Casandra Martin

It was so loud that it startled me. A clap of thunder filled the afternoon sky with its boom. We jumped at the noise and turned our eyes toward the sky. Maybe today. Perhaps it will rain. The anticipation swelled inside of us, as hope took flight.

I wish I could tell you that we had buckets of rain, but it is still desperately dry. Instead, God used the thunder to drench my soul with a lesson about anticipating His presence. A clap of thunder is all that it took to draw my attention and light a fire of anticipation and hope. How many claps of thunder – small divine sparks – does God send my way each day, each one meant to draw my eyes to His face and my heart to His hands?

Here is a list of ten ‘claps of thunder’ that God may use today to help you anticipate His presence.

1. A cross on a building.

2. A hug from a friend.

3. A flower in the sidewalk.

4. A note in the mail.

5. A Bible verse.

6. Something delicious.

7. Tears.

8. Answered prayer.

9. Unanswered prayer.

10. An unexpected moment of quiet.

My Jesus Resolution today is to listen for God’s claps of thunder. He is faithful to plant reminders of His presence throughout my day. He wants to catch my attention, pull it back from the world, and refocus my eyes on His grace and His nearness. Too often I let noise, busyness, worry, and my need for control grab my heart and drown out His voice. Not today. I want today to be filled with an awareness of His presence. I want to hear the clap of thunder, and be filled with the anticipation of seeing His face and experiencing His joy.

It just struck me as funny. I was running a regular update on my phone, and one of the instructions guided me toward an update available for an electronic Bible that I regularly use. I like having God’s Word with me all the time. Having a Bible on my phone has stretched my creativity as I find different ways to connect with His voice in new places and situations.

This morning as I clicked on the update button, I was overwhelmingly thankful for the surety of God’s Word. There are going to be updates to the electronic aspects of new technology, but there are no updates for the Bible itself. It is constant, sure, true, and faithful. God doesn’t need to send a message that He made a mistake in Genesis. There are no corrections for Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians or John’s message of hope in Revelation. The Gospels paint a picture of Jesus that is as perfect and compelling as it was two thousand years ago. The prophets still call people to walk with God, experience His grace, and live in His will.

The faithfulness of God, His constancy and unchanging nature, are essential ingredients of our faith. We don’t serve a God who constantly changes His mind, comes up with a new plan, or decides on a whim to rewrite His Word. Every day He calls us to Jesus. Every hour holds the opportunity to live in His presence. Every moment finds His hand reaching out for our hearts, inviting us into the transformation He has planned for us since before the foundation of the world.

My Jesus Resolution today is to memorize Hebrews 13:8. The Hebrews writer reminds me that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We live in a world that prides itself on the speed, certainty, and necessity of change. Updating my phone is a small reminder that what worked yesterday needs to be tweaked today. But not God. The ancient paths hold a relevance for today that no update or app can provide. God’s Word still brings truth and stability to a world caught in sin’s free fall. Every time I use my phone today I am going to write Hebrews 13:8 on my heart. That will be the best update of all.

My kids were whispering. I raised my eyebrows and looked at my watch. I knew that it was only a matter of time before they made a request that was going to involve me giving them money and the car keys.

“You ask her.” “No, you ask her.” “It was your idea!” Obviously the plan was now complete. All they needed was parental approval and whatever resources it was going to require to make it work. I finally just told them to tell me what they wanted and how much it was going to cost. Six puzzled eyes turned my way as they stopped whispering. It still surprises them that I can read their minds.

“We want to have a sibling night.” They laid out their plan to spend the evening together, going to the movies, eating popcorn, and spending some time laughing, talking, and being together. They have discovered the joy of connecting with each other and investing their time and energy in the special relationship that exists between brothers and sisters. I said yes and pulled out my wallet. This is worth it.

My husband and I are thrilled that our kids are choosing to give themselves to a deeper relationship with each other. The memories, ties, confidences, and time that they share now will only build a bridge that will allow them to walk together into the future.

