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This journey we find ourselves traveling is filled with both joys and sorrows- sometimes a mixture of both in a brief period of time. Our family’s journey took us northward this past week to the birthplace of my husband’s mother- we came together to say goodbye and lay her to rest in the cemetery where her parents, grandparents and other family members already lay.
Small towns in Texas are much the same, regardless of location. The people in the funeral home were warm and compassionate. The high school friends from the class of ’42 regaled the family with memories of church socials and football games. The church ladies fed the family with plates of fried chicken and mashed potatoes – much enjoyed by the grandchildren, I might add!
The time came to join as a family in the small chapel. The family is tiny now and the chapel seemed larger than it probably was. This is a time when family comes together- generations sit side by side- hands are held as each heart holds its own remembrances.
Her battle with Alzheimer’s had taken her memory years ago- she had known no one for almost a decade. The memory of her son was called upon to pick the songs and the scriptures for her- memories of Scripture she insisted he memorize as a child- hymns she encouraged him to learn on the piano- sadly, for her, with little success.
Our dear friend stood to preach from the 23rd Psalm- not all that uncommon for a funeral- but words that had brought her much peace in a life that had held little peace. Traditional hymns played as he finished. The sound of George Beverley Shea’s gravely voice singing Amazing Grace and the Old Rugged Cross, brought tears to our eyes and smiles to our lips- and the service came to an end. The family followed the hearse through the small town- cars pulled off to the side of the road- a sign of honor and respect on Texas highways. Finally, the small procession came to a stop at the designated site. And then came the part of the service, I think, that God had planned for me to hear that day.
Our friend, more a brother really, stood to read a passage that had been a favorite of Peg’s- Luke 12:41-44- a familiar story about the widow’s mite- so familiar- and yet, as God so often does, a new way to hear came to my heart that day. As I was growing up, the story was a favorite of our pastor at budget time- But God had given Scott a different message that day. Friday, as we stood together under that tent, with just a few of us gathered round, God wanted me to hear something else.
Scott noted that three times Jesus had used the phrase “put in”. Jesus, you see, had been watching- watching closely enough to SEE, truly see, what each person passing by “put in.” God drew my thoughts back to the words our pastor had preached the previous Sunday from Romans 12. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice…” As I listened to our friend talk about all Peg had “put in” to the kingdom as she rocked babies in the church nursery, my heart began to truly makes sense of Paul’s words in Romans. I am to be holy and pleasing to God- the King James says “acceptable” to God- because, after all, THIS is my “reasonable service.” It is a reasonable thing to do- to give my life in service to Him- to make an offering of all that I do, all I am, as my reasonable service to the God who gave everything for me.
All of a sudden, the living sacrifice made sense in a way, perhaps, it had not before. I heard our friend’s voice saying, “If we could find those many children rocked in that nursery, and hear their stories of growing up in Christian homes nurtured by parents who worshipped each week while their child was loved and rocked in the nursery- there would not be room on this hill for them to stand.”--- Because Peg, you see, had “put in” all she had…. And Jesus watched … and smiled.
“Therefore, I urge you brothers (and sisters) in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your { reasonable service KJV}.
The words of Jesus say, “…she put in everything she had to live on”- Our friend’s voice put the inflection on the second word in the phrase- live ON….We are called to put in everything we have- everything we ARE (living sacrifices)- so that those we meet, those we serve, will see….truly see, what makes us live ON.
BECAUSE of His great mercy- and IN VIEW of His watchful, loving eyes- what will I “put in” today so that what Christ has given me can “live on” in others for eternity?
Blessings and peace-
Marsha
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Living Hope
In teaching Sunday school in Gulf Pointe Plaza Nursing Home, each lesson is aimed at giving hope and encouragement to the residents living there. A few go to the nursing home to recuperate and then leave for their own homes, but most are there to stay as their lives deteriorate. Just as the bible is God's Word to give hope to young and old, this devotional is, too.
"Our hope is based on nothing less but Jesus’ blood and Righteousness".
Hope in the biblical sense doesn’t mean wishful thinking, but fervent expectation - expectation that what God has promised we can claim and will receive.
