Mostrando resultados por autor "Janice Alonso" en Todas las categorías

Slowing down . . . many of us have certainly learned the meaning of these two simple words during Covid-19. The idea for this devotion came at a time in my life that was very hectic. Many look for God’s words in a loud and stern voice; often, it is the soft and small voice that is telling us what He wants. Based on a personal experience and 1 Kings 19:12: “And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

What is life if not stories? Events, mostly small, follow each other, knot from end to end, and create the threads that bind us to one another. Based on a personal experience and Esther 9:28: “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews – nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.”

A plan, schedule, or to-do list is not necessarily a bad way to organize your day. When your self-imposed agendas control your life and moods, thus interfering with God’s desires for you, the door to stress and anxiety enters your life. Based on a personal experience and Psalms 48:14: “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”

A simple devotional with not only a message at Christmas but for all year through. A piece I wrote for my church’s 2015 Advent Devotional Book based on Luke 1:46-55

Joy does come to us. Sometimes it comes a bit at a time; sometimes it rushes in all at once. Joy does come to us. Based on a personal experience and Psalm 30:35: “Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

We traditionally set aside Valentine’s Day as the time to express our love for others. Christmas is the time when God’s expressed His love for us by extending His most precious gift. Based on a personal experience and 1 John 4:8: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Have you ever been so pumped, so prepared, or so ready for the big day only to find yourself wilting when the moment finally arrives? Then you’ll appreciate this five-year-old angel’s distress. Based on a personal experience and Luke 12:32: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

My childhood vision of what the Christmas Angel looked like was limited in its scope because of my narrow experiences. As I grew older and became more “worldly,” my perception changed. While her outward appearance may differ from individual to individual and culture to culture, her message does not. Based on a personal experience and Luke 2:9-10: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”

When we focus our thoughts, words, and actions on what is best for others, we have less time to dwell on ourselves and what we feel is best for us. The irony is that when we think of others, “we, ourselves” are the biggest beneficiaries. Based on a personal experience and Psalm 89:14: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.”

Elf on a Shelf brings impish acts and often the expectation of daily presents. This story suggests a way to promote good behavior toward and giving to those around us. Based on a personal experience and Acts 20:35: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

Knowing God’s ever-watchful eyes are observing us at all times can be discomforting. Knowing God’s ever-loving and forgiving heart is with us brings strength in times of uncertainty. Based on a personal experience and Romans 5:6-8: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I feel this is the best story to end 2021 and to begin 2022. No matter where you live, what your profession is, the age you may be, we have this in common: the last two years have left their indelible markings on us. While we may not be able to change some things, we can change what is in our hearts. Based on a personal experience and Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”

It is difficult to bear heavy burdens day in and day out. By focusing on serving others and attending to their needs for the glory of God, we find comfort and peace in our struggles. Based on a personal experience and 1 Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

When we cast our eyes and thoughts on worldly issues, we are brought down. When we ponder heavenly concerns, our spirits are lifted. Based on a personal experience and Psalms 121:1: “I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?”

What a dilemma. We are Christians and strive to live by the standards set forth in the Bible. Yet, we are humans . . . created in a form that yields to temptation. We are not alone. God loves us. Jesus died for us. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Based on a personal experience and Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We see ourselves with a narrow-angle lens and a shallow measuring stick. God sees so much more in us . . . Based on a personal experience and Matthew 17:20: Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

As Christians we study the Bible, go to church, and pray. While it is good to pray in general terms, it is also good to pray and serve specifically. Pray for the hungry – reach out to a family in your church community in need of food. Pray for the elderly – visit, write, or call those in nearby assisted living facilities. Pray for the sick – offer to help neighbors with tasks they are no longer able to do . . . Based on a personal experience and Romans 1:17: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is...

Sometimes we’re just not ready to move on. We love our job. Our family relationships are running smoothly. The annual doctor’s appointment couldn’t have gone better. Then the day comes where changes have to be made and our stomach churns and our thoughts become fragments. Change is inevitable, but anxiety doesn’t have to be a part of that transformation. Based on a personal experience and Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a season for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Families have different ways to celebrate. Sometimes we celebrate agreement; just as often, we celebrate to agree to disagree. For over forty years, we have had a Family Beach Week. In 2020, due to Covid-19, it looked as though no one would be going anywhere. Based on a personal experience and 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

When my first grandchild was two and a half years old, she noticed Bert was not among her Sesame Street stuffed animals. Even though her favorite character, Elmo, was there, she was concerned for the missing Bert. Based on a personal experience and Luke 15:31-32: “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again: he was lost and is found.”