Do you work with someone, live with someone, maybe an acquaintance, the local supermarket check out person, your mail person....come into contact with anyone who always looks down, maybe even dour? I ran across a line in the last novel I was reading that I thought was really great. In her book Sandpiper Cove, Irene Hannon wrote, "Those who smile the least are often the ones who need smiles the most." The character was speaking about a person she encountered weekly at church who never seemed to smile. This character then made it a point to smile at this person whenever she got the chance.
We never know someone's story. I'm reminded of a time I went into the local drug store. I waited on line for what seemed like forever. Of course I was in a hurry that day....when am I not!?!? I didn't know what the problem was, but the cashier seemed inept, slow and just not very good at her job. As I stood in line I felt annoyance rising up in me. But when it was my turn to check out I noticed a few things (or I should say the Holy Spirit brought a few things to my attention). First, was that she looked haggard and upset. Secondly, there were a couple of other coworkers milling around. So instead of coming across as irritated and frustrated, I said a couple of kind words...I don't even remember what they were, but the cashier was so relieved...she told me she had woken up with a dizzying migraine that day and barely made it to work, at which point her young supervisor gave her a hard time, the same person who was standing over there just playing around with another coworker. This poor woman looked like she wanted to cry. I am so glad I was not the proverbial "last straw" in a bad morning for her.
It doesn't take much. A smile, a kind word, maybe a hug or a hand on the shoulder. Easy. Free. You or I could be someone's God visit that helps them through their day, warms their heart and makes their walk a little bit softer. We may never know the difficulties on another's path, but God does...and He wants to use us to help. It's not always a "big" help either. Little things count.
God visits come in all different sizes, all different packages. Maybe we are the recipients one day, but the next it's our turn to be one.....Eyes open!!!
Lord, thank You for this beautiful reminder to be aware, to open my heart to those around me and let You work through me to bless them, even in the simplest of ways, sharing a smile. Let me be a blessing to those around me, and not a contributing irritant to their day. Jesus always made time to make things better for those around Him. I can imagine Him smiling often. Lord, I want to be that way too. For Your glory. In His precious Name, amen.
Smile today. Be on the look out!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Just a Reminder
Saw this sign as we were driving around Pennsylvania. Luckily it was right at a light so I could grab a picture. Sometimes God visits come in unexpected ways (probably most of the time). It goes along well with Jesus' admonishment to not let tomorrow intrude on our today either. Matthew 6:34 So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
We can only live in today. Only live in this moment. We can plan, but we don't know what turns the road will take. Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. We can't change the past. No matter our regret or sorrow over mistakes, it remains the same. But we have God's promise in Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
God has our way mapped out, He knows the beginning from the end. And we can trust Him to get it right. Our past, our future, all of it is in His capable hands and we know that is the best place for our lives to be because of His great love for us. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. God loves us unconditionally and we are meant to thrive in that love.
I don't know the troubles you may face. But I know God has you in His hands and in His heart. I know sometimes tomorrows are shrouded in darkness and seem without hope. I feel that way myself sometimes. Like things will never change or get better. Maybe this is where choosing joy comes in, knowing that whatever brought us to this place and wherever we go from here God will be with us and has it all worked out. We are safe.
Lord, You know what each reader is facing. You know the help we need. Please help us make peace with our past, and trust our futures to You. Let us live in Your presence right now, enjoying Your fellowship and the love You surround us with. Whatever this life has brought our way, and whatever the future may still bring, our ultimate destination is Your side for eternity. There is no better thought than that! Lord, You know each heart, please bring peace and joy to our moments as we trust in You.
Meditate on this today! Isaiah 49:13-15 Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.” “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
We can only live in today. Only live in this moment. We can plan, but we don't know what turns the road will take. Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. We can't change the past. No matter our regret or sorrow over mistakes, it remains the same. But we have God's promise in Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
God has our way mapped out, He knows the beginning from the end. And we can trust Him to get it right. Our past, our future, all of it is in His capable hands and we know that is the best place for our lives to be because of His great love for us. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. God loves us unconditionally and we are meant to thrive in that love.
