When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~ John 8:12 (NIV)
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I was at a funeral recently, where a woman got up to eulogize the deceased. Yet, she began to talk about a spirituality that was completely foreign to me. I just sat there in confusion. New Age followers talk about their inner awakening and enlightenment, and other personal mystical experiences, and I just walk away, thinking, Huh? I didn't understand a thing they said . . .
Spirituality without the Creator God is darkness, despite the claims of illumination and enlightenment. We are in the dark if we believe that we are divine within ourselves, and that somehow if we reincarnate enough times, we'll arrive at our God realization. We are in the dark if we believe that the stars and the rocks and the trees are all divine, and somehow we can be one with all things if we meditate and channel. PLEASE, SOMEONE TURN ON THE LIGHT --- IT'S PITCH BLACK IN HERE!
Humanity is so prideful, that we have elevated ourselves into thinking that we are God. We've swallowed "hook, line and sinker" the lies from the father of lies about who we are and who God is. News flash: God is God, and we are not. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and we are not. That is the light switch!
I pray you can turn to Jesus and trust Him only to provide light on spiritual understanding. Please don't be fooled into thinking that you have what it takes within you to attain oneness with the universe or arrive at any form of godliness without Him. Satan loves to confuse and deceive and conjure up all sorts of myths to darken people's minds. Don't fall for his schemes. Listen, instead, to the One who came from Heaven -- God in the flesh -- Jesus. He really does have all the answers, and can provide you true understanding and peace. Let Him shed real light on your darkness.
Love,
Joelene
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Verse of the Day - Colossians 1:6
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. ~ Colossians 1:6 (NLT)
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. . . changing lives . . .
This is the miracle of God that cannot be replicated by good thoughts, good words, or good intentions. The transformation of a person's spiritual condition from death to life cannot be accomplished by religion or ritual. The depravity and despair of the world has never been adequately rectified on its own. But the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!
Can you testify to that in your life? Are you a witness to the power of God to change your life? I have shared my testimony before, and asked others to join me in telling their story of what Jesus has done to change their life. I again encourage you to share with me what Jesus has done in you.
This verse speaks of the global impact that Jesus' powerful indwelling makes on people's lives. How do you think that was possible back then? People. People going. People going and telling. That's the church of Jesus Christ on the move in the world. Not being silent. Not being afraid. Being full of joy. Being full of the Holy Spirit. Was that then, but not now? Never! God's Spirit is as alive and active as He was 2,100 years ago, and will continue to push for reconciliation of man with God until God determines the end has come. Read just a few of the testimonies from around the world . . .
~ Venezuelan missionaries reaching folks south of the equator and offering the good news to change lives... http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6997&LanguageID=1709
~ International World Changers (IWC) partner with Athenian missions work to share the good news with Greek nationals and immigrants... http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6942&LanguageID=1709
~ Relief workers to China's earthquake survivors offer help and hope in the name of Jesus...
http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6931&LanguageID=1709
God is a life-changer, and He is on the move. If you've had a life-changing experience by God's miraculous hand, are you in the game with Him, or sitting in the stands? It could be next door, or across the globe. But each one can reach one. And as people who have been changed by the good news truth of Jesus Christ, that is our call . . . that is our privilege.
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
. . . changing lives . . .
This is the miracle of God that cannot be replicated by good thoughts, good words, or good intentions. The transformation of a person's spiritual condition from death to life cannot be accomplished by religion or ritual. The depravity and despair of the world has never been adequately rectified on its own. But the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!
Can you testify to that in your life? Are you a witness to the power of God to change your life? I have shared my testimony before, and asked others to join me in telling their story of what Jesus has done to change their life. I again encourage you to share with me what Jesus has done in you.
This verse speaks of the global impact that Jesus' powerful indwelling makes on people's lives. How do you think that was possible back then? People. People going. People going and telling. That's the church of Jesus Christ on the move in the world. Not being silent. Not being afraid. Being full of joy. Being full of the Holy Spirit. Was that then, but not now? Never! God's Spirit is as alive and active as He was 2,100 years ago, and will continue to push for reconciliation of man with God until God determines the end has come. Read just a few of the testimonies from around the world . . .
~ Venezuelan missionaries reaching folks south of the equator and offering the good news to change lives... http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6997&LanguageID=1709
~ International World Changers (IWC) partner with Athenian missions work to share the good news with Greek nationals and immigrants... http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6942&LanguageID=1709
~ Relief workers to China's earthquake survivors offer help and hope in the name of Jesus...
http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6931&LanguageID=1709
God is a life-changer, and He is on the move. If you've had a life-changing experience by God's miraculous hand, are you in the game with Him, or sitting in the stands? It could be next door, or across the globe. But each one can reach one. And as people who have been changed by the good news truth of Jesus Christ, that is our call . . . that is our privilege.
Love,
Joelene
Friday, August 29, 2008
Verse of the Day - Psalm 73:26
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. ~ Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
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"My health may fail . . . " wow -- isn't that the truth? It's amazing how many people in my inner circle (or those closely associated with them) right now are going through health problems (not to mention my own back and neck issues...sigh). These bodies of ours just aren't like armored tanks -- they're more like fresh fruit . . . great for a while, but soon decay.
And our spirits struggle also, don't they? We try to be strong on the inside, but we often succumb to discouragement and fear. Face it -- we're human, and we don't always ride on top of the spiritual wave, but instead, end up at the bottom with a mouth full of sandy salt water. pfhth and patooey!
"But God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever!"
I just had to put an exclamation at the end of that sentence. That is good news! The eternal God gives us eternal life through Jesus, and He lives in the heart of all who believe in Him. We are strengthened in our hearts day by day into forever by the Living God -- regardless of how our bodies and spirits weaken and fail.
. . . we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Coming to grips with our fragile humanity can be frustrating and disconcerting, right on into painful and terrifying. When our bodies and spirits begin to crumble, we can lose sight of the treasure of God within us . . . and even our faith can be shaken. Yet, we can trust His sovereignty and unfailing love. We can make and keep Him as the strength of our hearts.
Way down inside us . . . deep down in the depths of our being, God is there. The Living, eternal God. And He is ours forever. Amen!
(Please pray for those who are struggling with health concerns, either physical or emotional. Pray that God will strengthen their hearts and steel their faith in Him. Pray that they can release their focus on pain and fear, and set their sights on God and His plan and purpose. Pray that they can be fruitful for His kingdom in the midst of their difficult circumstances.)
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"My health may fail . . . " wow -- isn't that the truth? It's amazing how many people in my inner circle (or those closely associated with them) right now are going through health problems (not to mention my own back and neck issues...sigh). These bodies of ours just aren't like armored tanks -- they're more like fresh fruit . . . great for a while, but soon decay.
And our spirits struggle also, don't they? We try to be strong on the inside, but we often succumb to discouragement and fear. Face it -- we're human, and we don't always ride on top of the spiritual wave, but instead, end up at the bottom with a mouth full of sandy salt water. pfhth and patooey!
"But God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever!"
I just had to put an exclamation at the end of that sentence. That is good news! The eternal God gives us eternal life through Jesus, and He lives in the heart of all who believe in Him. We are strengthened in our hearts day by day into forever by the Living God -- regardless of how our bodies and spirits weaken and fail.
. . . we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Coming to grips with our fragile humanity can be frustrating and disconcerting, right on into painful and terrifying. When our bodies and spirits begin to crumble, we can lose sight of the treasure of God within us . . . and even our faith can be shaken. Yet, we can trust His sovereignty and unfailing love. We can make and keep Him as the strength of our hearts.
Way down inside us . . . deep down in the depths of our being, God is there. The Living, eternal God. And He is ours forever. Amen!
(Please pray for those who are struggling with health concerns, either physical or emotional. Pray that God will strengthen their hearts and steel their faith in Him. Pray that they can release their focus on pain and fear, and set their sights on God and His plan and purpose. Pray that they can be fruitful for His kingdom in the midst of their difficult circumstances.)
Love,
Joelene
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Verse of the Day - Psalm 27:8
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” ~ Psalm 27:8 (NLT)
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God talks to us in so many ways. Sometimes we listen . . . and sometimes we don't. When we don't, we reap the consequences of a self-led life. You know it, and I know it.
Yet, God is so loving and merciful and gentle. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to turn around and seek His face, to talk with Him and listen to Him. If you've been turning a deaf ear to His voice, today is the day to talk with God. Own up to all that is in you and acknowledge His ways as the right ways. Like I've said before, life has a way of revealing God's truth. When the Bible says that God cannot be mocked, that a man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7-9), it isn't lying -- it's the truth. We've all experienced it, one way or another. And only God's hand on our lives can make real change on the inside. Praise God He's willing!
Open your ears today so you can hear God's voice. He's talking -- are you listening?
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God talks to us in so many ways. Sometimes we listen . . . and sometimes we don't. When we don't, we reap the consequences of a self-led life. You know it, and I know it.
Yet, God is so loving and merciful and gentle. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to turn around and seek His face, to talk with Him and listen to Him. If you've been turning a deaf ear to His voice, today is the day to talk with God. Own up to all that is in you and acknowledge His ways as the right ways. Like I've said before, life has a way of revealing God's truth. When the Bible says that God cannot be mocked, that a man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7-9), it isn't lying -- it's the truth. We've all experienced it, one way or another. And only God's hand on our lives can make real change on the inside. Praise God He's willing!
Open your ears today so you can hear God's voice. He's talking -- are you listening?
Love,
Joelene
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Verse of the Day - Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
~ Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
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Today, this verse popped up again for potential use, and I thought I'd written on it before -- I didn't realize it had only been 3 months ago (May 10, '08)! Yet, perhaps I needed to be reminded of these thoughts and perhaps they will speak to you also, whatever you are facing today. So many people are in difficult times, and we long for peace. I pray we can find comfort in God's amazing care for us, even when the swirling winds of uncertainty threaten to knock us off our feet. God bless you today.
love,
joelene
**********************
Steadfast. Not a word that's used too often. Well, except by me, I guess. But I'm a wordsmith, and I often use words that have gone by the wayside, replaced with modern vernacular (oops, i did it again)...um, I mean...modern language. And I talk "regular" like the rest of the world, too...don't get me wrong. I'm not a snob regarding the English language, by any means. But, words have meaning, and sometimes meaning is lost, to a degree, when we modernize them.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ~ Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
When I read this verse today in the NLT, I didn't get the same sense as when I read it in the NIV. "Thoughts are fixed" on God just didn't speak to me like "whose mind is steadfast". Maybe it's just me.
When I think of being steadfast, I think of being rock solid...tenacious as a pitbull...completely committed -- the idea that there's no letting go. It's a posture, more than a practice. Does that make sense? I can try like crazy to keep my thoughts on the Lord during the day, and when I find myself frazzled and lacking peace, I could think Well, I guess I didn't do so well in 'keeping my thoughts fixed on God' today ... tomorrow, I'll just have to try harder. But steadfastness in God is a position taken, based on knowledge of Him, trust in Him, and commitment to Him. His Word says that this is what leads to peace. Peace given to the steadfast from the source of peace.
