Day 31

Retainer


John 20:23 (KJV)
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.


Anyone who has had braces knows they have to wear a retainer afterwards because the teeth continue to shift.  Sometimes people don’t apply the retainer and find the teeth have shifted so much the retainer will no longer fit.


God’s word acts as a retainer to keep our spiritual life in order.  When we don’t apply it daily, we begin to get out of order, life begins to get crooked.  I noticed that my teeth had shifted to the point the retainer would no longer fit.  I had to return to the experts and found it to be costly.  Praise God His retainer always fits.  As we apply the retainer, to our teeth it might be a bit painful at first but if we apply it daily, it brings everything back into alignment.


When is the last time you applied the retainer of God’s truth to your life?  Has it been a while since you applied His principles and got aligned with His plan and purpose for you?  You might need to take the time to apply His word to your circumstances today.  Keep at it on a daily basis and allow Him to make adjustments as needed.

Day 30

Looking for the Master



“Watch you, therefore; for you know not when the master of the house cometh…”  Mark 13:35a



While I was eating in my car, I noticed a dog in a nearby truck peering intently out the passenger window.  As I watched, it was obvious the dog was waiting on his master’s return.  Nothing seemed to distract his gaze.  It was his goal to see his master.  I’m pretty sure he had been told, “you stay here and I’ll be back”!  He had learned to trust his master knowing that he would return just as he said he would.  He would observe others coming and going but his eyes were peeled for his master.



Jesus instructed us to watch for Him because he would return in the twinkling of an eye.  The dog never uttered a sound until his master returned.  Then he voiced his happiness.  Can you imagine our joy when our Master returns for us?  Our joy might just be dependent on our preparedness.  Are you watching for your Master or are you distracted by the world?  If so, refocus and set your gaze on the true Master.

Day 29

Search Me



“Search me, O God, and know my heart and try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24



On my kitchen window is written the key passage on an index card.  As I stand at the sink I am reminded to pray it for myself.  It’s hard for us to acknowledge that we have any wicked ways residing in us but as we pray this prayer, God reveals our heart.  Hopefully as He does we can confess our sins and be restored to right fellowship with Him.  It is sobering to think God knows our thoughts, isn’t it?  Sometimes I am amazed by the thoughts that come up in my head – thoughts I wouldn’t want anyone to know.  Since God knows them all, I want Him to examine me and purge me of any wicked ways or thoughts so I can stand clean before Him one day.



I love the Living Bible version of this passage: “Point out anything You find in me that makes You sad…”  Maybe you would like to join me in this exercise.  Put the passage on an index card, tape it up where you will see it each day and pray it.  I know it is not your desire to make God sad so use this as a purifying process as you genuinely seek His wisdom.  The good thing is, He will point it out in love, not condemnation.



One day it could be a wrong thought, a wrong attitude, a wrong word spoken, or a wrong gesture made.  Allow HIM to show you and start today!

Day 28

Hope on the Inside



“Wait, Israel, for God.  Wait with hope, Hope now; hope always.”  Psalm 131.3  The Message



Is there hope on the inside – the inside of a prison?  For years I prayed that God would send a guard, another inmate or a Bible Study teacher to minister to our son while he was on the inside.  A few years ago, we were privileged to be the answer to a mother’s prayer as we went into the area jail to give our testimonies and to share God’s Word with a group of inmates.  As I looked over at the sixty men in this block, I saw your son, your daughter, your husband.  I shared with them from a mother’s heart.  A heart that had been changed because God had replaced my condemnation for His heart of love for each one there.  God broke through and brought forgiveness in several hearts.  The inmates wrote down the names of fathers, mothers, and wives, ones they chose to forgive as they watched the special paper they wrote on disintegrate in the cleansing blood of the Lamb.



So the answer to the question is:  YES, there is always hope.  Continue to pray God will send someone to share His love with your prodigal.

