MARCH 2007 DEVOTIONAL

Today I visited my precious friend in the hospital and it was so hard to leave her as we shared so much about heaven. We talked and laughed about our vivid imaginations which we felt our Lord probably looked down and smiled at us. We talked about our new bodies we would receive and how not only would we worship our Lord Jesus for all He had done in our lives but in all what would we do in our heavenly home.

We got so tickled at each other as we discussed what it could be like: I said ... "Jesus would ask Linda where is Chris right now and Linda would say ... "she is in that bing cherry tree again eating herself to death." We laughed so hard and it was pure joy to be with her even though she was going through tests and had pain.

Linda is like daffodils ... she is beautiful in spirit, always has a smile on her face despite her own personal testing, and has the fragrance like someone

I loved my whole childhood, my grandma Mills. Linda is showing all in the hospital about her faith in her Lord and it made me so thankful to our Lord as her Sunday School Teacher.

Yes, its March and the weather is really going through crazy changes just like our lives ... Each day we wake up to more news about wars, rumors of wars, hunger, thirst, famines, homeless dying in the streets, family's needing assistance because the 2 paycheck family cannot make ends meet, sickness, and even today they say "Jesus has been found in an archeological find." What is our world coming to?

This leads me to share a promise from God's Word. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I ask you today ... who are you holding on too? Is it good luck like people think will give peace? Is it your ability to be strong amid trials? Or is it Jesus the One True God? Jesus overcame Satan's tool called "joy stealer!" He overcame any disease we can face ... He overcame famine ... He overcame the father of lies ... He overcame death ... Yes, Jesus the resurrected Son of God overcame anything and everything that can rob us of peace if we allow it.

Linda is a living example of trusting the Lord despite what may face her ... today I sat and witnessed my precious sister putting her whole trust in the One and Only Savior Jesus.

I shared with Linda the joy I witnessed as our son got married this weekend and how satan is consistantly trying to steal his peace and joy he has found as he committed his life to his wife Annalisa. God wants them to have victory and satan doesn't ... they too are facing trials in this life but God is faithful and will bring them through this time of trials. They too are putting their whole trust in the Lord.

What is this hope? "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3

Who is robbing you of peace? Who has stolen your joy? Who has broken you hope to pieces? Run to the One and Only True God and let him replace your hopelessness with absolute assurance that no matter what testing you may be experiencing "he is with you and carrying you."

So how can you start looking up? Dream of your heavenly home and all that is in store for you ... laugh as a child ... call upon Him ... seek his face ... enjoy basking in your Savior's light ... and most of all remember ... HE IS ALWAYS A PRAYER AND BREATH AWAY.