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A story is told about an old mariner's chart on display in the British Museum in London. The map, drawn in 1525, shows the North American coastline. The cartographer wrote several intriguing notations on areas of the map representing unexplored regions. He wrote: "Here be giants," "Here be fiery scorpions," and "Here be dragons." The map was reportedly acquired by British explorer Sir John Franklin. Crossing out the fearful phrases, he wrote these words across the map: "Here is God!" Psychologists believe fear of the unknown may be the fundamental fear underlying all anxiety. Most of us would prefer to choose our own adventure, complete with a detailed itinerary and plans for our comfort. Rather than viewing delays and opposition as opportunities through which God may be leading us, we can easily see them as hindrances. The adventure that Jesus invites us to begins with "Follow me" (Matthew 4:19). Following Him means going wherever, whenever, and however He leads. Yet we never go alone. We have the promise that His Spirit is with us through it all. Do you realize that you cannot exaggerate what God can do? His plan for our lives will always surpass what we can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 declares, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." He is the God of unlimited possibilities and new things (Isaiah 43:19)! Rather than fearing what we don't know, let's lean into what we do know. Every day, we can replace our uncertainties with this truth: "Here is God!" We may not know what lies ahead, but we can be confident that God is already there. We can step boldly into the unknown, trusting that He is at work in the "exceeding abundantly above all" moments of our lives. What unknown situation are you facing today? Instead of allowing fear to fill in the blanks, pause and remind yourself: "Here is God!" What would change if you approached that situation with confidence in His presence rather than fear of the unknown? Lord, when I cannot see what lies ahead, help me remember that You can. When I feel uncertain, remind me that I am never alone. Give me the courage to follow You wherever You lead and the faith to trust You with what I cannot understand. Help me to replace fear with confidence in Your presence and uncertainty with the assurance that You are already at work. I surrender my plans and expectations to You today. Lead me into whatever You have prepared, knowing that Your plans are greater than anything I could ask or imagine. In Jesus' name, amen.

For most of her life, Maud Lewis lived in a pint-sized, one-room house near Digby, Nova Scotia, with no running water or electricity. The 10-by-9-foot cottage became her canvas, and she painted almost everything. Birds and butterflies fluttered across the door. Vibrant flowers covered the windows, the walls, cupboards, the little staircase leading to the sleeping loft, the woodstove, and the breadbox. Even the dustpan was covered in daisies. Maud never traveled more than sixty miles in any direction from home. She never saw another artist's work and never attended an art class. Her paintings captured a simple life filled with the beauty and joy she saw around her. Working with leftover house paint and scrap wood did not diminish her enthusiasm. Her paintings show no rain clouds or dark shadows. Instead, they are filled with sunshine, serene landscapes, whimsical animals, and calm seascapes. Maud's exuberant style may be surprising, given the difficulties she faced. She had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which gave her a tiny frame, hunched shoulders, a chin that pressed into her chest, and gnarled hands. She also lived with very limited financial resources. How could someone live in poverty with crippling arthritis for more than thirty years and still produce the most cheerful artwork? You could say her life was defined by the words of an old hymn, "Brighten the corner where you are." Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do, Do not wait to shed your light afar, To the many duties ever near you now be true, Brighten the corner where you are. Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar; Brighten the corner where you are! (Ina D. Ogdon, 1913) Maud did not need to travel the world to make a difference. She simply brought beauty to the little corner of the world God had given her. Paul followed a similar approach to life. From the confinement of a prison cell, he wrote: "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13, ESV). Paul's circumstances did not determine his contentment. His relationship with Jesus did. We can easily fall into the trap of thinking our lives will become meaningful when our circumstances change. When we have more time. More money. Better health. A different job. A larger platform. When we finally reach the place we have been praying for. But what if God is inviting us to brighten the corner we're in? There is ministry in the ordinary. There is purpose in the little things. A kind word, a faithful prayer, a welcoming smile, a meal prepared, or simply bringing joy into a difficult room can brighten the corner we're in. We do not have to wait for a bigger opportunity to live a meaningful life. We can be faithful with what is already in our hands. Take a moment to look at the "corner" where God has placed you right now. What people, responsibilities, opportunities, or ordinary moments are already within your reach? You may not be able to change your circumstances today, but you can choose how you respond. You can pray. You can serve. You can encourage. You can love. You can brighten your corner. Jesus, thank you for reminding me that my purpose doesn't depend on perfect circumstances. Help me to see the opportunities You have placed right in front of me. Teach me to be faithful in the ordinary things and to bring Your light, love, and joy into every corner of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

