Author: Judy Elmer

“Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand…” Jer. 18:6

I like “do-overs.” I remember as a child playing kickball and when I messed up I’d beg for a chance to kick over again…a redo. We don’t have to beg God for a “do-over.” His grace covers all the redoing. God doesn’t keep score either. He’s willing to remake as many times as needed. He knows how hard change can be. In order for a lump of clay to become the masterpiece it was meant to be, it has to go through firings in the kiln. In the heat of the kiln is where the clay is being renewed into a stronger vessel. Do you feel like God has turned the heat up in your life? Be encouraged. Our faith can be strengthened and renewed with the right attitude and our focus on Jesus. God is in the business of giving fresh starts. Our Master Potter is willing to lovingly redo, remake and renew anytime, all the time.

Father God, when You say something You mean it. You don’t take back a promise. You gave us Your Word. You promised that You will never leave us. You promised that You will walk through the fire with us. You said You will hold our right hand and pull us through. Your grip is tight. You won’t let go. Remind us often that You’re bigger than any fear we may have. You are Trustworthy and Your love is Unstoppable. We have hope because You keep Your promises.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Heb. 6:19

Using a potter’s wheel and a lump of clay, God called my husband and I to compare how clay in the hands of the potter can be compared to our lives in the hands of God, our Master Potter. The very first time we gave this message was in prison! I was scared. So with a Sharpie pen we decided to write notes on the potter’s wheel so we wouldn’t forget what to say. Well…as my husband poured some water on the clay in order to shape and mold it, our notes were washed away! God gave us a situation where we had to rely on Him and trust that He would give us the words. Standing with no notes, in front of many, and in prison, we quickly realized that God was the One in control. Not us. In these uncertain times do you fear the future? If so, I get that. What helps me when I get scared is to stop and praise God for who He is. Then just like the clay that needs water to be transformed, I need to ask Jesus to wash away my fear. Calmness comes when I remember that I can rely on Jesus and trust Him. The Bible tells us that nothing is outside of God’s control. Knowing that brings true peace.

“I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2

Have you ever been really thirsty? I mean the kind of thirsty where you long for something better? Nothing in this world can permanently satisfy us or save us. God is so willing to give us His best, like forgiveness, strength, peace and eternal life. God longs to have a personal relationship with us through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus, our Living Water, can satisfy the deepest longings of our thirsty souls. Jesus invites us to trust Him, turn from our sins and follow Him. Are you thirsty for something better? God can quench our deepest longings when we pursue Him…the Living God.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23

I’m not a runner, but one Thanksgiving day my husband, myself and our two boys ran in the YMCA Turkey Run. What I remember most about all that is being in pain. I got stitches in my side and I wanted to quit. But I kept on running because I could see my husband and boys cheering me on as they patiently waited for me to cross the finish line. I was determined to keep pushing forward to the finish line in spite of my difficulties. This makes me think of how the apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a long distance race. It’s hard at times to stay the course. Even so, we are called to persevere and hold firm to the hope we have as believers in Jesus Christ. As runners in this race called life, let’s encourage one another. God is faithful. He will be with you all the way to the finish line. Your future is secure in Jesus. Your best days are ahead!

When I saw this picture it made me think of my screen door incident. I tried to walk through a screen door! The storm door was open but not the screen door. I was in a hurry and walking fast. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I didn’t fall but I sure smacked that screen door. Worst of all people saw it all. I was extremely embarrassed. Just like me, this ole bird looks like he’s in a hurry, flying fast and not watching where he’s going! If that bird keeps looking in the wrong direction he’s heading for trouble. He seems distracted. I’m reminded of our culture’s worldly view and how fast it’s moving. We sure want to be cautious of a worldly view. Reason being, before we know it we can find ourselves shifting away from God. May you, and me too, be sure to watch where we’re going and choose the bedrock of a Biblical world view.

Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2

There was a time in my life when I was confused about God’s grace and forgiveness. I didn’t know the truth about who Jesus really is and who I am because of my faith in Him. I heard that the way I could really know the truth was to read and study the Bible. I decided to do that. I began my search for the truth. Lying is not in God’s character. He cannot lie. I think that’s why I love the Bible so much because the Bible is the truth from God’s perspective. That’s the truth I want. Even though the Bible has 66 separate books, written over a long period of time, by many different people, who lived in different places, the writings are still unified. I can’t get over the many prophetic truths that were written and spoken before they actually happened. A book like this could never come into existence without the Holy Spirit of God enabling these people to write the truth. So in faith I choose to believe that the Bible is the living, inspired and authoritative Word of God. Psalm 33:4 says it best. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Prayer: Lord God, may we never choose to compromise the truth of Your Word. Help us to stand strong and never approve a twist of Your truth.

As a caregiver I’m often asked the question, “How are YOU doing?” I used to answer, “I’m hanging in there,” until my pastor overheard my answer. He encouraged me to respond to that question by saying, “I’m standing firm.” He added, “We can’t hang on in our own strength. We’ll end up letting go and falling, but with God we can stand firm.” He’s right. Strength comes when I choose to roll worries over onto Jesus’ shoulders. The Lord is teaching me the importance of daily taking my position of standing firm on His promises no matter how hard things get. Choosing to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word and not our feelings, can keep us upright when the walk is hard. If you feel you’re just hanging in there…cling to Jesus, Our Rock and Our Stronghold. That’s the position to take, because “with God we can stand firm.”

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

I can remember when I was a little girl the excitement I felt hearing the surprising words, “There’s a rainbow!” To this day when there’s a rainbow I rush to see this beautiful creation God put in the sky. I love seeing the vivid colors but most of all rainbows remind me that God keeps His promises. His Word generates hope. Rainbows are awe-inspiring. It’s as if God shows us a rainbow to personally say that no matter what storm we’re going through He is our Hope. He forgives, saves, and can take intended harm and protect us. I think rainbows are God’s personal invitation to accept the hope He offers.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jer. 2:13

PRAYER: Jesus, You are the Spring of Living Water that cleanses, refreshes and restores. You are the Only One that can save and satisfy our thirsty souls. Our idols are like broken cisterns, cracked and can never completely satisfy. Forgive us for idols such as money, self, and power. Turn our nation away from any form of idolatry and bring us back to You, the Spring of Living Water.