Worship for the Weekday
Two Sides of the Same Coin
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1 Corinthians 16:5-9
5. I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6. and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may speed me on my journey, wherever I go. 7. For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9. for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries
Paul touches upon two key components of discipleship in this letter. The first is the importance of community – a home church. We each need a place to call home, not only in our lives, but also in our faith. Our home church is essential for the on-going sustenance of our faith, for the prayers and encouragement of our church family, and as a resting place when we grow weary of living in the world.
The other component is to seize upon opportunities for discipleship when they are presented. We are not to wait until we feel like spreading the Good News. Nor are we to refuse an opportunity presented to us. Jesus didn’t wait until it was “convenient” to do his father’s will. He did it as it was presented to him. His mission took priority over everything else. What does all this mean to us? How can we possibly live in this way in this day and time?
In another devotion I read recently the writer talked about how we so often fail to minister to others because of our lack of ability. We may not be the greatest communicators, so we don’t take the big leap and mention the “f” word (FAITH!). We don’t want to offend someone so we don’t presume to ask them if Christ is in their lives. We really aren’t supposed to talk about our faith in a work setting, so we never invite a coworker who is hurting or struggling out for a cup of coffee after work. We believe our lack of ability is an obstacle to our discipleship. He reminded me that all God requires is our availability. He can use our willingness to serve His purpose.
Isn’t that a relief!? We only need to be willing to take that step – God will do the rest. God takes our shortcomings and failings and uses them to minister to His world. Isn’t that wonderful? It’s almost another way Rick Warren would say, “It’s not about you.” Actually, in this case, it is about us. All we need to do is ask God to use us. Just put ourselves out there. He’ll do the rest. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to take care of that part of His mission – and to help us in ours.
So . . . since it is about you – if you don’t have a home church, please find one. Every church isn’t the right fit for every person. But one is out there just waiting to nourish you and minister to you. And they need what you have to offer them too. And so do the rest of us. We need the community in order to step out of the community and into the world. Two sides of the same coin. Neither works without the other.
My prayer today is that you find a church home, or spend more time investing in the one you have. And that you take that first baby step out of your comfort zone, so God can use you as He desires.
Mary
Today is a Good Day
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Philippians 4:11-13
For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
As so often is the case, these two verses articulate concisely what I’ve been attempting to say in my last several posts. Paul just cuts right to the heart of the matter sometimes. Christ is all we need. Period. Not money, not “success,” not approval from the world, not fame, nothing! Only Jesus. When Jesus is in our lives, everything else seems secondary. Our happiness is based not upon the things of this world, but upon our promise for perfection in every way, shape and form in the next life. No chronic pain, no depression, no battles with addiction, no fear, no loneliness, nothing that prevents us from being made perfect in this life.
Only Jesus. Sometimes when I feel compelled to pray, I have been reduced to a point that I can’t even think of what to pray – I’ve shared that my mind races at about 150 miles an hour often. At those times, I sometimes pray simply, “Only You Jesus, Only You” over and over. Not only does that simple prayer offer glory and praise to my Savior, it centers me and reminds me what is truly of value and importance in my life. I can get on with what I need to do when I am finished.
“I am nothing. . . without you.” Those are the words from a song on one of my CDs. It is an impassioned, haunting song and the singer sounds as if he has reached the point I referred to – when I don’t even know what to pray – only that I must pray. We were formed from dust. God formed the earth. We were prideful and defiant. God is ever loving and gracious. Eden was forever abandoned. God waits for us there at the end of time. How can we not be comforted when we dwell in these truths? When we base our lives on Jesus and only Jesus, we are no longer victims, but we are conquerors – and more than conquerors!
Paul really did have the authority to speak about being abased, hungry, in want. He was in prison for heaven sakes—more than once. And he was beaten and starved and chained. He didn’t care though! He was so full of gratitude to be used by God in spreading the Good News that he just didn’t care. He had an attitude of “bring it on.” Not in a defiant way, rather in a way that almost transcended the human condition. I think he drew upon some divine empowerment. His words obviously were powerful – and he reached so many people and modeled so vividly what it means to live as Jesus lived.
Today is a good day. That is how I attempt to begin each day now. If at the end of the day I’m not still saying that, then I need to take some time and figure out where and when and how I took my eye of the prize – heaven. Today is a good day. Every day is a good day when Jesus is the reason to be alive.
My prayer today is that you have a good day. And that you remember we were formed from dust, by the One who formed the universe.
