Worship for the Weekday
Forever
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Psalm 136:1-9
1. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 2. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 4. to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 5. to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 6. to him who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 7. to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 8. the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 9. the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Notice the recurring theme of this psalm? One phrase is repeated 26 times in all by the end of the psalm. Verses 10 - 22 relate the God of history in the lives of his chosen people -- the Israelites escaping from Egypt and the battles fought and a heritage preserved. Through it all, “his steadfast love endures for ever.”
Yes, God is great and mighty and has the power to create the universe. He orders the stars and causes day and night and the oceans and the mountains and every living thing. He killed the wicked and spared the weak and provides for all of creation. More important than any of that: his steadfast love endures for ever. Even if he had never even thought up the earth, even if the Israelites had remained in slavery another thousand years, even if things in our life aren’t going the way we would have hoped. His steadfast love endures forever.
The under-girding of our faith, the underlying theme of our lives, the hope and the promise of our future all hang on that one statement of fact. And that is what it is. Not an ardent hope, but a firm assurance. Not a prize to be won, but a gift to all who believe. The same God who made the oceans made you and me. The same God who breathed the universe into existence and made man from dust of the earth loves us.
That pretty much puts everything in perspective when we stop to take in the enormity of that truth. His love endures for ever. His love for us endures forever. His love for me endures for ever. His love for you endures for ever. His love endures forever.
My prayer is that you remember the transcending, transforming love of God today. And that you revel in that love, which endures for ever.
Mary
The Lord is at Hand
Philippians 4:4-9
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
Rejoice. Wow, after a stressful week and crazy weekend, I might wonder how in the world I am to rejoice! Sometimes I feel as if I’m a spinning top! Have no anxiety? How is that possible? Paul tells us quite plainly and succinctly: The Lord is at hand. That’s how we make it through anything and everything the world might throw at us. That’s how we stay focused and centered on God. We remember that He is at hand -- he is near us, with us, in us. That’s how we acquire and retain the peace of God.
The “world” doesn’t spin on truth, honor, purity, loveliness, graciousness, excellence. The “world” tells us that we are each on our own, and we need to grab after whatever we can get - through any means we must use. It doesn’t matter if we trample over someone else. It doesn’t matter if we lie or cheat to get what we want. Being the “nice one” usually gets you kicked off
The Apprentice and
Survivor. The “world” honors that “killer instinct.”
Jesus showed us a better way. Yes, he was crucified. But he rose on the third day! Isn’t eternal life in heaven more enticing than anything this world has to offer? Isn’t rising as a perfect creation of God worth living in the example of Christ? No, it isn’t easy to turn away from the enticements of this world. There is much to be had, and to enjoy and to savor and to hold to ourselves. But Paul reminds us that everything is better, sweeter, more savory and fulfilling if we follow his example, and that of Christ.
Submission and obedience are a “weakling” response according to the world. But God is the ruler of this world and He sent Jesus to tell us there is more to life than what you see and feel and hear right now in this human form, in this present moment. Heaven awaits all those who look to the Cross, who stand in the shadow of salvation and hide it in their hearts, and make it their own. Jesus died, knowing that he would rise and live again in heaven.
I want to be like Jesus! I want to live forever in heaven. I want to be reunited with those whom I love who have gone before me. I want to bow down before the throne of God. I want to walk with Jesus. I want to be perfected. The promise of heaven is reason enough to rejoice in every circumstance, through every trial and tribulation. And that promise makes every celebration that much more joyous, every joy sweeter.
My prayer today is that you rejoice in the Lord. And that no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you remember that the Lord is at hand.
Mary
He Said, “Come”
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Matthew 14:22-33
22. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24. but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28. And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29. He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30. but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
My favorite place on earth is the beach – any beach – as long as there is sand. I find myself yearning for the ocean if I haven’t been there in a while. I have a ritual or a routine when I visit the beach. I like to just stand on the boardwalk and breathe in deeply with my eyes closed. I take in the sound of the waves and inhale the fresh salty air. My lungs fill with the briny mist of “ocean air.” I stand still for a while and then I lick my lips. It’s not until I taste the saltiness that I really begin to unwind and take in the beauty and power of the sea. At that point I begin my sojourn back to nature and rhythm and order in accordance with God’s creation plan.
