Month: April 2021

Devotional

Remember

kathrynhugheswriter

Come to the Garden Series

I will extol You, my God, O King: and I will bless Your name forever and ever. One generation will praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.  They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness.  Psalm 145: 1,4,7 (NKJV) 

My cousin has a special spot in her garden, a place set aside where she can go to remember our grandmother. In it are Grandma’s chrysanthemums, tulips, her Mother’s Day peonies and other flowers from Grandma’s garden.

My own garden of memories is scattered throughout my flower beds. Special plants remind me of my parents and other people I’ve been blessed to know and love. The Paperwhites and Jade plants from the home I was raised in remind me of my parents and brother. The purple bearded irises especially remind me of Mom, as she generously shared them. The red Chrysler Imperial rose reminds me of Dad. Other roses bring to mind my friend Judy, or our family’s trip to the Rose Parade. Some plants have been chosen by my children or have come from friends, and I think of each one when I see “their” fern, bush, succulent, or flower. I use the memories to pause to pray for him or her, and to thank my Lord for putting that individual in my life.

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Photo by rasik on Pexels.com

The LORD often called His people to remember what He had done for them, and to teach those things to their children and grandchildren. The Passover feast reminds the Israelites of God’s deliverance from their slavery in Egypt. When Joshua took over leadership after Moses, the Lord told Joshua to have the twelve tribes of Israel pick up stones from the midst of the Jordan River, and they heaped the stones on the bank and in the river as memorials of their crossing on dry land through the river (Joshua 3 and 4). The Lord’s Supper is also a memorial, instituted by Christ Jesus in remembrance of Him and of how He gave His blood and body for us. (Luke 22:19-20).

I think God calls us to remember and to tell of His works to each other so we will remember Him and what He has done for us. He knows how forgetful and unthankful we can be! King David realized the importance of remembering, for he told the Lord, “On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. People will speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness.” (Psalm 145: 5, 6 NASB20)

Whether it is with a special plant, a pile of rocks, or a special meal, let’s find ways to remember to pray for others, and to meditate on God and how He has been at work in our life.  Keeping a journal helps us remember how the Lord has answered prayer or acted on our behalf in the past. We can see God’s faithfulness and provision in the small and the large things in our lives. Those memories can be shared with our families, so they know the way God has been with us and with them. Lessons we’ve learned can be taught to others. Like King David, we can commit to blessing and praising the Lord every day so that we quickly remember what the Lord has done for us.

How many things can you praise God for today?

Lord, help me to remember what You have done in my life and in the lives of my family. Help me to tell my children and extended family of the blessings You have provided. Help me teach them the lessons You have taught me. In doing this, “One generation will praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.  They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness.”  Amen.

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Devotionals post every other Thursday. Past devotionals can be found in the Devotional archive.

Thank you for joining me! I would love for you to leave your comments.

Devotional

A Promise and a Command

kathrynhugheswriter

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 NLT

Can you imagine how the followers of Jesus felt when Jesus Christ was taken up in a cloud right in front to them? They hadn’t grasped that He was leaving them again despite Jesus telling them that He would. Jesus left them when He was put to death on the cross. He came back to life and was with them again over a period of forty days. They had just asked Him if He was now going to restore the kingdom of Israel. But they didn’t receive the answer they desired.

Instead of kicking out the Romans, Jesus told them it was not for them [or us] to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. Instead of staying with them, He gave them a command. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)

The assignment still seems difficult today. Allow me to put it in my geographical terms. Be a witness for Jesus in my city-that starts with my family, my neighborhood, my church, and my work place, and extends to my region. Next Jesus said Judea. That’s a lot of territory and a lot of people. Samaria? That must have raised eyebrows. The Jews and Samaritans despised each other. Does that mean I need to be a good witness of Jesus to people I don’t like, or to those who are enemies to my country? Yes, it does. The Jesus said, “to the end if the earth.” That still hasn’t been achieved.

It’s no wonder that Jesus’ followers stood watching Jesus disappear into the clouds. How overwhelmed they may have been. Sure, the Holy Spirit was promised, but they hadn’t been empowered by the Holy Spirit yet. Jesus left them! How alone they must have felt!

Our Lord knew their hearts, just as He knows ours. While they were steadfastly watching Jesus as He went up, two men dressed in white appeared. I think they were angels. They came with a promise.

This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)

Jesus will return! We don’t know the day or the hour, but Jesus promised to return. Jesus keeps His promises. His return is described in I Thessalonians, chapters four and five, and in Revelation.

I notice that along with the promise, it seems like the angels gave a subtle hint to Jesus’ followers to get busy. “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”

Jesus is coming back. Will we have fulfilled His assignment when He comes?

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com
Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile on Pexels.com
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

How can you and I be witnesses for Jesus? How can we be Jesus’ hands and feet for others? Let’s prayerfully consider who we will tell this week about Jesus. Do you have someone in mind? A friend challenged me to put a deadline on when I will talk to someone, with the idea that I not put it off, possible forever. Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit will give us the words to share with others. “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:12 RSV) The Holy Spirit lives in believers, giving us the power to conquer our fears and obey our Lord’s command. Let’s GO.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for the promise that You will return. I want to be ready, having accomplished the work You have given me to do. Open my mouth with boldness. Remove my fears and my disobedience that keep me quiet when I should tell others of Your love and salvation. Help me rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me what to say. Amen.