Day 27

God’s Word is Important



“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”  Romans 15:4



As a young girl, I knew so many of the Bible stores by heart but when I read the Bible there was so much I didn’t understand so I became bored.  I loved to read but I found myself reading books that intrigued or entertained but certainly didn’t teach me anything.  I longed to have the connection with God and discover the passages of hope like others seemed to have but it didn’t happen until I was in my 40’s.  I remember the beginning of the sense that God was actually speaking to me through His Word.  The words seemed to leap off the page in my spirit and it gave me hope.



Often times, I was praying for our son and God would speak directly to my situation.  That is when the Word became alive and active to me.  Now I seek His instruction, direction and promise for my personal struggle and I write it down and meditate over its significance to me.  It has always taught me and give me hope for the future.



If you don’t really enjoy reading God’s word begin reading it.  Ask Him to speak to you through it and to speak to your circumstances.  When you believe He has spoken, write it down and meditate on it.  It will always supply your greatest need.

Day 26

Refrain from Weeping



Thus says the Lord:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
    lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
    she refuses to be comforted for her children,
    because they are no more.”

16 Thus says the Lord:
“Keep your voice from weeping,
    and your eyes from tears,
for there is a reward for your work,
declares the Lord,
    and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
17 There is hope for your future,
declares the Lord,
    and your children shall come back to their own country.

Jeremiah 31.15-17  ESV



As I read the key passage and inserted my name… “Sandra, refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears… for your work will be rewarded… there is hope in your future… your child will come back from the enemy’s camp.  This passage became my hope verse.  Having believed God gave me this as a promise for my son, I claimed it.  Did things in this situation immediately change?  No, but I continued to hold on to the fact that one day I would see our son return not only to his family but to the Lord.  When I felt like the Lord took me to a passage that I could hold on to, I would write it down on an index card.  On those days when I seemed to lose focus or hope, I would pull out the appropriate card with the verse that I needed and repeat it over and over.  Sometimes I would pray it out loud but most of all I would believe it.  Maybe you need index cards as a reminder too.  Write down the passages God gives you for your situation and believe!

Day 25

Give Me a Sign



Gideon said, “If you are serious about this, do me a favor, Give me a sign to backup what you’re telling me.”  Judges 6.17  The Message



After years of struggle with a prodigal son I got to a point of hopelessness.  At the time our son was nowhere to be found and I was tired of the struggles and the heartaches.  I sat down on the front porch and said “Lord, if you don’t show me that You are with me in this, I can’t keep going.”  Immediately, down at my feet flew a dove.  I knew in my spirit that God had sent it to encourage me.



As Gideon asked for a sign in Judges 6, he knew it was a lack of faith and he asked God not be angry with him, but he needed a confirmation at that point in his life.  God did not rebuke him but gave him what he needed to reassure him and to increase his faith.  What a personal God we have who meets our every need.



I am not proposing that we ask God for signs at every turn but I believe He is not angry when we ask in confusing times for His direction or for His presence in a definite manner.  Do you need a sign today or a word of assurance?  Seek Him in His Word.

Day 24

God is Near to the Brokenhearted



“The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking…” Psalm 34.18a  The Living Bible



Many times pain and grief came our way because we didn’t know where our son was.  Was he alive or dead? Was he in a safe place or would we receive the dreaded call in the middle of the night or have to answer the door to difficult news?  A candle was always lit in the front window in hope he would know we were waiting for him to come home.  I would stand at the window praying that next car lights would turn in our driveway.



Is this where you find yourself today?  Recently I read:  “Sometimes a parent grieves the loss of a child who is still alive”.  So True!  We had seemingly lost our son to drugs, to the world.  Would this pain and sense of loss ever change, ever be redeemed?  Would we ever be just a “normal family”?  What is normal anyway?!



Always remember God’s promise to be near the brokenhearted.  Thank Him for His faithfulness and know he grieves with you.