I imagine that God must be equally pleased when His children choose to invest in each other. When we take the time to learn about one another, spend time together, and build our relationships, it highlights the work of the Spirit in our lives. Unity, togetherness, delight in being one, and mutual love are all evidence of Christ’s transformation in our hearts.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35.

My Jesus Resolution today is to invest in some sibling time. We are the family of God. My brothers and sisters in Christ create a wall of love around me that helps me face each day with hope and grace. I want to know them better. I want to develop a deeper longing to be with them, to talk about the relationship we share, and to build a bridge that will help us all walk into tomorrow. It takes time and transparency to create a lasting connection. On the cross, God looked at our hearts and decided that it was worth it. So I am going to have lunch, send a card, make a phone call, sit on the porch, or give a hug. I am going to make time for some sibling time and watch God smile.

I was cleaning the kitchen. I had made sandwiches for a group of teens working on plans for camp. The words to the “froggy” song floated in from the other room as I packed up pickles and put away what remained of lunch. I smiled as I listened to them talk about looking like Jesus and how they could show Him to the youngsters they were taking to camp. Serving kids who are committed to learning how to be servants is a neat way to spend an afternoon.

The gentleman walked over to the counter just as I was trying to decide whether to leave the brownies out for a few more minutes. Teens seem to get hungry again in thirty-seven minute cycles. He stood next to me and watched the kids with a twinkle in his eye. He is a quiet man with a servant heart, and a quick sense of humor. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you and your husband,” he began, and from there he spent the next few minutes telling me where he sees Jesus at work in our family.

It was a holy, humbling, precious moment. God used this gentleman’s words to trace His handprint on my children’s hearts. His comments became a lens through which I saw more clearly the movement of God in our lives. He encouraged me to press on, to keep trusting in God’s plan, and to become even more committed to Christ.

I am so thankful for his words, but I am even more grateful for his example. Taking a few minutes to express appreciation, say thank you, encourage someone to keep going, or verbalize where you see God at work is a tremendous gift. Too often, my eyes are so focused on myself that I miss these opportunities. Sometimes I notice, but don’t take the time to share what I see with someone else. Maybe I am embarrassed, busy, or filled with good intentions that just never get realized. Whatever the reason, these few minutes in the kitchen reminded me of the power of pointing out where you see Jesus in someone else’s life.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be deliberate about passing on a Christ compliment. I am going to keep my eyes open for an opportunity to tell someone that they look like Jesus. I want to notice the moment when someone surrenders and stand up and cheer. I want to pay attention to the quiet service another gives and thank them. I want to help a friend capture of glimpse of how God is working in their life. Today I am going to speak up. I am going to search for the moment when I can encourage someone’s faith and help them see Jesus the way I see Him in them.

We need rain. Badly. I live in south Texas, and we are in the middle of a major drought. Where I live, it has only rained once in the last 161 days. The grass has withered, the trees are dying, and the landscape has become a monochrome panorama of desperate thirst. There were no fireworks on the Fourth of July. The entire area is under a burn ban. Neighbors look at the sky, talking about the need for moisture. Fires blaze across farm land, destroying crops, homes, and dreams.

The land is thirsty. The ground is cracked and dusty. The leaves on the trees hang in weary frustration as they yearn for water. Record temperatures scorch the sky. The water holes have all dried up. Birds and animals are struggling in the heat. Growth has become impossible.

At this point, it doesn’t take an expert to look around the neighborhood and tell who has invested in watering their yard. Most of the lawns carry a dry, faded look. The grass crunches under your feet. There is nothing inviting or compelling about the landscape. A few yards, however, are emerald. There is a lushness about these spaces that draws your eyes and your soul. Plants are thriving, flowers are blooming, and everything looks healthy. The quiet stillness of these yards invite growth and send a longing straight through your heart.

“I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” – Psalm 143:6.

The drought-ravaged land has the ability to serve as a mirror for our souls. Does my heart ache for God with the same intensity as the land thirsts for rain? Do I look into the heavens for His movement as frequently as we scan the sky for rainclouds? Can others look at my life and see the evidence of God’s reign?