Hope is what we all need, whether we are little children too young to think about the future, or young ones leaving the nest, or older people whose careers and work are behind them, and even those in their final days. Without hope children have no courage to go forward, and without hope our spirits wither and die before our bodies do.
The New Testament tells of the hope we have in Jesus Christ, both for now and for the hereafter. Through the blood Jesus shed on our behalf, we have hope for today, hope for tomorrow and hope for eternity.
Titus 1:2 "a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time," .
Before the beginning of time, before He created anything, God planned that He would send Jesus as our sacrifice so that we could be free of sin and could take on the righteousness of Jesus to dwell with God forever in eternity. This is our greatest Hope for the future. Over and over in the bible we are told that "I will never leave you nor forsake you", and He didn't.
But God never meant that we should only hope for death and the hereafter. If we recognize Him, the Holy Spirit will dwell in our hearts and give us overpowering love and comfort during the good days and the dark days. Jesus intends that we have more good days than dark ones: John 10:10 "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly". Abundant life is life lived to the full, trusting in God and expecting His goodness and mercy to follow you as you follow Him.
We all experience dark days and sad days, and during these times we can trust God and hold fast to him. In Rom 15: 13 the apostle Paul says: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is the present hope we need during those times. Just by trusting in Him, our hearts and minds can be filled with understanding and wisdom so that we will know that no matter what the circumstances, He is with us and He is sovereign.
To the Thessalonians, Paul writes: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Peter says it this way: 1 Peter 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ". A living hope - a hope that stays with us both night and day.
2 Cor. 1:3–4 TLB What a wonderful God we have — he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.
He is a wonderful God, the source of every mercy and comfort and strength. Many times, we find ourselves unable to do the things we used to do and want to do, but we are not left without hope. God is with us and will be with us to the end and beyond.
Every day He wants us to think about Him, to thank Him for what He has done in our past, and for how he is caring for us today. If we thank him for every blessing, in the process our minds will be renewed and we will receive HOPE.
I love these verses about the great mystery of the ages, which we are privileged to have revealed to us: in Col 1:25 Paul writes: I have become its servant (that is the church’s servant) by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness —26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We are those gentiles; when we believe in Jesus as our savior, we have Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The God of Peace is the God of Hope. May the Lord’s peace and hope be with you today and every day.
Anna
"Our hope is based on nothing less but Jesus’ blood and Righteousness".
Hope in the biblical sense doesn’t mean wishful thinking, but fervent expectation - expectation that what God has promised we can claim and will receive.
Hope is what we all need, whether we are little children too young to think about the future, or young ones leaving the nest, or older people whose careers and work are behind them, and even those in their final days. Without hope children have no courage to go forward, and without hope our spirits wither and die before our bodies do.
The New Testament tells of the hope we have in Jesus Christ, both for now and for the hereafter. Through the blood Jesus shed on our behalf, we have hope for today, hope for tomorrow and hope for eternity.
Titus 1:2 "a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time," .
Before the beginning of time, before He created anything, God planned that He would send Jesus as our sacrifice so that we could be free of sin and could take on the righteousness of Jesus to dwell with God forever in eternity. This is our greatest Hope for the future. Over and over in the bible we are told that "I will never leave you nor forsake you", and He didn't.
But God never meant that we should only hope for death and the hereafter. If we recognize Him, the Holy Spirit will dwell in our hearts and give us overpowering love and comfort during the good days and the dark days. Jesus intends that we have more good days than dark ones: John 10:10 "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly". Abundant life is life lived to the full, trusting in God and expecting His goodness and mercy to follow you as you follow Him.
We all experience dark days and sad days, and during these times we can trust God and hold fast to him. In Rom 15: 13 the apostle Paul says: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is the present hope we need during those times. Just by trusting in Him, our hearts and minds can be filled with understanding and wisdom so that we will know that no matter what the circumstances, He is with us and He is sovereign.
To the Thessalonians, Paul writes: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Peter says it this way: 1 Peter 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ". A living hope - a hope that stays with us both night and day.
