"Wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts."
1 Corinthians 4: 1-5
This reminds me of that old childlike feeling of knowing that I'm in trouble when mom would say, "Wait till your father gets home." My father's word was the final one; what chance did I have but to face the music?
The definition of motive is "some inner drive that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way." What drives me to act the way I do? Who is seated behind the wheel? Stress? Vanity? Love or Fear? Seems to me I should allow my stalwart, unchanging Savior to drive because when I base my actions on emotions, I'm all over the road, crashing into things.
Jesus, you died for me, betrothed be with your Spirit and entrusted me with your secrets. Help me to trust you as implicitly as you deserve so that when my Father gets home, I will receive praise from Him, not scorn, shame or disappointment.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
My Birthday Card from God
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16
What a perfect verse to meditate upon on my birthday! God is a consummate author. Each person he creates is like a great novel, a history book. Before I was even introduced to my parents, God penned my life story, molding characters, injecting humor, peppering the plot with joy or tragedy. Painting my eyes an amber brown, he knew I would be tall, graced me with a love of words and nestled me in a loving, Christian home. The setting was the quaint village of Grand River where I walked to school, rode my blue bike and learned about him in Sunday School. He ordained me to be a daughter of his and loves me unconditionally.
How can my birthday be anything but happy?
Psalm 139:16
What a perfect verse to meditate upon on my birthday! God is a consummate author. Each person he creates is like a great novel, a history book. Before I was even introduced to my parents, God penned my life story, molding characters, injecting humor, peppering the plot with joy or tragedy. Painting my eyes an amber brown, he knew I would be tall, graced me with a love of words and nestled me in a loving, Christian home. The setting was the quaint village of Grand River where I walked to school, rode my blue bike and learned about him in Sunday School. He ordained me to be a daughter of his and loves me unconditionally.
How can my birthday be anything but happy?
The Secret of Contentment
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4: 12, 13
Most every day of my life, I have had plenty, but I recall a time when my food supply was reduced to a bag of rice and some crackers. I still had a place to live but lost ten pounds in a week. Was I cared for? Yes! That was also the time period when I delved into the Psalms; they became my comfort food. God got me through that time, honing my strength and sharpening my appreciation for faith and family.
Just as Jesus was led into the desert, God knew I had some rough times ahead of me that would tear me down if I had not spent time in his presence. I am content just knowing that God's grace is sufficient for all my needs.
Philippians 4: 12, 13
Most every day of my life, I have had plenty, but I recall a time when my food supply was reduced to a bag of rice and some crackers. I still had a place to live but lost ten pounds in a week. Was I cared for? Yes! That was also the time period when I delved into the Psalms; they became my comfort food. God got me through that time, honing my strength and sharpening my appreciation for faith and family.
Just as Jesus was led into the desert, God knew I had some rough times ahead of me that would tear me down if I had not spent time in his presence. I am content just knowing that God's grace is sufficient for all my needs.
Like A Rock
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousnes will never fail."
Isaiah 51: 6
Chevy trucks are built like a rock, or so we're told, and diamonds are forever. Is anything really built to last for all eternity? In the verse above, God tells me to look up, down and all around. What I see is temporary. The sun will vanish? Even the earth beneath my feet will wear out like an old shirt? Everyone I know is as vulnerable as a fly at summer's end? Then what can I believe in, how shall I live?
I shall live as an Easter person, laying up my treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves will not break in and steal. Just as the glory of the autumn leaves fade away, so will my body, but my spirit belongs to the Lord who never changes.
"On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Isaiah 51: 6
Chevy trucks are built like a rock, or so we're told, and diamonds are forever. Is anything really built to last for all eternity? In the verse above, God tells me to look up, down and all around. What I see is temporary. The sun will vanish? Even the earth beneath my feet will wear out like an old shirt? Everyone I know is as vulnerable as a fly at summer's end? Then what can I believe in, how shall I live?
I shall live as an Easter person, laying up my treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves will not break in and steal. Just as the glory of the autumn leaves fade away, so will my body, but my spirit belongs to the Lord who never changes.
"On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Jesus Heals
"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the poeople. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."
