Just Another Dog Devotion

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven”.  Psalm 119:89 NKJV

Burt is a hound mix and the newest addition to our family.  My exact words to my husband were, “He’s calm, quiet, and perfect”.  I didn’t mean to be a liar.  I didn’t know he was on medication for shelter anxiety.  When the medication wore off so did the calm, quiet, and perfect part of Burt.  Burt is anything but settled.

One of the definitions of settled is to come to rest or a halt.  Burt seldom halts.  Settle also is defined as to become quiet, calm, or stable.  We already established that that is not true of Burt.  Another definition is to take up residence.  Burt has definitely taken up residence and I would gladly move.  I’m looking into medications, trainers, and an adopter with a farm wouldn’t be out of the question.

I don’t believe these are the definitions used for settled in Psalm 119, verse 89.  God’s word is settled in heaven.  The definition of settled here would be that God’s word is established. It is firm and unquestionable.  His word has been decided and it will stand forever.

1 Peter 1:24-25 states, ” For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever’. And this is the word that was preached to you”.  Matthew 5:18 tells us, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished”.  The book of Deuteronomy tells us to be careful to do what God commands and not to add or take away from God’s word.  Revelation 22:18 also warns not to add anything to God’s book.  It is quite clear that God’s word is truth and it is settled in heaven.

How about you?  Is God’s word settled in your heart?  Has it, like Burt, taken up residence in your life?  Are you at rest with the word of God; at peace believing it to be true?  If not, ask God today to draw you close and settle your heart in the truth of his everlasting love and grace.

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“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I”. Psalm 61:2 NIV

Seneca was adopted from a West Virginia rescue and thus given a West Virginia name.  She is a sweet, stubborn husky who’s namesake is Seneca Rocks, a large crag in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.  Thrill seekers can climb to the top of the rocks for an adrenaline rush and a beautiful view.

A rock is a naturally occurring solid mass of minerals or mineraloid matter.  It is categorized by the minerals included in its chemical composition and the way it is formed.  The composer of Psalm 61 obviously had seen large rocks to compare with Seneca Rocks.

David starts out in verse one of Psalm 61 asking God to hear his prayer.  He is calling from the ends of the earth and his heart was weak.  He asks God to lead him to the rock that is higher than I for God had been his refuge and high tower in the past and he knew God could provide protection and deliverance again.

In the Bible, rocks are a symbol of God’s reliability.  Jesus told us to build our house upon a rock so the house would stand instead of building on the shifting sand (Matthew 7:24-27). 1 Peter 2:4 refers to Jesus as the living stone, rejected by humans but chosen by God.  1 Samuel 2:2 tells us, “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God”.

Our God is our Rock.  He is a strong deliverer.  He will hide you in the cleft of the rock, wrapping his solid arms around you that no weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

If you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, call out to God.  He is the Rock that is higher than you.

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“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”. Hebrews 6:10 KJV

There is a category of dogs called “working dogs”.  These dogs are not only pets but perform tasks.  Some are trained to work livestock.  Others are trained in search and rescue, military, and police work.  Whatever the job, they enjoy being put to work and excel at their tasks.

Christians are also designed to work.  We do not work for our salvation as that is a free gift.  We work to glorify God and do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  Our acts are labors of love.

A labor of love is a task done for pleasure and not for a reward.  I Thessalonians 1:3 tells us, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Why do you do the things you do?  Are we prompted by love?  Do we keep on keeping on because we are inspired by hope in Jesus?  Is our work produced by faith?

What are you working for today?  Are we working towards the kingdom of God, hoping to see our Savior face to face or are we drudging along day by day barely keeping up?

Don’t lose your first love.  Keep the fire burning bright and fall in love with Jesus more and more each day.  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

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“The Bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength”.  I Samuel 2:4 NIV

Danni was full of life.  She bounced around in excitement when she went for car rides, walks, or when her humans came home.  She barked at other dogs who dared enter her territory.  She was a mighty, little warrior.  And then she was not.  Within days, she was struggling to breath and barely able to stand for any length of time.

Do you ever feel like a broken warrior?  As we age we can feel physically broken.  We have great spiritual victories and we are moving forward for God.  And then we are not.  We’ve fallen, feel defeated and spiritually broken.  Elijah felt this way after a great victory recorded in 1 Kings 18.  He was God’s prophet, God’s warrior.  Then Queen Jezebel threatened him.  He ran away; broken in spirit.

Did God leave Elijah broken?  No, of course not.  He gave him rest and provided food to strengthen him.  He restored him with a still small voice (1 Kings 19).  Psalm 34:18 states, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”.  “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”, the psalmist tells us in Psalm 147:3.

Our strength is not in ourselves. Our strength is in God.  Psalm 44:5 declares, “Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us”.  Deuteronomy 20:1 states, “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you”. Again in Psalm 18:39 is stated, “For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me”.  Psalm 24:8 asks, “Who is this King of glory?  The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!”.

When we are fighting in our own strength our bows are broken.  We stumble and fall.  God draws near to be our strength and deliverer.  He lifts us up and pulls us close and the victory is His.  The victory is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57). So strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees (Hebrews 12:12) for the battle is the Lords (2 Chronicles 20:15).

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 “He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’  They stood still, their faces downcast.”  Luke 24: 17 NIV

Danni was our baby girl.  She was my babycakes and my husband’s buddy.  She was the church mascot and greeted everyone who came to the church office.  She was greatly loved.  Now she is gone and only a hole in our hearts is left filled with beautiful memories of the short six years we had together.