The prayer crew I meet with on Thursdays is praying for a guy who is looking for peace. This restlessness in his spirit has led him to leave his wife and kids to go find it. Not only is there a war going on within him, but now the wounded lie bleeding on the battlefield of his home. Peace...he's looking for peace. But he's not looking to God, so how can he find peace? God is the God of peace (Romans 15:33, NIV), and Jesus is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). We believe, because the Word of God says so, that people have peace only when they come to Him and cling to Him. When trust in God becomes their posture, as well as their practice. (I covet your prayers for the man I've mentioned, who seems to be running headlong in the wrong direction. Pray that God will open his eyes to His truth in all things, that he can find true peace in the Great Peace-Giver.)
If you are struggling with a restless spirit, or feeling fearful of the future, or wrestling with circumstances, I pray that you can evaluate your posture toward God, and see if steadfastness toward Him is lacking. And then look to your practice -- do you practice faith in Him, believing that He is the Supreme Manager? Or do you pray in desperation, and then worry and scheme to try to fix things yourself?
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid. ~ Jesus, in John 14:27 (CEV)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
The posture of steadfastness and the practice of trust in the God of peace leads to peace.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
Love,
Joelene
~ Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today, this verse popped up again for potential use, and I thought I'd written on it before -- I didn't realize it had only been 3 months ago (May 10, '08)! Yet, perhaps I needed to be reminded of these thoughts and perhaps they will speak to you also, whatever you are facing today. So many people are in difficult times, and we long for peace. I pray we can find comfort in God's amazing care for us, even when the swirling winds of uncertainty threaten to knock us off our feet. God bless you today.
love,
joelene
**********************
Steadfast. Not a word that's used too often. Well, except by me, I guess. But I'm a wordsmith, and I often use words that have gone by the wayside, replaced with modern vernacular (oops, i did it again)...um, I mean...modern language. And I talk "regular" like the rest of the world, too...don't get me wrong. I'm not a snob regarding the English language, by any means. But, words have meaning, and sometimes meaning is lost, to a degree, when we modernize them.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ~ Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
When I read this verse today in the NLT, I didn't get the same sense as when I read it in the NIV. "Thoughts are fixed" on God just didn't speak to me like "whose mind is steadfast". Maybe it's just me.
When I think of being steadfast, I think of being rock solid...tenacious as a pitbull...completely committed -- the idea that there's no letting go. It's a posture, more than a practice. Does that make sense? I can try like crazy to keep my thoughts on the Lord during the day, and when I find myself frazzled and lacking peace, I could think Well, I guess I didn't do so well in 'keeping my thoughts fixed on God' today ... tomorrow, I'll just have to try harder. But steadfastness in God is a position taken, based on knowledge of Him, trust in Him, and commitment to Him. His Word says that this is what leads to peace. Peace given to the steadfast from the source of peace.
The prayer crew I meet with on Thursdays is praying for a guy who is looking for peace. This restlessness in his spirit has led him to leave his wife and kids to go find it. Not only is there a war going on within him, but now the wounded lie bleeding on the battlefield of his home. Peace...he's looking for peace. But he's not looking to God, so how can he find peace? God is the God of peace (Romans 15:33, NIV), and Jesus is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). We believe, because the Word of God says so, that people have peace only when they come to Him and cling to Him. When trust in God becomes their posture, as well as their practice. (I covet your prayers for the man I've mentioned, who seems to be running headlong in the wrong direction. Pray that God will open his eyes to His truth in all things, that he can find true peace in the Great Peace-Giver.)
If you are struggling with a restless spirit, or feeling fearful of the future, or wrestling with circumstances, I pray that you can evaluate your posture toward God, and see if steadfastness toward Him is lacking. And then look to your practice -- do you practice faith in Him, believing that He is the Supreme Manager? Or do you pray in desperation, and then worry and scheme to try to fix things yourself?
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid. ~ Jesus, in John 14:27 (CEV)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
The posture of steadfastness and the practice of trust in the God of peace leads to peace.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
Love,
Joelene
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Verse of the Day - Romans 12:4-5
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ~ Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
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They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure. So too, ones man's misery is another man's ministry.
Some people in Christ's body love to work with babies and children, but can't possibly see themselves standing on stage (where people can actually see them!) singing in the choir. Others are drawn to work with the homeless, but can't fathom the claustrophobia of working in an office setting. Still others love to sit and visit with older folks who are home-bound and failing, but have no desire or motivation to be a Bible study leader.
One man's misery is another man's ministry. God has uniquely formed each of us as human beings, with certain strengths and abilities, as well as desires and passions. And if we are part of His family through Jesus Christ, we become part of Christ's body, the church. Jesus has much work to do here on earth, rescuing the lost and strengthening the saints; therefore, we have work to do. Fortunately for the homeless, not everyone is drawn to working with babies; likewise, if every member was in the choir, who would teach our youth about God's Word? There is a place for everyone in the work of the Lord, and God is the one in charge of steering you where He wants you to serve.
You don't have to look at others and wish you were them, doing the ministry they're doing because it seems glamorous or gallant. Look to yourself and how God has wired you. Ask Him to help you recognize your passions and strengths, and move in that direction. Service for God is a blessing, but ill-placed ministry can be misery. Don't feel guilty if even the sight of a diaper bag causes you to break out into a cold sweat, let alone the panic of actually picking up a baby! Jesus doesn't operate His body by guilt and manipulation. But He does place in our hearts, minds and bodies the seeds of joy and blessing for service in areas that fit who and how we were created.
Every member of Christ's body is valuable and integral, and we all need each other to fulfill the work of the Lord. If you're an "elbow", you are vital to the eating process. If you're a "foot", you propel the body on the journey. Don't discount who you are and the part you play in serving God in His body. Enjoy the way God has wired you and be active in your local congregation as a love offering to the Lord.
Got ministry? It does the body good . . .
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure. So too, ones man's misery is another man's ministry.
Some people in Christ's body love to work with babies and children, but can't possibly see themselves standing on stage (where people can actually see them!) singing in the choir. Others are drawn to work with the homeless, but can't fathom the claustrophobia of working in an office setting. Still others love to sit and visit with older folks who are home-bound and failing, but have no desire or motivation to be a Bible study leader.
One man's misery is another man's ministry. God has uniquely formed each of us as human beings, with certain strengths and abilities, as well as desires and passions. And if we are part of His family through Jesus Christ, we become part of Christ's body, the church. Jesus has much work to do here on earth, rescuing the lost and strengthening the saints; therefore, we have work to do. Fortunately for the homeless, not everyone is drawn to working with babies; likewise, if every member was in the choir, who would teach our youth about God's Word? There is a place for everyone in the work of the Lord, and God is the one in charge of steering you where He wants you to serve.
You don't have to look at others and wish you were them, doing the ministry they're doing because it seems glamorous or gallant. Look to yourself and how God has wired you. Ask Him to help you recognize your passions and strengths, and move in that direction. Service for God is a blessing, but ill-placed ministry can be misery. Don't feel guilty if even the sight of a diaper bag causes you to break out into a cold sweat, let alone the panic of actually picking up a baby! Jesus doesn't operate His body by guilt and manipulation. But He does place in our hearts, minds and bodies the seeds of joy and blessing for service in areas that fit who and how we were created.
Every member of Christ's body is valuable and integral, and we all need each other to fulfill the work of the Lord. If you're an "elbow", you are vital to the eating process. If you're a "foot", you propel the body on the journey. Don't discount who you are and the part you play in serving God in His body. Enjoy the way God has wired you and be active in your local congregation as a love offering to the Lord.
Got ministry? It does the body good . . .
Love,
Joelene
Monday, August 25, 2008
Verse of the Day - Mark 11:25
"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” ~ Mark 11:25 (NLT)
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A spirit of humility is what strikes me when I read this verse, not so much a spirit of forgiveness. Surprised?
Forgiveness really stems from humility -- an acknowledgment that before a holy God, we are sinners -- period. I'm not better than my brother. I'm a sinner. And when I stand before God in prayer, what grounds do I even have for Him to bend His ear to me, except that I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus? Nothing. I have no merit of my own. I am naked before Him, only clothed in Christ's righteousness. And God forgives me! A holy God forgives a sinner like me! That is astounding . . . and humbling. Therefore, if I have nothing to justify myself before God and must come to Him in humility, knowing I am sinful, that recognition allows me to forgive others, one sinful man toward another.
It's when we forget who we are that we allow pride to hold onto anger and grudges in our hearts toward others. And God tells us there is a correlation between our own forgiveness and how and if we forgive others. If we simply look to ourselves and not the sins of others AND are honest with ourselves about our own faults and sin-sick hearts, we will more readily forgive the faults of others toward us. When we are able to truly grasp the fact that we are all peas in the same pod and realize that it is God's grace and mercy alone that saves each of us -- each pea in this pod, then we can move away from pride and prejudice and toward forgiveness and fellowship.
Jesus said it well, when He spoke on humility and honest personal assessment . . .
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
~ Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV)
Our sin against God cannot possible compare to another person's sin against us. I don't care how bad it is -- it can't compare. May we never forget who we are and where we stand before God when we are faced with forgiving someone else.
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A spirit of humility is what strikes me when I read this verse, not so much a spirit of forgiveness. Surprised?
Forgiveness really stems from humility -- an acknowledgment that before a holy God, we are sinners -- period. I'm not better than my brother. I'm a sinner. And when I stand before God in prayer, what grounds do I even have for Him to bend His ear to me, except that I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus? Nothing. I have no merit of my own. I am naked before Him, only clothed in Christ's righteousness. And God forgives me! A holy God forgives a sinner like me! That is astounding . . . and humbling. Therefore, if I have nothing to justify myself before God and must come to Him in humility, knowing I am sinful, that recognition allows me to forgive others, one sinful man toward another.
It's when we forget who we are that we allow pride to hold onto anger and grudges in our hearts toward others. And God tells us there is a correlation between our own forgiveness and how and if we forgive others. If we simply look to ourselves and not the sins of others AND are honest with ourselves about our own faults and sin-sick hearts, we will more readily forgive the faults of others toward us. When we are able to truly grasp the fact that we are all peas in the same pod and realize that it is God's grace and mercy alone that saves each of us -- each pea in this pod, then we can move away from pride and prejudice and toward forgiveness and fellowship.
Jesus said it well, when He spoke on humility and honest personal assessment . . .
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
~ Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV)
Our sin against God cannot possible compare to another person's sin against us. I don't care how bad it is -- it can't compare. May we never forget who we are and where we stand before God when we are faced with forgiving someone else.
Love,
Joelene
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Verse of the Day - Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord, because he listens to my prayers for help. He paid attention to me, so I will call to him for help as long as I live.
~ Psalm 116:1-2 (NCV)
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One of the aspects of a good friend is that they listen to you. Am I right? Our spirits want and need someone who cares about what's going on in our heads -- our thoughts and ideas, our concerns, our fears. If every time you call a particular friend to talk, they have to go steam their curtains or monitor their engine pistons, you know you're getting blown off! They don't care to listen to what you have to say. And it makes you feel like they don't care about you.