My Jesus Resolution today is to drink deeply of God’s living water. The ground around me may be parched and thirsty, but my soul can dive into the deep well of His grace. I want to claim the promise found in Jeremiah 17:7-8. Trusting in God will plant me firmly in His abundance and set me free from the fear and devastation of drought. I am going to let my longing for rain pull my heart deeper into His reign.

Today America celebrates its independence. Freedom is a precious blessing. Our freedom allows us to dream, explore, dig deep, and soar to new heights. It encourages us to imagine new possibilities, listen to our hearts, and see the value of each human soul.

Celebrating our national independence should spur us to rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ. In Him, we experience the truest essence of freedom. In Jesus, we are free indeed.

Here are ten freedoms to be thankful for today and every day.

1. We are free from the grip of sin.

2. We are free to live in the immensity of His grace.

3. We are free to love and be loved.

4. We are free to be transformed into His image.

5. We are free to filled with His peace.

6. We are free to see His presence in each day.

7. We are free of guilt, shame, and fear.

8. We are free to experience the richness of His joy.

9. We are free to worship and live lives of praise.

10. We are free to dream about heaven and live in the reality of that hope.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be thankful for my freedom. Jesus promises that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) I am going to celebrate the freedom that Jesus unleashes in my life. I want to keep my eyes open for all the possibilities that are mine in Him, listen to His encouragement , and step into the dreams He has planned and empowered me to live. Living in the fullness of His freedom means being free to shake off the world’s expectations and dwell in the center of His will. As you gather with friends and family, be thankful for the community of His love. Fill your plate with your favorite foods and be grateful for the feast of His favor and faithfulness. Raise the flag and remember the cross. Watch fireworks light up the night and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. We are free indeed!

Flowers floated in the air. The wind blew them off the tree, mixing them in a symphony of beauty that took my breath away. Petals carpeted the road. The sun peeked through the clouds, creating a luminous glow as the petals caught the sunlight on their way to the ground.

I was hesitant to step on the petals. I felt like a pink and white carpet had been rolled out just for me. Just for a minute, time stood still as the elements all came together to create a transforming moment of beauty. The landscape was transformed, but more importantly, I was transformed. It was a moment that reminded me of who I am.

There has only been one other time in my life when I walked on flower petals. Dressed in white, I walked down an aisle that was covered in petals on my way to new love, new dreams, and a new life. God used this morning and these petals to remind me that I am still a bride.

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.” – Revelation 19:7

Christians are the Bride of Christ. We belong to Him as we make the journey through this world on our way to the wedding feast that will celebrate the moment when we move into the home He has prepared for us.

The neat thing about brides is that they have a singular focus. They can be found counting down the days, preparing for their special moment, talking about their beloved, inviting others to join them in joy, and tending to the details that will make them ready to see and be seen by their groom. Brides don’t get distracted. They don’t forget who they are, whose they are, or where they are going. Petals mark the path to the love they long to embrace.

My Jesus Resolution today is to remember that I am a bride. God used petals to remind me that I belong to Him. I am on my way to a wedding feast, and my job is to prepare for that moment. I don’t want to lose sight of the love and joy that is waiting for me. I don’t want to be distracted or forget where I am going. So on the way, He throws petals in my path – little reminders that beauty is not only my destiny, it is my reality because He loves me and can’t wait for us to be together.

I love walking along the beach. There is something about the feel of sand between my toes, the wash of the cool water across my feet, and the combination of sun and gentle wind that is just magical. I like making sand castles, searching for shells, and watching the waves. But I find footprints fascinating.

When you walk along the beach, you leave a trail. Your feet make an impression in the sand and, for a moment, you leave a record of your movement for the world to see. Someone else can track your direction, measure your steps, and discover something about you by the path you leave in the sand.

The Bible is filled with footprints. One of the places where those footprints are most evident is in the records of the kings of Israel and Judah. The stories found in First and Second Kings all have a familiar ring to them. “So and so became king and he followed in the way of his father….” Footprints. Whether for good or for evil, the footprints of the ones who walked before guided the path of the one who came next.