Day 23

Transformation



“For our earthly bodies, the ones we have now that can die, must be transformed into heavenly bodies that cannot perish but will live forever.”  I Corinthians 15.53 The Living Bible



When abused animals are featured on TV my husband turns the channel because we hate to see the condition of the abused.  But recently I was compelled to watch as a horse was rescued.  The horse was literally a skeleton.  He could not get enough strength to stand on his feet.  I watched as he was taken in, fed, loved, and encouraged to stand up day after day.  Finally the day came that he stood without the harness under him.  He eventually walked and then ran.



The story made me think of our prodigals, emaciated by drug use.  Many have given up on them, leaving them for dead or at least believing they will never change.  But what would it look like if we took them in and fed them on the Word of God so they could eventually stand on their own? Praise the Lord we have witnessed this transformation many times.  When others give the prodigal up for dead, let’s choose to take them in and nourish them so that they can stand on their own in Christ.

Day 22

God’s Stripping Process



“And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten - the hopping locust, the stripping locust and the crawling locust with My great army which I sent among you.”  Joel 2.25 Amplified Bible



As I began stripping the wallpaper off my bathroom wall, I thought about the stripping God does in us if we allow Him.  Some things are stripped easily like the long strips of wallpaper but then some sections take tedious work.  This kind was way more time consuming because they seemed to be glued on to stay.



Some of our “stuff” seems to be stuck like glue but God can strip it away. God brought the stripping locust.  It often strips us of our pride, self-sufficiency, fear, control, addictions and disobedience, to name a few.  We want to hold onto the strongholds that we seem to be glued to.  Some come off in easy, long strips.  Some are superglued and it is a more tedious long process.



Our passage says God brings the stripping which is often painful but with it comes a promise of restoration and replacement.  After the paper was stripped and cleaned a coat of paint was applied to bring a new, fresh appearance to the room.  As we allow God to strip us, the same thing occurs.  The old is stripped away to reveal the newly restored person He desires us to be.  The stripping is often painful but so worthwhile in the end.

Day 21

Where is your treasure?

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

At our church there was a special room set aside for the youth to go to pray. They would write down their prayer requests on paper with a florescent pen so that in the dark it would glow. Right at eye level for me was a statement. “Why do I do so much that has no eternal value?” That question now is written on my mirror so that I have to ask it everyday. The question has changed my perspective on the activities of my day. As I keep that question foremost on my mind each day is changes my priorities. Take your own personal survey. How do you spend your days? Is there anything you did yesterday, last month, or last year that will have any eternal value?

 How have you invested in another persons life? How much time have you spent at the Fathers feet as you prayed or read His word? Where are your treasures? Are you storing them on earth where moth and dust break through and destroy or are you laying them up in Heaven?

Day 20

Visits to prison

“… I was in prison and you visited me” Matthew 25:36 b

Each time I go to visit an inmate at our local jail I remember the many times I walked that long hall to see my own son. I was always on the verge of tears and had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. The thought always came “how did we get here?” I know that you might be asking that same question where you are today.

 Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you try to sort out all the pieces of this insane puzzle. And might seem like someone came in and tore apart your vision of a perfect family. You might think you will never get all of the pieces back together. But… do you believe that Bible when it says, “ With God all things are possible?” We might not be able to see the picture completed in our misery, but God does. He can put all the pieces back together to make a masterpiece in His timing. Allow Him to put all the pieces back together in His timing.

Day 19

God Heals

Exodus 15:26b “… I am the Lord who heals you.”

Psalm 147 :3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Do you have some deep wounds from either words or actions  of your prodigal today that need the Father’s healing touch? Words are spoken un anger can leave deep scars that we believe will never heal.

The wounds after turn to guilt and we begin to ask the question, “ Where did I go wrong?” We must learn to release these feelings to our Father who can bring complete healing to our hearts. The enemy wants to keep us trapped in a pit of despair.

Take the time to praise the Father who offers us refuge in the strong tower of His healing name, Jegovah Rapha. Receive His oil of healing into your heart wounds today. To heal means to mend, cure, and make whole, return to original state of health.  Choose to get healthy today. Release your pain to Him and let Him bring complete healing.

