Worship for the Weekday
Light of Life
.
Jeremiah 20:11 KJV
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
I know these two passages don’t seem related. You know how I am, though! They make sense to me as a single lesson—and I’m speaking only for myself here! I read Jeremiah first, and thought it seemed a little harsh. Actually I got the feeling I have had in the past, when I have been harmed or had my feelings hurt, or just downright stabbed in the back. It’s a very human feeling, but one I am ashamed of: they’ll get what’s coming to them. More than that, I’ve actually wished them to be harmed in some way. It wasn’t conscious, I don’t think. But I carried grudges for years and years!
The verse from John tells us that we really shouldn’t do that. As long as we have Jesus, we don’t need to be concerned about how others treat us, what they think of us, or whether they do and don’t get “what’s coming to them!” In Christ, it’s none of our business. In Christ, we only focus on our own souls, and then we immediately forgive the other. We don’t carry it around inside, and we don’t let it eat away at us. We certainly don’t wish the other ill. Rather than expending all our time with negative thoughts, we model Christ to others. We shine His light into the world to shatter the darkness, to minister to others in this fallen and sin-filled world.
We also beg forgiveness for harboring these feelings. They place a barrier between us and God. God is all-goodness and love. Anything counter to that is counter to God’s will for His people and for His world. I have found that the old adage, “what goes around comes around” is usually true. God takes care of what needs to be taken care of – or people dig themselves into their own hole – either through ignorance or disobedience. Sometimes people act as they do because of the hurts they experienced in their own lives. What better way to reverse the whole process than to openly and intentionally forgive them, tell them how they harmed you, and that you do forgive them.
It doesn’t matter if they respond positively. What matters is that you are shining the light of Christ. The rest is up to them – and to God! Often the offending party doesn’t respond positively, because of embarrassment, or because they just aren’t able to admit they were wrong. It’s okay. Again, the task at hand is to do what you need to do. I’m writing this for myself as much as anyone else! I have some issues with past coworkers that I find rising to the surface on occasion and I am working hard to let go of the circumstances and situations that continue to be an issue for me. I know it’s not easy. It’s very challenging to do the right thing. But we are not alone. We have Jesus to be our light, our strength, our comfort and our goodness.
My prayer today is that you lean on Jesus for all the struggles in your life. And that you shine His light into the world as you go about your day.
Mary
Pray Like Jabez
.
1 Chronicles 4:10
Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep [me] from harm, that [it] may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested.
Didn’t I recently mention the Prayer of Jabez? Wasn’t I the one saying that all we need to do is to pray like Jabez and God will grant us what we ask? Yes, I think it was me. And oh boy, does God answer! Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t for one minute believe we can just sit around, list in hand, and ask God to grant us everything on our “wish list” as if we making a list for Santa! And I certainly don’t mean to imply that we always get what we want, if we merely ask for it, even we ask ardently and hopefully. What I’m saying is: be careful what you ask for!
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that on more than a few occasions in my life. Usually, though, it was when I said something in anger, wishing harm to someone or when I asked for something I thought I wanted or needed, but others realized it would not be best for me. In this case, I’m talking about response to a prayer for God to use us as He sees fit, in ways that He deems appropriate, often for reasons we don’t even understand. This prayer asks God to bless us in order that we might be a blessing to others. It beseeches God to use us in spite of all our shortcomings and failings. It offers God our very lives, without condition or hesitation.
So I had this crazy idea that I wanted to make a living with my writing. My intention was to hone my skills, work on my technique, learn to adapt my style to meet the need of the person paying me to write. All of this said, the goal is to be able to be a better writer in order to be a better disciple of Christ. If I am more skilled, I am a better witness. If I have some non-Christian (but not objectionable) writing credits under my belt, I am more marketable. This all makes sense, doesn’t it? In the human realm, in the scheme of life as we know it on this earth, it’s a very logical thought process. And apparently, God agrees with me. Because as of this morning, I have so much writing work for pay I’m not certain I’ll be able to get it all done – that is if I plan to sleep and do everything else I need to do!
Don’t get me wrong, here. I worked very hard to get the writing jobs! I made it a job in and of itself. And as I shared previously, I got discouraged very early on in the process! But I did keep at it, even when I wasn’t sure it was going to be worth it. I applied for jobs that were outside my area of expertise, that were on topics with which I was not very familiar, I applied for anything I thought I had even a remote possibility of getting. And every time I applied, I asked God to bless me indeed. God led me to a very nice man who took a chance on me, and liked my first submission enough that he is now helping and guiding me to fine-tune the work I’m doing for him. What I am learning from him will be a tremendous help with future work.
This morning my border is pretty long—God enlarged it tremendously in the past couple of days. Not only that, he laid the groundwork a long time ago – in gifting me with the ability to write. And now he’s preparing my path for the future. What a comfort and joy to know that God is blessing me. What a blessing to know that He values me enough to answer my prayer to serve Him with my gifts. The story of Jabez teaches me that any obstacle can be overcome if we are willing to do the work required and put the goal in God’s hands. When we ask Him to bless us, He does. The trick is in recognizing the blessings He sends our way!