Mary
To Thee Do I Lift My Soul
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Psalm 86:1-13
1. Incline thy ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save thy servant who trusts in thee. Thou art my God; 3. be gracious to me, O Lord, for to thee do I cry all the day. 4. Gladden the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5. For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee. 6. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; hearken to my cry of supplication. 7. In the day of my trouble I call on thee, for thou dost answer me. 8. There is none like thee among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like thine. 9. All the nations thou hast made shall come and bow down before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name. 10. For thou art great and doest wondrous things, thou alone art God. 11. Teach me thy way, O Lord, that I may walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name. 12. I give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify thy name for ever. 13. For great is thy steadfast love toward me; thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
This is one of those mornings I desperately wish I had a broader biblical knowledge. My husband has left for work, or I would have asked him for a scripture that better describes my topic. He is very well read in the Scriptures. Before I even went to scripture this morning I had the thought of how very much we long to be filled, satisfied; and how nothing in this world can fill up the emptiness within. This psalm does capture some of the longing; some of the absolute dependence upon God.
I find it interesting when I talk to people who have been saved and to hear how they had tried so many ways to be satisfied. Drugs, alcohol, jobs, money, “toys,” things, and more things, and addictions of many kinds were pursued in an attempt to be whole. Nothing “did it” for them for very long. The momentary rush, the momentary dulling of the pain of emptiness gave way to the emptiness again. The term rock bottom is often used when referring to the state of heart and mind one much reach in order to begin the road to recovery. I interpret that as meaning we must arrive at the end of ourselves in order for God to start filling up the bottomless pit that can only be filled by God Himself.
The problem is, when I feel the most filled with God, I am the most restless, the most hungry for more. In those times I am so joyous and peaceful, full of love and light and awe, that nothing on this earth can equal that way of existing. My problem? I struggle with being satisfied by being filled only with God! Isn’t it ironic? The one thing that makes us complete, can make us feel the most empty! Why am I unable to carry that feeling with me throughout my day? Because the world doesn’t offer it – it offers everything else – and because it can’t offer us the one and only thing we need, it tries even harder to convince we only need that item, this product to be complete.
I’m not going to say there’s a conspiracy between Satan and the forces of darkness. I will say, though, that Satan uses man’s emptiness and our pursuit to be filled to his advantage. He uses man’s attempts to tell each other what we need, what we should want, what we deserve in order to sell. The truth though is that we deserve Nothing! Nothing. And we are Nothing. Unless we factor in God. It’s that simple. Without God we are empty. With God we are filled.
The trick is in recognizing the difference between what we deserve and what God has freely and lovingly offered us without cost to us. He’s already done all the work. The world may call us fools. But remember, God uses the foolish things of this earth to prove His wisdom.
My prayer today is that you will think of God every time your stomach growls, every time you see and ad for the latest and greatest thing man can think of to sell you. And that you turn that longing into prayer for God to fill you up.
Mary
Wait, Be Strong, Take Courage
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Psalm 27:1-7,11-14
1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2. When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall. 3. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 5. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. 6. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 7. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 11. Teach me thy way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!
Whom shall I fear? It’s really a rhetorical question, I think. It is assumed we know the answer already. What shall I fear? That’s another good question. The psalmist offers us one answer: nothing and no one. Sounds so simple. And yet have you ever known a time when you had to step out in faith in a particular situation? Speaking for myself, much fear and trepidation can be involved, especially if the situation has the potential to impact your life, or the lives of others. Even things that will make your life better once they are accomplished can be fear invoking. We are encouraged to declare “I will be confident.” We can make that bold proclamation because our confidence is in our God, not ourselves.
I have dealt for some months (close to a year now) with sometimes excruciating, often debilitating pain in my hands. As a writer, it is inconceivable I would not be able to write! Just unimaginable. And for some time, in the depths of my despair, I was afraid, and forgot about God’s goodness and mercy. I forgot about His divine plans and their purpose – far greater than I could ever imagine. So one day I grew weary of the pity party I had been living in and offered up the pain to God. I decided that, if Paul, with his (unknown but challenging) thorn could be such a powerful voice for Christ, I could deal with my pain and get on with my life. I just refused to have that interference in my life. I’ve spent so many years NOT being in the word, not being obedient, not even attempting to grow into the person God made me to be, that I have no time to waste.