Day 18

Who is in control?

“Let us break their bands (of restraint) surrender and cast their cords [of control] from us. Psalm 2:3 Amp.

The first time I went to the jail to visit our son is still etched in my memory. After work that day I drove to see him as he stood behind a very little window, me in my nursing uniform, he in his orange jumpsuit. As we stood on our respective side of the door all we could do was cry. I had fought so hard to keep them from happening! How could our own son be behind bars?! This could not be happening! Surely this would get his attention and we would not be here again.

This was the beginning of a very important life lesson for me . I am not in control. Not now- not ever. Over the years I have come to know who is in control, GOD ALONE!

 Maybe you are beginning to realize you efforts to control situations, people, even God is not working. Even Jesus was full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit as you can see in Luke 4:! You might need to relinquish you attempts to control today. Cast your cords of control from you and accept His plan for yourself and your prodigal.

Day 17

Gods kind of comfort


“All praise to the God and Father of our master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing consumed! He comes alongside is when we go through hard times, and before you know it He brings us alongside someone else who is going through, hard times so that we can be there that person just as God was for us.” 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4

Several years ago I took some mothers and wives to a retreat held by Kairos ministry. Every attendee had a loved one in prison and came from a variety of locations.

 There was one mother in our cabin who slept in a bunk close to me. She got ready for bed then immediately rolled over with her back to the group and curled up in a fetal position. I felt led to go over and speak to her despite the wall she had erected. She turned over and her pain spewed out much like an infected sore would when pricked. She showed me a picture of her daughter as tears began to roll down her cheeks. I could tell she had experienced a lot of pains that she had kept inside. It was a time of healing as I listened over the weekend. Sometimes all it took was and understanding glance, a touch on the shoulder, or the embrace of someone she knew had been there. How is God calling you to reach out to someone, to comfort another the way the Lord has comforted you. You don’t have to waitl until you get through your own pain, you can minister to someone else in the midst of your heartache. Look beyond yourself and choose to bring comfort.

Day 16 Inmates Working

Inmates working

“As for me, for be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.” 1st Sa12:23 a

Isn’t it interesting how our perspective changes according to what life brings us? Passing by a sign with the words “Inmates Working,” might not have grabbed my attention before our son was an inmate. Now I say a prayer for each me and their families. Sometimes I get to speak a word of encouragement to the workers standing close by. I would have appreciated and kind words spoken to our son in the same situation.

When I see on the news that someone is arrested or and big bus transporting inmates rolls by, I pray. When the offender is arrested the family members are caught in a prison of their own. Would you breathe a word of prayer for the inmate working on the side of the road or passing in a transfer bus? Behind each of those faces is a parent or grandparent, child or spouse all trying to pick up the pieces and provide for their families. Pray for Gods provisions and His strength to persevere. Most days are very hard to see any hope.

On Wings of Hope Day 15

Transformation

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

There was a program on television entitled, from underdog to super dog. One night I watched as a yorkie who had lived on the street and was dirty, unkept, malnourished, and fearful of everything, was featured.  He was brought in bathed and groomed so that he looked wonderful on the outside but fear remained and he had to learn to trust and obey his master in order to be at his best. This demonstration of love and care he received was probably the first little dog had encountered on his life. He responded to the love shown by those who rescued him. My thoughts turned to our prodigals. Often times they are on the street dirty and unkept. What would it look like if we chose to give them unconditional love. Lets ask the Father to give us His love for all underdogs, that His love would pour out of us like never before. Then, just maybe we will see Gods transformation accomplished in their lives and ours.

On Wings Of Hope Day 14

Day 14

His Direction

“Whether you turn to the right of the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21

As I made my way to work in the thunderstorm one morning I heard a gentle voice directing me to “turn right.”  No, it wasn’t the GPS. 

Praise the Lord I was not only listening but chose to obey. When I arrived at work I discovered there had been a serious wreck on the path I had normally taken, making other employees late to work. I said a quiet, “Thank you Lord.”