My prayer today is that God blesses you indeed. And that your border is enlarged so much you can’t contain your excitement and joy.
Mary
Satisfied With His Goodness
.
Jeremiah 31:14
I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness, declares the LORD.
Isaiah 40:10-11
Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Sometimes I just have to shake my head and chuckle at myself. A mere nine days ago I began praying, asking God to guide and direct me in His plan for my life. I have shared that I recently have felt the call to be a writer. I don’t mean someone who writes, as a hobby or for fun. I mean I have been feeling a very definite call to be “A Writer.” As in someone who makes a living from writing. Once I made that decision – in response to much prayer and discernment – I fell into the trap that I so often fall into. It’s all about trusting God – or the lack thereof. You see, I had decided that I was going to write in response to God’s call upon my life. I had discerned very clearly that God intended me to use my gift in this way. I had even prayed my beloved “Prayer of Jabez” asking God to abundantly and extravagantly bless my work as a writer beyond my wildest dreams.
Then several days passed. I implemented a great plan – which I fully believe was God-inspired. Nothing. Nada. No responses to queries. No responses to ads I replied to requesting writers of various ilk’s. Nothing. I grew more and more agitated and downright panicky as the succeeding week progressed. I told my walking buddy, after only 5 days, that maybe I had made a mistake and had better start looking for additional part-time work! After all, I had “done everything I was supposed to do.” Well . . . I forgot about the most important thing: wait on God! Oh . . . that’s the part I struggle with. Obedience is another area of struggle, but I’m getting better about it. Waiting? Not so much.
In the past couple of days, I have received responses for writing work that will keep me far busier than I ever imagined! I’ve already been assured of future assignments for hire from one on-line entrepreneur in particular! This morning as we walked and talked, my walking buddy pointed out that mere few days ago, I was ready to throw in the towel. She laughed a little, because she knows me so well! I shared with her my consternation with myself, and made the comment, “You know how I am!” She does know! We agreed that all too often we forget the last part of obedience, the part where we actually allow God to “do His thing.” I can work and struggle, labor all day long in obedience. Sometimes, though, God wants us to rest in Him a little longer. He knows when all the pieces will fall into the right place. He’s already seen it! After all, He planned it long ago!
You see, I forgot for a time about God’s goodness! How is that possible? He has blessed me beyond description. I am so grateful to Him for the life I have, for my family, my friends, and my church. God is so very good. He wants us to trust that He cares for us, and gently leads us through our lives – every moment of them, not just in the “big stuff.” He has laid out a plan for us much more than we can comprehend or imagine. I’m glad I have my walking buddy to remind me of that! I’m grateful I have a husband who is supportive of my response to God’s call, even when he’s not really sure of the impact my obedience will have on our lives and our livelihood.
I hope today you will pray the Prayer of Jabez expecting it to be answered: "Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep [me] from harm, that [it] may not pain me!" And God will grant you what you request.
Mary
As Long as the Heavens are Above the Earth
.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
"You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19. And you shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 20. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates, 21. that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.
Psalm 16:8 KJV
I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
What these verses say to me is that if I put God first and foremost in my life, everything else will fall into place. Well I even wrote that in an article recently, so I certainly believe it’s true! Knowing it to be so, and actually applying the principle to my life are two different stories, though! It’s all too easy to allow the world to infiltrate my mind and heart and I begin to falter in my conviction . . . bit by bit . . . by bit . . . by bit.
I have found that the more intentional I am about making God first in my life, the better my life seems to operate. When I go to His Word on a regular basis, I find answers to the ‘should I’s?’ and the ‘could I’s?’ I pose to myself. When I use His Word as the basis for decisions, I am more often than not abundantly blessed. When I seek His Word for how to live in the world, I find I don’t get as frustrated and irritated. OK. . . I do get frustrated and irritated pretty often – but I really think it’s more because of my own failings than anything else. I think it’s because of my own lack of wisdom, peace, and trust in my own life that I have issues with others and how they live.
More than that, I need to meditate upon Scripture on a regular basis, just to feel prepared to go of the house in the morning and out into the world. The world can be a scary place without God’s Word as our guide. As I prepare to begin working in a men’s regional jail, I know I will seek God even more in the hope of providing comfort, peace, and education to these men who will be re-entering society. I tend to focus more on my own lacking in situations that are outside of my comfort zone and normal activities—like facilitating groups in jail! What we need to remember, though, is that we need to be self-aware all the time and ask God to continue to reveal to us our growth areas
God tells us that He wants us to lay up His words on our hearts and in our souls; teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. That pretty much means all the time. Throughout every second of your life, remember whose you are. Remember how God’s children are expected to act and to live.
My prayer today is that you lay up God’s words on your heart and in your soul. And that you set the Lord always before you.
Mary
Lord of Hosts
.
Jeremiah 31:35-36
Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord of hosts is his name: "If this fixed order departs from before me, says the Lord, then shall the descendants of Israel cease from being a nation before me for ever."