I don't know the troubles you may face. But I know God has you in His hands and in His heart. I know sometimes tomorrows are shrouded in darkness and seem without hope. I feel that way myself sometimes. Like things will never change or get better. Maybe this is where choosing joy comes in, knowing that whatever brought us to this place and wherever we go from here God will be with us and has it all worked out. We are safe.
Lord, You know what each reader is facing. You know the help we need. Please help us make peace with our past, and trust our futures to You. Let us live in Your presence right now, enjoying Your fellowship and the love You surround us with. Whatever this life has brought our way, and whatever the future may still bring, our ultimate destination is Your side for eternity. There is no better thought than that! Lord, You know each heart, please bring peace and joy to our moments as we trust in You.
Meditate on this today! Isaiah 49:13-15 Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.” “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Still Joy-ing
This past Friday, I had the wonderful blessing of seeing Jesus performed at Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania. If you ever have a chance to see one of these amazing plays, go! These performers and all those behind the scenes do an incredible job of bringing the Bible to the stage in a larger than life way.
Of course this story was based on, yes you guessed it, Jesus. LOL And it was a Jesus filled with joy, passion, boldness and compassion. Sometimes, as I read the Bible I forget that it's more than black words on a white page...that these were flesh and blood people, living, breathing, feeling beings just like me. And that is true of Jesus Himself.
In bringing Jesus "to life" on a 21st century stage, the actor portrayed Him living joyfully. He didn't lecture so much as explain and teach. He didn't go around dourly, seriously but lovingly. When I think about it...people were drawn to Jesus...would that be the case if He was always frowning or stern? NO! They were attracted to His joy, and His deep compassion for those who needed Him.
On this stage we saw Him hugging a leper. walking with children, and laughing with His disciples. This was someone you wanted to be around.
The Lord tells us to be rejoice always. Philipians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Wouldn't it make sense that God Himself is filled with joy!
So, at the end of this play we see Jesus return to heaven, taken up into the clouds as His friends watched. We then see His followers huddled together in prayer, awaiting the Holy Spirit as was promised. And then it happens, He comes. The Holy Spirit's wind whips around the stage and the disciples are filled with His power. It was amazing. What was even more amazing was as we left the theater, the wind was blowing all around us. Wow. But, when we got back to the hotel, (which is only about a mile away), the night was perfectly still. Just wow!
Lord, thank You for sharing Your joy with us. I forget to be joyful, to rejoice in all the blessings You provide, Your very Presence with me always....Lord, I let life get in the way. Help us all to be like Your Son, showing and sharing joy with everyone we meet. Thank You for showing me this Jesus...the real joyful, loving, compassionate man-God that walked this earth, coming here to save us. In His most holy and precious name, amen.
Practice choosing joy. Do a study on joy.
Of course this story was based on, yes you guessed it, Jesus. LOL And it was a Jesus filled with joy, passion, boldness and compassion. Sometimes, as I read the Bible I forget that it's more than black words on a white page...that these were flesh and blood people, living, breathing, feeling beings just like me. And that is true of Jesus Himself.
In bringing Jesus "to life" on a 21st century stage, the actor portrayed Him living joyfully. He didn't lecture so much as explain and teach. He didn't go around dourly, seriously but lovingly. When I think about it...people were drawn to Jesus...would that be the case if He was always frowning or stern? NO! They were attracted to His joy, and His deep compassion for those who needed Him.
On this stage we saw Him hugging a leper. walking with children, and laughing with His disciples. This was someone you wanted to be around.
The Lord tells us to be rejoice always. Philipians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Wouldn't it make sense that God Himself is filled with joy!
So, at the end of this play we see Jesus return to heaven, taken up into the clouds as His friends watched. We then see His followers huddled together in prayer, awaiting the Holy Spirit as was promised. And then it happens, He comes. The Holy Spirit's wind whips around the stage and the disciples are filled with His power. It was amazing. What was even more amazing was as we left the theater, the wind was blowing all around us. Wow. But, when we got back to the hotel, (which is only about a mile away), the night was perfectly still. Just wow!
