Devotionals

 

Be Careful What you Wish For

 

My husband and I lived in Fort McMurray in the early 1980’s. While there, we met and befriended many wonderful people. After a few months we became close friends with about 25 people. On most weekends we would congregate either at the local campground, or at each other’s homes and many of us would take excursions to Edmonton on weekends, which was a common thing to do. Since moving back east in 1986, I’ve always wished that I could see them again. I always kept fond memories of the fun times we would have and how unique our relationships were. I never had the desire to move back to Fort McMurray, although I still have family there. So, I simply kept my memories as they were, memories. That was until this past summer. My husband and I visited Gander, NL this past summer and we decided to purchase tickets to see the band, Great Big Sea.

We met a friend we knew from those days in Fort McMurray, who left the city when we did, in 1986. She told us that her brother was home visiting and pointed him out to us among the crowd. We approached him and wow, what a delight to see our good friend that we hadn’t seen in nearly 25 years. There were hugs between Jeff and my husband, Gerald, and then it was my turn, then we hugged again and again. I got caught up in the emotion and cried tears of joy, which caused everyone else to follow suit. My dream was unfolding. My husband and I lived in Fort McMurray in the early 1980’s. While there, we met and befriended many wonderful people. After a few months we became close friends with about 25 people. On most weekends we would congregate either at the local campground, or at each other’s homes and many of us would take excursions to Edmonton on weekends, which was a common thing to do. Since moving back east in 1986, I’ve always wished that I could see them again. I always kept fond memories of the fun times we would have and how unique our relationships were.

I never had the desire to move back to Fort McMurray, although I still have family there. So, I simply kept my memories as they were, memories. That was until this past summer. My husband and I visited Gander, NL this past summer and we decided to purchase tickets to see the band, Great Big Sea. We met a friend we knew from those days in Fort McMurray, who left the city when we did, in 1986. She told us that her brother was home visiting and pointed him out to us among the crowd. We approached him and wow, what a delight to see our good friend that we hadn’t seen in nearly 25 years. There were hugs between Jeff and my husband, Gerald, and then it was my turn, then we hugged again and again. I got caught up in the emotion and cried tears of joy, which caused everyone else to follow suit. My dream was unfolding. Shortly afterwards, another friend came along, then another and then another, All this took place rather quickly. We were all overjoyed of what was taking place. People around us were staring and perhaps wondering what the commotion was all about. It was almost a shock to me because I wasn’t expecting to see them, and we haven’t been in touch with each other either. We counted about 20 out of the 25 of the group of friends we associated with. This group of friends went back to NL to celebrate a family reunion and all decided to attend the concert. But to see almost all of my close friends from that time of my life wasn’t only what I wished to see some day, it was a dream come true! It was truly an amazing experience for me.

 We parted that night with our hearts warmed, and for me, personally satisfied knowing that dreams do come true; my dream came true! On the way back to Nova Scotia, I pondered the new memories, but I also began to think about my reunion in heaven, when I meet once again many friends and family who have already left this earthly home. If I was overjoyed after some 25 years of not seeing my friends, how much more joy can there be when I reach heaven to see my loved ones and meet my Saviour face to face. The longing and anticipation will not only be a wish or a dream, it will be a promise completed from God’s Word. He promised eternal life, which is my future home in Heaven. Awaiting me there will be my Saviour and loved ones. To think that God gave me the desires of my heart and He delighted me with His favour. What a blessing! What overwhelming joy! And it is no coincidence then that my favourite Bible verse is found in Psalm 20:5, which reads, “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” 

 Shortly afterwards, another friend came along, then another and then another, All this took place rather quickly. We were all overjoyed of what was taking place. People around us were staring and perhaps wondering what the commotion was all about. It was almost a shock to me because I wasn’t expecting to see them, and we haven’t been in touch with each other either. We counted about 20 out of the 25 of the group of friends we associated with. This group of friends went back to NL to celebrate a family reunion and all decided to attend the concert. But to see almost all of my close friends from that time of my life wasn’t only what I wished to see some day, it was a dream come true! It was truly an amazing experience for me. We parted that night with our hearts warmed, and for me, personally satisfied knowing that dreams do come true; my dream came true! On the way back to Nova Scotia, I pondered the new memories, but I also began to think about my reunion in heaven, when I meet once again many friends and family who have already left this earthly home. If I was overjoyed after some 25 years of not seeing my friends, how much more joy can there be when I reach heaven to see my loved ones and meet my Saviour face to face. The longing and anticipation will not only be a wish or a dream, it will be a promise completed from God’s Word. He promised eternal life, which is my future home in Heaven. Awaiting me there will be my Saviour and loved ones. To think that God gave me the desires of my heart and He delighted me with His favour. What a blessing! What overwhelming joy! And it is no coincidence then that my favourite Bible verse is found in Psalm 20:5, which reads, “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Jan Keats  

 

 

  

Lydia, Her Opportunities Are Great!

 

 

Scripture Reference: Acts 16:13-15

I picture Lydia as a happy and content woman. It showed in her hospitality when she persuaded her Christian friends to stay at her house when they came by. Lydia was a worshipper of God, as was Paul and the other guests. What do you suppose sustained their joy in worshipping God?

They supported each other and shared progress in ministry. Their sharing generated pure joy in the Lord’s work. It motivated and encouraged them and what resulted was the Good News that spread throughout their communities. There is so much to learn in the Christian life. There is opportunity to fellowship and to experience God’s love and joy in serving Him! Lydia served her community and no doubt partnered with others as she ran her business. Her joy was from the Lord!

God has given each of us gifts and abilities and the opportunity to avail of them. Have we released the timidity and accepted God’s courage to do His Will? His Will has been perfected and chosen for each of us. So, we can indeed release all that hinders our walk with Him. How can we fear or fail where we can trust instead? We each have the opportunity to share in His peace, His fulfillment and and to live a prosperous life.