2 Cor. 1:3–4 TLB What a wonderful God we have — he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.
He is a wonderful God, the source of every mercy and comfort and strength. Many times, we find ourselves unable to do the things we used to do and want to do, but we are not left without hope. God is with us and will be with us to the end and beyond.
Every day He wants us to think about Him, to thank Him for what He has done in our past, and for how he is caring for us today. If we thank him for every blessing, in the process our minds will be renewed and we will receive HOPE.
I love these verses about the great mystery of the ages, which we are privileged to have revealed to us: in Col 1:25 Paul writes: I have become its servant (that is the church’s servant) by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness —26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We are those gentiles; when we believe in Jesus as our savior, we have Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The God of Peace is the God of Hope. May the Lord’s peace and hope be with you today and every day.
Anna
Monday, July 26, 2010
A Prayer of Gratitude
Lord ~ I want to have a grateful heart. I know it's in here, inside of me, but I am finding that gratitude in all circumstances of life can be quite a challenge at times. I've had a hard time losing Catherine ~ my heart aches for her friendship, to hear her voice and yet know that when I dial her phone number there will be no "Hanna Bear" on the other end of the line.
Your word tells me in James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." Is this the kind of trial that will test my faith which will in turn develop perseverance? I pray that it will be.
You say; (James 1:4) Perseverance must finish its work so that I can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. So I pray that You will help me to persevere Lord.
I am grateful for a friendship that made me a better person. For a friendship with substance that was based on a mutual love for You. For insight into your word that only Catherine could put in such a way that I not only could understand it better, but usually got a great story and a good laugh as well.
Thank you Lord for the gift of Catherine's life and how it touched so many others. I know I was just one of hundreds of lives she affected. I can see how You used her. It was amazing to watch as she struggled to make ends meet and yet always did. And then she would give You the glory for the victory; big (like her house payment) and small (dog and cat sitting jobs.)
Lord I pray that I will be that kind of friend. The kind that loves and loves with honesty. The kind that will be grateful for every situation and every person you put in my life. (And Lord when you are ready for me I really hope you put us on the same street.)
So Lord I thank you for helping me put things in perspective; for allowing my life to be blessed by hers and for helping me realize how important the friends that I have in my life right now are. Help me to persevere this day and come back to You tomorrow for more reassurance. And Lord I pray that you would give me the grace to grow in Godly character ~ Amen.
Grateful,
Julie
Your word tells me in James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." Is this the kind of trial that will test my faith which will in turn develop perseverance? I pray that it will be.
You say; (James 1:4) Perseverance must finish its work so that I can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. So I pray that You will help me to persevere Lord.
I am grateful for a friendship that made me a better person. For a friendship with substance that was based on a mutual love for You. For insight into your word that only Catherine could put in such a way that I not only could understand it better, but usually got a great story and a good laugh as well.
Thank you Lord for the gift of Catherine's life and how it touched so many others. I know I was just one of hundreds of lives she affected. I can see how You used her. It was amazing to watch as she struggled to make ends meet and yet always did. And then she would give You the glory for the victory; big (like her house payment) and small (dog and cat sitting jobs.)
Lord I pray that I will be that kind of friend. The kind that loves and loves with honesty. The kind that will be grateful for every situation and every person you put in my life. (And Lord when you are ready for me I really hope you put us on the same street.)
So Lord I thank you for helping me put things in perspective; for allowing my life to be blessed by hers and for helping me realize how important the friends that I have in my life right now are. Help me to persevere this day and come back to You tomorrow for more reassurance. And Lord I pray that you would give me the grace to grow in Godly character ~ Amen.
Grateful,
Julie
Monday, July 19, 2010
He Calls us by Name!
Psalm 33:13-15 NKJ
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14From the place of His dwelling
He Looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;
15He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
What a wonder it is that the God of the universe knows my name and your name and He fashions ours hearts individually.
Scripture tells that from the beginning of known time with Adam and Eve and continuing thru to our last book of the Bible that when God Speaks to His children He calls them by name.
