Show Respect With Your Words

1 Timothy 5:1-2 -  Never speak sharply to an older man, but plead with him respectfully just as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to much-loved brothers.  Treat the older women as mothers, and the girls as your sisters, thinking only pure thoughts about them.

Paul took the time to remind Timothy that it was very important to treat all people with respect.  Aged or young …man or woman…everyone was to be considered as a part of a much-loved family.  All people deserve the very gentlest and kind words we can find in our Christ controlled heart.

Hard words to follow in our world of broken families…abused children… and violently raised people….especially if we lose sight of the power of Christ to control every word we say. It’s hard to respect someone who took drugs or drank during their pregnancy…knowing the damage it would do to their child. It’s hard to listen to the harsh conversations of some families in pubic stores.  I have shaken my head and whispered more prayers than I can count when I encounter some of these situations that I know I have no control over…and no business involving myself in that moment.

I know from experience that when we engage in the dialogue…and use the same harsh words that are thrown at us…it teaches those around us the opposite of Christ’s love. I know the damage I did to my children when they would listen to some of the word fights I would have with my first husband.  Nobody won those fights…except satan.  He succeeded in separating me just far enough from Christ that I never looked to Him to help me control my words. The end result was another divorce statistic…another damaged family that would search a long time for enough answers to learn to forgive and move past the pain it caused all of us. 

It is Christ that has taught me to control my first impulse to shout back …or judge those around me. It has taken seeing the pain it causes personally to teach me to let God control my tongue…to help me form loving words that kindly point out an issue….without degrading the person I need to confront. It is never okay to degrade….ridicule….or correct someone with harsh words…no matter what wrong we feel they have committed.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you should always be in control of my words. Forgive me for the times that I let anger….bitterness…or injustice trick me into using harsh words that tore down the situation even more.  Help me to always stop and whisper a prayer to you that helps me know how to handle each situation you allow to cross my path…so that I  will always show resect…and  model your love and mercy to others. Amen.

Put Your Abilities To Work For God

1 Timothy 4:14-16 -    Be sure to use the abilities God has given you through his prophets when the elders of the church laid their hands upon your head.  Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress.  Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others.

Paul reminded Timothy that he had been given a special charge to use the abilities that God had nurtured in him.  Timothy had the great honor to be raised by a Godly mother and grandmother….who taught him all they could about the Bible.  God made sure this foundation was noticed by Paul…who saw the potential this young man had to preach and teach.

We have all been given special abilities to use for Christ. Go back to Romans 12 and read the many verses there that describe just a few of the special gifts God gives everyone that believes in his name. Some of us are given more than one. All of these gifts have the same purpose….to enhance and teach the gospel of Christ…to help us exercise the spirit within us so it will be strong enough to fight the evil of the world.

Paul makes a great point in this chapter.  Our gifts need to be used to grow and be the best they can be. Just looking at a piece of equipment meant for toning our physical body reaps a pretty picture in our head.  It does nothing till we engage our body in the machine and use it to tone the part of the body it was meant for. Looking at our Bible….or just reading a passage…does nothing to embed it into our heart. The verse or truth has to be applied in some way to our life to become rooted in our heart and soul.

I admit that it is very hard to be completely honest in our estimate of our gifts.  Satan will fight us even discovering them….then will try to convince you that you are not good enough to use them for anything.  Paul was reminding Timothy….and God used this letter to remind us…that He is in control of every gift He gave us…He has a plan to use it to help His kingdom grow…to give Him glory. He does not want us to be afraid to sing the first note in a choir… teach the first lesson in a Sunday School class… or write the first word in a devotional. God lays His hands on each of us and empowers us with everything we need to use His gift to the fullest.  All we do in letting them sit idle is waste God’s power.

Sure…there will always be people that have the same gift…and they may be better at it than you. It isn’t about the amount of the gift you have been given…it is about how you use the gift He gave you. Excuses only make satan smile in victory. A weak attempt to use what God gave you is better than no attempt at all.

Father…thank you forte reminder that you have given me gifts to help you spread the gospel.  Forgive me for the times that I over or underestimate the power of what you have given me.  Help me to reflect honestly on the gifts you have given me and find ways to develop them to the fullest….so that you can use me to increase the kingdom of God.   Amen.

In What Ways Are You A Leader?

1 Timothy 3:16 -  It is quite true that the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter. But the answer lies in Christ, who came to earth as a man, was proved spotless and pure in his Spirit, was served by angels, was preached among the nations, was accepted by men everywhere, and was received up again to his glory in heaven.

Pauls’ directive to Timothy was to remind those that want to be leaders of the high standards they must strive for. Leaders must live Godly lives…which Paul admits is no easy task…unless you depend on Christ for the strength to be more than our human spirit is capable of.

I first thought that these verses had nothing to offer me...a retired teacher. I am definitely not a preacher…or a deacon…or the wife of either. But as a reflected on the daily things God has called me to...there is an element of leadership in all that I do each day. The devotionals he has called me to do reach further than I ever imagined.  The children that I work with…even as a sub…are a ministry in itself. Being a mom and grandmother is definitely an area where leadership is required.

I am called in each of these areas just as Timothy was….to be held to the high standards that God asks of each one that believes in him. It is no easy matter...especially if we try to go without the guidance of the Holy Spirit and do things our own way. It takes a conscious effort to stay connected to God through prayer….Bible study….and fellowship with other believers. It takes the highest form of self-discipline to turn your day over to God….and let Him lead you where he needs you to be. I needed the reminder that I am held to the same standards that Paul gave to Timothy for preachers…deacons…and the wives of each.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I am a leader to others in so many ways. Forgive me for the times that I try to lessen the importance of the roles you have placed me in.  Help me to hold myself to the highest of standards…so that any job you give me to do will be effective and totally controlled by the Spirit of God that you placed within me.  Amen. 

God's Definition Of Beauty

1 Timothy 2:8-11 -  So I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment.  And the women should be the same way, quiet and sensible in manner and clothing. Christian women should be noticed for being kind and good, not for the way they fix their hair or because of their jewels or fancy clothes.  Women should listen and learn quietly and humbly.

Paul continually reminds us that our focus is to be on God…not the world.  That means that if our focus is truly on God…then our focus is also off ourselves. The message here is simple….pray… and have a quiet sensible personality that focuses more on the inner being that drives our servant heart…than the outside of the temporary vessel God put us in to help him complete his plan for the world.