We have been given various gifts but there is one thing that God has given that is the same for everyone…we all have been given the same promises from God! What are they, you might ask? Well, if we surrender our weaknesses then He will provide the strength to carry out His Will. He will provide us with the courage to reach out to others. Not to worry though, He promises forgiveness when we go astray; He promises to be near to the brokenhearted. His promises are available to everyone. Psalm 46:1,2 says: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

God tells us in His Word that He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. (Psalm 107) So, there is really nothing to fear in living for God. We can taste and see that the Lord is good. It requires simple trusting faith. Then we will discover that God is indeed who He says He is and He does come through on His promises! Just ask anyone who has had their prayers answered.

Jan Keats

 

 

 

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Discovering God’s Power

“A man without God is not like a cake without raisens, he is like a cake without the flour and the milk; he lacks the essential ingredients.”

Well there’s not much one can do with a cake that has no milk or flour is there? In fact a cake cannot take form without those main ingredients. Can Christians live without the power of God? How does God’s power work within us? The Scriptures informs us of the answers. In Ephesians chapter 3, we discover how He works.

Ephesians 3: 14-19

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. And to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

• So, He gave us the power to understand His love, so that we could follow Him.
• He gave us power of inner strength to live for Him through the Holy Spirit.
• In fact, He gives the power to live daily for Him because even though we may not fully understand how deep His love is for us, He still gives us His power to be filled with the fullness of life, and that power comes from God!

Verse 20 says: ” Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”

Now all this comes through faith, through daily guidance, through daily prayer and through daily walking with the Lord! Remember one thing: His power is available! Ephesians 1:7 says: “He is so rich in kindness that He purchased our freedom through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven.”

Ponder on His power!!

 

Jan Keats

 

God’s Gift of Authority

 One day as Jesus was preaching in the temple courts, the priests and the teachers of the law challenged him: “Tell us, by what authority you are doing these things? Who gave you this authority?”

 

Among this crowd were experienced teachers of the law and elders and leaders of the people. All of a sudden Jesus comes along preaching the good news of eternal life. Do you think that these leaders could have been threatened by his presence? Was Jesus convincing to them? Perhaps in their minds they could not deny God’s power of authority.

 According to Matthew 7:28 the crowds were amazed at his teaching and they acknowledged him. “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught as one who had authority, and not as teachers of the law. What was the difference then? It was this: Jesus responded to the challenge of the priests and teachers by asking if John’s baptism was from heaven or from men. After some discussion, they could not answer. But the answer was clear, the authority came from heaven. Jesus said:  “My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too, am working.  I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees his Father doing because whatever the Father does the Son does also. (John 5:17 &18)

 As believers God gives authority also. We probably have the concept of having the authority to drive out Satan or rebuke sin when we have to. That may be so but the authority that God gives is the authority to build up the church. (2 Cor. 10:8) It is for building up not for tearing down. Using God’s gift of authority means availing of God’s power.

  Jesus gave the disciples power and authority to cure diseases and drive out demons but also to preach the Kingdom of God. We can build the church fearlessly and with great confidence. We can build up the body of Christ and we can continue to preach Salvation. There is a profound verse that I would like to conclude with. “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Cor. 13:8)

  Remember the question, Jesus asked? Was John’s baptism from heaven or from man? If it were from man there would be little convincing or conviction. When work is ongoing to benefit the Kingdom of heaven, God will give us the authority to make his truth and purposes known. That’s what makes all the difference in all we do!

Whatever we do, do as though working for the Lord! Go in the strength of the Lord. Amen!

 

ãJan Keats

 

Hold On To The Anchor of Hope

 

   God’s love is wide, high, long and deep and His promises are unwavering. As the anchor of a ship drops into the sea to catch a firm grip of security, so too the hearts of God’s people unite with the heart of God to firmly embrace an eternal future.

   What is the assurance of hope? What do we need to cling to in order to obtain that hope? The apostle Paul has endured so much for the cause of Christ. There was one particular occurrence where he was at sea in a rough storm and the potential threat of loss of life and goods were at the highest possible risk.  Paul attempted to help with some of the crucial decisions they all had to face that day. He called the crew together and expressed his concern of the treacherous sea they were about to face. The crewmen didn’t listen to Paul; they threw all of their precious cargo overboard, all of their equipment and even the wheat they had stored.

   It must have been such a tragedy to lose so much. When we compare that loss to the losses we sometimes face, aren’t there similarities? When unforeseen circumstances occur don’t we suffer loss? Don’t we lose all hope? Acts 27:20 says, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”  But was all hope really gone? Paul reassured the men that they would be safe because God had spoken to him.  “…not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. For last night and angel of the God to whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me.” (Acts 27:22,23,NIV)

   God gave Paul the message of peace.  Paul confidently expressed hope to them by saying, “So keep up your courage men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.” (Acts 27:25, NIV) Hope is restored once again!”  God intervenes when all hope is gone! When man loses control of the helm and everything is tossed out to sea, that’s when we must throw out the anchor to cling to the hope we possess!  When all hope is gone, we need to cling to the promises of God who made them. If your anchor has let go of the rope, get it re-attached! If your faith and trust has been tossed in the storms of life, get it back! Satan tells us to let go of the anchor, there’s no point in carrying on. God says, “Hold on my child, I will guide you through the storms of life.”

   It is the almighty God whom we serve! He never told us to give up. Hope is our anchor. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19,NIV) We are not of this world; therefore we are not to be discouraged. God says: “Take heart, I have overcome this world.” (John 16:33b, NIV) The greatest joy and source of hope, is God! Call your crew together and encourage them to have faith in God!

 

Jan Keats