And I think that's true. A good listener cares about the one they're listening to. They give them attention because that person is important in their life -- what is important to the friend speaking is important to the friend listening. I hope you have at least one person in your life that cares about you and listens to you. That is a good friend and one worth keeping.
But God is the ultimate friend to those who give themselves to Him through Jesus Christ. He cares about them so much and listens intently whenever they talk to Him. And He is merciful and kind, gracious and understanding. He gives us comfort and help in our times of need. The psalmist was well aware of God's listening ear and His provision. It was very evident to him, and that spurred him to desire a continuous love relationship with God. The psalmist had found God to be a good friend. The best friend.
I pray that you know God intimately through Jesus Christ and that you know without a doubt that God is interested in listening to you -- whatever it is that you want to tell Him. He cares about you so much. Turn toward God and give Him an earful. He'll never yawn and tell you He has harps to polish or clouds that need fluffing. :-)
Love,
Joelene
~ Psalm 116:1-2 (NCV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the aspects of a good friend is that they listen to you. Am I right? Our spirits want and need someone who cares about what's going on in our heads -- our thoughts and ideas, our concerns, our fears. If every time you call a particular friend to talk, they have to go steam their curtains or monitor their engine pistons, you know you're getting blown off! They don't care to listen to what you have to say. And it makes you feel like they don't care about you.
And I think that's true. A good listener cares about the one they're listening to. They give them attention because that person is important in their life -- what is important to the friend speaking is important to the friend listening. I hope you have at least one person in your life that cares about you and listens to you. That is a good friend and one worth keeping.
But God is the ultimate friend to those who give themselves to Him through Jesus Christ. He cares about them so much and listens intently whenever they talk to Him. And He is merciful and kind, gracious and understanding. He gives us comfort and help in our times of need. The psalmist was well aware of God's listening ear and His provision. It was very evident to him, and that spurred him to desire a continuous love relationship with God. The psalmist had found God to be a good friend. The best friend.
I pray that you know God intimately through Jesus Christ and that you know without a doubt that God is interested in listening to you -- whatever it is that you want to tell Him. He cares about you so much. Turn toward God and give Him an earful. He'll never yawn and tell you He has harps to polish or clouds that need fluffing. :-)
Love,
Joelene
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Verse of the Day - Psalm 9:2
I will be happy because of you; God Most High, I will sing praises to your name.
~ Psalm 9:2 (NCV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a lot in this world to be unhappy about. Pollution, violence, disease -- it's all sickening and makes us unhappy. And we can become consumed with unhappiness over the condition of this earth and of humanity -- leading to a myriad of negative attitudes and behavior. Depression, bitterness, vengeance, suicide. A world imploding . . .
But the psalmist breaks it down to a simple methodology -- be happy because of God.
Is it possible that we idolize the sin of the world? Are we so fixated on the negative that we're actually turning our affection from God, to bow at the altar of fatalism and cynicism? Even though we hate the effects of evil in this world, we seem to cater to it with our thoughts and attitudes, living in a state of bemoaning and bad-mouthing.
When there's nothing be happy about in this world of sin, be happy about GOD! He is all things good and lavishes us with His love by rescuing all who believe in Him from a life addicted to sin and destined for hell! He has compassion on those who are hurting and needing help. He is the Creator of the beauty of the earth -- the blue in the sky, the sound of the waterfall, the touch of a cool breeze. We forget where our worship needs to lie, my friends.
You've heard it said before -- happiness is a choice. Looking to people and this world for your happiness is a fatal flaw. But looking to God in worship and seeking Him for your contentment and happiness is always rock-solid. You will never run out of things about God to be happy about, because His well of goodness never runs dry.
Love,
Joelene
~ Psalm 9:2 (NCV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a lot in this world to be unhappy about. Pollution, violence, disease -- it's all sickening and makes us unhappy. And we can become consumed with unhappiness over the condition of this earth and of humanity -- leading to a myriad of negative attitudes and behavior. Depression, bitterness, vengeance, suicide. A world imploding . . .
But the psalmist breaks it down to a simple methodology -- be happy because of God.
Is it possible that we idolize the sin of the world? Are we so fixated on the negative that we're actually turning our affection from God, to bow at the altar of fatalism and cynicism? Even though we hate the effects of evil in this world, we seem to cater to it with our thoughts and attitudes, living in a state of bemoaning and bad-mouthing.
When there's nothing be happy about in this world of sin, be happy about GOD! He is all things good and lavishes us with His love by rescuing all who believe in Him from a life addicted to sin and destined for hell! He has compassion on those who are hurting and needing help. He is the Creator of the beauty of the earth -- the blue in the sky, the sound of the waterfall, the touch of a cool breeze. We forget where our worship needs to lie, my friends.
You've heard it said before -- happiness is a choice. Looking to people and this world for your happiness is a fatal flaw. But looking to God in worship and seeking Him for your contentment and happiness is always rock-solid. You will never run out of things about God to be happy about, because His well of goodness never runs dry.
Love,
Joelene
Friday, August 22, 2008
Verse of the Day - Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise in later life.
~ Proverbs 19:20 (Holman)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was told once, years ago, that I was smart . . . but that I didn't have common sense. Ouch.
But it's so true that we can have a head full of knowledge, but be a knucklehead in life . . .
~ What good does it do to have a degree in Financial Administration, with the knowledge of how to manage multi-million dollar budgets, if one can't be disciplined to keep tabs on their own checkbook without bouncing checks?
~ What good does it do to know all there is to know about horticulture with all the botanical names stored in your brain, if you plant a pine tree too close to your house and it grows up (duh) and cracks your foundation?
~ What good does it do to go to a culinary school and become a master chef, if time and again you have to toss your moldy fresh food from the frig into the trash because you don't take the time to actually prepare it?
They say that knowledge is power. That may be. But knowledge without wisdom is abstract and somewhat pointless. The application of knowledge is wisdom, and wisdom is where real power is. Power to stay balanced in a world of shifting sand. Power to withstand the pressure to fall for the devil's schemes. Power to be all that God has called us to be -- living a godly life in contrast to a life without God.
Common sense and God sense -- they don't just happen naturally. It takes humbly listening to sound and godly advice and applying ourselves to that knowledge and truth. And you may not have a plaque on the wall declaring the extent of your knowledge, but if you have learned wisdom, you are degreed where it counts most.
Peace be unto you as you pursue wisdom through applied knowledge.
Love,
Joelene
~ Proverbs 19:20 (Holman)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was told once, years ago, that I was smart . . . but that I didn't have common sense. Ouch.
But it's so true that we can have a head full of knowledge, but be a knucklehead in life . . .
~ What good does it do to have a degree in Financial Administration, with the knowledge of how to manage multi-million dollar budgets, if one can't be disciplined to keep tabs on their own checkbook without bouncing checks?
~ What good does it do to know all there is to know about horticulture with all the botanical names stored in your brain, if you plant a pine tree too close to your house and it grows up (duh) and cracks your foundation?
~ What good does it do to go to a culinary school and become a master chef, if time and again you have to toss your moldy fresh food from the frig into the trash because you don't take the time to actually prepare it?
They say that knowledge is power. That may be. But knowledge without wisdom is abstract and somewhat pointless. The application of knowledge is wisdom, and wisdom is where real power is. Power to stay balanced in a world of shifting sand. Power to withstand the pressure to fall for the devil's schemes. Power to be all that God has called us to be -- living a godly life in contrast to a life without God.
Common sense and God sense -- they don't just happen naturally. It takes humbly listening to sound and godly advice and applying ourselves to that knowledge and truth. And you may not have a plaque on the wall declaring the extent of your knowledge, but if you have learned wisdom, you are degreed where it counts most.
Peace be unto you as you pursue wisdom through applied knowledge.
Love,
Joelene
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Verse of the Day - Ecclestiastes 4:10
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are a prideful bunch, aren't we?
We want to do things ourselves, and tend not to ask for help. Do you realize how risky that is in life? To not bounce ideas off of someone first before entering into an endeavor, or not getting a helping hand with a difficult task can lead to ruin, in more ways than one. But we still tend to try standing alone, braving things by ourselves, either because we want the glory if success is achieved, or we're afraid to ask for assistance because we don't want to bother people or make it look like we're incompetent.
Does any of this ring a bell with you?
Coming from the wisest man who ever lived is a warning to those who "do it" alone . . . living alone is risky; falling alone is real trouble. How many hiker horror stories have we heard about those who hike alone and end up stranded somewhere at the bottom of a canyon, and no one has a clue where they are? Or how about the horror of self-inflicted physical and emotional isolation, where people choose to be alone and separate from others, and often end up at the bottom of a mental canyon, steeped in depression, and no one even knows? Or how about the person who decides, on their own, that this business venture is too good to pass up, but says nothing to anyone, in order to keep the fortune for themselves, only to end up on the short end of a scam, and lying alone at the bottom of a rocky financial canyon?
We need each other . . . and we need God. If we rely on our own thinking and our own devices, we can short-change or endanger ourselves. Pride becomes a very lonely and dangerous place to be. And yet, God stands ready to be our point man, which is the lead soldier of an infantry patrol on combat operations, or a person who serves in the forefront, as of an economic or political issue. And He brings people into our lives to give us the help we need in order to stay grounded and stable. That is, if we're willing to open our eyes and our ears.
Wisdom says Get help. Don't try to be the Lone Ranger without a good horse and a trusty sidekick.
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are a prideful bunch, aren't we?
We want to do things ourselves, and tend not to ask for help. Do you realize how risky that is in life? To not bounce ideas off of someone first before entering into an endeavor, or not getting a helping hand with a difficult task can lead to ruin, in more ways than one. But we still tend to try standing alone, braving things by ourselves, either because we want the glory if success is achieved, or we're afraid to ask for assistance because we don't want to bother people or make it look like we're incompetent.
Does any of this ring a bell with you?
Coming from the wisest man who ever lived is a warning to those who "do it" alone . . . living alone is risky; falling alone is real trouble. How many hiker horror stories have we heard about those who hike alone and end up stranded somewhere at the bottom of a canyon, and no one has a clue where they are? Or how about the horror of self-inflicted physical and emotional isolation, where people choose to be alone and separate from others, and often end up at the bottom of a mental canyon, steeped in depression, and no one even knows? Or how about the person who decides, on their own, that this business venture is too good to pass up, but says nothing to anyone, in order to keep the fortune for themselves, only to end up on the short end of a scam, and lying alone at the bottom of a rocky financial canyon?
We need each other . . . and we need God. If we rely on our own thinking and our own devices, we can short-change or endanger ourselves. Pride becomes a very lonely and dangerous place to be. And yet, God stands ready to be our point man, which is the lead soldier of an infantry patrol on combat operations, or a person who serves in the forefront, as of an economic or political issue. And He brings people into our lives to give us the help we need in order to stay grounded and stable. That is, if we're willing to open our eyes and our ears.
Wisdom says Get help. Don't try to be the Lone Ranger without a good horse and a trusty sidekick.