There are over 100 verses in the Bible that warn us of the difficulties vanity piles onto a pure heart.  But the marketing world spends billions a year on ads that make a woman feel like they should spend many hours of time and product enhancing the simple structure God created us with.  Some religions ban such products completely from their member’s lives…others go overboard with the “look your best” comments trying to convince that even jeans are unacceptable in a worship venue. The result of both teachings turns more people away from God than toward his love.

Paul is talking here about the need to be content in who we are….all of the paleness without makeup…the scraggly hair without a speck of product….or the t-shirt and jeans versions most would find you in if you did not have to go out of your homes during the day. I am guilty….as usual...of thinking I have to put on makeup….have just the right cut for my face shape…and the newest outfit from the fashion store…. but God cares nothing about any of that. 1 Samuel 16:7 says it best for me.  … ^“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by a man’s face or height, for this is not the one. I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.”

I remember a discussion with my sister one Thanksgiving. She wisely reminded me when I tried to give her a picture of me that had been made after painstakingly being dolled up by professionals…which I was so proud of because it…was the best picture of me I had ever owned…that the woman in that photo wasn’t really her sister. She knew the real me….and knew that on a daily basis I did not look that glamourous….not even close. I was not hurt at all by her comment…but reminded gently that the real me had way more to do with my heart that the way my outside looked.

Father…thank you for reminder that my focus should be on making my heart as kind and gentle as I can.  Forgive me for the times that I have let the world trick me into thinking that I am better when made up to look more glamourous… or dressed more in the current fashion. Help me to always remember that you care more about my heart than my looks…so I can be more content with who I am and ignore the world’s standard of beauty.  Amen.

Do You Use the Conscious God Gave You?

1 Timothy 1:18-19 -  Now, Timothy, my son, here is my command to you: Fight well in the Lord’s battles, just as the Lord told us through his prophets that you would.  Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear, doing what you know is right. For some people have disobeyed their consciences and have deliberately done what they knew was wrong. It isn’t surprising that soon they lost their faith in Christ after defying God like that.

Paul wrote this letter to his great student Timothy…but it is a great letter for all students of Christ to read and learn from.  Timothy was raised in God’s word from birth…and had a strong faith and conscious from the teachings of his mother and grandmother. Paul saw the potential Timothy had to be a great preacher…to continue the great work God had called Paul to do when it was his time to leave the earth.

We are all given this curious thing called a conscious when we come to know Christ.  It isn’t a visible floatation on our shoulders as some commercials and television shows depict...it is as Paul calls it…an inner tugging of our hearts…when we begin to involve ourselves in something not of the scriptures. In essence….it is the embodiment of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  If it is contrary to God’s will…the Holy Spirit brings that conscious to the forefront of our minds to warn us we are about to go into dangerous activities.

My conscious is very active in my life.  He warns me of possible dangers in things like … spending too much money on things….watching too much TV…. spending too many hours alone with no fellowship.  The Holy Spirit reminds me to pick up my Bible each night and read so I can learn of some new sin that needs to be refined out of my life.  The Holy Spirit wakes me in the night and prompts me to pray for a need or person on my mind.  The complete list of things I have felt prompted to do would take days to put down on paper.

I will testify that the times I have ignored any of these promptings…or completely rebelled in the spirit of Jonah…things have not gone well for me….or the people I hurt deeply because of my sin.  I could write a book on just those decisions. It has taken a confession of sorts to the other people my decision has hurt to wash that feeling of guilt out of my heart.  I have thanked God multiple times for the opportunity to set my mistakes aright…and give Him the glory for the good that has come of my confessions in the end. 

My Life Application Bible made one other point that I think is very good.  Constantly ignoring or rebelling against that conscious without letting it convict you of righting that wrong decision will eventually harden you heart.  I will make a strong statement here … not worrying about anyone I might offend…. The hardened heart of one who ignores their conscious is the root of all convictions that accept homosexuality…..abortion… adultery … indebtedness … or any other action that is explicitly listed in the Bible as sin. I admit that it is hard to separate the sin from the sinner …. but continuing to show these sinners love and grace is the only way to help God cleanse the false teaching from their hardened heart.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you gave us the Holy Spirit to act as our conscious.  Forgive me for the times that I have ignored it…or completely rebelled against it. Bless the people that I have hurt with my bad decisions…and help me to right the wrong I did to them and to myself by not following the promptings of the right heart you put inside me when I was saved.  Give me added strength and faith to listen and do all that the Spirit prompts me in the days that I have left on the earth.  Amen.

Deliver Us From Evil

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 -  Pray, too, that we will be saved out of the clutches of evil men, for not everyone loves the Lord.  But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from satanic attacks of every kind.

Paul ended his letter to these Thessalonica Christians with one last prayer. He asked for their prayers to spread the gospel quickly so more and more people would come to know Christ.  Then he added a request to pray that God protect him from the evil clutches of all men who fought daily this testimony.

Evil has become such a normal part of the world we live in…we would all do well to pray that God protect any Christian from the clutches of this evil.  Satan is real…his power is real….and it grows in strength every day that Christ chooses to let him reign temporarily here on earth. It is a serious threat that we need to take more seriously.

But those of us that know Christ need not fear satan and his followers…even though they are many.  Paul tells us our protection from him is only a request away. The psalmist gave us the directive long ago in the 23^rd psalm when he wrote…. “I will fear no evil…for God is with me.”   And Jesus himself included the words… “deliver us from evil,” in the model of prayer He gave us in Matthew 6.

I needed the reminder to remember to add this request to all my prayers. I take for granted the sweet peace I feel around me most days. There are many Christians around the world that battle satan’s forces every day. They need all the strength and protection they can get…and I shudder to think of the time when I will need it myself.

Father...thank you for the reminder to call on you for protection and strength to fight the evil you have allowed temporarily to reign on the earth. Forgive me for the times that I have taken for granted the peace that seems to be in my corner of the world.  Help me to remember to pray for other’s protection and strength against the dark forces that cause so much pain and suffering in the world.  Ready me for any battles that I might face in the future…so that I can stand strong and firm against any evil that satan throws my way.  Amen.

Ready My Heart For The hardest Test

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 -   With all these things in mind, dear brothers, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the truth that we taught you in our letters and during the time we were with you.  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope, which we don’t deserve,  comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do.

