, with encouragement. We are to live in
the presence of the Spirit, finding His peace and joy and rest.
- Do you know the way, the truth and the life that only Jesus offers?
- Have you shared this Jesus with anyone? Will you?
Savior, lead me to the quiet waters of Your
refreshment; open my mind to Your will. Fill my soul with Your Spirit; empower
me to share Jesus. - dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Ministry
[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
Our work as God's servants gets validated--or
not--in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly,
unswervingly ...in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up,
jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with
pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;
when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're
doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed;
slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the
world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead;
beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet
always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having
nothing, having it all.
The apostle Paul gives
vivid descriptions of what can happen to those who share in the ministry of
Christ. Certainly, there will be difficulties and dissensions of all kinds;
persecution may become life threatening. Beyond the hard times, those who share
in the ministry of Christ find deep joy. Our reward for being a servant of God
has everlasting dividends that far exceed the earthly tasks. How does your
spiritual wealth account look these days?
- Reading the above Scripture, mark the phrases that describe your ministry.
- "in the details" - recall some specific details that mark your ministry in Christ.
God, when I look closely at the details of my servant
hood, I am aware that my efforts are often small, without much risk. It is so
easy to sit on the bench. Help me see the needs; give me the courage and
endurance and humility to serve You. - dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)