I like to visit the beach in the winter because I am all but alone and it becomes my own personal journey back to the water and the sand. My hair starts to frizz immediately, but I literally feel the pores of my skin opening up and rejoicing to be cleansed and refreshed by the salty mist. I like to go for long walks and look out at the horizon where water meets sky. I think about Jesus and Peter in the boat at times like that. Jesus walking to his friends to comfort them, to reassure them, perhaps even to save them from drowning. And poor Peter – so much like each of us! He desperately wants to trust Jesus. He even takes a bold step out onto the water. When he began to sink, he must have felt as I do when a huge wave crashes over me and I can’t tell up from down or sky from ocean floor. It’s a terrible, frightening feeling – almost as if you are about to die!
I am ashamed to admit how many times I “start to trust Jesus.” All too often I don’t end up trusting him! I take back my thoughts or my plans. He’s not acting quickly enough. Things aren’t going the way I envisioned them. I’m not in control! Never mind, Jesus, I’ve got this one—but thanks. Oh, but then I begin to sink. And I flounder and sometimes I start to go under. That is the point at which I tell Jesus, “Oh, what I said before—never mind! I really do need you. Please save me.” And of course, he always does. Sometimes he lets me flounder around a while until I learn the lesson. But he never lets me sink for the last time.
He bids us to come to him. “Keep your eyes on me,” he instructs us. “I will walk with you,” he promises. And we believe him – for a while. Like Peter we forget the instructions. We start to think about all the what-ifs and buts and maybes. Jesus gives us one simple, infallible, timeless, and all-purpose command. “Come.” So easy, and yet so difficult.
My prayer today is that you breathe in the love of Jesus with every breath you take. And that you remember there is only one thing you need to get where you’re going: obey when Jesus bids you, “Come.”
Mary
Bloom Where You’re Planted!
Amos 4:13
For lo, he who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought; who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth --
the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!
Psalm 149:1-4
1. Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful! 2. Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King! 3. Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre! 4. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
The same God who forms the mountains stoops to be near mankind! He takes pleasure in us as his most beloved creation -- the best of all He made -- he saved mankind for last after all. Sometimes I forget that God isn’t just some unreachable, unapproachable entity--like the wizard in the Wizard of Oz. He not only comes to us throughout our daily lives, he longs for us.
Longs for us.
He wants an intimate relationship with each of us and with all of mankind. I have found lately that I am more aware of his presence in my life. I catch my breath when I realize his presence --active and vibrant and so apparent. He yearns for my acknowledgement and thanks for that presence. One of the ways I respond in gratitude is through my writings. When I am most full of God’s love and open myself up to His power in my life, I find I am the most creative and prolific. When I allow Him to work through me, to use me as his vessel in this world, my writings minister more fully and personally to others in my life.
When I use my other gifts, I am allowing Him a pathway into the world of man as well. I am a talented Administrator! I can say that, because I know the source of those talents and abilities -- I am only obedient in recognizing and deploying them! I am also a natural caretaker -- that helps with the “administrative stuff” too. I was talking with a friend the other day and she commented that she is both a comforter and an administrator -- with a tendency toward leading and directing. I, on the other hand, have a tendency toward caretaking and comforting who will lead if necessary!
Both are vital! Both are necessary! Both of us respond out of our deepest place of giftedness. We both admitted that it is way too easy for me to loose focus on the “big picture” to sit with one person and for her to focus on the goal, and possibly miss an opportunity to minister personally. That’s another reason it is important to have others in your life who will hold you accountable and who will help you realize these truths about yourself without blaming or shaming you.
Bloom where you are planted! Thank God that You are a seed of His love. He sends sunshine as well as rain to nurture you and help you grow. Plants grow up! Even “root plants” must shoot growth above the ground! Every living thing on earth yearns for God in heaven just as much as he yearns for us. Isn’t God amazsing?
My prayer today is that you bloom where you are planted. And that you grow UP toward the one who gives you everything you need to thrive in this life.
