So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Good morning! I thought we would try something new! I don’t know about you, but I find that I need verses in the morning to set my focus for the day. God guides us with His righteous right hand, so how about we apply His Word to our hand, one finger at a time? It will be like giving God a high five for His Word that sustains us! I think this will help me and I hope you get benefit from it too!

A- (thumb)All to You I surrender

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:10

B-(pointer finger)Be my guide today

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

C- (middle finger) Create in me a clean heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

D- (ring finger)Do not let me be anxious

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10

E- (pinky) Encourage me to encourage others

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:2

Dear Lord,

Please help me with Your Holy Spirit, to submit all to You and follow Your commandments. Thank You for being my constant help. Create in me a clean heart. This is something I cannot do myself. When I am afraid, remind me that I am listening to someone other than You. Encourage me to encourage others. Help me to see things from another’s perspective and be sensitive to their needs and meet them as You would have me do. I ask these things because I love You and need You and desire to serve You. Amen

With love from our awesome Father to you, may you have a blessed day and week. In the busyness, remember how much God loves you. Love, Tina

Folks, I have been absent a bit and have missed writing. You know how life hits you hard and it kind of stops you in your tracks? Yeah, that happened to us this last month. However…no matter what is going on in our lives, what emotions, doubts or insecurities we may face…it is ALWAYS time to praise the Lord! Why? He has never failed us yet! He always hears us! He loves us! He has a plan for us! He died for us!

So…on that note….

This is a poem I wrote while looking out my office window at a mountain. Mountains always make me think of Jesus and Mt. Calvary. It was just a hill, but oh, what a mountain of clove was spilled there!

My office window frames a scene scene of peaks with purple hue hue that brings to mind your mount Mount Calvary, I love you true. Upon your hill, the world was changed changed when Jesus paid sin’s due due to grace spilled on your mount Mount Calvary, I love you true. I long to see you, mountain friend friend that quaked as mercy grew grew by volumes on your mount Mount Calvary, I love you true. copyright © 2021 Christina Crute

Dear Jesus,

Looking at a beautiful mountain makes me think of the hill you died on. But then You lived again and still do! Thank You for what You did for me that day, before I even knew I needed YouThere are millions of thank-yous I owe You. Please see inside my heart and know how grateful I am. Your birthday is coming up. What can I do for You to show how much I love You? Please bless all my friends and family and church with Your loving care as we navigate a tough time in our country. Help us to still be like You, even more so and love others as You love us. Amen

Friends, have a wonderful Lord’s Day! With love from the Father to you…

Tina

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13

Friendships are such an important part of life. They sew, or bind, us together into one unit. It’s so important that we love each other so much that we consider what others need physically, but also spiritually. One thing we all need in our Christian walk is a good example of a Jesus follower. When we are having a hard time and feel our strength is gone, we may see someone else under seemingly unbearable circumstances, praising God for His goodness and plan. That gives hope!

Sometime we are the person seeing that example and gaining hope from it, but sometime we are the person that IS the example. Someone is looking at us and wondering how we press on, happily, praising God. Isn’t it wonderful, that in a trial, that we have the opportunity to praise God and show others why we can still sing of His goodness? Only with God, can we navigate trials with hope. He has everything under control! I am so thankful for people in my church that have shown me what hope looks like, by leaning on Him with joy. They show me that God can sustain, always!

I love these lyrics by Brian Littrell, who wrote the song, “In Christ Alone.”

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

From God, to the cross, to us, we do have the power source of hope! May you have a blessed day of friendship and hope!

Your friend,

Tina

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

Yesterday, my daughter made her final selection for a wedding dress! Beautiful day in all ways for family and friends. To cap off the experience, we went to lunch all together in downtown Roanoke. As we walked out of the restaurant, my husband and I decided to continue walking. We saw grand, old architecture, art galleries, vintage shops, bookstores, the farmer’s market and more. The sun was shining and all was right in our world:)

Not exactly…We also saw the not-so-beautiful parts of the city. We saw a few people, homeless, who looked worse for the wear. We heard people yelling at each other. One young man approached us for money, saying he had been kicked out of the mission for fighting. We do not carry cash usually, so we were not a big help to him. It sort of shocked me how young he was. With him on my mind and heart, we continued walking.