Paul reminds these new Christians that the end will come and evil will be allowed one last surge of power before Christ returns. He wants them to cling to the truth that God will protect them from this evil…even if they are thrown into the midst of it …if they stand firm on the truth of God’s promise.

I think of Daniel in that lion’s den overnight…and those 3 great friends of his that were thrown into a fiery furnace for their refusal to back down from believing in the one true God.  If God can shut the mouth of a wild lion…and put a hedge of flame retardant around those boys in the furnace…God will keep his promise to gather all of us together who refuse to bend to the evil of that day.

The world is pretty evil right now…it is unthinkable to my heart that it will get worse….but I know it will.  No one will be protected from it unless they have a firm grip on faith….and a belief in God that cannot be shaken.  We must be ready for anything….to die if need be for our beliefs….thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him as we take our last breath on earth.

I am guilty of taking for granted the peace that I have in my small corner of the world.  I read about horrific acts in other places…but evil has not consumed my sweet town as of yet. It is all around me…even touching some I know through missions and internet contacts. I have to face the fact that I am probably not strong enough….and need to pray for strength if I am ever gonna face real evil and keep my beliefs intact.

Father…thank you for the reminder of your promise to comfort and strengthen all who call on your name in great times of persecution. Forgive me for taking for granted the peace in my corner of the world. Help me remember to pray for those that are persecuted every day…and ask you to ready my heart for the hardest test …still to come.  Amen.

Be All That You Want To Be

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12   -   And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you the kind of children he wants to have—will make you as good as you wish you could be!—rewarding your faith with his power.  Then everyone will be praising the name of the Lord Jesus Christ because of the results they see in you; and your greatest glory will be that you belong to him. The tender mercy of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ has made all this possible for you.

Paul did not have a permanent position in one church….so constantly prayed for the growth of the new converts he had to leave in the care of someone else. He prayed for them to grow in faith…so they could learn to use the power of God to its fullest.  He prayed for them to become all that God wanted them to be.

This prayer contained the curious phrase….as good as you wish you could be. Deep down…I long to be more in control of my actions…better and more focused on God.  But I have to admit that these feelings are full of doubt most days…especially when I fail at some easy task or pass up a chance to do something for God with any number of excuses.

Paul’s prayer for these people was made with the confidence that all of us are capable of using way more of God’s power than we ever imagined possible with our earthly minds. It was simple for him. If he prayed for them to have more faith…they would understand how to tap into more of God’s power. 

I love how God used Paul’s prayer to remind me of a simple truth of faith. He wants me to know that as my faith increases…. God increases His power within me to do good things for Him. Building faith builds trust….and trust helps me believe more in God’s ability to give me the power I need to handle any task he assigns me to. It helps me to stop trying to handle things on my own …to let go of control….and let God release the supernatural power that was there all along to do anything He asks me to do.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I have a tap of great power and strength in you.  Forgive me for the times that I have failed to tap into that power because of my human tendencies to control and stay weak.  Build in me a faith that will equip me to be the child you called me to be. Help me to want to be all that I can be. Amen.

Make Sharing God's Love A Priority

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 -  Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy, comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.  Always be joyful.  Always keep on praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Paul takes a moment at the end of this letter to sum up all his teachings.  Warn others of the dangers of being lazy…comfort those who hurt…care for the weak… be patient with everyone… always try to do good… and be thankful to God in all circumstances.  His words are clear and to the point…this is how we are all to live our lives.

If we can learn to let these traits be our driving force…we will begin to understand the depth of the great love God has for us by showing it to others.  God’s love is most powerful when it is shared with others. God’s love was always designed to be shared.

I will admit that the hardest of these traits to always do is the joyful in all things instruction. I try to keep a smile on my face…and I try to tell God I am thankful for everything good and bad…but my heart doesn’t always buy into my words all the time. I definitely needed the reminder to keep trying to be happy despite the circumstances God allows in my life.

Father…thank you for the reminder of how you expect me to live my life. Forgive me for the times that I fail to show your love to others.  Help me to stay so focused on you that these traits become habit…and sharing your love becomes priority like it did for Paul.  Amen.

Take Your Relationship With God To The Next Level

 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2  and 8-   Let me add this, dear brothers: You already know how to please God in your daily living, for you know the commands we gave you from the Lord Jesus himself. Now we beg you—yes, we demand of you in the name of the Lord Jesus—that you live more and more closely to that ideal.

… If anyone refuses to live by these rules, he is not disobeying the rules of men but of God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Paul reminded these Christians that they had already been taught how to please God.  Now he pleaded with them to take their relationship to the next level...by living even closer to the ideal that Christ set for us. He told them to be holy and pure…and remember that not trying our hardest to do this would be disobeying the Holy Spirit that God put inside of us.

It is the Christian’s basic responsibility to remember that we are accountable to God for all our actions.  Paul addresses sexual sin specifically in this chapter… but the concept of accountability is for all sin. We are reminded of our accountability to help teach us that it is not about being happy …but being holy.

We are accountable to warn unbelievers about living without Christ …  for every word that comes out of our mouth … for how we live… for those that God gives us to supervise…. for those that God calls us to teach ….and for rejecting the truth when it is revealed to us. That is a pretty comprehensive list.

I needed the reminder as usual that I need to step up my relationship with God by being more accountable to Him for my daily walk with Him.  I feel the most convicted to spend more time in prayer and taking a bigger part in warning unbelievers about their fate if they reject Christ. 

Father… thank you for the reminder that I am accountable to you for my growth as a Christian.  Forgive me for the times that I have been too content with staying where I am at…and not striving to grow closer to you. Help me to desire a deeper relationship with you…. one that will help me strive to be holy and pure.  Amen.

Trials Build Faith And Trust...If We Hold God's Hand Through Them

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 -  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,  so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.  You know quite well that we were destined for them.  In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

Paul was imprisoned…but he never stopped encouraging others.  When he could not come personally ….he sent his close companions to check on the new Christians here in Thessalonica.  It gave him great comfort and joy to see that they were growing in the faith all on their own….letting each trial make them even stronger than before.

Paul reminds us all that trials are a part of the Christian life. They are in fact a part of the plan God has for us. They build character…train us in the skills we need to have empathy and to be sensitive to others. They also teach us patience and trust in God’s timing.