Mary
Perfection in the Fear of God
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2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
14. Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15. What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16. What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, 18. and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 7. 1.Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Verse 14 really says all that needs to be said! We are not to “hang around” with unbelievers. That group would include those who say they are believers but don’t act or live as if they are. Life is hard enough without intentionally throwing ourselves into tough situations.
Maybe you are surrounded at your job by unbelievers. Every day you go to work, your soul is at risk! Or . . . every day you go to work, you are given the opportunity to minister to God’s world. Kind of like the glass is half empty/half full scenario, isn’t it.
If you are in a situation where you struggle against darkness, idols, sin, know that you are not alone. We are the temple of the living God and that is what makes us able to resist, to bear up, to conquer the darkness, the idolatry, the sin in our lives. Sometimes we have no choice but to go where “the unbelievers” are. But we have a choice about how we prepare for the journey. And we can decide anew each day that we will not be defiled by the world. We can choose to strive for holiness and perfection.
Fearing God is not a bad thing! When I was young, I feared punishment from my parents if I disobeyed (not that I was a “perfect” child!) As I grew older, I learned the rules at school and then behind the wheel of a car. I adhered to the rules of the workplace and ultimately to the “rules of the world.” At various points along the way, we pick and choose what rings true to us. We decide that certain “rules” are unjust. We follow a different path than the one the world offers. It can be lonely sometimes. But it is certainly worth it.
Living in the fear of God provides me tremendous comfort and peace when I decide to follow Him versus the world. I have much greater fear of never seeing him in heaven than I do of not being accepted and loved by anyone in this world. I long for heaven. I try, very hard, to make that the basis for each decision I make along the way - whether it is to obey the speed limit, not to rob a bank, or succumb to the temptations of this world.
My prayer today is that you will keep yourself apart from the unbelievers. And that if you must be among them you may be a beacon and a hope.
Mary
Supreme Blessedness
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Matthew 5:1-11
1. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
This discourse is usually called The Beatitudes. Dictionary.com defines beatitude as “supreme blessedness or happiness.” The short and sweet commentary on these passages is that only through complete and absolute dependence upon God as our source and our center will we ever achieve supreme blessedness or happiness. It’s just that cut and dried. Only by absolutely and completely yielding every aspect of our lives, every ounce our being, every hint of conscious thought to our Creator will we know the blessedness of living in his presence.
I don’t think Jesus is saying that you need to be glad if you are in mourning or celebrate being persecuted for living up to what you believe. What he’s telling us is that in the grand scheme of eternity, our lives on earth are like a little blip on the radar. Don’t make this tiny part of your existence the most important thing. Don’t dwell on this fleeting little blink of an eye. All this will pass away. All of it will fade into obscurity at the end of all time. When we are with our heavenly father in heaven, none of it will seem significant or important.
While we are here on earth, though, embrace every experience; know that everything you are going through is in God’s divine plan to prepare you for eternity with Him. Make the most of this time. God loves us so much that he affords us this life to strive after the perfection of His Beloved Son. To be loved that much! It is truly unimaginable! To be a creature of such intrinsic value -- that’s why we can rejoice when we are persecuted. To be valued the most in all of creation -- that’s why we can live righteously, without fear. We are meek and mild before God because His strength and might upholds us.
The world may not understand. They may mock and ridicule us. They may think us fools. But my friends, know it is so. This is our time. Use it wisely.
My prayer today is that you experience the extreme blessedness only possible through Jesus Christ. And that you rejoice in this life as a gift from the One who loves us too much to leave us on our own.
Mary
Emmanuel
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Psalm 114
1. When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2. Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3. The sea looked and fled, Jordan turned back. 4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5. What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? 6. O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? 7. Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8. who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.
Don’t you sometimes find yourself wishing God would act in your life the way he did in “biblical” times? Haven’t you had days when you wish the “sea” you have to cross would flee so your passage could be easy and safe? Life is not easy. Even when we do everything we think we ought to do. Even when we try so very hard to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation not of our own making, but one from which we must extricate ourselves. And change can be scary. Even for an adventurous sort like myself!