Sometimes I need to be reminded about the vastness of God. I’ve had one of those weeks where I have not doubted Him per se; I’ve just been frustrated because I didn’t agree with His timing. And then I read Jeremiah and realize I’ve been pretty foolish and wasted some time and energy even imagining that I might know better than God how my days and weeks should unfold. I get more frustrated, the more I invest in His leading and guiding me. That’s true only because of my own need to be in charge, not because of any failing or lacking on God’s part!
I realize how silly it is to doubt Him when I am reminded that He made the sun, and then determined exactly how far it needed to be from Earth so that it would provide light and heat yet not allow the planet to burn up. And He made the oceans and everything in them, high tide, low tide, every day without end. That God can certainly manage my little life! As I reflect on this past week, I realize God is teaching me obedience and patience and trust. He wants me to obey Him without knowing the outcome or the reward. He wants me to learn patience, so I can spend more time resting in Him and thinking before I act so that His plan can be implemented more completely and accurately. And He wants me to just rest in Him for the sake of resting in Him. He wants me trust in Him rather than myself alone.
God tells us through Jeremiah exactly how long He will love us and claim us as His own: not until the stars fall from the sky and the waves stop breaking on the beach. That’s a really long time! That’s
never by our human reckoning! I am so grateful this great and mighty, wise and powerful God loves and values me enough to allow me the luxury of resting in His care. And I respond in gratitude by making the most of this life He has given me. I strive to be the best person I can be not only spiritually, but also in practical ways. I re-use and recycle, make do and do without. These are not sacrificial acts, though. It is a lifestyle I learned from my parents. They have lived their lives substantially without debt. My Dad has always been interested in, and advocated for alternative energy sources and spent his professional life seeking out ways to advance conservation and renewal of our resources. My Mom, well . . . where to begin? Long before it was trendy to reuse plastic bags and aluminum foil, long before the day of disposable everything she showed us that almost everything has more than one use and can be adapted to whatever need is at hand.
They learned these values from their parents. And they passed them on to their children. I’m not sure they even realized they were instilling a lifestyle in me. They were pretty busy just living day to day and providing for us. I wonder if they even realize they did and continue to make the world a better place by how they lived and continue to live out their role as citizens of the world. They certainly also taught me to trust in God – even though I’m sure there were times they felt they were on their own – as a couple and as individuals. They both have a deep and abiding faith. And that is the greatest gift they have given me. We no longer share the same denomination, but we certainly share the same belief in a God who has been with them – and me – through our lives.
I believe ardently and completely in this big God. The Lord of hosts is his name. He set the stars and moon in the sky at night to light our way. And He is big enough to handle even a feisty, stubborn yet sincere creature such as me.
My prayer today is that you remember the same God who made the sun and the oceans, made you and me. And that you rely upon His wisdom and power to direct your life.
Mary
Jesus Christ is in You
.
2 Corinthians 13:4-5,11-12
4. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God [directed] toward you. 5. Test yourselves [to see] if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test? 11. Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 12. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
This whole Christianity thing is really a study in opposites, isn’t it? I mean, think about it: The all-powerful, omnipotent, omniscient creator of the universe came to earth in human form. That just doesn’t seem to make sense. Not only that, He allowed Himself to be conceived and grow from an embryonic state, and to be born like every other human baby. Perhaps because it is so implausible, that some cannot believe it. Some people need to see the logic and the reason behind events in order for them to make sense to them. And this is one of those situations for which there can only be one explanation. And even more confounding: it can’t be proven statistically, or through a blind study, or any other research method – it’s a matter of the heart!
I guess I should say it is a matter of the hearts – plural. God’s heart is what made it happen. He loves us, his divine creations so much he just had to walk among us. I wonder sometimes if he longed to feel the touch of humans, to see through our eyes, to love and laugh and cry as a human being. Is it possible He was lonely? I guess that’s probably considered blasphemy to some – or just a crazy question to others! And besides – I digress from my point. Our hearts, open and willing to receive the gift of God’s grace is the other part of the whole.
We are indeed weak – our bodies aren’t made to last much beyond 80 or 90 or 100 years. But we rejoice because another existence awaits us – won for us on the Cross. And that life will last into eternity! Wow. Isn’t that a remarkable thought! Christ rose again because He was God/God’s son—God in human form, who transcended fleshly existence by rising in the Spirit. Oh my, one could go round and round on this. The bottom line, the only truth, the important thing is that God loves us so much that He sent Christ to die for us. And when Christ rose, He became a new creature, so we could become new creatures through Him.
Paul is admonishing us to keep a check on our attitude, our behavior, our words. Are we living as if Christ were within us, as if we are indeed part of the body of Christ? If we’re not, we need to change our ways. And if others are not, we need to lovingly remind them of how Christians are to live. Of course, we need to be careful with that! We are to be comforting, like-minded, peace loving – and somehow balance all that with living in community with others. The only way we can successfully accomplish that is through Christ. When we all claim Christ as our Savior, the rest seems to fall into place.