I admit that I am guilty of praying for my trials to be easy…but I see how asking for easy doesn’t really help my growth at all. Since it is a given that God has a new trial planned for me in the future…my prayer should be that He give me the wisdom and knowledge and trust in Him to hold His hand the whole time…so I can make it through it.

Father…thank you for the reminder that being your child sometimes requires hard times and lessons in faith. Forgive me for the times that I take for granted the easiness of my life…and fail to thank you for the calm between storms. Help me to grow in faith and strength so that when you allow the next trial I will be ready to trust you completely till it is through.  Amen.

How Many Trophies Will You Have?

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 -   For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back again.  For you are our trophy and joy.

Paul was one of the most effective preachers of all time. He saw his life as one continuing journey to the Gentiles who had never heard God’s message.  He saw each conversion that resulted from his preaching as a great victory for the kingdom…a trophy…a joy.

Paul was unafraid of prison…sincere….and gave a clear consistent message. He was honest and straightforward…yet gentle with his words. He lived what he preached every day…bearing persecution in faith.  He understood the enemy….satan….and trusted God in each situation that God allowed satan to temporarily control.

I couldn’t help but be convicted of my lack of soul winning.  I have always felt that I was a seed planter…and justified the small number of trophies I would have as God’s plan.  But reading this ….perhaps I justified a bit too much…and need to take on more of Paul’s zeal for saving the lost.

The great commission from Matthew 28 doesn’t say go plant seeds….it says go make disciples.  Matthew 9 speaks of the need to send out laborers to the great harvest that is ripe and ready.  Acts 1:8 tells us that He gave us the Holy Spirit to make up for any shortcomings we have in our earthly bodies.  Romans 10 reminds us that if we don’t…many will die without a chance to know God.  And finally…read  Philemon 6… “And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”  That tells me that my growth will never be complete till I learn to share my faith with others.

Father…thank you for the reminder that soul winning is not just for preachers or television evangelists. Forgive me for the time that I have thought that planting seeds was enough of a labor for your kingdom.  Help me to be more like Paul…and use my testimony to show the world that you are the only way to salvation and life….earnestly praying for all to be converted to belief in your son’s gift of love on the cross.  Amen.

How Passionate Are You For God?

1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 -  We know that God has chosen you, dear brothers, much beloved of God.  For when we brought you the Good News, it was not just meaningless chatter to you; no, you listened with great interest. What we told you produced a powerful effect upon you, for the Holy Spirit gave you great and full assurance that what we said was true. And you know how our very lives were further proof to you of the truth of our message.  So you became our followers and the Lord’s; for you received our message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the trials and sorrows it brought you.

Paul was so proud of these Christians at Thessalonica.  They had grasped the great power of God’s word from the very beginning and let it transform them into followers that proved their conversion was anything but truth. The power of the Holy Spirit made them strong…able to withstand the persecution of that day.

These Christians did not just read the scriptures….or go to church…or pray routine prayers.   These Christians made radical changes in their lives that gave them a deeper focus on God’s words….and the insight to understand them fully….so they could apply them immediately to the way they lived. It fact…it was this deep passion for Christianity that made their lives so very hard.

I can’t say that I have ever experienced persecution for my beliefs in God. God allowed me to be born in a nation where freedom of religion is practiced. Someone might make fun of my beliefs….or debate hotly the validity of my Bible….but I can still go to the church I choose to worship when I please.  I have no excuses for not being as passionate as these Thessalonica Christians were.

Passion is defined as a strong and barely controllable emotion. If my passion for Christ is really dominant in my life then everything I do will be based on whether it will lead others to Him….or deepen my understanding of Him. No more excuses that I don’t have the time….don’t understand how….don’t have that ability.  No more rationalizing the things in my life that I know deep down don’t belong.  No more justifying my actions based on what I think I want and need.

Father…thank you for the reminder that my passion needs to be you.  Forgive me for the times that I let my love for you become routine and casual. Light a new fire of passion inside my soul to make all my decisions based on what would lead more people to your love.  Help me to make the changes to my life that will deepen my understanding of your word and draw me closer to you.  Amen. 

God Desires Bold...Persistent Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4  -  Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God’s answers, and remember to be thankful when they come.  Don’t forget to pray for us too, that God will give us many chances to preach the Good News of Christ for which I am here in jail.  Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully and make it plain, as, of course, I should.

Paul ends his letter to the Colossians by reminding them of the power of the relationships in their life…treating each other the way Christ would treat us. He says that relationship includes persistent prayer. He says to keep at it…watch for answers…and make sure we thank God for them when they come. He says to pray for boldness in sharing Christ’s story with others…and for increased opportunities to do so.

I read countless prayer requests a day on Facebook…read a long list of church requests on Wednesday evening…and encounter even others as I go about my day.  I do take a moment to whisper up a prayer for each one as I read it….but I admit that the list dwindles to a smaller size when it comes to those I offer more than once.

I needed the reminder to be more energized in my prayers….and to follow through with more of the whispers to see how God showed off for the person I prayed for. I can even thank God in advance if I know that I might never hear the praise report…or the way God used the pain he allowed in someone else’s life to build His Kingdom. I definitely need to pray for more opportunities to share what God has done for me.

Father…thank you for the simple message that I need to energize and be more persistent in my prayers. Forgive me for the times that I have let one time whispers make me think that all will be covered. Help me to internalize Paul’s words….and be more persistent ….and watchful for your answers.  Help me to be even more thankful and bold in sharing your love with others. Amen.

Sweet Peace...Always There For The Asking

Colossians 3:14-15 -  Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.  Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.

Paul used the peace of heart he tells us about here every day. He did not let his circumstances dictate his attitude day by day….he let God’s love and grace embed him with enough strength to make it through the toughest of situations. He knew that no matter what he would be joined with Christ someday. He let that thought power him through prison…shipwrecks….beatings….and public mocking.

Paul felt this wasn’t only the way we should be… he said it was our responsibility as Christians. He said it was a privilege.  He even added that we should be thankful we were given the chance to have them.

I admit that true peace of heart is a hard thing to accomplish and keep ALL the time… mostly because we let the disappointments of life break our spirit.  We forget very quickly the power we hold in Christ when things get tough. Paul combated that issue with daily prayer and Bible study….fellowship with other Christians…and encouraging others to stay strong.  He practiced what he preached.  Love definitely ruled his heart and that brought him the peace that passes ALL understanding from Christ.