Jesus’ followers only had three years of ministry with him but they were packed full of great expectations.  They knew the King of Kings, the Lord, the Savior of mankind!  How could he have been there one minute and gone the next?  He did great miracles and healed the sick, yet he ended up on a cross.  Had everything they believed been a joke?

In Luke 24, two of his followers were walking to Emmaus, wondering how everything went wrong so quickly.  There faces were downcast when Jesus walked up to them asking what was wrong.  They told him how Jesus had been crucified.  Verse 21 states, “but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel”.  Jesus walks along with them explaining all that had happened and their joy and excitement returns as they realize who it is talking with them.

We have great expectations that sometimes do not come to pass.  We love greatly and we hurt intensely when things don’t turn out the way we had hoped.  Our loss is real but Jesus walks beside us.  He knows the path that we take and sees our downcast faces.

I John 3:1-2 tells us, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is”.

No one has loved more than God.  No one has lost more than God when he gave Jesus to die for our sins.  He understands and walks with us through the good and the bad times.  He is waiting to reveal himself to you and me as we turn our downcast faces heavenward.

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Continue reading “PASSED”

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ”. Philippians 3:7-8

I was contacted that Danni was going to be brought to PetSmart for an Adoption Event by the local Humane Society.  I had been visiting her and knew I wanted to adopt this special dog that had won my heart when she placed her paw on the cage as I walked by the pets waiting for their forever homes.  If I got her at the PetSmart Adoption Event, her adoption fee would only be $50.00.

We went and I also purchased Danni a turquoise collar and harness.  At checkout, my husband appeared shocked at the price.  I told him it was cheaper than adopting at our local Humane Society.  I’m not sure he believed me.

Fast forward, six years.  Danni is suddenly ill and sent straight to an emergency veterinary hospital.  My husband is pulling out his credit card and approving hospitalization for Danni without blinking an eye.  What changed?  He knew Danni.  He had Danni for his constant, loving companion for six years.  He loves Danni and would do anything to keep their relationship close.

Jesus is your constant companion.  He loves you and no cost was too great for him to purchase your redemption on the cross.  Walk with him daily.  The more you know him, the more you will love him.  Count the cost.  What would you do to keep your relationship close to the one who died for you?

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“If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me”.  Philemon 18 ESV

This was the year we were going to get out of credit card debt or at least make a very large dent in it.  We were trying not to use credit cards for any purchases.  Then along comes Danni.  She went to the doggie emergency room and we paid cash.  She went to her vets and we paid cash.  She went to another vet and we paid cash.  She went back to that vet and again cash was the payment method.  Danni was then taken straight to another emergency animal hospital and by necessity, out comes our credit card.

Each procedure was followed by an amount for services to be rendered.  Permission was given and I boldly said charge it.  The last procedure I was asked to approve, I said “Charge it but if the card is rejected, we will talk about payment plans”.  Credit has its limits, unless it is your account with God.

Your account was wiped clean at the cross.  All sins and their wages of death were washed away by the blood of Christ.  He paid your account in full and you didn’t just make a dent in your debt, you have a zero balance due.  Your credit score is outstanding.

Paul demonstrates Christ in the case of Philemon, the owner of a runaway slave, Onesimus.  He had become a Christian and Paul was sending him back to Philemon with a plea for mercy.  Paul did not want Onesimus punished and told Philemon if anything was owed, charge it to Paul’s account.  He would pay another’s debt to show the love and mercy of Christ.  Another example is the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10.  The Samaritan paid for the medical care of the man who was robbed and beaten.  Jesus charges us to go and do likewise.

Our slate is blank.  Our credit card balance is zero.  Our sin debt is paid in full.  Thank him and praise him today for so great a salvation.  Then follow his example and go and do likewise.

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“In whose hand is the life of every living thing.  And the breath of all mankind?”  Job 12:10 

The phone rang after 11 pm.  I answered and the veterinarian explained Danni’s breathing had become even more labored.  They would like to receive permission to put her on oxygen to make her more comfortable.  Permission granted.

Oxygen is used by animals and plants in the breathing process.  We are given tanks of oxygen to treat respiratory problems.  It is also used as life support for space and underwater exploration.  It is necessary for life.

Genesis 2:7 tells us, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being”.  God gave us life.  Job reiterates this in Chapter 33, verse 4, when he proclaims, “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life”.

How do you use your oxygen?  Psalm 150:6 states, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD!”  I used to have a plaque that said, “Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and nudge me when I’ve said enough”.  Sometimes, the nudge would have to be a hard slap, but I got the message.  Our mouth should be full of praise, faith, hope and love.  Slanderous and malicious words should never be uttered.

We were created for God’s glory.  Let’s not waste the breath he gives us each day on anything but words that honor our Lord and King!

 

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https://youtu.be/K-0EgzOWkvc

“He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep”.  Psalm 121: 3-4 NIV

Danni is in the hospital.  Her doctor calls daily and updates us on any changes.  The waiting room has signs posted with the visiting hours.  We call ahead but still have to wait to visit.  Other patients keep them busy and they have to get Danni out of her kennel.  Even though it is during visiting hours, Danni wasn’t brought to us for over an hour.  Eventually, here comes Danni, dragging her IV line behind her.

Psalm 121 tells us that God never sleeps.  He is available to visit 24 hours a day and every second of each day.  He’s as close as the mention of his name.  There is no waiting to approach the throne of grace to receive help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).  He is never too busy with someone else that he doesn’t have time for you.

Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus always lives to make intercession for us.  Revelation 22:17 says, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life”.  He is always waiting, open, and ready to see us.

The Bible is full of signs and promises letting us know that God is here.  He is available.  Don’t make him wait to hear from you.  Visit him today with all your joys, worries, and fears.  Tell him all your troubles.  Visiting hours start now!

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