That surrendering to God has afforded me a tremendous, almost uncontainable burst of creative energy in my writing, and in other creative outlets. I’ve been working in my gardens, and chopping vegetables for meals, baking, sewing and more. I have reached a place where I am not afraid of the pain. I am not afraid of it because I refuse to let it define me. I will not submit to Satan’s whispers or to his wiles. Satan is not happy when we are happy! He doesn’t want the truth broadcast; he doesn’t want us vital and joyful and enthusiastic about our Lord and Savior. He doesn’t like it when I proclaim to all, “God is charge of my life.” More than that, having freely offered up all of myself, my talents, my skills, my abilities, my brokenness, and yes, my pain, I have become fearless! I am not afraid. I will not be afraid. I am available to God’s plan for my life. “6. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”
What are you dealing with in your life that is robbing you of joy? What challenges are you attempting to overcome on your own? Where are you feeling attacked? That’s where God waits for you. Give it over to Him. He’s big enough and strong enough to handle it. I still have bad days. I have times of frustration, and every so often I still ask God why me? But believe me when I say that while I’m pretty sure I won’t understand any of it until I get to heaven, I am not afraid on earth. Turn over your fears, your pain, your grief, your anger, your brokenness. Give them to God. He’ll take them and use them in your life in powerful, wonderful ways.
My prayer today is that you will “wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!”
Mary
Forgiven and Delivered
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Psalm 32:5,7
I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.
What a comfort to read these words. God is so good, and so big, and so lovingly merciful we are only required to confess our sin to receive forgiveness. Really, we are forgiven even before we acknowledge it. Actually, we were forgiven before we even committed the sin, because God planned us and our lives long before the world began. Isn’t that amazing? Millions of years ago, God already forgave me for the sin I committed this morning. Wow. Just think about that for a minute.
God does even more than forgive us when we sin. He also protects us and covers us with His mercy as we resist temptation and trouble. He spreads His wings over us as a mother bird protects her young and keeps us from the storms of sin and evil in the world. It is only when we venture out, full of ourselves and confident in our own strength and ability that we are alone and away from that protection. That is when sin enters in.
Finally, we are surrounded with songs of deliverance. Music is truly the universal language, isn’t it? Two of my friends, on a mission trip to Central America several years ago said one morning it was their turn to plan the morning devotion for their group. As they sat and read scripture, talking together about what the devotion would be they heard a woman singing a song in Spanish. At first they couldn’t tell what it was, but as they listened, they recognized it as a familiar hymn from our own faith tradition. One lone voice on a hot summer morning in a place half a world away, allowed an entryway for the Holy Spirit in to their lives that day.
Each day I grasp more and more how huge God is; how old; how eternal; how grand and beautiful. It really is unspeakable to think of a world where the oceans roar against sand and volcanoes roar out fire and lava on a mountainside. And in the midst of it all He cared enough to make us. To place us as central and most precious of all creations He ever imagined. A little lower than the angels. That’s us! Forgiven. Loved. Cherished. Delivered.
My prayer today is that you will acknowledge your sin and iniquity before God. And that you relish the forgiveness and mercy He longs to share with you.
Mary
The Silence Where God is Found
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Psalms 62:5-8
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
You may think this is coming from way out in left field. Last night our two dogs “escaped” the confines of our back yard. While our dogs are not exactly pampered, they have a really nice life! My son practically considers them siblings and we go to great lengths to have them cared for if we go out of town, etc. I’ve recently started making home-made doggie treat mixes and they get to not only sample them, they have each consumed an entire batch. We provide for them not only everything they
need, but so much more.
Our dogs are completely dependent upon us for their survival. So why would they run? Why would they leave their perfectly suited yard – where they can sun themselves on the driveway on a sunny day, and nap in the shaded far corner of the back yard? Why? It was dark. It was cold and rainy. It was very late. Though I was so very tired, and trying to remain calm so my son didn’t have a nervous breakdown, I really couldn’t be angry at the dogs. They can’t help it – they’re dogs! Dogs run! They long to explore the world “out there.” And they have no concept that they will not be provided for and cared for out in the world. I wonder if they think it’s really great of us to go get them and bring them back home after they’ve been out exploring for a couple of hours?
I don’t get angry with them, though. Because they act just like I do in my relationship with God. God is my rock and salvation; my fortress, and my all-sufficient provider. So why do I turn my back on Him? Why do I run from His presence and His counsel? I guess I’m not really going to be able to get away with saying that’s what we do (humans). But it’s true, isn’t it? Speaking for myself, I bask in God’s love and mercy when things are running on a pretty even keel. When things start getting a little rough, I begin to question Him. I become a bit haughty and can’t figure out why the path is suddenly rocky, and I’m feeling like I’ve been left hanging.