So I guess what all this means is that in Christ, all questions become irrelevant – the why’s and the how’s – because we only need to know that it all happened. The rest will be understood when we get to heaven – or maybe we won’t even care or feel a need to know the rest – because we’ll be in heaven. Again, I say “wow!” Heaven awaits. So while we’re on this earth, let’s rejoice, encourage peace, offer hope, love each other.
My prayer today is that you allow the power of God to infuse your life. And that you use that power to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mary
Wisdom, Perfection, Energy
.
Colossians 1:28-29 NIV
We proclaim Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
I don’t want to be repetitive in my postings, but it is apparent that God is sending me a very intentional, deliberate message. I have received this scripture, or others very similar to it, for over a week now via email subscriptions! I think God wants to be sure I get it!
What about you? Is there a message God is trying to get to you? Is there an area of your life that needs improving? Is there a relationship that needs mending – or ending? Is there a habit or a routine that you’d really like to break, and you know you need to break it, but . . . ?
Sometimes the same scripture speaks to me in different ways in any given week. I think it’s pretty clear though that God is reassuring me to rely upon Him. Only Him. He knows my bent toward rushing ahead, helter-skelter—in everything! I need His wisdom every day. We all do. And He wants us to rely upon Him, turn to Him, rest in Him as we make every decision, formulate every plan, and speak every word. We proclaim the one true perfection in our lives – Jesus – and in that proclamation, we claim Him as our Savior – and Savior to the world.
To this end I do labor, and struggle with His energy. I long to tell the world about my wonderful, glorious, humble, strong, perfect Savior! And even though I am not as well-spoken/well-written as I would hope to be, I speak and write because He has commanded me to – through the gifts and graces with which I am endowed.
How are you gifted? What graces have you been given? Are you using them to further the kingdom? Are you honing your skills as an apostle and a disciple? Are you fine-tuning and expanding your knowledge of the Bible? Are you going to God, asking for wisdom? All too often we forget about God’s power and ability. When we do offer ourselves up to Him, we are much more effective, our message much more powerful.
My prayer today is that we offer up every word, thought, and action today to our Lord and Savior. And that we rest in Him before we speak or act.
Mary
Guidebook for Success
.
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
This is a different slant than what we would hear on television, isn’t it. We can/will be “successful” by basing our life decisions on the Bible and its message. The words written therein provide guidance for our career path, and every other aspect of our lives. Not sure whether or not to take on another volunteer project at the children’s school, or at church, or with the scouts? Spend some time with God – in His word. The answer will be revealed – we only need to know where to look for the answer.
I don’t mean to say that words will jump off the page, spelled out for you like a word puzzle – do this, do that, go here or there. But I know my own experience has been that if I pray, seek God’s word and then act, the outcome is so much better than I could have achieved of my own accord. It can be challenging sometimes though because we may realize we must leave a particular job, or give up an activity we enjoy, or not participate in one we’ve been wanting to start. Those are the tough ones to let go of.
Life can be profoundly disappointing – I borrowed that from someone – don’t mean to plagiarize. The up side of that undeniable truth is that Jesus is there in our disappointment. He understands working hard, giving our all only to find that it was seemingly meaningless or pointless. After all, his disciples still didn’t get it for some time after the crucifixion, did they! But God is so good, that he allows good things to come our way in spite of our disappointment.
Sometimes our disappointment is used to refine us, so that we can be ready for the next opportunity. Sometimes it is used to teach us humility and reliance upon God. Sometimes we don’t understand the purpose. But God will use it! And it will be for our ultimate good. We must believe He is there in the mix, using every opportunity to teach, refine, prepare and comfort us through each experience. I have experienced all of these, and I am so grateful to God that he has sent a few disappointments my way – because the result has been great joy. Yes, joy! He has refined and scraped and burned away so much junk, that I rejoice at the prospect of casting off even more – though it may be painful – so that He can work in me even more deeply.
My prayer today is that you use the Bible as your Guide to Success in Life. And that you follow the rules for success contained within its pages.
Mary
Watch!
.
Colossians 1:28-29 NIV
We proclaim Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Mark 13:32-37
But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch therefore - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning - lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.
These are not the scripture passages for which I hoped this morning! I admit that not with disappointment, but as an acknowledgement that I had fallen – already – after being awake less than an hour – into my “it’s about me” mode! Yikes! You see, more often than I care to admit, I ponder whether or not I’ll actually post a devotion on any given morning. This was not the case back in April of 2004, when I had a brand new, beautifully designed web site, and the thought of being able to reach so many people was exciting and new. Life gets in the way of our best intentions sometimes. It happens to me just as it does to everyone.
I also must admit that I have fought God sometimes about this ministry. I am not the best example of all I preach! I do not possess all the qualities I read about on my own web log! I argue with God on a regular basis. I doubt Him sometimes. I disobey Him often. There, I’ve said it! Knowing these truths about myself, I find myself asking God, “So what are you thinking?”
