What's in a Name?

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.  They rejoice in your name all day long. . . for you are their glory and strength (Psalm 89:15-17).

Most of us have probably been on prescription medicine at some time or another.  And most of us have probably had difficulties pronouncing or remembering the names of some of those drugs.

I did a little research on the naming of drugs and learned that the chemical or brand name of a drug describes the ingredients, and the generic name relates to the problems it will treat.  The Bible study, Knowing God by Name, by Mary Kassian, explains how the names of God fulfill the same purpose by describing who He is as well as what He does.  The study specifically focuses on names of God’s deity, character, power, authority, splendor, intimacy, and sufficiency.

Whatever our struggles may be, there is an aspect of God’s character that will meet our need.  He is the God Who Sees, Our Rock, Our Redeemer, the Lord Healer, the God Who Works Wonders, Mighty in Power, and Abounding in Love.  There are also countless names in Scripture for each person of the Trinity based on their characteristics, and many of those names can bring us great comfort during times of suffering – our refuge, our strength, our comforter, our wisdom, etc.

Hopefully we know at least some of the names of our God even better than the names of our medicines.  And what a blessing and comfort it is to know that whatever our problems encompass, we can call on that great name – a name that will ultimately do more for us than any drug ever can.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Prayer:  O God, what a comfort and encouragement it is to know that for every problem I face, there is an aspect of Your character that is sufficient to bring me through it.  May I rejoice in your name every day, for you are my glory and strength. Amen.

Leaving Imprints for God on the Snowy Slopes of the New Year

“Glory has come to me through them”
(John 17:10).

Winter weather is here on the east coast, and it’s time for many people to enjoy winter sports.

Our pastor is from New York and has been skiing for years.  He once preached a New Year’s sermon related to skiing.  He mentioned that he and his friends used to enjoy skiing right after a fresh snowfall.  They would look at the perfectly unmarred snow, decide what designs they would each like to make, and then enjoy leaving their creative marks.  He then asked the congregation to think about what marks we wanted to leave for God in the upcoming year.

The new year is indeed like a clean slate of fresh snow.  It hasn’t been marked yet by countless tracks of pain.  We can’t see the broken branches and other debris of problems hidden underneath.  We haven’t gotten stuck in the slushy and muddy melting repercussions of our struggles.

Lord willing, we will have some downhill skiing – blessed times when God gives us enjoyable experiences and respite from our trials.  But we will also have times of making long, arduous, uphill climbs back to the top of the slope.

So what marks will we leave for God on the fresh snow of this new year?  Whether we are experienced skiers or not, we will have some falls through its ups and downs. But when we fall, what better imprint to display God’s glory through our suffering than that of being on our knees, face down in humble submission to His plan for our days, and arms spread out in praise and worship to the One Who will be with us through it all.

Prayer:  Lord God, as I go through whatever this year holds for me, I pray that I would leave marks of glory for You, trusting in Your perfect will for my life and testifying to others of Your power and strength through my weaknesses.  Amen.

 

Being Well-Preserved Through the New Year

“The Lord preserves the faithful
(Psalm 31:23).

We have all heard the expression “well-preserved”, which can refer to anything from an antique in good condition to a person who is ageing well.  As illness and health problems take their toll on our bodies and minds, how does this verse apply to us?

Being preserved involves being protected and kept safe from harm, being treated to last and prevent decay, and being reserved for special use. 

God promises us that He will protect us and keep us.  Although He does not promise freedom from trouble, He does promise deliverance through it (Psalm 34:19).  This includes whatever problems we may face in this new year.

Through Christ, we have the gift of eternal salvation.  Although this temporary earthly body is decaying – and some of us may feel ours is deteriorating quite rapidly! – we have the assurance of knowing that our heavenly bodies and souls have been treated by the saving blood of Jesus and will last forever (I Corinthians 15:53).

As God’s children, we are set apart for special uses which He planned before we were even born (Ephesians 2:10), and He will continue to equip us and work out in us what is pleasing to Him from now through eternity (Hebrews 13:21).

The word “preserve” can also refer to a fruit spread.  Interestingly enough, the difference between jam and preserves is that preserves contain more fruit.  Preserves allow fruit to be enjoyed through all seasons.  As God continually preserves us, we are able to continually display the fruit of His love and faithfulness in our lives to others.

We may not know what the coming year holds for our health or circumstances, but we can be assured that God will preserve us through it all.  Let’s remain faithful in trusting Him to do it.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as I enter this new year, I know I can confidently face whatever it may hold because You will preserve me through it.  Use whatever challenges that lie ahead to strengthen my faithfulness and testimony of Your power in my life.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

A New Year's Prayer

Dear Readers,

This devotional is in a different format from my usual writings. Sometimes I like to use actual Scripture verses as prayers.  Psalm 90 (written by Moses) is one of my favorite Psalms. I am focusing on verses 12-17 as a prayer for the new year.