As I walked with my buddy this morning, I made a pretty strong affirmation that I realized I forget sometimes: God stoops down from heaven to act in our lives every single day -- with intention and with purpose. I don’t doubt it for one single minute and no one will ever convince me that it’s not so. I have had too many “coincidences” that were unquestionably God reaching his hand to me to hold me up. Too many times I have called out to him, and he has sent an answer - through an unlikely messenger, through a seemingly “chance” meeting or conversation. Sometimes it come to me as I sit in quiet solitude. But I am not alone on this earth. And neither are you. Emmanuel -- God with us -- really is!
Just open up your bible and you will find countless ways that the God of human history has been intimately involved in that history. And he is still. Every so often, I get an uplifting e-mail from friends -- one about “have you ever had ____ happen? That’s God.” And it probably is. God-incidences abound. We just need to watch and listen for them. We need to be open to them. When life throws you for a loop, when you are broadsided by the actions of others, when ill-intent and sin seem to be all around you--don’t despair! God loves you too much to allow you to go through it alone. Oh, he may allow you to go through it -- in fact he probably will -- remember yesterday’s devotion on the refiner’s fire? But you won’t be alone. He’ll be there as all the dross is scraped off the silver.
He’s making you into a masterpiece. That takes years of work and toil and planning and preparation. But I think about Jesus and what he had to go through for me. I think about his mother and how her heart was surely broken as the events of Good Friday unfolded. I think of all those who loved Jesus and had followed him, and had found hope in his words. They must have felt as if it had all been a lie. They must have felt very betrayed by God. But Easter Morning promised them otherwise -- just as it is a promise for us today. God is in the world. He walks among us, and lives within us. And we don’t ever need to fear that he will leave us alone. He loves us too much and longs for us to be in heaven with him.
My prayer today is that you go to God for your heart’s desire. And that you remain open to his answer, which always ends with, “I love you.”
Mary
A Masterpiece
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Proverbs 17:3
3. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tries hearts.
Ah, yes. . . Short and sweet--that’s the wisdom of Proverbs. And so very true! Blazing hot coals of fire are used to heat silver to the melting point so it can be shaped into jewelry, or whatever else is desired. It must be so hot it changes shape by causing a chemical reaction in the ore. As it heats all the impurities rise to the top and must be scraped off. Then the silver is heated again, and again the dross (impurities) are scraped away. And on and on until the silversmith sees his reflection in the liquid silver.
Sounds kind of like the way God shapes and reshapes us doesn’t it? I used to dread that “refiner’s fire!” Not that I especially enjoy going through painful experiences! But I have surprised myself lately in how I have been able to deal with some of the latest challenges in my life. And that is so only because of God’s most amazing grace. He scrapes away and melts down over and over again the places in me that don’t reflect Him.
Yes, the Lord tries hearts. He does it because He loves us so very deeply and with such passion that He wants us to be like Him. So we can be with him in heaven. He wants to draw us to Himself. And the only way that can happen is to be tested in the furnace of life. I don’t go running into the fire, though. I try to avoid it at all costs! But eventually I am led there, as we all are. When were in the hottest part of the fire, we need to remember that it gets better from there. The result of the refiner’s work is a masterpiece!
I hope today that you endure whatever refining God may be doing in your life with grace. And that you remember the best is yet to come.
Mary
Already Won
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Deuteronomy 6:6-9
And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Colossians 3:8-11
8. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. 9. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10. and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
What you see is what you get. That’s often how we describe those who are pretty laid back and are generally viewed as open, self-aware, unpretentious people. People like that don’t have anything to hide. Not that they have never done anything for which they are ashamed, or at least embarrassed or disappointed in themselves. It’s just that they realize we are all flawed, imperfect beings, and have moved past the “human“ aspect of their existence into a new way of thinking and being. As Christians we also realize that is how we can all connect as humans -- that’s why we are not to judge others, not to discriminate against them, not to turn our backs on them. My sin is the same as your sin -- the act itself may be different, but the impact is the same - it separates us from God.