Love,
Joelene
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Verse of the Day - Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
~ Romans 1:20 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't care where you are in the world, you can see the hand of God. His creation is everywhere for all to see, and it screams DIVINE CREATOR! We can look at the phenomenal complexity of DNA, the overwhelming power of the weather, the awesome depth of the universe -- I just can't understand how people don't see God in all of that. But many don't.
Or rather, perhaps they do, and choose not to see, choose not to acknowledge, choose not to believe. Paul says in the very next verse . . .
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened... ~ Romans 1:21 (NIV)
Rebellion against God has some very serious backlashes, one of which is being left to ones own devices and foolish thinking. To the point that, with a world full of evidence pointing to the Creator God, rebelliousness crafts a myriad of alternate ideas and theories to try to explain it all, without God in the picture. And as has been said, it comes down to the fact that it takes more faith to believe in these human-spun ideas than it does to believe the God of the Bible.
And God says that humanity is without excuse. When God determines that this life -- this spinning of the globe -- is finished, and the events of the Book of Revelation take stage, every person will stand before God. Period. All the skeptics in the world will stand before Him, in awe and in fear. They didn't believe, even with all that they saw. And their godless ideas and theories will crumble in their hands like a breeze to a house of cards.
The bottom line is, truth is truth. You can't change it, no matter what you choose to believe. In the end, all will be revealed and many will be caught empty-handed. Not because they weren't told -- but because they chose to close their eyes and turn their back. God says Look around you! I have given you unlimited examples of who I am. The question is: will you humble yourself to your Creator, or rebel and go your own way?
The choice is yours . . . all of creation stands as evidence and waits for your decision. Choose wisely and live.
(here is an interesting article on one man who was challenged by the evidence and chose wisely: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06061203.html )
Love,
Joelene
~ Romans 1:20 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't care where you are in the world, you can see the hand of God. His creation is everywhere for all to see, and it screams DIVINE CREATOR! We can look at the phenomenal complexity of DNA, the overwhelming power of the weather, the awesome depth of the universe -- I just can't understand how people don't see God in all of that. But many don't.
Or rather, perhaps they do, and choose not to see, choose not to acknowledge, choose not to believe. Paul says in the very next verse . . .
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened... ~ Romans 1:21 (NIV)
Rebellion against God has some very serious backlashes, one of which is being left to ones own devices and foolish thinking. To the point that, with a world full of evidence pointing to the Creator God, rebelliousness crafts a myriad of alternate ideas and theories to try to explain it all, without God in the picture. And as has been said, it comes down to the fact that it takes more faith to believe in these human-spun ideas than it does to believe the God of the Bible.
And God says that humanity is without excuse. When God determines that this life -- this spinning of the globe -- is finished, and the events of the Book of Revelation take stage, every person will stand before God. Period. All the skeptics in the world will stand before Him, in awe and in fear. They didn't believe, even with all that they saw. And their godless ideas and theories will crumble in their hands like a breeze to a house of cards.
The bottom line is, truth is truth. You can't change it, no matter what you choose to believe. In the end, all will be revealed and many will be caught empty-handed. Not because they weren't told -- but because they chose to close their eyes and turn their back. God says Look around you! I have given you unlimited examples of who I am. The question is: will you humble yourself to your Creator, or rebel and go your own way?
The choice is yours . . . all of creation stands as evidence and waits for your decision. Choose wisely and live.
(here is an interesting article on one man who was challenged by the evidence and chose wisely: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06061203.html )
Love,
Joelene
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Verse of the Day - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There I sat -- in the dentist's chair at the beginning of what they said would be a 2 1/2-hr appointment for two crown preps. UGH! I've always dreaded the dentist, my teeth having given me trouble since I was very little. Well, okay -- I don't dread the dentist anymore . . . I mean, I don't need counseling before and after. But I wasn't exactly looking forward to this visit. And even though I try to stay relaxed, my hands and arms do get tense, as I focus on the repetitious pattern of the ceiling tiles and wonder why the dentist doesn't find a pretty picture to put up there . . . for those of us stuck in this awkward position for 2 1/2 hours. :-\ (Oh, and did I mention the rubber dam?!? Can I get an 'amen' as to how nasty those things are?!? Talk about claustrophobic!)
But an amazing God-thing happened during that visit. As my dentist began her work, I began to pray. And my prayer wasn't what I expected. I didn't ask God to help me get through this, to make the Novocaine work so I don't feel anything. I didn't petition God for anything. I just began to give thanks. I thanked God that He provided the resources for this expensive procedure. I thanked Him for giving me a job that 1) had dental insurance, and 2) that allowed me sick leave to get paid in spite of not working that afternoon. I can't even remember all that my spirit thanked God for. But it actually surprised me. It was as if the Holy Spirit was in control, and not me. Gee, what a novel concept, huh? :-)
My appointment actually lasted nearly 3 hours, and I was exhausted afterward. Additional Novocaine needed near the end of the dental marathon kept me numb for another two hours, and when it wore off, boy, was I reaching for Motrin -- oweee! After a few days, the soreness was gone, and I almost forgot about my trials in the dental chair. But I still remember that experience of being thankful to God in the midst of a difficult circumstance. I feel like God gave me a gift in leading me there, teaching me how to apply this principle from Thessalonians to my life.
Ah yes, a great teaching moment between God and me. But then yesterday, something irritated me, and I didn't reach for thankfulness -- ooohhh, I reached for anger and resentment! Thankfulness was the farthest thing from my mind. Rats -- back to square one. Or maybe two. But the beauty of a relationship with God is that we get do-overs. I can still give thanks to God today in/from that experience yesterday, which pushed my irritation button instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to push my thankful button. I can still choose to have a thankful heart.
Being thankful in all circumstances is a hard thing to do. Cancer or the death of a loved one simply doesn't call up a natural response of thanks. But a humble heart that is tuned to the Holy Spirit can choose to honor God's sovereignty with thanksgiving. If we believe that God is truly in charge of this universe and our lives, we can thank Him for that. We can choose to see where He is working or where He may work in our lives and the lives of others through the difficulty.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Do we really believe Romans 8:28, or don't we? If we do, we can open our mouths and thank God for His infinite wisdom and power, even though our puny humanity can't see past our noses. If we don't believe this, then we have some work to do in the trust category.
Thankfulness in the midst of difficulty is perhaps one of our greatest challenges. But the Holy Spirit will help us obey God in this area if we are willing -- after all, it is His will for us who are in Christ. Let's choose to bend our will to His will, and turn our hearts toward thanksgiving -- when it's easy (like at weddings and birthday parties) . . . and when it's hard (like sitting in the dental chair....for three hours....Thank you, God, that it wasn't four hours!)
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son (repeat)
And now let the weak say, 'I am strong'
Let the poor say, 'I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us' (repeat)
Give thanks.
~ Give Thanks, by Henry Smith
Love,
Joelene
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There I sat -- in the dentist's chair at the beginning of what they said would be a 2 1/2-hr appointment for two crown preps. UGH! I've always dreaded the dentist, my teeth having given me trouble since I was very little. Well, okay -- I don't dread the dentist anymore . . . I mean, I don't need counseling before and after. But I wasn't exactly looking forward to this visit. And even though I try to stay relaxed, my hands and arms do get tense, as I focus on the repetitious pattern of the ceiling tiles and wonder why the dentist doesn't find a pretty picture to put up there . . . for those of us stuck in this awkward position for 2 1/2 hours. :-\ (Oh, and did I mention the rubber dam?!? Can I get an 'amen' as to how nasty those things are?!? Talk about claustrophobic!)
But an amazing God-thing happened during that visit. As my dentist began her work, I began to pray. And my prayer wasn't what I expected. I didn't ask God to help me get through this, to make the Novocaine work so I don't feel anything. I didn't petition God for anything. I just began to give thanks. I thanked God that He provided the resources for this expensive procedure. I thanked Him for giving me a job that 1) had dental insurance, and 2) that allowed me sick leave to get paid in spite of not working that afternoon. I can't even remember all that my spirit thanked God for. But it actually surprised me. It was as if the Holy Spirit was in control, and not me. Gee, what a novel concept, huh? :-)
My appointment actually lasted nearly 3 hours, and I was exhausted afterward. Additional Novocaine needed near the end of the dental marathon kept me numb for another two hours, and when it wore off, boy, was I reaching for Motrin -- oweee! After a few days, the soreness was gone, and I almost forgot about my trials in the dental chair. But I still remember that experience of being thankful to God in the midst of a difficult circumstance. I feel like God gave me a gift in leading me there, teaching me how to apply this principle from Thessalonians to my life.
Ah yes, a great teaching moment between God and me. But then yesterday, something irritated me, and I didn't reach for thankfulness -- ooohhh, I reached for anger and resentment! Thankfulness was the farthest thing from my mind. Rats -- back to square one. Or maybe two. But the beauty of a relationship with God is that we get do-overs. I can still give thanks to God today in/from that experience yesterday, which pushed my irritation button instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to push my thankful button. I can still choose to have a thankful heart.
Being thankful in all circumstances is a hard thing to do. Cancer or the death of a loved one simply doesn't call up a natural response of thanks. But a humble heart that is tuned to the Holy Spirit can choose to honor God's sovereignty with thanksgiving. If we believe that God is truly in charge of this universe and our lives, we can thank Him for that. We can choose to see where He is working or where He may work in our lives and the lives of others through the difficulty.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Do we really believe Romans 8:28, or don't we? If we do, we can open our mouths and thank God for His infinite wisdom and power, even though our puny humanity can't see past our noses. If we don't believe this, then we have some work to do in the trust category.
Thankfulness in the midst of difficulty is perhaps one of our greatest challenges. But the Holy Spirit will help us obey God in this area if we are willing -- after all, it is His will for us who are in Christ. Let's choose to bend our will to His will, and turn our hearts toward thanksgiving -- when it's easy (like at weddings and birthday parties) . . . and when it's hard (like sitting in the dental chair....for three hours....Thank you, God, that it wasn't four hours!)
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son (repeat)
And now let the weak say, 'I am strong'
Let the poor say, 'I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us' (repeat)
Give thanks.
~ Give Thanks, by Henry Smith
Love,
Joelene
Monday, August 18, 2008
Verse of the Day - Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
~ Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps has done the amazing at Beijing 2008, becoming the winning-est Olympic gold medal winner EVER in a single games! What an astonishing athlete! I listened to an interview with him early on in the games, where he talked a little about his regimen -- what he does in order to compete at this elite level and win. Wow! The amount of time spent in the gym and in the water is grueling. I can't even remember all that he said, but I was just amazed at the desire of this young man to be the best in the world. He hungers and thirsts for victory in a way that takes him to a level that most only dream of . . .
Do we hunger and thirst for the things of God with even half that discipline? Could we consider ourselves a part of the elite level of spiritual athletes, or are we just "hittin' the gym" once a week, or worse yet, just sittin' on the couch watching spiritual "sports" on TV?
The apostle Paul was no stranger to sports analogies -- I think maybe he was no slouch as an athlete . . .