Lord, thank You for sharing Your joy with us. I forget to be joyful, to rejoice in all the blessings You provide, Your very Presence with me always....Lord, I let life get in the way. Help us all to be like Your Son, showing and sharing joy with everyone we meet. Thank You for showing me this Jesus...the real joyful, loving, compassionate man-God that walked this earth, coming here to save us. In His most holy and precious name, amen.
Practice choosing joy. Do a study on joy.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
The Right Choice
Choices are inevitable. From simple things like what to wear or what to eat for dinner, to where to live, what job to take, who to marry....and of course the biggest choice we can every make is whether to follow Jesus, making Him Lord and Savior or choose to stand without Him, putting eternity in our own hands. Even after we are Christians, we can choose to obey and reap the blessings or not to obey and reap the consequences. There is a song on the radio a lot lately that I am absolutely loving. Joy, by King and Country.
There is so much disaster and discord that we can focus on in the world, and even our own daily ins and outs of life can bring us troubles that send us reeling, bringing the black clouds of despair and frustration. But we have something more....more than the here and now, more than the temporary trials, more than the negativity tossed at us from the six o'clock news.
We have Jesus. We have salvation. We have a very present help in times of troubles. We have a hiding place. We have a Savior. We have a Father that loves us unconditionally, eternally. We have a Holy Spirit who never leaves our side or our heart. We have an eternal home that transcends anything this world can throw at us. The list can go on and on and on if we really took the time to think about it. The Bible tells us "Rejoice always!" in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
Of course this visit was not a stand alone. Our Father confirmed it with a reading in "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young. In it she writes,, "It is important not only to be joyful but to think about specific reasons for rejoicing." Intentionality. Intentionally looking for reason to be joyful. Purposely focusing on the myriad of blessings we have in Jesus.
Believe me, I can spend my day grumbling about everything from traffic problems to a messy husband to co-workers who don't want to be helpful. And those are just the small annoyances that can fill my day! But I know God has a better plan. There is a reason He tells us to "Rejoice always!" Not only is it a blessing to us, but our joy then overflows and blesses those around us. I don't know about you, but I think I'd rather be around someone who is joyful than someone who is sour and dour all the time! (There have been many a day I don't want to be around myself! LOL)
So this Thursday's instruction!! Choose Joy!.
Lord, You've blessed us beyond measure. Even if we have nothing in this life, as hard as that is, we have You. Give us hearts to count the blessings. Give us hearts to choose joy. Please help us change our focus when we start getting in to the complaining, worrying, despairing mode. Life can really get hard sometimes, a lot of times. But that doesn't mean Your love will ever fail us. Show us how to have joy in the middle of the tall waves, in the days where we feel like we are about to drown, in the often annoying days of little pinpricks that just feel like a swarm of unrelenting gnats. You are our joy. And You will never leave or forsake us. Heaven awaits! Your Presence is forevermore! Today, help us to choose joy.
Count your blessings and choose joy! Say them out loud, share them with another, write them down...whatever it takes to make joy your focus!
There is so much disaster and discord that we can focus on in the world, and even our own daily ins and outs of life can bring us troubles that send us reeling, bringing the black clouds of despair and frustration. But we have something more....more than the here and now, more than the temporary trials, more than the negativity tossed at us from the six o'clock news.
We have Jesus. We have salvation. We have a very present help in times of troubles. We have a hiding place. We have a Savior. We have a Father that loves us unconditionally, eternally. We have a Holy Spirit who never leaves our side or our heart. We have an eternal home that transcends anything this world can throw at us. The list can go on and on and on if we really took the time to think about it. The Bible tells us "Rejoice always!" in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
Of course this visit was not a stand alone. Our Father confirmed it with a reading in "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young. In it she writes,, "It is important not only to be joyful but to think about specific reasons for rejoicing." Intentionality. Intentionally looking for reason to be joyful. Purposely focusing on the myriad of blessings we have in Jesus.