Don’t do as I do; do as I say. Have we ever said that to our children. Is that how Jesus taught his disciples? Or did he get on his knees with a towel around his waist and wash the dusty, calloused feet of his beloved friends. Did he ever once tell his followers that he was exempt from anything that was being taught? Or did he model what he talked about? Did he deny us salvation? Or did he carry a cross to a hill and allow himself to be crucified? Did he die for us? Did he rise on the Third Day?
It is not easy to be a Christian! It’s very, very challenging. Some days its pretty nearly impossible. The world is not a nice place. And in our town, the murder rate is skyrocketing. And the crimes have become more violent and brutal. Senseless acts of evil. It’s frightening. Disregarding all of that, just driving to work, being at work, going to the mall, sitting on the sidelines of a child’s T-ball or soccer game all lend themselves to exposure to hate, anger, fear, sin.
So how do we live in this world full of flawed, sinful fellow human beings? Deuteronomy tells us the answer. “shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” We must stay in the Word. We must read the bible, pray, surround ourselves with Christians and live out our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. The powers of evil are at hand. Evil has always been in the world. And it will remain until the end times.
Lest we think that the world is as bad as it can get, read about some of the epic Old Testament battles! They didn’t use clean, sleek, high-tech weapons. It was hand to hand combat. And it was awful and violent, and terrifying. They felt, I’m sure, that was as bad as it could get, too. It only gets better when God’s people rise up and say, enough!” When we declare our faith and live out our faith, evil losses. Jesus wins. No, he’s already won! We win!
My prayer today is that you will rise up against the forces of evil that are present in your existence. And that you will “put on the new nature” won for us on the Cross.
Mary
Speak the Word of God With Boldness
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Acts 4:23-31
23. When they [Peter and John] were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25. who by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, didst say by the Holy Spirit, `Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26. The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed' -- 27. for truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28. to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place. 29. And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30. while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus." 31. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Are you bold in declaring your faith? Really bold? I often claim to be. And I can give a pretty stirring speech, write a powerful poem or narrative about my faith. I can even speak to other Christians and non-believers about how my faith sustains me. I feel very strongly about what constitutes Christian behavior. Of course, I do all this in the context of the rhetorical “we.” I speak through the voice of “us” as Christians. I can sit for hours and watch the news and “prime-time” television shows and point out all the un-Christian actions, productions, and messages pumped out over the airwaves with great facility.
Having said all that: This Christmas is the first time I actually asked to receive an Icthus (fish with cross) to put on my car! That’s because when I’m in my car I am often the most un-Christian of any other time in my life! I curse at rude drivers, and swear at the pokey ones. I’ve been known to intentionally not let someone over because I felt they had been “stupid” to wait until the last minute to get over when arrows directing them to merge left have been flashing for over a mile. Oh yes, it’s bad! You may be thinking that doesn’t really count, because I’m by myself, in the car, and nobody can hear me and only the “idiot” in the offending vehicle bears the brunt of my annoyance.
There, I’ve admitted it! “They” say that admitting your sin is the first step toward correcting it! I must say that I have been more conscious of my behavior since I’ve installed the Icthus on my car. But more important than my behavior is my state of mind. I have had to intentionally stop myself and rather than curse a fellow traveler, offer a blessing for them. Rather than cut someone off or slow way down when they tailgate me, I let them have their way--and lift a prayer for them.
That attitude has begun to carry over to the other areas of my life, too. I’ve begun to pray for clients who come in for counseling at my job, and for the counselors. And then I pray for myself-for the words I say to offer them comfort and peace. And when I stop at the store on the way home, I try to put myself in an attitude of prayer for those I pass in the aisle, the employees and everyone else in the store. It doesn’t always go as planned -- some evenings I’m really beat and then I just want to get in and get out. But I am making a concerted effort.
Are you bold in declaring your faith? It starts in our hearts and in our minds. We must change those before we can expect to influence anyone else.
My prayer today is that you speak words of peace and healing to everyone you meet, pass by, and come in contact with. And that you boldly declare your faith with every syllable, phrase and sentence you utter.
Mary
Angels Ministered to Him
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Matthew 4:3-11
3. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4. But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 5. Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6. and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you,' and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7. Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 8. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; 9. and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10. Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11. Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.
