My Walk with God 🌱

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. - Proverbs 3:24 If you saw anyone nodding off today during work or on the bus, it is a possibility that they were 'celebrating' World Sleep Day. Yes, you read correctly. I was pleasantly surprised too to learn that there is a day set aside every year to commemorate it. According to the advocates, its objective is to serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy sleep habits for overall well-being. By promoting awareness and understanding of sleep disorders, World Sleep Day aims to reduce their impact on society and improve global health. So out of curiosity, I started researching this very common, yet seldom acknowledged part of our daily life, called sleep. According to Wikipedia, "sleep is a state of reduced mental and physical activity in which consciousness is altered and certain sensory activity is inhibited. During sleep, there is a marked decrease in muscle activit...

"Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. 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. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever.  I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah" - Psalm 61: 1-4 A few weeks ago, while returning downhill from a hike as darkness fell, my friend and I passed a chapel. Usually it is quiet when we pass, but this time, the voices of a group of Christian brothers singing emanated through the open windows and blessed the night air with a spiritual flavour. Accompanied by the sounds of a gentle drum, they were singing the heartfelt psalm of David, as is quoted by tonight's scripture. The words of this psalm resonate with many folks, but it was a unique experience listening to male voices banding together in faith, praising the Lord their Father, their source of strength and help, and echoing the words of a f...

"Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name." -Psalm 103:1 This week, this particular song has been replaying in my mind. What a beautiful joy it is to find oneself in a state of gratitude for all of ones blessings, and praise and worship to our Creator and Redeemer. It lightens our hearts, and is infectious to those around us. It doesn't always come easily though, because as individuals, we go through several ups and downs in life, with regards to what may pre-occupy our thoughts and minds. Reflecting on God's goodness and His mercies and blessings in these times will then have to become an intentional exercise, one that re-directs our thoughts and heart to Him, acknowledging and refreshing ourselves with the reminder of the goodness of God through it all, generally and in our own personal lives.  The psalmist David wrote a beautiful tribute to the Lord during one of his moments of reflection and appreciation. It is one that we can all ...

Walking with Jesus “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14 A picture is worth a thousand words. This so true. There are some images that capture my attention, and make me reflect, find meaning, and extract a lesson. I came across this image years ago, and I stored it in my memory. The foot on the left I visualize as mine, small, walking together with and keeping up with the sandaled foot on the right, which reminds me of Jesus. I sense him to be a like a big brother, a father, a friend, who I look up to, whose feet have purpose, and invites me to join Him. I look at His feet and know they are big shoes to fill, and inspire admiration and respect in me. He is a worthy companion on this journey called life, who knows the way, shows the way, and welcomes me to walk beside Him. No matter the t...

"But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works." -Psalm 73:28 This week, the world watched in shock as the frantic search for five passengers aboard a missing submersible vessel named the Titan ended in the discovery that it had already self-destructed in a tragic implosion. It is deeply ironic that this same vessel had gone in search of the sunken ship, the Titanic which had also met a tragic end on April 15, 1912. While there are many mixed emotions about the recent tragedy, my attention can't help but return to the historical demise of the SS Titanic. Maybe it was because of its size, or the idea of the rich and famous being on board that attracted so much attention, or maybe it was the hype surrounding the new ship, with someone famously boasting that "not even God could sink this ship" . Maybe it was the subsequent namesake movie made that helped to further immortalize its story in our me...

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  -1 Kings 3: 5-15 This week I wished upon a star. Well, it happened this way. I had just finished a conversation, and then glanced up at the sky. Next thing I know, I saw a shooting star. A pretty common phenomenon, I imagine, but for the average person, it isn't a regular sight as we don't look up as much, so when we see one, we are intrigued.  The concept of wishing on a star originated from Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer from back in the day who reasoned that a shooting star was a sign from the gods that they were listening to your wishes and ready to grant them. While it is a whimsical move, I found myself without thinking, making a wish for the first thing that came to my mind. It surprised me actually, what first came to my mind to wish for in that very moment. Afterward, it had me reflecting. What if it really did come through... is that what I re...

Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. -Psalm 145:2 Have you ever been on the receiving end of an unexpected but much appreciated act of kindness? It is a beautiful feeling knowing that someone considered you and met you at a point of need with their act of kindness. Not all acts of kindness come gift-wrapped, or from someone we can see, or with a price tag. In fact, everyday we are on the constant receiving end of a mutitude of gifts. Consider our senses, without which we wouldn't hear beautiful songs, or see the sunsets around us, or smell that rose in the garden or even taste delicious fruits or the lovely meals prepared with love. How about a family member, a friend, a neighbour, or even a complete stranger who is there for us if needed? Even the ability to heal when we get a cut, or the ability to walk or run or do simple tasks? “When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.” -Vietnamese Proverb Today, we have so much to be thankf...

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” -Matthew 18:12-14 This week, I came across a piece of art in my archives which has been one of my all time favorites. I don't know who the artist was, but I consider it a deeply meaningful image. It depicts a sheep that has found itself in a precarious position, and its shepherd having placed himself in a risky position to be able to rescue the sheep. Several questions usually surface in my mind when I reflect on this. How did the sheep get there? Didn't it realize how dangerous it was before reaching so far? How did the shepherd find the sheep? How many times has the shepherd or the sh...

"Not that I have already obtained it, this goal of being Christlike, or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that perfection for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own." - Philippians 3:12 QUESTION : What does a slippery salmon and a rip-current have in common? Continue reading 😎 Have you ever tried to swim upstream in a river? For those who have, they often say it is a tiring process, sometimes even futile for those who are not strong enough swimmers. There is a particular fish that has been known to do this very thing, at least once in its lifetime. The salmon, who is usually born in fresh water (rivers), tend to live most of their lives downstream in the ocean. When it is time for them to lay their eggs however, they instinctively return to the areas they were born, which unusually requires for them to find their way from the ocean back to the rivers, and successfully swim upstream.  I have another analogy I ha...

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4: 15-16 Have you ever been through a circumstance in your life where you have tried sharing and talking to someone about your struggle, but they just don't seem to get it? It could very well be that they have a difficulty in empathizing with you because they either haven't been through a similar circumstance, or they experience and respond to something differently than you. However, when you do find someone who not only can relate, but is capable of empathizing with you also, it is a freeing experience, being able to be yourself and speak freely, without fear of being judged or misunderstood. Tonight, we are reminded that Jesus, who is our High Priest, is also one who can be that one true confidante. The Word says that He can sympathize with many i...

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."  -Revelation 22:1-2 Hello friends, did you know that one of my passions is hiking? It is something I discovered over a decade ago. I was invited to a hike in 2012, after and during a stressful period in my life. I was a bit doubtful about it, because I didn't know what to expect, wasn't fit at all, and really wanted to be by myself. Interestingly enough though, I did manage to complete it, and on sensing my new found interest for more, the hike leader introduced me to his hiking club. It was my first time hearing about something like a club for persons who hike, and I am so glad I found out about it. It quickly became my ...

Our lifeguard walks on water. "For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” - Jeremiah 31:25 🌱 Hello friends, I missed sending out the completed devotion last week. Have you ever felt the need to turn off everything and just be still ? For some reason, last Friday, I felt like I needed a complete time out from everything that was going on within and around me, I turned the 'online' switch off, and I spent some quiet time in the present. Only when I came to a complete halt was I reminded of three (3) things -  Just how much the digital world takes up time, energy and attention from us  How more open and susceptible we have become to incoming elements that negatively affect us and not realizing that we can actually turn off the switch, and  Just how grounding it is to spend time reflecting on our life, intentionally and prayerfully. Life is such a beautiful gift. It is full of beauty, treasured memories and new experiences that awaken ou...

"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 🌱 Holding hands usually brings to our mind thoughts of love, acceptance, and companionship. However, has someone ever held your hand during a difficult time? It could have been for a few seconds, or even a minute. Most likely, we can testify that it would have had a comforting or re-assuring effect on us. When we feel sad, alone, angry, crushed, anxiety, doubting, grieved, fearful, a hand that reaches out to us reminds us that someone is there, someone cares, and there is a source of strength outside of our failing selves that is offering to share some strength with us and walk with us through this. This side of humanity that exists around us, reflects and points us to an even greater hand that is reaching out to us. When we can't see beyond what our eyes can see, when we cannot feel beyond what is...