Believe me, I can spend my day grumbling about everything from traffic problems to a messy husband to co-workers who don't want to be helpful. And those are just the small annoyances that can fill my day! But I know God has a better plan. There is a reason He tells us to "Rejoice always!" Not only is it a blessing to us, but our joy then overflows and blesses those around us. I don't know about you, but I think I'd rather be around someone who is joyful than someone who is sour and dour all the time! (There have been many a day I don't want to be around myself! LOL)
So this Thursday's instruction!! Choose Joy!.
Lord, You've blessed us beyond measure. Even if we have nothing in this life, as hard as that is, we have You. Give us hearts to count the blessings. Give us hearts to choose joy. Please help us change our focus when we start getting in to the complaining, worrying, despairing mode. Life can really get hard sometimes, a lot of times. But that doesn't mean Your love will ever fail us. Show us how to have joy in the middle of the tall waves, in the days where we feel like we are about to drown, in the often annoying days of little pinpricks that just feel like a swarm of unrelenting gnats. You are our joy. And You will never leave or forsake us. Heaven awaits! Your Presence is forevermore! Today, help us to choose joy.
Count your blessings and choose joy! Say them out loud, share them with another, write them down...whatever it takes to make joy your focus!
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Still on Love
Last week I wrote about loving someone who treats me like I treat God. (I'm thinking some of us may not have liked the answer to that question too much...I know I didn't.) I spoke on how the love of Jesus goes beyond our behavior, goes on forever even when we don't deserve it. Well, as usual, our beautiful heavenly Father confirmed this truth....I just love that He never ceases to reassure, no matter how old we get in this Christian or earthly life. I guess it's like telling our loved ones that we love them, even though they may already know.
The Sunday reading from "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young started off with, "My unfailing love is better than life itself! There is no limit to My Love--in quality, quantity, or duration."
Love it!! LOL God is so good. When things like this happen it's as if the Lord is just wrapping His love around us like a warm, soft blanket on a cold night. This world can feel empty, harsh...but His love is always there to surround us with comfort and care. And when our Father gives these little reminders it's like water in a desert...refreshing and life giving, just when we need it.
I know someone needs to hear this as much as me. And my prayer is that this entry touches your heart just where you hurt, bringing the healing balm of Jesus to your day. Because it's not just the Lord reassuring me, but thankfully, and blessedly, you through these visits He sends to me and through me. Amazing love!
Ephesians 3:18-19 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. And let us share this love with all those around us. In Jesus most precious Name, Amen.
The Sunday reading from "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young started off with, "My unfailing love is better than life itself! There is no limit to My Love--in quality, quantity, or duration."
Love it!! LOL God is so good. When things like this happen it's as if the Lord is just wrapping His love around us like a warm, soft blanket on a cold night. This world can feel empty, harsh...but His love is always there to surround us with comfort and care. And when our Father gives these little reminders it's like water in a desert...refreshing and life giving, just when we need it.
I know someone needs to hear this as much as me. And my prayer is that this entry touches your heart just where you hurt, bringing the healing balm of Jesus to your day. Because it's not just the Lord reassuring me, but thankfully, and blessedly, you through these visits He sends to me and through me. Amazing love!
Ephesians 3:18-19 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. And let us share this love with all those around us. In Jesus most precious Name, Amen.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
One of Those Questions....ugh
Listening to the radio the other day, I heard a Bible teacher pose a question, (not an exact quote, but close enough) "Would you love someone who treated you the way you treat God?" Ummmmm....maybe? At best a maybe.
Now, often I treat God the way He deserves, I reverence Him, love Him, speak highly of Him, give Him praise and gratitude. Yup, I got it going on, sometimes! LOL But other times....oh my, the inner child comes out, tantrums and all. And it's not pretty!