This spring we were out driving on one of these beautifully clear and cool days looking for birds. What an excellent display of God's creation in the diversity of our feathered friends. There is such a broad spectrum of differences among these creatures with some being very large in size all the way down to the very tiny. Some with beautiful melodious songs while others speak with a croak or a squawk. Some are spectacularly colored while others are very plain or even drab in color. Some like the sea gull are brazen and will snatch your sandwich right out of your hand if given the opportunity, still others are very shy and reclusive such as the least bittern.
It is no different with God's children. He has fashioned each of our hearts very differently. He has given each person different strengths and different weaknesses, different gifts and talents.
It is the responsibility of each person to follow the heart God has given us and to celebrate the heart, gifts and talents of our Christian brothers and sisters.
I personally admire and love many women and men in our church. Some have gone before me and are now with the Lord. Some are my peers and some are the younger ones in our church including the youth. Our past, our present and our future are all woven together but our walk with the Lord is personal and individual.
The big change in my walk with Jesus was when He pierced my heart with the fact that He knows me personally and completely yet He loves me. Scott's teaching on Sunday the 11th put this across very well.
Believe it and walk in it. What a miracle!
In His Love,
Kathy
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14From the place of His dwelling
He Looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;
15He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
What a wonder it is that the God of the universe knows my name and your name and He fashions ours hearts individually.
Scripture tells that from the beginning of known time with Adam and Eve and continuing thru to our last book of the Bible that when God Speaks to His children He calls them by name.
This spring we were out driving on one of these beautifully clear and cool days looking for birds. What an excellent display of God's creation in the diversity of our feathered friends. There is such a broad spectrum of differences among these creatures with some being very large in size all the way down to the very tiny. Some with beautiful melodious songs while others speak with a croak or a squawk. Some are spectacularly colored while others are very plain or even drab in color. Some like the sea gull are brazen and will snatch your sandwich right out of your hand if given the opportunity, still others are very shy and reclusive such as the least bittern.
It is no different with God's children. He has fashioned each of our hearts very differently. He has given each person different strengths and different weaknesses, different gifts and talents.
It is the responsibility of each person to follow the heart God has given us and to celebrate the heart, gifts and talents of our Christian brothers and sisters.
I personally admire and love many women and men in our church. Some have gone before me and are now with the Lord. Some are my peers and some are the younger ones in our church including the youth. Our past, our present and our future are all woven together but our walk with the Lord is personal and individual.
The big change in my walk with Jesus was when He pierced my heart with the fact that He knows me personally and completely yet He loves me. Scott's teaching on Sunday the 11th put this across very well.
Believe it and walk in it. What a miracle!
In His Love,
Kathy
Friday, July 2, 2010
Faith that Overcomes
1 John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
I don’t know much about “blogging” but I am going to give it my best shot! We live in such different times than what I experienced growing up. Everyday some new technology comes out and I just got used to the last one!! I am sitting her thanking the Lord that the worst of the storm did not come our way. Just like in life, storms come and go but our Lord is always faithful. I am not aware of anything in the scriptures that would indicate that we are exempt from life storms. I am so grateful that God knows about each one that is coming our way before we do and we can completely trust Him to take care of us in the midst of it all. He has also provided the strength we need to overcome and be victorious.
I am so fortunate to say that I came to know the Lord as a child. I can’t remember a time in my life when I was not aware of His presence. We were living in a small north Texas town and I heard the call from God in a revival. I will never forget the moment that I realized that if I died right then I would spend eternity separated from Him. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was a sinner and I needed a savior. The Lord gently drew me to Himself and I cried most of the day thinking about all the things I had done that were wrong. I know you might think a nine-year-old child could not have done a lot but it seemed that my mind was flooded with the understanding that I deserved to go to hell, I was a sinner, and my only hope was in Christ. Now some 51 years later, I still remember those moments with clarity and emotion.
Years have past, and like many, I drifted and rebelled against the known will of my Lord. Still, He never has let me go. He continues to allow me to make wrong choices but never stops showing me His wonderful grace and mercy that makes me repent and seek Him even more. I will never stop being amazed that He loves me even when I am not lovable. It has taken me a lifetime to forgive myself of the many times I have failed and fallen into sin. One thing I have learned over the years is that God has not called me to fight but one fight.