"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths."  - Psalm 25:4 🌱 Have you ever challenged yourself to look at a bad experience and undoubtedly think of it as working for your eventual good? There is a story I read, which was of a Chinese farmer who experienced a seemingly distressing series of events, from a horse running away, to his son suffering a broken leg after trying to tame the several wild horses the runaway horse brought back with it when it returned, to the son not being drafted in to the army on a deadly mission due to his broken leg. Those around him were quick to judge each event as good or bad, however, the farmer responded each time as "maybe". Each of these events had a surprisingly positive end result. The farmer wise in his years, realized that things in life have a way of working out that may not appear to be so initially. The Bible strongly echoes these sentiments. Romans 8:28 says that "in all things God works for the good of tho...

  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." -Romans 12:1 🌱 Have you ever been asked to do something, and yet you feel inadequate for the task ahead? I know I have. We have many examples of persons in the Bible who were called to do things that they felt totally unprepared for or even unwilling to do.  Consider Noah, who was called to preach to the people of his time about an unheard of impending flood and also build an ark. Consider a stuttering and once fugitive Moses, who was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, or a reluctant Jonah being called to preach to persons he felt may never take him seriously, or Joseph who had been through one too many incidents of betrayal and yet called toward an important position of responsibility. Consider even the widow who was down to her last handful of flour and getting ready to die and was...

Artist's depiction of our cloud of witnesses  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2 🌱 Whether it be a story on the news or a theatrical play, the calamities of people's personal lives displayed on stage seem to often provide entertainment for, or condemnation from the public audience. In today's digital landscape, it is easy to participate in hasty commentary, adding pain to the injuries that individuals are already enduring. I reflect on our own heavenly   cloud of witnesses , as described in the Bible  (Hebrews 12:1-2) , watching us fall or be messed up in our own lives. Does heaven take pleas...

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?"  - Psalm 8: 3-4 On the second to last day of the year, one cannot help but reflect on the year that we are leaving behind and the year that is awaiting our arrival. This year has been one of the most difficult for me, but it has also come with an added portion of God's grace, comfort, strength, and providence. I have had some leaves and twigs pruned, and I have also been placed in a position anticipating the continued growth and sprouting of new ones. The pruning process is never a pleasant one, but it is a necessary one for the health of any plant, or tree, and even us as individuals. It is with utmost gratitude that I will end this year and begin the new year, gratitude for what God continues to do with me, in me, for me and through me, even when I don't understand or see the b...

El Roi - The God who Sees Me So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” -Genesis 16:13 🌱 Sometimes it is in the most unlikely of places, when we are at our lowest, that God reveals Himself to us, as the God who sees us, and is truly present with us. The enemy takes delight in our despair, but our Heavenly Father is about giving us hope and a meaningful future. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals like you and me, men and women who have had the blessed privilege of having their head lifted with joy and dignity by the divine hand. Let's continue to look up to Him and find our comfort, strength and validation from the One who sees, knows, understands, and is with us through it all.  Be blessed by the following selection. Which character's story touches us and encourages us the most? 🎧🙏🏼 The God who Sees [Nicole C. Mullen]

A timely reminder "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8: 37-39 🌱 Have you ever been told that Jesus loves you? I recently received this reminder from at least two sources, and it was good to be reminded. It also caused me to reflect. I am pretty sure there have been times when we have been told this and it registers in our brains in the same way when we hear our parents say that they love us. We tend to take it for granted, because we assume they have to love us. As we mature however, we tend to be able to appreciate that love even more, because we develop a deeper understanding of just how much this love has shaped, stabilized and supported us, through everythin...

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” - Psalm 9: 9-10 🌱 Life can be full of twists, turns, and unexpected challenges, seasons of distress and calm. Our individual challenges are varied. Sometimes these situations can appear so much larger than life, that we feel overwhelmed and uncertain if we can weather our way safely through it. It becomes difficult to see the present and future positively because of the nature of what we are experiencing in the moment.  Sometimes these situations can appear so much larger than life, that we feel overwhelmed and uncertain if we can weather our way safely through it. The good news is that during these periods of distress, we have a rock, an anchor, a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and that friend is Jesus. He asks us to trust Him enough to hold on to Him, the hope and light of life. We m...