Category: Devotional

Birth Pains…

The issue is that we are right now witnessing a “BIRTH PAIN”.

~Melissa1 Comment

A lot is going on right now in the news. A lot of fear is going around. A lot of worries are on the minds of many people. Since I am home much of the time, I was curious if what I was hearing was actually happening or if the media was making a big deal about nothing. It didn’t take long to find out for on Wednesday, I made my weekly shopping trip to town and found that there indeed was no toilet paper to be found.

There is much that could be debated. One could fight out the reasons why the coronavirus isn’t something to worry about any more than the common flu. One could argue why toilet paper isn’t going to save a person during a quarantine. One could reason out why limits should be instated. But this isn’t the issue.

The issue is that we are right now witnessing a “BIRTH PAIN”. In Matthew 24, we read that Jesus was preparing us to meet the times that are going on today. Are you prepared? Or did this new coronavirus hit like a thud? Was it a shock? Were you prepared for the way people reacted? Were you prepared for the fear or worry you have in your own mind? Do you walk around looking at people with sniffles like they are the enemy? What was your reaction to this birth pain?

Matthew 24:7 (KJV) clearly tells us this, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

What I want you to focus on is the word “pestilences”. I looked it up to be sure because I don’t want to just throw out my opinion and lead someone astray. The definition of pestilence by Merriam-Webster: 1) a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating 2) something that is destructive or pernicious.

Now, isn’t that interesting? This isn’t the first pestilence we have dealt with in my lifetime and it likely will not be the last. However, this again is no reason to fear. Jesus did not want us to fear and that is why He gave us a heads up. He didn’t leave us without a warning to prepare for the things that will happen during the end times or these early birth pains. And like birth pains, they will come closer and closer together. It appears that is what is happening with pestilences.

So what does this big alarm with the coronavirus really mean for us as Christians? Does it wake you up and make you think? Does it scare you? Does it make you mad because life isn’t “normal” anymore?

For me, it clarifies in my mind our place in history. It clarifies that time is running short. It clarifies to me that there is more to be concerned about than simply our time on this earth. I find myself asking…How is my relationship with Jesus? How is yours?

More importantly, as these pains become closer, are you ready to meet your Saviour? Are your children ready to meet your Saviour? Is your family ready? Your friends? Your neighbors? It sure makes life look different, right?

I find myself wondering if I am prepared for the times to come? While I trust that God will keep us and deliver us, I do wonder if perhaps these birth pains are more to wake us up. More to nudge us on for the duty we have as Christians. Maybe to help us see that we aren’t as ready as we thought we were. Do we know our Bibles? Do we live what we believe (or say we believe) in our homes with our children? Do we share the truth and love that we know and have in our hearts with those around us and those we meet?

My prayer for you as this week closes, is that we draw close to God. I thank Jesus for the message He shared with us so we can be prepared for these times we live in. Let us not live in fear, but rather in boldness and courage. Let us live out the faith we proclaim to have. Let us teach it to our children and be willing to share it with those around us. May our hearts be renewed and have that relationship with Jesus that can last through troubling times…and on through eternity.

“Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

May your Sabbath be blessed!

Sharing the Light…

~Melissa1 Comment

It happened one day on vacation. We were on a tour of the Jewel Cave. We noticed lights were spaced to help us find our way, and to help us see some of the wonders of the cave. Then suddenly, my daughter turned on her flashlight and shined it in my eyes. OUCH! That hurt. My eyes winced, my head turned away from the light as fast as possible. I didn’t want the light in my eyes, even if it helped light up the room.

As quickly as that happened, my mind filled with the thought that we possibly do that with the “light” God has given us. We shine it right at people, oftentimes our kids, who don’t know they are in the wrong and say, “LOOK!” Sometimes they wince in pain, turn and walk away…never changing and never seeing the light.

But, as we traveled through that cave, we stumbled upon rich cave treasures. They were pointed out by softly lit areas that our eyes in darkness could focus on. We gladly looked upon them and let our gaze stay a while to ponder what was before us.

I walked out of that cave a different person. One that was more aware of the proper use of “light”. A new perspective was given me on witnessing, on parenting, and on how to be a good example. Am I a glaring bright light that others turn from? Or am I a candlestick, gently lighting the house? Or am I trying to shine it directly on someone to show them they are wrong? God polished my character that day, and I pray that I shine more true for Him, now.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Motivation Monday

Ann1 Comment

If we would let our hearts be impressed with the following important words, and ever bear them in mind, we should not so easily fall into temptation; but our words would be few, and well chosen.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”—“Thou God seest me.”