The angels came and ministered to him. Wow. Can you imagine!? These verses immediately follow the baptism of Jesus by John; Jesus goes away to prepare himself for what is ahead. I’ve often wondered if he bargained with God in that time. Is that what the “temptations” really were? Did he think of offering a great deal--but not his life? Did he ask for a sign to be absolutely certain he was to go down this path? Was Satan, really his own inner human voice, pulling him away from the purpose for which he was created?
Framed in that light, don’t we have a great deal in common with Jesus? Yes, he is our Lord and Savior! Of course he was divine! And he was also human. How did he manage not to succumb to the tremendous power he possessed? How did Mary and Joseph teach him to control that power? How did he lay it aside when he “needed” it most? Why did he become like us? How? Why?
I marvel at this Jesus! I am just overwhelmed every time I ask myself these questions! I look at my own life, and at the relatively little God asks of me. No real comparison there! Would I die for what I believe? Probably not. And I pray I never have to make that decision. Satan offered Jesus everything a human being could ever desire. And it paled in comparison to what awaited him. Even going through the torturous death of crucifixion was worth it -- to get back to heaven.
That being the case, wouldn’t you think I could do the small things God asks of me?! Wouldn’t you think I could spend more time in prayer? Studying the Bible? Taking care of myself? Doing missions? You can fill in the blank for your own situation. I don’t think God wants us to be ashamed of ourselves. He just wants us to change our focus. He want us to live FOR Him, WITH Him, IN Him. He doesn’t want to be an afterthought, but the FIRST thought. When something pulls us away from Him, he wants us to say, “No, God is First.” Is it really so much to ask of us? In the end, what will give you peace? On your deathbed what will you rejoice in? What will you regret?
My prayer today is that you put God first on your To Do list. And that you thank Him for giving us a new chance each day to serve him.
Mary
God’s Perfect Timing
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Exodus 5:23
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he has done evil to this people, and thou hast not delivered thy people at all."
I had not planned to post a devotion this morning. God, of course, knew better and I’m sure has quite a wry smile on his face this morning! You see, I broke my glasses a couple of days ago, so have been borrowing my husband’s reading/magnifying glasses--which I left at work last night! I knew that this was not a coincidence, as I have been avoiding something and I suppose God decided to take matters completely out of my control. I really don’t like it when he does that, do you?!
I am able to read a large enough print though with some blurriness without any glasses. Reading my bible was out of the question, so I checked my on-line subscriptions and the status of an on-going e-mail conversation with a friend. And God was waiting for me with a lesson from Moses. The lesson I read was from tgifmarketplaceleaders.org. It’s an organization that supports those who work “in the world” as they strive to remain true to their Christian faith. Today’s lesson is about our questioning God’s timing.
I’ve been doing that quite a bit lately. I’m not so brave as to call out to God as Moses did, but I’ve sure been on the same wavelength. “How much longer, God?” And I’ve many times wondered what God could possibly be trying to teach me by prolonging a situation that is causing me a tremendous level of stress at work! This morning I am reminded, once again, that I have no right whatsoever to ask the creator of time itself, how he intends to dispense his lessons. None.
So today I am going to try very had to just rest in Him. To let the lesson unfold as God has planned. To breathe. To raise a silent prayer of thanks to my God for caring enough to even bother with me. To rejoice that I am one of His beloved.
My prayer for you today is that you allow God to work in your life. And that you yield always to His perfect timing.
Mary
The Lord is at Hand
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Philippians 4:4-6
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Believe me when I say I was not rejoicing last night (or should I say this morning about 1:30). I was filled with anxiety and uncertainty and confusion about work and spiritual issues and was unable to unwind, even though I was exhausted. I can remember that I kept telling myself, “Give this to God.” And the more I said it, the more tightly I clutched it all to myself. “No, I will not go to sleep. I’m going to mull all this over and stare at the ceiling all night long.” As strongly and completely as I say I believe in the power of prayer, I was without one last night.
If this were to be your first visit to the website, you might think, “Why in the world would I want to continue reading? This person is just like me!” And that’s the point. Even those for whom I have the highest esteem; even those great giants of faith in my own life, admit to that kind of foolishness from time to time. We are all, after all, human beings. And for some reason, that little speck of us that is part of God, also sometimes makes us think we ARE God!
