From the Edges – Morning Devotional – Unexpected Lessons

From the Edges – Morning Devotions

Pastor Calvin Cook – June 4, 2024

Unexpected Lessons –

Scripture focus : Isaiah 41:10: “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Some time ago I ministered with a lady in the end stages of her life. This wonderful woman was a powerful example of resilience and the will to survive and not just survive but make the best of everything and always move forward in life. Without revealing too much she had lost her husband at a very early age leaving her with a young son to raise.

During the end of her life, the son discovered the unshakable faith this woman had. The son always knew that she would do anything for him and helped him to become the success that he was. He knew she attended church, read scripture, and prayed but little did he realize her deep commitment to the Lord, more than likely because of self-focus and selfishness.  In the hours before her death, it was revealed of her deep and abiding faith and the only thing that she was focused on was meeting Jesus face to face.

I thought about this humble woman and her life this morning, the difference she made not only in her family, friends, but also in me. I learned that a committed and undying faith is more than what we say, but how we live as we prepare to meet Jesus in that final victory we should all be striving for.

The Spirt has been offered to us a comforter but more importantly the Holy Spirit is there to help us keep our focus on the reality of truly what is important. Ephesians 3:16 shares “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being”. Take this to heart, that whatever is happening around you or in you, the Holy Spirit is strengthening you. The problem is we don’t often receive or allow the Spirit to do what the Spirit is desiring to do. It is like having a cupboard full of vitamins and not taking them, but remaining weak and lacking in the proper nutrients and complaining how awful you feel. It is like only receiving the presence of God or turning to the Lord in times of personal trouble and not living into the fullness of God as God desires for you.

My prayer is constantly that I am moving closer in my relationship to God. That I am receiving all that God wants to do in my life. That through out the trials and situations of life in will be that centering and receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit to move forward and be the one who I was created to be. Realizing this is all for God’s glory.