Father….thank you for the reminder to let love guide all my thoughts and actions. Forgive me for the times that I have let life beat me down and forgotten that your peace is always there in my heart.  Help me to feel your sweet peace quickly each day…before life has a chance to steal it away from me again.  Amen.

What Kind Of Roots Are You Growing?

Colossians 2:6-7 -  And now, just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him.  Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.

Paul paints a beautiful picture of how we can grow in Christ by using the image of a grand tree that has deep roots. He tells us to live one day at a time…connected completely to God by the roots we grow deep into his being. Those roots will soak up nourishment from prayer….from Bible study….and from fellowship and worship with other Christians.

The strength we gather from these practices will produce joy that will overflow into everything we do. We learn to thank God for everything…even when we don’t see the benefit right away. We learn to thank God for what he has done more than we ask for his help with what we see as problems. We become so entangled in Christ with the many roots we grow that our faith cannot be destroyed or compromised.

I needed the reminder to grow deeper roots. …and take each day’s problems as they come. This time of year I am particularly bad to let my alone time be wasted in meaningless activities to keep my mind off anniversary dates and funeral memories. I need to ‘struggle’ in prayer a bit more as Paul did…and really use that alone time to grow roots that will help me find God’s will for my life in this season.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you need to be the soil that I plant every root of my being into. Forgive me for growing so many roots in meaningless and useless things that will never help me to see your complete plan for my life. Help me to trust you completely and cultivate the roots I have grown into you ….so that they will grow even deeper and nourish me completely. Prune the roots that remain connected to the world so that I can concentrate fully on serving you.  Amen.

Comprehensive Prayers...Even For Those We Don't Know

Colossians 1:9-12 - So ever since we first heard about you we have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what he wants you to do; asking him to make you wise about spiritual things;  and asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor him, so that you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you are learning to know God better and better. We are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens—always full of the joy of the Lord,  and always thankful to the Father who has made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the Kingdom of light.

Paul amazes me with the number of letters he wrote while he was in prison. While confined to his home….probably chained to a roman soldier…he spent his time encouraging others and visiting with the ones he sent to check on them. This group of believers at Collosse was evangelized by Epaprus…one who Paul had preached to and immediately went to share what he had learned with his own community.  Paul realizes their need for continued support…especially since other false teachings were common in that area.

Paul had never met these people…yet he opened his heart in prayer for them to the father. He asked God to help them understand the scriptures….give them wisdom in spiritual things….and help them live pleasing lives to God. Then he added a request for God to teach them how to do kind things for others…know God at continuing deeper levels…and be filled with God’s strength. He finished his prayers for them by pleading to God for them to endure in the faith….stay full of Christ’s joy…and always be thankful no matter what happened in their life.

I admit that my prayers for friends are not so comprehensive. I lift up the requests that they make known to me….but hardly ever go beyond the obvious need that they presented to me for prayer. I need to internalize Paul’s 9 point prayer for all that I lift to God….so that he can do more than just answer one simple need. I need to realize that I can do this even for people I have never met.

Father…thank you for the reminder that my prayers need to be more comprehensive and in depth.  Forgive me for the times that I have lifted up quick prayers of need that stop with just the obvious needs. Help me to internalize Paul’s heart for prayer…and realize the great power of prayer to do more than what I ask. Give me a heart to pray for those that I don’t even know. Amen. 

Dwell On The Positive

Philippians 4:4-7 -  Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

Paul finishes this book of Philippians with a key concept in Christianity. Those of us that have accepted Christ become unselfish and consider others in all we do. He says that we should pray instead of worry…..thank God instead of complain…..and experience a peace that will put even the worst of worry warts to rest.

The key to controlling these admittingly hard to control character traits is found in verse 8 …. And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

I am resolved to follow my own advice…and try to see the past week of sinus and ear issues as a good thing. I had plenty of groceries…..my new insurance kept the cost of my doctor visit and meds very reasonable….I got plenty of rest….and even caught up on several old series of TV shows. When I grasp the positive…the negative doesn’t even make the list of things to cause concern.

Father…thank you for the rest…new doctor….insurance … money for groceries….and internet connection to fill the time while my body decided to shake off the infections from allergies. Thank you for the reminder that this positive outlook on my health is the first step to finding peace in all things I encounter. Forgive me for the times that I let worry and complaining hide from me the ability you give to see all things for the good. Help me to be more positive in all my thoughts.  Amen.

Forget The past...Embrace And Let God Empower Your Future

Philippians 3:13-14 - No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.

Paul understood and tried to help everyone grasp the concept that God wants us to release the guilt and memories of our past…and cling to the hope we have with God in our future.  He also knew the key to that was pouring all our energies into developing the closest relationship we could with Christ.

Adam and Eve were not destroyed…they were punished and given instructions to try again. The natural consequences of Moses running from his past trained him to be a great leader when he realized the power of God in his life.  Jesus exposed the truth to the woman at the well that she could release the habits that bound her to adultery and use her testimony of meeting Him to change her whole community.  David washed his face and put on new clothes ….showing the world that his past mistakes were behind him and he accepted God’s answer in the death of his child.

All of these people…and they are just a few examples from the Bible… believed as Paul did. God uses us despite our mistakes…even because of them.  A relationship that daily meets with God and studies His word results in strength to move past our mistakes….if…big if….we make the choice to put the past behind us and let God take the steering wheel the rest of our journey here on earth.

One last note…these people….they understood Paul’s words here.  They put all their energy into knowing God as deeply as they could.  They knew that this relationship would be their salvation as they walked the roads they were called to walk.  Adam and Eve embraced the hard labor they were given to bear. Moses picked up the rod that God asked him to carry in leadership. The woman at the well ran with joy to tell her community about the man who gave her living water that saved her from a life of adultery. David accepted God’s choices in the life of his beloved child…and worshiped God in spite of his sorrow. 

Father…thank you for the reminder that we are not products of our past…we are products of the decision in the present to follow you…and the choices we make with you to give us hope for our future.  Forgive me for the times that I have let my past stop me from realizing that you have more for me. Help me to choose anew each morning to follow you …putting all my energy into knowing you as deeply as possible. Amen.

Do Everything....Without Arguing And Complaining

Philippians 2:3-4 and 14  -  Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.  Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.