The fight of faith is for all those who know and love Him. We must overcome the obstacles that distract, confuse, thwart our path, and keep us from trusting and obeying the Lord. We are all at different places in this fight and we need to be so considerate of each other. Believing that God does know what is best and wants the best for us is difficult when we are filled with pain and suffering. Yet it is in the times of suffering the intensity helps us learn lessons that will be with us forever. The battle rages in our minds and I think this is where the war is won or lost. First a thought and then comes actions. If we are not grounded in God’s Word we will not be able to stand against the attack of lies and deceit. Giving into wrong thinking can give access to our enemy. The enemy shows no mercy and I often forget that he is out to destroy the work that God has done in my life. We overcome this by knowing and believing what God says about us in His Word. Praying with other believers really helps because we can stand together and experience victory. Again, I am fortunate because I have many beautiful Sisters in Christ, who show me His love and pray with me. I am blessed with a Sunday school class of ladies that are the delight of my soul.
I don’t know if my “blogging” is what you expected. I hope you are blessed and know the love of Christ in your life. Fight the fight of faith……….. Be an Over comer! I promise you that there is a prize waiting all those who seek the kingdom of God first. Jesus is our prize and He is waiting to enter the fight with you. Trust Him today! He is just a prayer away!
Janis
I don’t know much about “blogging” but I am going to give it my best shot! We live in such different times than what I experienced growing up. Everyday some new technology comes out and I just got used to the last one!! I am sitting her thanking the Lord that the worst of the storm did not come our way. Just like in life, storms come and go but our Lord is always faithful. I am not aware of anything in the scriptures that would indicate that we are exempt from life storms. I am so grateful that God knows about each one that is coming our way before we do and we can completely trust Him to take care of us in the midst of it all. He has also provided the strength we need to overcome and be victorious.
I am so fortunate to say that I came to know the Lord as a child. I can’t remember a time in my life when I was not aware of His presence. We were living in a small north Texas town and I heard the call from God in a revival. I will never forget the moment that I realized that if I died right then I would spend eternity separated from Him. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was a sinner and I needed a savior. The Lord gently drew me to Himself and I cried most of the day thinking about all the things I had done that were wrong. I know you might think a nine-year-old child could not have done a lot but it seemed that my mind was flooded with the understanding that I deserved to go to hell, I was a sinner, and my only hope was in Christ. Now some 51 years later, I still remember those moments with clarity and emotion.
Years have past, and like many, I drifted and rebelled against the known will of my Lord. Still, He never has let me go. He continues to allow me to make wrong choices but never stops showing me His wonderful grace and mercy that makes me repent and seek Him even more. I will never stop being amazed that He loves me even when I am not lovable. It has taken me a lifetime to forgive myself of the many times I have failed and fallen into sin. One thing I have learned over the years is that God has not called me to fight but one fight.
The fight of faith is for all those who know and love Him. We must overcome the obstacles that distract, confuse, thwart our path, and keep us from trusting and obeying the Lord. We are all at different places in this fight and we need to be so considerate of each other. Believing that God does know what is best and wants the best for us is difficult when we are filled with pain and suffering. Yet it is in the times of suffering the intensity helps us learn lessons that will be with us forever. The battle rages in our minds and I think this is where the war is won or lost. First a thought and then comes actions. If we are not grounded in God’s Word we will not be able to stand against the attack of lies and deceit. Giving into wrong thinking can give access to our enemy. The enemy shows no mercy and I often forget that he is out to destroy the work that God has done in my life. We overcome this by knowing and believing what God says about us in His Word. Praying with other believers really helps because we can stand together and experience victory. Again, I am fortunate because I have many beautiful Sisters in Christ, who show me His love and pray with me. I am blessed with a Sunday school class of ladies that are the delight of my soul.