The Review and Herald – February 17, 1853

Preparing for the Big Day…

~MelissaLeave a comment

Sometimes when I think about preparing for the “Second Coming of Jesus”, I get a little overwhelmed. I’ll admit I am a bit of a scatter-brain, and keeping my focus on one thing is a little difficult for me. Yes, I am the person with not just 10 tabs open on my computer… but 3 different browsers each with a couple windows open and each with many tabs open… sometimes as many as 30 each!!. Can I be scatter-brained? You bet, I can. I’d love to say it is just when I get on the computer, but my husband will tell you that I have so many interests and so many projects going on at the same time, *sigh*. So with so many things running through my mind, I try to remember to focus on the “good things”. When the thought of the “Second Coming” comes up, sometimes I wonder if I will have my focus on the right things…and that I am not so caught up with all of my other ideas that are running around in my head.

Well, a few years ago, I was beginning to struggle with getting ready on Sabbath. When younger, it was not a big deal, but with a home with 5 girls, planning a wedding or two, keeping up with homeschooling and helping with online ministries, and lots of activities at church… I was running on thin. Week after week, I told myself I was such a failure because I couldn’t get “ready” for Sabbath. What was my problem? I dreaded the weekly preparation day because I couldn’t keep things together. I realize looking back that I was going through some depression, dealing with some anger/forgiveness with issues in my life and the way I felt better was to stay busy. When busy, I didn’t tell myself what a failure I was… until Friday evening… when it all came crashing down on me that I once again was not ready for Sabbath.

I prayed about this. I sought studies on this. I asked the Lord what is it that I need to give up so that I can be ready. I was looking for the right way to accomplish it… perhaps a bit of a works type of readiness. “JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO SO I CAN DO IT”. And you know what… I didn’t get an answer… not the answer that I wanted, but instead, I got a word. Preparation. I know what the word means… and I can prepare for an event… but I am a great person to do a big job… at the LAST minute! So, as I went to church… that word… “Preparation” began to gnaw at my very soul. We had a season of many many sermons in a row being focused on the second coming of Jesus, and preparation is needed… in my character, in my heart, in my actions, in my life.

One thought that came to me time and time again was… “If you can’t get ready for Sabbath, how will you ever be ready for the Second Coming?” That thought was deeply convicting. I used to have no problem getting ready for Sabbath, so I had to seek to find out what the problem was. God didn’t tell it to me… He gave me time to search out my own heart. I saw things I wasn’t very happy about. I saw things that needed to change. When I came to them, I simply asked, “Is it this?” And I felt a pitiful but a very deep love come upon me that just said… “Yes”. I began to let go of some of those things. And Sabbaths are beginning to be a joy in our home once again as my heart is ready and prepared to meet my Saviour as the evening hours come upon us.

As I have gotten back on track, I realized that none of us are safe. We are not saved by the things we did right in our youth. We are not saved by the things we are doing now. We are not saved by what we think we will accomplish. But we are saved when we know our Lord and Saviour and we seek to know Him day by day. That was where I was lacking… I somehow felt I had done things right when younger… but I was so busy with life that I was leaving behind the one thing that I truly needed… the “Seeking” of my God. I prayed, I talked to Him daily… but I wasn’t seeking Him… It was a more of a stale relationship. I knew I could trust Him. I knew His words were true. I knew the right things to do. But I didn’t seek Him out. Kind of like a marriage gone stale. You still love your mate, but you aren’t doing anything to bless your mate. I realized I had missed that time when I could bless my Lord and my Lord could bless me.

As Sabbath comes around, if you find yourself not ready… take time to figure out why. It may take months or years to get to the true root, but begin to seek it out! Now, when I look to Sabbath and I feel such joy upon it’s coming… I now no longer have the words above running through my head (“If you can’t get ready for Sabbath, how will you ever be ready for the Second Coming?”) Instead, I have lovely thoughts… I can’t imagine not being ready for that Big Day! I smile all day Friday… knowing what is coming… a blessed time reserved for me to seek Him just with an extra measure than I am able on the other 6 days. And you know… that’s the real reason for my joy when I think of the Second Coming… that I will have eternity to see His face, to hear His voice, to be ever near to the one that knows me so well.

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” Psalm 18:46

“Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. ” Psalm 66:20

“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” Psalm 104:1

Motivation Monday

AnnLeave a comment

We need not keep our own record of trials and difficulties, griefs and sorrows. All these things are written in the books, and Heaven will take care of them. While we are carefully counting up these disagreeable things, many things that are pleasant to reflect upon are passing from the memory; such as the merciful kindness of God surrounding us every moment, and the love over which angels marvel, that God gave his Son to die for us.

Gospel Workers, 1892, page 462