Faith in the Spoken Word

By Carin LeRoy –

My little grandson will never let my husband or me get away with not keeping our word. When my husband mentioned he would make a swing in our backyard, he came in weeks later and said, “Papa, when are you going to make that swing? You said you were going to build us one.” My husband got busy and kept his word. Or to me he’ll say, “Nana, you told me I could have a Popsicle after you taught your piano lessons.” His expectation was that we would keep our word. As grandparents, we want to show our little guy that we can be trusted.

In John 4, we read the story of the official’s son who was sick and near death. When the father heard that Jesus was nearby, he went to Jesus and begged him to come heal his boy.

“Sir,” he said, “Come down before my child dies.”

Jesus said, “Go home. Your son will live.”

The man believed the words Jesus spoke and left for home. While he was still on the road, his servants came running to meet him and tell him that his son was alive. The father realized he was healed at the exact time that Jesus had spoken the word and told him his son would live.

As we look at Scripture we see great men and women of faith. Noah built the ark because God spoke. Even though he didn’t understand, he obeyed. The Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days and conquered it. God spoke, and they had faith to do as He said. Mary, mother of Jesus, didn’t comprehend how a virgin could conceive, but trusted that what God said was true. All of these incidents needed a listening heart and willingness to obey even when it made no sense to them. Circumstances that seemed impossible, took faith that God would do exactly as He had spoken. And He did.

Do we believe when God speaks? We have a Bible full of Scriptures where God speaks to us. We have promises to believe, commands to obey, admonishments to follow and warnings to adhere. We can become great people of faith, too, as we take God at His word. What is God speaking to you today?

PRAYER: Lord, give me the faith to believe that what You speak is true, and that You will fulfill all the promises that You have given in Your word.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1: 3 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

Trying and Trying Some More

By Carin LeRoy –

Jason was the cutest little guy you ever saw, but he had a real problem in my kindergarten class. He just couldn’t sit still. I’d tell him to get to work, but before long, he’d be squirming out of his seat or disrupting a classmate. I remember his adorable smile as he came in the room each day and said, “Mrs. LeRoy, I love you!” His wiggly nature was not only a problem, but his learning was also hindered by an inability to focus. Nevertheless, he stole my heart that year.

On some days his behavior would become so challenging that I sent him to the principal’s office so the rest of the class could finish their work. As he walked down the hall, I’d hear him plead, “Mrs. LeRoy, I’ll be good. I’ll be good.” But the problem was that Jason couldn’t sit still, as hard as he tried. As much as he wanted to be good, his squirmy make up just wouldn’t let him.

That reminds me of my relationship with God. As hard as I try, I still sin. I’m always messing up. I try to obey God and do the right thing, but my old habits always seem to rear their ugly head. I am reminded of what Paul says: “… I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing,” (Romans 7: 18, 19 NIV). The struggle of sin is ever-present in our lives. We are just like little Jason, trying hard but failing.

Thank goodness for a God who sent His son to earth so that His power can set us free from the law of sin. Just as Jason stole my heart, we captured God’s. He loved us enough to send His son and free us from our bondage to sin. By putting our faith in Him, we now have His power and spirit to help us—giving us power to change and to break free from the habits of sin. I’m glad I serve a great God! Aren’t you?

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the Son You sent who gives me the power to break free me from habits of sin.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering” (Romans 8: 1-3 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

The Power to Heal

By Carin LeRoy –

She went to Jesus out of desperation. Her last bit of energy was spent as she walked through the village and pushed her way through the crowds. This was the last ounce of hope she had left for healing her sick body. She knew Jesus could help. She pressed on through the throngs of people getting a glimpse of Jesus. Reaching forward, she touched the hem of His garment. Immediately, she was healed.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

Knowing she would not go unnoticed, she fell trembling at Jesus’ feet. In Luke 8, we read this story of the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. I’m sure she was physically exhausted, discouraged and financially strained from visits to doctors who could not heal her. Yet with one touch, Jesus could.