A friend and I often talk about our cats behavior. These little furry creatures get up and walk away when you sit next to them on the couch. They slink down to avoid your hand when you attempt to pet them, putting themselves just out of your reach. And then there is the turning their backs on you when you are talking...completely ignoring you, ears twitching, so you know they hear you, they just don't care. LOL If a person did any of these things to us, we would be highly insulted and most likely quite annoyed. But with the cats we think it's adorable. Yet sometimes the way I treat the Lord, well just saying my cats act better than I do, and I'm pretty sure it's not so adorable to Jesus.
Hearing this comment was a good reminder for me to check my behavior towards the Lord. And as much as it can hurt, I love these reminders. And it also puts me in remembrance of how truly wonderful the Lord is. I mean, imagine, loving a bunch of beings who reject, accuse, or ignore You. Imagine loving them enough to die for them! Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Imagine continuing to love them even when they aren't very lovable and aren't loving you back. Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Amazing love! What comfort, what joy, what assurance!
Oh, Lord, forgive my insolence, my selfishness, and my mistrust. Forgive me for not always giving You the honor and respect You deserve. I love You with all my heart and it devastates me to be hurtful to You. I wish I could say it won't happen again....with all my heart I want to change. But I know that when I don't get my own way I can be so angry and stubborn. Help me to praise You in all things, to be sweet to You at all times. Thank You for the greatest love ever shown, ever known, never ending, and not dependent on us....You are amazing. Surround us all with this love today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Check your behavior today! And thank God for His unending love.
Now, often I treat God the way He deserves, I reverence Him, love Him, speak highly of Him, give Him praise and gratitude. Yup, I got it going on, sometimes! LOL But other times....oh my, the inner child comes out, tantrums and all. And it's not pretty!
A friend and I often talk about our cats behavior. These little furry creatures get up and walk away when you sit next to them on the couch. They slink down to avoid your hand when you attempt to pet them, putting themselves just out of your reach. And then there is the turning their backs on you when you are talking...completely ignoring you, ears twitching, so you know they hear you, they just don't care. LOL If a person did any of these things to us, we would be highly insulted and most likely quite annoyed. But with the cats we think it's adorable. Yet sometimes the way I treat the Lord, well just saying my cats act better than I do, and I'm pretty sure it's not so adorable to Jesus.
Hearing this comment was a good reminder for me to check my behavior towards the Lord. And as much as it can hurt, I love these reminders. And it also puts me in remembrance of how truly wonderful the Lord is. I mean, imagine, loving a bunch of beings who reject, accuse, or ignore You. Imagine loving them enough to die for them! Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Imagine continuing to love them even when they aren't very lovable and aren't loving you back. Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Amazing love! What comfort, what joy, what assurance!
Oh, Lord, forgive my insolence, my selfishness, and my mistrust. Forgive me for not always giving You the honor and respect You deserve. I love You with all my heart and it devastates me to be hurtful to You. I wish I could say it won't happen again....with all my heart I want to change. But I know that when I don't get my own way I can be so angry and stubborn. Help me to praise You in all things, to be sweet to You at all times. Thank You for the greatest love ever shown, ever known, never ending, and not dependent on us....You are amazing. Surround us all with this love today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Check your behavior today! And thank God for His unending love.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Continuity
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
This verse was mentioned in a novel I was reading a few days ago. I love fiction, especially Christian fiction mysteries that combine fun reading with characters of faith and snippets of God's Word mixed in. Stop one.
Next stop, Sunday morning. I've mentioned before that one of my favorite old hymns is "The Old Rugged Cross." No, only is this a favorite of mine, it was of my Mom, and my Grandmother.
How do these two events go together? Well, in the book I was reading the main character's faith was handed down to him through his Grandfather and parents....and when he looked at living the Christian life, he felt as if he had a crowd of witnesses cheering him on. These ancestors may have passed on to glory, but they were still pulling for him, still cheering him onto victory in Christ.