John wanted ice cream and funny thing…he just happened to know a place! (I think he scoped it out before we even left the restaurant!) We went to an ice cream shop and enjoyed a brownie-batter cone. Even better than that cone, was talking to the worker there. She was so kind while we waited in line, that she reminded me of my sister-in-law, Suzy. She even looked a bit like her! You know me…I had to tell her that, and we started talking.

She was a sis in Christ! Somehow we got on the subject of the Rescue Mission and she told me that she and her sister, during the worst of Covid, helped to make 7,000 sandwiches for the homeless. I told her how we loved to buy underwear and socks for the Rescue Mission. Not quite as grand as making thousands of sandwiches, but we had a common bond! What a gift to meet her! Thank you, Lord!

That’s crazy! Her selflessness! While many others, meaning myself, were hibernating and enjoying the germ-free interior of my house, she was dong something completely different, serving others. Why? Because someone had to, she said. She had broken her leg last year and still had a lot of pain in walking. She wasn’t working , as the shop closed down for a couple months. She had these excuses NOT to think of anyone else but herself, but she didn’t.

She had a higher perspective than I did! She had a purpose, to make good come out of a tough situation. As we left the shop and walked up on the pedestrian bridge over the old railroad, the view from the bridge caught my attention! (The picture in this devo is from that bridge.) I had a higher perspective there! I could see the beautiful mountains in the distance! Although there were lots of shadows and tracks and gravel and old construction materials below us, the mountains were there, too!

I was reminded that, here on earth, we have the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful. Sometimes we fail to see the beautiful in a tough situation. Our trials are like the shadows that threaten to take away our view of God. There is often lots of stuff going on around us and we lose perspective. But the good news is, the Lord can give us a higher perspective! He makes us see Him more clearly, His will more clearly, the beautiful more clearly! Isn’t He awesome?

Dear Father,

Thank You for showing me what my perspective can be with You, through meeting the homeless teen, the ice cream shop worker and the view of the mountains You made. As I do not always pay attention, nudge me to see the higher view, a view above my own on earth. Help me to see what YOU see, all the opportunity to see and think and act outside of our own circumstances. You are so great and loving and I want to be more like You as I grow up. I love You so much! Amen

With the love of the Father to you, have a great day!

Christina

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV

Yesterday we talked about being connected to Jesus. Being connected to Him brings fruit that benefits others and glorifies God. It makes sense and I get it, but something about that connection mystifies me still. I do not get how Jesus can put more love in our hearts than we can handle. When we fully accept our need for Him, in humility knowing we can do nothing without Him, we are in the perfect place to accept as much love as He can give…and that’s a lot!

Love is the fertilizer for much growth. And boy does Jesus fill our hearts with love! He does not just give US love, but He gives us unending love that spills out to others. It cannot be contained and why would we try to do that anyway? Sometimes my heart feels so full that I literally stop and ask Him, “What do I do with all this passion for You and others? How do I control it?”

He tells me, “Keep doing what You are doing. Lean on me. I will show You as I show You.”

What a wonderful joy that comes from knowing we can do something to please Him and glorify the Father! We are self-centered and imperfect but He can still use us, when we use His love. All we have to do is reach up with our hands and hearts out to receive more of Him. On that note… I wrote this little poem just now.

Overflow

Connected by a bond beyond what words can tell,

My Savior’s love for me, like an ocean made to swell.

It would be impossible to keep it to myself.

I have to spill out now and love above all else.

Jesus works that way and fills our hearts completely,

So much, we overflow to those who are most needy.

Take my hands, my mouth, my feet, God’s glory to fulfill.

Make all of me a tool of love that’s sharpened for Your will.

©2021Christina Crute

May you have a blessed day and a heart full of love from our generous Savior and God!