I don’t know if my “blogging” is what you expected. I hope you are blessed and know the love of Christ in your life. Fight the fight of faith……….. Be an Over comer! I promise you that there is a prize waiting all those who seek the kingdom of God first. Jesus is our prize and He is waiting to enter the fight with you. Trust Him today! He is just a prayer away!
Janis
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Plague
I dont know of anyone (myself included) who hasnt experienced the sickening feeling of the plague known as "not-good-enough-itis." Speaking from my own experiences with this troublesome bug, its symptoms can last for hours or even days and can include feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, hurt and overall discontent. It can come in many forms: "My house isnt big/nice enough-itis," "My clothes arent cute enough-itis" "My job isnt good enough-itis OR it's counterpart "I'll never do a good enough job-itis" I think you get the picture.
So what is the remedy for this malady?
Let me be clear in saying that I am not referring to the gentle tugs at our hearts that are meant to encourage us to do good. Doing good, as outlined in Titus 3:1-3 is one of God's commands to us! Friends, what I am referring to is the feeling that eats us up inside and makes us feel altogether unworthy. The lies planted in our minds by satan which are repeating but untrue. And the hard to swallow truth that *gasp* we sometimes dont believe that Jesus IS enough.
First, let me remind you (and myself) that desires for things (see: House/Car/clothing/bank account-isnt-good-enough) is dangerous and destructive. 1 Timothy tells us "But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.(6-9)" The desire to be rich is ultimately unfulfilling. Our culture doesnt just whisper- it SHOUTS that we need more and more and more. In the fall, every car manufacturer will unveil its new 2011 models, rendering the 2010's obsolete. Next week, a house down the street will be put up for sale with more square footage and more amenities than my own. It will never be possible to completely meet the demands that our culture throws in our faces. Giving into this belief will eventually lead to ruin.
Let me jump back to a previous statement and encourage you to rejoice and be thankful that Jesus IS enough -- And wants to be your soul source of contentment! Give Him your cares and desires and allow Him to meet your needs. Look to Hebrews 13, where it says, "Be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?'(5-6)" Hide God's word in your heart so that when these feelings of discontentment come, you will have a defense. Remember that God has designed us all to fulfill a specific purpose and lets not allow fleshly desires for fancier things or flashier occupations steer us away from that divine purpose. Seek out the heart and mind of a servant; for assuredly, there is no faster route to personal contentment than sharing an afternoon with someone less fortunate.
Over time, through trials and blessings, I will continuously become more secure with who I am in Christ. I do not need a Land Rover or the corner office because Jesus IS enough. God's provision is indescribable and worth so much more than anything fleeting that the world could offer. Paul said it best: "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly...not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him...and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:10-13, 19)"
Hollie
Over time, through trials and blessings, I will continuously become more secure with who I am in Christ. I do not need a Land Rover or the corner office because Jesus IS enough. God's provision is indescribable and worth so much more than anything fleeting that the world could offer. Paul said it best: "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly...not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him...and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:10-13, 19)"
Hollie
Monday, June 7, 2010
Seek His Face!
So the time I have stressed about for weeks has finally come, it is my turn to write. I am asking myself, why did I agree to do this? What do I possibly have to say? I am grateful for the graciousness and mercy of those about to spend time reading what I hope is coherent.
Some weeks back the Lord gave me Psalm 22:25 & 26 to consider, “From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly, before those who fear Your name will I fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise Him.” For me, these verses imply an answer to an age-old question: Why do those who know Christ turn away? Or put another way, why do Believers struggle for so many years with the cycle of turning to and then turning away from the Lord repeatedly? There are such a vast number of answers to this question. Here in these verses is an answer that cuts to the heart of the problem—we are not finding our satisfaction in God but instead in what God does for us. Often I say it like this, we are seeking His hands and not His face. Too often we turn away from God because (whether we can admit it or not) God is not enough for us. Why? The answer lies in what we are actually seeking.
