Mary Cantell

Jul

14

His goodness and mercy

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 How can we measure the goodness of the Lord? His magnificent works are above and beyond amazing. Can mere words do them justice? Is there a measuring rod or scale big enough? With the rich abundance of all he supplies, it would take an eternity to count the blessings God bestows.

Every time the earth rotates around the sun, there is a new dawn and new opportunities to praise and worship Him, our maker. We are all blessed by what our Creator lends us for life on this planet every day. He brings the sunlight, provides our food for harvesting, and His word tells us that the rain, too, falls on the just as well as the unjust.

Take a look at the natural beauty of the sky, a flower, or a butterfly, and marvel at the handiwork of our Lord. If he can be concerned for such things, how much more for you?

As God has given us life more abundantly, we need to make it a priority to share the good news with others!

Jul

08

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord

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The first official Independence Day took place in a little synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus took the book of Isaiah and read:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him” ~ Luke 4:18-19.

 God’s first covenant with the nation Israel was through the Law where he promised the people prosperity and healing of their land if they would obey. Today, the New Covenant we have is through the sacrifice of Jesus and is a promise to all of God’s faithful children. Our promise is not necessarily the prosperity of wealth, although it could be, but more so the fulfilment of being prospered spiritually through the Holy Spirit.

In America, as we annually celebrate Independence Day in July, we are reminded of the blessings we’ve been given. We are a great nation of freedom and liberty; it’s true, there is none better. But always remember that one is only truly free through the blood of Jesus, who took the fall for us on the battlefield of that cruel Roman cross.

May your true independence come today through the healing balm of the one true God, Jesus Christ. By the stripes of his blood-stained back while on the cross, we are healed.

Jul

01

A time for everything…

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Through God’s grace, we are given an allotment of time on earth. Regarding the lives of Adam and Eve, rather than cutting off life at their first sin, God graciously extended his hand to take care of them even outside of the Garden where they’d been banished. Despite their rejection of his simple command to not eat of the fruit, God continued to care for them by giving them time to live.

Generations later, God is still in the life-giving business. Since coming to know Him personally, we now understand the days, weeks, months, and years he’s allotted are given to us for His purposes. Our time is lent to prioritize and utilize constructively, remembering always the days are fleeting, and what’s not done to glorify him is time we’ve wasted. (Yes, even washing the dishes can be done to the glory of God!)

While we know our days are numbered here on earth, in the time given to each of us, may we always say as with the Psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” ~ Psalm 118:24.

Jun

24

His guiding light

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Our God is awesome to say the least. He determines the position of the moon and stars…our hearts beat at his command… he knows the number of hairs on our heads…he’s in our every breath. He’s everywhere!

Those who doubt the existence of God may do so for one of many reasons. Feeing abandoned? Too much pain, tragedy, or suffering? How can a loving God allow such travesty that is in the news 24-7?

All valid concerns, yes, but the source of the trouble does not belong to God, and the unbelieving may not be aware that God has already touched their lives—every day. In countless ways, he’s healed, protected, and preserved them.

This world will never be perfect or completely satisfy. We know there can be no complete fulfillment here. But Christ came to touch our lives with his presence…to bind our wounds and make us completely whole and satisfied—in Him. For this world is not all there is; it’s only the beginning.

How beautiful to be loved by the one true God, and it’s all possible through the saving grace of Jesus.

Jun

16

A father’s love

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Being a father is more than just having children. The job requires time, patience, discipline, and sacrifice. Above all, love.

It’s a tremendous task to rear a child in the way to go. It can be daunting, especially when a man does it in his own strength. Though a father tries, he may fail at times.

There is no official instruction guide for fatherhood, though the instruction book for life—the Bible—has everything one needs to accomplish the job. And what better example to follow than that of our heavenly Father who, by His grace, has given us more than we deserve. That is, not to spoil us, but to show us the riches of His glory.

 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him ~ Proverbs 23:24

As a father, men–young and old–have been given a special task and privilege. With the Lord as the role model and His word as the guide, they have all that’s needed to achieve the responsibility of being a great father. Today, we celebrate our dear fathers whether grand, surrogate, adoptive, or biological, you are special and appreciated.

Jun

10

In Him do we trust

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It’s comforting to know that in times of fear or uncertainty, our Lord is nearer than we think. As we abide in Christ, there is nothing to fear because we are held in the palm of his hand. We are as close as marrow is to bone.