… In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing 

Paul uses clear and direct words here to emphasize how important it is to not only take on the servant role that Christ modeled for us…but to also do it with cheerful hearts that are content in our purpose. Selfishness and arrogance will keep others from seeing the true light of God that he placed inside us. Complaining and arguing cultivate negativity…negativity cultivates doubt….doubt cultivates hesitation....hesitation can slow a Christian to a complete stop quickly.

The reason we become a servant is not to bring attention to ourselves…to make us look good.  The reason we become a servant is to allow the light God placed inside us to show to those that don’t know him yet. If we really get it….our lives become less important…and helping others becomes the catalyst that strengthens our relationship with God.

Paul made sure that he reminded us that a true servant does his work without complaining or arguing. These two things tear down quickly the love that God planted in anyone’s heart. People don’t see Christ…they see a person who wants their own way….they focus on the argument….instead of the love that powered that choice.

I admit very quickly that Paul’s advice is very hard to follow.  I myself have been guilty more times than I can count on my fingers and toes...times 70. I needed the reminder that thinking of others first….and finding ways to help them serves to get the focus back on God where it belongs.  Paul wrote earlier in Galatians 5:13 … “For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.”

Father…thank you for the reminder that loving others is way more important than loving myself.  Forgive me for the times that I let life cultivate negativity….doubt….and hesitation…..keeping me from drawing as close to you as possible.  Help me to learn how Paul stayed so confident in his purpose….so I can do all things through you…and not argue or complain about my task.  Amen.

Are You Happy...Or Joyful?

Philippians 1:19-20 -  I am going to keep on being glad, for I know that as you pray for me, and as the Holy Spirit helps me, this is all going to turn out for my good.  For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ while I am going through all these trials here, just as I have in the past; and that I will always be an honor to Christ, whether I live or whether I must die.

Paul sat day after day in house arrest…but his heart for Christ and the call to preach on his life never suffered from this confinement.  He saw everything that had happened to him as a way God had increased the amount of people that heard the gospel.  He had let the peace that passes understanding completely rule his heart…allowing him to see the goo in every bit of suffering he had endured to this point.

Paul was so ready to meet Christ in Heaven….death to him was a great vison of joy. He would finally be face to face with the savior he had passionately told about to others. But life was also a joy...because he channeled that peace that God gave him to see the positive in all things. He knew in his heart that Christ was not through with him on earth…and was ready to work for Him as long as God willed.

Paul’s confidence came from the fact that he understood the difference in happiness and joy. Paul did not put his trust and confidence in the world….the temporary things like cars….houses….clothes….or cruises to exotic places.  Paul found joy in Christ…so much so that he was able to let his suffering actually build his faith…helping take his eyes even more off earthly things…giving us a great model for how to live our own lives today. 

As usual…I needed the reminder to let the peace that God gave me grow stronger instead of lose energy because I let life trick me into fueling negative thoughts. I need to be more like Paul…ready to do anything…even if it causes me earthly pain or suffering.  I need to remember that the Holy Spirit and the prayers of others can help me run the race with confidence and power like Paul did.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I need to let your spirit and strength give me confidence to always be positive. Forgive me for the times that I let worldly things….sickness…or memories of what I lost keep me from experiencing the full joy that you offer.  Help me to put off the things that bind me and put on the confidence that will give me joy…instead of just temporary happiness. Amen.

Prayer Releases The Power of God's Protective Armor

Ephesians 6:13-18 -   So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval.  Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.  Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.

Paul embeds in his last words of this letter to the Ephesus church the key to his great faith and strength. Paul wears the full armor of God….and he doesn’t just wear it for show…he prays while he wears it….all the time. Paul dressed for battle with the world every day…even from a prison cell.

Once again my Life Application Bible shed great insight into the 6 pieces of armor Paul says we need to be fully protected. Truth is satan’s enemy because he fights with lies. God’s breastplate of approval protects our hearts from attacks. The shoes we wear keep us ready to move out for God’s purpose.  The shield of faith keeps our perspective aligned with God’s will...allowing us to see beyond our own circumstances into the full plan of God.  The helmet of salvation protects our minds from doubt. In addition to these defensive weapons…God gave us one offensive weapon. …the sword of the spirit…the Bible.

Paul tells us it is not enough to wear the armor…we need to pray constantly for the spirit to release the power that it contains to help us. Without prayer…the armor will be ineffective…we might as well have never put it on. Prayer gives us the courage to keep seeking till we find the truth…and rest in God’s complete love at all times. Prayer teaches us how to tie our shoes and hold that shield up in just the right place.  Prayer gives us the strength to look at the back of that shield and rest in complete trust that God has a purpose and a reason for the struggle we picked up the shield in the first place. Prayer keeps the strap on our helmet of salvation secure….so that we always seek our next move in his sword of the spirit.

I will testify that as many times as I have forgotten I have these powerful weapons…and let the darkness cave in and hide me from success….it was prayer that finally gave me the strength to put the armor back on again. Satan knows that if he can separate us from God…we will forget that we have the most powerful weapon that exists to fight his evil. And when I put that armor back on…and begin to pray for its power to work in my life….amazing blessings and peace wrap around any problem I am facing.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you gave me all I need to fight any power of darkness that satan can form against me. Forgive me for the times that I forget to put that armor on…and pray for your power to protect me from all that satan thinks up. Help me to really understand and begin to use the power of prayer that can release the supernatural powers you have given all of us in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Give The Holy Spirit All Control

Ephesians 5:15-18  -  So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him.

Paul speaks here of the importance of letting love control our actions….being submissive to God and letting the Holy Spirit control everything we do.  It isn’t how much of the Holy Spirit we have…it is how much we let the Holy Spirit inside us control what we do.

Paul says that wisdom is found in making the most of every opportunity we are given for doing good. Wisdom is found in trying to seek God’s will and follow it with all our heart.  Wisdom is seeing the hidden traps in things like alcohol… legal and permissible in society at a given age…but easily used in the wrong ways to control the mind and heart.

One of the keys to gaining strength to fight the temptations of such sin is fellowship with other Christians.  Paul says to spend our time singing hymns…and praising God for everything in our lives. He says to make music in our hearts to God. He says to discuss the scriptures with others that are trying to learn what God needs from them each day.

Father…thank you for the reminder that the Holy Spirit is to control our every thought and action. Forgive me for the times that I forget that the Holy Spirit is inside me and can power me to do all things through you.  Help me to learn to use the Holy Spirit to control the temptations that the world throws in my pathway to separate me from your love.  Amen.

