Daily devotion

Impossible Mountains

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And he dreamed and behold there was a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12 ESV

If you or a loved one have been living in long term care throughout this pandemic it might seem like a long climb up some impossible mountains from in front of you today to get back to normal. Today let’s look at someone in the Bible who also had a long way to climb. Jacob had lied to his father, tricked his bother into giving up his inheritance and was in the process of running for his life. The first night of his journey Jacob found himself out in the wilderness, without even a tent for shelter. He was so tired that he lay down with his head on a rock and fell fast asleep. That night God sent Jacob an intriguing dream. In spite of being totally undeserving of mercy God chose to show Himself to Jacob standing at the top of a staircase or a ladder to Heaven. I always thought this was a pretty neat story but never got the part about what it had to do with me.

Did you know that the Bible is just like Jacob’s ladder? It is an amazing book! First it reaches from Heaven all the way to earth. It is the only thing we can hold in our hands and know that it came from God. Second, just like the ladder in Jacob’s dream, God is standing at the top of it telling us of His loving plan for our lives. Like Jacob, even when it seems as if we are left alone God comes and reminds us that He is with us. Last of all our ladder is filled with angels. Some are climbing up carrying our prayers to God and others are coming down with God’s answers when we are in trouble. Most of all we have the Bible; which is God’s message that we can trust Him with our lives. It reminds us that there is nowhere we can go that His grace towards us through Jesus Christ cannot reach and that H e will help us to climb impossible mountains- even in long term care!

I Still Hate to Edit!

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Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

I love to write (usually) but oh how I hate to edit (Always!) Writing fulfills a basic longing to try communicating with others things that are precious to me. Editing on the other hand simply reminds me detail by painful detail how I have fallen short. Maybe when God created us He feels a bit the same way. Do you remember how back in the garden of Eden God said, “Let us make man in our own image.” and then He formed and breathed life into Adam? At the end of the day He stepped back and maybe even smiled and said, “It was good!”

But soon after God began writing the story of Adam’s life, Adam and Eve sinned. From that very moment God’s editing work began. How it must have pained the heart of God to see His perfect children darkened by selfishness, rebellion and pride. But thankfully God does not hate editing like I do. In fact the greatest expression of His love came on the day of His harshest edit yet. That happened on a hill called Calvary where on the cross Jesus erased all the crimes of my previous chapters and then wrote in His blood the new and amazing story of His grace! Oh how thankful I am that Jesus is not only the author of my faith; but He is also the finisher (editor). He rewrites the final chapter of every one of our lives when we put our faith in Him and then turns out a masterpiece that will never need editing again!

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The Lord is My Editor

The Lord is my editor – He checks every word

He calls me to follow ‘cause I’m seen not just heard

He leads me through valleys with shadows and strife

And comforts my fears with His promise of life

He makes me a banquet though my enemy knows

Then He fills up my cup till His grace overflows

When I look back behind me I see mercy and care

In His every correction He gave hope I could share

Then he left me a note,

“Why not stay at my home

When you come to my city

And your writing’s all done?”

The Lord is My Editor by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved

Our Heavenly 911

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The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them… Psalm 37:39-40a

Calling God our helper has gotten a bad name as some have misinterpreted this as if it meant treating God like an assistant or employee. But the Hebrew word used here for help means to surround, protect and come to the aid of someone in trouble. God is not working for us, but instead He is like the ambulance driver or fire fighter who is equipped and waiting to answer our cry for help. So today if you look out your window and see trouble on your street and the news on television is filled with videos of riots remember that God’s help is available whenever we ask. The writer of Hebrews puts this into practical terms by saying;

Keep free from the love of money and be content with what you have. for He has said; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

What is really at the bottom of a lot of the unrest and anger we are witnessing is money. Liberals and conservatives both act as if people would be content if they just had a little more. Conservatives complain the government has taken too much and liberals act as if people need to be given more. Whatever happened to; “All we need is love!”? So no matter what side of the political aisle we stand on, today’s reading counsels us to take a deep breath and step back from the conflict and remember that the love of money is like a boss who can never be satisfied. If we become slaves to him we will lose our spiritual freedom and the only one happy with that is Satan. But if we turn to Jesus for help; He promises us contentment that no government can tax away and no thief can steal. He has promised to never leave or forsake us and the Greek word used here for never means – NEVER! He never hides out in the middle of a crisis or walks away when we mess up. He is our ever present help in the time of trouble(Psalm 46:1). He is heaven’s 911 operator and when we dial the phone of prayer; Jesus answers. He is always listening. All we need to do is cry out in faith and we will hear His calm and steady voice saying; “This is 911. What is your emergency today?

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