What if I hadn’t obeyed His still small voice and gone my own way? I remember how our old GPS when I went in the wrong direction continually saying, “recalculating” until I got so weary I would reach over and turn it off. Don’t turn God’s voice off. 

This New Year choose to keep your ears turned to the Fathers voice and fallow His direction immediately. His way is always right and He knows what is ahead.

On Wings of Hope Day 13

Chosen



“I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10
Do you feel like you have been chosen on the furnace of affliction today as you deal with your circumstances?
Several years ago I remember my mentor saying. “Your family has been chosen.” I thought yeah right, chosen for affliction. At least that’s the way it seemed at the time as we had experienced several family tragedies along with our journey with our prodigal.
I don’t know about you but I wanted out of the furnace. It didn’t feel good at the time but that is where I learned to fully rely on Him.
Can you say, “Thank you for choosing me Lord, even in then furnace of affliction for it is there I learned not to fear. For you remained with me through it all.
Do you believe His promise to be with you in the furnace, to draw off the dross and prepare you for the future service and His glory? Praise Him in your affliction today.

On Wings of Hope Day 12

“We do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses.” Hebrews 4:15

Charles Spurgeon made a comment on this passage in his devotion book: “Note that it is not said “touched BY, but touched WITH.” Our Lord is touched with a feeling of our weaknesses. It is one thing to see pain, but quite another to be touched with a feeling of it.”

Does that give you as much comfort as it does me? Our Lord is touched with what touches me. I have often experienced His touch when I was going through times I didn't think I could get through or even felt I wanted to get through. Sometimes I felt like I could not even take the next breath. Is that where you find yourself today? Be encouraged by the fact that you have a High Priest who is touched WITH your feeling of weakness or hopelessness. The thought of the creator God being touched with my hurts, pain, shame, fear or any other weakness is beyond my comprehension. How HE loves us. Stop and feel His touch today and be uplifted!

On Wings of Hope Day 11

“Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4

Each time I enter the iron gates leading into God’s Acre at our office in Old Salem, I think of this key verse. It’s a reminder to give Him praise and thanks for his bountiful goodness. Take a few minutes to sit before the Lord and write down what you are thankful for. Even though our situations are difficult and life is often hard, God knows and God cares. He has promised never to leave us. That in itself is praise worthy. What would we do without Him? If you haven’t made Him Lord of your life will you choose to do that today?

Thank Him for His free gift of salvation

Thank Him for His mercy and grace

Thank Him for His unconditional love

Thank Him for His forgiveness

Thank Him for interceding for your prodigal

Thank Him for His blessings

Thank Him for His peace and joy

Thank Him for His promises

Thank Him for _______________.

On Wings of Hope Day 10

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed.” Mark 1:35

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night with a burden for your child or someone else who is struggling? If so you probably found it impossible to go back to sleep. I have learned to get up and open God’s Words and pray for the person or thing I might be burdened about until God releases me. Most of the time I found this occurring between three o’clock to six o’clock – or the fourth watch.

When we pray we may never know what was going on in someone’s life or their circumstances at the time we were praying. Other times we may hear later that the person may have been in danger or experiencing some struggle at that very hour. Next time, if you awaken in the wee hours of the night with a burden… pray. Jesus often arose early in the morning to pray. The disciples who were fishermen were generally up fishing at the beginning of the fourth watch. In Matthew, Jesus walked on the water at the fourth watch.

Your prayer may just save a life or cause a hedge of protection to surround someone in danger. Jesus was our example as He taught us to pray.

On Wings of Hope Day 9

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:36

My husband and I often walk to a restaurant about three miles from our home. Some days we have to encourage each other to keep going. The promise is a meal and a drink at the end of the journey. We keep reminding ourselves we can do it. Oftentimes there are obstacles along the way, hills to climb, heat to endure, cars to avoid, or sprinklers to walk around.

