Uninvited guests--there's the kind you greet with delight, whatever your home looks like at the moment. Then there's the kind you greet with dismay--you'd really like to say, "Go away--come back AFTER I've cleaned my house!" Well, I had two guests show up at my home this week. The first just made a mess--of me, of my faith, of my joy and peace. He was out to "steal, kill and destroy" and he was doing a good job of it--that is, until the SECOND Guest showed up. He didn't care that my house was in not perfect (well, is YOURS?...grin...). He didn't even care if *I* was not perfect (well, are YOU?...grin...).

You see, He cared only about one thing. He knew who had been messing around the premises that morning, and He was not about to let him get away with stealing sunshine, robbing joy, and disrupting the peace! Does the old devil ever visit you? Take heart, for when old slewfoot shows up, keep one eye on the door, because GOD is about to show up too, and when He does, everything in your world will change. It did for me that day--and it did for some real people in the Bible--just like you and me. They're waiting at the Well to tell us their story. Come with me, but you might want to bolt the door first! Just a general precaution when *he* is in the neighborhood, you know!

A Helping Word...or Two!

Trust Turns to Testimony....when GOD shows up!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego loved God with all their hearts--God knew it, the king knew it, and the devil knew it too. Would they bow to the idol? No, they'd rather burn--and burn they did--almost, but not quite. For GOD showed up. You know the story. The king said, "I threw three men in the furnace, but I see a fourth Man like unto the Son of God." What a welcome Guest! The trust of three teens was honored by the timely presence of their Lord. They survived the furnace because of their faith--and you can imagine they were the first on their feet at testimony time in their youth group that Sabbath! All because GOD showed up!

Will God show up when we are tested by fire? You'd better believe it. He not only watches, He is with us and will bring us forth as fine gold. The fire's no fun--but fun is not what's it about. The Lord seeks to deepen our trust in Him, and He allows trials and testings for a reason. He's not cruel or unkind--HE's not the "bad guy"--the DEVIL is! Jesus is loving and kind, and He is Lord. Trust Him and watch the furnace door, for He MAY just show up TODAY!

Fear Turns to Faith...when GOD shows up!

Peter loved God with all his heart too--Jesus knew it, and the devil was ABOUT to find out--for one night, a "ghost" showed up on the lake. Scared? They were terrified, for they had NO idea the "ghost" was actually their Lord walking on the water. (Sometimes when God shows up, He does it in STRANGE ways!) Peter said, "Lord, if it is YOU, bid me to come on the water." Now how in the world could Peter walk on the water to Jesus? But hold on, for when JESUS shows up, He provides the miracle for you to get to Him, if need be, and He DID! Peter steps one foot out of the boat, then the other--and WOW! He's walking on water--then WHOA! He's drowning in water! He got his eyes off the Lord, on the leaping waves and fear overwhelmed him. Jesus extends His hand, rescues the drowning disciple, and within one shake of a lamb's tail, he's walking on water again, this time with Jesus, back to the boat! What a story Peter would have to tell his grandkids some day....Kids, let me tell you about the time when a "ghost"--I mean, when GOD showed up!

Will God show up when we are trembling with fear, facing circumstances that would overwhelm and override us? You'd better believe it! He knows you're afraid, He knows the enemy's tactics to bring terror to your heart, and He is not about to forsake you. He holds out His hand, lifts you from the crashing waves, and YOU walk on water too, only because HE bids you come. He is Lord of the raging billows of your life. Don't give up now--watch the horizon, for HE may be WALKING towards you right now!

Despair Turns to Delight...when GOD shows up!

Mary loved God with her whole heart. She had been forgiven much; she loved much. And so when her Lord died, it was the end of her world. Dark despair and grief gripped her as she mourned near the garden tomb of her wonderful Lord. How would she go on? Who could she turn to? Her world and her heart were shattered. And then, in the darkness of her despair, GOD showed up. Jesus quietly called her name. Can you imagine the stunning shock, the overwhelming joy, the happy tears as she realized her Lord was alive! The light of His presence had dispelled the darkness...no REAL surprise, for THAT'S what happens when HE shows up!

Will God show up when we are in the depths of despair and defeat? Does He know and care about our dark, depressed moments? You'd better believe it! Sometimes it's a song, a promise from His Word, a compassionate touch from a friend--whatever, HE shows up, for He cares. The enemy of your soul would drag you down to despair. Jesus lifts you up to the heights of gladness. He wipes away the tears, brings joy and delight to your heart, and it's really not surprising at all, for THAT's what ALWAYS happens--when GOD shows up!

When Jesus showed up at MY home the other day, you would not have believed I was the same woman. The darkness turned to delight, the depression to joy, and a wonderful surprise. Did it just "happen"? No, a thousand times no. God KNEW I needed something special that day, and He decided to just show up and prove Himself once again to this silly saint who sometimes forgets HE'S not forgotten, and don't you dare laugh at me, for you do the SAME thing. We are earthbound humans in need of heavensent help, and when the need becomes the greatest, our Lord shows up! Are you needing to see His faithfulness in your life? Hold on! He is a God who cares, who comes to us when we least expect it. THAT'S the kind of guest I want to welcome in MY home every day, how about you!

...and that's just a thought or two--from my heart to yours!

His Healing Words

"...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)."

"Lord, I need You to show up on the scene of my life right NOW, but if that's NOT possible, then Lord, help me learn the lessons You want me to learn so I'll be ready with joy and gladness for the day when You DO show up, for I know You and watching and You will! You are that kind of Lord and I place my trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Please e-mail me to say hi--and sign my guestbook too!
Thanks for visiting a place where "Christians aren't perfect; they're just forgiven!"
Have a great day serving the Lord!

A place to enjoy other devotionals!

I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many close friends who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful devotionals. Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as well!

With thanks to Gilberto Barreto for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place.
His original composition is entitled, "Bless the Lord O My Soul."

Peggie's Place banner was "Made in Hawaii"
compliments of my friend Madelein of His Praise Maui!

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