A Sweet Reminder

Day One

The first part of Psalm 46:10 calls us

to remember something very important.

We are to “Be still, and know that I am God,”

Unfortunately, this is how we most typically live:

“Squirm and Forget” or “Take charge, I am god.”

We all long to be able to forsake control and “be still.”

We can only do that when we “know that he is God.”

May we truly “know” that today and

live squirm free and wonderfully dependent on Him.

Day 2

2 Corinthians 4: 16 - 18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

My new lens on life began the minute the doctor said, “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Kiehn, it is cancer.” I knew then I must be still and listen to God. He will lead and I will follow and focus on Him. Oh Lord, may it be!

DeeDee Kiehn of Dallas, Texas

DeeDee sadly passed away on September 8, 2024. She was an ABSOLUTE delight and will be greatly missed!

Day 3

The 1st part of Galatians 5: 1 reminds us of something very important.

“It was for freedom sake that Christ set us free,”

Unfortunately, most typically live:

“Don’t believe it! Gonna keep doing everything to get free”

or

“Never really tasted freedom. What is it?”

We all long to be able to “be free,” but we can only do that when we

“Embrace and Rest Fully in the finished work of

what Christ did for us.”

Not what we do.

May we “know” today that the Lord Jesus Christ has truly

“Set Us Free.”

Day 4

The 2nd part of Galatians 5: 1 reminds us of something very important.

After saying,

“For freedom sake Christ has set us free,”

Paul said,

“stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Unfortunately most,

“Do not see the necessity to stand firm or even how to do it.”

or

“Slavery? I love the applause of man!”

We need to know how wonderful freedom is so that we lose all desire to give it away even for a moment.

May we “know” today that the Lord Jesus Christ has truly

“Set Us Free.”

Day 5

EXODUS 14:14 | We Have Only To Be Silent

One of the themes we see in scripture from Genesis to Revelation as the Lord shepherds His people,
is the call to stand firm in the face of trial, to rely on the promises of our God, and to be a remembering people—
always looking back at the magnificent display of the character of our God. In Ex.14, Moses reminds the Israelites
that they have seen the work of the Lord before and they have no need to fear, "for the Lord will fight for you,” he
says, “and you have only to be silent.” What powerful words from more than 3,400 years ago perfectly suited for
us today. As the Lord calls us to wade through deep waters, we have only to be silent, for we know our God will
fight for us.

Day 6

EXODUS 17:1-7 |  Abundant Grace in the Face of Our Entitlement

Throughout much of the Old Testament we see the Israelites doubt and test the goodness of the Lord.
In Ex.17 we see a thirsty people quarrel with Moses, insisting on their rights to the point of threatening
Moses’ life. When Moses cries out to the Lord, the Lord responds with unmerited patience and love for his people.
He instructs Moses to take the same staff that parted the water of the Red Sea—ensuring the Israelites safety—
to strike the rock, so that water will flow - not just trickle - in abundance - as a visual reminder of the Lord’s provision
again. Friends, how often do we cry out to the Lord in our doubt and denial, and fail to see the relentless and gracious
love of our Father poured out on us in return?

Day 7

JOHN 15 | How Much Pruning is Enough?

Brothers and Sisters, do you feel as though the Lord has got you in a vice grip only to reveal yet another layer of the
onion of your sin that needs peeling? Do you wonder when there will be a time of respite and rest without the
constant call to become more holy? If you truly belong to the Lord, the answer is most likely rarely - or never.
While the Lord’s pruning of the garden of our heart will not crush us, it will train us to bear the most luscious and
healthy fruit. What Christians fail to realize is the very act of pruning is evidence of the Lord’s presence in your life
and His active pursuit of your heart. And that patient love for you should give you all the confidence you need to
continue in the lifelong pursuit of obedience to Him.

Day 8

PSALM 32:5  |  How Much Sin is Too Much?

Fellow believers, do you struggle with guilt and shame over your sin? Does the fight against the lust of the flesh,
the pride of self, or the approval of man feel like a magnetic pull you can’t resist? All throughout scripture, the Lord
reminds us of His total and complete forgiveness, his unmerited salvation, and His merciful love - even inspit of our worst sin.
This psalm of King David states it so simply: “I achnowledged my sin to you…and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Not just some it, not just certain sins, but all of it, completely. The Lord calls us to pick up our cross and follow him.
So stop living in shame, and pick up your cross and follow the One who offers us His righteousness in place of our
sin - because He first loved us.

Day 9

PSALM 50 | God Shines Forth

As we continue to live in this post-Christian culture, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the futility of man put on display
at every turn. From politics, to the demise of the church, the propagation of pornography and so many other addictions,
unnecessary political wars and the fight for constitutional rights, we tend to believe that unless an earthly savior is
elected to the white house, we have no hope. But Psalm 50:1-2 reminds us again, that God is the mighty one, and
when he speaks, the Earth itself responds. From the rising of the sun to the rising of the moon, not only is Gods voice
alone spoken and heard, but His beauty shines through the darkness. At the end of a very long day, a long year, and
even a long life, don’t forget it is God’s Word that stands mighty to save.

Day 10

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8: 26 Soon after I read this verse, one of my loved ones really hurt my feelings. I was absolutely fuming. How could my loved one have been so insensitive and why? Didn’t I deserve better? The longer I stewed the angrier I got. I was placing this person above God in a nano second. Wow! Suddenly, I felt the Spirit say to me, “Are you going to choose Me, FIRST or choose your family or anyone else over me?”

I am grateful that it took me another nano second to say out loud, “LORD, I CHOOSE YOU!” My anger immediately dissipated. Everyone is going to have the potential to let me down, but not the Lord. I hearkened back to the Romans verse and realized that the Spirit helped me in my weakness. He interceded for me when I didn’t even know I needed for Him to do so!  Thank you, Lord!

Day 11
Hidden Sin… Open Repentance 

Full disclosure, God calling David, “a man after his own heart” , mmm really?  Yes, great things in David’s life, but adultery, lying, and murder of his faithful warrior? 

But, the “forward” to Psalm 51 challenged me to see with God’s eyes. “To the choirmaster. A psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba.” Who confesses in such detail and shares it as a new worship song? Perhaps, a heart completely repentant before his loving and merciful God.

 Am I willing to humbly share and be “a woman after God’s own heart”?