 

The incredible depth of God’s love for humanity began in the Garden of Eden when after the first killing of an animal, God used its skin to clothe Adam and Eve.  Even outside the Garden where they’d been cast due to disobedience, and while the fellowship had been broken, his love for them remained. It continued so much that he eventually sent his son to redeem all of mankind from sin. 

 

Unlike worldly love that ebbs and flows at its own discretion and is often conditional, God’s agape love is an unlimited source that wells up from his true nature. There are no conditions attached to it.

 

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” ~ Psalm 9:10

 

Today, Christ sits at the right hand of God after making the ultimate sacrifice. Those who’ve put their trust in Him should no longer have any fears, worries, or doubts about the Lord’s love or his plans and provisions for their lives. Whether there’s famine, peril, nakedness, or sword, there’s nothing—at all—imaginable that can come between the Lord and His redeemed. 

Jun

03

In His footsteps

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The God who preserved Jerusalem is the same God who guides, encourages, protects, and keeps us secure by and through His grace. Whatever befalls us…whether issues, circumstances, troubles, persecutions, impending doom, or even death, our Lord is there to guide us every step of the way. Surely, he’s our best help in all of life’s situations as we walk securely in his footsteps.

A believer should be forever grateful to be part of the Lord’s flock because our great shepherd is there to guide us. Who better? You can find no better ally to have your back than our beloved Jehovah. Though we may need prodding like sheep, to be part of the Lord’s fold is the most humbling—yet gratifying—place to be.

Without a shepherd’s guidance, a flock of sheep can easily roam right out of the pasture and end up falling off a cliff. Same with people. Though for the saved, we have a personal 24-hour shepherd who holds us in the palm of his hand and who offers a better way than a cliff dive.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father ~ John 10:14-15.

May

27

A secure hope

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In the Old Testament, we read about the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke to the Jews living under the controlling authority of foreign empires. One can imagine how difficult it would be to live under that kind of strident domination and control.

Jeremiah told the people they would be exiled to Babylon for at least 70 years, and they should settle down, build houses, marry, and even pray for the peace and prosperity of the city in which they now found themselves (Jeremiah 29:4-10).

His prophetic words were spoken to people in the midst of hardship and suffering, but God’s response then, and even now, is that he does not always provide immediate escape from difficult situations. Rather, God promises that He has a plan to prosper his people, sometimes in the midst of their current situations. We refer to Romans 8:28 that tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” This should reassure us to look beyond our circumstances and focus on God in the storms of life.

Christians facing difficult situations today can take comfort in the words of Jeremiah, knowing that God is still on the throne and hasn’t forgotten us. He has a plan for our lives as we walk in faith while trusting in Him. Regardless of our current state, especially in this current culture, we can be assured that He can work through it all to prosper us and give us hope, joy, and a blessed future.

May

21

His incomparible glory

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There is no God like Jehovah and no other name so glorious. He is faithful and true to his word. He says what he means and means what he says. He is steadfast, immovable, and consistent.

Who of us is consistent? Is there anyone or anything? Life changes on a dime and today’s good thing is tomorrow’s bad. We say one thing today, and a week—even hours—later say the opposite. We forget. We’re human.

Inconsistency is so like the human nature of man. So, it’s tough to get our finite minds wrapped around the glory and infinite being we call God, who never changes.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? ~ Numbers 23:19

The infinite nature of Jesus and his incarnation and becoming our Emmanuel is utterly unfathomable. He’s been around from before time began, and he is as steadfast today as he was then.

To think the creator of the universe does not change at whims or predilections like man does, should give us all the more reason to depend on him—the one who is faithful and true—and hold his Holy Word above all else.

May

13

A mother’s love

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How blessed are those who have been raised and nurtured by a Godly woman—one who takes the responsibility of raising her children under the guidance of her heavenly Father. Next to Jesus, there is no other love quite like a mother’s.

To walk with the Lord and bear much fruit through the power of the Holy Spirit requires one to become less and allow God to become more. This is often what a Godly mother is about; her love often extends beyond her own needs or concerns. Sacrificially, she’ll hold back from herself the last scrap of food, lend her only dollar, drive to the ends of the earth, or stay awake throughout the night, if necessary, to make sure her children are safe. She gives and gives until it’s time to give again.

Mothers are God’s special gift to the world. Whether a surrogate mother, godmother, or grandmother—we celebrate you all today. While here on earth or at home with the Lord, we remember you today and every day with our utmost love and appreciation.