Have you ever thought about the footprints you are leaving for others to find and follow? What can they tell about the way you walk, your priorities, your dreams, and your heart for God from the footprints you make in the sands of time? Where did you spend your time? Where did you invest your heart? Can they see the places where you paused in prayer, spent time in His Word, and waded into worship? Do your footprints lead to the cross?

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”         – I John 2:6

My Jesus Resolution today is to walk in the footprints of Jesus. I want to go where He goes, matching my steps to His. I want to imitate His priorities, live in His power, and discover the dreams He is leading me to realize. More than anything, I want to leave footprints behind me that will point others to Him. I long for those who see my trail to find themselves captivated by the cross and the transformation promised to those who will walk in His steps. One way or the other, I am going to leave a footprint today. I want it to look like the footprint of Jesus.

I got picked. My day of jury duty ended with me sitting in a courtroom with eleven other people awaiting the start of a trial. We watched the defendant settle into his seat, listened to the two attorneys talk about the case, and paid attention when the judge gave us instructions about the law. Then we were led by the bailiff into a room with twelve chairs. He shut the door, and the weight of the responsibility for discovering the truth and rendering judgment settled heavily on our shoulders.

As we sifted through evidence, reviewed testimony, and talked about our differing understandings of the ins and outs of the case, I gained a new appreciation for the omniscience, wisdom, and righteousness of God. We spent time wishing we could know what was going through someone’s mind. God sees what is in our hearts. We had to wade through conflicting statements and recollections. God is an eyewitness to all of our actions, seeing the truth even when it is not evident to us. We wrestled with reasonable doubt. God’s wisdom is absolute.

Judgment rests in the hands of God, and I am so thankful for that. He knows the very essence of our souls. He sees our motives, examines our movements, observes our actions, and weighs our thoughts. We see the surface. He holds the heart.

Sitting in the defendant’s seat in God’s courtroom, I know that my verdict is guilty. It is the only right and just judgment He can render in my case. Surprisingly, amazingly, I find that I do not stand alone before the Judge. My Advocate moves in closer, acknowledging my guilt, but taking my punishment on Himself. His blood covers my soul, changing my verdict. I am not guilty because of Jesus.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be humble in my dealings with others. God alone knows their circumstances, their struggles, their sorrows, and their hearts. My tendency is to judge based on the moment, dismissing people who deserve more from me. I am going to remember that my own sentence was paid for by Jesus, and I am going to extend that grace to others. In the end, God will do exactly the right thing, make the right decision, and uphold truth with His own right hand. My job is to lift up Jesus and leave the verdict in His hands.

It was one of those trips that was just a little harder than others. The people were great. The location was beautiful. But after several weekends of being away from home, I was ready for this one to be behind me.

I opened my suitcase to get settled and prepare for the evening’s activities when a bright green note fell out of my clothes. It was a little “I love you” from my husband. I smiled, took a deep breath, and thanked God for the reminder that home wasn’t as far away as it seemed.

A few minutes later, I opened a book and another note fell out. I found a blue note tucked in my socks. Another one was wrapped around my toothpaste. There was a pink one in my shoe, and an orange one stuck in the back corner of my bag. Each note was a treasure, helping me to rediscover, reconnect, and refocus on what was truly important.

Vance Havner once said, “If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world.” We are all on a journey. Some days the trip flies by without a hitch. Some times are harder than others. There are moments when the ache to go home is overwhelming.

The good news is that there are notes in our suitcases. Little “I love yous” that God plants along the way to remind us that we are not alone, and that home isn’t as far away as it seems.

My Jesus Resolution today is to watch for the notes God puts in my suitcase. God fills our days with love notes that are meant to point our hearts back to Him. Each one is tucked into the ordinary to remind us of the extraordinary way He wants to work in our lives. They are quiet reminders that we are deeply loved and richly blessed. I don’t know what the journey will hold for me today. I do know that God has already packed love notes for me to find along the way.