Blog – Page 9

The Dragonfly Chose Me

November 7, 2022

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:7-8

Here’s a poem I wrote ages ago, about my salvation experience. It’s wonderful to remember when I first realized I needed Jesus, and that even a dragonfly on my shoulder could not distract me from going to the altar to ask Jesus to forgive my sins.

The Dragonfly Chose Me

A dragonfly chose me, at children’s camp, you see.
It was music time and all was fine, until he landed on me.
The kids behind me had a scream attack!
It was on my back. I turned around and said,
“Guys, I don’t want to be mean, but I want to sing.”

On stage, the teacher held a large picture book. I took a good long listen and look.
She then explained, “Our hearts have a stain called sin.
That makes our hearts black within.” Then she started, soon, singing a beautiful tune:
“If you want a heart of white, ask Jesus in your heart tonight.”

So, though the Dragonfly was now in my hair, and
My friends were making a fuss,
I just didn’t care because Jesus was there. It was just the two of us. I started thinking, “What should I do?”
My heart, so heavy and black, not the color I wanted, but Jesus could make me new!

So with no looking back, Dragonfly still on me,
I left my chair and went to the altar, Jesus to see! I asked Him into my heart that day.
And when I did, the bug flew away.
Sometimes I think it was a sign
Of how Jesus is with me all the time.

So that’s the story I will never forget,
When that Dragonfly and I briefly met.
But, oh, even better, what happened that night! Jesus changed my heart and made it white!

Friends, I hope you have a wonderful day. It is good and pleasing to thank the Lord for how He works in our lives. He’s just so good, isn’t He? I bet you have some great stories, too!

Christina

Connections

October 28, 2022

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

Good morning! I just came downstairs to do my devotions this morning. I am excited to talk to Jesus and as I sit here, my first thoughts are…I am just going to write what’s on my heart, because, well, Jesus showed me something last night!

John and I went to a concert last night. Mercy Me. In the middle of one song, Bart, the lead singer, stopped singing while the band kept playing. I focused hard on the words we had just sung with them. I honestly do not remember what song it was, because I was just looking up and imagining Jesus looking at all of us there. He was looking at us with so much love, it overwhelmed me! He had, in His eyes, a longing for connection with me, with us. It melted my heart.

Connection. Jesus and I were connected! He, God’s son, the Prince of peace, my friend, my mentor, my SAVIOR…we were connected. I imagined a cord running from me to Him, like an old- fashioned telephone cord. That cord is the direct line from Him to me. He has something to tell me. He wants a constant connection so I can do the job He has for me. My mind was blown. I still cannot get that image of the connection cord out of my mind.

I realized that Jesus wants that connection for EVERY SINGLE SOUL IN THE WORLD! I sensed a sadness that HE does not have that. What could I do to help? AM I helping Him get the connections He gave His life for? Or am I just connected to Him for just me? Why have I never seen this literal connection to Him before?

With the old-style phone cords. you were literally connected to someone by a cord and receiver to your ear. Do we have that direct connection all the time? Are we always waiting for Jesus’ call? Now, more than ever, we need…..

In my earphones, RIGHT NOW, is playing….”Jesus is Calling.” Wow, thank you, Lord. You are way too good to me, to us! What a perfect song for me to hear right now. “Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling.” He is pleading for that connection. Let’s not let the enemy kink the cord or pull the plug out of the wall. The enemy is listening to your conversation and watching your relationship with the Savior.

We have a direct line available to Heaven! That really blows my mind! He has made a way that we can have that direct connection. It is up to us to use whatever gifts God gave us, to help OTHERS get that connection or get a clearer connection. It’s not just about us, though that’s a wonderful gift from God, that relationship.

I do not usually spill the contents of my head directly onto the keyboard, but I felt led to, this morning. There’s no editing or outlining this time. I hope there aren’t too many mistakes and hope I made sense!

Here are some things we can ask ourselves, so that we maintain a good connection to Jesus.

How clearly do we hear Him?

How often do we call Him?

Do we run to Him first with good news?

Do we run to Him first with bad news?

Are we available to His call 24-7?

Who do we know that needs a connection to Jesus?

How can we be a loving friend to them and tell them how sweet phone calls with Jesus are?

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the direct line to the Throne. You overwhelm me with Your desire to have that relationship with me. Please give me words and love and health so I may share what You offer to us all. I will call again soon. I love You.Amen.

Just my thoughts today. With love from the Father to you, have a wonderful weekend!

Christina

Talking to Jesus

October 17, 2022

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-11

Hi friends! I took a break from writing because life got so full and busy. I am back! While I was away, I considered changing the blog, to make it more current and engaging, but I came up with zero good ideas. I am so human sometimes… New ideas are not always better.

The Lord showed me, after much prayer and presence, that it’s not my job to make God’s Word as engaging as possible. He effectively told me that God’s Word is enough and it will do what it has always done. It will permeate the hardest of hearts, reclaim lost souls, provide pure wisdom and peace. God’s Word will provide hope, light and strength for each day. It will fill us with beautiful visions of His love and our future with Him.

The verses above are David’s words, in God’s word. David was telling some Levites how to give the Lord praise with instruments. WE are to do the same, be instrumental in praising God. We can all do it in different ways and it is just as pleasing to Him.

