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Mona's Devotional - Caleb - 05/23/2021

5/23/2021

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​May 23, 2021
Life is FULL! Life has ups and downs and the choice is ours for where we choose to live. This week I will be coming straight from my heart. This last year has been a journey of sticking with the Lord no matter what. Since November our journey was caring for our injured dog that took 24 hour care for a few weeks. It’s been almost 7 months and Summer is finally on the mend. It was one attack after another but the enemy did not win. Then a month ago my Mom fell and broke her tailbone and her back. I have been over the mountain to see her quite a few times and she is also on the mend and I believe is doing very well. I thank the Lord for His provision and wisdom in all these situations. He is always with us, guiding us and never stops loving us. I can’t imagine these situations without Him.
 
We’ve also had some great times. We were in Tennessee last week and watched one of our granddaughter’s graduate high school. What a joy! Our other granddaughter in Tennessee is preparing to get married in July and we were able to spend quality time with her and her soon to be husband. This week was another granddaughter’s graduation here in Colorado. I’m just so proud of these girls. They have both worked extra hard. We are planning a baby shower for another granddaughter expecting our first great grandchild in July. Then there are all the other grandchildren that will be continuing to grow and bring us joy. Next year we will have 2 in high school graduating and 2 in college in 3 different states. I’m glad I have a year to figure this one out😊 This all blesses my heart so much and I am continually thankful to the Lord. And to top it all off, Aimee came through her surgery so well and is healed! We are so grateful, grateful for that!
 
This last week as we were driving home from the airport returning from Tennessee when our son from TN called us. He told us his son, our grandson, Caleb, had been killed that day. We are never ready to hear anything like that. What do you do when your child calls to tell you his son was killed? How do you react? We are still numb from the news. Caleb, 22, has had some hard times the last few years and got deep into drugs. He has been in jail and prison for things he could have easily avoided. But I guess you can say that for all of us have made choices that took us where we shouldn’t have been. His just kept him there. Our problems and situations are usually something the Lord tries to warn us about and we may not listen to Him. Caleb and his girlfriend were found sleeping in a stolen car in an apartment complex. I don’t know anything else but I imagine when Caleb woke up to policemen he immediately tried to run. So, he took off and knocked 3 policemen into the wall. I don’t know what else happened. There’s lots of assumptions but someday we will know more of the truth. Whatever Caleb did caused the officers to fire at Caleb and he was killed. Many of you know Caleb from church and how he has struggled for so many years. People know that I have STOOD on His promises and believed with all my heart Caleb would come around and have an amazing testimony and lead others to Jesus. I know that I know that the Lord told me that. So, what happened? “But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect — life in its fullness until you overflow! “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy.” John 10:10
 
I also know that what the enemy means for evil and destruction God will turn to good. A friend shared with me this morning that Caleb may have been robbed of this world but praise the Lord he was saved for the next. The 22 years he spent on this earth he influenced a lot of people and we are believing that we will have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them.
 
The enemy is out there trying to deceive us into thinking we need to give up, give in. The more we stand for Jesus, the more the enemy wants to shut us up. Caleb has a special place in my heart. Each of the 24 grandchildren have their own special place in my heart😊. Caleb made his choices and I understand that. He knew he was loved. I do know he accepted Jesus as his Savior at least a few years ago and was raised in the most amazing Christian family. I know he no longer is living on the streets here but walking on streets of gold. I know his pain is over. I also know it wasn’t God’s will for him to go now and not by the hands of policemen. But we also know that our heavenly Father will work all things for His good. Caleb played with fire and this time the fire engulfed him.
 
I can’t really explain my heart. It is broken, aches and hurts for the others that are trying to grasp this tragedy. My other grandchildren are dealing with some heartache and probably confusion. Caleb’s aunts and uncles are devastated for their brother’s family. My Mom never expected for a great grandchild to go before her. But I know the end result right now. I know we can all go forward with hope and encouragement. I know the Lord will heal every heart that opens up to let Him. I know that the Lord will not leave one single person in our family abandoned or behind but extends His open arms of healing and love. I know Jesus loved Caleb no matter what was manifesting on the outside because He saw his heart. I know there will be a time for healing in all the family and we will help one another through this.  I know I will miss Caleb so much but will go on being the best example of the love and hope in Christ for my family. This is only day 5 so I also know from experience that the days ahead will bring some new challenges and hurts that we will deal with in Jesus. I also know without a shadow of doubt that the devil DID NOT win but we will see miracles, breakthroughs, and healings. We HAVE victory even now because He is our Savior not the world. The devil has to pay back what he has stolen and our focus will not be on the plans of the enemy but on the glorious future we have in Jesus.
 
This morning as I was reading the Word and praying the Lord gave me verses that ministered to my heart. I love how the Passion Bible talks about His wrap around love, wrap around presence, wrap around protection, wrap around favor, wrap around hope. Right now I can see myself getting much wrap around love and hugs from my Jesus. It’s something I need right now.
                 
“God’s glory is all around me! His wraparound presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength.” Psalm 62:7
 
“For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all!” Psalm 84:11
 
“The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me because Yahweh has anointed me, as a messenger to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted, to tell captives, “You are free,” and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.”” Isaiah 61:1
 
“Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy.” Psalm 5:12
 
“So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!” Hebrews 10:23
 
“The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wraparound presence will strengthen us.” Psalm 33:20
 
“So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakable hope!” Hebrews 6:18
 
Thank you for all your love, encouraging words and prayers. The whole family feels that right now. We are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Amen!
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    Author
    ​Mona Shirley

    Mona has been in ministry since 1982 and her and her husband, Ed Shirley have been the Senior Pastors of Mountain High Chapel since 1994.

    Their heart is to share the Good News of God’s unconditional love all over the world. They have traveled to much of the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, India, Nepal, Venezuela, England, Canada, Peru, Africa and Portugal. They have sponsored and helped to build an orphanage in Kenya.

    ​Ed and Mona have raised 5 children who all have a heart to serve the Lord. They have been blessed with 22 grandchildren.

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