I don’t mean to insult anyone by comparing humans to dogs—it’s the behavior I’m paralleling here! God provides for us everything we need. And so much more! And yet, like my wayward pets, we think something better might just be out there, outside that protective fence that keeps us near Him and His Word. We think perhaps a better life, an easier path, something . . . something more awaits us. And we just can’t stand it. We can’t stand the silence where God is found. Our hope begins to waver with each setback. Our fortress begins to crumble when life throws us an unexpected loop.
God doesn’t change. He doesn’t falter or waver. God comes to get us when we’ve wandered too far away to find our way back in the cold and the rain and the dark. He loves us too much to just leave us alone. He is our all-sufficient source of life. And there is nothing in the world that will ever satisfy us except Him. Jesus died to make that point. Jesus died so we would not doubt or wonder about how much God loves us. There can be no question—because Jesus not only died on the cross, he arose as a new creature. And so shall we one day. If we can just make it through this life, the next one will be too wonderful for words!
My prayer today is that you will pour out your heart before God. And that you will not be shaken by the events of your day, because you know the source of your salvation.
Mary
Don’t Attend the Pity Party
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Job 30:26
Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness
Psalm 10:1
Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
I took my cue from an email I received from TGIF, a workplace ministry that sends our daily “food for thought.” I have a little different slant, though, than was in the article. At a conference I attended recently one of the speakers talked about the very feeling described by these two verses. He reminded us that God is not the one who leaves; God is not the one far off, or allowing evil or causing darkness – it is us. We withdraw; we have tunnel vision; we hide.
Our human nature makes it way too easy to spiral into a pit of self-pity and hopelessness. If we don’t feel well, if we are struggling with a difficult issue in our lives, if our job is drudgery, we tend to blame God. We ask ourselves what we’ve ever done to deserve this suffering. We forget that our God is a God who longs to prosper us, a God of love and mercy. We blame God because to take responsibility ourselves is just too difficult. Blaming God gives us an “out.”
Don’t get me wrong! I’m not lecturing. I’m speaking from personal experience! I can throw a bang up, over the top “pity party” for myself! Some might even say that certain situations justify feeling sorry for myself. What I have learned, through scripture, through personal testimonies, and my own experience is that God allows us to go into the darkness. He waits for us as we rail at Him and patiently bides His time while we try to take charge of our lives. In other words, He allows to reach the end ourselves in order to find the beginning of Him.
I attended a healing service recently where I was healed of the sometimes excruciating painful arthritis in my upper back and in my hands. After about 48 hours I noticed some of the pain flaring up again. And by this morning (one week later) I’ve had one really painful flare up. But now it is different. Formerly when I awoke with painful tingling and “needleprick” sensations in my hands, I immediately determined I was going to have a terrible day – poor me! I’m not making light of this – I have been in agony! But something more than a 48-hour reprieve occurred that day.
I arrived at the end of myself and found God waiting for me. Through the Holy Spirit it was revealed to me that while I probably will struggle with at least some bouts of the pain, it will not be debilitating to the point that I am helpless – or hopeless. I don’t need to rely upon my own pain threshold because God has taken it over. God loves me so much, that as I draw closer to Him, He fortifies me even more. I am stronger in my faith now that I have been touched by God in a very real and definable way! I just don’t allow myself to be defined by or limited by this situation! And the same can be true for each of us – God is the light, shining as a beacon for us to lead us out of the darkness. Sometimes the light is so focused and minute, it looks like a tiny pin hole at the end of a tunnel. But it is there, guiding us to itself.
My goal now is to expand this new mindset to other aspects of my life! Trusting God is tricky for me because I’m a very strong-willed, independent woman. Perhaps that is an area of pride God is trying to reveal to me – to teach me through. A song I listen to almost every day says, “I am nothing, I am nothing, without You.” And that is the truth for all of us. Christ died for me. God had me in mind at the beginning of time when He planned for Jesus to die on the Cross. He knew I would need that atoning sacrifice, because I would not be capable of perfection myself. He sent Jesus for you too. He doesn’t want us to struggle, He wants us to rest in Him, abide in Him.
And he’ll use our journey through pain, suffering, depression, and sin to teach us to rely more completely on Him. I can’t think of a more loving, merciful or gracious act!
