““Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how short-lived I am. You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight. Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor. Selah “Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.”

Psalms 39:4-6 HCSB

At a lunch meeting yesterday the topic arose of the volume of material possessions being left behind by parents when they pass on to the next life. Most of us want sentimental pieces of some sort but lack space to add more stuff to our already overflowing homes. One meme I recently saw depicted an elderly man supported by his walker in front of a jam-packed, junk-filled garage, saying to his stunned offspring, “Look, son, one day this will all be yours.”

While 70-80 years may seem like a long time, if we are blessed to live that long, in light of eternity it is but a blip in time. Given that perspective, do we want to spend our days continuing to store up possessions, or do we want to create memories with those we love? What is the legacy we want to leave behind when we are gone? What can we do now to start building that legacy? 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionsforwomen #legacy #possessions #cleanoutyourgarage

“So I confess my guilt; I am anxious because of my sin. But my enemies are vigorous and powerful; many hate me for no reason. Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good. Lord, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me. Hurry to help me, Lord, my Savior.”

Psalms 38:18-22 HCSB

“I can’t win for losing!” Or at least that’s what this forlorn psalmist appears to be expressing in his angst-filled plea to God. His pursuers are relentless, with David’s guilty conscience only weighing him down further. He confesses his sin, but maybe all the sources of his anxiety are not gone.

In her blog, “Beyond the Front Door,” Nancy Lucenay describes cultural dynamics as,

“the values, traditions, beliefs, and attitudes that cause people to do what they do. They’re the hidden assumptions we make about life and the lens through which we interpret our world.”

There is more at play than David’s sin alone, and if he gets caught up in thinking it is all about him, his anxiety will weigh him down completely. Ms. Lucenay’s description of cultural dynamics gained from her years as a missionary in an eastern country give us a glimpse into the realization that other people’s actions toward us are not all about us.

Rightly, David turns it over to God for help. He realizes the issue is out of his control, and power beyond his ability is needed. Our tears should always lead us to the Father for comfort, shelter, and protection. What cares do you need to take to Him today?🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionsforwomen #culturaldynamics #anxiety #guilt #confession

“A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread. He is always generous, always lending, and his children are a blessing.”

Psalms 37:23-26 HCSB

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us which includes loving God and loving people. He takes pleasure in seeing His creation fulfill their purpose. Through all the crazy cluster-fluff that is life, He is right there with us, holding our hands, never leaving us to do it on our own. Those who love God will never be abandoned by Him. He always makes a way so that we have what we need when we need it so that our lives may be a blessing to others.

How has God been meeting your needs? What are you doing to spread His love to others? 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #heartchange #Godswill #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionsforwomen #loveGodlovepeople

“Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.”

Psalms 37:3-6 HCSB

Our God is a trustworthy God who desires to give us good things. He is in the business of heart change, and when we find our enjoyment in Him, He will align the desires of our hearts with His plans for us. Seek God with all your heart. Even your countenance will reflect a change from the time spent in the light of His presence. Are you ready to come out of the darkness? 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #heartchange #Godswill #light #outofthedarkness #intothelight #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionsforwomen

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Psalms 34:11-14 NIV

Fear of the Lord means to hold Him in reverential awe, so it is something that changes everything about how we do life. Gone are the days of speaking with flippant abandonment, as if words don’t matter. Last night I listened with rapt attention as Tim Tebow used his words to inspire a crowd of some 800 people to give generously toward the mission of rescuing lives. His ability to move people was somewhat reminiscent on a certain level to Martin Luther King, Jr when he said “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Much to the glory of God, Tebow furthered how being pro-life is more than being pro-unborn but instead is being FOR people across all ages, races, abilities, ethnicities, genders, and religions because God became man to sacrifice His own life for all so that all might have eternal life.

Yes, fear of the Lord changes everything. Are you ready for a change?🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #timtebow #unborn #prolife #rescue #peace #fearofthelord

“You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh, for those who fear Him lack nothing. Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.”

Psalms 34:9-10 HCSB

Have you ever watched the Nature Channel to see young lion cubs romping around playing? They haven’t a care in the world…until they get hungry. Suddenly, they are looking around for food, and for mama. Of course, mama is experienced and has been preparing, so all is well, for now.