"We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NLT) Pray: I need Your power and might to walk in victory today. Grant me a portion of YOUR power and might. Lead me in the way of victory today. Help me to stand firmly against the tactics of the devil. "I am the way, the truth, and the life…" (John 14:6, NLT) Pray: Fill me with truth today, wrap me in it, hold me together in Your truth, and keep me from error. "And because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God." (Romans 4:22-25, NLT) Pray: Let Your righteousness shine through me today. I refuse the unrighteousness of evil and temptation. Filter everything that comes into my spiritual heart or goes out of it. Guard my heart with Your righteousness today. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You: because He trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV) Pray: Plant my feet firmly in You and help me maintain my footing; help me not slip or stumble today. Everywhere I walk, let the peace of God be established. I want to leave footprints of peace where I step today. "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8, NLT) Pray: Keep my mind and eyes protected. I cast down every vain imagination right now. I surrender my thoughts to You. Protect my thoughts and don't let my mind entertain evil. Place in me the mind of Christ. Let me see the world through Your eyes. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, KJV) The shield of faith is the only piece of armor we wield. We move it about to quench the darts from the enemy. Pray: I trust You to protect me from all the fiery arrows of Satan. Help me when I do not understand. I hide behind You for You are invincible. Lord, You are the author and finisher of my faith. Let my faith come from You, for You are faithful. I hold up my shield of faith in You today whenever a fiery dart comes my way. "For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:12-13, NLT) Pray: Anoint Your Word in my hands and heart. Show me any thought or desire that is not pleasing to You so that I can repent. Let Your Word break forth and cast blows to evil. Let Your Word flow from my mouth today. Let me be on the offense with the Truth as I wage war on the enemy. Let Your Word do its work through me. Let me be a channel through which Your Word can flow. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) "Pray in the Spirit at all times, and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Pray: Lord, I lift my brothers and sisters in prayer (specify names and needs), and I am ready to intercede for any brother or sister who needs prayer. Guide me in how to pray for them. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." (Hebrews 4:12-13, NLT) Pray: I praise You because You have translated me out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom ...

One morning, my husband attended a business meeting at the church in Jabal Amman, Jordan. They discussed church matters that did not require my attendance. During previous research, I had discovered that Rujm al-Malfouf, a largely unknown archaeological site, was only about a mile away. Since it was so close, I decided to walk there while the business meeting was in progress. I meandered through the medical district and crossed busy Zahran Street. I walked past the Iranian Embassy and other heavily guarded compounds and homes to finally arrive at Rujm al-Malfouf. The gate was locked, but an elderly man in the Jordan Department of Antiquities' guard shack had a key. He could not speak English, but another man translated for me. He told the guard that I wanted to see the site. Rujm al-Malfouf is not the most impressive archaeological site I have ever visited, but it is interesting nonetheless. In the heart of bustling Amman is a large, circular tower constructed of limestone slabs. It is over 2,500 years old. Built in the Iron Age by the Ammonites, it was later reused during Roman times. Rujm means "hilltop" and malfouf roughly translates to "round tower." This is an appropriate definition for a round tower that was built on top of a hill. With a diameter of 72 feet and height of 18 feet, the tower was well fortified. It had at least two floors, perhaps three, and several rooms. When it was first built, the tower may have been taller than its present 18 feet. Adjoining the tower are ruins of a cluster of small rooms. Because archaeologists have been unable to precisely date the tower's construction, no one is certain why it was built. Some speculate that it served as a fortification for the Ammonites against enemy aggressors. The tower could have served as a watchtower and/or signal tower. It is also likely that the tower and adjoining rooms were built to store harvested crops. In all probability, it served a variety of purposes throughout the last two-and-a-half millennia. A few months after my solo visit, my husband could join me at the site. We explored it more extensively together. As we walked through the ruins, I noticed that a skyscraper was being constructed a few kilometers away. How fitting, I thought: an old tower and a new tower. I considered what it must have been like 2,500 years ago, as the Ammonites built Rujm al-Malfouf. What an undertaking that must have been! I imagined planning sessions and the recruitment of laborers. Day after day of hard work went by until a structure was completed that still stands today. I wonder if the skyscraper looming in the sky above modern Amman will still be standing 2,500 years from now. I won't be around to find out, but I admire those ancient people who built Rujm al-Malfouf. They did not have computer-generated architectural plans, power tools, heavy machinery, or solid steel. Yet, with only their brains and brawn, they constructed Rujm al-Malfouf. The builders are forgotten, but what they built so efficiently has stood the test of time. My visits to Rujm al-Malfouf taught me a valuable lesson. There is little doubt that humanity will also one day forget me. But my contributions to the Kingdom of God will outlast my time on this earth. How true are the words penned by Charles Studd: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last." I want to build my life upon the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Rock (I Corinthians 10:4 KJV). Matthew 7:24-25 tells us that building our lives upon Jesus Christ requires us to also hear and obey His Word. Jesus said, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." When I hear and obey God's Word, I ensure that I am building upon a solid foundation! PRAYER: God, help me remember that what I am bu...

