Devotional for Long Term Care

Reflections of Hope is a 50 day devotional written for the long term care community. Having had the wonderful privilege of serving as a nursing home chaplain, I have learned much about hope from the residents, staff and families. If the reality of long term care is a part your life this book is specially written for you. This edition has been updated and includes several new devotional readings and an introduction touching on the realities of the novel Corona virus outbreak. My prayer is that this small book may be a place of hope and calm in the midst of the storm for you.

Hope in His Word

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.  Psalm 130:5 KJV

When we were young many of us used to song: “The B-I-B-L-E, Yes! That’s the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, The B-I-B-L-E!” Today as we are older, whether we are looking out the window of a nursing home or looking out the window at work or school we all sometimes wonder how we will make it.

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It is easier facing outward conflicts because at least we can see the enemy we are fighting. But when things seem dark and confusing on the inside then there are moments when we feel as if things are hopeless. God’s word gives us this promise from King David who found that his greatest enemies were bigger than the giant Goliath whom he had faced on the battlefield. David’s battle with sin, failure, and shame left him wondering how he could face his family, his friends and his responsibility as a leader and example for others.

At his darkest moment David remembers that the same God who had given him hope when he fought the giant with a sling had also promised him forgiveness and restoration when he had sinned. God’s word isn’t weakened by our failures, doubts or needs. There is no limit to how much God can restore and His promises are not a limited time offer. You haven’t missed your chance to ask God for His help.  Today is the perfect day in all eternity to put your hope in His word!

 

Got Mountains?

Have you got mountains in your life that you don’t know what to do about? Though they were usually too ashamed to talk to Jesus about their issues the disciples often faced that too. The great news for us is that these totally ordinary guys who also had to pay their taxes figure out where their next meal was coming from and who even argued about who was the most important were loved by Jesus Christ. He didn’t get fed up with them and go out looking for more spiritual disciples.

Instead in answer to their fears and doubts He said something like; “Hey guys why don’t we go for a hike up this mountain today?” As they trudged up the steep winding path towards the summit suddenly Jesus turned around and they saw that His clothing began to shine brighter than anything they had ever seen on earth.

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3

Then a strange series of events took place beginning with the appearance of Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus; and just when they thought it couldn’t get any weirder a shining cloud surrounded them and a voice spoke to them from heaven. As Peter recounted many years later; that was an experience that forever changed their lives. Though they had faithfully been following Jesus for a couple of years and had witnessed miracles and listened to His teachings they all still had questions and doubts just like we do. But God in His mercy called them up the mountain to see who Jesus really was and He is calling us  this morning too. He is waiting to show us great and mighty things that we don’t know anything about (see Jeremiah 33:3) There is still hope and we can still praise Him. This is a new day and as the sun rises today we need to remind ourselves that God is still in control and that if we will look to Him He will give us a hope that will change us forever.

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