This morning I am exhausted, of course. And the world is still spinning in spite of my petty worries and self-involved concern. The sun rises and sets, even without my noticing, let alone being in charge! But something else I notice about myself, is that even though I slept late, and felt sluggish and like I would really like to just have a day to lay in bed and pout, I did feel joyful! I am rejoicing! Why? Because the Lord is at hand! The sun came up today! God is still in charge! Rejoice in that!
My prayer today is that you will let all your requests be made knownto God. And that you will offer up thanksgiving for the glorious, wonderful, beautiful, world God made for us.
Mary
The One Who Fills All in All
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Ephesians 1:17-23
17. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18. having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19. and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20. which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21. far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22. and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23. which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.
Any single one of these verses says plenty to discuss, as I am short on time and still on restricted computer usage due to the carpel tunnel flare up, I looked for an end to a sentence and realized the sentence doesn’t end until verse 23! I really like Paul! He writes as he thinks, flowing, and lots of run-on sentences. And I understand his reluctance to end a sentence too soon when referring to Jesus. One could go on and on for a lifetime and still not say enough about Him.
Paul’s prayer for the believers, though, is not for an “easy” life or for riches on earth. He never mentions that he prays for our every whim to be satisfied or even that we will have the one thing on this earth we may want the most, does he? There’s no mention of lots of friends, a comfortable routine in our daily lives, no thought of how to spend our leisure time or what plans to make for our retirement. Paul, even in all his ramblings, is single-minded. And that’s what he prays for us--to be single-minded in how we live our lives.
His prayer is that we will have a relationship with Christ that rivals all other relationships. He wants us to know and love our Savior more than we love our own life. His prayer is that we will join him in sharing the good news of the risen Christ who won for us the one thing we never could do for ourselves: eternal life in heaven.
As he prays, he interjects how we will be able to live the life the Resurrection calls us to. And he tells us who has gone before us to make the way we need to go, and who will walk beside us on the path. Paul prays that we will live out our faith. He goes the long way around to get there, but that’s what he’s saying. If we are saved, we can’t really be happy unless we live like it, think like it, act like it.
My prayer today is that you remember who paid the price for the gift of your life. And that you turn throughout this day, certain to be full of challenges, to the only one who fills all in all.
Mary
Pray At All Times
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Ephesians 6:18-19
18. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19. and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
I can’t type much this morning -- my hands certainly feel as if I put in a full day’s work yesterday! But I wanted to share this message this morning. Last night and again this morning I have had the strong urge to pray. To pray for specific people, in very specific ways. I don’t really understand how that all works, but I have learned to obey when a prayer burden is placed on my heart. On more than one occasion I have felt the call to pray for someone and then shared with them afterward the specific prayers I had lifted on their behalf, only for them to tell me they had been struggling with that issue or area of their life or a decision they needed to make.
It used to surprise me! Now I am merely humbled and honored that God has set me apart as a prayer warrior. And war is what it is all about! The verses this morning directly follow one of the most powerful passages in the New Testament for me: The Whole Armor of God. Lest you have any doubt about the urgency for prayer, read verses 10-17! We can’t win the battle alone! Notice verse 10 tell tells us to be strong
in the Lord. That’s the only way we can persevere.
I had confused some of my priorities with all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and preparing to go out of town. Actually it’s been a longer time than that. Since my return, I’ve had one very powerful affirmation that prayer is vital -- not only for ourselves -- but for all the saints. I suppose that is why I have been more intentional and deliberate -- no obedient -- when God calls me away to pray.
I hope today you will hear God calling you when he tells you to pray. And that you will obey, even without knowing who needs your prayers.
Mary
No New Year’s Resolutions
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2 Chronicles 7:12-18
12. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14. if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.'
Solomon spent 13 years building his palace and in chapter 12, dedicates it God. Solomon, son of David, spends all of chapter 6 praying for God’s blessing upon the temple that has just been completed (42 verses!) God’s response is direct and spelled out quite plainly: humble yourself before me, pray, seek God’s face, repent, keep God’s commandments. Blessings will flow upon God’s people then! Individually and collectively. Oh! Is that all?