Then I read Colossians; and Mark. Perhaps God’s intention is not for me only to proclaim the Good News to the world – but rather to remind me of whose I am; of where I came from; and where I am going. The added benefit of this daily reminder is that others may benefit from my journey and from my conversations with God. More—from what He reveals to me. And I am to labor not with my own energy – which is so often depleted – but with His energy – which has no limit. I am to do my daily “duty” and consider it not as a task to be done, but a pleasure and a joy; because I am alive and have been redeemed and live in the assurance of eternal life. How can I not share that!?
I don’t know exactly what scripture I expected to reflect upon this morning. I think I was secretly hoping it would be something from the adventures of King David or Moses. I’m feeling very “obedient” these days and I guess I was thinking I should get a little pat on the back. Wow! What a spoiled brat! I have endured nothing compared to the great ancestors of my faith! Nothing even compared to modern day saints, laboring in poverty, hardship, danger. Get up, Mary. Get busy, Mary. Watch, Mary! My obedience is not about being recognized or rewarded. It is about my own humble admission that I am nothing without God. It is about my inexpressible gratitude that I am His – that He claims me.
He works so powerfully within me! Sometimes I cannot contain my excitement and my energy and my zeal! Jesus is Risen! Take a deep breath and say it again – out loud: Jesus is Risen! Proclaim it! I’ve already received the only acknowledgement, recognition, glory I’ll ever need! And I thank God for that truth.
My prayer today is that you Watch! And that you will seize every opportunity to proclaim the Risen Lord.
Mary
Fret Not!?
.
Psalm 37: 5-9
5. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. 6. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Resting in the Lord is the instruction that presents one of the greatest challenges in my life. I am not a naturally ‘still’ person. My mind goes a million miles an hour! My life goes a million miles an hour sometimes! And so to just stop, breathe, sit, breathe again, and then clear my mind . . . Well, it’s a challenge! I’ve been forcing myself to be still lately though. Even at this time when some really big things are changing in my life – my inner life, my faith life. And I want to run on ahead, at a million miles and hour and “get on with it!”
Fret not. Do you understand how challenging that instruction is? I’m one of the world’s best fretters! Even when everything in my life on any given day, at any given moment is perfect . . . I fret. That old, “what if” scenario seeps in. Or I begin to analyze and evaluate and plan for the next activity, event, or worry about all the ways all this perfection could turn around at any given moment – so I better hurry up and worry!
Oh, my goodness! I’m exhausted just reading this, typing it! Maybe you’re exhausted reading it. I apologize if you visited today for some calm and comfort and peace. So let’s go there. Let’s breathe in the healing, soothing, cleansing, refreshing breath of God. Now let’s breathe out the stressful, anxious, worrisome, life-depleting what-ifs and if-onlies. Breathe again. Deeply. Fill your lungs. Cease from anger, forsake wrath, fret not.
There. I feel better.
My prayer today is that you intentionally, deliberately wait on the Lord. And that you fret not, knowing that He is charge of everything.
Mary
Our Everlasting Light
.
Isaiah 33:15-16
He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him, his water will be sure.
Isaiah 60:20-21
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.
At first reading, the verses from Chapter 33 might sound as if we are to ignore the situation it the Middle East, Cuba, Africa, along the Mexican border. One could almost interpret the verses to tell us that we are to turn a deaf ear, to look away, and to hide ourselves away from all the evil and wars and religious persecutions, from the murdering of others in the name of religion, and for the sake of power and greed. And that would be so easy to do—on so many levels, and for so many reasons! After all, the drama in my life some days is enough to send chills down one’s spine—so I won’t catalog them for you!
I try to keep politics out of my entries. This morning though, I’m wishing – praying – that those in power are also praying to their God. I ardently hope they are asking for wisdom and guidance, and restraint. I pray they are seeking God’s face, and not making decisions based upon party line, or political shrewdness. The world seems as if it is falling apart sometimes. Babies are dying, innocent men, women and children; brave soldiers defending their countries; reporters and aid workers risking their lives.
I can’t make it through the day, unless I give it over to God. And I can physically tell the difference in my body, on the days I don’t let Him have all my cares and worries – whether about my family, my friends, my church, or my world. I have to cling to the words from Chapter 60, just to live in this world! “Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” Notice here LORD is in all caps. That means the one true, ultimate God.
I wonder what would happen if verses 20 and 21 were broadcast over the airwaves as an offering of hope to everyone touched by the terrible, tragic events of the world. I sincerely believe that when positive, life-affirming, God-filled thoughts are sent out into the world, the world become a better place. I guess if I had anything to offer today, it would be that each of us who believes in the Risen Christ, are tasked with spreading the message of his gift – whether in word, in prayer, in thought and in deed.
Somehow the trifles of my job, the stresses of my daily life, pale in comparison to everything going on out there in the world! We are to watch the news, and to be informed citizens of the world – so we know what to pray for and how. We need to be aware of who is in charge though. In the end, it will only be each of us before our God. And there will be an accounting. He will ask us if we made the world a better place by our lives. If we vote responsibility, and pray, I think that will be a good start. I hope so!