Christina

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 NIV

Connections are great to have. How often have we used our connections to call in a favor from a friend? How often have we been called on to help someone else? I see connections as sort of a vine that nourishes all who are entwined. When we share our resources and talents, we are better together. I am thinking specifically about the church, followers of Christ. We have such an opportunity to connect to each other and accomplish something bigger than our single selves.

Jesus tells us this connection is what He wants with all of us, too.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV

We need to use our connection to Jesus, because we cannot produce fruit without Him. As I was typing this just now, I realized that verse four and five are almost copies of each other. Throughout the Bible, I have notice that Jesus often repeats the same wisdom in slightly different ways, to encourage full understanding. I love that! It works for me! I get what Jesus is saying here.

WE NEED HIM. By ourselves we can do some things, but we cannot bear the healthy fruit that a connection with Him brings. Jesus wants us connected to Him, so we can not just bear fruit, but MUCH fruit. And it is all to God’s glory!

I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17 NIV

Connections may benefit us, but how much sweeter the fruit that comes from benefitting others! Through our connection with Jesus, we can connect to others as He commanded. It is like we are a living branch, reaching out to add another branch to our vine or tree. We were meant to connect with Jesus and use our connection wisely.

So, if someone we encounter has a spiritual or physical need, how about we use our connection to Jesus to help them? Just think…we are in Jesus and He is IN us! He says that Himself!

Jesus,

Thank you for this thought about connections this morning. When I am connected to You, You nurture me, so I am able to produce fruit. Will you please keep this word, ‘connections’, in my heart today? Help me to stay connected to You so I can connect to others in Your name, all to our Father’s glory. Thank You for sacrificing Your life for me. In a way, You are God’s fruit and You purposely connected to me and changed my life! Use me to purposely connect with others, to act out of this love that binds us together. I want to produce fruit for God! I love You so much! Amen

Sidenote…Does a song come on sometimes at JUST the time you need it? That just happened!

“Without Him, I could do nothing. Without Him I’d surely fail. Without Him I would be drifting, like a ship without a sail.” just played in my headphones! (Josh Turner singing words written by Mylon LeFevre )

I love when that happens, that a song comes on that punctuates what the Lord is teaching me! Isn’t He wonderful?

Love you all with the love of the Father. Let’s be ‘connected’ to Jesus and bear fruit!

Christina

Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”  Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:7-8 NIV

I was excited to go dress shopping with my daughter for her wedding dress! The day had finally come when she was choosing what she would wear down the aisle to begin her new life with a man that adored both God and her. I held back tears as she tried on dress after dress. She was being so particular about how she looked, because she wanted to look just right for her fiancee. It was a precious time. She asked us, her family, our opinion on each dress.

I was a bit quiet and reserved because I was taking it all in, the excitement, the bond and special-ness of doing this event together. In my own thoughts, I was brought back to the moment when she said, “Mommy, what do YOU think? How do I look?” Instantly I felt motherly love for a daughter, who has asked me that so many times over the years. She is very independent and capable but usually asks mine or her sister’s opinion on the really important things. How special I felt to see her looking at me in expectation, waiting to see if I approved. “You look beautiful!” I said. I silently thanked the Lord for letting me be her mom.

Woah… a thought hit my heart instantly. I wondered if I ask my Father in heaven often enough, “What do YOU think? How do I look?” “Is my heart white like a wedding dress? I want to look my best for You. Do I need to change?” All the love I felt for the Lord made me think of how much I want to please Him. His opinion means the most to me.

Have you thought lately how it will be when we see our Lord? Will we be as excited as a bride looking her best? Are we counting the days? Are we looking at His beautiful face and loving Him more every day? I wonder how close the coming of our Savior might be. Will be ready and our hearts ready and looking its best for Him? Are we in constant communication with Him, seeking His opinion, His will?

Friends, we are not guaranteed tomorrow, but there’s nothing wrong, and everything right, with thinking about and being ready to meet our Savior face to face. What a day that will be! Let’s get ready!

May we all desire, ask, seek and find what the Lord wants for us. May we care most about His opinion of how our hearts look to Him!

With love from the Father to you, have a wonderful day!

Christina