If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. ~ Hebrews 12:1 (NCV)
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)
Paul was like the Michael Phelps of the first century church. He hungered and thirsted . . . after righteousness, after being in the Lord's will, after serving God with everything he had. He took his spiritual walk with God as seriously as gold-medal athletes take their rigorous training -- because he took God that seriously.
So, how serious are we about God, and about our walk with Him? Do we truly hunger and thirst after right standing with Him, after holy living, after complete and utter devotion in our hearts toward Him? Or are we ho-humming our lives away, grabbing a sip now and then of the Living Water, while we veg on the couch of life?
God wants to be our top priority . . . our number one goal . . . our prize. May we get on our knees and seek Him and His righteousness with a hunger and thirst that rivals that of the athletes we've watched recently in Beijing. Develop a regimen that drives you to the foot of the cross and to the depths of His Word. Dig deep in your conversations with Him, allowing Him to work on your inner being. Give the utmost and best you've got, because there is nothing more worthwhile than a life lived in total abandonment to God. Make Him your hunger and your thirst . . .
Love,
Joelene
~ Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps has done the amazing at Beijing 2008, becoming the winning-est Olympic gold medal winner EVER in a single games! What an astonishing athlete! I listened to an interview with him early on in the games, where he talked a little about his regimen -- what he does in order to compete at this elite level and win. Wow! The amount of time spent in the gym and in the water is grueling. I can't even remember all that he said, but I was just amazed at the desire of this young man to be the best in the world. He hungers and thirsts for victory in a way that takes him to a level that most only dream of . . .
Do we hunger and thirst for the things of God with even half that discipline? Could we consider ourselves a part of the elite level of spiritual athletes, or are we just "hittin' the gym" once a week, or worse yet, just sittin' on the couch watching spiritual "sports" on TV?
The apostle Paul was no stranger to sports analogies -- I think maybe he was no slouch as an athlete . . .
If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. ~ Hebrews 12:1 (NCV)
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)
Paul was like the Michael Phelps of the first century church. He hungered and thirsted . . . after righteousness, after being in the Lord's will, after serving God with everything he had. He took his spiritual walk with God as seriously as gold-medal athletes take their rigorous training -- because he took God that seriously.
So, how serious are we about God, and about our walk with Him? Do we truly hunger and thirst after right standing with Him, after holy living, after complete and utter devotion in our hearts toward Him? Or are we ho-humming our lives away, grabbing a sip now and then of the Living Water, while we veg on the couch of life?
God wants to be our top priority . . . our number one goal . . . our prize. May we get on our knees and seek Him and His righteousness with a hunger and thirst that rivals that of the athletes we've watched recently in Beijing. Develop a regimen that drives you to the foot of the cross and to the depths of His Word. Dig deep in your conversations with Him, allowing Him to work on your inner being. Give the utmost and best you've got, because there is nothing more worthwhile than a life lived in total abandonment to God. Make Him your hunger and your thirst . . .
Love,
Joelene
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Verse of the Day - 1 Corinthians 15:55
O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ~ 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The devil loves death. He glories in it. His purely evil heart revels in the fear that death inflicts on humanity. I'm sure he must gloat over gang warfare and drug abuse and the havoc that's cause in so many lives over senseless death. The fear of AIDS and pandemic bird flu probably make him laugh like he's just heard a great joke. Fear is his pride and joy. That and the inevitable eternal living hell that awaits all who are without rescue. That is his victory -- a macabre, sickening victory.
But Jesus changed all that. God became a man and took on the devil at his own game, on his own turf. Just as every man and woman that ever lived and died, the devil thought he had Jesus "in the bag". But Jesus wasn't just an ordinary man, enslaved to the devil's victory in death. He was and is God! And although the Father enabled men to kill Him, death couldn't hold Him. And so the victory was Jesus', and the reign of the devil in death was dashed forever!
Those who follow Christ follow Him into eternal life and freedom from the enslavement of sin and death -- what an amazing miracle! And we deal a heavy blow to the devil when we don't fear physical death. The victory is gone for him when we stand courageous in this life! And we also show a grand testimony to the world of what the Lord can do for them, too, so that they don't have to succumb to the devil's game in fear of death, either!
A couple of songs came to mind this morning -- one old, and one new.
Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you over evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood.
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
~ There is Power in the Blood, by Lewis E. Jones, 1899
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaNUzh1dVPw
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
~ You Never Let Go, by Matt Redman, 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXQBqQejnIA
I pray you can know no fear of death with Jesus . . . not on the mountain peaks, nor through the storms, nor in the valley of the shadow of death. He has the victory, and He offers it to you -- take His hand and hold the victory!
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The devil loves death. He glories in it. His purely evil heart revels in the fear that death inflicts on humanity. I'm sure he must gloat over gang warfare and drug abuse and the havoc that's cause in so many lives over senseless death. The fear of AIDS and pandemic bird flu probably make him laugh like he's just heard a great joke. Fear is his pride and joy. That and the inevitable eternal living hell that awaits all who are without rescue. That is his victory -- a macabre, sickening victory.
But Jesus changed all that. God became a man and took on the devil at his own game, on his own turf. Just as every man and woman that ever lived and died, the devil thought he had Jesus "in the bag". But Jesus wasn't just an ordinary man, enslaved to the devil's victory in death. He was and is God! And although the Father enabled men to kill Him, death couldn't hold Him. And so the victory was Jesus', and the reign of the devil in death was dashed forever!
Those who follow Christ follow Him into eternal life and freedom from the enslavement of sin and death -- what an amazing miracle! And we deal a heavy blow to the devil when we don't fear physical death. The victory is gone for him when we stand courageous in this life! And we also show a grand testimony to the world of what the Lord can do for them, too, so that they don't have to succumb to the devil's game in fear of death, either!
A couple of songs came to mind this morning -- one old, and one new.
Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you over evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood.
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
~ There is Power in the Blood, by Lewis E. Jones, 1899
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaNUzh1dVPw
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
~ You Never Let Go, by Matt Redman, 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXQBqQejnIA
I pray you can know no fear of death with Jesus . . . not on the mountain peaks, nor through the storms, nor in the valley of the shadow of death. He has the victory, and He offers it to you -- take His hand and hold the victory!
Love,
Joelene
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 1:4
. . . and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. ~ 1 Peter 1:4 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picture this: your Great Uncle Friedrich passes away and remembered you in his will by giving you some real estate. You're pretty excited as you drive to the property so you can survey your inheritance. But as you pull up to the driveway, you realize that you've just been handed a real mess -- a dumping ground for discarded appliances and tires, a veritable haven for weeds of all kinds, and the house . . . mercy! . . . the house looks more battered than Rocky Balboa in the first "Rocky" boxing movie! What was Great Uncle Friedrich thinking?!? What in the world am I supposed to do with this mess? Did he really think he was doing me a favor by willing me this "prime piece of real estate"? Sadly, poor Great Uncle Friedrich probably hadn't seen this land in many a year, perhaps having been in a nursing home for a long time. When he knew this place in his younger years, it had beauty and pride of ownership. But how easy it is in this life for the elements and neglect/abuse to decay and destroy an earthly inheritance.
No matter how hard we try in this life to provide for future generations, any earthly inheritance is temporal and prone to decay and devolvement. In the end, the only thing that's really worth passing on is the Good News of Jesus Christ, because the Word of God says that what is stored up in heaven for those who believe will never change or decay. What that inheritance will be exactly is unknown, but being in God's presence and free from sin is HUGE! It's like getting bequeathed the whole country of France, or an entire continent, only better -- and bigger! The point is that what God has prepared for those who put their faith and hope in Him is "pure and undefiled" -- nothing can tamper with it or destroy it. Time cannot inflict decay, no matter how long it takes for us to receive it. It is held in trust, until the time that only God knows.
One of my favorite sayings is, "Set your eyes on things eternal, not on things temporal." This must be a Joelene paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 4:18 (because I can't find a translation with these exact words), which says . . . "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV) Holding loosely to the things of this life and focusing on those things that don't decay or disappear seems to be a good pattern for living in the now, don't you think?
You may have an inheritance in this life; you may not. You may receive a mansion from an ancestor, or you might get a dilapidated dump from Great Uncle Friedrich. But for those who choose to trust in God, what you have inherited from Him is truly priceless . . . beyond compare and above our comprehension! And I'll bet He can hardly wait to know the joy of our receiving it . . . whatever that will be!
Anyone who trusts in God doesn't have to wonder if they've inherited a lemon -- His eternal blessings are the height of showroom quality and perfect craftmanship!
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picture this: your Great Uncle Friedrich passes away and remembered you in his will by giving you some real estate. You're pretty excited as you drive to the property so you can survey your inheritance. But as you pull up to the driveway, you realize that you've just been handed a real mess -- a dumping ground for discarded appliances and tires, a veritable haven for weeds of all kinds, and the house . . . mercy! . . . the house looks more battered than Rocky Balboa in the first "Rocky" boxing movie! What was Great Uncle Friedrich thinking?!? What in the world am I supposed to do with this mess? Did he really think he was doing me a favor by willing me this "prime piece of real estate"? Sadly, poor Great Uncle Friedrich probably hadn't seen this land in many a year, perhaps having been in a nursing home for a long time. When he knew this place in his younger years, it had beauty and pride of ownership. But how easy it is in this life for the elements and neglect/abuse to decay and destroy an earthly inheritance.
No matter how hard we try in this life to provide for future generations, any earthly inheritance is temporal and prone to decay and devolvement. In the end, the only thing that's really worth passing on is the Good News of Jesus Christ, because the Word of God says that what is stored up in heaven for those who believe will never change or decay. What that inheritance will be exactly is unknown, but being in God's presence and free from sin is HUGE! It's like getting bequeathed the whole country of France, or an entire continent, only better -- and bigger! The point is that what God has prepared for those who put their faith and hope in Him is "pure and undefiled" -- nothing can tamper with it or destroy it. Time cannot inflict decay, no matter how long it takes for us to receive it. It is held in trust, until the time that only God knows.
One of my favorite sayings is, "Set your eyes on things eternal, not on things temporal." This must be a Joelene paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 4:18 (because I can't find a translation with these exact words), which says . . . "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV) Holding loosely to the things of this life and focusing on those things that don't decay or disappear seems to be a good pattern for living in the now, don't you think?
You may have an inheritance in this life; you may not. You may receive a mansion from an ancestor, or you might get a dilapidated dump from Great Uncle Friedrich. But for those who choose to trust in God, what you have inherited from Him is truly priceless . . . beyond compare and above our comprehension! And I'll bet He can hardly wait to know the joy of our receiving it . . . whatever that will be!
Anyone who trusts in God doesn't have to wonder if they've inherited a lemon -- His eternal blessings are the height of showroom quality and perfect craftmanship!
Love,
Joelene
Friday, August 15, 2008
Verse of the Day - 2 Corinthians 5:17
. . .anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can anyone reading this say 'Amen!' to this declaration from God's Word?!? Do any of you know the reality of new life in Jesus Christ? If you have given yourself to Him, of course you do! Without Jesus Christ, we are spiritually dead in our sins -- the walking dead, I like to say. But the power of God, through Jesus Christ, makes us alive spiritually, and I believe you can tell the difference. You can look back on your own life and see the change, acknowledge the transformation. No, you're not perfect, but God has changed you on the inside, and you are simply not the person you once were. Am I right?
