You Can Beat Winter

Daily Reading: John 10

Scripture Focus: It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. (John 10.22b-23)

Devotional Thought: At this time of year, I am ready for spring. But, spring is not always ready for me. Spring may tease us with a few warm days in March, but often winter holds on tenaciously!

There are times that winter takes up residence in our souls, too. We feel cold and buffeted by the winds of life. We wonder if spring will ever come. We really need Jesus to show up. In John 10, that is just what happened. It was winter both in the season and in the history of the people of God. They needed hope. They needed Jesus to show up. And he did, "walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon."

Do you feel cold in your soul? Are you ready for your spiritual winter to be over? Consider where Jesus appeared. Perhaps you will find a way back to a springtime of hope.

Jesus was "walking in the temple." I have often wondered why spiritually discouraged people tend to drop out of church. Being in church is just what they need! In times of spiritual coldness, we need to find our way to where Jesus is. We need the warmth and love and care of the temple - the people of God.

Jesus was "in the colonnade of Solomon." It was there where the people would gather and discuss the Law (the Word of God) with their teachers. When our soul temperature is in need of a boost, we need the wisdom of the Bible to warm our spirits. We will find Jesus in his Word!

You can beat winter. Find Jesus in the church and in the Word!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for walking in my life through the church and the Word. When I am cold in my soul, help me to find you there and to find hope for my soul. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 22 You have seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! 23 Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord! 24 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, according to your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me! 25 Let them not say in their hearts, "Aha, our heart's desire!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." 26 Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me! 27 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, "Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!" 28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long. (Psalms 35:22-28)