Life is much the same, there are hard, painful things but we have the promises of God that he walks with us. We will receive the promise or the reward if we endure to the end of the journey. In my Bible, I have written: “Persevere, stick with it until either your prayer is answered or the burden is lifted.” We can intercede for others when the sufferings of others become so painful to us that we plead for them as if we are pleading for ourselves.

Are you persevering in faith and prayer for your prodigal today? There will be obstacles but they are worth overcoming to get the promises of God. Persevere.

On Wings of Hope Day 8

Come to me and I will give you rest – all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke.” Matthew 11:26 (LB)

Are you weary today? God may be urging you to get away and be at rest. The walk with a prodigal is hard work. There never seems to be a moment to rest from the worry, fear, and stress of the day in and day out journey. I remember hearing a quote from Vance Havner “If you don’t come a part, you might just come apart.” Many times we don’t take the time to take care for ourselves. I urge you to make an attempt to spend some quality time for yourself this week. Make this part of your New Year’s resolution – to rest. Go to a quiet place so you can hear what the Father would like to whisper to you. What a privilege we have to come into His very chambers. Sit and let Him speak to you through His word, His creation, and through prayer.

Are you willing to set aside your agenda and join Him for a season of quiet and reflection? Are you willing to rest in Him? The time with Him just might be the refreshment your soul needs today. Choose not to delay.

On Wings oh Hope day 7

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Recently a mother wrote to me: “We find ourselves in another storm with our son.” Those are never good words to hear. After a tornado touched down in our neighborhood, I heard of a young mother who crouched down with her small sons under the stairwell. I could not imagine her terror. Her home was swept away but her life and her boy’s lives were spared.

I envisioned a band of angels hovered over them protecting them from the raging storm around them. My prayer is that the wings of heaven will surround you and your prodigal if you are in a storm today. May you sense His peace in your life as you keep your mind stayed on Him. We are no more in control of personal storms than we are of tornadoes but we can know the One who is. Are you comforted by that fact today? There is always peace after the storm. So remember to keep your eyes stayed on Him and He will give you peace.

On Wings of Hope Day 6

“And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them: and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” John 10:4

While attending the fair a mother ran by us calling her daughter’s name. You could hear the urgency in her voice and see that she was in a frantic state. Thankfully this little girl responded to her Mother’s voice. Have you ever sensed that kind of panic as you watched your child walk away from you and all you tried to instill in them, turning to their own way? It is a horrible feeling and often does not end well.

Imagine the Heavenly Father who calls us to come in His direction for our lives but we turn in defiance. Have you ever sensed His grief over your rebellious spirit? Are you listening for the Shepherd’s voice today or are you like your prodigal, choosing to walk away from His purpose and plan for your life? Do you know His voice?

Reflect on what He is asking of you that you have totally disregarded. Will you decide to turn from your own way and follow after Him? Repent of your waywardness and put yourself in direct obedience to His call. Let Him lead you in the way you should go.

On Wings of Hope Day 5

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those that are called according to his purposes.” Romans 8.28

Many of us can quote our key verse easily, but do we really believe it? Recently God demonstrated to me in a tangible way the truths of this passage. Being very distraught over a family situation I thought, “How could God bring good out of this horrid situation?”

The definition of good is: Something useful and profitable, beneficial, and blessings. Blessings? Lord, how could this be a blessing? Thankfully I was able to see God work through this situation to accomplish his plans and purpose. Not everything seems good from our human perspective but God sees the big picture and can bring good from it.

I was blown away as I watched God work through it to accomplish His plans and purposes. It sometimes takes hard discipline before the healing and restoration can come. Will you choose today to believe God’s work in everything that comes your way? He really does work all things together for our good if we are His child. One day we will see clearly what He was doing.

On Wings of Hope Day 4

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord.” Psalm 92:1

Probably one of the most difficult times in life to give thanks is when we are in the midst of a storm. Life brings all kinds of storms and God is the only one who can calm the storm.

So where do you go when the storm hits? As a little girl we would go down on the basement steps to hide until the storm passed. But most of us are in a different storm – the storm of uncertainty, or fear of the next phone call or knock at our door, or fear our child or spouse won’t make it home.

