WellDone | Kristi's Morning Devotional

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023

Well Done

Yesterday we attended a Veteran’s Day Service. Most of the men there had served in the Viet Nam War as they spoke of their service their voices cracked and their eyes filled with tears. They had been faithful to their calling, and they returned home. But some they knew did not.

It was a time to celebrate them and to thank them for their sacrifice on our behalf.

Last week we were at the racetrack with our daughter and son-in-love. As we sang the National Anthem, our hands on our hearts, I looked at Austin and my heart swelled with pride. My throat tightened and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for his service. As soon as the anthem finished, I had to hug him tightly and tell him thank you, once again, for his service and his sacrifice.

Today is the day we honor all veterans. Those who have served, some have fought in conflict, others have stood guard during times of peace, but they were all dedicated to one common goal – the protection of our country and our freedoms.

“Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve.” II Timothy 2:3-4 AMP

We, too, have enlisted for service. We have been called to fight the good fight of faith. We are standing, in this life, as the occupational forces representing a king and a kingdom, the kingdom of God.

Our uniform fits us for battle; we are clothed in the full armor of God. We have a helmet of salvation, a shield of faith, a breastplate of righteousness, our midsection is covered by truth, the boots on our feet are the gospel of peace and we have a sword of the Spirit in our hands.

The One who leads us has been beaten and bruised. His hands and feet were pierced through; He gave up His life to save us all and then He rose from the dead to enforce the defeat of His conqueror enemy.

“God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:15 NLV

Those of us who are standing here will one day be called home from duty and when we are we will hear our commanding officer say, “‘You have done well. You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will put many things in your care. Come and share my joy.’” Matthew 25:23 NLV

August 18, 2023August 18, 2023

Crowd of Witnesses

I remember this day well.

Our oldest daughter was competing in her first Ironman 70.3. She had trained for months – swimming, biking and running. Finally, the day had arrived and the excitement and adrenaline were high.

We were there as everyone gathered for the singing of the National Anthem. The participants were called in the starting groups. We watched her jump into the water for the 2-mile swim. When she came out, we were cheering as she rounded the bend into the bike area.

We cheered as she got her bike shoes on and rode away into the morning fog. We took the car to a place that we knew we would be able to see her topping a steep hill and cheered again as her bike came into view and she rode on. A little ways further we passed her again and could tell she was struggling. We all shouted words of encouragement and I remember her dad saying, “Don’t quit, you’ve got this”.

We drove on, back to a good place on the running course. Prayers on our lips for her success, signs waving, cheers and clapping she passed us as she ran. There were many runners, we cheered for them all as they went by, but she was our focus.

We were elated when we saw her enter the final lane to the finish line. Her husband was waiting for her, she fell into his arms, exhausted. She had done it. She finished the race!

There have been times when the memories of that day have come back to encourage me.

“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. ²We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete…³Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV

There will be times when we get discouraged, times when we hurt and don’t think we can go any farther. It’s then, if we listen we can hear the cheering of the saints who have gone before us. It’s then we experience the strength of Christ who dwells within us and we keep moving forward.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. ⁸Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God.” II Timothy 4:7-8a ERV

The Apostle Paul knew what it was to run this race for Christ. He gave it all he had, he changed the world with the message of Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace.

We each have been given a race to run. We may not make a worldwide impact but we can change the world around us with the love of God.

Don’t give up, don’t quit, you’ve got this! Look to Jesus and listen to the cheering crowd. Can you see the finish line? There we will hear the Father’s voice:

“Well done, good and faithful servant”.

July 3, 2021July 3, 2021

Letters From Home

Just a couple days ago I was reading the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy. Timothy was a young man whom Paul considered a son. Timothy was now preaching the Good News of Jesus to many new converts and it seems he was running into some resistance because of his youthfulness. Paul sent him a letter to encourage him to keep going and not be bothered by what people were saying about him.

“Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity. ¹³Until I arrive, be sure to keep on reading the Scriptures in worship, and don’t stop preaching and teaching. ¹⁴Use the gift you were given when the prophets spoke and the group of church leaders blessed you by placing their hands on you.” I Timothy 4:12-14 CEV

When I read those words I remembered what it was like to get letters at Summer Camp. After lunch, we would all gather round and the head counselor would do mail call. Everyone stood waiting for their names to be called.

Letter from home were such an encouragement!

While I was in college, the letters kept coming. And there were the care packages too. Boxes sent for nearly every holiday, stickers covering the outside, and inside were her cinnamon rolls, kringla (a Norwegian cookie), chocolate chip cookies and more. I would take the box to the Student Union and after dinner my friends and I would open the box, and everyone got to enjoy a treat from home.

Letters from home were comforting.

Some of you know that my Mom passed away about five weeks ago. She finally got to go to heaven. She was 97 years and 9 months old. She loved us but she loved Jesus more.

Yesterday I went to our Post Office here in the mountains and there were three envelopes in it. A letter from my brother, one from a friend and one from my sister. In my sister’s envelope was a letter from Mom…

Mom knew she wouldn’t be here for my sister and my birthdays this year, so she wrote our cards early and she asked my sister to make sure she mailed mine.

Letters from home were filled with love.

I can’t help but see the correlation between the letters I have received all my life with the one the heavenly Father wrote to us over two thousand years ago.

“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:21 CEV

Jesus was talking to his disciples about their faithfulness and obedience in doing what the Father had asked them to do. He called them good and faithful servants. And that will be His welcome to all of us when we enter heaven.

“Well done”. His instruction is that we feed the hungry, clothed the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. Encourage those who are depressed. Telling all that Jesus has paid our debt of sin and the Father loves us unconditionally. We are to bring His letter from home to the world.

Letters from home bring salvation.

Share heaven’s letter with those around you. There’s nothing better than a letter from home!