Use The Holy Spirit To Throw Off The Things We Know Are Bad

Ephesians 4:20-24 -  But that isn’t the way Christ taught you!  If you have really heard his voice and learned from him the truths concerning himself,  then throw off your old evil nature—the old you that was a partner in your evil ways—rotten through and through, full of lust and sham.  Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better.  Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature.

Paul spends this chapter reminding the church of how important it is to let God’s spirit transform our old sinful nature into a useable vessel of love…. humble service….and forgiveness. He says it won’t happen overnight…but is a daily process….God welding good from the bad we used to be one day at a time.  He says that God will transform us from the selfish children we were without Him…into creatures that recognize and listen to only the truth of God.

It can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit….God working in our lives to remove the old lustful….selfish ….angry…bitter….negative thoughts from our hearts….so that He can replace them with honest….kind…helpful….tender hearts that long to forgive as Christ forgave us. It is a daily process….for God does not use a magic wand and magically transform us in a moment to this new creature. He uses the negative situations…all the bad we built around us….and shows how to overcome them with His love and truth….one thing at a time.

Paul says the start is to clothe ourselves with what is good….throwing off everything that God has already told us is bad for us.  That includes foul language….using only positive words to build people up. Anger that surfaces should be dealt with quickly…so it does not open a door for satan to tear down what God is doing in your life.  Honesty is a must…any lies we tell keep one of our feet blocking the door to sin that God is trying to close for good.

I admit that it is easier some days to be the child…and just ask forgiveness again for something I know I did that was wrong. But I will also testify of the great peace and strength that comes when you get one of those situations right. It is far more satisfying to hear God say…good job….than for God to say…that’s okay…we will try again.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I must make an active effort to throw off the things that I know are bad for me…and put on the new clothes that you provide to make me strong and holy in your sight. Forgive me for the many times I have lessened the strength you have to help me because I have kept one of my feet blocking the door that you were trying to close. Help me to use the Holy Spirit to help me identify the things that are still holding me back from a pure relationship with you…so I can claim its power to help me when I feel the weakest.  Amen.

Trust God For His Unlimited Resources And Power

Ephesians 3:8-9 -   Just think! Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the most useless Christian there is, yet I was the one chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles the Glad News of the endless treasures available to them in Christ;  and to explain to everyone that God is the Savior of the Gentiles too, just as he who made all things had secretly planned from the very beginning.

Paul was in jail...yet he continued to encourage others to share the great power and confidence the gospel could give them. He did not worry about how God was working through him from jail…and he did not worry about the timing of God’s plan.  He allowed himself to be used no matter where…no matter what circumstances he found himself in.

He was amazed by how God had even chosen him to be a vessel of service for Him. He voiced his deep amazement in verse 7…saying “God has given me the wonderful privilege of telling everyone about this plan of his; and he has given me his power and special ability to do it well.” Paul drew special power and contentment from this calling… it helped him to rest in God and not worry about his present circumstances. 

God has called each of us that chose to believe in him to special service.  Paul had already told them in Ephesians 2:10 ….“we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Now Paul reminds them that God’s power and love reach farther than our finite minds can fathom. Verse 16 says… “ that out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit.”

I love the way Paul describes an infinite space that reaches farther than we can imagine in depth…. In width… in height… or in breadth. I couldn’t say it any better than verses 18-19…. “and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.

I need a reminder of that power and love every day.  I also need a reminder that I have been called to special service. That reminder will carry me through the days when I feel unused…. undeserving… and powerless against the days problems.  Instead of worrying or letting my countenance drop in defeat… I need to raise my voice in praise and thankfulness…. Like Paul.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I was created for service to you. Forgive me for the times that I let life…or health….or worries defeat my spirit. Help me to learn how to tap into the great unlimited power and resources you have stored up for all believers… continually lifting up my thanks and praises to you…building strength instead of letting it fade.  Amen.

Conflict Builds Walls That Hide God From Others

Ephesians 2:13-14 -   But now you belong to Christ Jesus, and though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought very near to him because of what Jesus Christ has done for you with his blood.  For Christ himself is our way of peace. He has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one family, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. 

Paul uses loving words to remind the church that grace and love are supposed to rule our hearts in all we do. The wall he dealt with was between Jews and Gentiles….rituals and rules verses grace and mercy.  He was telling them it was time to tear down the wall between them and work together to build God’s kingdom….good words for all of us to still live by today.

It seems lately that I read more about building new walls of contempt instead of letting God’s love tear them completely down.  Satan is working overtime at convincing people we have to take sides…instead of trust God to work all things for the good like He promised. Government is not God…but I remember a scripture that quoted Christ’s viewpoint on it.  He sent Peter to retrieve a coin from a fish so they could pay taxes…even though He knew he should be exempt from them. Read Matthew 17 for that complete story.  Another time Jesus explained to the people trying to trick Him…. to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and God’s what is God’s. Read Mark 12 if you don’t remember that story.

God allows choice…our love is suppose to drive us to do the right thing.  But satan has twisted that concept into something ugly …controlled by man…not God. We have become nation of people that want to control others with rules again. We have forgotten the concept of grace…we have forgotten that all bad choices are used by God to bring about good….we are trying to control the outcomes ourselves…instead of depending on God to work things out in His timing.

It is a loud reminder to me that choice doesn’t call for us to cram our beliefs onto others…or force our interpretation of the Bible onto all we meet. It calls for us to love and serve God…and be an example that others want to follow.  God knows all the issues...and he alone knows how allowing them in the first place works into His plan for His world. We are not helping Him add to the kingdom by taking sides….or trying to control the rules man made. God’s law will be upheld in the end….I read the rest of the story.

Father…thank you for the reminder that clarifies how I should handle all the issues that have recently escalated into fights between your people.  Forgive me for even thinking about which side to take…and letting seeds of confusion be planted that will eventually build a wall that prevents me from telling others about you. Help me to stay focused on you…not the issues that you allow to teach me how to trust only you. Help me be patient and wait for you to tear down every wall that is built to hide the truth from all who are lost.  Amen.

Understand How Incredibly Great God's Power Is

Ephesians 1:18-19 –  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him!  I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. It is that same mighty power

Paul is under house arrest in Rome…but instead of languishing away or feeling sorry for himself he sees it as an opportunity to encourage and lift up others. He writes the strong church of Ephesus…calls down blessings from God and praises God for the blessings and grace all Christians received when God sent His son to complete the plan God made for all who believe to be saved.