I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus into my life at the age of 5 years old. But as I grew, I struggled with sin and self, even at an early age. Yes, I always prayed at bedtime, and I went to Sunday School and learned Bible verses, but my life was a spiritual battlefield. I knew right from wrong and deep down, I mostly wanted to do what was right, but it seemed I was relatively powerless to win those battles. As I got to be a teenager, I more and more wasn't concerned about doing what was right -- I just didn't want to get caught. So God let me have my way until one day, at 17 years old and three weeks into college, I saw the + sign on the pregnancy test. Life forever changed as I quit college and was married six weeks later. BUT -- I was stricken with remorse over my self-led life and how I'd messed things up. I repented and turned toward God. No more was my walk with Him non-chalant. I turned toward Him and sought after Him. I read my Bible and prayed with sincerity. I met daily with a Christian woman God placed in my life during that first year. I was changed for real. Changed for good. Does that mean I haven't fallen into sinful patterns since then? No. When I have chosen to walk my own way, against the leading of the Holy Spirit, I have fallen . . . at times, very hard. But God has never turned His back on me, and has used those times for teaching me important lessons about Himself, about me, and about life. My life is changed because my agenda is different, my attitudes are different, my whole character structure is different. I am being conformed to the image of Christ -- what an amazing change that is.
That's my testimony in a nutshell. And, if you are a Christ follower, you have a testimony of old life/new life also. I would love to hear it! Tell me about how "the old has gone, and the new has come"! Leave a blog comment, so that I and others can hear your story and be encouraged. We need to be a testifying people of what God can and does do in people's lives. He is a God of miracles, and every heart that is changed from death to life is an absolute miracle! So let's share the stories of God's miracles in our lives. Give Him glory and praise for what He's done!
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can anyone reading this say 'Amen!' to this declaration from God's Word?!? Do any of you know the reality of new life in Jesus Christ? If you have given yourself to Him, of course you do! Without Jesus Christ, we are spiritually dead in our sins -- the walking dead, I like to say. But the power of God, through Jesus Christ, makes us alive spiritually, and I believe you can tell the difference. You can look back on your own life and see the change, acknowledge the transformation. No, you're not perfect, but God has changed you on the inside, and you are simply not the person you once were. Am I right?
I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus into my life at the age of 5 years old. But as I grew, I struggled with sin and self, even at an early age. Yes, I always prayed at bedtime, and I went to Sunday School and learned Bible verses, but my life was a spiritual battlefield. I knew right from wrong and deep down, I mostly wanted to do what was right, but it seemed I was relatively powerless to win those battles. As I got to be a teenager, I more and more wasn't concerned about doing what was right -- I just didn't want to get caught. So God let me have my way until one day, at 17 years old and three weeks into college, I saw the + sign on the pregnancy test. Life forever changed as I quit college and was married six weeks later. BUT -- I was stricken with remorse over my self-led life and how I'd messed things up. I repented and turned toward God. No more was my walk with Him non-chalant. I turned toward Him and sought after Him. I read my Bible and prayed with sincerity. I met daily with a Christian woman God placed in my life during that first year. I was changed for real. Changed for good. Does that mean I haven't fallen into sinful patterns since then? No. When I have chosen to walk my own way, against the leading of the Holy Spirit, I have fallen . . . at times, very hard. But God has never turned His back on me, and has used those times for teaching me important lessons about Himself, about me, and about life. My life is changed because my agenda is different, my attitudes are different, my whole character structure is different. I am being conformed to the image of Christ -- what an amazing change that is.
That's my testimony in a nutshell. And, if you are a Christ follower, you have a testimony of old life/new life also. I would love to hear it! Tell me about how "the old has gone, and the new has come"! Leave a blog comment, so that I and others can hear your story and be encouraged. We need to be a testifying people of what God can and does do in people's lives. He is a God of miracles, and every heart that is changed from death to life is an absolute miracle! So let's share the stories of God's miracles in our lives. Give Him glory and praise for what He's done!
Love,
Joelene
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Verse of the Day - Jeremiah 23:24
"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?", declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?", declares the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 23:24 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our church has started a rather unique ministry, something we call PraiseFingers (our choir is PraiseSingers, and the bell choir is PraiseRingers . . . so it sorta fits :-). It's black light hand miming, and it's rather amazing. The first time I saw a video of this, I was stunned -- I just couldn't figure out how it was done! But it's amazing what can be created with music, white gloves and a black light! (check out these links of Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-AUNFmnBEk and this one done recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eraqMcixM-Q [some gloves in this video were painted red, which looked great as a live performance, but didn't show up well on the video]
Sitting in front of a black light is pretty cool. Eyes and teeth look scary greenish-white, a french manicure glows like crazy, and every little tiny piece of lint -- that's right, lint -- shows up in the black light! Last Tuesday, I realized that I even had lint on my bare arms. What?!? Lint, on my arms?!? It truly is amazing, because to the naked eye, those specks are invisible. That night, this verse came to mind . . .
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. ~ Luke 8:17 (NIV)
God is like a black light. He sees what seems invisible. If we think we're getting away with something we shouldn't be doing, we need to think again, because God's black like picks it up like invisible lint. Nothing escapes His eyes, because like the Word says, He fills heaven and earth. He is everywhere!
And the same God who sees the dark side of our lives also sees the deep side, the things of our heart that we don't let others see. Maybe it's painful or embarrassing . . . maybe it's shameful or otherwise so uncomfortable that we just lock it away in our hearts and minds. He sees and knows you through and through . . . and He LOVES you. And He will shed light on those areas that need to be revealed for your healing. He loves you too much to let you go through life with hidden "lint" in your soul. The question is: Are you willing to see what He reveals to you, or are you just going to shut your eyes and say, "I'm not listening . . . I'm not listening . . . "?
Sergeant Schultz from the old TV Show, Hogan's Heroes, used to always say, "I see nothing, I know nothing!", when he'd become privy to some shenanigans the prisoners were up to. He simply did not want to know the truth of what was going on around him. He was content to be oblivious. Are we like Schultz?
God loves His children, and He's not content to let us run amok in sin or run around oblivious to what's going on in our hearts and minds. And so He shines His light on our lives through His Word and through the Spirit of Truth. If we are desiring to live godly lives in honor of our Lord, and if we want to be whole on the inside, we need to let God reveal to us the hidden things. We're not fooling Him -- why do we try to fool ourselves?
God is a gracious God, and loves us in spite of all of our failings and weaknesses. Turn to Him and let Him shine His beautiful, loving light on your life, so that through His Spirit, you can be cleansed and changed, moulded into the image of Christ, our Savior. God bless you today as you allow Him to turn on His "black light" . . .
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our church has started a rather unique ministry, something we call PraiseFingers (our choir is PraiseSingers, and the bell choir is PraiseRingers . . . so it sorta fits :-). It's black light hand miming, and it's rather amazing. The first time I saw a video of this, I was stunned -- I just couldn't figure out how it was done! But it's amazing what can be created with music, white gloves and a black light! (check out these links of Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-AUNFmnBEk and this one done recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eraqMcixM-Q [some gloves in this video were painted red, which looked great as a live performance, but didn't show up well on the video]
Sitting in front of a black light is pretty cool. Eyes and teeth look scary greenish-white, a french manicure glows like crazy, and every little tiny piece of lint -- that's right, lint -- shows up in the black light! Last Tuesday, I realized that I even had lint on my bare arms. What?!? Lint, on my arms?!? It truly is amazing, because to the naked eye, those specks are invisible. That night, this verse came to mind . . .
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. ~ Luke 8:17 (NIV)
God is like a black light. He sees what seems invisible. If we think we're getting away with something we shouldn't be doing, we need to think again, because God's black like picks it up like invisible lint. Nothing escapes His eyes, because like the Word says, He fills heaven and earth. He is everywhere!
And the same God who sees the dark side of our lives also sees the deep side, the things of our heart that we don't let others see. Maybe it's painful or embarrassing . . . maybe it's shameful or otherwise so uncomfortable that we just lock it away in our hearts and minds. He sees and knows you through and through . . . and He LOVES you. And He will shed light on those areas that need to be revealed for your healing. He loves you too much to let you go through life with hidden "lint" in your soul. The question is: Are you willing to see what He reveals to you, or are you just going to shut your eyes and say, "I'm not listening . . . I'm not listening . . . "?
Sergeant Schultz from the old TV Show, Hogan's Heroes, used to always say, "I see nothing, I know nothing!", when he'd become privy to some shenanigans the prisoners were up to. He simply did not want to know the truth of what was going on around him. He was content to be oblivious. Are we like Schultz?
God loves His children, and He's not content to let us run amok in sin or run around oblivious to what's going on in our hearts and minds. And so He shines His light on our lives through His Word and through the Spirit of Truth. If we are desiring to live godly lives in honor of our Lord, and if we want to be whole on the inside, we need to let God reveal to us the hidden things. We're not fooling Him -- why do we try to fool ourselves?
God is a gracious God, and loves us in spite of all of our failings and weaknesses. Turn to Him and let Him shine His beautiful, loving light on your life, so that through His Spirit, you can be cleansed and changed, moulded into the image of Christ, our Savior. God bless you today as you allow Him to turn on His "black light" . . .
Love,
Joelene
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Verse of the Day - Luke 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." ~ Luke 5:31-32 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus' tactics were pretty radical for the religious leaders of His time. Rub shoulders with sinners?!? Eat with them, talk to them, give them the time of day?!? To them it was all about self, keeping oneself ceremonially clean and untainted by the dregs of society. But Jesus was all about selflessness, embracing those who had messed up their lives with wrong choices and selfish ways. He had good news for them, that God was not far off and aloof, like the church people in the synagogue. He was up close and personal. He was love. And He could make a difference in their lives. He could make change.
So, how different are we than the Pharisees?
Do we stick our noses up at those who have lived their lives apart from God and are up to their eyeballs in sin? Do we flee from them, as if they had the contagious and deadly bird flu? And do we put stipulations and burdens on those who do come to our congregations, as if somehow they have to get well before they go see the doctor?
So many people have this concept without us perpetuating it. They think they need to "get their act together" before coming to church. If we think about it, we'll realize that it's impossible for any of us to get our act together without God! And He knows that full well -- He only asks that people come to Him in truth, acknowledging their sin and desiring to be changed. The change part is His job! And, frankly, we need to examine ourselves and make sure we're not taking any credit for the righteousness we have, as believers in Jesus. We are not good, apart from Him, and taking credit for holy living is sin. And that sin puts you right back in the "sinner pile", along with all the other sinner cards. In fact, you never left the sinner pile, since we all sin and fall short of God's glory.
See, we're all in the same deck of cards . . . but somehow, we tend to elevate ourselves as better than the guy who drinks away his paycheck and sits home on Sunday mornings watching football . . . better than the girl whose skirts are too short and whose dates are too cheap . . . better than the group of skateboarders who seem to have no ambition for life and whose tattoos and piercings display the latest art form.