Matthew 4: 23, 24
I wonder why Jesus healed? Why not just come to provide salvation, a way to righteousness with God? I believe it was due to his overwhelming love and compassion. How could he have stood before them to preach, overlooking all their physical woes, when he had the power to bring relief? Imagine how many people were stricken in those days prior to vaccination, medicine, wheelchairs, or prostetics?
Now imagine the radiating joy that spread across Syria as formerly paralyzed people danced, those who'd been bent with pain now erect and smiling, those souls ravaged by demons now sane and happy? Jesus brought hope to a hopeless world, freedom to the oppressed "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
Praise be to Jesus who brings wholeness, joy and gladness to those who love him and call him Abba, Father.
Matthew 4: 23, 24
I wonder why Jesus healed? Why not just come to provide salvation, a way to righteousness with God? I believe it was due to his overwhelming love and compassion. How could he have stood before them to preach, overlooking all their physical woes, when he had the power to bring relief? Imagine how many people were stricken in those days prior to vaccination, medicine, wheelchairs, or prostetics?
Now imagine the radiating joy that spread across Syria as formerly paralyzed people danced, those who'd been bent with pain now erect and smiling, those souls ravaged by demons now sane and happy? Jesus brought hope to a hopeless world, freedom to the oppressed "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
Praise be to Jesus who brings wholeness, joy and gladness to those who love him and call him Abba, Father.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
When Jesus Touches You
"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.' Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing' he said, 'Be clean.' Immediately, the leprosy left him and he was cured."
Mark 1:40-42
Imagine being a leper, having had no human contact since being inflicted, being estranged from family and friends, suffering through a disfiguring disease alone. Seeing Jesus, a flicker of hope fans into a flame through faith as you approach him, trembling. Will he shirk away, wrinkling his nose? Will he command you to keep your distance, as others have? No! Jesus, filled with compassion, reaches out his hand and touches you, just as you are, diseased, dirty and discarded. Immediately, your skin is rosy with health. Your burden is lifted by One stronger than yourself. You are a new creation.
The Bible says, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. While I was dead in sin, dressed in filthy rags, discarded by others, he laid down his life for me. I am a new creation.
Mark 1:40-42
Imagine being a leper, having had no human contact since being inflicted, being estranged from family and friends, suffering through a disfiguring disease alone. Seeing Jesus, a flicker of hope fans into a flame through faith as you approach him, trembling. Will he shirk away, wrinkling his nose? Will he command you to keep your distance, as others have? No! Jesus, filled with compassion, reaches out his hand and touches you, just as you are, diseased, dirty and discarded. Immediately, your skin is rosy with health. Your burden is lifted by One stronger than yourself. You are a new creation.
The Bible says, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. While I was dead in sin, dressed in filthy rags, discarded by others, he laid down his life for me. I am a new creation.
Pay It Forward
"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn will tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."
Psalm 78: 5-7
My parents gave me music lessons, braces for my crooked teeth, food and shelter, a bicycle, games and toys, an education, unconditional love, vacations, laughter and joy, but all would be hollow without the faith in God they demonstrated. If I were mad, mom would remind me, "Don't let the devil get a foothold!" If I were worried, she'd say "Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you." Watching birds at the feeder, mom would sing "For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me." My parents prayed during times of distress, praised through moments of joy, accredited their Creator for all things. They spoke of their faith, they taught their children, they prayed for each grandchild as they continued to live in Christ. They showed me the Way, the Truth and the Life so I may live with Jesus for all eternity.
I can't think of a more blessed childhood than that.
Psalm 78: 5-7
My parents gave me music lessons, braces for my crooked teeth, food and shelter, a bicycle, games and toys, an education, unconditional love, vacations, laughter and joy, but all would be hollow without the faith in God they demonstrated. If I were mad, mom would remind me, "Don't let the devil get a foothold!" If I were worried, she'd say "Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you." Watching birds at the feeder, mom would sing "For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me." My parents prayed during times of distress, praised through moments of joy, accredited their Creator for all things. They spoke of their faith, they taught their children, they prayed for each grandchild as they continued to live in Christ. They showed me the Way, the Truth and the Life so I may live with Jesus for all eternity.
I can't think of a more blessed childhood than that.
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