Devotional

Jesus: His Cross and His Resurrection – Part 4 of 4

kathrynhugheswriter

A special weekly series for the Easter Season

Reflections on the hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today

And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7 NASB20

Charles Wesley composed more than 6,500 hymns. Some of the best known among Wesley’s hymns are “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”; “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”; “Rejoice, the Lord is King”; “Jesu, Lover of My Soul” and the hymn of this week’s devotional focus, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” (also called “Christ the Lord is Ris’n Today”). The lyrics below were published in 1739; Music from Lyra Davidica, London, 1708 public domain. Six verses are shown here, so some may be new to you as verses five and six are new to me. Emphasis in bold is mine.

Verse 1.	

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Verse 2.	

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Verse 3.
	
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Verse 4.	

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Verse 5.
	
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

Verse 6.	

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Easter Image by fedden from Pixabay
Christ the Lord is risen! I love that the angel showed the empty tomb to the women, people who at the time were around the bottom of the social strata. They weren’t allowed past the Court of Women in the Temple. The angel gave them proof that the seemly impossible had happened. Death no longer had its sting. Their Savior was risen, just as He said. Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene.

Jesus gave us reason to raise our joys and triumphs high. He died to save our souls. Our redemption from sin is done.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Foll’wing our exalted Head, Because Christ Jesus is alive, we can follow Him every day. Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, We can know Him by studying the Scriptures and by having a personal relationship with Him. His power is proven not only by His resurrection, but by the change He brings in our lives as we trust and rely on Him and become more like Him.  

Heaven is open to those who believe in Christ Jesus. When death comes, or if Jesus returns again before we die, His followers will rise to everlasting life.

Alleluia!

Let’s spend time thanking Jesus for what He has done. He fought the fight, the battle won. Christ the Lord is risen!  Let’s praise Him.

Lord, thank you that You gave me a reason to have joy! Thank you for Your redeeming work on the cross for me. I’m sorry it took the cross and Your death to rescue me. Thank you for allowing me to follow You. I praise You, for You alone are worthy of all praise. Amen.

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Dear Reader, thank you for following along with this four-part special Easter series, Jesus: His Cross and His Resurrection. If you missed any of it, or would like to review it, they are posted under devotionals on the following dates: 3/18/21 Part 1- At the Cross;  3/25/21 Part 2 – The Old Rugged Cross ; 4/1/21 Part 3 – Christ Arose; 4/8/21 Part 4 – Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Devotionals post every other Thursday (Special series may occur more frequently, such as the Easter series, Jesus: His Cross and His Resurrection.) They are archived under Devotionals.

Devotional

Jesus: His Cross and His Resurrection-Part 3 of 4

kathrynhugheswriter

A Special Weekly Series for the Easter Season

Reflections on the hymn Christ Arose

Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:55-57 NIV

One of my favorite songs of Jesus’ resurrection is Christ Arose by Robert Lowry. The verses are somber in tune and tempo as they describe Jesus waiting for the coming day when He would be free of the grave, having torn the bars of death away. Then the triumphant refrain follows each verse. It is powerful and bright, often with trumpets joining the singers in declaring Christ’s victory! “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes.”Christ is the Victor in the battle with sin and death. He lives forever!  “He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

Verse 1.	

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord! 

Refrain:	

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Verse 2.	

Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus, my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus, my Lord!

Verse 3. 	

Death cannot keep his Prey,
Jesus, my Savior;
He tore the bars away,
Jesus, my Lord!

Robert Lowry, 1874. Public domain.


What joy fills my soul when I sing the words of His triumph!
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay 

Jesus Christ won the war with the devil. Jesus conquered the power of sin and death. We know from Scripture that He also will win the final battle when the devil is cast into the lake of burning sulfur, never to deceive us again (Revelation 20).   

So why is it that I sometimes act like Jesus hasn’t won the war? Why do I still struggle with sin? I know God wants me to follow His direction and to become more and more like Jesus. Sometimes that bad attitude pops back up. I insist that my rights are being trampled, or something is being done the wrong way and impacts me. On the freeway a driver cuts me off so I have to miss my exit, and I fume at the person’s rudeness. The devil is a schemer. He knows my weak spots.

Do you ever feel this way?

The Apostle Paul struggled with sin, too. In Romans 7, Paul declares “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin within me. What a wretched man I am!      Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ my Lord!”

Reading through Scripture reassures me of victory in my own life, too. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

He arose a Victor from the dark domain, 
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

Like Paul, we have victory in Jesus! Jesus Christ set us free from the dark domain of sin and death. We’re no longer slaves to sin, because Jesus paid our price. We don’t have to let sin reign, but can offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. Sin isn’t our master because we are not under the law but under grace. (Romans 6) If Christ lives in us, we will reign with Him.

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Watch for the rest of this four-part special Easter series, Jesus: His Cross and His Resurrection.

3/18/21 Part 1- At the Cross;  3/25/21 Part 2 – The Old Rugged Cross ; 4/1/21 Part 3 – Christ Arose; 4/8/21 Part 4 – Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Devotionals post every other Thursday (Special series may occur more frequently, such as the Easter series, Jesus: His Cross and His Resurrection.) They are archived under Devotionals.