My prayer today is that you turn your eyes upon Jesus, trusting in the promise of His resurrection. And that you lift a prayer to your great and mighty God, the LORD who holds this world in His hand.
Mary
The Beauty of the Lord
.
Psalms 139:1-6
O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me! Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou dost beset me behind and before, and layest thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 27:4
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.
I find is absolutely remarkable – inconceivable, really – that in spite of the fact that God has such intimate and intricate knowledge of me, that he chooses to love me anyway! Think about it: every thought, spoken or not; every lie, uttered or not; every action, seen or hidden; and he love us anyway. It is not possible for Him to NOT love us! When I really meditate upon this truth, I can’t help but think about pedophiles, murderers, and others whom most of us would consider repugnant. And when I really allow the thought of a God who loves even such as these to seep into my consciousness, I am further humbled and awed to be among His beloved.
To be loved by such a big God! To be cared about enough; to be so intimate with a being so great and mighty, so strong and yet so gentle; so giving and merciful. Wow! And I must admit that when I allow this truth to infiltrate my life—my life’s work, I find myself in three arenas. First, I long to minister to women – overburdened, broken, exhausted women – to help them discover or rediscover their own divinity and the divine purpose for their life that transcends the here and now of carpools and grocery shopping, PTA meetings and all the other to-do list items that make up their day. Second, I want to share the Good News with the world! What message! How could one be silent!!??
Finally, I am compelled to minister to the least and the last of society – in the prisons and the homeless shelters. To extend Christ’s love to such as these is not noble – not at all. It is the least I can do in return for the intimate and intricate love and mercy of my God and Lord. For the grace bestowed upon me by my Savior, I can do nothing less. That may sound kind of “out there.” And I would certainly not presume to tell anyone that any or all of these ministries is how they should invest their time and energy. These are merely the calls God has placed on my heart.
And I am more certain that I am in line with His divine plan for me as I work to arrange my life around these calls. I find more peace, more energy, more joy as I become more and more obedient. I desperately desire to behold the beauty of the Lord at the end of time! But what I have found is that the more I work my way down the path He has planned for me, the more I see of Him when I arrive at each step along the way. To see Christ in everyone, to BE Christ to everyone is not burdensome – it is a joy and a blessing beyond description.
I am surrounded in my life – by my family and my church family – by individuals who have heard God’s call – in whatever form that is manifested – and responded in obedience. It is inspirational to see others, often changing the course of their entire lives, to respond to God when He calls. They understand that sometimes that call comes early in life. Sometimes, later. What I now am beginning to understand and accept is that it comes in God’s time! When He feels we are adequately/appropriately prepared for the call. We don’t always agree with Him! But He knows.
My prayer for you today is that you will be open to God’s call upon your life. And that you rejoice in the intimate, intricate, powerful love your Father has for you.
Mary
Diving in, Head First
.
Isaiah 49:6,12
It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." They will come from afar-- some from the north, some from the west, some from the region of Aswan."
We human beings insist on limiting God, don’t we? We pray, “Please, God let me get that promotion.” That sounds like an appropriate prayer, but what if God’s plan is to bring an opportunity for a better, more fulfilling job into our realm. I know what I’m talking about, because I limit God all too often. The prayer we need to be praying, is one like the prayer of Jabez.
“1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
Jabez was an ancestor of Jesus. Not much is known about him, except that his name means, “sorrow; trouble.” His mother gave him that name because of the horrific pain she suffered during childbirth – perhaps he was breach. In any case he started out life with at least one strike against him. But he didn’t let that stop him. In fact, at some point he realized that only with God’s help, would he ever amount to anything; would his life ever have significance.
What a courageous prayer! Can you imagine if we lifted that prayer every single day – and really meant it – what our lives would be like! This is what God is telling Isaiah, though. “You’re thinking way too small. I’ve got great plans for you. Just open yourself up to them and obey.” That’s what God wants for us, too. He wants us to ask for more than we can imagine; for more than we could possibly achieve on our own. He wants to do great things for us, with us, through us.
The cautionary note here is that I tend to charge right on ahead – one of my friends chuckled recently and shook her head, “You just dive in the water head first.” She meant it as a compliment – a quality she admired. It is, though, a point of possible danger – spiritually, because what I fail to do sometimes is to NOT wait for God to reveal the how and the when! In other words, I don’t “finish” listening/discerning!
My prayer today is that you open yourself up to God’s abundant, extravagant plan to bless you indeed. And that you wait on Him to reveal that plan before you jump in the water.
Mary
Giving ‘IT’ to God
.
Matthew 6:30-40
30. "But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is [alive] today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, [will He] not much more [do so for] you, O men of little faith? 31. "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' 32. "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34. "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. [Each] day has enough trouble of its own.
I’m having one of those “time to practice what you preach” weeks. There are several important things going on in my near future as well as throughout the next year and beyond. Important not so much to me, specifically, but to others in my life. My son will begin life as a college student in two weeks. My daughter has begun plans for her wedding a year from now. And these two things are the “big” ones. Several friends are seeking job changes, beginning new jobs, dealing with family issues, struggling with health concerns, and on and on. And I get all wrapped up in all of it!