I know she must have questioned the reason for her suffering for twelve long years. Yet it was her faith in Jesus and His power that ended her suffering. Instantly, God had the power to change her life.

Let’s worship Him today as we remember these words, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power” (Psalm 66: 3 NIV). We believe in a great God whose power can change our lives, just as He did those many years ago.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to remember that You are a God with the power to heal and change lives. Thank You for Your wonderful and awesome deeds.

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds” (Psalm 145: 3-6 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

Caught in a Blizzard

By Carin LeRoy –

It doesn’t take long for life to take a turn for the worst. On a recent vacation, everything was going smoothly—the flight, the car rental, and the five-hour drive to the Colorado Mountains. We’d heard a blizzard was on the way, but hoped to reach the cabin before dark. The weather was great, and we were making good time. However, the last 15 miles of the trip the weather moved in fast, and we landed in the middle of a blizzard. On the final drive up the steep mountain road, the wheels spun and the car refused to go. All efforts to move proved futile. We were stuck in a snowstorm.

Finally, my husband said, “We’ll have to walk.”

“What? Are you kidding me? Walk in a blizzard?” I asked. Suddenly, my home in the Florida sunshine seemed way better than this. With no other option, the three of us bundled up and started walking, even though we had no clue where we were headed. With my husband leading the way, he turned onto the first drive he found.

“How do you know this is right?” I asked as he moved ahead without hearing me.

Not wanting to be left behind, I followed…and followed. The altitude of 9,000 feet sucked all air from my lungs as my body screamed to breathe. I trudged up the hill at a Grandma Moses pace while my husband and son marched ahead. We walked what seemed an eternity with nothing but trees and snow in sight. Praying, I hoped we would not end up lost in a blizzard. Finally, a dimly lit house came into view. Slogging through the last of the snow, I reached the front door and pulled the key from my purse. It opened, and relief was evident as we walked through the door.

Life can suddenly change. Instead of normalcy, we find ourselves caught in a huge storm of life. Scared and confused, we head into life’s unknown territory. We may even question God or wonder if we’ll survive the difficulty. All we can do is pray and follow. I am reminded of the verse in Jeremiah 17:7 that says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” Although my husband wasn’t sure where he was headed in that blizzard, we can rest assured that God knows how to lead us down life’s path. Just follow.

PRAYER: Lord, when life’s storms come, help me to keep trusting, praying and following You. Keep me mindful that my confidence rests in You.

“The Lord will continually lead you; He will feed you even in parched regions. He will give you renewed strength, and you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring that continually produces water” (Isaiah 58: 11 NET).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

The Stockings Were Hung

By Carin LeRoy –

As a little girl, my favorite Christmas tradition in our house was the stockings. My Mom made the whole family stockings decorated with different holiday-themed objects sewing on sequins, beads and putting our name on each one. Every December, she would hang them on our staircase. Each year I would anticipate the little gifts I’d find in it. I loved getting up early on Christmas morning and looking in my stocking. We’d find several little treasures hidden inside.

When I got married my Mom gave my Christmas stocking to me. I decided I wanted to carry on the tradition in our family and began to make my own husband and children a green felt stocking, complete with holiday-themed figures. I sewed on sequins and beads and wrote their name in glitter on each of their stockings, just like my Mom did. Even when we lived overseas, I still carried those stockings with me. Although I was thousands of miles across the ocean, those stockings still reminded me of home.

When my daughter married, she took hers and now carries on the same tradition. The only difference is that I’m sewing the stockings for her family. Every time she has a child, she wants me to create another green felt stocking. Three generations in my family have grown up with homemade stockings lovingly made by someone in the family.

As we move into this Christmas season, let’s remember some of the traditions that we’ve grown up with and share them with our children and grandchildren. Christmas isn’t all about the gifts, the busyness or the decorations. It’s about family, tradition and the birth of a Savior. Let’s remember the reason we celebrate in the first place—the miracle of the birth of Jesus and the reason He came to earth.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for this Christmas season. Help us to enjoy our family and traditions, but remember that the birth of Your son is the reason we celebrate.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1: 21 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

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