Richele Writes

“O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.” Jeremiah 16:19

In a day when we see so many falling victim to the entrapment of this world full of lies and wickedness, we have a stronghold of hope. We have a place of refuge, an anchor when the storm is growing stronger all around us. We are able to stand firm, secured by the promise given to us by God in His Word that this world is not our home.

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” Hebrews 6:19a

Our hope is anchored steadfast in the knowledge of what lies ahead, we have the promise of an eternal home in Heaven. We are not bound to the things of this life, our promise is above.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

We have an anchor that will stand fast as we travel through the storm, our master has promised to see us safely to the other side.

I am uncertain of so many things, but there is one thing I know . . . God is my Certainty !!! He knows my tomorrow, He knows the way, and I’m trusting in Him today !!

Proverbs 20:24 “Man’s goings are of the Lord ; how can a man then understand his own way?”

Psalm 31:14 “But I trusted in thee, O Lord : I said, Thou art my God.”

Today I will trust God to direct me and to guide me toward the path I need to take tomorrow.

Psalm 143:8 “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”

My Heavenly Father is my Certainty !!

When I reflect upon the new year ahead, I can not help but look back thinking of how I sat thus at the beginning of 2020 as did so many without any thought of what that year would hold. Having said that, I also can not help but think about the fact that although I do not know what my future holds in 2021 just as I did not in 2020, I do know the one who holds my future.

God brought me through 2020, taking care of each and every moment of every day. He guided my steps, protecting me along the way. So as I look toward 2021 and the uncertainties of what it will hold, I am at peace knowing God is in control. I need not try to figure it out or fret over what I need to do to prepare, He is already preparing the way before me, I just need to seek His face allowing Him to work in and through me.

“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:26-31

In looking toward 2021, I began to consider what God would have me focus on as the new year begins. For the past few years I have found Him directing me toward a specific word that I called my word of the year. Each year that word would help me as the chaos around me ensued, threatening my sanity. It helped me to remember the one I serve and the purpose toward which I am being directed. One year it was purpose, another year it was intentional, and to be perfectly honest I have no idea what my word for 2020 was as it has become somewhat of a blur.

This year though, God has given me the word “transformed” and my verse for the year is Romans 12:2; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In 2021, I desire to be “transformed” into a greater likeness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want Him to transform me into the servant, wife, mother, friend, mentor . . . that He would have me to be in 2021.

I want Him to transform all areas of my life, but in order to do that I need to spend time in His word seeking Him. I need to allow Him to renew my mind, removing all elements of this world.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Ephesians 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

We know not what the year ahead may hold for any of us, but I know the one that is able to transform each moment and each day into exactly what He intends. My prayer for 2021 is to be “transformed” that He may accomplish His will in and through my life.

What word might God be directing you toward ? Is it courage, joy, gratitude, hope ? So many words that He can give, each one a help to us as we seek to follow His direction. Instead of New Year Resolutions this year, what about selecting a word that you can focus on as you seek His will for you in 2021. I’d love to hear what word you select and why, we are all in this together.

How often have the words barely escaped my lips or the choice I made been regretted before it ever fully came to be? Moments when my heart sank within me as realization dawned that I had acted without careful consideration to what I was saying or doing.

Looking back upon those moments I know oh too well that I acted within my own prideful nature. I responded from a heart full of self, without regard to what my Lord would have had me say or do. In those moments I failed to embrace the wisdom found by humbling myself before God seeking His guidance and instruction.

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

So how do I obtain wisdom, how do I gain the ability to select my words more carefully or make choices aligned with what God would have me do? How do I embrace wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” Proverbs 2:6,10-11

Discretion, that’s what I need on a daily basis. I need the discretion to know when to speak and when to listen. I need discretion to know what to say when it’s time to speak and I need discretion to understand the right choice when decisions need to be made. This is found when I embrace the wisdom that comes by immersing myself in God’s word, spending time with Him, and allowing Him to instruct me. From my time spent with God I will gain knowledge and understanding, then and only then will I be able to possess wisdom. When I receive His instruction, I gain understanding that enables me to embrace wisdom.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:9-10

Wisdom is to be sought after, to be embraced as a rare and true gift.

“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Proverbs 8:11

The older I get the more I realize my own limitation of sight, both literally and figuratively. Within myself I do not possess the ability to see things clearly, for in fact I can not see beyond even the next second of time. That is limitation of sight !!

Even looking back upon the past my sight is limited by my own personal set of internal filters through which I view the past. The way I remember a situation can be quite different from the way someone else remembers the situation. We all bring our own feelings and inner perspective from different angles of personal experience as we view the past; however, God sees both the past and the future in perfect sight.