The verse in Hebrews 12 starts off with, therefore. So whenever we see that we have to look back to what was previously said. And that brings us to the next stop. Hebrews 11...this is called the heroes of faith chapter. If you take time to read that chapter, you'll see the continuity of faith weaving it's way through the centuries. Different people. different times, different circumstances, all acting in faith, running the race God sets before them. Could this be our crowd of witnesses, those who went before us? My Grandmother, singing hymns sharing her faith with her children. My Mom, faithful, always looking to grow in her walk with God, and share this faith and love with her family...I'm not sure if any of this is making sense to anyone...but I see such a clear connection and line here, all leading to and from the Cross.
Lord, You hold all things and people together. You make the perfect connections to work out You incredible plan. I can't wait to see it all woven together when I get to heaven. This mess we call life that often seems jumbled and without sense will one day make a beautiful picture that glorifies You. And it all begins with the connection to the Cross and passes down through generations of believers. Lord, it's amazing to think that we have those believers who cheer us on to victory. Our biggest supporter being You. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith that we may run this race with endurance. Thank You that someone, whether family, friend or stranger shared this faith with us. I am so grateful to be part of Your family. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Remember, there are those who are cheering you on today!
This verse was mentioned in a novel I was reading a few days ago. I love fiction, especially Christian fiction mysteries that combine fun reading with characters of faith and snippets of God's Word mixed in. Stop one.
Next stop, Sunday morning. I've mentioned before that one of my favorite old hymns is "The Old Rugged Cross." No, only is this a favorite of mine, it was of my Mom, and my Grandmother.
How do these two events go together? Well, in the book I was reading the main character's faith was handed down to him through his Grandfather and parents....and when he looked at living the Christian life, he felt as if he had a crowd of witnesses cheering him on. These ancestors may have passed on to glory, but they were still pulling for him, still cheering him onto victory in Christ.
The verse in Hebrews 12 starts off with, therefore. So whenever we see that we have to look back to what was previously said. And that brings us to the next stop. Hebrews 11...this is called the heroes of faith chapter. If you take time to read that chapter, you'll see the continuity of faith weaving it's way through the centuries. Different people. different times, different circumstances, all acting in faith, running the race God sets before them. Could this be our crowd of witnesses, those who went before us? My Grandmother, singing hymns sharing her faith with her children. My Mom, faithful, always looking to grow in her walk with God, and share this faith and love with her family...I'm not sure if any of this is making sense to anyone...but I see such a clear connection and line here, all leading to and from the Cross.
Lord, You hold all things and people together. You make the perfect connections to work out You incredible plan. I can't wait to see it all woven together when I get to heaven. This mess we call life that often seems jumbled and without sense will one day make a beautiful picture that glorifies You. And it all begins with the connection to the Cross and passes down through generations of believers. Lord, it's amazing to think that we have those believers who cheer us on to victory. Our biggest supporter being You. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith that we may run this race with endurance. Thank You that someone, whether family, friend or stranger shared this faith with us. I am so grateful to be part of Your family. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Remember, there are those who are cheering you on today!
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Psalm 15, from Mom
I love the Psalms. The feel real to me. The writers lay their emotions in the light for all to see, reach for God with their whole hearts, worship unabashedly, question unashamedly, confront disbelief and discouragement and social ills, all while leading us to dig in, listen up and follow God. At some point, Mom looked into Psalm 15 and wrote a little "how'm doing" checklist. Starting with the reading:
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.
These are the ten standards to determine how I'm doing, and to change if you need to.
- lead blameless lives.
- do what is right.
- speak the truth from a sincere heart.
- refuse to slander or harm others.
- refuse to speak evil of their friends.
- despise persistent sinners.
- honor the faithful followers of the Lord.
- keep their promises, even when it hurts.
- do not charge interest on the money they loan.
- refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent.
From me.
Jesus said, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40) And according to Psalm 15, how we treat others is a big part of seeing where we are at spiritually. When we are treating others well, seeking the best for them, we are fulfilling the first three standards. This is not to say we will be perfect, but we are working on being Christ-like in our daily living.
