A Major Life Change

Good Day In Christ,

Because of a major change in my health, I am suspending blogging on the Underway Devotionals. I September of 2017 I was diagnosed with Leukemia. Through the past several months I have been undergoing chemo therapy treatments in anticipation of a stem cell transplant. I have initiated a new blog that focuses on the journey to a cure for my Leukemia at the web address below. You are welcome to visit and subscribe if you desire. Thank you for following the Underway Devotionals in the past.
As in everything, to God be all the glory!

The Leaning On Jesus Chronicles can be found at
https://forest-holmes-65ft.squarespace.com

Leaning on Jesus
Forest

We Are Of Good Courage

2 Corinthians 5:6-8(ESV)  So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

I have a dear friend who has received some bad news of late. Her cancer has returned. Obviously this is not welcome news. This is one of those situations for cancer survivors that is part of the worry, and always in the back of their mind. It is that fear of a return of cancer. And it is now a reality. Verses speaking of the ‘good fight’ come to mind. A couple of verses that came across in my daily reading also should be shared in this situation. From 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV) The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. The 2nd Corinthians 5 verses above gives us the message that we have the courage of the Lord within us to fight that good fight. And we fight that good fight with divine weapons. What an awesome combination! What we are given is nothing that is tangible. It is part and parcel of our faith, that is also a gift from God. To non-believers this may seem foolish and empty. But to believers, these gifts are truly all that we need. God provides for us daily in all situations. Sometimes we have to look through His eyes to see what we are given to truly appreciate that daily provision. But that is what we do because we are of good courage. What we are truly given is humbling in it’s magnitude. What we are given is given in love that knows no boundaries or limits. 

And so, to my dear friend, I remind you of that which you already know. Be strong and of good courage. Your weapons in this fight are not of this world, they are better. The fight you are beginning again is not one you will fight alone. You have the Lord at your side. And you have your family and your friends. As for us mere mortals who are at your side in this fight, we have hugs and prayers whenever you are in need of encouragement.

Prayer

Lord you know what we need even before we ask for it. The struggles we endure can be overwhelming. They can drive a wedge between You and us, if we give them a chance. Help us Father when our faith waivers. Hold onto us tightly, that we might feel your love and presence. Show us Your will and Your way in the struggles we experience on earth. This we ask in the name of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

That Little Reminder

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Is there a part of your worship life that has not been exercised of late? For example, have you neglected your daily scripture reading? Has your prayer life slacked off? Is your every Sunday church attendance more like once a month or less? Are you no longer connected to a small group bible study group? My point here is that there are many facets to a worship life. Each facet, and I just named a few of many possibilities above, has a purpose. Along with a purpose they give meaning to being a follower of Jesus Christ. 

We live in a world filled with distractions that can keep us busy to the point we neglect some of the more important aspects of a life in Christ. There is always a new electronic device, or gadget, or app, or the latest craze that with try to draw your focus away from Jesus and all that he means to a Christian. Along with the distractions there is a world that screams “we are not worthy, or we are drawn to sin and not saved because of our fallen nature.” Constantly we are shown with the mirror of the world how broken we really are. It can be easy to forget what our state of being is. We are saved, plain and simple. Drop the microphone. Case closed. The Romans 8 passage above stars our true condition. We are set free from the law of sin and death. When you neglect an aspect of your worship life, that creates an opportunity for doubt to place a wedge between you and God our Father. Faith can turn to doubt. Friends of the Risen Savior, do not let that happen. Put aside the distractions and focus your attention on what is really important. Pay attention, stay focused and be mindful of that little reminder that YOU ARE SAVED!!!!!

PRAYER: Lord our lives can become overtaken by the distractions of this world. Help us to stay focused on that one true light that is Jesus. And help us to guide others to that same saving light. Amen