Think about it…As far as the Lord is considered, what is YOUR instrument of choice? Do you have a way to put God’s Word out into the world? Are you an instrument of peace and hope to others? Perhaps you are a great encourager or errand -runner for needy neighbors. Can you sing well to elderly shut-ins?

Dear precious Father,

Thank You for bringing to mind, through Your Word, that I am made to be Your instrument and I am enough to do what You have planned for me. Thank You for showing me that it is not me, but YOUR WORD that I share that is more than enough to engage others. Please guide me to be a better example of a servant to You and Your Word. It sustains me. Thank You for making me with a passion to write and to help. Help me to do that, to love others deeply, the way You think is best. You are amazing and I love You! Amen

With love from the Father to you, have a great Monday!

Tina

A Good Morning is…

September 28, 2022

Show me your ways, lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in Your Truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25 4-5

We are on vacation but I couldn’t resist the urge to share some morning thoughts with you. I love being overwhelmed first thing in the morning, with God’s goodness. What I mean is that it’s hard to describe your time with God. HE is so precious, that you can’t even describe the overwhelming goodness of Him, but this is my attempt!

A Good Morning Is…

When the only sound in the house is the refrigerator motor and a the ticking of a small clock. (Occasionally the ice machine clunks.)

When the only light on in the house is over the dining room table, shining on your Bible. (All of that light, just for “me and God” time.)

When the sound of vellum pages of the Bible make a light and lovely crinkly sound as you turn them. ( It’s like precious, holy music to my ears.)

When God shows you his generous promises as you commune together, alone, in silence. (The whole of it is almost too full and wonderful to grasp.)

When you feed him hungrily on God’s word, and there are no human words to express His total goodness. (There is, however, all the loveliest feelings and thoughts and splendor in the world, about Him.)

He is fully and perfectly, lovingly present, generous, faithful, holy and precious to me.

To know the Father is to be at a loss for words. that LOSS makes for a good, VICTORIOUS morning!♥️

Have a wonderful day. I pray you feel the Lord’s presence and goodness with you.

Christina

God’s Promises

September 16, 2022

Good Morning! Happy Friday, September 16, 2022. Here is a verse and a song video for today about God’s promises! We can count on them, every one of them. He is faithful:)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

God is able to do more than we can ask or think. Now, how are we supposed to be able to know what God has in store, then, right? We have to humbly accept that we are on a “need-to-know” basis with God. We know He is faithful! He is there, able, ready, willing and eager to have us lean on His guidance and love and care:)

Have a blessed day!

Christina

Child, Come Near

September 14, 2022

Good Morning! Here is a poem for today, September 14, 2022. What a blessing to be able to impart to your child, or anyone, the love that God has for us!

I hope you have a wonderful day knowing that God loves you so, so much!

Love and prayers,

Christina Crute

Patience and Promises

September 12, 2022

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4

Lat Monday, we talked about how peace and prayer go together. All you have to do is ask Jesus for peace through prayer! God pre-paired these for us!

But…what if “all you have to do” does not feel simple or peaceful because your struggle is so incredibly hard? What if simply praying does not bring peace?

Like me, maybe you did not feel peace because it didn’t make sense to have peace during such a tough trial.

Patience and Promises…Patience is not given, but rather accomplished by practicing it. When we make a decision to trust God in trials, that means we patiently wait for His answer in HIS time.

Easier said than done, when God hasn’t answered our prayer right away, right? We need to remember, though, that He has promises we can lean on! He will never, ever leave us. If that is the only promise He ever gave us, it is plenty!

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.2 Chronicles 15:7

These are promises inspired by the creator of the universe! We may not understand why God allows things in our lives, but we can be perfectly positive that He loves us. He shows us and promises us that our hope in Him is in great hands!

Today’s Take-a-way: Faith in God’s promises brings patience, which brings peace!

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

Christina

Peace for Today

September 9, 2022

Good Morning! Here is today’s devotion and encouragement for September 9, 2022, a video about peace. It does come through prayer. The world needs lots of peace so lots of prayer is needed:)

With love from the Father to you, have a peace-filled day. God is able to give us the peace we need, if we seek Him in prayer!

Christina

Beautiful Words, Like Birds

September 7, 2022

Happy Wednesday! It is a poem day! September 7, 2022 The power of beautiful words reminds me of lofty, beautiful birds.

Aren’t you amazed at God’s creativity when it come to animals flying? Beautiful words are like birds, in that they soar and lift us up, lift others up. I hope you have an uplifting day!

Christina

Perfect Pairs

September 5, 2022

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Don’t you love it when things pair together perfectly? Take peanut butter and jelly, for example. They taste like they were made to go together. Or hot fudge and ice cream and maybe babies and kisses! One of the paired items is great, but with a mate, how much better! One sock is good, but two are better!

Though these are simple examples, they point to the value of pairs in the Bible, pairs that God “pre-paired” for us. Let’s look at Peace paired with Prayer:

Peace and Prayer… Everyone wants peace, including me. Peace has a mate, prayer. Peace comes from prayer. Prayer causes peace. Peaceful times are times for prayer. Praying times are times of peace. They go together perfectly. Prayer is our direct IV, if you will, linked to Jesus. He provides all the enduring peace we need through that lifeline! Want peace? Pray and ask Jesus and it is yours! It’s that simple!

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye. shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh. findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Today’s Takeaway: If God’s Word promises anything, it promises everything we need!

With love from our awesome Father to you, have a blessed day!

Christina