I know these verses by heart and often call them to mind when I feel overwhelmed. Too often, though, it’s very far along in the process and I’ve begun spinning out of control before I realize I’ve done it again! Part of the problem is my innate need to be in charge. I mean, I feel compelled to be in charge of everything! It’s a constant struggle for me to just let go of the things out of my control – because if people would just listen to me life would be easier for them. In other words, I need to “get over myself.” Who do I think I am that I feel compelled to run the world? What runs through the mind of someone who frets and fumes and stays up at night stressing over the details of things they’re not even involved in?
You don’t want to know! But I’ll tell you that it is certainly not a recitation of these verses! As I approach my 50th birthday, I’m learning to let go. I’m allowing my children to learn life lessons from their own decisions. I’m trying hard to allow those in charge of things to do what they are tasked with doing and not pass judgment or complain if I don’t agree. I struggle daily with the world situation, especially the Middle East right now. The list is endless. But I am going to God sooner and more often now. Sometimes I’ve gotten myself pretty worked up by the time I catch myself. Those are the times when I can’t even really pray properly. Those are the times when I simply tell God, “I’m giving this to you.”
Guess what happens when I give it to God? Go ahead. Guess. OK. That was probably way too easy. The guessing – not the doing! Why do I do that? Why do I get so far gone that I can’t even articulate a prayer? Part of the reason is that I have been a parent for the past 21.5 years! It comes naturally in that role. The other part is that I am the oldest of five children. Also, God has gifted me with leadership abilities. He continues to refine me in the area of humility, though. I’m a work in progress in that area, and I am ever grateful that He is patient with me – and merciful. To cut myself a bit of slack, I also have a gentle, loving heart, and I want everyone in my world to feel safe, and loved; to be happy and feel fulfilled. So it really isn’t always all about me.
My prayer today is that you will make “IT” all about God. And that you will seek His kingdom and His righteousness before you get all worked up about your life.
Mary
My Own Worse Enemy
.
Psalms 18:2-3
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
The first thing I thought of as I read these verses is that all too often, I am my own worse enemy! I bet I don’t need to elaborate too much for you to relate to my statement, either. I sabotage myself in so many ways, I can’t even list them! I run ahead of God, around God, and even after God has done His work in my life, I still often feel compelled to meddle.
Fortunately for us (me), God is a rock and a fortress. He protects us from ourselves as well as the harmful and hurtful influences in our lives. Sometimes I find myself absolutely breathless from all the running around and planning and organizing and frantic activity that I absolutely must be in the midst of. Then God steps in and allows me to breathe; to rest in Him; to be my refuge from the frenetic activity of my day and my life.
It’s difficult to have our Christian hearts and our Christian values in charge of our lives when we’re in that state. I find myself snapping at people and sighing a lot and feeling generally irritated with the world. I am so grateful I worship a God who is bigger than the biggest drama I can become embroiled in. I rejoice that God steps in to deliver me from my own turmoil just at the point I’m feeling an impending meltdown. And I am blessed that He is a God who answers lovingly when I call upon Him.
With a majority of people in the world living as I have described (I’m pretty sure I’m right about that), it’s no wonder there are so many social issues and even wars. If we would all just turn to God to set the tone and pace for our lives, we would be much more patient, kind, understanding and loving – with ourselves as well as the other humans here on planet Earth.
My prayer today is that you join me in praising the God who is more than worthy of our praise. And that you call upon Him to be your deliverer, your rock, and your shield.
Mary
Beautiful God
.
Romans 10:13-15
"Every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!"
I am not drop-dead gorgeous. Never was. Never will be. I’m not beautiful in any traditional sense of the word. Of course, my husband thinks I’m beautiful. He tells me so often, too. And he means it. That kind of love transcends physical qualities. I am truly blessed to be loved in that way. That’s why I was surprised a few years ago at a youth function when one of the very attractive teenage girls, after an ice-breaker exercise where we were paired up, introduced me as “the beautiful . . .” Wow. I’m pretty sure she wasn’t saying I have that traditional model-like beauty! I imagine/hope what she saw in me was the beauty of my heart. The glow that must surely emanate when I talk about Jesus. The “retouched image” of one who has wonderfully good news to share.
When you love Jesus so much that you can’t help but hum in the hallways at work, and sing along with the music playing in your car, and begin to evaluate and plan your life around your mission as a disciple of Christ, that’s beautiful. Genuine love for children—the kind that makes your eyes dance and your whole face light up – that’s beautiful. And that’s the kind of beauty Paul is talking about in this passage from Romans. Everyone needs to hear words of hope and encouragement! Everyone needs to hear The Good News of the Risen Christ. Remember my friend who says he thinks Jesus is irresistible – and he glows when he says it – whenever he really gets going on the topic of Jesus, you can feel the air around him change. That's beautiful.