If you're a Queen of Hearts, you may well think you're better than a seven of clubs . . . but Jesus says, Watch out. Your pride is tainting you more than you know. You've forgotten from where you came. All people are in the same deck. All of you need the Head Dealer to turn you over before you can be of any use to Me.
I pray that we can humble ourselves before our God and recognize firmly His amazing grace on us. If we have given ourselves to Him, we are saved from death by His grace, not by our works -- it is a gift from Him alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Let us not then set ourselves above others who have not come to faith yet -- they need our love, not our piousness. Jesus set the godly example for us to follow. Are we learning from Him, or scoffing at His tactics, like the Pharisees did?
Love,
Joelene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus' tactics were pretty radical for the religious leaders of His time. Rub shoulders with sinners?!? Eat with them, talk to them, give them the time of day?!? To them it was all about self, keeping oneself ceremonially clean and untainted by the dregs of society. But Jesus was all about selflessness, embracing those who had messed up their lives with wrong choices and selfish ways. He had good news for them, that God was not far off and aloof, like the church people in the synagogue. He was up close and personal. He was love. And He could make a difference in their lives. He could make change.
So, how different are we than the Pharisees?
Do we stick our noses up at those who have lived their lives apart from God and are up to their eyeballs in sin? Do we flee from them, as if they had the contagious and deadly bird flu? And do we put stipulations and burdens on those who do come to our congregations, as if somehow they have to get well before they go see the doctor?
So many people have this concept without us perpetuating it. They think they need to "get their act together" before coming to church. If we think about it, we'll realize that it's impossible for any of us to get our act together without God! And He knows that full well -- He only asks that people come to Him in truth, acknowledging their sin and desiring to be changed. The change part is His job! And, frankly, we need to examine ourselves and make sure we're not taking any credit for the righteousness we have, as believers in Jesus. We are not good, apart from Him, and taking credit for holy living is sin. And that sin puts you right back in the "sinner pile", along with all the other sinner cards. In fact, you never left the sinner pile, since we all sin and fall short of God's glory.
See, we're all in the same deck of cards . . . but somehow, we tend to elevate ourselves as better than the guy who drinks away his paycheck and sits home on Sunday mornings watching football . . . better than the girl whose skirts are too short and whose dates are too cheap . . . better than the group of skateboarders who seem to have no ambition for life and whose tattoos and piercings display the latest art form.
If you're a Queen of Hearts, you may well think you're better than a seven of clubs . . . but Jesus says, Watch out. Your pride is tainting you more than you know. You've forgotten from where you came. All people are in the same deck. All of you need the Head Dealer to turn you over before you can be of any use to Me.
I pray that we can humble ourselves before our God and recognize firmly His amazing grace on us. If we have given ourselves to Him, we are saved from death by His grace, not by our works -- it is a gift from Him alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Let us not then set ourselves above others who have not come to faith yet -- they need our love, not our piousness. Jesus set the godly example for us to follow. Are we learning from Him, or scoffing at His tactics, like the Pharisees did?
Love,
Joelene
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Verse of the Day - 1 Chronicles 29:17a
I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.
~ 1 Chronicles 29:17a (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday, in the grocery store, I saw a woman step out of the checkout line to grab one more thing from the produce department, where I was busy trying to be healthy :-). She made a gesture, as if she felt something had brushed her arm, as if something had fallen out of her purse, but then dismissed it and kept walking. I looked on the ground as she walked away, to see if anything had fallen out of her purse. Sure enough, it was her shopping list. I picked it up and turned it over to see if there was anything important, like a phone number or something, but it was just a simple shopping list. So there I stood with a piece of paper in my hand, presumably now unnecessary, as her cart stood in line and she stood at the bananas. I thought, "Oh well," and laid it on a stack of canned goods that stood next to me. But, for some reason, I didn't feel right about leaving it there -- it felt like littering, for one thing, but also I felt that maybe the lady really still did want that little shopping list. What if she needed it...? I knew that I knew where it was and who had dropped it. So I picked it back up, and walked toward the bananas and handed it back to her, as she scurried toward the checkout line. She said she didn't really need it, but she thanked me for the effort. And that was that.
So, was that a test of my integrity?
I know it wasn't significant in the grand scheme of things, but I felt something in my being crying out to do the "right" thing. Now, was it right, or wrong, for me to return a lost shopping list to its owner? It's not like it's listed anywhere in the Bible about my responsibility for lost shopping lists, right? But I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me, still -- I felt a tug on my heart to reach out and make the effort to return this silly little piece of paper to its owner. And, though it seemed unnecessary, I had peace about listening to God's Spirit and doing what was right. Anytime we listen to the Holy Spirit and obey, we are doing what is right. It doesn't matter if it seems insignificant or unnecessary. God is testing us, as the Word says. He is examining our hearts. Are we passing the tests? Are we modeling integrity, or not?
Oftentimes, only you and God know about the tests. Like the little shopping list test. I'm sure no one in that store saw me or the interaction that took place. But then, again, maybe so. Maybe someone was standing in another checkout line and, while perusing the latest magazine headlines, saw what happened. Maybe they even thought about getting the woman's attention about something falling out of her purse, but had decided not to say anything. Maybe as they watched what God called me to do, it gave them food for thought about their responsibility to other human beings. Because, although returning lost papers to unsuspecting owners isn't in the Bible, loving your neighbor as yourself is. Hmm . . .
Don't waste any opportunities to do what is right, to build your character. Listen carefully and consistently to God's Spirit. Let Him teach you, and test you. Be willing to listen and learn and obey. His goal for you is to steel integrity into your heart, to become a person of truth and justice, just like Him.
Life is a classroom . . . and God is the Headmaster. Learn well, my friends!
Love,
Joelene
~ 1 Chronicles 29:17a (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday, in the grocery store, I saw a woman step out of the checkout line to grab one more thing from the produce department, where I was busy trying to be healthy :-). She made a gesture, as if she felt something had brushed her arm, as if something had fallen out of her purse, but then dismissed it and kept walking. I looked on the ground as she walked away, to see if anything had fallen out of her purse. Sure enough, it was her shopping list. I picked it up and turned it over to see if there was anything important, like a phone number or something, but it was just a simple shopping list. So there I stood with a piece of paper in my hand, presumably now unnecessary, as her cart stood in line and she stood at the bananas. I thought, "Oh well," and laid it on a stack of canned goods that stood next to me. But, for some reason, I didn't feel right about leaving it there -- it felt like littering, for one thing, but also I felt that maybe the lady really still did want that little shopping list. What if she needed it...? I knew that I knew where it was and who had dropped it. So I picked it back up, and walked toward the bananas and handed it back to her, as she scurried toward the checkout line. She said she didn't really need it, but she thanked me for the effort. And that was that.
So, was that a test of my integrity?
I know it wasn't significant in the grand scheme of things, but I felt something in my being crying out to do the "right" thing. Now, was it right, or wrong, for me to return a lost shopping list to its owner? It's not like it's listed anywhere in the Bible about my responsibility for lost shopping lists, right? But I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me, still -- I felt a tug on my heart to reach out and make the effort to return this silly little piece of paper to its owner. And, though it seemed unnecessary, I had peace about listening to God's Spirit and doing what was right. Anytime we listen to the Holy Spirit and obey, we are doing what is right. It doesn't matter if it seems insignificant or unnecessary. God is testing us, as the Word says. He is examining our hearts. Are we passing the tests? Are we modeling integrity, or not?
Oftentimes, only you and God know about the tests. Like the little shopping list test. I'm sure no one in that store saw me or the interaction that took place. But then, again, maybe so. Maybe someone was standing in another checkout line and, while perusing the latest magazine headlines, saw what happened. Maybe they even thought about getting the woman's attention about something falling out of her purse, but had decided not to say anything. Maybe as they watched what God called me to do, it gave them food for thought about their responsibility to other human beings. Because, although returning lost papers to unsuspecting owners isn't in the Bible, loving your neighbor as yourself is. Hmm . . .
Don't waste any opportunities to do what is right, to build your character. Listen carefully and consistently to God's Spirit. Let Him teach you, and test you. Be willing to listen and learn and obey. His goal for you is to steel integrity into your heart, to become a person of truth and justice, just like Him.
Life is a classroom . . . and God is the Headmaster. Learn well, my friends!
Love,
Joelene
Monday, August 11, 2008
Verse of the Day - Psalm 145:18
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
~ Psalm 145:18 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm so thankful that our God can see our hearts! When we come to Him in prayer, genuinely seeking Him and believing that He exists and hears, He is close. We don't have to worry about saying the "right" words, or using some formula . . . we just need to mean it from our heart.
On the flip side, though, God sees a dishonest heart, too. He knows who's charading in their prayers and worship. Going through the motions in ritual because "it's what you do" is a farce to Him. And if the converse of this verse is true, He is not close to those who just play the game. If you pray before you eat because it's "what you do", I recommend you re-evaluate your habit. If there is no sincerity in your prayer, I say 'stop'. If you don't mean what you say when you speak to God, if it's just habit, if you could say those repetitious words in your sleep, STOP. Don't dishonor God with meaningless prayers and risk distancing yourself from Him. He wants authenticity from us . . . He wants intimacy . . . He wants close!
So, let's do away with ritual and repetition, and instead, come to God from an honest, truthful heart. Whether it's thanking Him for providing our meals, or asking Him to bless a meeting, or saying bedtime prayers with children -- make it count. Make it meaningful. Make it real, from our hearts! He longs for a real relationship with us, and truth in our communication with Him is vital.
People might be fooled, but God sees our hearts. We're not fooling Him in the least when we spit out ritual without any realness. Let's desire closeness with God through honest dialogue with Him, asking the Holy Spirit to help us peel away any dishonesty we may have in communicating with our God.
Love,
Joelene
~ Psalm 145:18 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm so thankful that our God can see our hearts! When we come to Him in prayer, genuinely seeking Him and believing that He exists and hears, He is close. We don't have to worry about saying the "right" words, or using some formula . . . we just need to mean it from our heart.
On the flip side, though, God sees a dishonest heart, too. He knows who's charading in their prayers and worship. Going through the motions in ritual because "it's what you do" is a farce to Him. And if the converse of this verse is true, He is not close to those who just play the game. If you pray before you eat because it's "what you do", I recommend you re-evaluate your habit. If there is no sincerity in your prayer, I say 'stop'. If you don't mean what you say when you speak to God, if it's just habit, if you could say those repetitious words in your sleep, STOP. Don't dishonor God with meaningless prayers and risk distancing yourself from Him. He wants authenticity from us . . . He wants intimacy . . . He wants close!
So, let's do away with ritual and repetition, and instead, come to God from an honest, truthful heart. Whether it's thanking Him for providing our meals, or asking Him to bless a meeting, or saying bedtime prayers with children -- make it count. Make it meaningful. Make it real, from our hearts! He longs for a real relationship with us, and truth in our communication with Him is vital.