God sees both inward and outward the hearts and actions of all. He has perfect sight, without limitations. He knows what has happened and all that is yet to happen in perfect sequence of time. So why would I attempt to assess my way forward within the limitation of my own sight? Why do I insist on scoping out future events when my scope is completely out of focus? Why would I rely on my own understanding, knowing my limitations?

I need to look to God for He can clearly see beyond this moment of time all the way forward to eternity. He knows each step that I should take, each word that I should speak, and each thought that I should contemplate as I move toward the next moment of time. He alone should be the guiding force behind each decision that I make.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

One day my limitation of sight will be perfected when I meet my Savior face-to-face. In that moment I will see all things clearly as they were and as they will be.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I Corinthians 13:12

But for now, in the limitation of my sight I will trust in Him.

“Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

When I was teaching I always had students with a heart to help, a student that wanted to pass out papers, arrange things on my book shelves, clean the room in general, or those that wanted to help grade papers. It always interested me as to which ones were interested in helping compared to those that were not the least inclined to help anyone. Looking back I can still see the faces of those eager to help me. They were not always the students with the highest intellect,the student with the best grades, the most popular student, or the student from the highest socioeconomic standing; but they always had a heart of availability.

On Sunday our pastor spoke of the difference between Saul and David. Saul was the one with all of the apparent strengths and characteristics of a king, while David possessed little that would give indication he would be chosen as king. Yet we read where God referred to David as a man after His own heart.

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” 1 Samuel 13:14

Many times through my life I have felt inadequate for a task that God asked me to do. There have been times when I argued that I was not enough, that I was not talented enough or eloquent enough; yet, God always shows me that it’s not about my ability. He is able, I just need to be available then He will supply the ability. It’s for His Glory, not mine. All I need to have is a heart of availability !!

“The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.” Psalm 104:31

“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” Psalm 72:18-19

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” Matthew 2:1-2

Since I was a child I’ve thought of what it must have been like to kneel in the presence of baby Jesus knowing He had come as the Savior of the world; knowing He had come down from Heaven to live among us.

In my mind I could see them worshipping before Him, bringing Him precious gifts to express their heartfelt reverence. Every Christmas as I set up the nativity, I once again ponder and consider this image in my mind.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

In my pondering I am reminded that I have the opportunity to worship Him now, just as they did so many years ago. I have the ability to come before Him, knowing Him as my Savior, the one who fulfilled the prophecy as Messiah, the one who came to seek and to save that which was lost.

As beautiful a picture as it might be to think of that first Christmas morning, or the night the wise men knelt before Him, the same sense of wonder can still occur within me as I come before Him to worship Him today. It’s a matter of how I view Him, it’s a matter of how I come before Him.

”But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:23

I need to come before Him with a true heart ready to worship. I need to worship Him in the true knowledge of who He is, my Lord and Savior. I need to come before Him in true worship, then will I be able to experience Christmas as it was meant to be experienced in true worship.

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” Psalm 96:9

This morning I’m thankful it’s Tuesday.

Mondays have a way of compounding what might be less of an issue if faced on a Friday. It is something about looking forward that is more overwhelming than looking back upon a week that is coming to a close.

So, what is it that gives us the perspective to wake up on Tuesday and give it another try?

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

In the promises found in God’s Word, I find something to hold on to. I find the strength to try again on Tuesday, as the struggles of Monday are put into perspective. God is my strong hold !! Jesus Christ is the same on Monday as He was on Friday, and He will be the same today. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Friend; and today, He will make a way.

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

We all have things we love to think back upon, and then things we would rather forget; but often we forget things that God has told us to remember.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” Isaiah 46:9

I know that often I get busy with the activities of life, becoming encumbered and stressed with all of the things that are going on around me; so much so, that I forget the God that has brought me through so many stressful situations in the past. I forget to remember how He has worked in my life, how He has brought me out of situations that threatened to destroy me. I fail to remember burdens that He has lifted and joy that He has restored, all through His power and direction. I fail to remember and not to forget.

“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:7

“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4

“I will remember the works of the Lord : surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

When I remember all that He has done for me, how could I ever forget ? How could I ever turn from His side or fail to keep His commandments? How could I allow my eyes to focus upon this world, when I have experienced within me and around me the magnificent work of my Lord and Savior? How is it that I fail to look upward? How is it that I fail to remember? How is it that I forget?

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” Psalm 42:4

As I contemplate all that He has done, all that He has provided it is with a heart of thanksgiving that I remember Him and the works of His hand.

“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:2-4

When I think upon Him and all that He has done, it becomes easy to remember and not to forget.