Have you ever been humbled before God? It is not a pretty sight. He reaches down deep inside you, and pulls out all the pride and arrogance, all your sense of control and illusion of power, all your dreams and desires. And he casts them to the wind. And then he begins to fill you with his dreams and desires. It’s a painful process. Notice God tells Solomon He [God] chooses the place for himself. It’s not about Solomon or his work or his leadership--and he certainly cannot rely upon his father’s faith to save him! He must establish his own relationship with God. He must carve out his own life--honor a new covenant.
God has been humbling me throughout the past year. And I have put up an amazing fight against him! Oh, my gosh, how I have fought him. I continually tell him, “OK. I get it, you can stop now.” And he just keeps telling me, “Nope. Not yet.” He sees those deep places within me that I have held back from him and asks for them too. “No, God! Not that!” And he responds, “Oh, yes, and more. I want it all.” After all, I am his creation. How could I dare to withhold from him that which he created in the first place?!
I’ve made no “New Year Resolutions.” I only continue the resolution I made a long time ago. I will try very hard to give it all to God. All of it. I am only now beginning to understand and accept that I am in control of nothing. In charge of nothing. If my last breath is breathed today, what will I need to worry about tomorrow?
I have a strong suspicion that 2006 will be a year of giving up and offering up “control.” I get so tired sometimes of learning God’s lessons! But I imagine He long ago wearied of telling us the same thing year after year, decade after decade, generation after generation, century after century. All he asks for his patience and his mercy is that we humble ourselves, pray, seek his face, and turn from our wicked ways. From God’s perspective it really is a small thing He asks!
My prayer for you today and for this new year is that you humble yourself before God. And open yourself up to the plans and dreams he already has prepared for you.
Mary
In Charge of the World
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Matthew 6:31-34 NIV
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I’m having some relief from the awful pain I had been experiencing prior to Christmas and since. I am still on “limited duty” per my husband so I will do what I feel I absolutely want done, and wait until medical expertise can offer me additional relief. We had a wonderful post-Christmas family reunion to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary! All my siblings and all nieces and nephews were there and several relatives, in-laws of siblings, who have become true friends, and even one of my father's college roommates--it was just wonderful!
In the “before and after” get-to-gethers and conversations with various family members I discovered something: we all believe we are “in charge of the world”! Really! As I observed my parents and siblings, I had to laugh to myself how even planning a “sister’s dinner” (gift from a brother-in-law) with my mom, sisters and sister-in-law became an event worthy of strategic planning on the scale of an international trade agreement! Kids everywhere – visiting cousins, aunts, grandpa, and who was carpooling with whom . . . it was great! And it reminded me of myself and my own life.
And as I thought of my marriage, and my friendships, my job and my activities at church I realized that most of us really do act as if we are in charge – of everything! And I thought about why that is. I came to a pretty sobering conclusion about myself. If I expend all my energy telling everybody else what to do, getting involved in details I don’t need to know, making decisions I don’t need to make, I don’t have the time or energy to focus on myself. On my own life. On the things I won’t give over to God. On the things I give over and then take back. Because, after all . . . I am in charge. Right?
I have read The Purpose Driven Life
four times and taught
four classes on the book. What part of “It’s Not About You” am I missing here? Speaking only for myself: each day does have enough trouble for itself! I don’t mean bad things happening, I mean
I am a full-time job! I have so many areas that God is developing in me, and so many he is scraping away, refining, renewing. And if I only focused on God’s plans, that would certainly take all my time and energy. And it would not leave me time to run around telling everybody else what they should do, and complaining about how much better things would be if everyone would just listen to me, and basically, if I were truly in charge!
Thankfully, I am not. God swoops down to save me from most of my potentially biggest blunders. And he uses the others to teach me something. Some day I’m going to listen to him. I’m going to give my life over to him and not take it back!
My prayer today is that you join me in turning over today to our God. And that you try really, really, hard not to take it back. Happy New Year!
Mary