The Bay of Fundy, located off the coast of New Brunswick, Canada, is a place like no other. It is home to some of the highest tides in the world. Many years ago, my husband was asked to be a groomsman in a wedding, so we drove our trusty Toyota Camry over 1,600 miles from Missouri to New Brunswick for the event. The soon-to-be bride and groom took us sightseeing at the Bay of Fundy and helped us buy some Canadian lobster. It was our introduction to a marvelous natural wonder, and we were so captivated that we returned several more times through the years. From the quiet town of Alma, we watched the changing tides. I took two pictures and placed them side by side in a photo album. One shows the bay at low tide; the other shows it at high tide. It was fascinating to walk a mile across dry ground, knowing that before long, the same area would be covered with water. Along coastlines other than the Bay of Fundy, tides may not rise and fall quite so dramatically. Yet everywhere, tides follow a predictable pattern that fishermen and sailors can rely on. Organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) even provide tide tables that help people know when the tides will rise and fall. Life, however, is different. Life is full of highs and lows, ebbs and flows. But unlike the ocean's tides, we are not given a timetable for the changing seasons of our lives. When we are born, God does not hand us a schedule outlining what each phase will look like or how long it will last. Most of us like to make plans. We want to know what is coming next. We ask God what we should do about a particular matter, but we can become anxious when He does not answer as quickly as we would like. When we are going through a trial, we want to know when it will end. When we sense God changing the direction of our ministry or our lives, we want to know exactly when, where, and how His plan will unfold. But God does not operate according to our timetable. He does not feel obligated to tell us what will happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. That uncertainty can be frustrating. Yet Proverbs 27:1 reminds us, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (KJV). Peace comes when we surrender our schedules to God, trust Him with our tomorrows, and enjoy walking with Him today. People who live along the Bay of Fundy see nature's changing tides every day. They know that when the tide goes out, it will eventually come back in. There is an even greater truth we can embrace, no matter where we live. We cannot predict the tides of our lives, but we can predict the faithfulness of our God. Hebrews 13:8 assures us: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Life is unpredictable, but God is dependable. He was with you through every yesterday. He loves you today just as faithfully as He did yesterday. And He will be the same faithful God tomorrow that He is today. So, when life feels uncertain, keep your eyes on Him. He will guide your steps, steady your heart, and give you peace and rest along the way. PRAYER: Thank You, Jesus, for reminding me that my future is in Your hands. Through all of life's highs and lows, You are the One that I can always depend on. Amen.