How we speak seems to be very important here. Being truthful, speaking kindly, doing what we say we will, and not lying about others....Our heavenly Father puts a priority on what comes out of our mouths. Again, Jesus said, "It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” (Matthew 15:11). I always feel a lot of my battles come with my mouth. Some times I just need to keep it shut, both for what's going in and what's coming out! LOL
There are days when I feel like I am that persistent sinner. But I don't think that is what it means here. I think it's talking about those who are unrepentant, who say their sin is actually not sin, but their right, they are free to act however they want and no one can tell them right and wrong. Their behavior we are to despise. We are to mirror Christ to them and let God take care of the rest. These are not people to be in deep spiritual relationship with. Yes, we will come in contact with those who are bent on self-rule, being their own god....and we are to reach out to them with the love of Jesus, but I think we need to know that it is God who has to change them. Hopefully what they see in us will cause them to seek after the Lord, and we can be open to leading. It's a difficult place to be in when this is a close family member who is rejecting the Lord and going their own way. We walk a fine line! Loving them is not the same as accepting their lifestyle as okay. I think that will look different in each case. I've heard it said "hate the sin, love the sinner." And I think that is the way Jesus lived.
Lord, help us to check ourselves out regularly, repent when necessary and change when You lead. Thank You for Your Word which shows us Your heart and Your ways. Give us the desperate desire to follow You. Let us mirror You to the world and shine Your love for all to see! In Your holy and precious Name Lord Jesus. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Multiple Reminders
Well, the computer is up and running again. A tune up and some tweaks were all it took, thankfully. Even though I don't use the computer as much as I used to (everything is done on our phones now), I still miss and need it for certain things, like doing this blog.
In my last post I talked about how our whole lives were to be an act of worship to the Lord. And I've been challenged with living out those words. LOL
Work has been, well work. It's mundane, mostly repetitive and many times frustrating with the way things are done. I could go on and on with a litany of complaints, but that would not be beneficial for anyone nor would it be what God wants. That doesn't mean that when I am there those complaints don't rise up in my head. They do. And that is where the multiple reminders are coming in. And I am grateful for them!
Every time I start complaining in my head at work lately I hear in my heart, "Do it as an act of worship." Whenever I hear things in my mind like, "I'm not cleaning up this mess, no one makes people do the right thing here!" I hear, "Do it as an act of worship." When the words like "These people don't appreciate the work we do, why should I go the extra mile?" start echoing in my mind, I hear, "Do it as an act of worship." On and on and on it goes. Complaints rise up, the Holy Spirit rises up higher. And I love it!!! God is so good and I feel so blessed.
Lord, thank You for the Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your correction and reminders that keep me on track. I am so grateful and so happy to hear Your voice. Lord, I really do want my life to be an act of worship, walked in humility and dependence on You. I pray for all of us that our lives would worship and honor You, bringing glory to Your name and a witness of love to others. In Jesus Name, amen.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Meditate on these verses throughout the day.
In my last post I talked about how our whole lives were to be an act of worship to the Lord. And I've been challenged with living out those words. LOL
Work has been, well work. It's mundane, mostly repetitive and many times frustrating with the way things are done. I could go on and on with a litany of complaints, but that would not be beneficial for anyone nor would it be what God wants. That doesn't mean that when I am there those complaints don't rise up in my head. They do. And that is where the multiple reminders are coming in. And I am grateful for them!
Every time I start complaining in my head at work lately I hear in my heart, "Do it as an act of worship." Whenever I hear things in my mind like, "I'm not cleaning up this mess, no one makes people do the right thing here!" I hear, "Do it as an act of worship." When the words like "These people don't appreciate the work we do, why should I go the extra mile?" start echoing in my mind, I hear, "Do it as an act of worship." On and on and on it goes. Complaints rise up, the Holy Spirit rises up higher. And I love it!!! God is so good and I feel so blessed.
Lord, thank You for the Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your correction and reminders that keep me on track. I am so grateful and so happy to hear Your voice. Lord, I really do want my life to be an act of worship, walked in humility and dependence on You. I pray for all of us that our lives would worship and honor You, bringing glory to Your name and a witness of love to others. In Jesus Name, amen.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Meditate on these verses throughout the day.
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