December Devotional

Week 1

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

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I was brought up Catholic with a very spiritual mother, and I thought I knew the Lord and I trusted in Him.  But in my own understanding, which was loving Him through fear and following all His rules and regulations, I thought I had it all together.

In reading His words in scripture I found out how much He loves me.  I now fear Him through my love for Him and realize more and more how much I cannot lean on my own understanding.  I must put my trust in Him.

These words were and continue to be true in my life.  I have nine children and my husband died when my youngest child was four years old.  I leaned on the Lord and He and I raised my children.  I trust in Him; He makes my pathway straight--even when I make a crooked path.

-Mary B.

Week 2

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

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Jesus teaches us to not look at the outward impression of a person but to look inward.  Before I came to know Jesus, I always looked happy, cheerful and joyful.  But my heart was empty, sad and lonely. 

“But why?”  I had a wonderful husband, three precious children, financial freedom and our precious health.  I tried very hard to be happy; all the things in my life filled me only temporarily.  I used to pray frequently to God, “What is wrong with me?  Why am I so ungrateful with You, with Tom, about everything?”

In March, 1995, Cathee invited me to join WCF and what a blessing that has been!  Angie and a few other leaders prayed with me, and for the first time in my life I received Jesus Christ into my heart.  From that second in my life, Jesus came to fill my heart and remove the awful sadness, emptiness and loneliness. 

He filled me with His Sweet Holy Spirit, turning my sadness into happiness, my loneliness and emptiness with His joy and light.  My life has been richly blessed since then.  Now I live with joy and hope and happiness.  Many in my family have come to the Lord since my conversion.  We have a faithful God.  He fulfills every Promise in the Bible.

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-Oona N.

Week 3

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

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In the summer of 1994, I received a phone call from the Emergency Room, Scripps Memorial.  The nurse calmly said, “Mrs. Noon, your husband is OK.  He fell off his bike.  We need you to come to the hospital.  He might need some surgery.”  Though I didn’t know what to think or to do, my first reaction was to call for prayer.  On my way to the hospital, I started praying in tongues, since my mind and heart were so upset.

When I arrived at the hospital, I called Cathee to comfort me.  God really used her in my moment of despair.  My whole body felt so warm and peaceful, almost as if I was anesthetized.  God did not allow me to loose control of my body or my heart when I saw Tome covered in blood.  He had broken his cheekbones, nose and lower jaw.

I spoke to his doctor, a Christian man.  He told me before taking Tom into the operating room, “Don’t worry.  Tom is going to be fine.  It is Jesus Christ who will operate on Tom.  I am only His instrument.”  I knew immediately that Jesus was in control, and all I had to do was to trust Him and wait.  To God be the Glory everything was fine.

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-Oona N.

Week 4

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

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In the spring of 1996 my husband Tom was promoted.  The requirements were to move to Dallas, TX, and he would have to travel.  In August, we moved.  My excitement allowed me to forget reality.  I believed this was God’s move since everything fell into place. 

After settling down, I had time on my hands.  My husband was gone four days a week; I felt like a single mom.  I had lonely days, no friends, no Bible study, no fellowship.  My entire family hated the move.  I went down on my knees everyday crying out to God.  I had a difficult time accepting His will in my life.  But He taught me to depend on Him

One day in my prayer time I heard God speaking to me, “When you become obedient to my will and learn to bloom where you are planted, that’s going to be the day when you will be open to receive all my blessings I have for you and to see the purpose of my will in your life.”

In response, I repented and became happy with my life in Dallas.  Tom and my sons were happier.  Two years later God opened the doors and we were transferred back to San Diego.

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-Oona N.