Through the years, my husband and I have ministered to many people from countries other than the United States. For many of them, English is not their first language. It seems logical that once someone learns to speak English, communicating with native English speakers should be easy. However, reality is much more complicated. My husband and I can usually understand the people we interact with, but they often struggle to understand some of the terms and phrases we use in everyday conversation. The English language is filled with nuances that can be difficult for someone learning the language to fully grasp in a classroom. We have discovered that using English idioms in our communication is a no-no. Why? Because we are frequently the only ones who understand them! Just think about it. Some things are not as "cut and dried" as they seem. At times, you must "get your ducks in a row" if you want to communicate effectively. "Once in a blue moon," someone will understand exactly what you mean. But most of the time, your idioms will "fall flat." When speaking to someone who does not speak English as their first language, you can't always "play things by ear." You must "think outside the box" and "go the extra mile," or you may "drop the ball." See what I mean? I have just written an entire paragraph filled with idioms that are unlikely to make sense to someone unfamiliar with American culture and language. People can easily become confused because they interpret idioms literally rather than figuratively. Idioms are woven into our linguistic DNA. Even if we don't know when or why a particular phrase originated, we intuitively understand what it means. But someone from another culture may have no reference point for an expression unique to our society. They simply lack the historical and cultural context necessary to understand it. Many of the people God has brought into our lives are highly educated. Their unfamiliarity with English idioms has nothing to do with their intelligence. In fact, every language has layers of meaning that can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand. Perhaps you are a native English speaker, but you live in a country such as Canada, England, or Australia. You grew up speaking the same language as I did, yet you probably use idioms, expressions, and sayings that I would not immediately understand. We all have unique perspectives and experiences that shape the way we communicate. When my husband and I talk to people from other countries, we slow down. We filter our thoughts before they become words. We often rephrase what we want to say. Even people living in the United States on work visas may not understand our idioms. Communicating this way can be mentally taxing because we cannot simply let words pour from our mouths as we might with native English speakers. The Apostle Paul said, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (I Corinthians 9:22, KJV). Paul was probably not talking specifically about avoiding idioms, but I believe his words apply. If we are the only ones in a conversation who understand what we are saying, what is the point? Our goal is to build relationships and help people understand the Bible, not confuse or distract them. Effective evangelism requires us to step out of our comfort zone into someone else's world. We eat their food. We learn about their culture. We show them that we care about them and their families. Sometimes, we do something as simple as limiting our use of idioms. Adapting the way we communicate so others can understand the truth of the Word of God is not wasted effort. It is an expression of love. We should be willing to remove every barrier we can, no matter how small, so people can clearly understand the Gospel message. So perhaps the next time we find ourselves talking with someone from a different culture or background, we should pause and ask ourselves: Am I communicating in a way they can understand? PRAYER: Lord, You desi...

"But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity." Isaiah 32:8 NLT One of my favourite hymns is "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus." We used to sing it often in church, but like other old hymns it has been replaced by modern worship songs. I recently read the story of why this hymn was written. Louise Stead watched as her husband drowned along with the child he was trying to save. She and her young daughter were left with no support. One morning when she had no funds or food for the day, she opened her door and found that someone had left food and money on her doorstep. That day she wrote this hymn. She had not approached anyone with her need. It is doubtful she ever found out who had provided her with what she needed. But the Lord had impressed the need upon someone with a generous heart. They had obeyed not looking for anything in return. Both the giver and the receiver were blessed. And we have this beautiful hymn of praise to remind us that Jesus knows our every need, and we can trust Him to always come through for us. We talked earlier this week about blessing God by obeying His Word. We bless Him as we follow the instructions He gives in His Word about generosity. Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Galatians 6:9-10 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." II Corinthians 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Acts 20:35 "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive." Thought For Today: Ask the Lord who you can bless today. Devotion by Anne Johnston

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13 When the disciples came to Jesus, asking Him to teach them how to pray, He gave them a pattern to follow. And one component of that pattern was forgiveness. Matthew 6:12"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." There are times when I read the Bible that I wish we had more details about what is happening. It would be interesting to know what was behind Peter's question for Jesus in Matthew 18. Was it his brother, John, who had been making life difficult for him? Or was he referring to another one of the disciples? Matthew 18:21-22 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." When we realize how many times the Lord has forgiven us, then we can understand what Jesus was telling Peter in this instance. There should be no limit to the times we forgive others. It is not always easy. But when we harbour unforgiveness in our hearts, we cannot expect the Lord to forgive us. Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. There will be times when others do or say things that hurt us. They may not realize that they have done anything wrong and may never ask for our forgiveness. But if we do not forgive them, bitterness can arise in our hearts. Over time this will keep us from having a close relationship with the Lord. 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." When we forgive those who have wronged us, it does not mean that we condone what they did. We just choose to turn it over to the Lord. Forgiveness brings peace to our hearts, and freedom to worship the Lord freely. Thought For Today: We bless God by showing a forgiving spirit. Devotion by Anne Johnston