How can others be saved if we don’t share the Good News with them? It is more than a responsibility—it is our mission. We are the disciples and the apostles of this current day. We risk no more than those early preachers. In fact, we risk far less. They were hunted down and killed! How will others believe if they have never heard? Our response to our own salvation is to tell others about this marvelous, unspeakably gracious, beautiful God who sent his humble, strong, loving and beautiful son to earth to preach the Good News!
I’m using a lot of exclamation points today. Editors will tell you that’s not a good idea – too overdone. There are just some topics, though that require them! And this is one: We are all saved because of the blood of Jesus. In gratitude for our own salvation, we share the Good News with others. That’s it. Spread the Good News of the Risen Christ, in word, in deed, and in how you live your life. You will be unspeakably beautiful when you wrap yourself in that message.
My prayer today is that you preach the Good News everywhere you go. And that you see the beautiful creation God thought up long ago when you look in the mirror.
Mary
Locusts and Regrets
.
Joel 2:21-26
21. "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! 22. Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield. 23. "Be glad, O sons of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before. 24. "The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25. I will restore to you the years which the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. 26. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
Verse 25 has been creeping into my consciousness repeatedly for a couple of weeks now. I think it is so beautiful and full of hope and peace of mind, it kind of makes me take a deep, cleansing breath every time I read it. How much our God loves us! Not only will he forgive us our past sins, he will restore what was lost! We may not have those years back, but we will have a right relationship with Him as if we never strayed or defied or sinned. Wow. And we will live abundantly at that!
As I think of my own redemption story, and listen to others begin to unfold theirs, this is the one verse that comes to mind. One of my dear friends told me a couple of years ago that this is “his verse.” It resonates with him because he said he does look back with regret on the years he was not in a right relationship with God. It resonates with me too. And, I imagine with all of us. We all have times in our lives that were dark, and empty, stripped of joy and feeling lost and alone. We didn’t know through it all that God was there. We didn’t feel Him, but He was there. He was just waiting to tell us He restores what the locust has eaten.
Locusts are frightening to farmers, because of their ability to wipe out every green thing in their path. They are specialized, too. Some of them eat the seeds, some the stalks, etc. And they invade a crop or a field of grass like an invading army. The once green pasture appears to turn black because of the massive numbers blanketing their prey. They destroy everything in their wake – down to the dirt – nothing is left when they have finished. They are fast and efficient due to their massive numbers. The world feels that way sometimes, too. We are bombarded with so many messages—it’s hard to drown them out and shut them off in order to just rest in God.
The other topic that has been a theme for the past week or so is the vastness of God. We puny humans think so small! God is so very big that we can’t even comprehend it! That’s what God is saying in these verses from Joel I think. I am big enough to restore you to a right relationship – because I am God. Don’t worry about the past. Don’t fret about the future. Rest in me. Right now. In this moment. Trust that I will keep my word. And should you stray again, I will wait for you. Because I am eternal and time doesn’t have the same meaning to me as it does for you.
I’m so glad I worship a huge, tremendous, vast and limitless God! Some days I really need that assurance. And the locust has eaten away a great deal of “who I could have been” and “what I could have done.” God reassures us that He will make today even better than any yesterday we can imagine might have been. Today we are His. He has claimed us and He will sustain us.
My prayer today is that you rest in God. And that you rejoice that he restores the years the locust has eaten.
Mary
Rejoice and Rejoice
.
Philippians 4:4-5
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand.
I looked up forbearance and found: calmness in the face of suffering and adversity; good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence. There were also some references to forbearance of debts – in order for a debtor to get caught up on late payments, the lender might forbear additional interest charges. (I think I’m using that correctly!) Christ was our one, final, ultimate forbearance from God.
The Lord is at hand. How can one not rejoice at the mere thought of Jesus and what he did for us and what God continues to do in and through us via the Holy Spirit! Really. Just think about this for a minute. I feel my spirits rise just typing these words. Jesus! JESUS! Wow! God loves us so much he sent Jesus to us. If you really stop to absorb all this, it can make you choke up. That kind of love is inconceivable. And certainly unexplainable – considering the current state of the world. God sent us Jesus.
Joy is different from happiness. Keep that in mind. We can be joyful even when we’re not happy. And, again, that’s because of Jesus and the promise He represents; the gift He became for us. Joy is linked to forbearance. We can be joyful even in grief, pain; through stress and disaster; no matter the circumstance, because we are going to heaven! Life is so hard. And perpetually disappointing. Joy in the Lord is the only thing that gets me out of bed and out of the house sometimes.
But joy in the Lord is what it’s all about. Rejoice in the Lord always! And you won’t have time for a pity-party; you won’t feel compelled to comment on how awful your boss is; you won’t need to detail the disastrous state of the Middle East; and Africa; and the US/Mexico border. You won’t even dwell on how hot it is. Rejoice in the Lord! That’s what I’m going to focus on today. I’m going to try very had to let everyone know my forbearance. Because the Lord is at hand!
My prayer today is that you rejoice in the Lord. And that your forbearance is obvious to everyone you encounter today.
Mary