I was reading on my deck this morning...totally distracted by the beautiful birds…having let myself be lulled into falling asleep without reading my one chapter last night. I slept late….and was in total catch up mode.  To be completely honest…I have been that way for at least a week. I may be better at masking my real feelings of loss and pain in public….but the anniversary of the day God gave me my second husband…and the memories of just how much I lost when God called him home….has weighed heavy on my heart when I am alone in my new home. On top of that…feelings of inadequacy surface constantly in just about every task I feel led to do here lately.

I missed it totally when I read it the first time. It was the commentary in my life application Bible that shed the light I needed to understand how very much God wants me to use His power to overcome the darkness that tries to mask the ability he has already given me to turn all those weaknesses into strengths he can use to do His work through me. I needed the reminder to stop letting the feelings of inadequacy that satan tries to emphasize dictate my actions. I need to learn to use God’s power to praise God in every situation…..letting His power wash away all that weakness…letting His power give me the strength I need to keep moving forward in His will.

Father…thank you for the reminder that all the power I will ever need is mine for the asking. Forgive me for the times that I have let feelings of inadequacy keep me immobile… and make choices that stop me from growing in faith and courage to keep searching for your plan to use me to tell others of your love. Place in me a desire to be flooded with your light…so I can use the glimpse of your vision for using me…. to fill me with the power I need to be who you created me to be. Amen.

Encourage Others With Kindness And Love

Galatians 6:9-10 -   And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.  That’s why whenever we can we should always be kind to everyone, and especially to our Christian brothers.

Paul closed his letter to the Galatians by reminding them that Christianity does not transform us into perfect people….we can be pulled away from God…and become weak enough to let sin overcome us. We need to have each other’s back…and find loving….gentle….kind ways to help them find their way back to God.

1 Corinthians 10:12 is burned in my brain and heart.  I heard it the first time while sitting in recovery meetings…desperately trying to find purpose in the loss of my second husband. It says… “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.” It is used as the scripture support for step 10… introducing the concept of taking a personal inventory…and using humility to dig deep into the reasons we might have strayed far enough away from God to commit sin in the first place.

Paul tells us here that one of our responsibilities as a believer is to keep our own hearts humble enough that we can use kindness…. love…. and gentleness… to encourage….not blame…. for none of us has ever lived a perfect life. Harshness… breeds the seeds of hypocrisy… and eventually discourages.  Unkindness and insensitivity breed seeds of discouragement that eventually lead to a total shut down…a quitter attitude. When sin gets a hold of that….total brokenness …. It sows even more sin.

Paul is giving us the key to letting encouragement build the strength that people need to throw off the sin that binds them…just like Hebrews 12:1 says…. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  The power of encouragement is also revealed in Isaiah 40:31 … “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

I was reading about those wings last night.  All bird wings are created very differently.  Eagle wings are broad and slotted….designed to use the air current to soar or glide effortlessly in the sky. The flying lessons they receive are remarkably like the way God sometimes teaches us. Their first flight is actually inside the nest….using the current of their parents wings…they hover only inches straight up and down inside the safety of the nest. And if the young fledgling doesn’t have the courage to spread their wings and take their first flight on their own…the parents start to withhold food…flying temptingly close to the nest with tasty morsels till the bird gets the message they have to work for the food they will eat in the future. They have to leave the nest…or they will starve to death.

God does not want any of us to starve…he knows that the sin we have let enter our lives will only grow into more sin.  We have to be like those loving eagle parents…and fly close enough to the fellow Christians we see struggling with the morsels of kindness and love that they need to develop enough strength to renew the relationship with God they let get so weak that sin found a way in their heart. Once they leave that nest of sin...they too will realize that the air currents that God provided for us will power them the rest of the way.

Father…thank you for the reminder that sin is always going to be close enough to me to battle for my heart.  Forgive me for the times that I have let seeds of sin breed discouragement in myself and others. Help me to learn to fly like those eagles….using the bible and prayer as my current….letting you renew my spirit to heights I have never reached before. Help me keep close watch for the seeds of sin that might be my next undoing.   Amen.

Faith Should Express Itself Through Love And Service To Others

Galatians 5:13-16 -  For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.  For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.”  But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always critical and catty, watch out! Beware of ruining each other.  I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to.

Paul said true freedom was only available to those that believed on Christ. He called for the believer to rethink the definition of freedom ….and see it as a new power and strength…to see it in its purest form. Freedom to the Christian is not a license to do wrong…to do whatever we want.  Freedom to the Christian is a power to use the Holy Spirit to keep from allowing the flesh to win so many of our daily battles against sin.

One of the keys to unlocking the full power of freedom in our lives is service to others. Love…as Christ defined it….empowers us to lead unselfish lives.  It produces love…. joy… peace… patience…. kindness… goodness…. faithfulness… gentleness….. and self-control. Paul reminds us that any other character trait that manifests itself in our lives is an indication that we are not letting the Holy Spirit lead and guide us to crucify the flesh that battles against the freedom God wants all of us to have in our new life with Christ.

I didn’t copy verse 24… but it is key…so I will put it here…. ^“ Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.” It isn’t a physical process…it is an internal trust and acceptance of what the law identified in our life as wrong. Giving it to Christ means it does not have control of our mind and bodies any more.  If we continue to crucify those things daily…even moment by moment…the Holy Spirit fills the spot where sin used to reside with new love that expresses itself in sacrificial service to others. That’s how Jesus was able to always focus on others….to the point that He allowed His temporary physical body to be nailed to the cross for all sin.

I needed the reminder to read the list of things that I should see dominant in my life on a daily basis….and to keep nailing those desires I know are not in the list to Christ’s cross as soon as I realize they are not one of the tools God gave me to help Him.  If the end product of my actions do not reveal love…. joy… peace… patience…. kindness… goodness…. faithfulness… gentleness….. and self-control….then I need to figure out what else I need to nail to the cross.

Father…thank you for the reminder that faith in you should express itself through love… sacrifice…. and serving others. Forgive me for all the things I have allowed to build selfishness and pride that have weakened my ability to fully trust in you.  Help me to develop an ability to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance…so that I may rid my mind and heart of the things that keep me from being the servant you need me to be.  Amen.