This scenario isn’t too far off from how it often is in the human world with believers who are young in their faith. We go be-bopping along until all of a sudden we are struck with devastating news we are not prepared for. We are knocked off our feet unsure of where to turn. Hopefully, we have a good home base church or mentor who points us to God as our anchor and hope.

How much better for the person who is seeking God all along, rising in the morning (or up in the evening, for the night owls!) to spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer and meditation, getting fortified for whatever might come in the days and years ahead. God will always meet that person where they are.

Does this mean that if a person has regular quiet times that life will be easy? Heck, no! But it does mean that if you are pursuing God, He will meet you in your need. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianbloggers #devotionsforwomen #christianwomen #psalms #lioncubs #quiettime #pursuingGod #SeekGod

“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.”

Psalms 33:20-22 NASB1995

We’ve all heard it: “Anything worth having is worth waiting for.” Sometimes we just have to decide what is worth having enough to do the waiting. But there is no question when it comes to God and His answers; as we sit anxiously on tenterhooks, we must remember He is always on time, never early, never late.

So, instead, wait patiently and begin rejoicing in the answers, in His protection, in His help, trusting in Who He is by the power of His name. You can safely place your hope in His unfailing love. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #devotionals #devotions #Biblestudy #christianwomen #devotionsforwomen #psalms #trust #waiting #unfailinglove #timing

“The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap; He puts the depths into storehouses. Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it came into being; He commanded, and it came into existence.”

Psalms 33:6-9 HCSB

Have you ever tried to visualize God speaking a word and the heavens coming into existence? Can you picture our Lord breathing and stars coming out of his exhalation? He can gather water together in His arms when you and I may struggle to round up our children. The extent of His creativity and the measure of His power is unfathomable to our finite human minds.

At the same time, it is incredible to realize this God who spoke the sun, moon, and stars into being shepherds you and me beside still waters to restore our souls. This powerful, expansive God is at once personal and cares intimately for you and me, meeting us in prayer whenever and wherever we call upon Him. Will you trust Him today with your concerns? Will you give Him the praise and adoration He deserves?🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #devotionals #devotions #Biblestudy #christianwomen #devotionsforwomen #psalms #Creation #Creator #Sunmoonstars #shepherd #besidestillwaters

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Psalms 32:1-5 NIV

Sin. We hear it described so many ways in Christian circles: “missing the mark,” “disappointing God in word, thought or deed,” and then there is the basic not following of the Ten Commandments. However you define it, we know that it separates us from God by placing a wall of guilt between us and even interfering with our worship.

When we stay silent about our wrongdoing, the shame causes very real physiological changes take place into our bodies, releasing toxins, much like when we are angry. This lowers the integrity of our immune system and can lead to illness. Don’t get me wrong; this is not to say that all illness is due to unconfessed sin. But the mind is a powerful thing, and unconfessed sin does weigh on the spirit and can lead to a host of mental and physical health issues.

The good news is that God has opened the way for us to easily remedy this situation through that very confession of our sin. We don’t have to go to a special room and talk to a pastor or priest; Jesus is the great high priest who tore the veil that separated us from the holy of holies where God resides and opened up the way for us to have a direct relationship with Him. We need simply to go to the Lord in prayer and ask forgiveness, then turn from whatever we were doing that caused the separation in the first place.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

The heavy weight is removed. Right relationship is restored! There may still be natural consequences for bad decisions, but our spirits and attitudes will be lightened by sweet forgiveness. What do you need to confess today? 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #devotionals #devotions #Biblestudy #christianwomen #devotionsforwomen #psalms #confession #forgiveness #guilt #shame #separationfromGod

“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

Psalm 31:3-5 ESV

God is an exceptional place of security upon which you and I can depend. He provides protection for us and He releases us from the snares of our enemy Satan.

What are these traps? Nets are set out by predators to catch their prey that do not see them. The ambushes blend in with the surroundings so that a person does not see them ahead of time. Think of these as environments of temptation. Unethical work cultures, romantic relationships with unbelievers, churches that have begun sliding away from teaching truth.

Sure, when our radar is up we can spot the warning signs, but otherwise it is easy to find ourselves in the middle of difficulty situations from which we need a rescue. We can call out to God to release us; He will guide us to places of rest and respite from trouble, refreshing us for the journey ahead. You and I can trust our hearts to Him. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #devotionals #devotions #Biblestudy #christianwomen #devotionsforwomen #psalms #snare #rescue #fortress #trust