My prayer today is that you will remember “It’s not about you (or me!)” It’s about God. And that you are reminded of who it
is about: I AM, any time you start to feel sorry for yourself.
Mary
The Mouth of God
G.alatians 5:16,17 NLT
So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
I Peter 2:11 NIV
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Wow, being an alien and a stranger in the world is hard. Sometimes its actually impossible, isn’t it? I don’t know if I am encouraged or discouraged by reading Galatians! “These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.” My struggle is, I want an answer, and I want it
Now! I have a low threshold for waiting – for anything. I’m one of those people who drive people like my husband crazy! He’s thoughtful and deliberate, and intentional. I, on the other hand, make a decision and then charge on ahead, “Let’s do this!” is my mantra.
You can imagine some of the conversations that have taken place at our house over the years. Sometimes I do feel like an alien and stranger, because while a majority of the world is dipping their big toe in the water to check the temperature—I’m already up to my knees. Sin is like that, too. We may think that we’re pretty steadfast in our faith. And perhaps it’s even true. The downside of that is that we may be susceptible to sin because we have our guard down, because we’re not deliberate and intentional and thoughtful.
Sometimes we like to travel with the natives, and we don’t want to be identified as “tourists.” All too often the world calls to us and we linger, trying to think of a reason its okay to live counter to what Jesus taught us. It’s okay to lie—a little. It’s okay to tell an off-color joke, as long as it’s not too bad. It’s okay to – you can complete the sentence on your own. The world is so enticing, all the glamour and the greed, all the ads telling us we deserve everything this world has to offer, right now, and we don’t even have to pay for it-earn it. We don’t even have to be nice people! But another voice calls to us, “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
My prayer today is that you will take a moment to read the words that proceed from the mouth of God. And that you will join the rest of us aliens and strangers in our on-going struggle.
Mary
Peace, Joy, Love, Perfection
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Isaiah 9: 6-7
6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 7. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Dictionary.com defines zeal: “1. enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance; 2. excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end.”
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary provides many scriptural references to God’s zeal, and/or the zeal of believers whom God uses to fulfill His purpose on earth. Some of those references caution us that zeal without the proper motivation or grounding in God, is futile and can even bring about destruction. My conclusion is that if we have zeal FOR the LORD, we will benefit from the zeal OF the LORD.
Ever pursue His Word, recorded in the Bible. It contains all the instruction we need in how to live rightly. Living, breathing examples of flawed human beings are able to overcome tremendous obstacles and odds against them because of God’s zeal to bring about His kingdom on earth. Obedience = peace. And neither obedience nor peace is possible for very long without a right heart and mind, focused on God and the gift of the Savior.
God was and is so devoted to us, adores and desires us so very much that he sent Jesus as one last and everlasting atonement for our imperfection and disobedience. He gave us a Wonderful Counselor to show us, in flesh and blood, how to live; and to put an end to death! He took the form of His imperfect creations in order to make us perfect. I can’t think of a more powerful demonstration of devotion. I don’t think there is a word in any language that describes how much God desires and loves us!
Obedience = peace. Zeal = joy. God = love. Jesus = perfection.
My prayer today is that you zealously proclaim the joy only possible through Jesus Christ. And that you spread the love and peace of Jesus Christ throughout your day.
Mary
I Am Blessed
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Psalm 5:1-3 KJV
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
This psalm struck me today because it describes a “morning ritual” of meditating upon and lifting prayer to God. That is really the only way I know to ensure I “get God in” my day! If I wait until after work, my mind has already been on a million things, and I’m planning dinner, running errands, preparing for an evening meeting, family activity, well . . . you know the drill! And yes, even on the mornings I don’t post a devotion, I spend time with my God.
Health and fitness experts have told us for years that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The reason is that your body has been on a fast over night and you need to refuel to get your blood sugar level elevated so your body and your brain work properly. That’s why the schools send home letters to parents the week before standardized testing begins, imploring them to give their kids a healthy breakfast in hopes that performance on the tests will be good.
My contention is that beginning a day with God is even more important than breakfast! I can grab a banana or a piece of toast on my way out the door, or stop by Burger King on my way to work. But if I don’t start my day with devotion and prayer, I have a very high probability of things going downhill from there! Just follow me around on one of those days I decide sleep is more important than my bible, or that I read all my email and surf the net, even though I know I’m short on time.