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. "Proverbs 25:11 The church is often referred to as a body, made up of many members. Each one has a position to fulfill, a job to do to make the body complete. In I Corinthians and Romans 12, there are many gifts and ministries mentioned. Some are very prominent positions such as our pastor and other leaders. But as we read these two chapters, we realize that the Lord has given us all some gift. I Corinthians 12:18 "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." Now that I am older, I do not have the strength and energy to be involved as much as I used to be in teaching, and other activities in the church. But I remember listening to a sermon about ministry and feeling that the Lord still had something for me to do. In prayer time, I felt the Lord whisper that I was to be an encourager. Writing these devotions each month gives me one opportunity to fulfill this. We cannot all be preachers, teachers, or other prominent ones in the body of Christ. But every one of us can be an encourager. The following scriptures tell us how: Hebrews 3:13 "But exhort one another daily," I Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." I Thessalonians 4:18 "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Romans 15:2 "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification." We meet people every day who are facing problems or difficulties of which we are unaware. The one sitting beside us in church may be looking to the Lord for some answers. Let us be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to know just what words to say to them that will encourage them and give them hope. God knows their need and we may be the one He wants to work through. Thought For Today: We bless God by encouraging others. Devotion by Anne Johnston

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35 The word "love" is so easily used in our world today. People speak of loving their job, a certain food, or even their home or car. But as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, the word "love" has a far greater meaning. When Jesus was here on earth, He showed love to all with whom He came in contact, One of the ways that we can praise and bless the Lord is to emulate His love in every aspect of our lives. Jesus taught that we would show our love for Him by manifesting His love to others. Paul gives us a definition of love in I Corinthians 13: Love suffers long and is kind. Love envies not and is not puffed up. Love does not behave unseemly. Love does not seek its own way. Love is not easily provoked and thinks no evil. Love rejoices in truth and not iniquity. Love, bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. Love never fails. That is a very impressive list and a high standard for each of us to live up to. But it is a goal that is worth striving for. Perhaps Paul had this in mind when he wrote the words in Philippians 3:12-14 "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Thought For Today: God is blessed when we praise Him, not only from our lips but by the love that we show forth to others. Devotion by Anne Johnston

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 How much we enjoy being in a church service where the Lord's presence is so precious. Hands are raised, voices are lifted as we sing songs of praise and worship to our Saviour and Lord. The stress and trials of the past week are laid aside. There is a feeling of unity and love as God's people worship together. We are strengthened and uplifted as the Spirit flows throughout the sanctuary. The joy of the Lord is reflected on each face. But when the service is over, and we each depart to our own homes, do we still carry that worship and praise with us? Each of us faces the week ahead in different situations. Some may be struggling with sickness, others with financial difficulties. There is a situation at work that is frustrating For those of us who live alone, there are different challenges. Life happens to all of us. But the same Lord that is with us in the church is still with us in our homes, at work, or wherever life finds us during the week. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Sufficient grace is supplied to each of us, no matter where our circumstances lead us. As we go about our daily activities, we may not be able to praise the Lord aloud. We are not in a place where we can raise our hands and shout. But we can bless the Lord in our hearts. The way we treat others, the words we speak, and the way we act will bless the Lord. David prayed, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 We praise God with our words because He has said in Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." But we also praise and bless Him by the way that we live every day. We strive to live so that others will see Christ in us and desire to know Him. Thought For Today: "Lord, I come to You today. With a simple prayer to pray. In everything I do. Let my life, oh Lord, praise You." Devotion by Anne Johnston

Psalm 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." We praise the Lord for His Word. It is given to be our guide and our compass in every aspect of our lives. In it we find the way of salvation and our hope of heaven. Reading it and applying its principles to our lives is a way of praising and blessing God. When we repent of our sins and surrender our life to Jesus Christ, all of heaven rejoices. Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." No matter how long we have served the Lord, there will be times when we fail the Lord. We are human, and so we make mistakes, and often fall short of what the Lord wants of us. As we read the Word of God, we are convicted, and we ask the Lord for forgiveness. God responds and our peace is restored. Praise rises not just from our lips, but from the depths of our soul. We cry out like David, "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." When we read God's Word, or when we hear it taught, there is something deep within our souls that responds. Accepting it and obeying it draws us closer to the Lord. I am reminded of the words in Psalm 42:7 "Deep calleth unto deep." We realize how holy God is and we respond like the Psalmist in the first two verses of that same Psalm: "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" Like David, we praise the Lord continually, but at times that is not enough. Our soul has contacted a Holy God and we cry out, "Bless the Lord." Thought For Today: God wants what is best for us. We bless Him when we obey what He reveals to us through His Word. Devotion by Anne Johnston