When the Bible speaks of seeking God, its instruction is to actually seek His person (His face), but instead of seeking Him, we seek His action (His hands) on our behalf (Shouldn’t we lay these things before Him? Without a doubt, but not before we simply seek Him in an intimate knowledge of who He is and with a ruthless trust that submits to His will, ways and purpose—but that is another message all its own). If we were truly seeking God’s face we would ALWAYS be satisfied because our satisfaction would be found in Him alone. As David wrote, HE would be the theme of our praise and nothing else—we would not be able to turn away. Instead, however, we find Him to be dissatisfying because we are seeking what He can do for us; if He does not do what we want, when we want, fix what is broken, jump through our hoops, etc. we have no use for Him and we turn away to solve our own problems (Jeremiah called it digging our own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water—but again I digress).
BUT, if we were to seek God’s face with complete abandonment of ourselves, what would be the result? Among other results found throughout His Word, Psalm 22 makes it clear. Others would see the fruit of our clinging to Him in the way we obey Him! We would find that no matter what the circumstance God would be MORE THAN SATISFYING—filling us to overflow—with what?--PRAISE!! PRAISE regardless of our circumstance! PRAISE no matter what we are suffering! PRAISE no matter what we have lost! PRAISE no matter what we lack! PRAISE no matter our state of confusion! PRAISE no matter our anxiety and stress level! PRAISE! PRAISE! And then, probably a bit more PRAISE! Our sole response to Him would be PRAISE! Our face (NEVER our backs) to His face!! This week, I encourage you to spend time searching the Scripture for the numerous promises for those who seek HIM and keep their faces turned toward HIM! Two of my life’s theme verses and a constant prayer for me is found in Psalm 27:4 & 8, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. My heart says of You, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Maybe God might lead you to make this one of your prayers too!
That You May Know Him More,
Kimberlie Jones
Eph 1:17
Some weeks back the Lord gave me Psalm 22:25 & 26 to consider, “From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly, before those who fear Your name will I fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise Him.” For me, these verses imply an answer to an age-old question: Why do those who know Christ turn away? Or put another way, why do Believers struggle for so many years with the cycle of turning to and then turning away from the Lord repeatedly? There are such a vast number of answers to this question. Here in these verses is an answer that cuts to the heart of the problem—we are not finding our satisfaction in God but instead in what God does for us. Often I say it like this, we are seeking His hands and not His face. Too often we turn away from God because (whether we can admit it or not) God is not enough for us. Why? The answer lies in what we are actually seeking.
When the Bible speaks of seeking God, its instruction is to actually seek His person (His face), but instead of seeking Him, we seek His action (His hands) on our behalf (Shouldn’t we lay these things before Him? Without a doubt, but not before we simply seek Him in an intimate knowledge of who He is and with a ruthless trust that submits to His will, ways and purpose—but that is another message all its own). If we were truly seeking God’s face we would ALWAYS be satisfied because our satisfaction would be found in Him alone. As David wrote, HE would be the theme of our praise and nothing else—we would not be able to turn away. Instead, however, we find Him to be dissatisfying because we are seeking what He can do for us; if He does not do what we want, when we want, fix what is broken, jump through our hoops, etc. we have no use for Him and we turn away to solve our own problems (Jeremiah called it digging our own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water—but again I digress).
BUT, if we were to seek God’s face with complete abandonment of ourselves, what would be the result? Among other results found throughout His Word, Psalm 22 makes it clear. Others would see the fruit of our clinging to Him in the way we obey Him! We would find that no matter what the circumstance God would be MORE THAN SATISFYING—filling us to overflow—with what?--PRAISE!! PRAISE regardless of our circumstance! PRAISE no matter what we are suffering! PRAISE no matter what we have lost! PRAISE no matter what we lack! PRAISE no matter our state of confusion! PRAISE no matter our anxiety and stress level! PRAISE! PRAISE! And then, probably a bit more PRAISE! Our sole response to Him would be PRAISE! Our face (NEVER our backs) to His face!! This week, I encourage you to spend time searching the Scripture for the numerous promises for those who seek HIM and keep their faces turned toward HIM! Two of my life’s theme verses and a constant prayer for me is found in Psalm 27:4 & 8, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. My heart says of You, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Maybe God might lead you to make this one of your prayers too!
That You May Know Him More,
Kimberlie Jones
Eph 1:17
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