Healing Words of Grace

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. – Proverbs 16:24

I’ll never forget the time when I was working at a bank and the president wanted me to transcribe a tape for him. He said it had a lot of important information on it. I put it on my desk with a couple of other tapes I was working on. After the tapes were transcribed, I would need to then delete the information on the tape by putting it through an erasing mechanism.

After finishing the tape I was working on, I grabbed the wrong tape and erased it. In fact, I grabbed the most important tape on the desk and erased it. I then thought about what I would need to collect on my desk as I was sure I would be escorted out after my mistake came to light. I slowly walked down the long hall to the president’s office … kind of in a daze. I knocked on his door. I swallowed hard as I walked in and hung my head in shame as I explained what happened to his tape and apologized.

He took in a breath. My breathing stopped. He then smiled and said not to worry. That he would record it again since it was still pretty fresh in his mind. When I received the tape from him, I instantly put it in the transcription machine and the first words out of the tape were, “This has been recorded on a non-erasable tape.”

The grace shown to me by this man of God was so healing to me. I learned a lot about grace that day. I saw and experienced Jesus in the president’s words and actions. He reflected the one he followed.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the grace you have shown me. I pray that I can reflect that to others each day. Amen

Faith Tip: Reflect Jesus today when someone you come in contact with needs that special gift of grace.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Tumbling Down the Slope

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

Our yard is not level on one side. I will never forget when he had a campfire with friends sitting around in their lawn chairs, and one friend leaned over a little too much towards the slope. They tumbled down the hill with their chair following.

In walking with God, the path we follow is narrow and there are always temptations to sit on the edge of the incline. We believe we are safe from any fall, but we lean a bit too much towards the enticement and before we know it, we are tumbling.

Staying on solid ground is done through closely following God. Reading his word fills us with the stable teachings we need for the journey. The Holy Spirit reminds and guides us as we walk. Prayer keeps us focused on the right direction. Praise to Jesus for being our firm and level foundation.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for helping me step by step walk the path set before me. I pray that I keep my eye on your light and follow, not being distracted by the pulls of the world. Amen

Faith Tip: Consider all the things you do today in light of staying on level ground.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Happy Anniversary!

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. – Matthew 22:30

Today is my wedding anniversary. The years have gone by quickly and as I think back on all that my husband and I have gone through, it makes me even more grateful that he was there to experience life with me. Through the tough times, we held each other up, and through the happy times, we danced.

God created marriage knowing that we would need that person in our life. Our humanness makes us dependent mostly on God, but also on others. God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God provides for those who do live alone in different ways. God says he will be our husband (Isaiah 54:5).

It’s going to be very different in eternity. There will be no need for marriage for we will all be focused on our Husband, Jesus Christ … a marriage made in heaven.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for my husband. I praise you for being at the center of our marriage helping us when we needed it and celebrating with us during good times. I pray that I can be the wife you want me to be here on earth in preparation for eternity. Amen

Faith Tip: Be mindful and thankful for the people God has put in your life. They are there for a purpose.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Feeling Safe by Obeying

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” – John 14:23

What images or feelings come to mind when you hear the word “obey”? If you are like many people, there is an instant resistance to be told what to do. This is part of our human nature and goes against what the world tells us in serving ourselves first. Think of the people you had to obey as you were growing up. There were parents, grandparents, babysitters, teachers, policemen, pastors and more. Although there was a tug inside not to obey, there may have been another underlying feeling of safety. Obeying those in authority that you trust gives you security.

Safety in God’s hands means to obey him. Rebelling against the Lord puts us in danger of hurting ourselves or others. There is no better way that we can show God that we love him than by listening and following his instructions. The journey God has us on is perfect as long as we obey.

Prayer: I thank you, Jesus, for the plan you have for my life. Forgive me for the times I have chosen another route. I pray that today I can listen closely to you and follow. Amen

Faith Tip: Make a choice at the beginning of the day that you are going to follow God. When you are tempted to disobey, focus on God to keep you on track.

Written by Kathy Bruins

9 to 5...it can be so much more

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

I’ve worked a lot of different jobs over the years that have helped me grow into who I am today. I have learned that the heart (the attitude) I have for the work makes all the difference in the world in what I am doing. If I don’t like what I’m doing, and my reason for doing it is a paycheck, there is really no satisfaction in that and little honor to God. Knowing that God provides work for me should give it special meaning in my life where I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as God’s employee.

Working for the Lord is the best work in the world. The benefits are out of this world. It’s not just pastors that do the work of the Lord, but we are all called to work for Him. No matter what type of work we do, whether it is a job or working around home, volunteering, or helping someone, it is all work for the Lord. We can give of ourselves fully without fear that it is a waste of time. God has a plan for it all.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the work you give me to do. I pray that you are honored and glorified by my offering. Amen

Faith Tip: Begin your day in thanksgiving for what God has given you to do. Shine the light of Jesus in doing it.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Friends of Truth

I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees. – Psalm 119:63-65

Friends are a special gift from God especially when they share the bond of love for Jesus. There is a deeper understanding of how important God is through the journey of life. For example, I am part of a Facebook group of women speakers, writers and leaders. In the worldly view, this would mean great competition, but in the godly view, this is a system of real love and support. The truth of God is shared. All of us in the group grow in this.

Celebrate the friends God has given you. Let them know how special they are to you and to God. God has filled the earth with his love in so many ways. When we look at creation, others, and what God provides for us, we experience his love.

Prayer: Lord, you are the God of abundance. Thank you for my good friends and all the ways you care for me. I pray that I will receive your blessings and bless others. Amen

Faith Tip: Focus today on the ways God shows his love for you. Appreciate your friends telling them how much they mean to you and to God.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Little Eyes and Ears

Start children off on the way they should go, 
   and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

As school season begins, we desire for children to have the best education possible. They are so hungry for knowledge and all new information from classes and life that seeps into their pores of education. Each one of us is a part of that education for the children. What they see and experience in connection with us becomes a part of their teaching.

Always be mindful of the little eyes and ears that are around you. Their character is built by the choices they make. The choices will reflect what they have learned from their environment. The more positive impact we can make on these young lives, the better choices they will make. Do they witness honesty, kindness, grace, help from adults around them, or do they pick up on the “me first” mentality prevalent in our society? If you have children, or don’t have children at home, you make an impact on children’s lives. They are watching.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the great examples you have put in my life. I pray that I may be a positive example to children. Help me to show them your love. Amen

Faith Tip: Pray about how you can be a great example to the children. What will they learn from you?

Written by Kathy Bruins