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1 David's Psalms are filled with words of praise to the Lord, and in many of them he uses the phrase, "bless the Lord." During one of our weekly phone visits, my sister and I were discussing whether there was a difference between praising God and blessing God. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways, and I praise Him for that. But I have been asking the Lord this question, "Jesus, how do I bless you?." Praise means expressing approval, admiration, or commendation for someone or something. We praise our children when they accomplish something new. We praise our Pastor when He has delivered a message that touched us or helped us in some way. When the Lord is moving in a service, words of praise and worship fall easily from our lips. And I am sure that the Lord is pleased with that. We have so much to praise the Lord for. When we think of His sacrifice on Calvary, taking our sins upon Himself, our hearts are filled with praise. Before we eat our meals, we take time to praise Him for supplying our needs. In times of sickness, we thank Him for His healing power. Throughout each day, we whisper words of praise for all that the Lord has done for us. Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." Bless means to make something holy. Jesus is holy, and there is nothing that we can do make Him more holy. Isaiah 6:3 "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." But is there more to praising the Lord than just using our words? Could it be that to really bless the Lord involves every part of our life? While praying about this over the last few days, I kept asking the Lord to show me how I could bless Him. Bear with me as I share with you some scriptures that show us ways in which we can truly bless the Lord. Thought For Today: The Lord has blessed me abundantly; I want to praise and bless Him in everything I do. Devotion by Anne Johnston

"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him." Isaiah 30:18 I had an "aha" moment while reading that scripture. I have heard, and have said countless times, "Wait on the LORD." And for good reason; Scripture repeatedly reminds us to wait on God, trust His timing, and remain faithful while we wait for Him to move. But as I read Isaiah 30:18, I noticed something I had never really considered before: We are so accustomed to hearing that we are supposed to wait on God that we can easily overlook the incredible truth that God sometimes waits on us. Isaiah says that the LORD will wait "that he may be gracious unto you." He is a God of judgment, but He is also rich in mercy; he is patient, longsuffering, and kind. From the first account of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, God does not rush to condemn us. Instead, He gives us space to turn our hearts toward Him. Sometimes God is waiting for our repentance, or our surrender. And sometimes He is waiting for our yes. What a beautiful picture of our Savior: He is ready to meet us with grace. And then Isaiah turns the thought around. The latter part of the verse says, "blessed are all they that wait for him." We are blessed when we wait on the LORD. So blessing comes on both sides of waiting. Perhaps God has been waiting for your yes. Or maybe He is waiting for you to make your way back into His loving arms; would you make your way back to Him today? Whatever He is waiting for, He is not waiting with anger; He is waiting with grace. So go to Him today; He will not turn you away.

We often think of blessings as a monetary increase, a long-awaited vacation, or front-row parking at the grocery store. I would gladly accept all of those blessings right now. But when we turn to Matthew 5:3–12, Jesus gives us a very different picture of what it means to be blessed. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. The passage above is quite the paradox from the vantage point of our natural understanding of blessing. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time rejoicing and being exceedingly glad when I am poor in spirit, mourning, or persecuted. The blessings of heaven are different from the blessings on earth. We often define blessing by what makes our lives easier, but Jesus defines blessing by what draws us closer to Him. Earth says blessing looks like comfort and ease. However, Jesus says there is blessing even in mourning, because they shall be comforted. Isn't that beautiful? And, honestly, I have experienced that firsthand; He has carried me through the darkest valleys of grief. Blessing isn't always found in what is happening around us; sometimes we find it in what God is doing within us, beyond what we can see. Maybe today you are walking through a season that doesn't look blessed. It is easy to allow the difficulty of your circumstances to convince you that God has forgotten you, but He will never leave you or forsake you. Jesus reminds us that mourning can still have comfort, emptiness can still have a kingdom, and persecution can still have a reward. You may not feel blessed today, but that doesn't mean you aren't blessed. What the world calls blessed and what Jesus calls blessed may look very different—but I would rather have the blessing that comes from His presence than the comfort that comes without Him.