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”.  Lord, I will need Your wisdom for so many things in this new year, whether they are related to my health, relationships, circumstances, or simply life in general.  Help me to seek Your guidance daily and trust You for the outcomes.  Help me also to be wise in the use of my time, staying focused on what is truly important in this life, rather than being caught up in the priorities of the world.

“Have compassion on your servants”.  Lord, you know my struggles with pain and problems.  You know how much I can bear.  I pray for your compassion and mercy through any difficult times that lie ahead.

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days”. Father, as I begin each new day, open my eyes to Your presence around me. Remind me that no matter how intense my pain or problems may be, I can rejoice in knowing that You love me and will carry me through all things.  Make me aware of the countless ways that You show Your love and presence to me each day.

“Make us glad for as many days as we have seen trouble”.  Lord, You said this world would be full of trials, but to rejoice for You have overcome the world.  Thank you for the assurance that even if my circumstances or health do not improve in this life, the glad days of eternal health and happiness are coming soon.  Help me persevere until then, and make me thankful for the blessings and gifts You give now.

“May your deeds be shown to your servants”.  O God, make me aware of opportunities to display Your glory in the coming year.  May I be a testimony to others of Your power and strength in my weaknesses.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us”.  Lord God, may pleasing You be the greatest desire of my heart this year. Whatever plans You have for me to accomplish, I pray that You would bless me through them.  Let me remember that no matter what my limitations are, I can still be used by You and am important to You and Your kingdom work.

I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Dear Readers and/
or Followers,

I just want to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to read my writings.  I hope and pray that somehow God is using my words to encourage you through whatever struggles you may be experiencing.

In the remaining days before Christmas, I am re-posting a few of my previous Christmas writings that were some of my favorites.  I wish you all a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

With God's Peace,

Bronlynn

God With Us

“He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
 (Isaiah 9:6).

This is a very familiar verse, but I have been thinking more about its significance in my life.

Wonderful Counselor.  Wonderful is defined as amazing, marvelous, excellent.  A counselor gives advice and guidance as well as listening to cares and concerns. Jesus is the most marvelous counselor of all.  Many times I need direction for life regarding medical decisions, financial decisions, or interpersonal relationships.  When I am discouraged, disheartened, or fearful, the Lord is there to hear my pleas and comfort my spirit.

Mighty God.  To be mighty is to be powerful, strong, and great.  The might and power of Jesus conquered sin and death.  That same power lives within me by the power of the Holy Spirit and will sustain me through any earthly pain and suffering.

Everlasting Father.  God is eternal and unchangeable.  His love and faithfulness are never ending.  He sees all, knows all, and controls all.  What comfort that brings to me in the uncertainties of life.

Prince of Peace.  Peace is an undisturbed state of mind or serenity and is something we all long for.  Ongoing health problems and the trials and turmoil of this fallen world constantly try to rob me of my peace.  Yet by putting my trust and faith in Christ, I am able to have peace under any conditions.

Matthew 1:23 also says that Jesus would be called Immanuel, meaning God with us.  That word alone brings me great comfort this Christmas season.  Regardless of my health or the chaos in this world, God is here.  He truly is with me - not in physical form as on that first Christmas Day so long ago, but in a powerful living presence within me.  A physical presence may leave me, but the Spirit of God remains with me until one day I see Him face to face.

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, as I rejoice in Your birth, may I also rejoice in the wonder of knowing Your presence within me.  Thank You for being my counselor, my might, my stability, and my peace.  Amen.

God - Our Ever Faithful Evergreen

“I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me”
(Hosea 14:8).

There are many visual signs of the Christmas season, and Christmas trees are one my favorites. I was surprised to find the above verse in which God likens Himself to a pine tree, and I found the analogy quite interesting.

The pine tree is an evergreen. It never loses its needles and remains green despite the cold of winter. Its foliage is always there to provide shade and shelter. How clearly this describes our Lord, who is there for us always, faithful in every season of life.

The pine tree produces cones in various shapes and sizes. Some cones yield more seeds than others, and some have fewer flaws. Yet they are all attached to and part of the tree, relying on its nourishment to grow. In the same way we are all God’s creation, regardless of our differing abilities. He designed each of us uniquely, and we live and grow according to His perfect plan, relying on His faithfulness to meet our every need.

The cones produce fruit, but only by being attached to the tree itself. The seeds within the cones are dispersed to grow new trees elsewhere. Our illnesses do not keep us from producing fruit for our Lord if we are abiding in Him. He uses us for His kingdom despite our weaknesses, and at times because of them. Our lives may impact someone else, who in turn will affect yet another. By His grace and strength, we too can spread seeds for Him.

New growth on a pine branch is sometimes referred to as a candle. Despite our chronic illnesses, we can grow and shine as candles in some way this Christmas season, scattering seeds of love and faith among those whose lives we touch.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being my source of life, ever constant and unchanging. Remind me of Your faithfulness in the evergreens I see. Amen.