People might be fooled, but God sees our hearts. We're not fooling Him in the least when we spit out ritual without any realness. Let's desire closeness with God through honest dialogue with Him, asking the Holy Spirit to help us peel away any dishonesty we may have in communicating with our God.
Love,
Joelene
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Verse of the Day - Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!
~ Romans 11:36 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday night before worship team practice, I was sitting on the couch, and my eye caught a piece of artwork on the mantel that my son had made for me. On it is a verse . . . "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." (Psalm 95:2) And the phrase "extol Him" jumped out at me...
To extol means to "praise highly, to glorify, lift up, exalt". And that reminder on Friday night caused me to pause and think about what I should be getting ready to do at practice . . . extol Him. Lift Him up, glorify Him, exalt Him. But, alas, self got in the way, as she often does, and my focus was not so much about extolling Him through my music, but the technical issues and such. Someone asked me after rehearsal if I was all right, that I seemed a little "short", and I said I was fine, that it was just this-and-that. But later, I reflected that I should not excuse that behavior -- my focus was not on the Lord, and it was easily detected. Ouch.
"For from Him and to Him and through Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!"
How often is our desire in attending worship services or serving the Lord centered around ourselves, in what we can get out of it? How often are we "doing" for the Lord on our own, without seeking His power?
He is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the King. Everything comes from Him, everything continues because of Him, and everything focuses toward Him. So the question is: Are we in line with this godly perspective, or are we running on self? What is our motivation for service, for living -- God or ourselves?
God brought this to my attention on Friday, and I'm glad for today's verse, to remind me again of where my head needs to be at today as I go to worship service. But not only at church . . . every day, I need to elevate Him in my heart and mind as everything in everything . . . all in all.
He is worthy of being lifted up, of being highly praised, of being glorified, amen?!? I pray we will strive to make and keep Him our ultimate priority in everything we do and say.
~ Romans 11:36 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday night before worship team practice, I was sitting on the couch, and my eye caught a piece of artwork on the mantel that my son had made for me. On it is a verse . . . "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." (Psalm 95:2) And the phrase "extol Him" jumped out at me...
To extol means to "praise highly, to glorify, lift up, exalt". And that reminder on Friday night caused me to pause and think about what I should be getting ready to do at practice . . . extol Him. Lift Him up, glorify Him, exalt Him. But, alas, self got in the way, as she often does, and my focus was not so much about extolling Him through my music, but the technical issues and such. Someone asked me after rehearsal if I was all right, that I seemed a little "short", and I said I was fine, that it was just this-and-that. But later, I reflected that I should not excuse that behavior -- my focus was not on the Lord, and it was easily detected. Ouch.
"For from Him and to Him and through Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!"
How often is our desire in attending worship services or serving the Lord centered around ourselves, in what we can get out of it? How often are we "doing" for the Lord on our own, without seeking His power?
He is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the King. Everything comes from Him, everything continues because of Him, and everything focuses toward Him. So the question is: Are we in line with this godly perspective, or are we running on self? What is our motivation for service, for living -- God or ourselves?
God brought this to my attention on Friday, and I'm glad for today's verse, to remind me again of where my head needs to be at today as I go to worship service. But not only at church . . . every day, I need to elevate Him in my heart and mind as everything in everything . . . all in all.
He is worthy of being lifted up, of being highly praised, of being glorified, amen?!? I pray we will strive to make and keep Him our ultimate priority in everything we do and say.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Verse of the Day - Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
~ Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While on my vacation, my stepdad and I visited a neighbor lady down the road, and as we walked around her house, looking at her potted vegetables, I saw a sad sight - a dead bird, lying in the grass. When I said, a little shocked, "Look, a dead bird...", the neighbor lady said, somewhat non-chalantly, "Yeah, he probably hit the window..."
A single bird in the grass on a rural piece of property in a box canyon in a very small town in the Pacific Northwest of America . . . and yet, God...the Maker of all things...the giver of all life...knows about that bird. That one little bird. Pretty amazing, huh?
That is the beauty and power of God! Nothing in all His creation is out of His view or His concern. And the Word says that, if God sees and cares about a little wild bird that gets confused by a clear glass window, how much more does He see and care for you -- you, who are made in His image, who have the capacity to love and be loved by Him?
A friend emailed me earlier this week that Jesus is a "FABULOUS FRIEND!" I couldn't agree more! I pray that you can know and trust in what God has to say about how He feels about you. You are just one person in a vast sea of humanity . . . but He loves YOU! Everything about you is His concern, and He is not content with just a superficial or sub-standard relationship with you. He desires something that's intimate and vibrant. He stands ready -- 24x7 -- to be the best friend you have ever had.
The question is: Is that your greatest desire? Is your friendship with God the most important thing to you, or is He just a dead bird to step over in your life, just something to be dealt with when you get around to it? Hmm . . .
~ Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While on my vacation, my stepdad and I visited a neighbor lady down the road, and as we walked around her house, looking at her potted vegetables, I saw a sad sight - a dead bird, lying in the grass. When I said, a little shocked, "Look, a dead bird...", the neighbor lady said, somewhat non-chalantly, "Yeah, he probably hit the window..."
A single bird in the grass on a rural piece of property in a box canyon in a very small town in the Pacific Northwest of America . . . and yet, God...the Maker of all things...the giver of all life...knows about that bird. That one little bird. Pretty amazing, huh?
That is the beauty and power of God! Nothing in all His creation is out of His view or His concern. And the Word says that, if God sees and cares about a little wild bird that gets confused by a clear glass window, how much more does He see and care for you -- you, who are made in His image, who have the capacity to love and be loved by Him?
A friend emailed me earlier this week that Jesus is a "FABULOUS FRIEND!" I couldn't agree more! I pray that you can know and trust in what God has to say about how He feels about you. You are just one person in a vast sea of humanity . . . but He loves YOU! Everything about you is His concern, and He is not content with just a superficial or sub-standard relationship with you. He desires something that's intimate and vibrant. He stands ready -- 24x7 -- to be the best friend you have ever had.
The question is: Is that your greatest desire? Is your friendship with God the most important thing to you, or is He just a dead bird to step over in your life, just something to be dealt with when you get around to it? Hmm . . .
Friday, August 8, 2008
Verse of the Day - Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
~ Romans 12:16 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just got back from 10 days' vacation in rural Washington State visiting my parents! Pretty laid-back lifestyle there, as far as the hustle and bustle of city living goes. Yet people work hard living life, with gardens to tend and farms to maintain -- ordinary, by most standards.
And yet, I got an amazing glimpse into "ordinary" people and their worship of God one Saturday night at the home of a large family (seven in all) who'd invited many from their small home church for a music night, complete with potluck! This family has a small farm they maintain, as well as homeschooling all of their kids (as do all the families in their home church). Although they aren't Quaker or Mennonite, there are some lifestyle similarities (so it seemed to me), and it was an interesting experience being with alot of people who live differently than I do. I got a nice tour of their huge garden and saw the goats and the cow. Later, we had a nice dinner, and then the music began. Who knew you could pack so many musicians and instruments into one living room?!? Piano, guitar, upright bass, mandolin, flutes, violins, cello, and even a harp! Mind you, the oldest musician was no more than, maybe, 21 years old! And could these kids play! We had request night out of the hymnal and the room was filled with songs and music in worship to God! We left around 9pm, but they were just kicking into high gear when we left, with another guy just showing up with several guitars in hand! Kids and adults alike -- ordinary people -- making extraordinary worship to their God! What a blessing it was for me to be a part of this worship gathering!
Are we too proud to be with "ordinary" people, or people who "do it" differently than we do? And what is "ordinary", anyway? I found these rural people's hospitality and love for God to be extraordinary!
Maybe I'm the ordinary one . . .
We like to label people as "ordinary" and/or somehow less-than-stellar if they live on a farm and don't wear the latest fashion trends . . . or if they work at McDonald's or Wal-Mart . . . or if they don't live in the best neighborhoods. And does that prejudice keep us from knowing and loving people?
Did Jesus let "ordinary" get in His way, when he loved people? Did social status or wardrobe selection keep Him from falling in love with humanity? His compassion and friendship for the tax collector and prostitute, the fisherman and widow, the Centurion and well-to-do, seem to say 'no'. People are people to God. He loves them all, and desires a relationship with every one.
Lord, forgive us when we stick our noses up in pride at those we consider "ordinary". Help us to understand our own "ordinary" condition and that, in Your eyes, we are all the same -- ordinary, and yet extraordinary! Lord, strip our hearts and minds of the pride that tries to set us up above others, which builds walls, instead of bridges, between people. Help us live in community with all people, and desire Your glory and Your kingdom above all else. Amen.
~ Romans 12:16 (NLT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just got back from 10 days' vacation in rural Washington State visiting my parents! Pretty laid-back lifestyle there, as far as the hustle and bustle of city living goes. Yet people work hard living life, with gardens to tend and farms to maintain -- ordinary, by most standards.
And yet, I got an amazing glimpse into "ordinary" people and their worship of God one Saturday night at the home of a large family (seven in all) who'd invited many from their small home church for a music night, complete with potluck! This family has a small farm they maintain, as well as homeschooling all of their kids (as do all the families in their home church). Although they aren't Quaker or Mennonite, there are some lifestyle similarities (so it seemed to me), and it was an interesting experience being with alot of people who live differently than I do. I got a nice tour of their huge garden and saw the goats and the cow. Later, we had a nice dinner, and then the music began. Who knew you could pack so many musicians and instruments into one living room?!? Piano, guitar, upright bass, mandolin, flutes, violins, cello, and even a harp! Mind you, the oldest musician was no more than, maybe, 21 years old! And could these kids play! We had request night out of the hymnal and the room was filled with songs and music in worship to God! We left around 9pm, but they were just kicking into high gear when we left, with another guy just showing up with several guitars in hand! Kids and adults alike -- ordinary people -- making extraordinary worship to their God! What a blessing it was for me to be a part of this worship gathering!
Are we too proud to be with "ordinary" people, or people who "do it" differently than we do? And what is "ordinary", anyway? I found these rural people's hospitality and love for God to be extraordinary!
Maybe I'm the ordinary one . . .
We like to label people as "ordinary" and/or somehow less-than-stellar if they live on a farm and don't wear the latest fashion trends . . . or if they work at McDonald's or Wal-Mart . . . or if they don't live in the best neighborhoods. And does that prejudice keep us from knowing and loving people?
Did Jesus let "ordinary" get in His way, when he loved people? Did social status or wardrobe selection keep Him from falling in love with humanity? His compassion and friendship for the tax collector and prostitute, the fisherman and widow, the Centurion and well-to-do, seem to say 'no'. People are people to God. He loves them all, and desires a relationship with every one.
Lord, forgive us when we stick our noses up in pride at those we consider "ordinary". Help us to understand our own "ordinary" condition and that, in Your eyes, we are all the same -- ordinary, and yet extraordinary! Lord, strip our hearts and minds of the pride that tries to set us up above others, which builds walls, instead of bridges, between people. Help us live in community with all people, and desire Your glory and Your kingdom above all else. Amen.
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