Oh, don’t get me wrong—I’ve been very intentional this morning, but it’s raining and has been all night. So that means my arthritis is flaring up this morning! So I’m starting out the day with discomfort. And my afternoon and evening will need orchestrating like a maestro! I already know these two things “working against me.” But I rejoice. Because God is in heaven and he hears our prayers. And today I am alive and full of his grace. No pity party, here! I am blessed. I am blessed! Praise God!
My prayer today is that if you didn’t take time to visit with God this morning, you stop and do it right now. He waits for us to go to Him. And he longs to hear us call out to him.
Mary
As Soon As . . .
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Mark 1:14-15
14. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15. and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."
I’ve mentioned before how I completely understand Scarlett O’Hara from
Gone With The Wind and her, “I’ll worry about that tomorrow” now famous quote. My version is “as soon as . . .” It’s so easy to slip into that mindset about any and everything! Even those activities I enjoy, I can put off if I’m just too tired, too busy, too distracted . . . or for no conscious reason at all!
It really only impacts my family when I decide that as soon as . . . I’ll finish the laundry or get my craft stuff out of the family room, or whatever. When it comes to God’s kingdom, though, I impact not only my own soul, but also His world. He made us with the intention that we minister to his world. If we don’t do that, we’re denying Him, the world and ourselves.
John the Baptist has just been arrested. Jesus comes into town proclaiming He’s the one John had been telling everyone about! Talk about doing God’s will. Talk about not waiting until . . . or as soon as . . . When it was time, He was ready. There was intention behind that timeliness. There was purpose in the decision to proceed. He was on a mission, and He knew that God would be with Him, no matter how difficult it was to accomplish. He probably didn’t feel “ready” when He came out of that desert, having fasted 40 days. He probably felt like he’d like a hot bath, a hot meal, and a long, cool drink of water; followed by about 2 solid days of sleep.
Satan worked hard to turn Jesus away from His mission, His purpose. Jesus was afforded every opportunity, given every excuse to give up. He was, after all, human and possessed the same free will each of us has been given. He didn’t make any excuses. He didn’t accept any of the “outs” Satan offered Him. He kept his mind and heart on God and resisted and obeyed. He resisted the easy way out and obeyed God’s will for his life.
Satan works on us too! He doesn’t want us to be motivated or self-disciplined. He tells us, “It’s okay, you can do that later. You can do it as soon as . . .” Jesus gave us the anecdote for that, though. Only when we keep our minds and hearts focused on God will we have the strength and fortitude and will to get going! Just do it! Seize the day!
Today I’m going to start by getting all the laundry done. And then, tomorrow . . . who knows!
My prayer is that you spend time in devotion and prayer, offering up all your excuses to your Lord and Savior. And that you just do one thing you’ve been meaning to do as soon as . . .
Mary
Even More Than the Sparrows
1.
Chronicles 16:31-33
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it, let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
Interesting I received these verses via an email subscription this morning. . . I do believe the birds are as delighted as am I that spring is here! My walking buddy and I met this morning, for the first time in a long time. We’re both committed to getting back on track – no pun intended! When I walked out my front door, the birds were so loud it almost sounded like a siren! The official sunrise time for Richmond today was 6:15. I guess all those birds were just waking up the day! And of course, I can’t forget our rooster! He crowed for us as we approached the end of our first circuit. At that time of day, everything seems just as it should be.
When I read of the sea roaring, I can almost taste the salt air of the ocean and feel the dampness permeating my hair and refreshing my skin and my soul. The beach is my favorite place to be – even in the winter – maybe especially in the winter! And the fields exulting call to mind the fresh lettuce from my friend’s garden and the seemingly endless annuals I planted throughout our yard as I worked yesterday to restore old flowerbeds and create new ones.
All this reveling in nature and God’s masterpieces might drown out the last 7 words. We can only be glad God does come to judge the earth when we are right with Him! When we not only revel in the ocean and the sky and the sandy beaches and the multiple shades of green on every tree, also when we live as we should. When we love our brother and feed the hungry. When we reach out to the least and the last. When we become Christ to the world.
Short and sweet this morning! I spent some extra time outside this morning, thanking God for His goodness and relishing the pink and white cotton clouds He placed in the sky just after dawn.
My prayer today is that as you look around this beautiful world, awakening to spring, that you will also take some time to awaken to the places in your life that need renewal. And that you will rejoice in a God who loves you even more than the sparrows.
Mary