In this storm we can be assured that the Master is in the boat with us. He knows what we need. He is the One who can bring us to hope and healing we so desperately need. Decide to praise Him in your storm. It’s often difficult to do but try it today!

Praise Him for your salvation

Praise Him for His promise to be with you in the storm

Praise Him for the air you breathe

Praise Him for His love for your loved one

Praise Him for…. As you praise Him – He will lift you above the storm!

On Wings of Hope Day 3

Call unto me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” Jeremiah 33:3

In ministry and personally, we have seen God show us great and mighty things as we answered His call into ministry. Each incident grows our faith as we see Him answer our prayers.

Are you calling on Him daily for your needs and those of your prodigal? He promises to answer and show you mighty things. Do you believe Him? He tells us He is very close to the brokenhearted. Are you brokenhearted that your son or daughter has strayed away from their Christian roots, from their family, but most of all from The Lord? Ultimately that is who the rebellion is pointed at – God.

God’s heart is grieved, even more than yours. Is that possible God? Is it possible that You love them even more that we do? We often can’t comprehend such love. We would give our lives for our children. But You Lord have already given all on the cross for us and for them. Oh, how You long for their return. Maybe even for our return to You. Is that it Lord? Are you calling us back to a more intimate walk with You in this pain, this despair this place of hopelessness?

On Wings of Hope- Day 2

Day 2

“Fear not for you will not be put to shame; neither feel humiliated for you will not be disgraced.” Isaiah 54:4

Walking the journey with a prodigal often causes us to feel ashamed. After all what is wrong with us, why can’t we control our child? We feel we must have done something wrong. It was refreshing to me as someone shared the God is the perfect Father even His children go astray. It’s called free will.

I love Ruth Bell Graham’s poem - They felt Good Eyes upon Them

They felt good eyes upon them and shrank within—undone;

Good parents had good children and they – a wandering one.

The good folk never meant to act smug or condemn,

But having prodigals just “wasn’t done” with them.

Remind them gently, Lord, how you have trouble with Your children, too.

So, don’t allow the enemies condemnation to keep you down. In Search for Significance, Robert McGee says “Shame can rob a person of the joy and peace of his salvation. It is a painful emotion caused by awareness of guilt, shortcomings, or improper behavior, a condition of humiliating disgrace.”

On Wings of Hope Day 1

It’s been my desire to provide a daily encouragement for struggling families. This devotional “On Wings of Hope”, will be posted daily on Facebook. In the beginning of my journey that’s all I was seeking – hope. Hope is defined as “A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Hope for the day, even the next moment. It seemed I was drowning with no hope of rescue, no light at the end of a very long tunnel. Each day in “On Wings of Hope” will be a promise, a word, a prayer, from my own long twenty-five year journey with my prodigal. God’s Word gave me hope for each new day and I believe He is our only Hope.

But now Lord, what do I look for? My HOPE is in YOU! Psalm 39:7
- Sandra Kearns

Day 1

“Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7
In the first On Wings Like a Dove newsletter, we wrote: “Jesus is our hope in times of trouble. There is hope for the hurting heart. He cares for you.” Our Lord has a marvelously sympathetic heart. He knows the hurting heart of the prodigal and the parent or loved one of that prodigal.

If your heart is troubled today don’t allow yourself to remain discouraged. Instead ask Him to bear your heavy burden and give your hurts to Him. Ask Him to help you in your anger, disappointment, crushed dreams, or anything that is tugging on your heart today. Ask Him to pull you tightly to His chest so you can feel the strength and warmth of His love. Lift up your prodigal to Him even if you don’t feel like it. Take them to the throne and tear down the strongholds in their lives through prayer. God hears. Take time to write down Scriptures based on hope or promises He has given you and claim them as done. Write them on index cards and keeping them before you to give you encouragement and to remind you to pray. Remember, God HEARS!

We are going to try to post daily devotions for our families.  Keep in touch and leave a comment.